Abstract:
A modular building unit for use in constructing a building comprises a top, a base, two opposed ends and at least one open side. The at least one open side extends between the two opposed ends and is free of upwardly extending structural supports. The modular building unit is configured to be interconnected to a second modular building unit along the at least one open side. The building unit is dimensioned to enable the building unit to be accommodated at or within a predetermined width limit for transportation before assembly and the building unit and the second modular building unit, when assembled, exceeding the predetermined width limit.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The following relates to a modular building system and method. The system includes modular units that may be constructed at a manufacturing facility and then be transported to a construction site for assembly. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The power plants and computer rooms of buildings are often large and complex systems with a large amount of interconnected equipment. These systems can be incorporated into a main building. However, it may be advantageous to house such facilities in a separate building. This allows the main building to be reserved for other uses and allows easier access to the equipment in the separate building. 
         [0003]    The complexity of the systems also means that it may be advantageous to assemble, interconnect and test the equipment in a manufacturing facility and then ship the completed system to the construction site. One way this has been done is to use a shipping container as a building in which to assemble the equipment. The equipment is assembled and tested and then shipped to the construction site to be interconnected to the main building. 
         [0004]    A limitation on this approach is the size of a standard shipping container. A standard shipping container may be 8′×8′×40′. If the equipment to be assembled requires more space, a second shipping container is used. The result is that that the equipment is housed in a number of different 8′×8′×40′ building. This limits accessibility to installed equipment, limits the type of cooling system that can be used, and is unattractive. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a modular building unit for use in constructing a building comprising: a top, a base, two opposed ends and at least one open side, the at least one open side extending between the two opposed ends and being substantially free of structural supports; the modular building unit being configured to be interconnected to a second modular building unit along the at least one open side; and the building unit being dimensioned to enable the building unit to be accommodated at or within a predetermined width limit for transportation before assembly and the building unit and the second modular building unit, when assembled, exceeding the predetermined width limit. 
         [0006]    In some embodiments the building unit comprises at least one roof truss interconnecting the top and the two opposed ends. 
         [0007]    In some embodiments the at least one roof truss comprises a plurality of roof trusses. 
         [0008]    In some embodiments the modular building unit comprises at least one base truss interconnecting the base and the two opposed ends. 
         [0009]    In some embodiments the at least one base truss comprises a plurality of base trusses. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments the modular building unit comprises fixtures along the sides, adjacent the sides, for attaching lines for lifting the modular building unit. 
         [0011]    In some embodiments the roof trusses and the base trusses comprise substantially flat trusses. 
         [0012]    In some embodiments the roof trusses and the base trusses are spaced to prevent deformation of the modular building unit when lifted by the lines. 
         [0013]    In some embodiments a white space for computer equipment comprises a plurality of modular building units. 
         [0014]    In some embodiments the modular building unit comprises computer hardware racks mounted to the base. 
         [0015]    In some embodiments the opposed ends comprise walls. 
         [0016]    In some embodiments at least one open side comprises at least one of internal flanges and external flanges for interconnecting the modular building unit to the second modular building unit. 
         [0017]    In some embodiments the modular building unit comprises floor tiles covering the base trusses. 
         [0018]    In some embodiments the base trusses comprise openings for at least one of an in-floor air distribution system, an in-floor electrical distribution system and an in-floor mechanical distribution system. 
         [0019]    In some embodiments the roof trusses are positioned to accommodate at least one of an air distribution system, an electrical distribution system and a mechanical distribution system. 
         [0020]    According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a modular system for construction of a building comprising: two end building units comprising a roof, a base, two opposed ends and one open side; the building units being configured to be interconnect along the open sides, the open sides of the building units being substantially free of upright structural supports; the building units being dimensioned to enable the building units to accommodated at or within a predetermined width limit for transportation before assembly and the building, when assembled, exceeding the predetermined width limit. 
         [0021]    In some embodiments the modular system further comprises at least one intermediate building unit comprising a roof, a base, two opposed ends and two open sides, the at least one intermediate building unit being located between the two end building units. 
         [0022]    In some embodiments the at least one intermediate building unit comprises a plurality of intermediate building units. 
