AU2016200381B2

AU2016200381B2 - Method of assembling a building component

Info

Publication number: AU2016200381B2
Application number: AU2016200381A
Authority: AU
Inventors: William Thompson
Original assignee: CSR Building Products Ltd
Current assignee: CSR Building Products Ltd
Priority date: 2015-01-22
Filing date: 2016-01-22
Publication date: 2021-06-10
Anticipated expiration: 2036-01-22
Also published as: AU2021107537A4; AU2016200381A1

Abstract

A prefabricated building component typically in the form of external wall cladding comprises in internal framework structure having multiple interconnected framework 5 members for forming a rigid base structure to which a building sheet is securely attached by a multitude of individual staples at spaced apart locations in which each staple is provided with two extended length legs for penetrating entirely through the sheet and partially through the framework structure. The building sheet is made from or contains cementitious material, preferably is autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC). io The prefabricated building component is manufactured in a factory using a staple gun fixedly connected to a movable bridge to selectively locate and insert staples into the component. The advantage is that the manufacture of the building component can be substantially automated, thus improving efficiency of manufacture and reducing costs. 7332688_1 (GHMatters) P98851.AU.1 1/2 16 14 110 22 12 20 24 18 FIG.1

Description

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METHOD OF ASSEMBLING A BUILDING COMPONENT TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to a method of assembling a building component by fastening cladding to a frame and to the building component produced by the method. In one form, the method is part of a manufacturing procedure for the manufacture of the building component. In one form, the method finds particular application for the manufacture of prefabricated building components. The prefabricated building component can be used in the on-site construction of a building structure.

BACKGROUNDART

Traditionally, building structures such as commercial and residential buildings have, almost entirely, been built on-site from a supply of standard products. However, in some situations, pre-assembled components are used. One example of a pre assembled component is a prefabricated structure, such as for example, a prefabricated panel. Prefabricated structures are becoming more common due to the economies of scale associated with their use in methods of building employing them.

Building a prefabricated structure involves manufacturing at least a portion of the structure in a factory environment and then transporting the prefabricated portion to a building site either in finished form, or in part finished form so that only minimal work need be done on site to finish and install the prefabricated component. For example, walls, floors and roof frames of a building may be manufactured separately, and then transported to a site where they are assembled together to form a building, typically a residential dwelling or similar.

Even with prefabrication of building components, cladding for walls has usually been attached to framework on site using screws that are driven home using suitable hand held tools, such as for example a screw gun or cordless drill. Onsite attachment of cladding has the advantage that any irregularities in the framework can be accommodated by adjusting the relative positioning of the cladding to the frame so that any imperfections or irregularities in the construction can be hidden from view. Such cladding material may include sheets, panels and planks of timber, metal and, more

17679910_1 recently, cementitious materials. For example, sheets and panels of fibre cement and aerated (cellular) concrete, and the like, can be used as cladding. However, traditional methods of construction are time consuming and expensive, as well as being prone to mistakes and poor workmanship owing to the need to use manpower on site to attach each individual cladding sheet to the frame at the correct location. This is more so when using cementitious materials since new building techniques are required to accommodate the use of different materials.

The above references to the background art do not constitute an admission that the art forms part of the common general knowledge of a person of ordinary skill in the art. The above references are also not intended to limit the application of the method as disclosed herein.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, there is provided a method of assembling a building component to be used in constructing a building structure.

The method comprises forming a frame structure that comprises studs/beams. The method also comprises arranging a building sheet that is made from or that contains a cementitious material on the frame structure such that the frame structure lies under the building sheet. The method further comprises moving, relative to and over the building sheet, a staple gun that comprises a plurality of staples. The method additionally comprises discharging staples from the staple gun through the building sheet at discretely spaced and preselected locations. Each staple is able to penetrate through the building sheet and sufficiently into underlying studs/beams of the frame structure. In this way, the building sheet is securely attached to the studs/beams of the frame structure.

The method can be deployed as part of a prefabrication procedure, such as for example, at a factory or facility located offsite.

In one form, the frame structure may be a framework, typically made from a multitude of individual framework members, more typically the members are interconnected.

