MODULAR H-BEAM

Abstract: H-beam comprising one or more modules (1), each formed of two half-structurals, that is, of two pieces of structural steel (2a, 2b), forming each a thin sheet, comprising a central part or core (10), and lateral half-flanges (4a, 4b; 4c, 4d). The half-flanges (4a, 4b; 4c, 4d) form gaps (5), inside which plates (7, 7') are introduced in order to strengthen the flanges of the beam, which constitute the regions more subject to bending stress.

Description: Description Modular H-beam Technical Field The present invention relates to an H-beam, that is, to a beam comprising a central part or core, and two side- flanges, and which can be used for constructions, or restorations of buildings, etc. Background Art At present, H-beams form solid, that is non-hollow monolithic elements, fabricated according to standardized sizes, and must be necessarily cut in certain cases, in order to adapt to the required span. Moreover, besides the fact that the cutting operation is difficult, due to the material being solid, the beam also has a disadvantageous ratio weight/load bearing capacity. This is seen as a drawback by the consumer, and moreover it complicates transport. Specifically, for the application where the conventional H-beam is used to restore a civil house or building, the laying of the beam is particularly troublesome, because it is necessary to first introduce one end of the beam in a wall hole, and thereafter to move the whole beam body in the opposite direction, in order to introduce the other end of the beam inside the hole previously realized in the opposite wall. The conventional beam is moreover very bulky in certain specific applications in which civil buildings are to be restored, and it would be advisable to have available a kind of modular beam, and even a lighter beam, that is a beam with an advantageous ratio of weight to load bearing capacity. Disclosure of the Invention An object of the present invention is to realize an H- beam of a modular (sectional) kind, so as to eliminate size drawbacks. A further object is to optimize the ratio of weight to load bearing capacity. A third object of the present invention is to include the possibility to adapt the beam features, in the regions (flanges) which are more subject to bending stress, to particular situations or applications, in other words to the load, so as to increase the versatility of the beam. The latter object will be attained by providing, during the production of the beam, a wide range of different modular elements with different thickness of the beam flanges, as explained in the following description, and by inserting separate reinforcing elements inside the flanges, which (the flanges), according to the invention are not solid but "hollow" . A fourth object of the present invention is to include the possibility of adapting the beam to a definite span, by assembling the same with the use of said modules. The above objects are attained with the use of an H-beam of the kind defined in claim 1. Particular advantageous embodiments of the H-beam realized according to the present invention are taken in consideration in the dependent claims. Brief Description of Drawings The present invention will now be explained in detail with regard to a particular preferred embodiment thereof, which must be considered as illustrative and not limiting or bounding, and which is shown in the annexed drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a single module of an H- beam of the present invention, in the assembled state; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a half-structural which forms one component of the assembled module shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the module shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating how several module components, which are connected to each other in a staggered way, give rise to an H-beam corresponding to a certain span (length). Best Mode of Carrying out the Invention In Figs. 1 to 4, the same reference numbers are always used to indicate the same components of the module. As illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, the module 1 comprises two identical half-structurals, or half-parts of structural steel, denoted by 2a, 2b. These half-structurals 2a, 2b are formed e.g. by a thin- walled steel sheet of 2 mm of thickness. Fig. 2 illustrates the configuration of the half-structural 2b. It can be seen that it comprises central stiffening beads 3, 3', 3" etc., and the same holds also for the half-structural 2a, as shown in Fig. 3. The half-structurals 2a, 2b are preferably obtained by means of a forming machine, even if the use of a moulding process should not be excluded. The forming machine performs the folding operations in order to obtain the half-flanges 4a, 4b - and 4c, 4d respectively -, of the half-structurals 2b and 2a. It can be noticed that the half-flanges 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d are actually "hollow", that is, they enclose a gap 5 between two parts of the respective half-flange 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d, connected to each other by a bent portion 6. As shown in Fig. 3, plates 7, 7' are respectively inserted inside the gaps 5. Plate 7 is introduced in the gaps 5 associated with the half-flanges 4a, 4c, whereas plate 7' is inserted inside the gaps 5 of the half- flanges 4b and 4d. The "filling" plates 7, 7' of the half-flanges, are provided with a plurality of holes 8, 8' respectively, and the same is true for both half- structurals, which have holes 9 on their central part (or core) 10, and holes 9'on the flanges, these holes being provided on both parts of each half-flange 4a-4d, in aligned relationship, and also aligned to the holes 8, 8' of the plates 7, 7' (after assembling, as shown in Fig . 1 ) . The holes are used for the connection of all components 2a, 2b, 7, 7', which is obtained by riveting, and in the central part, they serve - in conjunction with the beads 3,3'- in order to avoid instability effects, like an enlargement of the central part and the concomitant detachment of the two parts 10, 10 which form the central part (core) of the beam. Rivets like those used in the aeronautical field are preferably introduced in the holes 8, 8', 9, 9', but the use of bolts or the like is obviously not excluded. The particular construction process allows to distribute the material in a more rational way, thereby reducing the amount of material employed. In fact, the lower flange formed by the half-flanges 4b, 4d, which corresponds to the region more subject to bending stresses, may be strengthened by inserting a plate 7 ' having an increased thickness and/or an increased width. It will only be necessary to provide asymmetric half- structurals with "lower" half-flanges 4b, 4d having gaps 5 of increased thickness and/or width, with respect to the size of the gaps 5 of the "upper" half-flanges 4a, 4c. Alternatively it is possible to introduce a double plate inside the lower flange 4b, 4d, and a single plate inside the upper flange 4a, 4c. Therefore, according to what has been said above, it is possible to design modules with "symmetric" or "asymmetric" structurals, having flanges with different thicknesses and/or widths, to take into account - for the latter case - the greater bending stress of the lower flange 4b, 4d. Holes (not shown) may be provided between the beads 3, 3', 3", etc. realized on the cores 10 of the half- structurals, said holes being adequately reinforced at their edges and being used as lightening holes or for providing a passage for a system (e.g. lighting system, water supply, etc.). Even if the geometry of the beam realized according to the present invention is analogous to that of an usual H-beam, its components may be assembled during the installation procedure, and this leads to several advantages. This can also be done using a staggered arrangement, in order to obtain a continuity of the structure, as shown in Fig. 4. This figure illustrates how a staggered arrangement, with a regular pitch between the plates and the flanges of the half- structurals, allows to reach every span. Industrial Applicability The H-beam according to the present invention may be realized by moulding its components. However it is preferred to use a forming machine which, starting from a strip, is able to shape it (formation of the beads and the holes for the passage of the systems), and to cut it to the desired size. The advantage with respect to a foundry process (in which a conventional monolithic and "solid" beam is obtained) , is due to the fact that it is not necessary to modify the whole production plant in order to vary - for instance - the thicknesses of the half-flanges 4b, 4d if it is desired to insert a plate 7' with a larger thickness. It is obvious, therefore, that the structure of the H- beam according to the invention is also advantageous because it allows a greater "flexibility" of the production process as compared to the conventional processes. The advantages of the beam of the invention can be briefly summarized as follows: - modular structure; the span can be very easily adapted to various requirements, making use in particular applications of a cutting operation performed by grinding, due to the small thickness of the beam components; - the field of possible applications can be widened; while monolithic beams give rise to difficulties during their mounting, when the available space is small (e.g. when civil habitations are to be restored), according to the invention it is possible to previously fix in the wall - in a "cantilever" fashion - crop ends of plates 7, 7 ' of suitable length, and to mount afterwards two half-structurals 2a, 2b on said plates for connection to the wall. - quick assembling on the spot; in order to assemble a module, only a few bolts (or high resistance rivets) will be necessary; no welding is required; - ease of transport; - standardized production making use of very common machines and application of widely tested technologies; - optimization of the load bearing capacity; the small thickness and the insertion of plates of appropriate thickness allow a flexible and rational distribution of the material in the cross-section; - more favourable ratio of weight/load bearing capacity in comparison with an usual H-beam, beacause of a better exploitation (use) of the material in those regions subject to larger bending stresses.

