EP0165856A1 - Set of building elements for the erection of walls by post-tensioning - Google Patents

Abstract

Set of building elements comprising parallelepipedal blocks intended to be arranged side by side and superposed for the erection of building walls. These blocks have vertical channels (2) which can be aligned so as to form vertical shafts extending over the entire height of the constructed walls. Combined with these blocks (1) are post-tensioning ties (12), each capable of being arranged in such a vertical shaft. Each of these ties possesses, at its foot, an anchoring device (13) adapted to unfold in order to bear against an inner shoulder of the substructure longitudinal beams (8) or against the bottom face of the blocks (1) of the bottom layer of the set. In addition, the top end of each of these ties is provided with a clamping member adapted to be applied, from top to bottom, on the building blocks of the top layer, or on an intermediate bearing element (21). These elements can be used for the construction of the walls of a dwelling house or of any other construction. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to the construction of building walls, for example residential walls, from building blocks intended to be placed side by side and superimposed.

According to one of the techniques used, there is provided, in these blocks, one or more vertical channels extending over their entire height and intended to be placed in concordance during the assembly of the blocks in order to constitute vertical chimneys s' extending over the entire height of the walls made. It is thus possible to pour, inside these, concrete posts each comprising a metal frame in order to support the corresponding loads. However, the vertical chimneys thus formed can also be used for the production of simple vertical chaining elements made of reinforced concrete poured inside thereof, separate studs of framework being also provided.

But in both cases, this involves pouring concrete poles or chaining elements on site. However, this operation presents a certain number of difficulties and it is relatively expensive.

This is why the present invention aims to allow the construction of walls by assembling prefabricated blocks by mechanical means without the need to pour in place poles or vertical concrete chaining elements.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a set of construction elements comprising, in combination with prefabricated blocks provided with vertical channels, a series of post-tension rods which can each be placed in a vertical chimney formed on any the height of a wall built by means of such blocks, and each of which comprises at its foot an anchoring device capable of deploying after fitting the corresponding tie rod to bear, from bottom to top, against an internal shoulder of the sills of the base or against the underside of the blocks of the lower bed of the assembly, or of another determined bed, while the upper end of each of these tie rods is provided with a clamping member capable of being applied from top to bottom, on the building blocks of the upper bed, or on an intermediate support element.

Thus, after building a wall, it is possible to set up such tie rods in all the vertical chimneys formed by the blocks, or at least in some of them. This makes it possible to energize the wall over its entire height, or a part of it, so that it is able to support the loads exerted subsequently on it.

The tie rods thus provided thus ensure vertical chaining of the blocks used for the construction of a wall.

• La figure 1 est une vue partielle en coupe verticale, selon un plan longitudinal médian, d'un mur réalisé au moyen des éléments de construction selon l'invention ;
• La figure 2 est une vue en coupe tranversale selon la ligne II-II de la figure 1 ;
• La figure 3 est une vue de détail en coupe, selon le même plan que la figure 1 mais à échelle différente pour représenter le dispositif d'ancrage prévu à l'extrémité inférieure d'un tirant vertical ;
• La figure 4 est une vue de détail en coupe verticale représentant les moyens de serrage prévus à l'extrémité supérieure d'un tel tirant ;
• Les figures 5 à 8 sont des vues similaires à la figure 3 mais qui représentent quatre modes d'ancrage de l'extrémité inférieure des tirants verticaux ;
• Les figures 9 à 11 sont également des vues similaires à la figure 3 mais qui représentent trois autres formes de réalisation du dispositif d'ancrage prévu à l'extrémité inférieure des tirants verticaux ;
• La figure 12 est une vue en perspective de l'un des organes d'assemblage prévus entre deux blocs superposés.