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Preferably, the framework is a timber framework.

In one form, the building sheet is a panel to be attached to the frame structure using the plurality of staples.

In one form, the panel is a cementitious panel, typically a lightweight cellular concrete panel.

In a surprising development, it has been found that fasteners in the form of staples can be used to secure the cellular concrete to the frame structure. The two legs of the staple have been observed to provide excellent securing/holding power/force of the cellular concrete panel to the frame structure, due to the cross joiner or web or crown located between the legs of the staple. Staples had not previously been considered for use or used with or for the securing of cellular concrete panels, because it was thought that large staples would be required to provide sufficient holding force, and these in turn would require significant force to drive the staples into the panel and framework so as to penetrate the cellular concrete, as well as to penetrate sufficiently into the frame structure to securely attach the panel thereto.

The use of staples also increases assembly speed of the prefabricated structure and enhances automation of the assembly process. In this regard, the driving of a screw, such as for example, a 160mm screw, requires a complex device having sufficient power and torque to rotate and "follow" the screw home into the part being fixed as it is being driven into the building component. This issue is avoided when using staples, as the staples can be driven home in a linear motion, and accordingly, do not require rotation.

The terminology "cellular concrete" is intended to cover a broad range of cementitious material, including aerated cementitious materials, including materials which may be reinforced by fibrous materials. One form of the panel is an autoclaved aerated concrete panel, typically supplied by CSR Building Products Limited, under the name HEBEL®.

The terminology "panel" is intended to cover sheets, panels, planks, slabs, strips, blocks, squares, and the like, of the cellular concrete.

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The fasteners in the form of staples are driven into the panel and framework by any suitable tool or device.

In one embodiment the plurality of staples may be discharged into the concrete panel by a staple gun, including a pneumatic staple gun, an electrically operated staple gun, battery operated staple gun or similar.

In one embodiment the staple gun may be a fixed staple gun. In one form, the staple gun may be fixed to a surface of the manufacturing facility in which the method is performed, such as for example, at a convenient location on a surface of machinery within the manufacturing facility for the prefabricated structure. Such a fixture can provide support for the gun. Typically, the gun is fixedly attached to the surface.

In one form, the surface can be movable, typically, in two different directions.

In forms of the machinery, the staple gun can be movable with respect to the surface or substrate on which is it supported.

In one form, the fixed staple gun may be capable of firing sufficiently large format staples and at the same time, can resist the recoil that results from firing such large format staples so as to be retained on the surface or substrate. This fixture to a surface can also provide the required support to a gun that is able to fire with a force sufficient to penetrate the cellular concrete, as well as into the frame structure, to thereby securely attach the concrete panel thereto.

For example, in one embodiment the staple gun may be fixed to an automated bridge in the factory or fabrication facility, being a bridge that is otherwise used for processing panel-shaped materials. One example of the machinery is a multi-function bridge such as that manufactured by Weinman Holzbausystemtechnik GmbH. Such a gun and setup is adapted to offsite (factory) usage, but is not adapted to onsite usage because of the requirements and cost of installing machinery having an automated bridge for use in forming panels.

In one embodiment each staple may be of stainless steel, so as to be weather

17679910_1 resistant in use as a cladding fastener. However, the staple can be made from any suitable material, including alloys of metals.

In one embodiment each staple may have a leg length of between 150mm and 170mm, which is of sufficient length so as to penetrate the cellular concrete, as well as to penetrate an adequate penetration depth into the frame structure to maintain securement of the concrete panel thereto. An optimal leg length has been observed to be about 160mm. Such leg lengths have been observed to require considerable penetration force (i.e. approximately twice the force of a single shot nail), to penetrate the cellular concrete and to penetrate sufficiently deep into the frame structure for securely attaching the panel to the frame. Such penetration force is not achievable with current hand-held tools.

In one form, the length of the leg of the staple may be in the range of from about 120mm to about 200mm, typically from about 130mm to about 180mm, more typically from about 140mm to about 175mm, even more typically from about 150mm to about 170mm, advantageously about 160mm.

