Pultruded fiber reinforced polymer building systems and methods
11674312 · 2023-06-13
Inventors
Cpc classification
E04B2/96
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
International classification
Abstract
A composite building system comprising a structural frame, walls, floor, and roof is made of pultrusion fiber reinforced polymer (PFRP) material. A combination of PFRP, stainless steel screws and flexible epoxy can be used in the manufacture of a mobile or fixed structure. During assembly, an intumescent fire barrier can be applied to the PFRP components. Unlike traditional building materials, an exterior waterproof finish coating is not required when using a PFRP wall, floor, and roof assembly. The PFRP wall and wall assembly can be used with both PFRP structural framing and traditional framing materials, such as concrete, steel, or wood, allowing the PFRP wall and wall assembly to be used as a mid-rise or high-rise curtain wall.
Claims
1. A pultrusion fiber reinforced polymer (PFRP) roof assembly, comprising: a plurality of PFRP trusses or joists, comprising at least one horizontal PFRP C channel, or L channel, or hollow tube configured to be connected to at least one horizontal PFRP I-beam or at least one horizontal PFRP wide flange beam; and at least one PFRP clip angle bracket that connects the plurality of PFRP trusses or joists to configure the PFRP assembly to support PFRP sheathing; wherein the PFRP assembly employs a flexible epoxy configured to provide a uniform coefficient of thermal expansion throughout the PFRP assembly.
2. The PFRP assembly of claim 1, wherein the PFRP sheathing comprises PFRP ballistic sheathing or PFRP non-ballistic sheathing or PFRP hollow core plank or PFRP solid core plank.
3. The PFRP assembly of claim 1, wherein the PFRP sheathing is connected to the plurality of PFRP trusses or joists using stainless steel screws or bolts.
4. The PFRP assembly of claim 1, further comprising stainless steel screws or a flexible epoxy that bonds PFRP sheathing to the plurality of PFRP trusses, horizontal I-beam, or horizontal wide flange beam.
5. The PFRP assembly of claim 1, further comprising an intumescent fire-resistant coating applied to interior and exterior surfaces of the PFRP assembly or sheathing attached to the plurality of PFRP trusses or joists, to produce an insulating barrier when exposed to heat.
6. The PFRP assembly of claim 1, wherein a set of PFRP clip angle brackets, stainless steel self-drilling screws or bolts configure the plurality of PFRP trusses or joists to be connected to the at least one horizontal PFRP I-beam or at least one horizontal PFRP wide flange beam.
7. The PFRP assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of PFRP trusses or joists are configured to be connected to a PFRP horizontal beam or a PFRP column of a PFRP wall panel assembly.
8. The PFRP assembly of claim 7, wherein the PFRP column is configured to transfer roof load to a concrete foundation or PFRP piling.
9. The PFRP assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly is a roof assembly and the plurality of PFRP trusses or joists are configured to provide for a flat-pitch roof or a pitched roof.
10. A pultrusion fiber reinforced polymer (PFRP) structural building assembly, comprising: a PFRP floor assembly, comprising a top surface of PFRP ballistic or non-ballistic sheathing or PFRP hollow core plank or PFRP solid core plank, a bottom surface of PFRP ballistic or non-ballistic sheathing or PFRP hollow core plank or PFRP solid core plank, and at least one side surface of PFRP ballistic or non-ballistic sheathing or PFRP hollow core plank or PFRP solid core plank, surrounding the top surface and the bottom surface to comprise a fully enclosed hollow PFRP floor assembly; and at least one PFRP flange connected to the at least one side surface of the PFRP floor assembly and extending in an outward direction from the PFRP floor assembly, the PFRP flange configured to encircle a vertical PFRP piling and move axially along the vertical PFRP piling, wherein the PFRP floor assembly employs a flexible epoxy configured to provide a uniform coefficient of thermal expansion throughout the PFRP floor assembly.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The disclosed aspects will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, provided to illustrate and not to limit the disclosed aspects, wherein like designations denote like elements.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(36) The description that follows includes exemplary systems, methods, and techniques that embody techniques of this disclosure. However, it is understood that the described aspects may be practiced without these specific details.
(37) Apparatuses and methods are described in the following description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings by various blocks, modules, components, steps, parts, processes, etc. (collectively referred to as “elements”).
