[0001] This invention relates to a system for connecting together vertical and horizontal
elements within a prefabricated structure, characterised by dry mounting of its constituent
elements.
[0002] The general object of the present invention is to provide a system for connecting
together vertical and horizontal elements by which a dry-mountable prefabricated structure
can be obtained in which the horizontal structures consist of slabs interconnected
to define a rigid platform, and the vertical structures consist of panels of load-bearing
function extending in both directions and connected together vertically.
[0003] The rigid platform is obtained by connecting the slabs together by the connection
system according to the invention, achieved by positioning within the supporting and
supported teeth of the adjacent slabs a preferably metal sheath of suitable diameter.
[0004] It is hence possible to insert into the aligned sheaths a reinforcement rod or pin
which following the subsequent injection of concrete forms a considerably effective
edgewise connection providing continuity of the rigid platform.
[0005] The same type of connection is also made between the slabs and vertical support panels,
to make the platform monolithic in terms of distributing horizontal forces.
[0006] In reality this connection not only joins the lower panels to the slabs but also
creates reinforcement continuity between the lower panels and upper panels by means
of a joint formed by injecting concrete into the sheath to set the reinforcements
passing through the sheath.
[0007] In the direction of greater inertia the panels hence function as a reinforced brace
which discharges compression into the concrete and traction into the reinforcement
rods, whereas in the direction of lesser inertia in constitutes in practice a hinge,
ie it is unable to contribute to the strength of the other braces (panels positioned
perpendicular to the preceding braces).
[0008] In this manner a prefabricated structure can be formed in which the braced walls
are always the perimetral walls and the walls of the stair-lift block, plus possibly
other internal walls to reduce the floor span.
[0009] A free plan is therefore obtainable in which the partitions are not load-bearing
and can vary in position from floor to floor with time.
[0010] A further characteristic of the connection system is that it is entirely of dry formation,
ie the panels are mounted by resting each panel, in correspondence with the underlying
reinforcements and sheaths, on a suitable pad of plastically deformable material (such
as lead) provided with a central hole in correspondence with the sheaths.
[0011] Each panel, supported during the installation of the floor by suitable temporary
props, is stabilized by injecting concrete into the vertical sheaths of the panels
and into the slab connection sheaths.
[0012] By means of the connection system according to the invention a free-plan prefabricated
building can be constructed having reinforcement continuity in the vertical structure
and a rigid horizontal platform, with dry mounting of the structure and with particularly
effective and reliable connections, such as to be able to be used in seismic regions.
[0013] The structural and functional characteristics of the connection system according
to the invention will be more apparent from the description given hereinafter with
reference to the accompanying schematic diagrams, which show examples of application
of the system. In the drawings:
Figure 1 is a vertical section showing a system for connecting internal panels to
slabs;
Figure 2 is a vertical section showing a system for connecting external panels to
slabs; and
Figure 3 is a vertical section showing a system for connecting slabs to slabs.
[0014] In Figure 1 of the drawings, the reference numeral 10 indicates two adjacent floor
slabs of a prefabricated structure, and 11 indicates two internal panels of the same
structure which are superposed by way of the slabs 10.
[0015] The slabs 10 and panels 11 are securely interconnected by the connection system of
the invention, which characteristically consists of sheaths 12, 13 embedded in the
connection teeth 14 of the slabs 10 and panels 11 respectively.
[0016] Said sheaths 12, 13 are aligned, reinforcement rods 15 passing through them.
[0017] The connection system according to the invention therefore consists of positioning
in the teeth 14 (supporting and supported) of the slabs 10 and in the internal panels
11 an inner sheath, preferably of knurled sheet metal construction, which contains
the vertical continuity reinforcement rods 15 and connects the elements horizontally,
creating the floor slab anchors to ensure a monolithic rigid platform.
[0018] The reference numeral 16 indicates interconnection rods and 17 indicates pads, for
example of lead, which by plastically deforming ensure correct resting of the elements.
[0019] Hence, by positioning totally extending sheaths 12, 13 within the elements, the floor
slabs 10 and the vertical panels 11 can be mounted by inserting through the sheaths
the reinforcement rods 15 which emerge from the underlying element.
[0020] More specifically, the panel 11 is positioned with a safety seal at its base and
braced with adjustable struts, after which a reinforcement rod 15 of length equal
to the distance between floors plus the superposed length is inserted from the top
through the sheaths 12, 13, superposing it on that emerging from the underlying panel
and slab.
[0021] Using a suitable injection pump, concrete is then injected into the sheath to hence
create reinforcement continuity.
[0022] The horizontal slabs 10 which rest on the vertical panels 11 are mounted so that
their sheaths 12 receive the reinforcement rods 15 emerging from the underlying panel
11.
[0023] The slabs 10 hence define a perfect hinge joint with the vertical elements 11, as
they comprise within their interior a reinforcement which forms a tie for the floor
anchors.
[0024] Figure 2 shows the connection system between a horizontal slab 10 and external panels
18, whereas Figure 3 shows the connection system between two adjacent slabs 10.
[0025] In this latter case, the horizontal forces acting between the two elements 10 are
transmitted with extreme reliability and ease by a steel pin 19 inserted into the
coaxial sheaths 12, to hence form a rigid platform without the need for additional
castings.
[0026] The reference numeral 20 indicates a characteristic raised floor, also dry-mounted
and hence eliminating any in-situ casting, the installations extending below it being
easily inspectionable.
[0027] To prevent noise transmission, mortar is used to seal the joint between the supporting
tooth and the supported tooth of the floor slabs 10.
[0028] The sheaths 12, 13 could also be dispensed with, and the connection system be implemented
using simple holes and/or cavities of a different configuration formed in the prefabricated
elements.
[0029] The object stated in the introduction to the description, of providing a system whereby
a prefabricated structure in which the constituent elements can be dry-mounted, is
hence attained.