AU2009243510B2 - Construction, construction method, and method of relocation of a construction - Google Patents

Abstract

- 32 Abstract A construction for a relocatable building, the construction being relocatable between a first location 5 and a second location, the construction comprising a number of separable sections, each of the separable sections comprising: a ceiling portion; and at least two wall portions attached to the ceiling portion; each separable section being detachable from the other 1o separable sections so as to be transportable separately therefrom for relocation of the construction; said wall portions of at least one of said separable sections being fixed, at bottom parts thereof, to a fixed building slab which provides a structural floor of the building. 21351891 (GHMatters) 3/12/09 r-i ------ ------

Description

GRIFFITH HACK PATENTS. TRADE MARKS, IP LAW SPECIFICATION OF PATENT APPLICATION COUNTRY AUSTRALIA TYPE Patent TITLE CONSTRUCTION, CONSTRUCTION METHOD, AND METHOD OF RELOCATION OF A CONSTRUCTION APPLICANT(S) Halcyon Management Pty Ltd - 2 Construction, construction method, and method of relocation of a construction Field of the invention 5 The invention relates to a construction, a construction method, and method of relocation of a construction, and especially, but not exclusively to a construction which is a residential home, and to a 10 construction method, and method of relocation of a residential home. Background 15 It has sometimes been found useful to provide constructions which can be relocated from a first location to a different, second, location. For example, it is known that some timber houses, and in particular those with timber platform floors such as Queenslander-style 20 houses, can be moved in their entirety, between locations, and that relocation of an existing house of this type can provide an economical alternative to building on-site at the desired (second) location. The facility to relocate a home may be desirable for 25 a number of reasons. For example, it may be desirable to provide this facility for homes in coastal areas as a precaution against environmental changes, such as rising sea levels. Further, legislation relating to relocatable homes, as against permanently fixed homes, may make it 30 desirable to provide homes with this facility. However, typically, it has been considered that relocatable homes do not offer the same degree of flexibility (in terms of construction options), luxury, aesthetic and/or prestige as permanently located homes 35 constructed on-site. 67965491 (GHMatters) P81730.AU STEFANP 2/10/15 - 3 Summary of the invention According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a construction for a relocatable 5 building, the construction being relocatable between a first location and a second location, the construction comprising: a number of separable sections, each of the separable sections comprising: 10 a ceiling portion; and at least two wall portions attached to the ceiling portion, wherein said wall portions each comprise a wall frame; and each separable section being detachable from the 15 other separable sections so as to be transportable separately therefrom for relocation of the construction; wherein said wall portions of at least one of said separable sections being removably fixed, at bottom parts thereof, to a fixed building slab which provides a 20 structural floor of the building; wherein each wall frame comprises a plurality of generally vertical wall frame elements and a plurality of generally horizontal wall frame elements, and wherein each said bottom part of a wall portion comprises at least one 25 wall frame bottom element which is generally horizontal and which is fixed to the building slab. Also described is a construction for a relocatable building, the construction being relocatable between a first location and a second location, the construction 30 comprising: a number of separable sections, each of the separable sections comprising: a ceiling portion; and at least two wall portions attached to the 35 ceiling portion; each separable section being detachable from the other separable sections so as to be transportable 67965491 (GHMatters) P81730.AU STEFANP 2/10/15 - 4 separately therefrom for relocation of the construction; said wall portions of at least one of said separable sections being fixed, at bottom parts thereof, to a fixed building slab which provides a structural floor of the 5 building. It should be appreciated that, in the context of the above paragraph, the recitation of bottom parts of the wall portions being fixed to the fixed building slab is intended to exclude attachment of the bottom parts of the 10 wall portions to a structural floor of the building which is, in turn, fixed to the fixed building slab. The fixing of the bottom parts of the wall portions to the fixed building slab is therefore free from any structural floor portion of the building provided between the bottom parts 15 of the wall portions and the fixed building slab. Preferably the fixed building slab is a concrete slab. Each of the separable sections may be considered a separable module of the construction. 20 Said wall portions of said at least one of said separable sections each comprise a wall frame comprising a plurality of structural wall frame elements. Preferably said structural wall frame elements are formed of timber or metal. 25 Each wall frame comprises a plurality of generally vertical wall frame elements. Each wall frame comprises a plurality of generally horizontal wall frame elements. Each said bottom part of a wall portion comprises at 30 least one wall frame bottom element which is generally horizontal and which is fixed to the building slab. Preferably at least some of said wall frame bottom elements are each fixed to the building slab by at least one mechanical fastener which extends through at least a 35 part of said wall frame bottom element and which extends into said building slab. The mechanical fasteners preferably extend into the 67965491 (GHMatters) P81730.AU STEFANP 2/10/15 -5 building slab. The mechanical fasteners are preferably anchored in holes in the building slab. The mechanical fasteners may, for example, be 5 mechanically or chemically anchored in holes in the building slab. The mechanical fasteners may be anchored by any suitable anchoring arrangements such as (but not limited to) expansion anchors, plugs and/or chemical (eg 10 adhesive and/or epoxy) anchoring arrangements. In an embodiment said mechanical fasteners are threaded mechanical fasteners. In an embodiment the mechanical fasteners comprise screws and/or bolts. Preferably, one or more of the separable sections 15 provides said at least two wall portions mutually spaced apart and attached to respective spaced apart regions of the ceiling portion. Preferably at least some of the sections comprise transverse sections of the construction. 20 Preferably each section has a first end and a second end, and is connected to at least one other section at at least one of its first and second ends. Preferably at least one section terminates in an end part which is connected to another section, said end part 25 comprising at least one wall frame end element. Preferably said at least one wall frame end element at least partially defines said end part. Preferably said at least one wall frame end element is substantially vertical. 