In one form, the length of the crown or the staple may be in the range of from about 5mm to about 75mm, typically in the range of about 10mm to about 60mm, more typically, from about 15mm to about 50mm, even more typically from about 20mm to about 40mm.

In one form, the profile or cross-sectional shape of the leg may be cylindrical, circular, square, elliptical, rectangular, diamond shaped, triangular or any other convenient or suitable shape.

In one form, the thickness of the leg may be from about 22 gauge to about 15 gauge, typically from about 20 gauge to about 16 gauge, more typically, from about 19 gauge to 17 gauge.

Forms of the staples can have a width of from about1mmtoabout 20mm, typically from about 2mm to about 15mm, more typically from about 3mm to about 13mm.

The staple can be made from any suitable material. In one form, the staple is metal,

17679910_1 typically, the metal is steel, stainless steel,

In one form, the sides or side surfaces of the legs may be smooth.

In one form, the sides or side surfaces of the legs may be provided with surface irregularities, typically in the form of projections, depressions, rings, collars, corrugations, ridges, barbs, spirals, helixes, grooves, channels or similar to assist in driving the staples into the cellular concrete and/or timber frame, and/or to increase the holding power of the staple within the cellular concrete and/or timber, and/or to join the cellular concrete to the timber.

In one form, the crown or web or joiner part of the staple extending between the two legs may be straight or curved, such as for example, arched, convex curved, domed, semi-circular or the like.

Forms of the staple can have an external coating, such as for example, a lubricant coating to enhance penetration of the legs of the staple into and/or through the various components of the building component, such as the aerated concrete panel and timber framework members, or a protective coating to increase the weather resistance of the staple and/or of the building component.

In one embodiment the cellular concrete panel may be an autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) panel, including a reinforced AAC panel, having either a mesh reinforcement or fibre reinforcement, or both. The concrete panel may, in use, be an external wall cladding panel. Hence, a building component can be prefabricated within a manufacturing facility with the external wall already in place.

In one embodiment the frame structure may be a timber frame. Such a frame is cost effective and easily manufactured and handled.

In one embodiment the building component may be a wall panel. In one embodiment the building component may be a prefabricated building component, including a component fabricated in a factory or fabrication facility that is located remote from the site at which the building panel is to be installed.

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In one form, the building component can comprise a frame structure, and a cellular concrete panel that is fixed to the frame structure by a plurality of staples, preferably staples having a straight crown extending between two spaced apart legs which extend substantially perpendicularly from the crown of the staple. The staples are typically located in lines of spaced apart staples in which the location of the lines of staples corresponds to the lengthwise extending location of individual timber framework elements or members.

In one form, the staples may be positioned randomly over the entire surface of the panel or over a part of the surface of the panel.

The staples may be as set forth above. The cellular concrete panel may be an autoclaved aerated concrete panel. The concrete panel may, in use, be an external wall cladding panel. The frame structure may be a timber frame.

In one form, the building structure is constructed from a multitude of substantially similar building components, typically, a multitude of substantially identical building panels, each comprising a cladding sheet or similar fastened to a framework.

Also disclosed herein is a building component manufactured according to the method as set forth above.

Also disclosed herein is a prefabricated building component that comprises a frame structure that in turn comprises studs/beams. Battens can be arranged and aligned with respect to the studs/beams of the frame structure. A building sheet that is made from or that contains a cementitious material can be arranged at the battens. A plurality of discretely spaced staples can penetrate each of the building sheet, batten and studs/beams of the frame structure. Each staple has a format that penetrates each of the building sheet, batten, as well as penetrating sufficiently into the studs/beams of the frame structure to thereby securely attach the building sheet to the frame structure.

An intermediate sheet may be arranged at one side of the frame structure. The battens may be attached to the intermediate sheet and the building sheet being may be attached to the battens at said one side. The intermediate sheet may be of plywood or other suitable material.

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An internal lining secured to the frame structure at an opposite side to the battens. The internal lining may comprise: plasterboard sheeting; fibrous cement sheeting; magnesium or similar internal wall board; wall board of natural material, synthetic material, composite material, or the like.

