Modular structural system

The invention relates to a modular structural system obtained from the combination, in sliding engagement form, of generically elongated elements A, B, C, D having sections whose perimeter is provided with protrusions and recesses which, in the spatial development of the elements A, B, C, D, form sliding channels or tracks for mutual sliding of the elements which form the structural system. The structural system may also be provided with node elements C shaped so as to have two parallel opposite surfaces, one of which is provided with sliding channels or tracks for mutual male/female engagement in corresponding sliding channels or tracks and the other surface of which is provided with a permanent or releasable connection with other elements A, B, C, D at a connection angle of 0<a<180° with respect to said opposite surfaces. The structural system may also be provided with nodes A″, B″, C″ instead of the node elements C.

This application is a national phase application claiming benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §371 to International (PCT) Patent Application serial number PCT/IT2015/000034, filed Feb. 12, 2015, which claims benefit of priority to Italian patent application RM2014A000062, filed Feb. 13, 2014. The aforementioned applications are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a modular structural system which can be used in various sectors, mainly the construction sector, but also in all those application sectors where there is a need for manufactured objects which are able to suitably resist mechanical stresses which cannot be effectively opposed by corresponding monolithic systems.

PRIOR ART

The structural systems known hitherto are substantially monolithic. The most well-known and universally used systems are pillars and beams described hereinbelow (source: Wikipedia under the headings: “pillar” and “beam”).

A pillar is typically made of reinforced concrete, consisting namely of concrete and steel bars (reinforcement) embedded therein and suitably shaped and connected together.

A pillar is a vertical load-bearing architectural element which transfers the loads from the overstructure to the underlying structures designed to support it. The particular feature of the pillar consists in the form which is imagined to be vertical (namely obtained from a base which extends perpendicularly to the plane containing it); this flat base may be square, rectangular, polygonal or more complex (with multiple lobes, bundle-shaped, etc.). or also circular. The cross-section may have a constant form and size or variable form and/or size, in which case it is referred to as a “tapered pillar”.

“Beam” is understood as meaning a structural element with a predominant dimension which is designed to transfer a stress tendentially transverse to its geometrical axis along said axis, from the sections acted on by the load to the constraining points, which ensure the external equilibrium of the beam, securing it to the surroundings. A mechanical system composed of beams which are fastened together and to the ground is called a “truss work” or “frame”. This system constitutes one of the most important structural configurations used in constructions. In a regularly shaped frame, the pillars form the vertical interplanar elements, while the beams indicate specifically the horizontal planar elements.

A fundamental characteristic feature of beams consists in their static behaviour. The term “beams” more correctly refers to a condition where there is a mainly flexural behaviour while the term “pillars” refers to a condition where the behaviour consists mainly of a perpendicular force.

There exist construction systems with modular elements which may however be combined with each other, but the known systems are unable to provide a suitable resistance to the shearing, tractional, bending, compression and twisting stresses and generally have discontinuous lines which weaken the structure.

The present invention does not relate to constructional elements which form walls.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Below the terms “groove”, “recess”, “channel”, “spline” and “track” will be understood as being synonyms, and likewise the terms “projection” and “protrusion” are to be regarded as synonyms.

According to the present invention it is understood that:“structural element” refers to each single element A, B, C, C′, D or their alternative embodiments as described and illustrated below;“structural system” refers to the set of elements A, B and optionally C and optional elements D, said “structural system” being able to be further provided with node elements C;“structural assembly” refers to the combination of at least two structural systems which are connected by means of a node element C′, the “structural assembly” preferably comprises a plurality of “structural systems” connected together by means of one or more node elements C′ or by means of nodes A″, B″, C″.

According to the present invention a composite or modular structural system with a predefined section is provided, said system being obtained from the combination, in sliding engagement form, of generically elongated elements, wherein said elements are of at least two different types and may be assembled together slidingly so as to form a variety of three-dimensional constructional structures. The structures may be building structures or mechanical structures or construction games or ornamental objects.

The structural system according to the invention may be structured in space with a both vertical and horizontal development, the connection between the two directions of development being obtained by means of one or more node elements or by means of nodes.