30 Preferably said at least one section terminates in said at least one wall frame end element. Preferably said at least one wall frame end element is attached to an end part of said other section. Preferably said at least one wall frame end element 35 abuts an end part of said other section. (However, it will be appreciated that an end part of one section may be indirectly connected to an end part of a neighbouring 67965491 (GHMatters) P81730.AU STEFANP 2/10/15 - 6 section. In an embodiment an end part of one section is spaced apart from the end part of a neighbouring section and the distance therebetween spanned by an intervening part of the building. For example, two sections or 5 modules may be spaced a small distance apart, and a transversely extending building part formed from a relatively fragile sheet material, such as glass, may be provided extending between the sections. This can provide a building with an interesting design feature such as a 10 transverse 'stripe', the entire width of the building, formed substantially entirely from glass. However, it is envisaged that normally at least one wall frame end element abuts an end part of said other section.) Preferably said at least one wall frame end element 15 is attached to said end part of said other section by mechanical fasteners. At least some of said mechanical fasteners may be threaded fasteners. At least some of said mechanical fasteners may be screws. At least some of said mechanical fasteners may be bolts. 20 Preferably said end part of said other section comprises at least one wall frame end element of said other section. Preferably said at least one wall frame end element of said other section is substantially vertical. 25 Preferably said at least one wall frame end element of said at least one section is attached to said at least one wall frame end element of said other section. Preferably said at least one wall frame end element of said at least one section abuts said at least one wall 30 frame end element of said other section. Preferably said at least one wall frame end element of said at least one section is attached to said at least one wall frame end element of said other section by mechanical fasteners. At least some of said mechanical 35 fasteners may be threaded fasteners. At least some of said mechanical fasteners may be screws. At least some of said mechanical fasteners may be bolts. 67965491 (GHMatters) P81730.AU STEFANP 2/10/15 - 7 Preferably at least one section terminates in an end part which is connected to another section and, at said end part, ends of first and second walls of said section define a plane transverse to the length direction of the 5 section. Preferably at least one section terminates in an end part which is connected to another section and, at said end part, an end of at least one of the walls of said section and an end of said ceiling portion of said section 10 define a plane transverse to the length direction of the section. Preferably no structural part of said section extends substantially beyond said plane. Preferably the wall portions are of frame-like 15 construction. Preferably the wall portions are of metal frame construction. Preferably the ceiling is of frame-like construction. Preferably the ceiling is of metal frame 20 construction. The wall portions include covering, internal to the construction, of sheet material. The sheet material may be of a type known per se in known building constructions and may, for example, be plaster board. The wall portions may 25 include cladding or other covering, external to the construction. The external cladding or other covering may be of a type known per se in known building constructions. The external cladding or other covering may comprise Hebel panels. 30 Preferably at least one of the separable sections defines at least part of a garage area of said building. Preferably at least one of the separable sections defines at least part of a bathroom area of said building. Preferably at least one of the separable sections 35 defines at least part of a bedroom area of said building. Preferably at least one of the separable sections defines at least part of a kitchen area of said building. 67965491 (GHMatters) P81730.AU STEFANP 2/10/15 - 8 Preferably at least one of the separable sections defines at least part of a garage area of said building. It will be understood that although the slab may be considered to be part of a building provided by the 5 construction when in a given location, it is not intended that the slab be relocated with the construction. Also described is a construction for a relocatable building, the construction being relocatable between a first location and a second location, the construction 10 comprising: a number of separable sections, each of the separable sections comprising: a ceiling portion; and at least two wall portions attached to the 15 ceiling portion; wherein each separable section is adapted to be detached from the other separable sections and transported separately therefrom, to allow relocation of the construction, and wherein said wall portions of at least 20 one section comprise wall bottom parts which are attachable to a concrete slab in use so that said concrete slab can form a floor of said building, and wherein bottom parts of the wall portions of said at least one section are free from any structural floor portion which connects 25 the wall bottom parts thereof and which can be relocated with the said section. Preferably, in at least one section, each wall portion has a bottom part which is fixed to a slab which provides a base for the building. 30 According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a construction method for constructing a frame for a building, the frame being relocatable between a first location and a second location, the construction method comprising: 35 constructing the frame as a plurality of separable frame sections, each detachably coupled to at least one other separable frame section so that each separable frame 67965491 (GHMatters) P81730.AU STEFANP 2/10/15 - 9 section can be detached from the other separable sections for transportation separately therefrom, to allow relocation of the frame, each of the separable frame sections comprising: 5 at least one ceiling portion comprising a ceiling frame made of a plurality of structural ceiling frame elements; and at least two spaced apart wall portions, each comprising a wall frame made of a plurality of structural 10 wall frame elements, and each wall frame being attached to the ceiling frame; each separable section being constructed by: (a) fixing wall frame bottom elements to a fixed building slab, so that each separable section is removably 15 fixed to the slab, and; (b) subsequently adding ceiling frame elements to construct the ceiling frame portion. wherein construction of the frame comprises: use of prefabricated wall frame parts, each 20 comprising a plurality of connected wall frame elements; and wherein the wall frame elements which in use form bottom parts of the wall frames are frame elements of