PART NUMBERS
(38) 1—PFRP C channel vertical stud and horizontal brace
(39) 2—PFRP C channel upper head or lower sill track
(40) 3—PFRP hold down bracket
(41) 4—PFRP sheathing such as ballistic or non-ballistic sheathing
(42) 5—PFRP clip angle bracket
(43) 6—Backer Rod & Caulk
(44) 7—Stainless steel self-drilling screw
(45) 11—PFRP flat tip embed connector
(46) 12—PFRP pointed tip embed connector
(47) 13—PFRP frame assembly
(48) 14—Air gap
(49) 15—Architectural precast concrete cladding
(50) 16—PFRP variable connector nut
(51) 17—PFRP fix nut
(52) 18—Insulation
(53) 19—PFRP threaded shaft
(54) 20—PFRP pitch roof
(55) 21—PFRP flat roof
(56) 22—PFRP wall assembly
(57) 23—Traditional bolt
(58) 24—PFRP C channel, I-beam, wide flange beam, joists, rafters
(59) 25—PFRP floor assembly
(60) 26—PFRP roof/floor decking, hollow core planks, solid plank
(61) 27—Concrete footer
(62) 28—Flexible epoxy adhesive
(63) 29—PFRP flange
(64) 30—PFRP piling
(65) 31—PFRP I-beam or wide flange beam used horizontally as a structural beam
(66) 32—PFRP I-beam or wide flange beam used vertically as a structural column
(67) 33—PFRP Z Bracket
(68) 34—PFRP solar mounting bracket
(69) 35—PFRP C or L Channel or hallow tube truss
(70) 36—Standard metal, slotted bi-directional drift connector L bracket
(71) 37—Standard metal, slotted bi-directional drift connector Cross bracket
(72) 38—Concrete or steel flooring support for mid and high-rise structures
(73) 39—PFRP curtain wall
(74) 40—Exterior cladding
(75) 100—PFRP wall frame assembly.
(76) 200—PFRP embed connectors.
(77) 300—PFRP roof assembly.
(78) 400—PFRP floor assembly.
(79) 500—PFRP single or multi-story building system attached to concrete footer.
(80) 600—PFRP single or multi-story building system attached to a PFRP piling with PFRP flange.
(81) 700—PFRP I-beam or wide flange structural frame assembly.
(82) 800—PFRP solar roof tile and solar roof panel assembly.
(83) 900—PFRP truss roof or floor assembly.
(84) 1000—PFRP curtain wall and exterior cladding assembly.
Glossary
(85) As used herein and in the claims, each of the terms defined in this glossary is understood to have the meaning set forth in this glossary. As such, claims should first be construed based on intrinsic. evidence. If a claim term remains ambiguous after considering the intrinsic evidence, then extrinsic evidence is to be considered.
(86) Architectural Precast Concrete Cladding—Precast concrete cladding offers a cost-effective means of providing a robust, high-quality facade, with a great variety of durable textures, colors, and patterns, including a range of facing materials such as stone and brick.
(87) Ballistic—is the field of mechanics concerned with the launching, flight behavior and impact effects of projectiles, especially ranged weapon munitions such as bullets.
(88) Coefficient of Thermal Transfer—The heat transfer of coefficient is the reciprocal of thermal insulation. This is used for building materials (R-Value) and is a measure of the overall ability of a series of conductive and convective barriers to transfer heat.
(89) Composite Material—is a material made from two or more constituent materials with significantly different physical or chemical properties that, when combined, produce a material with characteristics different from the individual components.
(90) Curtain Wall—An outer covering of a building in which the outer walls are not structural, utilized only to keep the weather out and occupants in.
(91) Deteriorate—to make or become worse or inferior in character, quality, value; to disintegrate or wear away.
(92) Embed—to fix into a surrounding mass; to surround tightly or firmly; envelop or enclose; to incorporate or contain as an essential part or characteristic.
(93) Exterior Cladding—The outermost layer of covering on buildings. All exterior surfaces including walls, windows, doors, soffits, and trim. Also known as wall covering.
(94) Fiberglass—is a common type of fiber-reinforced plastic using glass fiber. The fibers may be randomly arranged, flattened into a sheet, or woven into a fabric. The plastic matrix may be a thermoset polymer matrix, most often based on thermosetting polymers such as epoxy, polyester resin, or vinyl ester, or a thermoplastic.
(95) Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) —most often referred to as “fiberglass”. Used in this context, “fiberglass” is a composite consisting of a polymer resin matrix reinforced by embedded glass fibers.