The system according to the invention has a predefined section and its spatial development is obtained along a main line which is perpendicular to the section; said system comprises:a first element A with a generically elongated shape having a generically quadrangular section whose perimeter is provided with protrusions and recesses or grooves which, in the spatial development of the element A, form sliding channels or tracks for mutual sliding of the elements which form the composite structural system, the external perimeter of said element A being substantially completely surrounded by perimeter portions of elements B;second elements B having a section whose perimeter is provided with protrusions and recesses or grooves which, in the spatial development of the element B, form sliding channels or tracks for mutual sliding of the elements which form the composite structural system, the perimeter of said element B being such that part of it may be inserted inside portions of the perimeter of A with mutual male/female engagement, while the remaining perimeter of B either defines perimeter portions of the section of the structural element or constitutes an element for insertion into perimeter portions of optional third elements C and optional elements D by means of mutual male/female engagement;optional third elements C having a section whose perimeter is such that part of it may be inserted in portions of the perimeter of B and in perimeter portions of optional other elements C and optional elements D with mutual male/female engagement, while the remaining perimeter portions of C define external perimeter portions of the overall final section of the composite or modular structural system; perimeter portions of said elements C and optional elements D substantially completely surrounding the perimeter portions of the elements B that are not engaged during mutual sliding with the element A;optional further elements D having sections whose perimeter is such that part of it is inserted in portions of the perimeter of C and optionally of B with a mutual male/female engagement, while the remaining perimeter portions of D define external perimeter portions of the overall final section of the composite or modular structural system.

In a particular embodiment indicated with C′, the element generically indicated by C is shaped so as to have two opposite surfaces, substantially parallel to each other, having a surface area which is bigger than the surface area of the remaining pairs of opposite surfaces. One of these two extended surfaces is provided with protrusions and sliding channels or tracks for mutual male/female engagement in corresponding sliding channels or tracks of second elements B and optional elements C and optional elements D, and the opposite parallel surface is provided with a permanent or releasable connection with said first element A and second elements B and optional other elements C and optional elements D at a connection angle of 0<α<180° with respect to said opposite surfaces, preferably 0<α<90°, and more preferably α=90°.

The permanent or releasable connection may be obtained in any known manner, for example using parts connected together using fixing means or systems chosen from: screws, bolts, glues, welds, pins, clinching, riveting, hemming, sealing, screwing, interlocking engagement or snap-engagement, etc., or may also be formed as an integral or monolithic element between the element C and the various other elements A, B, C, D.

From a geometrical point of view the elements A, B, C, D, C′ may be defined as solids generated from a flat figure which moves in space and remains substantially orthogonal to the trajectories described by its points. The trajectory of the barycentre of the flat figure is said axial line, while the flat figure forms the section of each element A, B, C, D, C′. In the linear development of the elements the protrusions and recesses of the sections of A, B, C, D and C′, in the linear development of the said section, form protrusions and sliding channels or tracks. The internal shape of the section may be solid in order to produce a solid element or entirely or partly hollow in order to produce a box-like or hollow element.

The engagement between the various elements A, B, C, D, C′ is in the form of sliding engagement of the male/female type, for example a male dovetail, which is designed with dimensions suitable for engaging with a corresponding female dovetail on other elements so that said elements are engaged together in a sliding manner.

In the elongated spatial development of the structural system according to the invention each element A, B, C, D, C′ may be superimposed on or combined with or added onto a corresponding other element A, B, C, D with a section substantially identical thereto, made of the same material or different material.

The structural elements A, B, C, D, C′ are generated by means of the three-dimensional development of a flat geometrical “base” figure along a direction generally perpendicular to the plane in which said figure lies. This geometrical figure, generating the single element A, B, C, D, C′, is formed by a perimeter and by a surface inside the perimeter. The morphology of the elements A, B, C, D, C′ is therefore characterized by a superficial solid casing, defined by the development of the perimeter of the base figure along the desired height, and by an internal solid volume, defined by the development of the surface inside the perimeter of the base figure over the height which is to be given to the element. The shape and dimensions of the flat “base” figure of each single element, as well as the height of the said element, are defined, configured and designed depending on the requisites which the element will be able to satisfy (singly or as an assembly formed by the structural elements A, B, C, D, C′) and therefore the performance features which the structural system according to the invention will ensure for its uses.

The structural elements A, B, C, D, C′ can be made hollow internally, with variable thicknesses,

Each structural element A, B, C, D, C′ of a given length may be formed piece-by-piece with portions of further elements A, B, C, D, C′ until the desired length is obtained. The piece-wise composition/segmentation may be performed also in a manner not orthogonal to the axis of development of the element.

In addition each structural element A, B, C, D, C′ may be formed piece-by-piece such that the set of parts recompose the geometric shape of the single element, an example of this embodiment being shown inFIG. 34.

