Abstract:
An integrated, high strength, lightweight building structure that withstands seismic, flooding, and 250 mph wind loads and is resistant to wood destroying organisms, mildew, mold, rot, and water damage. The structural system incorporates watertight seals between the walls and flooring system, the joints in the walls, and around the doors and windows. The eaves and roof incorporate a novel design that distributes to the structural members the uplift forces caused by extreme wind loading events.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/898,916, filed on Feb. 1, 2007. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to structural systems and components for residential and light commercial buildings, and more specifically to high-strength structural components for eaves, wall panels, ceiling panels, roof panels and floor joints, overhead joist and columns of these buildings. Also included are methods of attaching the components together, thereby forming a high strength integrated structure or enclosure. 
         [0003]    In recent years, hurricanes have caused billions of dollars in damage by decimating many homes in the coastal regions of the Carolinas and Gulf states. The destruction is caused by high wind forces and flooding due to excessive rain and high storm surges. As a result of this destruction, many families have lost their homes, and some of the largest insurance companies no longer offer new homeowner policies in coastal states. The invention described herein seeks to address these problems. 
         [0004]    The invention comprises an integrated, high strength, lightweight building structure to withstand 250 mph wind loads and resist wood destroying organisms, mildew, mold, rot, and water damage. The design incorporates special integration of high strength composite structural panel designs, which enable the structure to resist more than twice the allowable wind loads without increasing the framing requirements. The rigid reinforced foam panels with the lightweight steel structure become highly energy efficient. Heat flow through the walls and roof become less than half of conventional structures due to the foam in the panels and the increased wall thickness. In addition, the panels in these structures are particularly resistant to seismic loading because of their greatly increased shear strength. The wall panels in the structural system are installed in or on sealed floor tracks, thereby creating a watertight seal between the wall and the flooring system. Finally, the eaves of the structure incorporate a design that enhances the strength of the structural connection between the roof panel and the top of the exterior wall. This added strength resists the magnified uplift forces experienced by the structure during extreme wind loading events. 
         [0005]    The composite design of the structure provides for factory production of finished wall, ceiling, and roof panels. All plumbing and wiring can be installed in a factory setting, greatly streamlining the building fabrication and permitting process, allowing for quick and quality construction at a lowered cost to the consumer. These structures will dramatically decrease the risk to owners, lenders, insurance providers and municipalities. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The structure is built on a generally solid foundation, such as a concrete slab. Floor tracks are attached to the foundation, and columns and wall panels are attached to the floor tracks or directly to the floor of foundation. Seals are placed around the floor tracks of the exterior walls to create a bond to the foundation and a watertight seal. Seals are incorporated into the joints in the exterior walls, further enhancing the strength and the watertight properties of the structure. The exterior doors open outward, and a seal is attached to the doorframe between the frame and the outward-opening door. Thus, the seal tightens as wind and hydrostatic pressure forces increase. 
         [0007]    The wall panels connect with a cross-in-cube arrangement incorporating high-strength connection brackets and high strength wall panels. Ceiling panels are attached across the top of the wall panels to complete the cross-in-cube arrangement. The panels are typically made of structural sheeting, fibers and bonding agents attached to each other on opposite sides of composite stud members. In addition to these composite panels, composite beams and columns may be used to add strength to the structural frame. The fibers may be manufactured from current materials such as glass, carbon, arimid or nano technology structures. 
         [0008]    The eave structure distributes roof loads across the top of the exterior wall, thus preventing overloading of local members. The eave members, connected by high strength brackets, form a rigid truss. A roof truss is not needed because of the high strength eave connection and the high strength exterior wall, ceiling, and roof panels. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is an elevation view of one alternative of a beam/column connection. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a cross section of an alternate beam design. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a cross section of an alternate beam design. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a cross section of an alternate beam design. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a cross section of an alternate beam design. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a cross section of an alternate beam design. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a cross section of an alternate beam design. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a cross section of an alternate beam design. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  shows a plan and elevation of an alternate beam/column connection. 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is an elevation view of an alternate beam/column connection. 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is an elevation view of an alternate beam/column connection. 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is an elevation view of an alternate beam/column connection. 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  is a plan view of an alternate beam/column connection. 
           [0022]      FIG. 14A  is a cross section of an alternate composite wall panel design. 
