Building element, a building comprising one or more such building elements and a method for joining such a building element and a support element

A building element includes an upper side, a lower side, at least one first lateral face, and at least one first end face, where the at least one lateral face is formed with a longitudinal lateral groove such that a longitudinal upper grove edge and a longitudinal lower groove edge are formed. The upper groove edge has a toothed shape. A building includes one or more load bearing elements, and a plurality of building elements connected to respective load bearing elements. A method of joining building elements and load bearing elements in a building includes providing the load bearing elements with a not-cast upper part, putting up the load bearing elements, arranging two or more double T building elements therewith, pulling the telescoping elements, and cast filling the joints between the building elements and the upper part of the load bearing elements such that a smooth surface is formed.

The present application concerns a building element, a building comprising the building element and a method of joining building elements and load bearing elements in a building.

During construction of larger buildings, such as parking houses, building elements forming the floors and load bearing elements are arranged with elements of steel which are welded together. This may be difficult and time consuming, because of the restricted space between such elements. After finishing the welding, reinforcement have to be installed across the complete surface, i.e., on top of the load bearing elements and the floor elements. Finally, a layer is cast on top the entire floor, i.e., on top of load bearing elements and the surfaces of the building elements. It is evident that this is a time consuming and cost intensive process.

Consequently, one or more embodiments of the present invention simplify the work and time for constructing a new building, and thus, reduce the costs.

This is achieved with a building element as defined in claim1, a building according to claim9, with at least one building element as defined in claim1, and a method for joining building elements and load bearing elements in a building according to claim16. Further embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

Thus, there is provided a building element and a floor construction and/or roof construction in a building, which building element comprises an upper side, a lower side, at least one first lateral face and at least one first end face, wherein the at least one lateral face is formed with a longitudinal lateral groove such that a longitudinal upper groove edge is formed, and a longitudinal lower groove edge, which upper groove edge has a toothed shape.

It is emphasized that the toothed shape runs in the longitudinal direction of the upper groove edge, along the upper side of the building element, and not transversely to the at least one lateral face from the lower side to the upper side. It is also emphasized that the toothed shape of the longitudinal upper groove edge causes the upper groove edge to be equipped with a wave like form in a corresponding or similar way as the toothed shape of a cog wheel or a pitch rack.

The height of the upper groove edge in relation to the bottom of the groove is preferably stepwise varying in the longitudinal direction of the groove, whereby a toothed shape is formed.

The height of the lower groove edge in relation to the bottom of the groove is at least as high as, and preferably higher than, the maximal height of the upper groove edge in relation to the bottom of the groove. Preferably, the lower groove edge has a uniform height in the longitudinal direction of the groove in relation to the bottom of the groove.

The building elements may comprise reinforcement iron extending from the at least one end face. Preferably, possible reinforcement iron extend outward along substantially all of the at least one end face. Usually, the building element comprises a plurality of end faces with reinforcement iron extending from all end faces.

I most practical cases, the building elements will be formed with two lateral faces opposite each other, and two end faces opposite each other.

Moreover, the building element may comprise at least one rapid coupling device with a sleeve element being cast into the building element, and which opens into the at least one end face, such that a telescopic element, arranged in the sleeve element, may be pulled out from the sleeve element. This ensures the possibility of rapidly connecting the building element to an adjacent element in a building during construction of the building.

Preferably, the building element is, but not necessarily, formed as a DT element, i.e., an element having a double T shape. DT elements have two flange elements extending down from the lower side which provides the DT element with increased flexural rigidity. Of course, other types of elements may also be use, if needed.

Preferably, the building element is a parking building element, i.e., it is suitable for use in a parking building, or possibly in a storage building, or similar buildings.

Also provided is a building comprising one or more load bearing elements and a plurality of building elements as disclosed above, which are connected to the respective load bearing elements. The building elements are arranged adjacent each other such that the lateral faces are in contact with each other and the lateral grooves of the lateral faces form toothed joints. The end faces of the building elements face respective load bearing elements, and an upper part of the load bearing elements and the toothed joints are cast filled such that the load bearing elements, the joints, and the building elements form a smooth surface.

Preferably, the end faces of the building elements face respective load bearing elements, and any possible reinforcement irons, which extend from the end faces, are preferably cast into the load bearing elements. The reinforcement irons are preferably cast into an upper part of the load bearing elements.

The building may alternatively comprise threaded struts cast into the joints formed between the building elements arranged adjacent to each other, and in respective load bearing elements.

Alternatively, the end faces of the building elements preferably face respective load bearing elements, and reinforcement iron, which extend from the end faces, are cast into the load bearing elements, and the building comprises threaded struts cast into the joints formed between the building elements arranged adjacent to each other and in respective load bearing elements. Preferably, the reinforcement iron and the threaded struts are cast into an upper part of the load bearing elements.