The structural system of the invention is obtained from the combination of a central element A with one or more elements B structurally connected around A and optional elements C and optional elements D structurally connected around B and not around A. Such spatial organization of the structural system is designed to form linear structures, which are typically vertical and horizontal, in the form of a structural assembly, for example in the form of pillars and beams whereby curvilinear structures are also possible, as for example shown inFIG. 28.

Advantageously, the structural system according to the invention has an overall section with an outer perimeter in the form of a regular polygon or a circle: particularly preferred are square and rectangular sections.

The proportions and the ratios between concave parts and convex parts of the sections of the elements A, B, C, D and C′ are such as to ensure the complementary nature of said elements with respect to each other.

The distribution of volumes and corresponding sections of the single elements A, B, C, D, C′ can be managed at the level of adjacent pairs, A with B (A-B), B with C (B-C), C with D (C-D), B with C and D (B-C-D) but not A with C and A with D in that the dimensions and variables may be distributed only between adjacent and/or bordering elements, as for example illustrated in the figures that show in cross-section shapes and geometries of various embodiments of elements A, B, C, D.

The structural system may have a predefined length and may be obtained by assembling the elements A and B and optional elements C and optional elements D having lengths different from each other until the predefined length of the structural element as a whole is obtained, as schematically shown inFIG. 13.

The single elements are defined by the three-dimensional development (along a directrix orthogonal to the plane in which the figure itself lies) of each geometrical base figure. Each structural element is joined, or rather assembled, together with the adjacent element by means of an operation which may be performed by means of insertion and sliding of the outer portions of the edges relative to each other. One of the methods may be as follows: on one end of the first structural element A each second element B and then in sequence each optional element C and optional element D are slidably assembled. The insertion procedure is performed making use of the external geometrical characteristics of each element and is ensured by the presence of concave and convex portions, i.e. protrusions and recesses, complementing each other. The latter guarantee also perfect joining together and assembly of the elements so that, once joined, it is no longer possible to separate them (unless the reverse procedure is carried out).

This procedure is repeated for all the simple structural elements of the invention until the combined structural system is configured in its completed form, namely as designed in order to satisfy all the given requirements.

The materials from which each single structural element may be made, may be of a varying nature and chosen from: metals and alloys, polymeric materials, ceramics, glass, wood, natural stone, agglomerates, conglomerates and composite materials, such as metallic and non-metallic laminates, and combinations thereof. The materials can be chosen from among: bulk materials, reticular materials, cellular materials with open and or closed cells, and stratified materials. The single elements A, B, C, D, C′ may also be hollow and in this case it is possible to choose materials to make the casing of the structural element and other materials to fill the volume inside the casing. The casing can have a constant or variable thickness or the internal volume may be filled entirely or partly with gas, for example chosen from: air, inert gas, or liquids such as cooling or heating liquids or solids as mentioned above or corresponding combinations of gases, liquids and solids, as illustrated inFIG. 34.

The modular structural system according to the invention may be advantageously used in various sectors such as the construction and mechanical engineering industries, transportation and furnishing sectors, as well as in all those application sectors where different types and degrees of stresses must be simultaneously dealt with. The modular structural system according to the invention may also be advantageously used to provide modular games and construction games.

The structural system according to the invention is a cooperative system since it is able to achieve the combined and simultaneous synergy of the various structural elements which, independently of each other, may be composed and combined piece-wise with other portions of modular elements having geometrical features which are substantially the same and made of different types of materials, which are identified, prechosen and configured individually on the basis of their specific characteristics and performance features so as to optimize the functions and aims which are required of them. By optimizing the functions and aims of the single elements it is possible to achieve an improvement in performance of the entire structural system compared to corresponding structures of the same size and weight.

The organization of the structural assembly according to the invention constitutes the most effective response for meeting the design requirements.

Basically, with the structural system according to the invention, it is possible to provide each element or portion thereof with specific characteristics and requisites suitable for developing a cooperative structural system able to satisfy all the required combinations of performance features.

With the structural system according to the invention it is possible to achieve an optimization and therefore increase in the performance features, in terms of resistance to the simple and composite shearing, compressive, tractional, torsional, bending and other stresses, compared to corresponding structures of the same size and/or weight.

With the structural system according to invention it is also possible to rationalize and therefore reduce the quantities of materials used (for example in terms of thicknesses, weights, etc.) owing to the fact that it is possible to provide each modular element only with those mechanical properties which are absolutely necessary for satisfying the combination of forces which this element will be subject to when performing the intended functions for which it has been designed, without creating any interference or imbalance between the elements which form the structure.