However, other particularities and advantages of the set of construction elements according to the invention will appear during the following description. This is given with reference to the attached drawing for information only, and in which:

• FIG. 1 is a partial view in vertical section, along a median longitudinal plane, of a wall produced by means of the construction elements according to the invention;
• Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view along the line II-II of Figure 1;
• Figure 3 is a detailed sectional view, along the same plane as Figure 1 but on a different scale to represent the anchoring device provided at the lower end of a vertical tie;
• Figure 4 is a detail view in vertical section showing the clamping means provided at the upper end of such a tie;
• Figures 5 to 8 are views similar to Figure 3 but showing four modes of anchoring the lower end of the vertical tie rods;
• Figures 9 to 11 are also views similar to Figure 3 but showing three other embodiments of the anchoring device provided at the lower end of the vertical tie rods;
• Figure 12 is a perspective view of one of the assembly members provided between two superimposed blocks.

The building blocks 1 forming part of the present set affect the shape of rectangular parallelepipeds and they can be molded in normal cement and gravel concrete. Each of these blocks has at least two channels extending over its entire height and whose arrangement is such that when they are superimposed, it is possible to place them in concordance to form vertical chimneys over the entire height of the wall. realized.

Thus in the example shown in Figures 1 and 2, each block 1 has three vertical channels 2 whose axes are arranged along the median longitudinal plane of each. One of these channels is located in the middle and the other two on either side, at equal distance. Under these conditions, these blocks can be superimposed by making an offset or "harping" between a bed and the next bed while obtaining the concordance of the channels 2 to constitute a series of vertical chimneys extending over the entire height of the wall produced, as can be seen from Figure 1.

At its upper end, each of the channels has an enlarged part 3 forming a recess. This is intended to receive the base of a positioning and assembly member. As shown in FIG. 11, each of these assembly members assumes the shape of a hollow stud 4 comprising two distinct cylindrical parts 5 and 6 of different diameter connected by a shoulder 7. The part 5 of larger diameter is intended to form the base of this assembly member and to be placed accordingly inside the recess 3 provided at the upper end of a channel 2 of a block 1 of a determined bed. Thus, the upper part 6 of the assembly members 4, placed in standby on the blocks of such a bed, projects above them to engage in the lower end of the channels 2 of the blocks 1 placed at the -above. This ensures both the proper positioning of these blocks and their immobilization in a horizontal plane.

The assembly pads 4 thus provided can advantageously be produced by molding in a plastic material deformable, par. example in polyethylene. Their walls can then include a series of horizontal undulations, as shown in FIG. 11.

In the example illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the blocks 1 constituting the corresponding wall are arranged above a horizontal sill 8 of concrete which can extend continuously over the entire length of this wall. However, this sill itself comprises a series of vertical channels 9 having the same spacing as the channels 2 of the blocks 1. In addition, these channels 9 themselves include an enlargement 3 at their upper end to receive an assembly stud 4 so to allow the positioning and assembly of the blocks 1 of the lower bed.

However, at an intermediate point in their height, the vertical channels 9 of the sill 8 have another widening 10 which extends to their lower end. This widening thus determines a shoulder 11, located at mid-height, and which is intended to allow the anchoring of the tie rods placed inside the vertical chimneys made in the wall.

Each of these tie rods consists of a metal rod 12 of length slightly greater than that of the wall produced. At its lower end, this rod carries an anchoring device capable of deploying, after the corresponding tie rod has been put in place, to bear, from bottom to top, against 1 shoulder 11 provided inside the sill 8.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, this anchoring device is constituted by two fins 13 mounted freely pivoting about a horizontal axis 14 carried by the lower end of the tie rod 12. During the engagement of this tie rod with inside a vertical chimney, these two fins 13 are folded against it, in the position shown in phantom in Figure 3. They then slide, against the internal walls of the different vertical channels 9 successive, by the intermediate cut sections 15 provided at their ends. Besides, these cut sides ensure auto matically the desired folding of these fins when engaging a tie rod 12 in a vertical chimney.

However, when the lower end of such a tie has reached the position shown in FIG. 3, these two fins 13 pivot automatically towards the outside under the simple effect of their own weight and their ends are thus placed opposite the 'shoulder 11. More precisely, it is another cutaway 16 of the ends of these fins which is then located opposite this shoulder, as shown in FIG. 3.