The prefabricated building component can be otherwise as set forth above for the method.

Also disclosed herein is a structure comprising at least one building component as set forth above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Specific embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, to illustrate forms of the building components with reference to the accompanying drawings in which

Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of one form of a building component in the form of a prefabricated wall panel that comprises a frame and cellular concrete panel secured to the frame by a plurality of staples;

Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of one form of automated machinery having an automated (multi-function) bridge for use in a factory or fabrication facility, which has been modified for inserting staples into the wall panel of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part of the detailed description. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, and depicted in the drawings, are not intended to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilised and other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein and illustrated in the drawings can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated and

17679910_1 designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are contemplated in this disclosure.

A building component as disclosed herein takes the form of a wall panel, generally denoted as 10, which comprises a frame structure in the form of a timber frame 12, and a cellular concrete panel in the form of an aerated concrete sheet 14. In one form, sheet 14 is manufactured as a pre-formed sheet in an autoclave either onsite with the manufacturing facility or in another factory or manufacturing facility offsite from the factory site. Typically the concrete sheet 14 forms external cladding of the wall panel 10, and is the external face or wall surface of the building structure.

It has surprisingly been found that the aerated concrete sheet 14 is able to be fixed to the timber frame 12 by a plurality of staples in the form of long-format stainless steel staples 16, having a pair of extended length legs, and that staples 16 can replace conventionally used screws, such as for example, Tek screws or the like. Wall panel 10 is typically prefabricated in a factory or offsite facility, and is then able to be transported, such as by a suitable vehicle, including a truck, to a building site, in a ready-to-be-installed format for use in constructing the building structure.

In one form, timber frame 12 comprises a framework of timber studs 18, to one side of which is secured, such as by nailing, screwing or staples, bracing sheet 20 or intermediate layer to enhance the strength and rigidity of the panel. In one form, bracing sheet 20 is a sheet of plywood. However, any suitable material may be used. Timber battens 22 are secured to the opposite side of bracing sheet 20 as shown more particularly in Figure 1. In one form, bracing sheet 20 is securely attached to battens 22 by suitable fasteners, including nails, screws, staples or similar. In one form, the staples penetrate battens 22 whereas in other forms, different fasteners to the staples are used to secure battens 22 in place.

To complete the prefabricated wall panel 10, internal lining 24 is secured to the inside/underside of the framework of studs 18 on the opposite side to the location of bracing sheet 20. In one form, internal lining is plasterboard sheeting, fibrous cement sheeting, magnesium board or similar internal wall board, including wall board of natural materials, synthetic materials, composite materials or the like. In one form, internal lining 24 can be a thin sheet or panel of autoclaved aerated concrete. Any

17679910_1 suitable fastener can be used to secure internal lining 24 to battens 20, including nails, screws and staples or the like. However, it is to be noted that staples 16 do not usually penetrate lining 24.

It should be noted that each staple 16 has a leg length of between 150mm and 170mm, typically an optimal leg length of approximately 160mm which is a length that is sufficient to penetrate the aerated concrete sheet 14, as well penetrating an adequate depth into the timber frame 12 to securely retain concrete sheet 14 to frame 12 throughout the life of the wall panel 10. As can be seen in Figure 1, each staple has a leg length such that it is able to penetrate, in turn, concrete sheet 14, batten 22, bracing sheet 20 and a sufficient length into stud 18.

The use of stainless steel staples 16 enables the staples to be weather-resistant when fastening external-use cladding, such as for use as the external walls of a building structure.

Staples 16 are discharged into and through the concrete sheet 14 by an electric or pneumatic staple gun. As shown in Figure 2, the staple gun is fixed to an automated bridge 30 that is located in the factory or fabrication facility. The automated bridge 30 is otherwise used for processing panel-shaped materials, such as for example, forming, assembling, shaping, sanding, routing of the panels, and may be referred to as a multi function bridge, in that a number of interchangeable and/or replaceable work tools, work elements or work heads or the like, having different functions for performing different work operations on the panel are provided as part of equipment E affixed thereto. An example of such an automated bridge 30 is that manufactured by Weinman Holzbausystemtechnik GmbH for use in making and assembling panels.