prefabricated wall frame parts, and wherein the method comprises fixing prefabricated wall frame parts to the 25 building slab by fixing the wall frame elements which in use form bottom parts of the wall frames to the slab; wherein at least one end of each wall portion terminates at one or more wall frame end elements, and wherein the step of constructing the frame so that the separable 30 sections are detachably coupled together comprises detachably coupling one or more of said wall frame end elements of each separable section to one or more wall frame end elements of an adjacent separable frame section. Also described is a construction method for a 35 constructing a frame for a building, the frame being relocatable between a first location and a second location, the construction method comprising: 67965491 (GHMatters) P81730.AU STEFANP 2/10/15 - 10 constructing the frame as a plurality of separable frame sections, each detachably coupled to at least one other separable frame section so that each separable frame section can be detached from the other separable sections 5 for transportation separately therefrom, to allow relocation of the frame, each of the separable frame sections comprising: at least one ceiling portion comprising a ceiling frame made of a plurality of structural ceiling frame 10 elements; and at least two spaced apart wall portions, each comprising a wall frame made of a plurality of structural wall frame elements, and each wall frame being attached to the ceiling frame; 15 each separable section being constructed by: (a) fixing wall frame elements which in use form bottom parts of the wall frames, to a fixed building slab, and; (b) subsequently adding ceiling frame elements to 20 construct the ceiling frame portion. It should be appreciated that, in the context of the above paragraph, the recitation of fixing wall frame elements which in use form bottom parts of the wall frames, to a fixed building slab is intended to exclude 25 fixing of the wall frame elements which in use form bottom parts of the wall frames to a structural floor of the building which is, in turn, fixed to the fixed building slab. Construction of the frame may comprise use of 30 prefabricated ceiling frame parts, each comprising a plurality of connected ceiling frame elements. Construction of the frame may comprise use of prefabricated wall frame parts, each comprising a plurality of connected wall frame elements. 35 The wall frame elements which in use form bottom parts of the wall frames may be frame elements of prefabricated wall frame parts. In this case the 67965491 (GHMatters) P81730.AU STEFANP 2/10/15 - 11 prefabricated wall frame parts are fixed to the building slab by fixing the wall frame elements which in use form bottom parts of the wall frames to the slab. Preferably at least one end of each wall portion 5 terminates at a one or more wall frame end elements. Preferably the one or more wall frame end elements are substantially vertical. Preferably constructing the frame so that the separable sections are detachably coupled together 10 comprises detachably coupling one or more of said (preferably substantially vertical) wall frame end elements of each separable section to one or more (preferably substantially vertical) wall frame end elements of an adjacent separable frame section. 15 Preferably detachably coupling said substantially vertical wall frame end elements together comprises use of mechanical fasteners. For example, the mechanical fasteners used may be screws and/or bolts. After the construction of the frame, additional 20 materials may be attached to the frame to complete the building. In a preferred embodiment the frame sections may be separable without removal of the additional materials (although some removal or cutting of the additional materials may be required to facilitate 25 separation of the frame sections). Also disclosed is a method of relocating a construction the method comprising: providing a construction comprising a plurality of separable sections, each of the separable sections 30 comprising: a ceiling portion; and at least two wall portions attached to the ceiling portion; providing at least one reinforcing member between a 35 region of the first wall portion and a region of the second wall portion, to restrain relative movement between said regions of first and second wall portions; and 67965491 (GHMatters) P81730.AU STEFANP 2/10/15 - 12 detaching each separable section from at least one other separable section for transportation separately therefrom, to allow relocation of the construction. Preferably the step of providing at least one 5 reinforcing member between a region of the first wall portion and a region of the second wall portion, to restrain relative movement between said regions of first and second wall portions, comprises providing at least one reinforcing member between bottom regions of the first and 10 second wall portions to restrain relative movement between said bottom regions. Preferably the reinforcing member is removed after relocation of the construction. Preferably the reinforcing member is removed as part 15 of the relocation of the construction. Preferably the reinforcing member is not a floor of the construction. Also disclosed a method of relocating a construction comprising a ceiling portion and at least two wall 20 portions attached to the ceiling portion, the method comprising: providing at least one lifting beam into the interior of the construction; bracing the, or each, lifting beam against a part of 25 said ceiling portion; and lifting the ceiling portion and the wall portions such that substantially all of the weight thereof is supported by the ceiling portion. 30 The construction comprises a plurality of separable sections, each of the separable sections comprising a ceiling portion and at least two wall portions attached to the ceiling portion. Preferably the method comprises detaching each 35 separable section from at least one other separable section for transportation separately therefrom, to allow relocation of the construction. 67965491 (GHMatters) P81730.AU STEFANP 2/10/15 - 13 Preferably the method comprises lifting each separable section such that substantially all of the weight thereof is supported by the ceiling portion thereof. 5 Preferably the method comprises relocating the modules to a desired site. The construction is of the type in which the wall portions are attached to a building slab, and the method comprises detaching the wall portions from the slab prior 10 to relocation. It should be appreciated that features or steps described above in relation to one aspect of the invention may be incorporated into other aspects. 15 Brief description of the drawings Embodiments of the invention and other embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 20 Fig. 1 is a front elevation of an example of a residential building in accordance with an embodiment; Fig. 2 is a left side elevation of the residential building of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a right side elevation of the residential 25 building of Fig.s 1 and 2; Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of an example of the residential building of Fig.s 1 to 3; Fig. 5 is a schematic layout plan of the residential building of Fig.s 1 to 4; 30 Fig. 6 is a schematic layout plan of the residential building of Fig.s 1 to 5, illustrating a number of separable sections; Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing a first separable section of the residential building from 35 front, left and above; Fig. