MODULAR CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM

Abstract

It is disclosed a modular construction system, comprised by multiple habitable modules, which are connected together along the horizontal and vertical plane, configuring a multi-storey building. The connections between adjacent modules, along the horizontal and the vertical plane, are carried out through a particular set of connections L1 to L5, allowing a simple and quick installation of the modules that make up the building, ensuring the desired mechanical, thermal and acoustic performance.

Claims

1. Modular construction system for buildings, comprising a plurality of habitable modules, connected together along a horizontal and/or vertical plane of the building; the system being characterized by: the connection between adjacent modules along a horizontal plane, is carried out through connections of type L2 and type L5; and the connection between adjacent modules along a vertical plane, or between a module on a vertical level and a roof structure on a vertical level immediately above, is carried out through connections of type L1 and type L4, wherein, the connection L2 is of male-female joint type, wherein one module comprises male-type joints and the adjacent module comprises female-type joints; the connection L5 is implemented through reinforcing bars, installed along the horizontal plane, each interconnecting two adjacent modules; the connection L1 is of male-female joint type, wherein one module comprises male or female type joints, and the adjacent module or the roof structure comprises joints of a complementary type; the connection L4 is implemented through reinforcing bars, installed along the vertical plane, each interconnecting a module with the adjacent module or with the roof structure.

2. System according to claim 1, wherein the connection between adjacent modules along a horizontal plane is complemented with L3 type connections; wherein, each connection L3 is implemented by at least two threaded rods, installed one in each module and adapted to fix a metallic plate resting on a contact zone between the two modules.

3. System according to claim 1, wherein the connection between adjacent modules along a horizontal plane is complemented with L3 type connections; wherein, each connection L3 is implemented by at least two threaded rods, installed one in each module and adapted to fix a metallic plate resting on a contact zone between the two modules; and the length of the threaded rod is at least 2 cm and the thickness of the metallic plate is at least 0.5 mm; and wherein, the fixation of the metallic plate to the contact zone between the modules is carried out using a tightening nut, coupled to each threaded rod.

4. System according to claim 1, wherein the male-type joint of connections L1 and L2 has a height ranging between 1 cm and 40 cm, and a minimum length of 3 cm.

5. System according to claim 1, wherein the length of a reinforcing bar of the connection L4 is such that of its length is projected to be inserted in the lower habitable module and of its length is projected to be inserted in the upper module; and wherein the length of the reinforcing bar is at least 30 cm.

6. System according to claim 1, wherein a reinforcing bar of the connection L5 has a minimum diameter of 0.6 cm and a minimum length of 10 cm; the reinforcing bar being an iron bar or a bar of the Dywidag type.

7. System according to claim 1, wherein all the connections between modules comprise a binder for sealing the respective connections.

8. System according to claim 1, wherein the number of connections between modules, along the horizontal and vertical plane, is variable.

9. System according to claim 1, wherein a habitable module is comprised by: a parallelepiped support platform, arranged in a horizontal plane; and by at least two surrounding walls installed in the platform; optionally each surrounding wall is installed at one end of the platform.

10. System according to claim 1, wherein a habitable module is comprised by: a parallelepiped support platform, arranged in a horizontal plane; and by at least two surrounding walls installed in the platform; optionally each surrounding wall is installed at one end of the platform; and wherein, the support platform comprises connections of the type L2 and L5, embedded in it, for connection between adjacent modules along the horizontal plane, and connections of the type L1 and L4 for installation of the surrounding walls; and the surrounding walls comprise connections of the type L1 and L4, embedded into the lower and/or upper end for attachment to the support platform; and L1 and L4 type connections embedded into the upper end for connection to the support platform of an adjacent module or into a roof structure or embedded into the lower end for connection to an adjacent module.

11. System according to claim 1 wherein, the connection between adjacent modules along a horizontal plane is complemented with L3 type connections; wherein, each connection L3 is implemented by at least two threaded rods, installed one in each module and adapted to fix a metallic plate resting on a contact zone between the two modules; and wherein, the L3 connections are installed on the support platform of two adjacent modules.

12. System according to claim 1 wherein, the connection between adjacent modules along a horizontal plane is complemented with L3 type connections; wherein, each connection L3 is implemented by at least two threaded rods, installed one in each module and adapted to fix a metallic plate resting on a contact zone between the two modules; and wherein a habitable module is comprised by: a parallelepiped support platform, arranged in a horizontal plane; and by at least two surrounding walls installed in the platform; optionally each surrounding wall is installed at one end of the platform; and wherein, the support platform and the surrounding walls comprise an interior structural reinforcement; said structural reinforcement being complemented with reinforcement elements in the areas where the L1, L2, L4 and L5 connections are embedded and where the L3 connections are installed; said reinforcement elements being implemented using steel rods, with diameter section varying between 0.6 cm to 2.5 cm.

