DEVICE IN A BUILDING STRUCTURE

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device in connection with building structures, especially for supporting structures which by their net weight or by varying loads are subjected to deformation. Especially in connection with large roof structures one is enfaced with the problem that deformations due to net weight or variable natural loads give rise to so large deformations that irregularities are created in relation to adjacent building elements, in first instance walls or larger gates, especially drive-gates for hangars, workshops, etc. These problems are alleviated by a device comprising one or more displacement means (7) which by global displacement of the roof supporting members (2) neutralize the sum of local deformations in the critical points of the structure, for example at the supporting rail (4) for drive-gates (5). Such displacement means can also be used for eliminating the horizontal displacement of said supporting members.

Description: DEVICE IN A BUILDING STUCTURE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a device in a building sturcture, especially for supporting structures which by varying load are subjected to deformation. STATE OF THE ART In connection with large roof stuctures, especially in connection with corbel trees, frame works and suspended roofs, the deformation from the loads may be so large that problems are created for adjacent stuctures, for example walls and gates. Heavily influenced are large sliding gates for hangars, workshops etc. The net weight loads render permanent deformation of the founds- tion with the underlying loose earth masses or rock, columns, main beams and secondary systems, whereas snow and wind render variable deformations. In connection with sliding gates for hangars, workshops etc., these have accordingly to be designed in such a manner that jaming is avoided at extremely large loads, a fact which involves a complicated and expensive gate structure and/or costly overdimensioning of the support¬ ing stuctures. In stuctures having large spans and tall supporting stuc¬ tures rendering large non-useable volumes, the necessary heated air volume in such buildings represents an econo¬ mic factor in pace with increasing energy prices. If the building comprises large gates which are frequently opened, this will entail a total air exchange at frequent intervals, which renders large energy losses and a large and costly heating arrangement for raising the room t___mperature quickly t a level at which the work activity can proceed. Further for the achievement of rational buildin of hangars and industrial buildings etc., comprising large free spans, great emphasize is laid on quick delivery and assembly of the elements involved in the structure. At the same time, the building should be easy to demount or move. The prior art known from DE PS 448.790 relates to a joint splitting of a building for absorbing relative movement within the structure. In other words r it is here the token of a passive system rendering a pure control of undesired forces, but the system does not give any in¬ structions for a controllable deformation, let alone active displacement elements included as an"integrated" part of the structure. From DE PS 395.082, there is known a hydraulic system which by its inertia transfers rapidly applied loads, but which by long* time loading brings forth a permanent deformation of the structure, for example if a larger train should remain on the bridge. The hydraulic system which is included in the prior art building structures, especially bridges and corresponding edifices, is com¬ posed of passive elements which to a certain degree mo¬ nitor unwanted forces , but any form for active displace¬ ment for compensating any deformations is not at all the token of this prior art technique. EP-application No. 20770 relates to a method for construct- ing a space frame work of steel comprising standardized rods. The mounting together takes place substantially on the ground. The structure is raised to its correct height by means of lifting devices, and is given its final form by means of adjustable joints. Thereafter, roof plates are put in position, and no displacement of the structure takes place in the finished building. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to the fact of giv- ing instructions for a device in building structures or a building system, which reduces the above discussed disad¬ vantages as regards deformation from loads, to a minimum, the construction thereof at the same time being effected rationally and effectively as regards optimum energy con¬ sumption and effective and rapid delivery, mounting and possibly demounting and movement of the elements includ¬ ed in the structures. The object is achieved in a device in building structures which according to the invention is characterized in that the device comprises one or more active means which can displace one or more members of the building structure. What is specific to the present invention is the continu¬ ous deformation control in critical points of a structure, the structure at the same time being designed so that the costs involved in the implementation of the active means, or lifting means, more or less are balanced, by the full utilization of the high tensile buidling materials, and then disregarding the deformation. In other words, the building materials can then be dimentioned for load¬ ing alone, since all damaging deformation in critical points can be removed by means of the active means ' , there being achieved, at the same time,a flexible and economic structure. Because the present device gives instructions for a sy¬ stem which works