         [0023]    According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of constructing a building comprising: providing a plurality of modular building units, each of the building units comprising: a roof, a base, two opposed ends and at least one open side, the at least one substantially open side extending between the two opposed ends and being free of structural supports; the modular building units being configured to be interconnected to others of the modular building units along the at least one open side; the building units being dimensioned to enable the building units to be accommodated at or within a predetermined width limit for transportation before assembly and the building unit and the second modular building unit, when assembled, exceeding the predetermined width limit; transporting the plurality of modular building units to a building site; successively positioning the modular building units side-by-side; interconnecting the modular building units. 
         [0024]    Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent, to those ordinarily skilled in the art, upon review of the following description of the specific embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]    The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0026]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a first end modular building unit; 
           [0027]      FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of the opposite side of the modular building unit of  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 1C  is a perspective view of the modular building unit of  FIG. 1A  with the walls, base trusses and base cover plate omitted; 
           [0029]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of an intermediate modular building unit; 
           [0030]      FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of the modular building unit of  FIG. 2A  with the walls, base trusses and base cover plate omitted; 
           [0031]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of a second end modular building unit; 
           [0032]      FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of the opposite side of the modular building unit of  FIG. 3A ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 3C  is a perspective view of the modular building unit of  FIG. 3A  with the walls, base trusses and base cover plate omitted; 
           [0034]      FIG. 4A  is a side view of the intermediate modular building unit of  FIG. 2A  with support rigging; 
           [0035]      FIG. 4B  is an end view of the modular building unit with support rigging of  FIG. 4A ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 4C  is a perspective view of the modular building unit with support rigging of  FIG. 4A ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 5A  is a side view of a mechanical plant modular building unit with support rigging; 
           [0038]      FIG. 5B  is an end view of the mechanical plant modular building unit with support rigging of  FIG. 5A ; 
           [0039]      FIG. 5C  is a perspective view of the mechanical plant modular building unit with support rigging of  FIG. 5A ; 
           [0040]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the positioning of a second mechanical plant modular building unit; 
           [0041]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the positioning of the mechanical plant modular building unit and support rigging of  FIGS. 5A-5C  with the modular building unit of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the positioning of the modular building unit of  FIGS. 1A-1C  with the modular building units of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the positioning of the modular building unit of  FIGS. 2A-2B  with the modular building units of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0044]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the positioning of a the modular building unit of  FIGS. 3A-3C  with the modular building units of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0045]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the assembled modular building; 
           [0046]      FIG. 12  is a schematic perspective view of the joining of the modular building units; 
           [0047]      FIG. 13  is a schematic cross-sectional view of the placement of the long roof joining strips; 
           [0048]      FIG. 14  is a schematic cross-sectional view of the placement of the roof seam joining strips; 
           [0049]      FIG. 15  is a schematic cross-sectional view of the placement of the wall joining strips; 
           [0050]      FIG. 16  is a schematic cross-sectional view of the internal unit joints; 
           [0051]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the assembled modular building of  FIG. 11  with a cooling tower; and 
           [0052]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the assembled modular building with the cooling tower of  FIG. 17  with the exterior shown as wire frame. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0053]      FIGS. 1A-1C ,  2 A- 2 B and  3 A- 3 C show modular building units.  FIGS. 1A-1C  show a first side unit  8 ,  FIGS. 2A-2C  show an intermediate unit  10 , and  FIGS. 3A-3C  show a second side unit  12 . The units  8 ,  10  and  12  may be used, for example, for the construction of a modular computer room. In  FIGS. 1A-1C ,  2 A- 2 B and  3 A- 3 C, the same reference characters are used to identify the same features. The differences between the units  8 ,  10  and  12  will be identified. 
         [0054]    The units  8 ,  10  and  12  have a base  14 , a roof  16  and two opposed end walls  18 . The first side unit  8  also has a first side wall  20 . The second side unit  12  also has a second side wall  22 . In  FIGS. 1C ,  2 B and  3 C, the units  8 ,  10  and  12  are shown without walls, roofs, floor plates and floor trusses for ease of viewing internal features. 