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing a second separable section of the residential building from 67965491 (GHMatters) P81730.AU STEFANP 2/10/15 - 14 front, left and above; Fig. 9 is a schematic perspective view showing a third separable section of the residential building from front, left and above; 5 Fig. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing a fourth separable section of the residential building from front, left and above; Fig. 11 is a schematic perspective view showing a further separable porch section of the residential 10 building from front, left and above; Fig. 12 is a schematic plan view illustrating the layout of transverse reinforcement in the ceiling/roof of the residential building; Fig. 13 is a schematic plan view illustrating rafter 15 layout in the ceiling/roof of the residential building; Fig. 14 is a schematic plan view illustrating an example of positioning of beams for lifting the separable sections of the residential building; Fig. 15 is a schematic plan view illustrating an 20 alternative example of positioning of beams, and also illustrating an example of positioning of trusses and/or bracing walls for use during lifting and transport of the separable sections of the residential building; Fig.s 16 to 20 illustrate, in enlarged sectional 25 view, trusses and/or bracing walls of Fig. 15 and beams of Fig. 14; and Fig. 21 is a schematic layout plan of the residential building of Fig.s 1 to 8, illustrating frame label positions for frame end orientations. 30 Detailed description With reference to the drawings, embodiments of the invention will be described by way of example only. 35 Fig. s 1 to 4 respectively, illustrate schematically a front elevation, a left side elevation, a right side elevation a rear elevation of an example of a residential 67965491 (GHMatters) P81730.AU STEFANP 2/10/15 - 15 building 100 to which the principles taught herein have been applied, and which is adapted to be relocated from one location to another location. The residential building 100 has a front 102, a rear 104, a right side 106 5 and a left side 108, and is set upon a slab (not shown in Fig.s 1 to 4. It will be appreciated that, to the degree illustrated in Fig.s 1 to 4 the residential building 100 is indistinguishable from a traditional fixed location residential building. 10 Fig. 5 is a schematic layout plan of the residential building 100. The residential building comprises a number of walls which effectively define the floor plan. The layout, or floor plan, of the illustrated residential building 100 will be described hereafter in order to 15 assist description of the teachings of this document, but it will be appreciated that the description of the floor plan and of features described in relation to any particular floor plan is by way of example only and that the present teaching can be applied to many other designs 20 of building and buildings having many different layouts and floor plans. Further it will be appreciated that certain features are not described in relation to the floor plan because they are not of particular importance to the novel teachings herein, but that many features 25 known per se to have utility in residential buildings will typically be included in embodiments of buildings in accordance with the present teachings. For example, doors and windows, wiring, plumbing, and various other fixtures and fittings can be provided as desired, and detailed 30 description thereof, and of their locations, is for the most part omitted for simplicity. The residential building 100 is of timber- or metal framed construction, and certain structural relationships between ceiling and roof reinforcement structures and the 35 walls will be understood by the skilled addressee. As illustrated in Fig. 5, at the front of the building 100 there is provided an external entry area 200, 67965491 (GHMatters) P81730.AU STEFANP 2/10/15 - 16 a garage 201, an internal entrance hall 202 and a bedroom 203. The garage 201 is provided at a front right-hand side of the building 100, and is defined by a garage front wall 110 (which is a right hand side part of a front 5 external wall of the building 100), a garage right hand side wall 112 (which is a front part of an external right hand side wall of the building 100), a garage left hand side wall 114 and a garage rear wall 116. A front part 114a of the garage left hand side wall 114 is an external 10 wall defining a right hand side of the external entry area 200, and a rear part 114b of the garage left hand side wall 114 is an internal wall defining a right hand side of the internal entrance hall 202. A right hand side part 116a of the garage rear wall 116 is an external wall part 15 defining a front limit of a courtyard recess 208, and a left hand side part 116b of the garage rear wall 116 is an internal wall part defining a front of a laundry area 206 which is located behind the garage. The bedroom 203 is provided at a front left-hand side 20 of the building 100, and is defined by a bedroom front wall 118 (which is a left hand side part of a front external wall of the building 100), a bedroom left hand side wall 120 (which is a front part of an external left hand side wall of the building 100), a bedroom right hand 25 side wall 122 and a bedroom rear wall 124. A front part 122a of the bedroom right hand side wall 122 is an external wall defining a left hand side of the external entry area 200, and a rear part 122b of the bedroom right hand side wall 122 is an internal wall defining a left 30 hand side of the internal entrance hall 202. The internal entrance hall 202 is further defined by an entrance hall front wall 123 (in which a front door, not shown, is located). The bedroom rear wall 124 defines a built-in wardrobe 204 and a front wall of a bathroom 205, which is 35 located behind the bedroom 203. The bathroom is further defined by a bathroom left hand (external) wall 126 (which is continuous with the bedroom left hand side wall 120), a 67965491 (GHMatters) P81730.AU STEFANP 2/10/15 - 17 bathroom right hand (internal) wall 128 (which is continuous with the bedroom right hand side wall part 122b) and a bathroom rear wall 130, which is aligned with, the garage rear wall 116, and may be regarded as part of 5 the same wall. The internal entrance hall 202 terminates at this wall, and leads into a combined dining 209, kitchen 210, living 211 area. The bathroom rear wall 130 acts as a left hand side front wall of (a kitchen 210 of) the combined dining 209, 10 kitchen 210, living 211 area. A left hand side wall of the laundry area 206 acts as a right hand side wall of the kitchen area. A rear wall 134 of the laundry area 206 acts as a right hand side part of a front wall of (a dining area 211 of) the combined dining 209, kitchen 210, 15 living 211 area, and also defines a linen storage closet 207 in the laundry 206. A closet front wall 133 is