Patent Publication Number: US-2022213678-A1

Title: Structure and method for erecting a structure

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of International Patent Application PCT/EP2020/076977 filed on Sep. 25, 2020 claiming priority from German Patent Application DE 10 2019 126 126.0 filed on Sep. 27, 2019 both of which are incorporated in their entirety by this reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a building structure including a framework formed by vertical supports each mounted in a foundation in a ground and beams attached at the vertical supports and extending horizontally between the vertical supports, usable units respectively formed from at least one ocean container respectively directly supported exclusively on two of the beams. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A generic structure and method for erecting the structure is known from AKKA Architects, Amsterdam/NL under the project designation “Living Frame|Work”. A framework made from vertical and horizontal steel beams is proposed that are welded together and usable units respectively made from two ocean containers are directly applied to the horizontally running beams. Due to the framework construction the known structure complies with all fire resistance regulations. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,721,056 A discloses a framework construction method where supports and beams are prefabricated from steel reinforced concrete and base elements are applied to the beams and the usable units are built up on the base elements. 
     DE 3208302A1 discloses a building made from ocean containers stacked on top of each other and bolted together. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Thus, it is an object of the invention to configure the known structure in a more variable manner. 
     Improving upon the known structure the object is achieved by A structure, including a framework formed by vertical supports each mounted in a foundation in a ground; beams attached at the vertical supports and extending horizontally between the vertical supports; usable units respectively formed from at least one ocean container and respectively directly supported exclusively on two of the beams; walkable access paths attached at the framework; and supply and discharge conduits from the ground to each of the usable units, wherein the vertical supports have a longitudinal grid distance in a longitudinal direction of the usable units so that the longitudinal grid distance corresponds to 0.4 times to 0.6 times a length of the usable units. 
     The usable units then cantilever with 0.6 times to 0.4 times their length beyond the beams on which they are supported. 
     The usable units can be installed in the structure according to the invention in a particularly simple manner and can also be removed again from the structure that otherwise remains unchanged. 
     Advantageously, the beams are placed onto consoles that laterally protrude from the supports in the structure according to the invention. The beams that are applied between two adjacent supports can be installed in a particularly simple manner in an existing structure for a new usable unit that is to be installed, the beams can the also be uninstalled after use and reinstalled at another location. 
     Advantageously, the supports and the beams are prefabricated components made from steel reinforced concrete in a structure according to the invention. Supports made from precast concrete include a base where they are supported so that bending loads are transferred from the support to the base. Contrary to conventional steel structures complex stiffeners are not required. Finished components of this general type are well known for warehouse construction and available economically in various dimensions. 
     The usable units of the structure can be used in particular as apartments, offices, shops, stores, restaurants, and storage spaces. 
     Advantageously, the supports have a transversal grid spacing transversal to the longitudinal direction of the ocean containers wherein the transversal grid spacing corresponds to two to three times a width of the ocean containers in the structure according to the invention. In a structure according to the invention a usable unit made from two adjacent ocean containers that are connected with each other at longitudinal sides can be introduced between two supports. 
     Advantageously, the consoles have a grid distance in a building according to the invention that corresponds to 1.2-1.6 times a height of the ocean container in a structure according to the invention. In a structure according to the invention a usable unit is introducible between two adjacent consoles that has the height of an ocean container. When a console is skipped then a usable unit made from two or more ocean containers that are stacked on top of each other connected with each other at a ceiling and a floor can be introduced. 
     Advantageously, the beams are pin connected with the supports in a structure according to the invention. The connection of the beam with the support and thus the beam from the support can be disengaged in a particularly simple manner in a structure according to the invention. 
     Advantageously, the access paths run essentially transversal to the longitudinal direction of the ocean containers in the structure according to the invention. In the structure according to the invention, the access paths to the usable units are particularly short. 
     Advantageously, the supply and discharge lines run at least in sections between two longitudinal sides of adjacent ocean containers that are arranged parallel to a longitudinal direction of the ocean containers. In the building according to the invention the supply and discharge conduits can be masked particularly easily. 
     Advantageously, the supply and discharge conduits run at least in sections in a canal formed in a longitudinal direction of the supports in a structure according to the invention. In a structure according to the invention the respective sections of the supply and discharge conduits are hidden. 
     Improving on the known method it is proposed according to the invention that the supports have a longitudinal grid distance in a longitudinal direction of the usable units that corresponds to 0.4-0.6 times a length of the usable units. The method according to the invention is used to construct a structure according to the invention. The method therefore is characterized by the same advantages of the structure according to the invention described supra. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention is now described based on advantageous embodiments with reference to drawing figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a first structure according to the invention; 
         FIGS. 2  A/B illustrate two details of the structure according to  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a finished configuration of the structure according to  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIGS. 4  A/B illustrates two details of a second embodiment of the structure according to the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The first structure  1  according to the invention includes a framework  2  that is anchored in a ground, six levels  3  arranged on top of each other and two usable units  4  arranged in blocks A and B behind one another in the framework  2 , access paths  5  arranged at the framework between the blocks A, B and supply conduits and discharge conduits from the base to the usable units  4 . Parking spots for cars are arranged below the first level  3 . 