         [0055]    As noted above, the units  8 ,  10  and  12  include a base  14 . In the present embodiment, the base  14  is formed with a frame  24  ( FIGS. 1C ,  2 B and  3 C). The frame  24  defines a rectangular perimeter of the base  14 . The frame  24  of the present embodiment is attached to beams  26 , plates  28  and braces  30 . The base  14  is formed of alternating the beams  26  with the plates  28 . The braces  30  of this embodiment extend perpendicular to the beams  26  and provide support between the beams  26 . In this embodiment, the plates  28  may be formed of eight inch thick sheet steel. Other embodiments may use different materials and more, fewer or no plates  28 . Similarly, the number location and orientation of the beams  26  and the braces  30  may be varied or eliminated depending on the weight and strength requirements for the base  14 . For example, the base  14  may be formed of a single plate or of an open lattice of beams. All or part of the perimeter frame  24  may also be eliminated. 
         [0056]    In this embodiment, the base  14  is rectangular with short opposed ends  32 . End posts  34  are provided at the four corners of the base  14  along the opposed ends  32 . Two end posts  34  are also located at an intermediate position along the opposed ends  32 . The end posts  34  of the present embodiment are upright posts which extend from the base  14  to the top which has the roof  16 . The end posts  34  may be, for example, welded or bolted to the base  14 . The tops of the end posts  34  are connected to end roof members  36 . The end roof members  36  of this embodiment extends horizontally above the opposed ends  32  and define the ends of the roof  16 . 
         [0057]    In this embodiment, the intermediate unit  10  of  FIGS. 2A and 2B  has two sides  38 . The sides  38  are opposite and are open. The sides  38  are open in that there are no walls, posts or other supports extending across the sides  38 . In contrast, the first side unit  8  has an open side  38  and a first side wall  20  and the second side unit  12  has an open side  38  and a second side wall  22 . 
         [0058]    Side roof members  40  extend along the un-open sides of the first and second end units  8  and  12  and connect to the top of the corner end posts  34  of the side walls  20  and  22 . The un-open sides have side posts  42  behind the first side wall  20  and the second side wall  22 . In this embodiment, the side posts  42  are upright and extend from the base  12  to side roof members  40 . In the second side unit  12 , two of the side posts  42  also define a door opening  44 . 
         [0059]    The general framing described in respect of this embodiment is exemplary only. Other framing that includes differing structure such as diagonal side and end members may also be used. The posts may also be eliminated if structured strength is provided by the walls. 
         [0060]    In this embodiment, the units  8 ,  10  and  12  have lengthwise roof trusses  46 , crosswise roof trusses  48  and lengthwise base trusses  50 . The lengthwise roof trusses  46  extend between the opposed ends  32  are connected to the end posts  34 . In this embodiment, the roof trusses  46  comprise a continuous unit. The crosswise roof trusses  48  are pairs of trusses that are connected between the lengthwise roof trusses  46  at right angles. 
         [0061]    In this embodiment, the units  8 ,  10  and  12  all have a pair of crosswise roof trusses  48  extending parallel to and intermediate the opposed ends  32 . The intermediate unit  10  has three lengthwise roof trusses  46  extending between the tops of the opposite end posts  32 . The three lengthwise roof trusses  46  are connected at their intermediate peak by the pair of crosswise roof trusses  48 . The end units  8  and  12  have a similar configuration but do not have lengthwise roof trusses  22  along their walls  20  and  22  respectively. 
         [0062]    The base trusses  50  are shown in  FIGS. 1B ,  2 A,  3 A and  3 B. In this embodiment, the base  14  is covered with sections of plate  52 . The sections of plate  52  may be sheets of checkerboard steel plate connected to the beams  26 . The base trusses  50  extend from end to end and connect between the opposed ends  32  and may connect to braces  33  and end walls  18 . The base trusses  50  of this embodiment are parallel to the open sides  38  and the side walls  20  and  22 . 
         [0063]    In this embodiment, the lengthwise roof trusses  46  are flat bottomed and are peaked on top to follow the roof line. The crosswise roof trusses  48  and the base trusses  50  are flat on top and bottom. The trusses  46 ,  48  and  50  have triangular positioned struts angled at 60° to each other. In this embodiment, the roof trusses  22  are spaced at six foot intervals parallel to the open sides  38  and the base trusses  50  are spaced at two foot intervals, also parallel to the open sides  38 . The roof trusses  46  and  48  of this embodiment may have a height of approximately 20 inches and the base trusses  50  of this embodiment may have a height of approximately 8 inches. In this embodiment, the base trusses  50  may incorporate rectangular openings  54  to allow piping or other conduits to extend through the base trusses  50  under the floor plate  52 . 