Each modular element may be made using different materials and may make up the structural element in different proportions. Furthermore the modular elements may be combined also without using further connection systems or devices, other than those elements which form the structural system, this favouring a reduction in the additional parts and greater ease of assembly.

The advantages described above allow the modular system according to the invention to be used in the most widely varying application fields, allowing the assembly times to be minimized, ensuring the simplicity, precision and rapidity of the assembly and disassembly operations, and limiting the use of auxiliary instruments or apparatus, such as tools, machinery and various equipment for assembly. Advantageously, but not exclusively, the structural system may be used to form for example support frames, scaffolding, cranes and raising and displacement devices, enclosures, protection means, safety barriers, furnishings, as well as structures for temporary and/or permanent facilities and temporary and/or permanent and emergency infrastructures.

An additional advantage in terms of protection of the environment and energy savings is provided by the possibility of disassembling the structural system, it being possible also to re-employ each single element separately for other uses, with consequent limitation of wastage and disposal costs.

Further objects will become clear from the detailed description of the invention below, with reference to preferred embodiments, it being understood however that variations are possible without departing from the scope of protection defined by the accompanying claims and with reference to the figures in the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The attached figures show a preferred embodiment of a structural system according to the invention obtained by combining various embodiments of the elements A, B, C; D, the node elements C′ and the nodes A″, B″, C″, which allow interconnection with other four structural systems positioned orthogonally with respect to the first system in order to obtain a structural assembly according to the invention.

With particular reference to the attachedFIGS. 1 to 6, these show a preferred embodiment of the elements A, B and C, which make up the modular structural system according to the invention.

The element A, shown in the axonometric view ofFIG. 1and in the cross-section ofFIG. 2has a generically square section, as shown in particular inFIG. 2, or rectangular section, as shown inFIGS. 25band 26c. In said element A sliding grooves or longitudinal tracks1are formed, symmetrically distributed on the four sides of the section. InFIGS. 1 and 2and inFIGS. 24, 25b,25c,25d,25f,26a26c,26d, the guides shown are of the square type with parallel surfaces, but may be formed in any known manner suitable for allowing sliding of complementary parts, for example rounded or bevelled as shown inFIGS. 25a, 25e, 25gand 26b. The grooves or tracks1define projecting parts2, which may also be shaped square or rounded or bevelled so as to be able to engage slidingly inside corresponding complementary grooves of a generic element B.

The element B, shown in the axonometric view ofFIG. 3and in the cross-section ofFIG. 4, has a generically quadrangular section, as shown in particular inFIG. 4, which shows the sliding grooves or longitudinal tracks3, and optional sliding grooves or longitudinal tracks4and5formed on one or three of the four corners of the section and also optional sliding grooves or longitudinal tracks15formed on the fourth of the four corners of the section, as shown in cross-section ofFIG. 26b. Also the element B may have a generically rectangular section, as shown in particular inFIGS. 25be26c. InFIGS. 3, 4and inFIGS. 24, 25b,25c,25d,25f,26a,26ce26dthe grooves or tracks3,4,15are of the square type with parallel surfaces, but such tracks may be formed in any known manner suitable for allowing sliding of complementary parts, for example rounded or bevelled, as shown inFIGS. 25a, 25e, 25gand 26b. In the embodiment ofFIG. 4the grooves or tracks4and5are an identical mirror-image of each other and different from the track3which is shaped so that it can be coupled with and accommodate the projecting parts2of the element A. The grooves or tracks4and5are designed to engage slidingly with corresponding complementary protrusions of a generic element C or C′. In the embodiment ofFIG. 24, the grooves or tracks4and5are replaced by grooves16and protrusions17and a structural system according to the invention may be formed only with the central element A, in this case having a generically square section, (or rectangular section, not shown), surrounded by four elements B. The section of a structural system realized with only elements A and B may be, other than square, as shown inFIG. 24, also polygonal, or rounded or generically with any design (embodiments not shown).

The embodiment shown inFIG. 26bhas the additional groove or track15which is able to slidingly engage with corresponding complementary protrusion of a generic element D, whose section can have various shapes, as for example shown inFIGS. 26ato 20d. In this embodiment the structural system of the invention will be formed not only with the central element A (having a generically square or rectangular section), surrounded by four elements B, but also with additional four elements C and D.