           [0023]      FIG. 14B  is a cross section of an alternate composite wall panel design. 
           [0024]      FIG. 14C  is a cross section of an alternate composite wall panel design. 
           [0025]      FIG. 15  is a cross section of an alternate composite ceiling panel design. 
           [0026]      FIG. 16  is a cross section of an alternate composite roof or floor panel design. 
           [0027]      FIG. 17  is a sectional perspective view of the “Cross in Cube” structural system. 
           [0028]      FIG. 18  is a cross section of an alternate “Hurricane Eave” design. 
           [0029]      FIG. 19A  is a cross section of an alternate attachment detail for the wall/floor connection. 
           [0030]      FIG. 19B  is a cross section of an alternate “Hurricane Eave” design. 
           [0031]      FIG. 19C  is a cross section of an alternate tension bar assembly design. 
           [0032]      FIG. 20A  is a cross section of an alternate design for the vertical joint between two wall panels. 
           [0033]      FIG. 20B  is a cross section of an alternate design for the vertical joint between two wall panels. 
           [0034]      FIG. 21A  is a cross section of an alternate design for the joint between two wall panels. 
           [0035]      FIG. 21B  is a cross section of an alternate design for the joint between three wall panels. 
           [0036]      FIG. 22  is a cross section of an alternate design for the watertight door seal. 
           [0037]      FIG. 23  is a perspective view of a typical family dwelling unit. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0038]    With reference to the drawings, the invention will now be described with regard for the best mode and the preferred embodiment. In general, the invention comprises an integrated, high strength, lightweight building structure to withstand flooding, seismic, and up to 250 mph wind loads. In addition, the building structure is constructed from materials that resist wood destroying organisms, mildew, mold, rot, and water damage. The structural system is made from composite beams, columns, and structural panels. 
         [0039]    In  FIG. 1 , the composite beams and columns form a structural frame. The following description details the design of the composite beams used in the structural system, and the bending axis is presumed to be the centerline shown in the corresponding figures. An ordinary practitioner will appreciate that the following beam designs are also suitable for the composite columns. The beam  1  and column  2  members preferably are designed using four materials: cold rolled steel, rigid foam, fiber reinforcing and bonding agents. Generally, as described below, the foam core of the composite beam is bonded to the metal skin by an epoxy or bonding agent. Thus, the foam core acts as a lateral brace for the metal, thereby increasing the elastic buckling capacity of the metal skin and allowing increased stresses in the outer portions of the composite beam or column. 
         [0040]    The first alternate design of these members, as shown in  FIG. 2 , consist of a secondary skin  3  at the top and bottom of the beam  1  and a primary skin  4  that is bonded to and wrapped around the fiber reinforced foam outer core  5  and rigid foam inner core  6 . The secondary skin  3  and primary skin  4  preferably are made of steel, although any other metal or sufficiently rigid material may be used, such as high strength polymers or carbon composite materials. The secondary skin  3  and primary skin  4  are also bonded together, such as by welds, glue, chemical bonds, or by mechanical fasteners, such as bolts, screws, rivets or clamps. The mechanical fasteners  7  are threaded fasteners, rivets, or other equivalent bonding means, such as bonding or resistance welding. The fiber reinforced outer core  5  is fiber-reinforced material consisting of a resin or epoxy material adhered to a tight weave cloth or scrim. Preferably the inner core  6  is cured-in-place foam or rigid polymer foam. 
         [0041]    The second alternate beam design, shown in  FIG. 3 , depicts the cross section of a beam that performs the same function as the beam shown in  FIG. 2 . However, the cross section in  FIG. 3  allows a more uniform outer surface of the beam by moving the steel secondary skin  3  to a position between the fiber reinforced foam outer core  5  and inner core  6 . 
         [0042]    The third alternate beam design, shown in  FIG. 4 , combines the features of the first and second alternates, thus providing three layers of steel at the top and bottom of the beam, which are the area of highest stress. 
         [0043]    The fourth alternate beam design, shown in  FIG. 5 , depicts a lower cost arrangement where the steel secondary skin  3  is a simple flat member that does not need to be formed. This arrangement provides extra thickness and stress carrying capabilities at the top and bottom of the beam. Other aspects of this beam&#39;s construction and configuration are as described in the previous alternates. 