         [0064]    The truss designs and layouts described above are exemplary only. Numerous truss designs and layouts exist that which performed the required function of allowing the units  8 ,  10  and  12  to be constructed and transported with open sides  38 . In some embodiments, some or all of the trusses  46 ,  48  and  50  may be altered or eliminated. Any truss design and positioning that supports the modular building units  8 ,  10  and  12  for transport and installation with open sides  38  at least substantially open may be used. Designs that include some members extending across the open sides  38 , such as braces in the upper corners, are also contemplated by the invention. 
         [0065]    The connection of the members may be made by known means. For example, the end posts  34  may be, welded or bolted to the base  14 . The end walls  18  may be connected to the end posts  34 , for example, by welding, bolting or by being wrapped around the corner end posts  34 . The end walls  18  may, for example, be formed of corrugated metal such as corrugated steel. Other embodiments may not be rectangular and may, for example, be rounded or irregular in shape. 
         [0066]      FIGS. 4A ,  4 B and  4 C are side, end and perspective views, respectively, of the modular building unit  10  with rigging  60  for lifting the unit  10 . The lifting and positioning of the unit  10  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B and  4 C. 
         [0067]    As noted above, the unit  10  comprises a base  14  with a frame  24 . The frame  24  of this embodiment includes side faces  62 . Spaced along the side faces  62  are lifting points  64 . In this embodiment, there are four lifting points  64  spaced along the side faces  62  of the two open sides  38 . The lifting points  64  are pairs of angled plates with a hole  66  there through that are connected to the base  14  and angled towards each other at an approximately 45° angle. The lifting points  64  may be of a different number and configuration such as eye bolts. They may be differently positioned, for example on the base  14 , posts  34  or roof  16 . They may also be eliminated and a different lifting means used. 
         [0068]      FIGS. 4A to 4C  also show rigging  60 . The rigging  60  is not part of the modular building unit  10 . The rigging  60  may be attached to the modular building unit  10  to allow the modular building unit  10  to be lifted and moved by, for example, a crane. The modular building unit  10  can thus be loaded on a truck for transportation to an assembly location and then lifted off of the truck and positioned for assembly. 
         [0069]    The rigging  60  of this embodiment includes two pairs of straps or lower lines  68  for connection to each of the lifting points  64  through the holes  66 . In some embodiments, the pairs of lifting points  64  are positioned to give an approximately 60° angle between each of the lower lines  68  and the base  14 . The lower lines  68  are collected by pulleys  70  to cross-members  72 . The cross-members  72  connect to the pulleys  70  on opposite sides  38  of the modular building unit  10 . The ends of the cross-members  72  are in turn connected to pairs of upper lines  74 . The upper lines  74  from each of the cross-member  72  meet at ends of an upper member  76 . The rigging  60  is symmetrical to allow a balanced load support for the modular building unit  10 . 
         [0070]      FIGS. 5A to 5C  show a mechanical plant modular building unit  80  that may be used with the modular building units of  FIGS. 1A to 4C  in forming a modular building. The mechanical plant unit  80  may be used to house a mechanical section of the building that includes equipment that heats and cools the building. In this embodiment, the modular building unit  80  includes a base  82 , end walls  84 , a roof  86 , upright posts  88  and two sides  90 . The modular building unit  80  may have the same basic materials and outer shape as the modular building unit  10 . However, the modular building unit  80  of this embodiment does not include any trusses and the sides  90  are not open. Instead, the sides  90  include a series of four support posts  91  along the sides  90 . The modular building unit  80  of this embodiment also includes mechanical plant equipment  92 . The number and positioning of the support posts  91  will depend on the weight and weight distribution of the mechanical plant equipment  92 . 