The telescoping elements of the rapid coupling devices are preferably cast into respective load bearing elements, preferably in an upper part of the load bearing elements.

Moreover, the building is preferably arranged with a layer of a polyurethane membrane overlaid the joints and the load bearing elements such that connections are sealed. Then, penetration of liquid, such as water, is avoided.

The building, as described above, is particularly suitable as a parking building, or possibly a storage building, or the like.

Also provided is a method of joining building elements and load bearing elements in a building, the method comprising the steps ofproviding the load bearing elements without an upper part,put up the load bearing elements,arrange two or more building elements as described above, with the lateral faces facing each other such that the grooves in the lateral faces of the building elements arranged adjacent to each other form respective joints, and with the end faces of the building elements facing respective load bearing elements,cast the joints between the building elements and the upper part of the load bearing elements such that a smooth surface is formed, which surface substantially lie in the same plane as the upper side of the building elements.

Preferably, the building elements are arranged such that possible reinforcement iron extending from the end faces of the building elements extends into the upper part of the respective load bearing elements, and that the reinforcement iron are cast into the respective load bearing elements when the upper part of the load bearing elements is cast.

Alternatively, at least one threaded strut may be arranged in the joints, wherein the threaded struts also extend into the upper part of the respective load bearing elements, and that the threaded struts are cast into the joints of the respective load bearing elements when the upper part of the load bearing elements is cast.

Alternatively, both reinforcement iron and threaded struts may be used, i.e., the building elements are arranged such that reinforcement iron extending from the end faces of the building elements extend into the upper part of respective load bearing elements, and at least one threaded strut is arranged in the joints, wherein the threaded struts extend into the upper part of respective load bearing elements and that the reinforcement iron are cast into the respective load bearing elements and the threaded struts are cast into the joints and the respective load bearing elements when the upper part of the load bearing elements is cast filled.

If threaded struts are used, the length of the threaded struts may be adjusted before being cast into the joints and the load bearing elements.

Before performing the cast filling, the telescoping elements of the rapid couplings may be pulled out of the sleeve elements of the rapid coupling devices, and either into corresponding cavities in the respective load bearing elements into which they are cast, or into the upper part of the load bearing elements for then to be cast into the load bearing elements.

After the cast filling, preferably a layer of a polyurea membrane is applied to the surface, i.e., the surface which after the cast filling is constituted by the load bearing elements, building elements, and joints, which at least covers connections between building elements, and between building elements and load bearing elements.

In the subsequent figures, the same reference numbers are used for the same technical features. Also, to avoid the figures being clotted with reference numbers, not all possible reference numbers are included in all the figures.

InFIGS. 1a, 1b, 2aand 2b, two building elements24according to the present invention are shown. Preferably, the building element24is of the DT type element, i.e., double T elements; however, other types of elements may be used, if desired.

The building elements24have an upper side25, a lower side26, two lateral faces27and two end faces28.

As shown in the figures, the building elements24may be equipped with reinforcement iron37extending from the end faces28; however, this is not necessary in all cases.

The lateral faces27of a building element24, which is to be arranged adjacent another building element24when used in a building10, are formed with a groove30. The groove30is formed with a lower groove edge31, an upper groove edge32, and a bottom35. Preferably, the groove edges31,32extend along the whole length of the side face27of the building element, and together form the groove30.

The upper groove edge32is toothed, as shown in the figures. The toothed shape means that displacement in the longitudinal direction (i.e., in the longitudinal direction of the groove30) between two building elements24adjacent each other may be reduced, and preferably eliminated.

The toothed shape means that the upper groove edge32is formed with a varying height from the bottom35of the groove30. The toothed shape of the upper groove edge may be differently formed. In the figures, one or more embodiments are shown wherein the height H1of the upper groove edge in relation to the bottom of the groove is stepwise varying in the longitudinal direction of the groove30. Thus, bottoms33and peaks34are formed in the upper groove edge32along the upper groove edge.

The lower groove edge31has a uniform shape in the whole length of the groove30. I addition, the lower groove edge31has a height H2from the bottom35of the groove which is at least as high as, and preferably higher than, the greatest height H1of the upper groove from the bottom35of the groove30, i.e., the height to the top34of the toothed shape from the bottom35. This means that when two building elements24are placed adjacent each other, the lower groove edges31will be arranged against each other, while a gap will exist between the two upper groove edges32with varying size, because of the toothed shape. Consequently, the two grooves30form a joint39which is tight in the lower side, because the lower groove edges31are tightly in contact, while an opening will exist on the upper side, having a varying size.