With particular reference toFIG. 25c, this shows an embodiment in cross-section in which the four elements B are cast together as a monolithic element or monobloc which completely surrounds A.

The element C, shown in the axonometric ofFIGS. 5a, 5band in cross-section inFIG. 6is generically shaped so as to have two opposite surfaces6,7, substantially parallel to each other, having a surface area bigger than the surface area of the remaining pairs of parallel and opposite surfaces8,9and10,10′, the pairs of surfaces10,10′ being identical to each other.

The surface10of the element C has a generically rectangular section, as shown inFIG. 6.

The extended surface7is provided with a protrusion11for forming two parallel and opposite sliding channels12and a protrusion13parallel to the channels12on the side where the lateral surface9is located. The lateral surface8, parallel and opposite to the lateral surface9, has a longitudinal groove or track14parallel to the channels12.

In an embodiment shown only in cross-section (FIG. 25c) two alternate and opposite elements C have parallel sliding channels14able to slidingly engage with corresponding protrusions13formed on the other two alternate and parallel elements C.

In an embodiment shown only in cross-section (FIGS. 26ato 26d) the four alternate and opposite elements C have on their surfaces8/9protrusions/sliding channels14able to slidingly engage with corresponding channels/protrusions of additional elements D.

In an embodiments shown only in cross-section (FIGS. 25fand 25g) the elements C have double parallel sliding channels14able to slidingly engage with corresponding double protrusions13formed on other two adjacent elements C.

As shown inFIGS. 25ato 26d, the element C, optionally in combination with the element D, with its external perimeter portion which may have various shapes with different designs, helps form the external part of the structural system of the invention.

FIGS. 23ato 23kshow different embodiments of the protrusion/channel joint which can be obtained on the lateral surfaces8/9of two elements C adjacent to each other. Some of the various embodiments are also shown inFIGS. 25ato26d.

The node element C′ (FIGS. 7, 8 and 9) has the same sliding channels or tracks and protrusions as the element C, while it differs from the latter in that on the extended surface6, which is parallel and opposite to the extended surface7, it is further provided with a permanent or releasable connection with the element A (FIG. 7) or with elements B, which inFIG. 8are shown cast together to form a monobloc, or with elements C, which inFIG. 9are shown cast together to form a monobloc. The elements A, B, C are connected to the surface6′ at an angle α which in this embodiment forms an angle α of 90° with respect to the extended surface6′.

In an embodiment, not shown, the connection on the surface6′ of said elements A, B, C may be performed at angles α≠90°.

The grooves or tracks12and the protrusion11are designed to engage slidingly with corresponding complementary protrusions or tracks of generic elements B. The protrusions13and the grooves or tracks14are designed to engage slidingly with corresponding complementary tracks or protrusions of other generic elements C.

Again with reference toFIGS. 7-9, these show preferred embodiments of the node element C′, which allow two or more structural systems to be interconnected with each other.

FIGS. 10, 11e12are further embodiments of nodes which are an alternative to those obtainable with the elements C′. These further embodiments are obtained by means of the spatial arrangement of at least two elements at 90° with respect to each other. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 10the node A″ is obtained by the combination of six elements A originally cast together. In further embodiments (not shown) the node A″ may be obtained by combining at least three elements originally cast together. The node B″ is composed by at least three groups of four elements B originally cast together andFIG. 11shows the node B″ composed of six of these groups of four elements B, which in this figure are cast together to form a monobloc, the monoblocs being originally cast together. The node C″ is composed of at least three groups of four elements C originally cast together andFIG. 12shows the node C″ composed of six of these groups of four elements C, which in this figure are cast together to form a monobloc, the monoblocs being originally cast together.

The connection between the vertical structural systems and the horizontal systems in order to obtain a structural assembly is performed by means of assembly using elements of type C′, or node elements, or by means of the nodes A″, B″, C″ which form a connection between the elements A, B, C and optional elements D of a first structural system for example arranged vertically, with a second structural system for example arranged horizontally with respect to the first system.

When the node is realized with elements C′, the node is obtained by means of a sliding combination of the male/female type with other elements C and optional elements D and C′. In the case where the section of the vertical structural system is square or rectangular, each node will be formed by four elements C′ identical to each other and the structural system may have up to four nodes. Each node element C′ is positioned along the direction of extension of the following structural system which is to be connected to the preceding one, for example to obtain a structural complex formed by two or more structural systems at 90° relative to each other.

FIG. 13andFIGS. 14 and 15show, respectively, an axonometric view of a combination of the elements A, B and C and corresponding cross-sections x-x′ and y-y′.