Automated bridge 30 can be modified to accommodate the electric or pneumatic staple gun 32 which is represented in stylised form in Figure 2. Thus, with the concrete sheet 14 arranged on and optionally secured to timber frame 12, such as by clamping, gluing by an adhesive or similar, the arrangement can be fed through automated bridge 30 as shown in Figure 2, and the plurality of staples 16 can then be discharged at selected locations into and through the concrete sheet 14 by staple gun 32, typically as the sheet is advanced through equipment E, under bridge 30. Gun 32 can be moved laterally/transversely back-and-forth across the arrangement to fire discretely spaced

17679910_1 staples 16 at preselected locations through concrete sheet 14 and into underlying studs/beams of timber frame 12. Gun 32 is able to have any convenient or suitable amount of movement in any direction, including linear movement and/or cyclic movement.

The mounted fixing of staple gun 32 to the automated bridge 30 provides the requisite degree of support for gun 32 such that sufficiently large format staples can be fired or delivered from gun 32 with sufficient force and, at the same time, can resist the recoil that results from firing such large format staples. Such a gun 32 and multi-function bridge 30 setup is adapted to offsite (factory) usage, such as in a factory or manufacturing facility, but is not adapted to onsite usage.

A non-limiting example of a method of assembling one form of wall panel 10 will now be described.

Example

A method of assembling a building component in the form of a wall panel 10 comprises prefabricating wall panel 10 in a factory or similar fabrication facility. The factory is typically located remote from the building site at which the building panel is to be installed during construction of the building structure.

First, timber frame 12 is constructed in a known manner. More specifically, the framework of studs 18 is formed and plywood bracing sheet 20 secured to one side of the framework, with the internal plasterboard lining 24 being secured to the opposite side of the framework. Timber battens 22 are then secured to the other side of plywood bracing sheet 20.

In each case the different components of the framework are secured together by any suitable means and/or in any convenient manner, such as for example by nailing, screwing or staples and optionally gluing. In each case, securement takes place, as necessary, in the automated bridge 30 set-up of Figure 2, or on the factory floor.

Also, aerated concrete sheet 14 is formed in a known process, typically in a factory or manufacturing facility remote from both the factory forming the framework and the

17679910_1 construction site. More specifically, concrete sheet 14 is manufactured from sand, lime and cement, to which was added a gas-forming agent capable of evolving a void forming gas in situ for forming gas bubbles in the mixture to aerate the mixture. The dry raw materials are weighed and mixed. To this mixture is added water and the gas forming agent, typically aluminium paste. After mixing, the resultant cement slurry is poured into a mould. The aluminium paste reacts with the alkaline elements in the cement to form hydrogen gas, or other gas, with the liberated gas expanding the mixture and forming extremely small, finely dispersed air spaces to more or less substantially aerate the mixture, and hence the concrete product. The product is removed from the moulds, cut to size in a cutting machine, and then finally cured, typically for up to 12 hours, under steam pressure in an autoclave to enable cure of the product into its final shape.

Timber frame 12 and aerated concrete sheet 14 are then assembled together as shown in Figure 1, ready to be fed through the automated bridge 30 set-up of Figure 2 for securely attaching the sheet to the frame. To complete fabrication of wall panel 10, concrete sheet 14 is attached to timber frame 12 using the plurality of staples 16 having extended length legs. Staple gun 32 is configured, operated and fired such that each staple leg penetrates, in turn, concrete sheet 14, batten 22, bracing sheet 20, as well as penetrating a good way into stud 18. At the join of adjacent concrete sheets 14, two lines of staples penetrate through the one batten and aligned stud, to securely fasten both sheets to the frame.

The two legs of each staple 16, are observed to provide excellent securing/holding power/force of concrete sheet 14 when attached to the timber frame 12, due to the cross joiner, crown or web of staple 16' extending between the legs, and acting on the surface of concrete sheet 14. It is noted that staples 16 have not previously been used for securing aerated concrete panels to timber frames, because large staples would have been required, which in turn require significant force to penetrate the concrete sheet, as well as to penetrate sufficiently into the timber frame to secure the concrete sheet thereto.