provided to separate the linen storage closet 207 from the rest of the laundry 206. A right hand side wall 136 of the laundry 206 is an external wall which defines a front 20 part of a left hand side wall of the courtyard recess 208, and is continuous with a right hand side wall 138 of the combined dining 209, kitchen 210, living 211 area. A front part 138a of the right hand side wall 138 defines a rear part of a left hand side wall of the courtyard recess 25 208, and a rear part 138b of the right hand side wall 138 defines a left hand wall of a multi-purpose room (or MPR) 212. A left hand side wall 140 of the combined dining 209, kitchen 210, living 211 area is a rear part of the external left hand side wall of the building. A rear wall 30 142 towards the left hand side of the combined dining 209, kitchen 210, living 211 area is an external wall and separates this area from a left hand side rear patio area 216. The MPR 212 (which is to the right of the combined 35 dining 209, kitchen 210, living 211 area) has a MPR front wall 144 which defines a rear of the courtyard recess 208, an MPR right hand side wall 146 which is an external right 67965491 (GHMatters) P81730.AU STEFANP 2/10/15 - 18 hand side wall of the building 100, and an MPR rear wall 148. The right hand side of the combined dining 209, kitchen 210, living 211 area is defined at its rear by a dining area rear wall 150, which is continuous with the 5 MPR rear wall 148, and is set slightly forward relative to the rear wall 142 at the left hand side of the combined dining 209, kitchen 210, living 211 area. The dining area rear wall 150 separates the dining 209 area from a walk-in-wardrobe 214, of a master bedroom 10 213, which is located at the rear of the building 100. The walk-in-wardrobe 214 is separated from the master bedroom 213 by a master bedroom front wall 152, which is continuous with the rear wall 142. The master bedroom 213 has a master bedroom left hand side external wall 154, 15 which defines a right hand side of the rear patio area 216, a master bedroom rear wall which 156 is part of the external rear wall of the building 100, and a master bedroom right hand side wall 158, which separates the master bedroom from an en suite bathroom 215. The en 20 suite bathroom 215 has an en suite front wall 164, which separates the en suite bathroom 215 from the MPR 212, and from a built in cupboard 217, accessible from the MPR 212, which is located between the MPR and the en suite bathroom 215. The en suite bathroom 215 further has an en suite 25 bathroom right hand side wall 162, which is part of the external right hand side wall of the building 100 and is continuous with the MPR right hand side wall 146, and an en suite bathroom rear wall 160, which is part of the external rear wall of the building 100 and is continuous 30 with the master bedroom rear wall 156. As noted above, the building 100 is of a framed construction, and the wall, ceiling and roof structures which provide structural integrity to the building may be constructed from timber or metal members, as will be 35 illustrated in more detail hereafter. Consistent with construction of some known timber or steel framed buildings, at least some of the walls include frame 67965491 (GHMatters) P81730.AU STEFANP 2/10/15 - 19 members which are fixed to a slab which provides a base of the building. Examples of such fixing, or 'tie-down' points are illustrated in Fig. 5 by dots, some of which are designated 180, marked on the walls. 5 An important feature of the building 100, as illustrated schematically in Fig. 6, is that the frame structure of the building 100 is constructed to provide a number of frame sections which can be separated from each other in order to facilitate transportation of the 10 construction to a different location. As illustrated in Fig. 6, in this embodiment the frame structure is provided in five sections, each of which may be regarded as a transverse slice of the construction. A first, rearmost, section, generally designated 1 15 extends from a rearmost plane, designated 'plane A' in Fig. 6, just rearwards of the rear external wall of the building (as provided by en suite rear wall 160 and master bedroom rear wall 156) to a plane, designated 'plane B', just rearwards of master bedroom front wall 152 and the 20 rear wall 142 towards the left hand side of the combined dining 209, kitchen 210, living 211. Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an example of a frame structure of the first section 1 in isolation. A second section, generally designated 2 comprises 25 master bedroom front wall 152 and the rear wall 142 (which is towards the left hand side of the combined dining 209, kitchen 210, living 211) and extends forward to a plane, designated 'plane C', just forward of the MPR front wall 144. The second section 2 thus includes the MPR front wall 30 144. Fig. 8 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an example of a frame structure of the second section 2 in isolation. A third section, generally designated 3, extends from plane C, at the front of the second section 2, to a plane 35 designated 'plane D' which is just rearward of the garage rear wall 116 and bathroom rear wall 130. Fig. 9 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an example of a 67965491 (GHMatters) P81730.AU STEFANP 2/10/15 - 20 frame structure of the third section 3 in isolation. A fourth section, generally designated 4, comprises the garage rear wall 116 and bathroom rear wall 130, and extends to a plane, designated 'plane E' which is just 5 forward of the garage front wall 110 and the bedroom front wall 118. The fourth section 4 thus includes the garage front wall 110, the bedroom front wall 118 and the entrance hall front wall 123. Fig. 10 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an example of a frame 10 structure of the fourth section 4 in isolation. A fifth section, generally designated 5, extends forwards from plane E. In this embodiment the fifth section comprises a porch roof and supporting posts, and differs from the other sections 1, 2, 3, 4 in that it does 15 not include walls and is not stably self supporting when not attached to at least one other section. The residential building 100, with sections as illustrated in Fig.s 6 to 11, can be constructed in a manner which is in many ways similar to the manner of 20 construction of known timber or metal framed buildings which are not designed to be relocatable. That is, in the illustrated embodiment which uses a metal frame, the frame is constructed by attaching together structural members elements (studs and joists) which are vertical and 25 horizontal, in order to form the frames of the walls, and by use of structural members which are known per se, in order to form framework for the ceiling, and roof areas. The structural members can be mutually attached, and attached to the slab, using known fixings, such as tek 30 screws, bolts and the like. The structural members at the ends of the sections are fixed to the structural members of adjacent sections using appropriate fixings to give the required structural strength. The frame can then be dressed with appropriate sheeting, cladding and fixtures 35 to complete the building. It will be appreciated that it is desirable to provide sheeting, cladding and roofing materials which are compatible with division of the 67965491 (GHMatters) P81730.AU STEFANP 2/10/15 - 21 completed construction into sections. Thus, for example, cladding such as Hebel blocks (rather than, for example brick veneer) and sheet metal roofing (rather than tiles) are appropriate choices. 