(96) Flexible Epoxy—An adhesive that is not brittle and offers some degree of elasticity and flexibility. This makes it less likely to suffer from cracks or damage when exposed to extreme temperatures, unexpected forces, or sharp impacts.
(97) Intumescent—is a substance that swells because of heat exposure, thus leading to an increase in volume and decrease in density. Intumescents are typically used in passive fire protection and require listing, approval, and compliance in their installed configurations to comply with the national building codes and laws.
(98) Outgassing—is the release of a gas that was dissolved, trapped, frozen, or absorbed in some material. Outgassing can include sublimation and evaporation, as well as desorption, seepage from cracks or internal volumes, and gaseous products of slow chemical reactions.
(99) PFRP—a continuous molding process using material consisting of strong fibers embedded in a resin matrix. The most common fibers are glass, carbon, and synthetic fibers which are formed using a pultrusion method which eliminates out-gassing while providing a method to strengthen the product.
(100) Polymer—is a substance or material consisting of very large molecules, or macromolecules, composed of many repeating subunits. Polymer can be both synthetic and natural.
(101) Pultrusion—is a continuous process for manufacture of composite materials with constant cross-section. The term is a portmanteau word, combining “pull” and “extrusion”. As opposed to extrusion, which pushes the material, pultrusion works by pulling the material.
(102) Resin—is a generic term used to designate the polymer, polymer precursor material, and/or mixture or formulation thereof with various additives or chemically reactive components.
(103) Seismic—pertaining to, of the nature of, or caused by an earthquake or vibration of the earth, whether due to natural or artificial causes.
(104) Thermal Air Gap—The deliberate spacing (generally ¾ inch) between a frame assembly and an architectural concrete cladding to minimize the thermal transfer from solar heating between the two components.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(105) The unique flexibility of the PFRP frame assembly 13 of system 100 shown in
(106) In one aspect of the invention, the PFRP frame assembly 13 can be used as an architectural precast concrete cladding panel, such as panel 15 of system 200 shown in
(107) The PFRP frame assembly, 13, can be constructed using single PFRP studs to create a non-load bearing PFRP wall,
(108) The PFRP C channel shape of the studs, 1,
(109) In addition to its lighter weight, which reduces the structural requirements of the foundation and building structure, using this specific system and method of assembly reduces construction time, equipment, and labor, thus, reducing the overall cost of construction and maintenance requirements over the lifetime of the structure.
(110) The PFRP frame assembly, 13, is versatile and can be used as a load-bearing wall,
(111) Current construction materials are subject to failure in the following areas: concrete cracks due to its rigidity and absorbs water or moisture; steel can bend, rust, or deform due to external forces, such as seismic activity, high-velocity winds, or intrusion of moisture; wood can rot or crack due to moisture and can be destroyed by insects. A PFRP frame assembly, 13, is resistant to all known failures related to current construction materials.
(112) The PFRP frame assembly,
(113) This PFRP advantage eliminates moisture, cracking and delaminating of the material layers while increasing the overall strength of the structure while using fewer materials compared to current construction standards.
(114) The useful life or longevity of a traditional structure is limited by the natural occurring processes of degradation of current building materials. Any additional fluctuating ambient air temperature, moisture or water intrusion further compromises a traditional structure in less time, thereby, increasing maintenance costs and safety concerns. Using PFRP materials to construct the shell of a structure would eliminate all these known problems.
(115) Describing further in detail of the PFRP framing assembly, 13, is the ability to attach a PFRP sheathing, such as non-ballistic or ballistic sheathing, 4, an architectural precast concrete cladding panel, 15, a tilt-wall concrete panel via a PFRP embed connector 11, 12,
(116) The PFRP non-ballistic sheathing, 4, is constructed with standard pultrusion process whereas the PFRP ballistic sheathing, 4, is constructed using multi-directional glass fiber via a pultrusion process. The PFRP ballistic sheathing, 4, is designed to withstand high-velocity projectile impact by delaminating, thus, absorbing the energy associated with a high-velocity projectile.
(117) The PFRP sheathing, 4, can be manufactured in varying thicknesses to protect persons or property within the structure from a wide range of high-velocity projectiles. This feature allows for construction within geographic areas prone to tornado, hurricane, or ballistic weapons.
(118) PFRP products are made with a fire-retardant chemical, such as Bromine, contained within the resin. This process uses smoke produced by the fire-retardant chemical to extinguish the flame. This smoke is toxic and the PFRP material becomes combustible after the chemicals added to inhibit ignition have been overcome. Fire-retardant materials do not meet global fire regulations for non-combustible materials which are mandated for structural components within an occupied structure.