13. System according to claim 1, wherein a habitable module is comprised by: a parallelepiped support platform, arranged in a horizontal plane; and by at least two surrounding walls installed in the platform; optionally each surrounding wall is installed at one end of the platform; and wherein the dimensions and thickness of the support platform and surrounding walls of a module are variable, and the supporting platform and surrounding walls of a module being made of concrete.

14. System according to claim 1, wherein each module comprises a block for connecting the common infrastructure of the building; common infrastructures relating to water, sewage, electricity or communications networks.

15. System according to claim 1, wherein each module further comprises at least one watertight connection box.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0017] FIG. 1representation of an embodiment of a habitable module according to the invention. The reference signs represent: [0018] 1L1 type connection; [0019] 2L2 type connection; [0020] 3L3 type connection; [0021] 4L4 type connection; [0022] 5L5 type connection; [0023] 6habitable module; [0024] 9block for connecting common infrastructures; [0025] 10watertight connection box.

[0026] FIG. 2representation of another embodiment of a habitable module according to the invention, that can be combined with the module represented in FIG. 1. The reference signs represent: [0027] 1L1 type connection; [0028] 2L2 type connection; [0029] 3L3 type connection; [0030] 4L4 type connection; [0031] 5L5 type connection; [0032] 6habitable module.

[0033] FIG. 3representation of an embodiment of the system showing the connection between a plurality of habitable modules (6), both in the horizontal and vertical plane.

[0034] FIG. 4representation of a L1 type connection, wherein the reference signs represent: [0035] 1L1 type connection; [0036] 7structural reinforcement; [0037] 8reinforcement elements.

[0038] FIG. 5representation of a L2 type connection, wherein the reference signs represent: [0039] 2L2 type connection; [0040] 7structural reinforcement; [0041] 8reinforcement elements.

[0042] FIG. 6representation of a L3 type connection, wherein the reference signs represent: [0043] 3L3 type connection; [0044] 3.1threaded rod; [0045] 3.2metallic plate; [0046] 3.3tightening nut; [0047] 6habitable modules; [0048] 7structural reinforcement; [0049] 8reinforcement elements.

[0050] FIG. 7representation of a L4 type connection, wherein the reference signs represent: [0051] 4L4 type connection; [0052] 6habitable modules; [0053] 7structural reinforcement; [0054] 8reinforcement elements.

[0055] FIG. 8representation of a L5 type connection, wherein the reference signs represent: [0056] 5L5 type connection; [0057] 6habitable modules.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] The more general and advantageous configurations of the present invention are described in the Summary of the invention. Such configurations are detailed below in accordance with other advantageous and/or preferred embodiments of implementation of the present invention.

[0059] The modular construction system disclosed comprises multiple habitable modules, which are connected together along the horizontal and vertical plane, configuring a multi-storey building. By habitable module, throughout the present disclosure, it is intended to refer to an area that can be occupied for dwelling purposes, such as apartments, or for the implementation and establishment of services of various natures such as shops or warehouses.

[0060] The connection between adjacent modules along the horizontal plane, is carried out through L2 and L5 type connections. In turn, the connection between adjacent modules along the vertical plane takes place through L1 and L4 type connections. With respect to the vertical plane, the building is finished by a roof structure. This structure can be of any type known from the state of the art, with the addition of incorporating connections L1 and L4, for connecting the habitable module immediately below.

[0061] In one embodiment of the system, the male-type joints of the connections L1 and L2, has a height ranging between 1 cm and 40 cm, and a minimum length of 3 cm. The length of the joint can be, at most, equivalent to the length of the wall. Obviously, the corresponding joint of the female type will be complementary, in order to guarantee the coupling of the female type, preferably without gaps between the contact surfaces between the two joints. Specifically, if the male-type joint has a height of 40 cm and a length of 3 cm, the depth of the female-type joint must be at least 40 cm and its length at least 3 cm. In another aspect of the system, the male-type joint is defined by edges that make up angular arrangements ranging between 0 and 180. In fact, on all edges of a male-type joint the same effect can achieved by changing the angle between adjacent edges: for example, in one embodiment the two edges may be perpendicular to each other, with angles of 90. In another embodiment one edge has an angular arrangement of 100 and the other of 80.

[0062] In another embodiment of the system, the length of a reinforcing bar of the connection L4 is such that of its length is inserted in the lower habitable module and in the upper module. In another embodiment the length of the reinforcing bar is least 30 cm.

[0063] In another embodiment of the system, the reinforcing bar of the connection L5 has a minimum diameter of 0.6 cm and a minimum length of 10 cm. In another embodiment, the reinforcing bar may be an iron bar or a Dywidag type bar, which may have circular, square, rectangular or other sections as long as the steel area of the section used is equivalent.