The building elements24may further be arranged with one or more rapid coupling devices42. The rapid coupling devices42comprise a box formed sleeve element43cast into the building elements24such that the open into the end faces28of the building elements24. In the sleeve elements43there is arranged a telescoping element44which may be pulled out of the sleeve elements43when the building elements are to be connected with respective load bearing elements12in a building10.

InFIGS. 3-5there is shown how building elements24are connected to load bearing elements12in a building10.

The load bearing element12comprises a lower part16and an upper part15. As shown in the figures, the upper part15is not cast filled when produced, but is cast filled when it is to be connected to building elements24, as further explained below.

The load bearing element comprises reinforcement iron, e.g., in the form of a number of loop shaped reinforcement irons48which are cast into the lower part and extend into the upper part.

Preferably, the lower part16is also arranged with a number of load bearing parts46which correspond to the number of rapid coupling devices42in the building elements24. The load bearing parts46are preferably cast into the lower part16. When the building elements24are arranged with the end faces28facing respective load bearing elements12the telescoping elements44may be pulled out of their respective sleeve elements43such that they are resting on respective load bearing parts46.

As mentioned above, the building elements24may be arranged with reinforcement iron37extending from the end faces28. These reinforcement irons will extend into the upper part of the respective load bearing elements12, and thus, be casted into the upper part15when the upper part and the joints are cast filled.

However, it is not necessary to arrange the building elements with the reinforcement irons37. In stead, threaded struts40, which may be longitudinally adjustable, may be arranged such that they extend a desired distance into the joints39, and into the upper part15of the respective load bearing elements12. Thus, the threaded struts40will be cast into upper part15when the upper part and the joints39are cast filled.

It would also be possible to use building elements24with reinforcement iron37extending from the end faces28and threaded struts40arranged in the joints39, as shown in the figures. Both the reinforcement irons37and the threaded struts40will extend into the upper part15of the respective load bearing elements12, and will be cast into the upper part15when the upper part and the joints are cast filled.

Dependent on how strong connection between building elements24and the respective load bearing elements is necessary, it is thus possible to use exclusively reinforcement iron37which are cast into the building elements24extending out from the end faces28, exclusively threaded struts40which are arranged in and cast into the joints39between two building elements24, or one may use both reinforcement iron37and threaded struts40.

InFIG. 6, a building10is shown, e.g., a parking building, without the building elements24. The building10comprises several elements which contribute to the load bearing construction. Of course, this may be performed in many different ways, and will vary from building to building. However, the shown building illustrates an example, and the skilled artisan would easily be able to find variations of this example.

Preferably, the building comprises a number erected load bearing columns17, and a number of load bearing walls20. In a longitudinal direction, the load bearing columns17are connected, and the load bearing walls20are connected to beams22. The outermost building elements will have a lateral face27abutting a beam22. This lateral face is then preferably formed with a groove30.

In the transverse direction, load bearing columns17and load bearing walls are connected with load bearing beams12as described above. When the load bearing elements are erected, they will appear as shown inFIGS. 3-5, i.e., the upper part15of the load bearing elements are not cast filled. The end faces28of the building elements24will face such a load bearing beam and are connected with this beam as described above.

When the building elements24are connected to the bearing elements, they are arranged such that the end faces28face a load bearing element12. Possible reinforcement iron extending from the end faces28will extend into the not cast filled upper part15of the load bearing elements. Possible threaded struts, or similar elements which may function as reinforcing elements, are arranged in the joints formed by the grooves in the lateral faces of two building elements24adjacent each other, and the length is adjusted such that the threaded struts extend in a desired distance into the not cast filled upper part15of the load bearing elements. Further, the telescoping elements44are pulled out from the sleeves43of the rapid coupling devices such that they are resting on respective load bearing parts46. The upper part15of the load bearing elements, the joints39, and the openings50between the load bearing elements12and the building elements24are then cast filled such that a smooth surface substantially is flush with the upper sides13of the building elements is formed. Below the openings50between the lateral faces14of the load bearing elements and the end faces28of the building elements there may be arranged a temporary casting frame which stops cast from running out of the opening during the cast filling. After the cast filling, there may be arranged a layer of a polyurethane membrane (not shown in the figures) on top the joints and the connections between the load bearing elements12and the building elements24, such that the connections are sealed for penetration of liquid such as water.

Thus, with the present invention, one avoids welding and reinforcement iron which have to be placed on top of load bearing elements and floor elements, and all that needs to be done is to cast fill the upper part of the load bearing elements12, the joints between the building elements24(the floor elements) and possibly the openings/cracks50between load bearing elements12and building elements24. Summarized, this provides for substantial saving of time and costs compared to known solutions for constructing buildings such as parking buildings, storage buildings, halls and other buildings in which the present invention may be used.