continuously, it is therefore immaterial whether the deformation is due to submergence of the ground, long time deformations or deformations due to short time loadings, for example snow loadings. Further, the speci¬ fic structures are designed in such a manner that on the basis of a lever principle, there is achieved relatively large movements in the critical points by means of small movements at the active displacement means. Further, the present invention gives instructions for a practical method of erecting a building, such that the free hight below the ceiling can be regulated in a short span of time, manually or automaticly, without reconstruc¬ tion and without influencing the stability of the building during the operation. In other words, by the active means one can displace parts of the building structure, such that the vertical defor¬ mations can be neutralized or brought under control at any point of the structure. Alternatively, the means can be used for lifting and lowering the overall or part of the roof of a building, for example a hangar, said means being so adapted that the roof can be jacked up or down, at the same time as walls and ports can be re-con¬ structed in a. relatively short span of time, or there may be used telescopic gates or walls, such that a de¬ sired hight to the ceiling can be achieved in an short span of time by the devices controlling said jacks. Since according to the invention, there may be used active means which bring the vertical deformation under control at any point of the building structure, and which at the same time can be used for raising and lowering the mem¬ bers of the structure, there may be used main supporting elements which are dimensioned only in relation to their supporting property, and not in relation to expected de¬ formation, since the deformation is "counteracted" or con¬ trolled by said displacement means or lif ing devices. According to the present invention, there may be achieved the following advantages. a. There is achieved a lighter structure which is dimen¬ sioned only for supporting load, since deformation is taken care of by the active displacement means. b_ The structures can be manufactured from all practi¬ cal materials, for example glued wood which can be rend¬ ered more heat resistant than steel. c. In connection with hangars the sliding gates can be manufactured simpler and with a better sealing. d. By simple expedients,there are provided building struc¬ tures, for example hangars, which render large open wall *■ ■ surfaces including sliding gates which facilitate the driving in and driving out of airplanes. Further, there may easily be achieved large ceiling height innermost in the hangar between the anchoring points of the beam arran¬ gement. e. In connection with structures comprising building ele¬ ments protruding substantially freely from a central anchor¬ ing, there may by means of simple expedients be achieved free through-going height between the anchorings, which allows for free through-driving if gates are mounted in both longitudinal walls. f. Water on the roof may be drained along the central anchoring, and roof gutters may be deleted. BRIEF DISCUSSION OF THE DRAWINGS In the following the invention will be further discussed, reference being had to the drawings illustrating embodi¬ ments of the device according to the invention. Fig. 1 is a vertical section (cross-section) through a building structure comprising the device according to the invention. Fig. 2 is a detail of Fig.l, and illustrates a practical embodiment of the device according to the invention. Fig. 3 is a cross-section through a building structure, wherein a second embodiment of the device according to the invention is included. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section through the building structure illustrated in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a vertical section through a sliding gate which can be used in connection with the building structure illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. Fig. 6 is a front view of the sliding gate illustrated in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a horizontal section through a part of the slid¬ ing gate illustrated in Figures 5 and 6. Fig. 8 is a section through secondary supporting members illustrated in Fig.4. DISCLOSURE OF EMBODIMENTS In Fig. 1 there is illustrated a vertical section (cross- section) through a hangar structure which generally is designated by 1, and which comprises a plurality of cor¬ belled main supporting members 2, including presure flanges 2a, merging into an anchoring, here generally designated by ref rence numeral 3. At the freely pro¬ truding ends of the main supporting members, there are provided supporting rails 4 for a plurality of sliding gates 5, which can be displaced along carrier rails 6 whilst simultanuously being supported against the sup¬ porting rails 4. The above discussed problems relating to the deforma¬ tion of the net weight loading and not at least the varying loadings, will be neutralized by the instal¬ lation which is illustrated in detail in Fig. 2, and which here as an example comprises a lifting cylinder 1 , which is mounted in the presure flanges 2a, 2b, of the main supporting member 2. When operating the lift¬ ing cylinder 7, it is possible upon global displace¬ ment of the main supporting member to neutralize the overall deformation in the critical points of the struc¬ ture, for example in the area of the supporting rail 4 of the sliding gate 5. It is to be understood that lifting cylinders can also be mounted in the presure flange of the secondary beam. When installing a plura¬ lity of lifting devices along the presure flange, it is