     The usable units  4  are habitation, office or store units in blocks respectively made from two used ocean containers (40 ft HC) arranged adjacent to each other. In an alternative arrangement two or three ocean containers can be stacked on top of each other to form a usable unit. The usable units  4  comply with fire code regulations up to this height. 
     The framework  2  is essentially made from twenty-one vertical supports  6  and beams  7 ,  8  that run horizontally between the supports  6 . The supports  6  have a rectangular cross section of 80×50 cm and a length  9  of 20 m and a base with a contact surface of 2.5×2.5 m and a height of 60 cm. The beams  7 , 8  typically have a square cross section of 30×30 cm. 
     36 long beams  7  are arranged in a longitudinal direction  11  of the building  1  and of the ocean containers between the blocks A and B and 68 short beams  8  with a length  13  of 5.5 m are arranged in the transversal direction of the building  1 . Laterally cantilevering consoles  16  are arranged at narrow sides of the supports  6  in a vertical grid spacing  15  of 3.4 m. Each support  6  respectively includes a channel for supply and discharge conduits that runs over an entire length of the support. The usable units  4  are respectively supported in the longitudinal direction  11  of the building  1  on two of the short beams  8  so that the usable units  4  respectively cantilever by one meter in a front and in a back beyond the short beams  8  and the usable unit  4  are connected to the supply and discharge conduits in the adjacent beams  6 . 
     The access paths  5  include six access balconies  17  in a transversal direction  14  of the structure  1  which make the usable units  4  accessible level by level and that include staircases that are arranged laterally adjacent to the supports  6  which make the levels  3  accessible from the ground. The walkways  17  are formed by a series of adjacent plank beams with a width of 4 m that are connected with one another and that rest on the long beams  7  in front and between the usable units  4 . 
     In order to produce, the first building  1  the supports  6 , the beams  7 ,  8 , the plank beams and the staircases  18  are industrially prefabricated from steel reinforced concrete and the supports  6  are prefabricated with power or water and waste water conduits to supply and discharge the usable units  4 . The usable units  4  are partially furnished with installed divider walls, bathrooms, built in closets and equipment, lighting and autonomous ventilation and heating. 
     At the construction site initially the supports  6  with longitudinal grid distances  19  of 6 m and 12 m and a transversal grid distance  20  of 5.5 m are raised on the compressed ground and leveled. Then, as illustrated in  FIG. 2A  the short beams  8  are applied in the transversal direction  14  and the long beams  7  are applied between the blocks A, B in the longitudinal direction  11  onto the consoles  16  for the first level  3  of each usable unit  4  and secured at the supports  6  by bolts. 
     Thereafter as illustrated in  FIG. 2B , the usable units  4  are applied in the blocks A, B onto the short beams  8  and the plank beams for the access balcony  17  of the first level  3  are applied between the blocks A, B upon the beams  7 . The usable units  4  are connected in front to electrical conductors respectively running in the adjacent support  6  and connected in a rear to the water and waste water lines running in the respectively adjacent support  6 . Thereafter the additional levels  3  are produced accordingly there above. Eventually the stair cases  18  are erected and connected to the access balconies  17 . 
     When utilization changes during the service life of structure  1 , individual usable units  4  can be removed in the longitudinal direction  11  of the structure  1  and replaced with other usable units. Due to the longitudinal grid distance  19  of 6 m the usable units  4  do not tip over between the beams  7 ,  8  when removing them from or inserting them into the structure. By the same token the beams  7 ,  8  and the supports  6  can be removed, replaced, supplemented as needed or reused after the structure has been dismantled. 
       FIG. 3  shows the finished configuration of the first structure  1  with 24 supports  6 , 36 long beams  7 , 120 short beams  8  and 60 usable unit  4  with single height. 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  show two sectional views of a second structure according to the invention. The structural principle of the second structure corresponds to the first building  1 . It includes a framework with 4 supports  21  anchored at the base and 4 usable units  22  respectively including one ocean container  23  per level  24 . The beams  25  where the usable units  22  are supported cantilever beyond the supports  21  so that two of the usable units  22  can be applied between the supports  21  and two additional usable units  22  can be applied outside of the supports  21 . 
     Cantilever arms  27  are applied to the supports  21  at an entry side  26  of the usable units  22  where access balconies are applied. 
     REFERENCE NUMERALS AND DESIGNATIONS 
       1  structure 
       2  framework 
     A block 
     B block 
       3  level 
       4  usable unit 
       5  access path 
       6  support 
       7  long beam 
       8  short beam 
       9  length 
       10  foundation 
       11  longitudinal direction 
       12  length 
       13  length 
       14  transversal direction 
       14  vertical grid distance 
       16  console 
       17  access balcony 
       18  staircase 
       19  longitudinal grid distance 
       20  transversal grid distance 
       21  support 
       22  usable unit 
       23  ocean container 
       24  level 
       25  beam 
       26  entrance side 
       27  cantilever arm 
       28  supply and waste disposal conduit