(119) One advantageous feature of disclosed aspects is that PFRP structural components, such as PFRP wall sheathing, 4, PFRP wall assembly, 22 of system 100, PFRP floor and roof deck, 26 of system 400, vertical PFRP column, 32, and horizontal PFRP I-beam, 31, or PFRP horizontal wide flange beam, 31 of system 700,
(120) The disclosure relating to structural PFRP components, such as PFRP wall sheathing, 4, PFRP framing assembly, 13, and/or PFRP roof deck, 26, can employ an applied intumescent fire-barrier coating (such as Flame off Fire Barrier paint with a dried thickness of 17 mil). This coating can be applied to the PFRP wall sheathing, 4, PFRP wall assembly, 22, and/or roof deck, 26, during the manufacturing process, or otherwise prior to any finish coat or completion of a traditional interior or exterior finishing system. PFRP components coated with intumescent fire-barrier coating does not produce toxic smoke while inhibiting the ability of flames to crawl or grow larger, known as flame spread, and thus achieve ASTEM—E84, Class A Fire rating, ASTEM—E2768, Class A Fire rating with 30 minute extended, allowing for classification as a non-combustible material.
(121) In some aspects, a thermal coating can be applied to the PFRP wall assembly, 22 of system 100 and PFRP floor and roof deck, 26 of system 300, to reduce heat gain from solar radiation.
(122) The PFRP C channel studs, 1,
(123) The PFRP frame assembly, 13 of system 100, can be shipped from an automated PFRP manufacturing facility to the job site with a plurality of PFRP embed connectors, 11 or 12, of system 200,
(124) The PFRP embed connector, 12,
(125) The PFRP embed connector, 11, is also designed with a flat tip, 11, and a variable nut, 16, and a fixed nut 17. The PFRP embed flat tip connector 11, used when an architectural reveal is designed into the concrete form. The PFRP flat tip embed connector, 11, is shorter than the PFRP pointed tip, 12, which allows the difference in concrete thickness to form a reveal in the concrete panel, thus, the PFRP flat tip embed connector, 11, provides the interior concrete spacing between the PFRP frame assembly and architectural reveal to accommodate the changing concrete thickness.
(126) The PFRP embed connector, both pointed tip and flat tip, 11, 12, provides connection of the PFRP frame assembly, 13, to the concrete cladding, 15. This connection is made possible by PFRP embed connector shaft, 11, 12. The PFRP frame assembly, 13, combined with the PFRP embed connector, 11 or 12, which eliminates the need for an air gap, 14, and an insulation strip between the face of the PFRP frame assembly, 13, and the rear side of the concrete precast cladding, 15,
(127) Current art, U.S. Pat. No. 8,601,763, teaches using a ⅛″ inch to 1″ inch air gap with an insulation strip to minimize thermal bridging created by the steel frame and metal embed connector between the building structural frame and the precast cladding system. Thermal transfer is inherently present when using current building materials. The aspect of the disclosure teaches that an air gap and an insulation strip are no longer needed to minimize thermal bridging. Further disclosed aspect provides less than a ⅛″ inch air gap including no gap which reduces the opportunity for water intrusion between the building structure and the concrete panel.
(128) The PFRP frame assembly, 13 of system 100, contains a vertical PFRP column, 32, and horizontal PFRP I-beam, 31, or wide flange horizontal beam, 31 of system 700,
(129) The PFRP column, 32, and the PFRP beam, 31, provides the structural support of the PFRP roof assembly system 300 in
(130) The PFRP roof assembly, system 300 of
(131) One advantage of using the PFRP solar mounting bracket, 33 and 34, is to elevate the solar roof panel or the solar roof tile a minimum of 3¾″ inches off the roof,
(132) This design reduces the thermal loading of the solar panel or solar roof tile, system 800, and can increase the solar power generation efficiency approximately 35% per solar panel or solar tile.