The use of staples was also observed to increase wall panel assembly speed and, because the automated bridge 30 was able to be modified to accommodate the large format staple gun 32, this enhanced automation of the wall panel assembly process

17679910_1 further improves efficiency. In this regard, the staples are able to be driven home in a linear motion which is to be contrasted with the more complex device/motion required for driving home a long format screw, such as a screw of length 160mm, including the need to provide sufficient power and torque to rotate and "follow" the screw fully home into the sheet being fixed to the frame and partially in the frame.

Variations and modifications may be made to the parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the disclosure.

For example, whilst a timber frame is typically employed as the frame structure, due to being cost-effective and easily manufactured and handled, polymer or composite framing materials may also be employed, as may any other suitable material be used.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding summary except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprising" is used in the sense of "including", that is, the features as above may be associated with further features in various embodiments.

It will be understood to persons skilled in the art that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

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Claims

1. A method of assembling a building component to be used in constructing a building structure, the method comprising the steps of: forming a frame structure that comprises studs/beams; arranging a building sheet that is made from or that contains a cementitious material on the frame structure, such that the frame structure lies under the building sheet; moving, relative to and over the building sheet, a staple gun that comprises a plurality of staples; discharging staples from the staple gun through the building sheet at discretely spaced and preselected locations such that each staple penetrates through the building sheet and sufficiently into underlying studs/beams of the frame structure whereby the building sheet is securely attached to the studs/beams of the frame structure.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the staple gun is fixed to a support substrate, or wherein the staple gun is movable with respect to the support substrate.

3. A method according to claim 2 in which the support substrate is a fixed substrate or is a movable substrate.

4. A method according to claim 3 in which the fixed substrate includes a surface of equipment for use in manufacturing the building component.

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of building sheets are attached either directly or indirectly to the frame structure by the plurality of staples.

6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of staples are discharged into the building sheet by a pneumatic staple gun.

7. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the building sheet is:

17679910_1 a cellular cementitious panel; a cellular concrete panel, including a reinforced cellular concrete panel; an autoclaved aerated concrete panel, slab or block; an external wall cladding panel.

8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each staple is made of stainless steel.

9. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each staple is a large format staple that has a leg length of between 150mm and 170mm, optionally 160mm.

10. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the frame structure is a timber frame.

11. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the building sheet is attached indirectly to the frame structure via battens aligned with the beams/studs of the frame structure, with an optional intermediate layer arranged between the battens and the frame structure.

12. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the building component is: a wall panel; a prefabricated building panel.

13. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method is performed in a facility remote from the site at which the building panel is to be installed.

14. A building component manufactured according to the method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

15. A prefabricated building component comprising: a frame structure that comprises studs/beams; battens arranged and aligned with respect to the studs/beams of the frame structure;

17679910_1 a building sheet that is made from or that contains a cementitious material, the building sheet arranged at the battens; a plurality of discretely spaced staples, each staple having a format that penetrates each of the building sheet, batten, as well as penetrating sufficiently into the studs/beams of the frame structure to thereby securely attach the building sheet to the battens to the frame structure.

16. A prefabricated building component according to claim 15 wherein an intermediate sheet is arranged at one side of the frame structure, with the battens being attached to the intermediate sheet and the building sheet being attached to the battens at said one side.

17. A prefabricated building component according to claim 16 wherein the intermediate sheet is of plywood or other suitable material.

18. A prefabricated building component according to any one of claims 15 to 17, the component further comprising an internal lining secured to the frame structure at an opposite side to the battens.

19. A prefabricated building component according to claim 19, wherein the internal lining comprises: plasterboard sheeting; fibrous cement sheeting; magnesium or similar internal wall board; wall board of natural material, synthetic material, composite material, or the like.

20. A prefabricated building component according to any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein each of the frame structure, building sheet and staples is as defined in any one of claims 1 to 10.

21. A building structure comprising at least one building component as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 20.

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