[0064] In another embodiment of the system, the connection between adjacent modules, along a horizontal plane, is complemented, in addition to L2 and L5 type connections, with L3 type connections. The purpose of using this type of complementary connection is to prevent differential deformations between the slabs that form the support platform of each module, and both the vertical and horizontal transmission of actions between slabs. Particularly, and for that purpose, each connection L3 is implemented by at least two threaded rods, installed one in each module and adapted to fix a metallic plate resting on a contact zone between the two modules.

[0065] In one embodiment of the system, the length of the threaded rod is at least 2 cm and the thickness of the metallic plate is at least 0.5 mm. The design should absorb the vertical and horizontal stresses in the various directions resulting from the design of the structure. Fixing the metallic plate to the contact zone between the modules can be done using a tightening nut, coupled to each threaded rod.

[0066] In another embodiment of the system, all connections between modules, are supplemented with a binder such as cement, to seal the respective connections, that is, to fill in existing gaps.

[0067] In another embodiment of the system, the number of connections between modules, along the horizontal and vertical plane, is variable. The number of connections L1 to L5 to consider in the vertical and horizontal coupling of module combinations depends on the building geometry and therefore on the dimensioning to be carried out. It is also important to mention that for the same building it is possible to consider modules with more connections with a lower load capacity or fewer connections with a higher load capacity.

[0068] In another embodiment of the system, each habitable module comprises a parallelepiped support platform, arranged in a horizontal plane, and at least two surrounding walls arranged in a vertical plane. In one embodiment, each surrounding wall is installed at one end of the platform. The dimensions of both the platform and the walls vary depending on the configurations of each project. The same applies to the thickness of the walls, which is also variable, however, as an example, and for a 5-storey building, this may vary between 10 cm and 30 cm. Typically, the support platform and the walls are reinforced concrete pieces, but other materials that with identical geometries are capable of transmitting equivalent efforts can be considered. The assembly between these parts, in light of the flexibility that the system, in particular, the set of connections L1 to L5, allow to achieve, may have various configurations, for example, the support platform could be the slab on which the floor will be installed or, alternatively, it could be the ceiling, with the surrounding walls being fixed, in both cases, using connections L1 and L4. This constructive system is configured to allow the suppression or inclusion of surrounding or interior walls, as well as the suppression or inclusion of doors or windows in any of the surrounding or interior walls, or to include or suppress sections of the support platform, ensuring the structural stability of the building. This is achieved, once again, using the set of connections L1 to L5 which is used for the connection between modules and which guarantees the correct distribution of forces between them. The vertical and lateral coupling allows, through a suitable combination of modules to be coupled, to build buildings with different apartment typologies for dwelling, services and other types of use, with several floors in height, according to dimensioning.

[0069] In another embodiment of the system, the support platform comprises connections of the L2 and L5 type, embedded in it, for connecting between support platforms of adjacent modules along the horizontal plane, and connections of the L1 and L4 type for installation of the surrounding walls. The surrounding walls comprise connections of the L1 and L4 type, embedded in the lower and upper end for attachment to the support platform, depending on whether the platform is the floor section or the ceiling of a habitable module, respectively, and connections of the L1 and L4 type embedded in the upper end for connection to the support platform of an adjacent module or to a roof structure or embedded in the lower end for connection to a support platform of an adjacent module.

[0070] In another embodiment of the system, the L3 connections are installed on the support platform of two adjacent modules.

[0071] In another embodiment of the system, the support platform and the surrounding walls comprise an interior structural reinforcement. Said structural reinforcement is complemented with reinforcement elements in the areas where the L1, L2, L4 and L5 connections are embedded and where the L3 connections are installed. Said reinforcement elements are implemented using steel rods, with a diameter section ranging from 0.6 cm to 2.5 cm. The reinforcement elements are used to absorb both vertical and horizontal loads resulting from the design of the structure.

[0072] In another embodiment of the system, each module comprises a block for connecting the common infrastructure of the building and the modules that constitute it. Common infrastructures concern water, sewage, electricity or communications networks, among others. Its dimensions vary depending on the dimension of each module.

[0073] In another embodiment of the system, each module additionally comprises at least one watertight connection box for accommodating pipes from an adjacent module. Typically, the box is made of PVC, metal or any other material. This box is used to link the infrastructure connections of the building, in particular, it can be used to accommodate electrical and/or communications installations, separated from hydraulic installations. The dimensions of this box vary depending on the dimension of each module.

[0074] As will be clear to one skilled in the art, the present invention should not be limited to the embodiments described herein, and a number of changes are possible which remain within the scope of the present invention.

[0075] Of course, the preferred embodiments shown above are combinable, in the different possible forms, being herein avoided the repetition all such combinations.