(133) The PFRP wall assembly, 22, contains a PFRP column, 32, which connects to a PFRP floor assembly, 25 of
(134) This method is repeated for a multi-story structure,
(135) The PFRP floor assembly, 25, can connect to a PFRP pilling, 30, to elevate the structure off the ground,
(136) The PFRP structural assembly,
(137) This PFRP frame assembly, 13, system 100, is stronger, on a pound for pound comparison to steel. This allows versatility in many different configurations to construct a residential, commercial, or mobile structure without any modification to the PFRP frame assembly, 13, system 100. In a PFRP mobile configuration the PFRP frame, system 700, is engineered in strength to be configured to accommodate a fixed wheel assembly or temporary wheel assembly, making the structure a trailer by connecting it to the back of a vehicle or remove the wheel assembly so that the structure can be mounted on the back of a truck as a “box unit”, or place “D” rings on all exterior corners to provide lifting points to support aerial, sling-load, transportation by a helicopter. In addition, heavy duty swivel casters can be mounted along the bottom of the PFRP frame assembly, 13, system 100, such as to allow the structure to be manually moved over a smooth surface.
(138) Using the PFRP frame assembly, 13, components connect the PFRP non-ballistic or PFRP ballistic sheathing, 4, to the PFRP frame assembly, 13, using stainless steel, self-drilling screws, 7 and a flexible epoxy which bonds the PFRP non-ballistic or PFRP ballistic sheathing, 4, to the PFRP frame assembly, 13, creating a one-piece (unibody) composite wall assembly, 22, which increases the wall panel strength by reducing deflection and increasing sheer wall performance, while preventing water, moisture, or air intrusion. This assembly method would also apply to connecting a PFRP frame assembly, 13, system 200, to an architectural precast concrete cladding, tilt wall exterior wall covering or PFRP cladding for mid-rise and high-rise structures.
(139) When connecting system 100 to system 600, the PFRP pilings, 30, are installed first. The PFRP floor assembly, 25 of system 400, is then connected to the PFRP pilings, 30 of system 600, via the PFRP flange, 29. System 100 is then erected and connected to the PFRP floor assembly, 25 of system 400.
(140) In other configurations, the PFRP floor system, 25 of system 400, can contain a PFRP flange, 29, mounted to the outside of the PFRP floor frame, 25, and on each corner.
(141) A PFRP piling, 30,
(142) When constructing a PFRP mobile structure, the horizontal PFRP I-beam or wide flange beam, 31, System 700, is first connected to the PFRP floor assembly, 25 of system 400. System 100 is then attached to the PFRP floor assembly, 25, and then system 300 is connected to system 100 to complete a complete PFRP mobile structure. A wheel assembly can be mounted to system 700.
(143) Additional configurations allow a wheel assembly, or without a wheel assembly, the frame assembly of system 700 to accommodate attachment points on the horizontal PFRP I-beam or wide flange beam, 31, using a traditional heavy-duty “D” ring that will allow the mobile unit to be picked up by a crane or airlifted by a helicopter for transport. This mobile structure is similar in size but not in weight to a standard metal Conex container or can be constructed without the PFRP walls or PFRP roof to allow for design as an open trailer.
(144) In the above listed roof configurations, the PFRP roof assembly, system 300, attaching to the PFRP frame assembly, 13 of system 100 can accommodate a solar power system, system 800, by using PFRP solar panel or solar tile,
(145) The lightweight advantage and ease of construction for the entire PFRP structure can allow a manufacturing facility to assemble the PFRP components for shipment via truck, rail, ship, or aircraft as a modular unit or “Flat Packed” for easy shipment to other locations for final assembly to be a fixed or mobile structure.
(146) Current and long-standing building methods use a variety of building materials (concrete, steel, wood). Each of these materials has their own set of thermal conductive properties which absorb and dissipate temperature at variable rates over time. This variance in temperature between the materials can require design and engineering attention to solve for the results of thermal loading on a structure. Further, some materials are known to retain heat longer than others, requiring larger climate control systems, in addition to creating condensation or excess moisture within the walls of the building structure. This can lead to mold, algae, cracking, warping or corrosion. Disclosed aspect that uses PFRP for all building components solves these and other problems. An all-PFRP structure can have components that expand and contract at the same time, thereby, making the entire structure more structurally sound and more energy efficient.
(147) Some aspects provide for systems and methods that use PFRP components combined with a flexible epoxy, which can allow the PFRP structure to function as a unibody structure which is impervious to air or water and provides a uniform coefficient of thermal expansion throughout the shell of the structure. Current construction materials and methods do not teach nor provide these features.
(148) The previous description is provided to enable a person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the common principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure.
(149) Furthermore, although elements of the described aspects and/or embodiments may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated.
(150) Additionally, all or a portion of any aspect and/or embodiment may be utilized with all or a portion of any other aspect and/or embodiment, unless stated otherwise. Thus, the disclosure is not to be limited to the examples and designs described herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.