Claims: Claims 1. H-beam, also known under the name of "IPE-beam", characterized in that it comprises at least one module (1) formed of two half-structurals (2a, 2b) forming each a thin sheet with a central core (10), and lateral half- flanges (4a, 4b; 4c, 4d) , said half-flanges (4a, 4b; 4c, 4d) enclosing gaps (5) which receive lateral reinforcement plates (7, 7'). 2. H-beam according to claim 1, characterized in that, in case it comprises more than one module (l), the half- structurals of said modules, and the plates (7, 7'), are arranged in a staggered fashion. 3. H-beam according to claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that its components (2a, 2b, 7, 7 ' ) are preferably connected by means of bolts or high resistance rivets. 4. H-beam according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the core (10) of each half- structural (2a, 2b) is provided with lightening holes, or holes for the passage of systems, said holes being reinforced at their edges. 5. H-beam according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the central core (10) of each of said half-structurals (2a, 2b), is provided with reinforcement beads (3, 3', 3", ...). 6. H-beam according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower half-flanges (4b, 4d) form gaps (5) of larger width in comparison with the gaps (5) of the upper half-flanges (4a, 4c), in order to allow the insertion of plates (7') of larger thickness and/or larger width inside said lower half-flanges (4b, 4d).

Inventors: PALUMBO NICOLA, PALUMBO, NICOLA
Applicants: BEN VAUTIER S P A, PALUMBO NICOLA, BEN VAUTIER S.P.A., PALUMBO, NICOLA
Application year: 1999
Main classification: E04C3
IPC codes: E04C3