EP0166219B1 - Method for constructing walls made of bricks, and device used therefor - Google Patents

Description

The subject of the present invention is a process for producing walls of glass bricks or from similar parallelepipedic construction elements. The invention also relates to a device for implementing this method.

The traditional method of using glass bricks consists in placing the bricks one by one by making a mortar joint between each two adjacent bricks, at least some of these joints being able to be reinforced by reinforcing bars. This process by which the neighboring bricks do not touch each other, but are kept at a distance from each other by means of the mortar joint, is slow. Indeed, in order to obtain regular joints between the bricks, it is necessary, during the laying of each row of bricks, that the mortar joints between the previous rows of bricks are sufficiently solidified in order to prevent deformation under the weight of the following bricks. Furthermore, it is necessary to provide a formwork to ensure correct alignment of the bricks, which, in the case of the construction of very high walls, involves the use of scaffolding. Finally, once the wall has been mounted, it is necessary, after removing the formwork, to carry out a finish consisting in plugging and smoothing the joints between the bricks, on the two lateral faces of the wall, which again requires scaffolding.

The production of a glass brick wall according to the traditional process can only be carried out by qualified labor.

To simplify the production of glass brick walls, it has also already been proposed to prefabricate them in one or more glass brick panels, by placing glass bricks in a mold and making the joints by pouring mortar between the bricks . The panels thus prefabricated can then be assembled on site to form a wall.

This process is not always satisfactory because it can cause handling problems and cannot be implemented instantly, with all the flexibility required.

Another solution recommended to simplify the production of glass brick walls consists in using a modular plastic structure, forming a framework and lost formwork. This structure comprises ladder-shaped elements, the uprights of which form shuttering for the mortar joints to be made between the bricks and the crossbeams of which determine the interval between the neighboring bricks.

However, the cost price of this system, which cannot be adapted to bricks of different formats, is high. Furthermore, this system only gives good results when used with glass bricks of precise and regular dimensions.

According to other known mounting methods, the mortar joints between the bricks are replaced by filling profiles having profiles complementary to the profile of the edges of the bricks. The major drawbacks of these methods result from the fact that the profile of the slices of the bricks varies due to the assembly of the bricks from two halves by welding out of a mold, so that the slices cannot perfectly match the shape of a determined filling profile, which limits the solidity and the tightness of the walls produced according to these methods. One of these methods is intended to be used in combination with special glass bricks having, on their edges, two peripheral outer edges in the vicinity of the side faces of the bricks. The filling profile is placed between two bricks in the space delimited between the two edges of the bricks, and the joint between two bricks is finished, on each side, by a facing profile fixed from the outside by clipping on the filling profile.

The subject of the present invention is a method and a device making it possible to produce in situ in a simple and rapid manner, at a reduced cost price, with even unskilled labor, walls made of glass bricks or the like. that are waterproof, solid and pleasant in appearance.

According to the method according to the invention for producing walls of glass bricks or similar elements, as claimed, bricks are used having, on their edges, two peripheral outer edges in the vicinity of the side faces of the bricks. Each two bricks are joined together by fitting two H-shaped sections on the two opposite edges of the adjacent edges of the two bricks. It is possible to fill or not with mortar or a similar material the intermediate space delimited by said two H-shaped profiles between the adjacent edges of the two bricks.

The H-profiles used according to the present invention serve to correctly position the adjacent bricks with respect to each other, even if the bricks are not produced with great precision, this without any formwork, wedging or other alignment device, and in working only on one side of the wall, and to form a lost formwork for the mortar or similar joint, possibly reinforced, between the bricks, this lost formwork constituting the visible part of the joint, hence the work of finishing and smoothing on both sides of the wall.

To make, on the glass brick wall, an edge serving on the one hand to reinforce the glass brick wall on its edges, and on the other hand to allow the maintenance of the wall, independently of the structural work, for example in a rebate of the latter, a U-shaped section is fitted externally on the two edges of the edge of each brick, facing the edge to be produced, and it is possible to fill or not with mortar or a similar material the space included between said edge and said U-shaped profile. This U-shaped profile therefore serves as lost formwork for the edge.

To allow the wall to be held in relation to the main structure without the provision of a rebate, it is possible to use a U-shaped edge profile having, on its core, a gutter part, projecting inwards, defining a groove open to the outside. Is fixed to the shell, opposite the edge of the wall, a retaining profile comprising a rib-shaped part, projecting towards the wall, and the U-shaped edge profile is fitted, by its groove, on the rib of this support profile.