5 Because the building 100 is typically initially constructed on site, great flexibility of design is offered, in line with that of typical fixed buildings, thus providing a benefit over at least some known relocatable buildings. 10 However, with reference to Fig.s 6 to 11, it will be appreciated that the frame structure differs from that of a typical timber or metal framed building which is not designed to be relocatable, in a number of ways. Importantly, it will be appreciated that each frame 15 section is constructed so that it is adapted to be detached from the other sections, so that it can be moved separately from the other sections in order to facilitate relocation of the construction. In the illustrated embodiment each of the first to fourth sections has at 20 least one end (at a front and or rear of the section) which terminates at one of the planes (plane A to plane E). For example, with reference to Fig. 7, the first section 1 terminates at its front end (at plane B) with vertical studs 162a, 158a, 154a of the walls 162, 158, 25 154, joists of the ceiling structure 162b, 158b, 154b and members of the roof framing structure 162c, 158c, 154c which are at the frontmost end of the first section 1, all providing their frontmost surfaces in substantially the same plane. 30 Upon assembly, and when the construction is in normal use, the ends of adjacent sections are securely connected, but because the sections effectively abut at planes, the fixings between sections can be removed relatively easily, allowing separation of the sections. Of course, it will 35 be appreciated that each section must also be detached from the slab in order to allow removal, and to facilitate this the tie down points are predetermined (as explained 67965491 (GHMatters) P81730.AU STEFANP 2/10/15 - 22 above) and plans specifying the tie down points may be retained to facilitate disconnection from the slab. In the illustrated embodiment, it will be noted that there are no major structural members which extend between 5 sections (although, of course, the fixings, such as screws, used to attach abutting frame members of adjacent sections do extend between those two adjacent sections). Further, no structural members extend in the longitudinal (front to rear) direction across three or more sections. 10 This is in contrast to typical timber or metal framed buildings which are not designed to be relocatable, in which, in order to enhance structural strength, it is generally considered beneficial to provide structural members which extend the entire length of the building (or 15 which are at least staggered so that the ends of the structural members are not vertically aligned). Further it will be appreciated that unlike some known relocatable constructions (such as platform floor timber houses), the construction of building 100 does not include 20 a floor to provide a boxlike form to the construction during relocation. Provision of such a floor for a construction which in normal use is based upon a fixed concrete slab involves an undesirable additional cost, and the illustrated embodiment can thus provide a valuable 25 cost saving. In order to relocate the sections, in the absence of a rigid floor, removal of the sections from the slab is performed by lifting from above, with the weight of the section supported via the ceiling of the section, as will be described in due course. 30 In order to provide strength to the ceiling of each section, and structural integrity to the sections, specific reinforcement may be provided in the roof cavity areas of the sections. This can be achieved in a number of ways, and an example is provided herein. 35 With reference to Fig. 12, the roof cavity structures of the first to fourth sections 1, 2, 3, 4 each comprise at least one transverse reinforcement structure. The first 67965491 (GHMatters) P81730.AU STEFANP 2/10/15 - 23 section 1 includes a first-section transverse reinforcement structure 1301, the second section 2 includes two second-section transverse reinforcement structures 1302, 1303, the third section 3 includes two 5 third-section transverse reinforcement structures 1304, 1305, and the fourth section 4 includes two fourth-section transverse reinforcement structures 1306, 1307. The transverse reinforcement structures 1301-1307 are, in this embodiment, ceiling beams in the form of lattice-like 10 supports, as can be seen in Fig.s 7 to 10. Of course, further transverse support structures may be provided, and one such additional support structure is illustrated in Fig. 8 as a transverse support structure 1308. It will be appreciated that the ceiling (and/or roof cavity area) 15 should be constructed with sufficient strength and stiffness to allow relocation of each relocatable module separately from adjacent modules without undue damage. A typical framed building built on a fixed slab is not designed to be separated into modules for separate 20 transportation and will not have sufficient structural strength and stiffness to allow it to be divided into separate transverse sections which can be separately transported, without unacceptable damage and/or deformation. It will be appreciated that once this 25 strength/stiffness requirement is known, adequate strength and stiffness can be designed into the modules (eg by provision of adequate transverse support structures in the ceiling area) using structural engineering design principles which are known per se. It will be appreciated 30 that in addition to the ceilings, regions of the walls may require greater strength/stiffness than corresponding regions of the walls of a typical framed building built on a fixed slab that not designed to be separated into modules. It has been found that providing additional 35 cross bracing (for example, using structural bracing members known per se) can provide adequate strength at acceptable cost. As with the ceiling structure design, 67965491 (GHMatters) P81730.AU STEFANP 2/10/15 - 24 once the requirements are known, the structure and materials required can be arrived at based on structural engineering design principles which are known per se. The strength, positions and alignment of the 5 rafters in the ceilings of the sections must also be adequate for support of the sections, and by way of example, Fig. 13 illustrates one suitable arrangement of rafter orientations, with the directions of the rafters indicated by the arrows, for example 1310. It will be 10 appreciated that, in the illustrated embodiment, to facilitate separation of the modules the rafters of one module are distinct from the rafters of adjacent module(s). Thus it is not necessary for rafters in one module to be aligned with the closest rafters of an 15 adjacent module. This is illustrated in Fig. 13 in which staggered arrangement of rafters in adjacent sections can be seen: for example, the rafters at C12 of the fourth section 4 are staggered relative to the rafters C14 of the third section 3. 