possible to obtain control of the vertical deformation at any point. Possibly, one can also control the horizontal displacement of a beam arrangement, said displacement being eliminated by corresponding tensioning devices in the tensioning flange. All units which are incorporated in such a dis¬ placement system comprising simple building elements, can include relatively plain markeded components even for the most complicated plants. It is to be understood that the system can be established either automaticly or manually. If an automatic system is chosen there may be mounted photo cells or other sensors at the critical point, for example in the area of the above discussed supporting rails, for thereby in¬ fluencing the lifting cylinders in either direction when the photo cells sense certain values. If a manual sy¬ stem is used, it is possible to measure or observe the deformation, whereafter the structure is raised or low¬ ered manually by means of manual control devices. In connection with the hangar illustrated in Fig. 1, the system will primarily be used to maintain the dist¬ ance between the supporting rails 4 and the gates 5 con¬ stant upon varying loading on the roof, for thereby pre¬ venting disturbances of the operation of the gates 5. The structural elements included in the buidlings in which the device according to the invention finds application, can be arbitrary, i.e. comprise concrete steel, wood etc. all in dependence on the circumstances. However, it is to be understood that the structures can be built with elements which are both lighter and hav¬ ing lesser dimensions, since the elements shall only take loads, because the deformation is catered for by the above discussed displacement means or neutralizing means. As appearing from Fig. 1, the corbelled main supporting member 2 will constitute a lever having a turning point 2c which can be implemented by means of an ordinary bolt link. The lifting cylinder 7 is located so in relation to the turning point 2c that upon a certain deflection of the lever, i.e. the corbelled main supporting members in the aera of the supporting rails 4, the lever-build¬ ing-member 2 can be brought back to an appropriate neutral position. In Fig.2 there is illustrated an appropriate dimension a + Δ between the flanges 2a and 2b wherein the lifting cylinder 7 is mounted, and upon alteration of this di¬ mension a + & , the lever 2 can be raised and lowered all in accordance with the circumstances. It is to be understood that the device according to the invention can also be applied in connection with build¬ ing structures comprising a plurality of lever-like building members which can be arranged in parallel side by side, having their free ends protruding in the same direction, and that the device can also be used in those cases in which two or more building members in the form of levers extend from a central anchoring point, there being arranged one or more neutralizing devices for each lever. The dimension a given in Fig. 2 can correspond to a dimension ready for assembly, whereas the values + & can indicate that: min = - 0,26 x max raising of the supporting rails at maximum upwardly directed loading on roof. max = + 0,26 x max lowering of supporting rails at maximum downwardly directed load on roof. It is to be understood that the lifting device or the neutralizing means can be controlled mechanically, manually or by photo cells, the movement taking place step-wise or continuously. An example of hydraulic equip¬ ment for bringing forth a desired raising and lowering of a structure of the type illustrated in Fig. 1, may comprise 4 one-way operating hydraulic cylinders in¬ cluding mechanical load blocking. Appropriately, the cylinder may have a stroke lenght 150 mm and a capa¬ city of 600 tons. This equipment requires an electric pump, for example of a capacity of 4 x 2,5 1/min, as well as three-way electric valve. For the equipment there are required hoses with quick couplings as well as throttle valve for each lifting cylinder, said throttle valves controlling the- lowering of the load. Further, there are required four hose rupture valves, a control unit, and aplifier as well as an indicator and a level switch. The four lifting cylinders may be connected to its indi¬ vidual oil flow and magnet control valve. Desired out¬ ward displacement can be preset on a control panel, and all four valves can be activated simultaneously by means of a remote control handle. Upon achieved desired out- ward displacement, the control unit will breake the cur¬ rent to the valve, and this will then take a stop posi¬ tion. The stroke length sensors included in the control unit, can have an accuracy of 0,4 % linearly, and be¬ cause every cylinder has its own oil flow, the outward displacement will take place approximately synchronous¬ ly. In Figures 3 - 8 there is illustrated a second example of how the device according to the present invention can find application. In view of constantly increasing energy prices, the air volume to be heated in a building is of large economic consequence. Especially in connection with structures having large spans and tall supporting structures ren- dering large non-usable volumes, for example in connecti¬ on with large halls as workshops, hangars etc., this question is of substantial currency. If such buildings comprise large gates which often are opened, there will occur a frequent total exchange of air, which involves large losses of energy, and corresponding large instal¬ lation costs as regards the means for heating for regain¬ ing the indoor temperature as fast as possible to a level at which the work activity may continue. Generally, a solution for reducing the energy loss