Preferably, the U-profile has, at the end of each wing, a gutter profile similar to that of half of an H-profile used between two bricks, to allow the interlocking of each wing of the U-profile on a brick ledge.

To improve the solidity of the glass brick wall, it is possible to place at least one reinforcing iron in the space filled with mortar between the neighboring bricks or between the bricks and the U-shaped profile of the border.

The device according to the invention as claimed comprises two H-shaped sections, each of which fits on one of the two outer peripheral edges opposite adjacent sections of two adjacent bricks by enclosing the edges of these bricks, the two branches of each section located on the same side of the horizontal bar of the H having slightly converging inner sides.

Preferably, a first of said two branches has two flanks perpendicular to the bar of the H and the second branch has an internal flank converging in the direction of the internal flank of the first branch. Thus, if the H-profile is fitted onto the edges of the neighboring bricks so that the first opposite branches are turned towards the outside of the wall and the two second opposite branches are turned towards the inside of the wall, the second branches interior bend slightly to fit on the edges and enclose the latter.

To facilitate this interlocking, it is advantageous that the inner flank of the two opposite second branches has a rounded or a chamfer at its free end.

Preferably, the branches of gutter profiles at the ends of the wings of the U-shaped edge profile have a shape corresponding to that of the branches of the H profile.

Furthermore, to improve the connection of the U-shaped profile with the border filling mortar, it is advantageous for each wing of the U-shaped profile to have a rib on its inner face.

• - la figure 1 est une coupe partielle d'une paroi de briques de verre, montrant la liaison entre deux briques voisines et une bordure;
• - la figure 2 est une coupe, à plus grande échelle, d'un profilé en H prévu entre deux briques voisines;
• - la figure 3 est une vue en élévation d'une partie de paroi de briques de verre, à plus petite échelle;
• - la figure 4 est une coupe partielle analogue à la figure 1, montrant une variante de bordure permettant un maintien par rapport au gros oeuvre sans l'utilisation d'une feuillure.

Referring to the appended drawing, an illustrative and nonlimiting embodiment of the subject of the invention will be described below in more detail; on the drawing:

• - Figure 1 is a partial section of a glass brick wall, showing the connection between two neighboring bricks and an edge;
• - Figure 2 is a section, on a larger scale, of an H profile provided between two adjacent bricks;
• - Figure 3 is an elevational view of a portion of glass brick wall, on a smaller scale;
• - Figure 4 is a partial section similar to Figure 1, showing a variant of the border allowing maintenance relative to the shell without the use of a rebate.

In the vertical section of FIG. 1, we recognize hollow glass bricks 1 each having, on its four edges, two peripheral outer edges 2 slightly recessed relative to the side faces of the bricks 1. The edges 2 have a substantially rectangular profile . The profiles 2 can be made in one piece by molding with the bricks 1, as shown, or be attached to the bricks 1, for example by gluing or welding.

The lower brick 1 in FIG. 1, which represents a brick from the lower row of bricks of a wall, is fitted by each of the two flanges 2 of its lower edge in a gutter profile formed at the end of each wing a U-shaped profile 5, preferably made of plastic such as PCV. Each gutter profile comprises two branches 3 and 4, the first of which is in the extension of the wing of the U-shaped profile 5 and the other of which is offset inwards relative to this wing. Before this interlocking, the two branches 3 and 4 are slightly convergent, so as to enclose the flanges 2 after interlocking. It is recognized that each of the wings of the profile 5, the height of which is greater than the height of the rim 2, comprises, in the direction of the length of the profile 5, an inner rib 6.

The space delimited by the lower edge of the brick 1 and the inner face of the U-shaped profile 5 is filled with mortar 7 in which are embedded two reinforcing bars 8 extending in the lengthwise direction of the profile 5.

Two profiles 9 in H, preferably plastic such as PVC, are provided between the two glass bricks 1 superimposed. Each profile 9, one of which is shown on a larger scale in FIG. 2 encloses, by its two branches 10 and 11 situated on the same side of the horizontal bar 12 of the H, one of the flanges 2 of the upper edge of the lower brick 1 and by its two other branches 10 and 11 one of the edges of the lower edge of the upper brick 1. It should be noted that the two branches 10 and 11 have, before fitting onto the rim 2, a slightly convergent appearance. Preferably, the outer branch 10 is perpendicular to the bar 12, while the inner branch 11 which is advantageously thinner than the branch 10 has at least one inner flank which converges slightly towards the branch 10. Thus, during the fitting of the profile 9 on the edges 2 of the neighboring bricks, the branches 11 yield and then enclose the edges 2, together with the branches 10.