The upper end of the tie rods 12 is provided with a clamping member which makes it possible to press the fins 13 of the lower gripping device against the shoulder 11 and to tension the entire wall produced. In the example shown, this tightening member consists of a nut 17 screwed onto a thread 18 provided at the upper end of each tie rod 12. This nut is integral with a support washer 19 and there is also provided a lock nut 20.

Preferably, an intermediate support element is provided on the upper edge of the wall produced. This element may consist of a horizontal rail 21, made of wood or other suitable material, comprising a series of vertical channels 22 having the same spacing as the channels 2 of the building blocks 1. This rail is positioned and immobilized on top of the wall of the same way as the different beds of the building blocks, that is to say by means of studs 4 of assembly arranged beforehand inside the upper chambers 3 of the blocks 1 of the upper bed of the assembly . It is thus possible to have, over the entire length of the same wall, a series of stringers 21 secured one after the other by means of metal connectors. The assembly thus formed ensures horizontal chaining of the wall on its upper edge, while the sills 8 of the base provide for their part a horizontal chaining on the lower edge.

As shown in Figure 1 it is possible to refrain from having tie rods 12 in all of the vertical chimneys formed by the channels 2 of the blocks 1. Indeed, it suffices to have enough tie rods to ensure vertical chaining with all the blocks of the assembly. However, it is also possible to have tie rods 12 in all the vertical chimneys thus formed.

The tensioning of these tie rods makes it possible to ensure not only the vertical chaining of the wall produced but also to put it able to resist the forces and loads which will be exerted on it later. However, this result is obtained without the need to pour in place vertical chains or concrete posts. In this regard, it should be noted that the installation of vertical tie rods is extremely easy to carry out. Indeed it suffices to engage each of these in the upper end of a vertical chimney of the corresponding wall and to slide it down until its gripping device is located below the support shoulder 11 provided for the latter. At this moment the fins 13 of this gripping device deploy automatically under the effect of their own weight, so that it then suffices to tighten by means of the nut 17 provided for this purpose.

However, as shown in FIG. 5, the tie-rod gripping device 12 can be applied against the underside of the blocks 1 of the lower bed of the assembly, instead of being against the shoulder 11 provided at the interior of the sills 8 of the base. To this end, the lower end of the tie rods 12 should be placed at the level of the widening 3 of the upper end of the channel 9 of the corresponding sill 8. Thus the fins 13 of the gripping device are deployed inside this enlargement to rest from bottom up- against the underside of the corresponding block 1 of the lower bed of the assembly.

In the case where an assembly stud 4 is disposed inside the upper widening 3 of the vertical channels 9 of the sill 8, the fins 13 of the gripping device come to bear against the internal face of the 'shoulder 7 of the corresponding stud, as shown in FIG. 6. The presence of this stud does not in any way hinder the deployment and the support of the gripping device 13.

It should be noted that the lower gripping device page 13 of the tie rods 12 can also be hung at an intermediate point of the height of a wall in order to make a chaining extending only over part of this height. In such a case, it suffices to place the gripping device 13 of the tie rod 12 corresponding to the inside of the enlargement 3 located immediately below the block 1 of the bed against which this device must bear. The fins 13 are then deployed inside this enlargement as shown in Figure 7 to bear on the underside of the block 1 located above. In such a case, an assembly member 4 can be placed inside this enlargement, as shown in FIG. 8.

The gripping device, provided at the lower end of the tie rods 12, can then be produced differently provided that it comprises members capable of deploying in their working position, either under the effect of their own weight, or under the effect of actuating means, mechanical or other.

Thus, instead of pivoting fins 13, it would be possible to provide a single tilting plate capable of coming into its working position under the effect of its own weight.

However, FIG. 9 represents another embodiment in which the gripping device 25, provided at the lower end of the corresponding tie rod 12a, is constituted by a small box containing two pistons 26 capable of protruding under the action of springs thrust 27 in order to be able to bear against the internal shoulder 11 of the sills 8 of the base or against the underside of the building blocks 1.