         [0044]    The fifth alternate beam design, shown in  FIG. 6 , depicts the cross section of beam that performs the same function as the beam shown in  FIG. 5 . However, the cross section shown in  FIG. 6  allows a more uniform outer surface of the beam by moving the steel secondary skin  3  to a position between the fiber reinforced foam outer core  5  and inner core  6 . 
         [0045]    The sixth alternate beam design, shown in  FIG. 7 , combines the features from the fourth and fifth alternate beam designs, thus providing three layers of steel at the top and bottom of the beam in the area of highest stress. 
         [0046]    The seventh alternate beam design, shown in  FIG. 8 , provides the minimum cost arrangement by using only two pieces of steel, which are an alternate version of the steel primary skin  4 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , this beam is comprised of two sections of steel cold formed into C-shaped sections, which are overlapping and opposite facing. The inside of one C-shaped section fits snugly around three sides of the foam outer core  5 , thereby acting as a base primary skin  4   a . The inside of the opposite facing C-shaped section fits snugly about the remaining side of the outer foam core  5  and the base primary skin  4   a , thereby acting as an overlapping primary skin  4   b  of the beam  1 . This arrangement provides two layers of steel at the top and bottom of the beam cross section, which are the highest stress areas. Due to the lateral support provided by the rigid foam core and bonding agents, the elastic buckling of the base primary skin  4   a  and overlapping primary skin  4   b  is arrested, thus allowing increased stresses in the shell of the composite beam with load capacity increases of 300 percent or more. 
         [0047]      FIG. 1  shows a method for connecting multiple beams  1  to a column  2  by using a high strength fastening arrangement of the beams  1 . In this arrangement, the beams  1  are connected to the column  2  by using a bottom bracket  8 , a lateral bracket  10 , and a top bracket  9 . In some situations, the beam  1  may be welded to the column  2 , or attached by any other means that provides sufficient strength and stability, such as high strength epoxies or other chemical bonds. The brackets may be made of any metal or material that provides sufficient strength, such as polymer or carbon composite materials. The brackets may be attached to the column by bolts, rivets, welds, or chemical bonds.  FIG. 9  shows how the beams  1  may be mitered where they intersect and rest atop the column  2 . At this location, the bottom bracket  8 , top bracket  9 , and the lateral bracket  10  secure the beams  1 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 10  shows the attachment detail where the beams  1  abut a column  2  at any point where the column  2  continues upward above the beam connection point. Beams  1  are connected to the column  2  by using a bottom bracket  8 , a lateral bracket  10 , and a top bracket  9 . This connection also may be accomplished by any means that provides sufficient strength and stability, such as a weld either with or without a chemical bond. The column  2  is attached to the floor/foundation  13  by the floor track  11  and the track reinforcing plate  12  with the use of fasteners  14  or other sufficient connection means, such as threaded fasteners coupled with bonding agents or anchor devices.  FIG. 11  depicts the inline connection detail atop the column  2  with the beams  1  secured by using a bottom bracket  8 , a lateral bracket  10 , and a top bracket  9 .  FIG. 6  shows the connection detail where a single beam  1  atop a column  2  is secured by a bottom bracket  8 , a flat plate lateral bracket  10 , and an angled top bracket  9 .  FIG. 13  shows a plan view of the connection detail where the beams  1  abut to all four sides of a column  2  at the same elevation. When abutting to the top of the column  2 , the beams  1  may be attached with a plate top bracket  9  and angled lateral brackets  10 . When abutting below the top of the column  2 , attachments may be made with angled lateral brackets  10 . 
         [0049]    Preferably, the structural panels  20  described here are prefabricated. One alternate design of the panels  20 , as shown in  FIGS. 14A and 14B , provides for more than doubling the wind load resistance of a light weight steel structure while making little or no change in the light gage steel framing. This framing provides a dimensionally controlled base and a suitable attachment surface for the other elements of the structural panels  20 , as described below. The panels may be used for interior and exterior walls, floor panels, ceiling panels, and roof panels. The panel studs  21  may be located at any spacing, but preferably at a standard such as 24 inches on center or less. The wall panels  20  may be constructed without any rigid reinforced foam  22  or other fiber reinforcement, but the bending strength and thermal efficiency of the wall will be reduced. 