20 As foreshadowed above, after disconnection from the other sections and from the slab, each of the first to fourth sections, 1 to 4, is adapted to be lifted, from above, off of the slab for relocation. This can be achieved by using a number of lifting beams to lift each 25 section. As illustrated schematically in Fig. 14, each lifting beam is, in use, arranged to extend transversely through a section of the construction, and to engage or be braced against the ceiling of the corresponding section, so that the weight of the section is supported through the 30 ceiling, on the lifting beam. Each lifting beam can be supported at each end thereof by chains connected to corresponding ends of a spreader bar (not shown) supported by a crane. As illustrated schematically in Fig. 14, the first section 1 is adapted to be lifted by three spaced 35 apart transverse lifting beams 1403-1405, second section 2 is adapted to be lifted by three spaced apart transverse lifting beams 1406-1408, the third section 3 is adapted to 67965491 (GHMatters) P81730.AU STEFANP 2/10/15 - 25 be lifted by three spaced apart transverse lifting beams 1409-1411, and the fourth section 4 is adapted to be lifted by five spaced apart transverse lifting beams 1412 1416. Of course, greater or lesser numbers of lifting 5 beams may be used, but it is desirable, to use at least two lifting beams for each section in order to provide a reasonable degree of stability during lifting. Each lifting beam 1403-1416 may be in the form of an I-section steel girder. Each lifting beam 1403-1416 may 10 be spaced apart from the ceiling by one or more trusses or bracing walls, which may help distribute weight and may space the lifting beam away from the ceiling. In some designs one or more of the lifting beams may pass transversely through the corresponding section by 15 utilising spaces built into the design of the building (such as windows or doorways). However, it is accepted that a degree of (reversible) damage will normally be inflicted upon the construction during relocation, and it is considered acceptable to cut or remove some interior 20 and/or exterior cladding in order to allow the lifting beams to pass transversely through the sections of the construction. Fig. 15 illustrates one possible minor variation on the locations of the lifting bars illustrated in Fig. 14, 25 in that four, rather than three lifting bars LB are used to lift the second module 2. Fig. 15 also illustrates example locations of trusses Ti and trusses/bracing walls T/BW. Fig.s 16 to 20 illustrate sections on Section 1A to Section 4 of Fig. 15, and in particular show the 30 relationships between the ceilings 1501 of the sections, the trusses/bracing walls and the lifting beams. Fig. 21 is a schematic layout plan of the residential building of Fig.s 1 to 8, illustrating frame label positions (designated by the prefix letter 'W' followed by 35 a number) for frame end orientations. These frame labels are used to assist assembly of the frame of the construction from prefabricated frame parts. 67965491 (GHMatters) P81730.AU STEFANP 2/10/15 - 26 The operation of relocating a section of the construction of the illustrated embodiment can be performed according to the following steps. First, remove all loose objects from the construction, and fixtures as 5 required. Remove sliding glass doors and windows and hinged doors. Cut cladding and interior wall boards as required so that lifting beams can be accommodated at their predetermined locations. Install lifting beams. Fix temporary support trusses/bracing walls. Stabilize 10 adjacent section(s) at the section connections, using appropriate temporary support structures. Disassemble existing roof, ceiling and wall connections at the joins between the section and adjacent section(s). Install temporary horizontal bracing struts at the level of the 15 bottoms of the walls. Disconnect walls from slab. Lift section using lifting beams and secure on transport. Relocate section to new site and install, ensuring adequate temporary bracing is provided. Remove lifting beams and temporary support trusses/bracing walls. In 20 this embodiment at least one (and preferably each) of the first to fourth sections 1 to 4 is structured so that upon location to a new position and slab it can stand substantially freely without requiring support from another section. This facilitates relocation of the 25 construction. Each of the first to fourth sections 1 to 4 can then be relocated in a similar manner and the sections connected on the new site. Any damage to the sections (including that resulting from disassembly and from 30 accommodating the lifting beams) can then be repaired as necessary, and desired fixtures installed. It will be appreciated that many variations are possible. For example, in the above described embodiment the first to fourth sections connect directly to each 35 other, and the relocatable sections make up substantially the entire building when the construction is fixed to a slab. However, it will be appreciated that parts of the 67965491 (GHMatters) P81730.AU STEFANP 2/10/15 - 27 building (when located on a slab) may comprise relatively fragile building parts (such as conservatories or the like) which do not have sufficient structural strength to be relocatable modules. Thus the building may comprise a 5 small percentage of building components that are not considered to be part of a module. Further, as set out above, the sections may be adapted to be stably free standing. This allows the possibility that relocatable modules (corresponding generally to the described 10 sections) may be spaced apart when fixed to a slab, and may be connected by the provision of other (relatively fragile) materials which form part of the building. For example, two sections or modules may be spaced a small distance apart, and a transversely extending building part 15 formed from a relatively fragile sheet material, such as glass, may be provided extending between the sections. This can provide a building with an interesting design feature such as a transverse 'stripe', the entire width of the building, formed substantially entirely from glass. 20 (It will be appreciated that in practice such a part of the building would probably be formed from a number of planar sheets of glass and that some means of connecting the sheets would be required.) Such a part of the building would not have sufficient strength to be a modularly 25 relocatable part of the building, and might have to be demolished if the construction were to be relocated. It will be appreciated that embodiments have been described which can provide a relocatable construction which can be moved more easily than a similarly sized home 30 which is not adapted to be divided into sections, and can provide a more aesthetically pleasing and customisable construction than many known relocatable dwellings. In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context 35 requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, 67965491 (GHMatters) P81730.AU STEFANP 2/10/15 - 28 i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. 67965491 (GHMatters) P81730.AU STEFANP 2/10/15