The reciprocal distance of the two branches 10 and 11, on each side of the bar 12, is advantageously somewhat greater than the width of the rim 2 at the height of the bar 12 and somewhat less than this width at the height of the free ends of the branches 10 and 11.

The characteristics described above about the branches 10 and 11 of the profiles 9 in H are found on the branches 3 and 4 of the gutter profiles of the edge profile 5 in U.

The intermediate space delimited by the two opposite sections of the two superimposed bricks 1 and the branches 11 of the two sections 9 in H provided between the edges 2 of these sections is filled with mortar 13 reinforced by a reinforcing iron 14.

As shown in FIG. 3, a U-shaped section 5 is also provided on the vertical edge of the wall, and H-shaped sections 9 are also provided between the vertical sections of the bricks 1 juxtaposed horizontally. However, while the sections 9 between the horizontal sections of the superimposed bricks extend continuously over the length of the wall, the sections 9 between the vertical sections of the panels juxtaposed horizontally are sections extending each time between two horizontal sections 9 located one below and the other above the same horizontal row of bricks, or between a U-shaped profile 5 extending along a horizontal section of the bricks of an extreme horizontal row and the sections 9 running along the opposite horizontal edge of the bricks of the same horizontal row.

Of course, it is also possible to drown one or more reinforcing bars in the vertical mortar joints between the bricks, as well as in the mortar filling of the U-shaped profiles 5 arranged on the vertical edges.

• 1 - pose horizontale, son ouverture vers le haut, d'un profilé de bordure 5, sur la longueur de la paroi à réaliser, et pose verticale, leurs ouvertures tournées l'une vers l'autre, de deux profilés 5 en U sur les bords verticaux de la paroi, sur toute la hauteur de la paroi;
• 2 - insertion éventuelle du ou des fers d'armature dans les profilés 5 en U et coulée éventuelle de mortier dans le profilé 5 en U horizontal;
• 3 - mise en place, sur le profilé 5 horizontal, des briques 1 de la rangée inférieure, avec emboîtement des rebords des tranches inférieures dans les deux profils en gouttière du profilé 5 horizontal, emboîtement des rebords de la tranche verticale extérieure de chaque brique d'extrémité de la rangée dans les deux profils en gouttière du profilé 5 vertical correspondant, et mise en place des tronçons verticaux de profilé 9 en H entre les briques voisines de la rangée avec emboîtement sur les rebords des tranches en regard;
• 4 - emboîtement de deux profilés 9 en H, sur toute la longueur du panneau, sur les rebords des tranches supérieures des briques de la première rangée;
• 5 - insertion éventuelle du ou des fers d'armature entre les deux profilés 9 en H;
• 6 - coulée de mortier fluide sur les tranches supérieures des briques de la rangée, entre les deux profilés 9, de manière que le mortier remplisse par gravité les espaces compris entre les tranches inférieures des briques et le profilé 5 horizontal, les tranches verticales adjacentes des briques et les tranches verticales extérieures des briques d'extrémité et les profilés 5 verticaux;
• - ensuite, répétition des étapes 3 à 6 pour chaque rangée de briques jusqu'à l'extrémité supérieure de la paroi.

The realization of a glass brick wall comprises the following steps:

• 1 - horizontal installation, its opening upwards, of an edge profile 5, along the length of the wall to be produced, and vertical installation, their openings facing one another, of two U-shaped profiles 5 on the vertical edges of the wall, over the entire height of the wall;
• 2 - possible insertion of the reinforcing bar (s) in the U-shaped profiles 5 and possible casting of mortar in the horizontal U-shaped profile 5;
• 3 - installation, on the horizontal section 5, of bricks 1 of the lower row, with interlocking of the edges of the lower sections in the two gutter profiles of the horizontal section 5, interlocking of the edges of the outer vertical section of each brick d end of the row in the two gutter profiles of the corresponding vertical section 5, and installation of vertical sections of section 9 in H between the adjacent bricks of the row with interlocking on the edges of the facing sections;
• 4 - fitting of two profiles 9 in H, over the entire length of the panel, on the edges of the upper edges of the bricks of the first row;
• 5 - possible insertion of one or more reinforcing bars between the two profiles 9 in H;
• 6 - pouring of fluid mortar on the upper edges of the bricks of the row, between the two sections 9, so that the mortar fills by gravity the spaces between the lower sections of the bricks and the horizontal section 5, the adjacent vertical sections of the bricks and the outer vertical sections of the end bricks and the vertical sections;
• - then repeat steps 3 to 6 for each row of bricks up to the upper end of the wall.