With particular reference toFIG. 13, this shows a structural system according to the invention, obtained by means of the sliding assembly of the central element A having, positioned around it, four elements B from which four elements C extend.FIG. 13shows how the various elements A, B, C may have lengths which are different from each other.

FIG. 14shows, along the cross-section x-x′, the assembled arrangement of the element A and four elements B.

FIG. 15shows, along the cross-section y-y′, the assembled arrangement of the element A, four elements B and further four elements C. The detail in the circle W shows a way of connecting together two adjacent elements C. Other types of connection are shown inFIGS. 23ato23k.

With particular reference toFIGS. 16 and 17, these show a structural system according to the invention with a vertical extension, similar to that ofFIG. 13. This vertical structural system may also be developed horizontally by using a node element C′ which in the figure is positioned at the top and may slide longitudinally downwards until it reaches an element C which forms an abutment therewith, as shown inFIG. 19.

Still with reference toFIGS. 16 and 17, these show the element C′ which has, connected to it, other elements A, B, C arranged according to the invention to form a second structural system, orthogonal to the first system. InFIG. 18it is also possible to see the sliding action of the node element C′ with the protrusion11which engages slidingly inside the corresponding splines4and5created by two adjacent elements B.

FIGS. 16, 17 and 18show the structural system composed of a central element A, four elements B and four elements C which are all interconnected slidingly, a second element C being positioned on one of the elements C.

FIG. 19shows the vertical structural system which is connected to a corresponding orthogonal structural system by means of the node element C′ and where the element A of the orthogonal structural system is partly extracted from its seat or has a greater length than the corresponding elements B and C to which it is structurally connected, so as to form a male element for the horizontal development of the structure as a whole.

FIGS. 20, 21 and 22show the embodiment consisting of four nodes each obtained by the combination of an element C′ with respective elements A, B, C. As can be seen from the figures, the various elements A, B, C have different lengths so as to create sliding and extractable male/female connections for a three-dimensional development of the structural system according to the invention. In these figures one of the nodes is formed as a monobloc as shown inFIG. 9.

FIGS. 16 to 22show how the elements A, B, C, C′ of a structural system according to the invention, spatially organized in form of pillars and beams, can be extracted and are mutually slidable.

FIG. 27illustrates a structural system according to the invention with an oblique cut.

FIG. 28illustrates a structural system according to the invention having a curved shape.

FIG. 29illustrates a structural system according to the invention which contains a particular element G obtained by the casting together of four elements C adjacent to each other.

FIGS. 31, 32, 33illustrate the embodiment of a structural system according to the invention, obtained by positioning the element A on a base E in a permanent or releasable manner (FIG. 31).FIG. 32shows a further embodiment obtained by positioning in a permanent or releasable manner on a base E four elements B which in this embodiment are cast together as a single element H which can completely surround the element A.FIG. 33shows a further embodiment obtained by positioning in a permanent or releasable manner on a base E four elements C which in this embodiment are cast together as a single element G.

FIG. 34shows an illustrative cross-section of different ways of forming the single elements A, B, C (D and C′ not shown) in which:a. one or more or all the elements (namely A or B or C) is/are formed as a hollow article of a given thickness, different thicknesses being possible depending on the requirements for the structural element as a whole;b. one or more or all the elements (namely A or B or C) is/are formed as a solid or hollow article filled with particulate materials of a different nature (metals/glass/plastics/inert materials), different piece/particle sizes being possible depending on the requirements for the structural element as a whole;c. one or more or all the elements (namely A or B or C) is/are formed as an article divided up into sub-assemblies which, when assembled together, recompose the element as a whole, an unlimited plurality of sub-assemblies being possible depending on the requirements for the structural element as a whole;d. all the combinations a/b/c are possible.

InFIG. 34:341indicates an element C consisting of hollow portions with a regular geometric shape of varying thickness made with different materials;342indicates an element C composed of solid portions with a regular geometrical shape, made of various materials;343indicates a solid element C made of wood;344indicates a hollow element C of given thickness made of metal;345indicates an element B consisting of solid portions with a regular geometric shape, made of different materials;346indicates a solid element B made of cement;347indicates a hollow element B of given thickness made of a cellular material;348indicates a solid element B made of plastic material;349indicates a hollow element A of given thickness made of metal.

The particular embodiments described here must not be regarded as limiting the scope of the present invention, which embraces all the variants defined by the claims.