Claims (19)

1. A construction for a relocatable building, the construction being relocatable between a first location 5 and a second location, the construction comprising: a number of separable sections, each of the separable sections comprising: a ceiling portion; and at least two wall portions attached to the 10 ceiling portion, wherein said wall portions each comprise a wall frame; and each separable section being detachable from the other separable sections so as to be transportable separately therefrom for relocation of the construction; 15 wherein said wall portions of at least one of said separable sections being removably fixed, at bottom parts thereof, to a fixed building slab which provides a structural floor of the building; wherein each wall frame comprises a plurality of 20 generally vertical wall frame elements and a plurality of generally horizontal wall frame elements, and wherein each said bottom part of a wall portion comprises at least one wall frame bottom element which is generally horizontal and which is fixed to the building slab. 25

2. A construction for a relocatable building according to claim 1, wherein each of said separable sections are substantially non-collapsible. 30

3. A construction for a relocatable building according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said wall portions of said at least one of said separable sections each comprise a wall frame comprising a plurality of timber or metal structural wall frame elements. 35 67965491 (GHMatters) P81730.AU STEFANP 2/10/15 - 30

4. A construction for a relocatable building according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least some of said wall frame bottom elements are each fixed to the building slab by at least one mechanical fastener which extends 5 through at least a part of said wall frame bottom element and which extends into said building slab.

5. A construction for a relocatable building according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein one or more of the 10 separable sections provides said at least two wall portions mutually spaced apart and attached to respective spaced apart regions of the ceiling portion.

6. A construction for a relocatable building according 15 to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least one section terminates in an end part which is connected to another of said separable sections.

7. A construction for a relocatable building according 20 to claim 6, wherein said end part abuts said other of said separable sections.

8. A construction for a relocatable building according to claim 6 or 7, wherein said end part comprises at least 25 one wall frame end element which is substantially vertical.

9. A construction for a relocatable building according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein said end part is 30 connected to at least one wall frame end element of said other section.

10. A construction for a relocatable building according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein at least one section 35 terminates in an end part which is connected to another section and, at said end part, ends of first and second walls of said section define a plane transverse to the 67965491 (GHMatters) P81730.AU STEFANP 2/10/15 - 31 length direction of the section which is along the roof ridge of the construction.

11. A construction for a relocatable building according 5 to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein at least one section terminates in an end part which is connected to another section and, at said end part, an end of at least one of the walls of said section and an end of said ceiling portion of said section define a plane transverse to the 10 length direction of the section which is along the roof ridge of the construction.

12. A construction method for constructing a frame for a building, the frame being relocatable between a first 15 location and a second location, the construction method comprising: constructing the frame as a plurality of separable frame sections, each detachably coupled to at least one other separable frame section so that each separable frame 20 section can be detached from the other separable sections for transportation separately therefrom, to allow relocation of the frame, each of the separable frame sections comprising: at least one ceiling portion comprising a ceiling 25 frame made of a plurality of structural ceiling frame elements; and at least two spaced apart wall portions, each comprising a wall frame made of a plurality of structural wall frame elements, and each wall frame being attached to 30 the ceiling frame; each separable section being constructed by: (a) fixing wall frame bottom elements to a fixed building slab, so that each separable section is removably fixed to the slab, and; 35 (b) subsequently adding ceiling frame elements to construct the ceiling frame portion, wherein construction of the frame comprises: 67965491 (GHMatters) P81730.AU STEFANP 2/10/15 - 32 use of prefabricated wall frame parts, each comprising a plurality of connected wall frame elements; and wherein the wall frame elements which in use form bottom parts of the wall frames are frame elements of 5 prefabricated wall frame parts, and wherein the method comprises fixing prefabricated wall frame parts to the building slab by fixing the wall frame elements which in use form bottom parts of the wall frames to the slab. 10

13. A construction method in accordance with claim 12, wherein at least one end of each wall portion terminates at one or more wall frame end elements, and wherein the step of constructing the frame so that the separable sections are detachably coupled together comprises 15 detachably coupling one or more of said wall frame end elements of each separable section to one or more wall frame end elements of an adjacent separable frame section.

14. A method of relocating a construction according to 20 any one of claims 1 to 11 or formed by a method according to any one of claims 12 to 13, the method comprising: providing a construction comprising a plurality of separable sections, each of the separable sections comprising: 25 a ceiling portion; and at least two wall portions attached to the ceiling portion; providing at least one reinforcing member between a region of the first wall portion and a region of the 30 second wall portion, to restrain relative movement between said regions of first and second wall portions; removing a fixing that removably fixes a bottom part of the wall portion to a fixed building slab that provides a structural floor of the building; and 35 detaching each separable section from at least one other separable section for transportation separately therefrom, to allow relocation of the construction. 67965491 (GHMatters) P81730.AU STEFANP 2/10/15 - 33

15. A method in accordance with claim 14, wherein the step of providing at least one reinforcing member between a region of the first wall portion and a region of the 5 second wall portion, to restrain relative movement between said regions of first and second wall portions, comprises providing at least one reinforcing member between bottom regions of the first and second wall portions to restrain relative movement between said bottom regions. 10

16. A method in accordance with either of claims 14 or 15, wherein the reinforcing member is removed as part of the relocation of the construction and/or after relocation of the construction. 15

17. A method in accordance with any one of claims 14 to 16, further comprising: providing at least one lifting beam into an interior of the construction; 20 bracing the, or each, lifting beam; and lifting the ceiling portion and the wall portions.

18. A method in accordance with claim 17, in which bracing of the lifting beam is against a part of said 25 ceiling portion such that substantially all of the weight thereof is supported by the ceiling portion.

19. A method in accordance with claim 17 or 18, wherein the method comprises detaching each separable section from 30 at least one other separable section for transportation separately therefrom. 67965491 (GHMatters) P81730.AU STEFANP 2/10/15