upon opening of gates, involves a-membrane or an isolator at the lower edge of supporting structures, the membrane or the isolator preventing the outflow or the cooling of the upper air layer upon short gate opening. In a building la which is illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 and which comprises corbelled main supporting members 2 extending in the one direction from an anchoring 3, as well as main supporting members 2x extending in the opposite direction of the main supporting member 2, but from the same anchoring 3, there is illustrated an ex¬ ample of secondary supporting members 8a and 8b, arranged between the main supporting members 2, 2x, respectively, and carrying a membrane 9a and 9b, respectively, pre¬ venting air exchange upon opening of sliding gates 5. A further development of the system involves the inclusion of displacement devices which can raise or lower the roof 10 between the main supporting members 2 r 2x, the level of the roof being adapted to the room hight required by the building for allowing mounting or driving access of the equipment or the vessel which are to enter the build¬ ing. This arrangement including a roof which can be jacked up or down is especially useful in connection with for example airplane hangars, wherein the size of the airplanes is an unknown factor, especially as re¬ gards the renovation of the airplane fleet. The hight to the ceiling can thus be varied in the same building according to requirements. As regards walls and gates which are to be adapted to the adjustable roof, these may be shaped either such that they can be rebuilt in a relatively short period of time, or there may be used telescopic gates and walls. By using the latter telescope solution, the desired roof height can be achieved in a few minutes by means of for example a mechanism controlling hydraulic units. In Figures 5, 6 and 7 referring to a vertical section, a front view and a horizontal section, respectively, in connection with an embodiment for a telescopic gate 5a, the upper part of the gate 5a is via a control roller 11 mounted in a supporting rail 4a, which in turn is attach¬ ed to the secondary supporting member 8, which constitutes a part of the roof 10. The upper part 5b of the gate 5a will upon raising of the roof 10, be lifted together with the inner square tube 12 which is mounted in an outer square tube 13 for the achievment of a telescopic effect. Thus, the inner pipe 12 may slide in the outer pipe 13, and be locked in the desired position, by means of for example a locking bolt 14. At the top and at the f r bottom of the gate 5a there are provided sealing brushes 15a and 15b, re¬ spectively. At the bottom, the gate is rolling on a carrier rail 6 by means of appropriate carrier wheels 16. In Fig. 4 there is to the right illustrated a permanent wall 17 as well as a telescopic wall 18 constituting a sealing against the roof 10, and followincr this in the raising and lowering movements thereof. This telescop¬ ic wall can co-operate with the raising and lowering of the secondary supporting members 8a, 8b, and the dis¬ placement devices effecting the raising and lowering may comprise climbing rods, jacks or similar. In Fig-. 4 there is to the right illustrated the secondary supporting member 8a i " its lowered position, whereas to the left there is illustrated a secondary supporting mem¬ ber 8b in its raised position. With such a system, the roof height may be varied in the same building accord¬ ing to need, i.e. within various areas of the building, which is favourable as regards the energy consumption in heating, as well as regards the flexibility in con¬ nection with the size of the objects or vessels to be housed by the building. Appropriately, such a building structure as illustrated in Fig. 3, i.e. including large roof surfaces and in¬ cluding main supporting members protruding from a common, substantially central set of anchoring columns, may comprise a drainage system which is brought into the cen¬ tral points in the aera of the anchoring columns, where¬ in the water is brought down in telescopic drainage pipes. The drainage system may of course be used without adjust¬ able roofs,and vice versa. By using the device as discussed above, there is achieved a rational and effective construction of hangars and in¬ dustrial buildings or similar, having large free spans, there often in connection with such buildings being paid considerable attention to rapid delivery and mount¬ ing of all elements, as well as to easy demounting and the moving of the building. The secondary beams can also be located at modular spac¬ ing, said beams being connected in pairs by bracings at both flanges, and cross-bracings between the flanges, such that box girders having modular width can be finish¬ ed on the ground and be lifted up by crane. If de¬ sired, the roof elements which are covered by a layer of roofing cardboard may also be mounted before the lift¬ ing. After the secondary supporting units including covering have been mounted, there may be mounted roof plates on the open aeras, still at modular width, between the units, there being provided finished roofs on both sides of the openings. The outer walls which also rest on columns having modu¬ lar spacing, can be built up by wall elements having mo¬ dular lenght. If it is also desired to have column-free gables, it is also possible to arrange corbelled frame works from the nearby tower out towards the gable walls. These may be considered as a main supporting member for the main sup¬ porting member of the gable. Consequently, all outer walls may be made column-free, and in connection with airplane hangars, all the airplanes are then allowed to be driven