         [0050]    Generally, the structural panels  23  are connected to the panel studs  21  by sheeting fasteners  32  (shown in  FIG. 14B ), which also attach the interior sheeting  24  and exterior sheeting  25  to the panel  20 . Bonding agents are also applied to bond the sheeting and the foam together and to the steel, forming a stronger vapor tight composite. Preferably, rigid reinforced foam  22  is injected into the panel  20  and allowed to cure in place. As another alternative, the foam can be precast and placed within the composite wall. Either way, the interior sheeting  24 , exterior sheeting  25 , structural panels  23 , rigid reinforced foam  22 , and panel studs  21  combine to form a “sandwich” style panel. Panel tracks  61 , as in  FIG. 19A , are attached to the panel at an orientation perpendicular to the panel studs  21 . The panel tracks  61  may be attached to the panel  20  by mechanical fasteners and/or adhesive bonds. 
         [0051]    In one alternative design, the rigid reinforced foam  22  is bonded to the panel studs  21 , which are made from any metal, polymer, carbon composite, or other sufficiently rigid material. The structural panels  23  are constructed from any metal, carbon composite, plywood, chip board, polymer panel, fiber-reinforced material or other material with sufficient strength. When fiber-reinforced material is used, such material can comprise a bonding agent, such as latex or polyester resin or epoxy material, adhered to a tight weave cloth, scrim, or roving member. The roving member can be glass, carbon, metal, aramid, and other materials depending on cost and weight limits to the design. Optionally, the bonding agents are also used to bond the panels to the structure. The sheeting fasteners  32 , which are mechanical fasteners used either with or without adhesive bonds, are used to attach the panels to the structure in a manner to transmit the forces directly through the mechanical/bonded joints  32  and into the structural panels  23 , which become the primary resistance to shear and bending. In this alternative design, the pressure force on one side of the panel sheeting is transmitted to the opposite sheeting via rigid reinforced foam  22 , thus allowing thinner sheeting.  FIG. 14B  shows another alternative arrangement for the elements of the panel  20 . The individual elements are as described above, but the panel  20  comprises a tri-laminate arrangement. Specifically, an additional layer of interior sheeting  24  is placed between the structural panels  23  and the panel studs  21 . 
         [0052]    Generally, the arrangement of elements in the panels  20 , as described above, applies to the ceiling, floor, and roof panels, as shown in  FIGS. 15-16 . A panel is a roof panel  33  when the exterior sheeting  25  is a metal roof cover or other roofing material, such as shingles, slate, tile, polymer, carbon fiber or other roofing material. On one of its sides, the roof panel  33  attaches to the exterior wall  29  by the roof bracket  40 , which is connected to the top of the exterior wall  29  as shown in  FIG. 18  or to the ceiling panel  26  as shown in  FIG. 19B . The opposite side of the roof panel  33  attaches to the roof panel  33  projecting from the opposite eave, the two roof panels  33  thus forming a peak above the structure (not shown). The roof panel becomes a floor panel when the exterior sheeting  25  is modified to be a flooring surface, such as linoleum, carpet or other flooring material. 
         [0053]    In an alternative design, the panel studs  21  are steel shapes, preferably having a closed cross section (see  FIGS. 14B and 14C ). The cross section of the steel member is oriented with the thicker section adjacent to the location where the sheeting fasteners  32  attach the sheeting to the panel studs  21 . 
         [0054]    One alternative orientation of panels  20 , shown in  FIG. 17 , illustrates how wall, ceiling, and roof panels are attached together in a manner that uses a “Cross In Cube” design. The “Cube” consists of the exterior walls  29 , floor panel  30 , and the ceiling panels  26  supported laterally by the interior walls  31 , which, depending on the floor plan, form a cross inside the cube. The wall panels  29  and  31 , and ceiling panels  26  act as a firm structure for supporting the roof loads. The foundation  13  of the structure can be either a concrete slab, a combination of the high strength composite panels used as floor panels  30 , or any other sufficiently stable platform. The foundation  13  of the structure can be at grade or elevated as required for flood plain zones. 