         [0071]    In this embodiment, the modular building unit  80  has lifting points  94 . The lifting points  94  of the modular building unit  80  are on the roof  86  rather than the base  82 , in contrast to the positioning of the lifting points  64  on the modular building unit  10 . In this embodiments, there are eight lifting points  94  each having a hole there through. Four of the lifting points  94  are vertically aligned with the top of four of the upright posts  88  and four of the lifting points  94  are vertically aligned with the top of four of the support posts  91 . The upright posts  88  and the support posts  91  may provide rigidity to prevent deformation of the modular building unit  80  when lifted by the lifting points  94 . 
         [0072]      FIGS. 5A to 5C  also depict a rigging  100  which is not part of the modular building unit  80  but which may be used to lift the modular building unit  80  with, for example, a crane. The rigging  100  of this embodiment may include fours straps or lines  102  connected to the holes  96  of the lifting points  94 . The lines  102  are connected through four pulleys  106  to a lengthwise beam  108 . The arrangement and attachment of the rigging  100  of the present embodiment is symmetrical both lengthwise and width-wise to the modular building unit  80 . 
         [0073]    The shape and structure of the modular building unit  80  may be altered, include trusses, have different attachment points for rigging and may include different equipment. The modular building unit  80  may also be eliminated. 
         [0074]      FIGS. 6 to 10  schematically show how a modular building can be constructed using the modular building units of  FIGS. 1 to 5C . 
         [0075]      FIG. 6  shows a second mechanical plant modular building unit  110 . The unit  110  may be similar in construction to the modular building unit  80  of  FIGS. 5A to 5C  but may contain different equipment than the modular building unit  80  such that the equipment in the two modular building units  80  and  110  may be connectable and may together comprise the equipment for a mechanical plant for a modular building. The unit  110  may we lifted and positioned using the same rigging  100  as used for the modular building unit  80 . 
         [0076]      FIG. 7  shows the modular building unit  110  positioned and the rigging  100  removed. The rigging  100  is attached to the modular building unit  80  which is being moved with the aid of the rigging  100  to be positioned next to the modular building unit  110 . 
         [0077]      FIG. 8  shows the modular building units  110  and  80  positioned and the rigging  100  removed.  FIG. 8  also shows the first end unit  8 . The rigging  60  used to lift and position the modular building unit  10  may also be used to lift and position the first end unit  8 . 
         [0078]      FIG. 9  shows the modular building units  110 ,  80  and  8  positioned next to each other with sides of their bases, their end walls and their roofs aligned. There is no rigging attached to the modular building units  110 ,  80  and  8  as they are in their installed positions. The rigging  60  is attached to the intermediate unit  10  which in being moved into position aligned with the first end unit  8 . 
         [0079]      FIG. 10  shows the modular building units  110 ,  80 ,  8 , and  10  positioned next to each other with sides of their bases, their end walls and their roofs aligned. There is no rigging attached to the modular building units  110 ,  80 ,  8  and  10  as they are in their installed positions. The rigging  60  is attached to a second end unit  12  which in being moved into position aligned with the modular building unit  10 . 
         [0080]      FIG. 11  shows the five modular building units  110 ,  80 ,  8 ,  10  and  12  aligned in position next to each other to form a modular building  112 . It will be appreciated that the modular building units  110  and  80 , which have upright support posts along the side walls and no trusses, may be eliminated. In this embodiment, the modular building units  8 ,  10  and  12  include base and roof trusses which allow the sides of the modular building units  8 ,  10  and  12  which face each other to be free of any supports or other elements that block the sides. This allows a large open room to be formed by the modular building units  8 ,  10  and  12  which can be used to house computer equipment and racks and which can be transported without any reinforcement of the open sides  38 . 
         [0081]    In other embodiments, more or fewer modular building units with at least one open side may be used. For example, any number of building units from one to tens or more with two open sides, such as modular building unit  10  may be used to make any size of building. Alternatively, modular building unit  10  may be eliminated and modular building units  8  and  12 , with facing open sides, may be used to provide a smaller open room. 
         [0082]      FIGS. 11 to 16  show various details of how the modular building units  110 ,  80 ,  8 ,  10  and  12  may be joined and sealed to each other. It will be appreciated that these are only exemplary joining and sealing means. Other joining and sealing means know in the art may be used. 