in from all directions and taking any position without being interfered by columns or similar. The air- plan truck is allowed to drive below the bracings of the tower, and the tower will thus not prevent the use of vehicles having regular height. In a building structure without walls, the drainage of roof water constitutes a problem, but this is solved in that all roof surfaces have a small inclination to¬ wards the tower structure, which is indicated in Fig. 3. As an example can roof water from a roof surface covering 5-10 000 m be drained down at each point, possibly in a plurality of pipes being provided due to the danger of clogging. This renders a good economy since the roof gutters are dispensed with, there are achieved few and large down-pipes, as well as simple foundation pipes etc • Such a modular construction of buildings, especially halls having large open wall portions, or without walls, is especially favourable in connection with the above discussed displacement devices, since the deformation problems which always have represented a difficulty in large structures, are brought completely under control. The system involves not only the advantage that it can be built on a modular basis, but additionally, the moduls can be built up of all known building materials, such that rice, building style, environment etc. can be attended to, all in accordance with circumstances. In this form of modular construction including central anchoring points, a building project may be pre-estimated to a very advanced stage, without having knowledge of all details relating to the ground. Also in connection with various forms of foundation, there may be achieved large cost savings if the present invention is brought into practice, since deformations and settlement represent circumstances which can be adjusted after the erection of the building. 1-

Claims: P a t e n t c l a i m s 1. Device in a building structure, especially for supporting structure which by its own weight or varying outer load is subjected to deformation, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the device comprises one or more active means (7) which can displace one or more members (2a, 2b) of the finished building structure. 2. Device as claimed in claim one, wherein the struc¬ ture comprises one or more main supporting members, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that in at least one of the presure flanges (2) of the main supporting member (1) there is provided a displacement means (7). 3. Device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the displacement means comprises one or more hydraulic jacks adapted for influenceing one or more building elements in the finished structure. 4. Device as claimed in any of the claims 1-3, wherein the building structure comprises building members (2) protruding substantially freely from an anchoring (3), c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the building members (2) define a lever having a turning point (2c), and that an active displacement means (7) is located such in relation to the turning point (2c) that it in connection with a certain deflection of the lever in relation to a neutral position can bring the building member lever (2) back to its neutral position . 5. Device as claimed in any of the claims 1-4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that a first active displacement means is provided in a presure flange for neutralizing vertical deformations of building structure members, and that in presure flanges there are provided corresponding active displacement means for neutralizing the horizontal displacement of members of the building structure. 6. Device as claimed in any of the claims 1-5, wherein a plurality of lever-like building members are pro- j vided side by side in a oarallell relation having their free ends protruding in the same direction, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that each of the lever¬ like members comprise an active displacement means for neutralizing deformation of the building members, said dis¬ placement means being adapted for synchronous operation. 7. Device as claimed in any of the claims 1-6, wherein two or more building members in the form of levers protrude form one or more substantially central anchoring points, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that for each lever there is provided one or more active displacement means. 8. Device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that in one or more main supporting members (2) which preferably protrude from re¬ spective individual or common anchoring points (3) there are provided active displacement means for raising and lowering the secondary supporting members (8a, 8b) arranged between said main supporting members (2, 2x) . 9. Device as claimed in claim 8, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the active displace¬ ment means comprise climbing rods, hydraulic jacks, etc. 10. Device as claimed in claim 9, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that on a wall (17) there are provided active displacement means influencing a tele¬ scopic wall (18) which in turn is connected to secondary supporting members (8) supporting a roof (10). 11. Device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the members of the building structure comprising active displacement means co¬ operate with telescopic walls (18) or telescopic sliding gates (5a) which possibly are provided with upper and lower sealing brushes (15a respectively 15b) .

Inventors: LERSTOEL ARNE MARTIN, LERSTOEL, ARNE, MARTIN
Applicants: LERSTOEL ARNE MARTIN, LERSTOEL, ARNE, MARTIN
Application year: 1988
Main classification: E04B1
IPC codes: E04B1, E04B7, E04H6, E06B3