         [0055]      FIG. 18  shows how the ceiling panel  26  has continuous attachment to the exterior wall using a sill plate  27  and a lower bracket  28  and the panel track  61  framing the ceiling panel  26 . The composite roof design utilizes a “Hurricane Eave,” or a high strength eave, which includes the cave member  41  attached to the exterior wall  29  by the eave lateral bracket  42  and the eave bottom bracket  43 . This connection is at a location below the top of the exterior wall  29 . The opposite end of the eave member  41  attaches to one end of the roof joist  44 . The roof bracket  40  connects the opposite end of the roof joist  44  to either the roof panel  33  or the top of the exterior wall  29 , or both, thereby generating a high strength three-member truss. In some cases, the incline of the roof panel  33  will create a space  48  at the top of the exterior wall. This space  48  can be filled with a structural element such as a bond-in-place continuous spacer bonded to the roof panel  48  and the exterior wall  29 , thus providing joint sufficient to evenly distribute the uplift loads caused by wind loading. 
         [0056]    The fascia cover  45 , which can be continuous and decorative, connects the soffit  46 , which is preferably a high strength vinyl covered element, thereby preventing uplift of the roof sheeting  47  and securing the cover of the soffit  46  as wind forces shift. The fascia cover  45  and soffit  46  can be ornamented as desired. All attachments in the “Hurricane Eave” may be accomplished with mechanical fasteners, welds, or chemical bonds. The fascia cover  45  and all other brackets may be made of any metal, polymer, carbon composite, or other material with sufficient strength, which allows standard architectural designs or achievements. 
         [0057]    The ceiling panel  26  is attached to the exterior wall  29  by a sill plate  27  and a lower bracket  28 , which preferably form continuous attachments. Rather than resting on top of the exterior wall  29 , the ceiling panel  26  is oriented so that it abuts the exterior wall  29  on the wall&#39;s interior side. The vent  49  is an opening in the foam of the roof panel  33  that allows for thermostatically and volumetrically controlled forced draft ventilation of the attic, thereby preventing rapid pressure changes in the attic spaces caused by high wind pressure. The vents  49  also promote ventilation of the structure, which can be an important feature when the lower level structural joints and seams are vapor tight. The roof cover  50  is bonded or mechanically fastened to the roof sheeting  47 . Alternatively, the roof cover  50  can be bonded or mechanically fastened directly to the roof panel  33 , without any roof sheeting  47 . 
         [0058]    Referring to  FIG. 19A , the floor/foundation  13  attachment to the wall panel  20  is sealed, making the structure watertight. The floor track  11  is placed on the floor/foundation  13 , positioned and leveled properly with bonding sealer  60  between them. The panel track  61 , which comes attached to the wall panel  20 , is positioned, sealed, and bonded to the floor track  11 . The floor track  11  and bonding sealer  60  are anchored to the floor/foundation  13  in any manner sufficient to withstand the applicable loads, such as with anchors, mechanical fasteners or chemical bonds. The floor tracks  11  and panel tracks  61  may be made of any metal, polymer, carbon composite, or other material with sufficient strength. The bonding sealer  60  may be caulking, epoxy, rubber, neoprene, elastomeric pads, plastic, or foam. 
         [0059]    In another embodiment, depicted in  FIG. 19B , the exterior wall  29  is attached directly to the floor or foundation  13  with the use of a continuous strip  74  along the outside of the exterior wall  29 . The strip  74  is attached to the exterior wall  29  and the foundation  13 , thereby eliminating the need for the additional floor track  11  as in  FIG. 19A . The strength of the connection between the strip  74  and the foundation  13  is enhanced further with the angle strip  78 . The panel track  61  is an angle clip that delivers additional stability and strength. Bonding materials are added between the exterior wall  29  and the foundation  13  to seal and bond the wall base to the floor or foundation  13 , and the seal also separates the steel from the concrete or other base materials that could be incompatible with the floor or foundation  13 , such as zinc coated steel. 