According to Figure 4, the U-shaped edge profile 5 further comprises, on its core 15, a part 16 in gutter, projecting inwardly, that is to say towards the brick wall 1. This part 16 thus defines a groove 17 open towards the outside. A retaining profile 18 fixed to the main structure 19, for example using screws of which only the axes 20 are shown, comprises a part 21 in the form of a rib, projecting towards the brick wall 1. The edge profile 5 is fitted by its groove 17 on the rib 21 of the retaining profile 18, with the interposition of independence joints 22, 23 in the plane of the brick wall 1.

This type of border, which does not significantly increase the cost of the border profile 5, makes it possible to dispense with the conventional rebate, hence a simplification of the main structure. The retaining profile 18 is practically invisible. In the case of bays, the wall could be placed flush with one of the faces of the wall. In addition, it is impossible to dismantle the wall without breaking it, which represents a safety element. Finally, it is possible to build a wall against and perpendicular to a wall which will serve to hold the wall.

It should be noted that the embodiment described and shown has been given only by way of illustrative and nonlimiting example and that numerous modifications and variants are possible within the scope of the invention as defined by the revendications. Thus, the mortar of the joints 7 and 13 can be replaced by other fluid hardening materials. It is also possible to inject into the cavities to be filled a foaming product in situ and / or to reinforce the material of the joints with fibers, for example glass or carbon fibers.

To produce walls subject to less severe conditions of air pressure (wind), vibration and / or sealing, it is also possible not to fill the cavities between the neighboring bricks and between the bricks and the profiles border. In particular in this case, it may be advantageous to fit the profiles 5 and 9 on the edges 2 of the bricks, not dry, but with bonding, for example using a silicone sealant.

Furthermore, it should be noted that the invention is applicable not only to glass bricks, but to all other construction elements of parallelepiped shape suitable for the construction of walls, and provided with two peripheral edges.

Claims (12)

1. Process of building partition walls of glass bricks or similar parallelepipedic construction elements characterised by the fact that bricks (1) are used having on their edges two peripheral outer lips (2) close to the lateral faces of the bricks, and that two neighbouring bricks are joined each time by fitting two H-shaped standard sections (9) onto the two facing lips on the adjacent sides of the two bricks.

2. Process according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that to construct an edging on the wall, a U-shaped standard section (5) is fitted onto the two lips of the side of each end brick, turned towards the edging to be made,

3. Process according to claim 1 or 2, characterised by the fact that the space delimited by the sides of the bricks and by the fitted standard sections (5, 9) is filled with a hardening fluid material such as mortar.

4. Process according to claim 3, characterised by the fact that a reinforcement (8, 14) such as an iron bar is embedded in the said filling material.

5. Process according to claim 1 or 2, characterised by the fact that the said standard sections (9, 5) are fitted with bonding, for example by means of silicone compound, onto the said lips (2) of the bricks.

6. Process according to any of claims 2 to 5, characterised by the fact that to hold the wall of bricks (1) in relation to the main structure (19) bordering the wall, there is fixed to the main structure, facing the edge of the wall, a retaining standard section (18) comprising a rib-shaped part (21), projecting towards the wall, and the U-shaped standard section (5) is fitted, by means of a channel-shaped part (16) of its web (15), onto the said rib-shaped part (21) of the retaining standard section (18).

7. Device for making use of the process according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that it comprises two H-shaped standard sections (9) each of which fits onto one of the two facing peripheral outer lips of the adjacent sides of two neighbouring bricks, the two legs (10, 11) of each of the said standard sections (9) situated on the same side of the horizontal bar (12) of the H having convergent inner walls.

8. Device according to claim 7 for making use of the process according to claim 2, characterised by the fact that it comprises a U-shaped standard section (5) presenting, at the end of each wing, a channel-shaped standard section the legs (3, 4) of which have convergent inner walls.

9. Device according to claim 7 or 8, characterised by the fact that a first (10, 3) of the said legs has two parallel walls and the second (11,4) thinner than the first has an inner wall converging in the direction of the inner wall of the said first leg.

10. Device according to claim 9, characterised by the fact that the said inner wall of the said second leg (4, 11) has a rounded or chamfered part at its free end.

11. Device according to claim 8, characterised by the fact that each wing of the U-shaped standard section (5) has a rib (6) on its inner face.

12. Device according to any of claims 7 to 10 for making use of the process according to claim 6, characterised by the fact that the U-shaped standard section (5) has, on its web (15), a channel-shaped part (16), projecting inwards, defining a groove (17) open to the outwards.

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