FIG. 10 represents another embodiment in which the corresponding tie rod 12b carries, at its lower end, a gripping device constituted by a tilting plate 28 mounted articulated about a horizontal axis 29. Thus, after its descent into the inclined position shown in Figure 10, this plate automatically tends to tilt as soon as it reaches below the level of the shoulders 11 provided for its attachment. It then suffices to raise the tie rod 12b to apply this plate against these shoulders (position shown in phantom) and then to proceed with the tightening.

FIG. 11 shows yet another embodiment of the device for anchoring the tie rods. In it the lower end of the corresponding tie 12c carries projections 30 intended to ensure its anchoring in a mass 31 of sealing product, such as concrete, mortar or other suitable product. This product is then injected through a transverse channel 32 formed in the blocks 1, and in the sill 8, below the level of the support shoulders 11. After solidification, the anchoring block thus formed therefore rests on these shoulders which allows the tightening of the corresponding tie rods.

But once again, numerous other embodiments can be envisaged for the gripping device provided at the lower end of the vertical tie rods 12, the means for actuating the support members being able to be of various kinds.

Furthermore, instead of being constituted by rigid rods, the vertical tie rods could consist of multi-strand cables. In such a case, the gripping device could be slidably mounted on each of these cables so as to be able to descend into its working position by simple gravity.

On the other hand, the chaining system, provided by the upper part could be implemented differently. Thus it would be possible to use elements cast in concrete, or even metal elements assembled together by welding or bolting, or plastic elements connected by any suitable means.

The building elements according to the invention can be used for making the walls of a dwelling house or any other building or construction.

Claims (6)

1 - Set of construction elements comprising parallelepipedic blocks having one or more channels extending over their entire height and intended to allow the construction of walls by arrangement side by side and superposition of such blocks by forming vertical chaining chimneys extending over the entire height of the walls made, characterized in that in combination with these blocks (1), this assembly comprises post-tensioning tie rods (12), each capable of being placed in a vertical chimney formed on the entire height of a wall constructed by means of such blocks (1), each of these tie rods comprising at its foot an anchoring device (13, 25, 28) capable of deploying after the corresponding tie rod has been put in place to take support, from bottom to top, against an internal shoulder (11) of the sills (8) of the base or against the underside of the blocks (1) of the lower bed of the assembly, or of another determined bed, while l upper end of ch none of these tie rods is provided with a clamping member (17) capable of being applied, from top to bottom, on the building blocks of the upper bed, or on an intermediate support element (21). 2 - assembly of building elements according to claim 1, characterized in that the sills (8) of the base comprise vertical channels (9) having the same spacing as the vertical channels (2) of the blocks (1), and these channels (9) have at least one widening determining a downward facing shoulder against which the anchoring device (13, 25, 28) supported by the lower end of the tie rods (12) can bear. 3 - assembly of building elements according to claim 2, characterized in that the vertical channels (9) of the sills (8) of the base have two enlargements located respectively at their upper end and at an intermediate point of their height, the latter determining, in each channel, a shoulder (11) against which the anchoring device (13, 25, 28) can rest against a tie rod (12), while the widening provided at the top makes it possible to press the anchoring device of the tie rods (12) against the underside of the blocks (1) of the lower bed of a wall. 4 - assembly of building elements according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intermediate support element, provided at the upper end of a wall, consists of a rail (21), of wood or other suitable material, comprising a series of vertical channels having the same spacing as the channels (2) of the blocks (1) 5 - assembly of building elements according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gripping device carried by the lower end of each tie (12) comprises members capable of being deployed opposite the shoulder d 'support provided for them and this, either under the effect of their own weight, or under the effect of appropriate actuating means, mechanical or other. 6 - assembly of building elements according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gripping device carried by the lower end of each tie (12c) is constituted by projections (30) intended to ensure its anchoring in a mass (31) of a sealant injected through a transverse channel (32) provided for this purpose in the blocks (1).

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