         [0060]    In another embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 19B and 19C , a tension bar assembly provides a method for securing the roof panel structure to the foundation, thereby delivering additional strength to control wind uplift. In this embodiment, the ceiling panel  26  bears on the top of the exterior wall  29 . The tension bar assembly is comprised of an anchor  75 , a bar  76 , a plate  85 , and one or more couplings  77 . The anchor  75  is embedded in the foundation  13  and connects to the bar  76  running to the plate  85 , which bears on the ceiling panel  26  above the top of the exterior wall  29 . The couplings  77 , which are incorporated into the bar  76 , are used to tighten the tension bar assembly. The couplings  77  also serve as turn buckles to preload the ceiling panel  26  to the wall to assure proper contact with the top of the exterior wall  29  for bonding the wall to the ceiling panel  26 . The couplings  77  also provide vertical position control of the ceiling panel to the top of the wall to assure proper contact of the mating surfaces that are bonded and sealed with a sealing or bonding agent. This also provides a means to correct any mismatch on the bottom surfaces and mating surfaces of the rigid composite integrated ceiling panels  26  and roof panels  33 . A protective cover  88  covers the tension members and the electrical connectors (not shown) that provide electrical connectivity between panels. An ordinary practitioner will appreciate that these tension bar assemblies can be placed as needed to meet the load and sealing, preload or uplift requirements caused by the external loading on the structure. 
         [0061]    The vertical joints of the exterior wall, depicted in  FIG. 20A , also incorporate bonding sealer  60 , as described above, to make them watertight. The exterior walls  29  are placed such that their interior corners are adjacent, and the exterior sheeting  25  of each exterior wall  29  is extended until it connects with the exterior sheeting  25  from the other exterior wall  29 . In addition to the panel studs  21  located near the vertical joint, a support member, such as a support stud  19 , is used to provide structural support to the extended exterior sheeting  25 . The support stud  19  is oriented such that the ends of the exterior walls  29  and the support stud  19  for a void  35 . The void  35  can be filled with insulation, rigid reinforced foam  22 , or other fill material. The exterior walls  29  are secured along the inside corner by a vertical bracket  34  and sheeting fasteners  32 . Bonding sealer  60  is placed between the exterior sheeting  25  and the support stud  19 , and also between the void  35  and the exterior wall  29  panels. Continuous fastening of the vertical brackets  34  of the walls using bonding sealer  60  enhances the sealing and structural strength of the wall joint. 
         [0062]      FIG. 20B  illustrates an alternate method of attaching two walls abutting at right angles although they could join at any angle and at any point along the wall. A tube  82  provides a passage for the threaded fastener  81  to reach the plate nut  86 . The tube  82  also prevents collapsing of the thin walls of the panel as the fastener  81  is tightened. The joint includes a tension bar assembly, as described above, wherein the plate  85  bears on the top of the adjacent exterior walls  29 . The cover  79  for the tension bar  76  is connected to the wall panels by sheeting fasteners  32 , thereby concealing the bar  76  and providing cover for the electrical connectors needed for wiring continuity between adjacent panels. An “L” shaped bracket plate  62  is provided at the top of the exterior wall  29  and interior wall  31 , as shown in  FIG. 21A . The vertical bracket  34  and bracket plate  62  may be any metal, carbon composite, polymer, or polymer material. 
         [0063]      FIG. 21B  depicts the method to join two walls to one abutting wall using the fasteners  81  to the plate nut  86  and also using the sleeve  82  as described above to provide prepared passage for the bolt  81  and provide the rigidity needed between the sheet metal pieces to arrest the bolt  81  forces applied when tightening the bolt  81 . The bolt  81  must be properly tightened to develop the proper holding capacity for the expected forces. Bonding agents are also applied to seal and bond the mating surfaces of the walls. The bolts  81  can be attached to a continuous wall (not shown) or at a wall joint, as shown. 
         [0064]    As shown in  FIG. 22 , the watertight design of the building includes the exterior door  63 , which opens outward. The frame for the exterior door  63  includes seals  64  that seal all round the door, thereby forming a seal that tightens as external pressure is applied by wind or water. 
         [0065]    A “Living Module” as shown in  FIG. 23  is the standard feature of all floor plans and contains all sanitary facilities  70 , kitchen facilities  71 , as well as bedroom  72  and garage  73 . The “Living Module” can be utilized in an infinite variety of floor plans. 
         [0066]    The embodiments disclosed above are merely representative of the invention and are not meant for limitation thereof. For example, an ordinary practitioner would understand that there are several commercially available substitutions for some of the features and components described above. Several embodiments described above incorporate elements that are interchangeable with the features of other embodiments. It is understood that equivalents and substitutions for certain elements and components set forth above may be obvious to those having ordinary skill in the art, and therefore the true scope and definition of the invention is to be as set forth in the following claims.