         [0083]      FIG. 12  shows two portions  114  of a modular building unit. The portions  114  each have an upwardly extending L-shaped flange  116  along the inwardly facing roof edges. There are also inwardly extending flanges  118  along the inside edges of the facing sides. The inwardly extending flanges  118  may include pairs of facing unit joining clips  120 . For assembly, this embodiment also includes roof joining strips  122  and wall joining strips  124 . 
         [0084]    The joining of the walls of the two portions  114  of the modular building unit is shown in  FIG. 13 . Three caulking beads  126  are applied along the back of the wall joining strip  124 . The wall joining strip  124  is aligned over the seam formed by the mating edges of the two portions  114 . The wall joining strip  124  is then screwed into place by screws  128  extending through the wall joining strip  124  and into the walls of the portions  114 . 
         [0085]    The joining of the roofs of the two portions  114  of the modular building unit is shown in  FIG. 14 . Three caulking beads  126  are applied along the back of the roof joining strip  122 . The roof joining strip  122  is aligned over the mating horizontal portions of the L-shaped flanges  116  of the two portions  114 . The roof joining strip  122  is then screwed into place by screws  128  extending through the roof joining strip  122  and into the L-shaped flanges  116 . 
         [0086]    In this embodiment, an additional seal is used where the peak of the roofs join.  FIG. 15  shows a long roof peak joining strip  130  that is positioned over the seam where the roof peaks of the modular building units  110 ,  80 ,  8 ,  10  and  12  join (see  FIG. 11 ). As with the joining strips  122  and  124  (see  FIG. 11 ), the long roof peak joining strips  130  first have three beads of caulking  126  applied. The long roof peak joining strips  130  are then screwed into position by the screws  128  into the two portions  114 . 
         [0087]    The final fastening elements of this embodiment are the unit joining clips  120 . As shown in  FIG. 16 , these unit joining clips  120  can be connected by a threaded rod  132  extending through aligned holes in the unit joining clips  120  and secured by nuts  134 . 
         [0088]    Some or all of these joining means may be altered or eliminated. For example, it will be appreciated that the weight of the units may prevent their relative movement and caulking or other weather sealing of the seams between the units may be sufficient. 
         [0089]      FIGS. 17  shows the modular building  112  completely installed with a cooling tower and associated walkway  136  installed.  FIGS. 18  shows the same view of the modular building  112  as  FIG. 17  but with the exterior shown as wire frame so that the interior components are visible. The large room created by the units  8 ,  10  and  12  is filled with computer racks  138  which may be fastened to a floor  140 . 
         [0090]    In embodiments which include the base trusses  50 , the base trusses  50  may be are covered by the floor  140 . The floor may be assembled to the modular building unit  10  either at the factory or at the end location. The floor  140  may be a computer room raised floor tile. An in-floor air distribution system may be installed under the floor  140 , between and/or through the trusses  50 . Electrical, air distribution and mechanical distribution systems may be run in either or both of the base and roof truss systems. Conduits, both for water and electrical or other functions may be run between the floor  140  and the base  12  in the space created by the trusses  24  through the openings  54 . 
         [0091]    In some embodiments computer equipment  138  racks are installed to the floor at the factory and the modular building units  8 ,  10  and  12  are transported with both the floor and computer equipment racks in place to further reduce the assembly required with the modular building units  10  are installed at their final destination. As can be seen in  FIG. 18 , the absence of supports on the open sides  38  of the modular building units  8 ,  10  and  12  allows the computer equipment to be installed where required without maneuvering around support posts. Supports may be included angled at the base or roof, or upright adjacent the ends to provide some support while still leaving the sides  38  substantially open and able to accommodate, for example computer racks, without negatively affecting the layout. 
         [0092]    In some embodiments, the modular building units  8 ,  10  and  12  are 30 to 50 feet long, 10 to 20 feet wide and 8 to 12 feet high. The width and length of the modular building units  8 ,  10 ,  12 ,  80  and  110  are each sized to be transported within a predetermined width limit for transportation. For example, the maximum dimensions for transportation by road may be 50 feet long, 20 feet wide and 12 feet high. If the modular building units  8 ,  10 ,  12 ,  80  and  11  are each this size, they can be transported by road when unassembled but the resulting building, when assembled, is too large and exceeds the predetermined width limit when assembled. 
         [0093]    What has been described is merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Other arrangements and methods can be implemented by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.