GB2194262A - Stanchion insulation sleeve - Google Patents

Abstract

A building wall structure has spaced metal stanchions (10, 12) between which thermally insulating panels (24, 24A) are located. Composite thermally insulating sleeves (32) are located on the stanchions in order to prevent heat transfer from interior to the exterior of the building. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in heat-insulated building ar rangements This invention relates to a heat insulated building arrangement.

Currently, many commercial, industrial, leisure and like buildings have walls formed by RSJ or universal column stanchions which provide support for wall panelling in one or more layers. Where, as is commonly necessary, heat insulation is required, this is commonly provided beneath wall panelling on the inside of the stanchions, because if the inside ends of the stanchions are exposed to the interior building space, a "cold bridge" exists through the stanchions via which heat is lost from the interior to the cold outside ends of the stanchions. This method of heat insulation, however, substantially increases the overall thickness of the wall structure.

It is an object of this invention to provide a building arrangement, in particular a building wall structure, which enables heat insulation to be incorporated in a compact manner which nevertheless avoids any disadvantageous "cold bridging" effect.

According to the invention, there is provided a building wall structure which comprises spaced upright steel columns each having a principal web transverse to the wall line and, at least at the end of the principal web on the inner or the outer side of the wall line, a transverse web which extends parallel to the wall line on both sides of the principal web; heat insulating wall panels each extending the full width between adjacent columns; a composite sleeve member located around the transverse inner and/or outer web of each column, each sleeve member having a heat insulating inner element and an outer lining element; and means locating the wall panels between the columns, each with an end region of its inner and/or outer surface urged into engagement with the sleeve members located around the transverse webs of adjacent columns, thereby thermally to isolate the steel columns which extend through the wall.

The invention thus provides an inter-column heat insulating wall structure wherein, although the heat insulating panelling is contained within the depth (interior to exterior) of the columns, "cold bridging" through the columns is substantially eliminated.

The heat insulating wall panels preferably have a relatively thick heat insulating intermediate layer, a relatively thin weather-proofing outer facing layer and a relatively thin inner lining layer. In the case of a building having a relatively low roof line, a single heat insulating panel between adjacent columns may provide the full wall height. In the case of a higher roof line, two or more panels may stack on top of one another to provide the required wall height, the joints between panels incorporating weather-proofing strips.

The heat insulating panels will sometimes not occupy the full depth (inside to outside) of the principal webs of the columns, or at least those columns which constitute the main building stanchions. In all instances, however, the panels are urged into tight engagement with the transverse webs, preferably being urged inwardly to press tightly against transverse webs of the columns on the inner side of the wall line. This may be achieved, in the case of columns of depth greater than the thickness of the panels, by means of angle strips welded to the principal webs of the columns in order to press compression spacers, for example of plastics material or timber, against the outer surface (weatherproofing outer layer) of the panels.If the wall structure includes intermediate T-section columns, which will usualiy be the case if the main building stanchions are spaced very widely apart, say at more than about 3 metre centres, then compression clips may be screwed or otherwise secured to the principal webs of the T-sections to press against the outer surface of the panels. Where the abovedescribed compression means are employed at the columns, the wall panels may have reinforced end edges, as by means of a metal or timber insert.

Where the columns project externally, a composite cover element providing both thermal insulation and fire protection may be fitted. When only outer transverse webs of the columns are exposed, an external cover generally similar to the afore-described sleeve members may be employed.

The structure of the composite sleeve members located around the transverse webs, preferably inner webs, of the columns constitutes an important feature of the invention. Depending on the nature of the inner surfaces (inner lining layers) of the wall panels and the nature of the outer lining elements of the sleeve members, additional heat insulating strips may be incorporated to separate the said inner surfaces from the lining elements. Often, however, such additional heat insulating strips will not be required, because in all instances the inner ends of columns are isolated from the interior building space. The additional heat insulation is only desirable if the outer lining elements of the sleeve members are of metal, for example, and heat loss to the outside may possibly occur via any parts of the wall panels which are not of a thermally insulating character.The same is generally true if the columns are isolated from the cold space outside the building.

A preferred sleeve member is of a wide-U cross section with inturned flanges at the free ends of the side limbs. When the wall panels are fitted in position, heat insulating filler elements may be incorporated to fill any space between the inner end edges of the inturned flanges of the sleeve members and the principal webs of the columns.

It is an important advantage of the invention that the wall structure can generally be assembled, prior to roofing, by lowering the wall panels down into position from between the upper ends of adjacent columns. The upper edges of the panels at the top of the wall are then provided with a top capping. In some circumstances, however, especially when Tsections intermediate columns are present, it may be preferred to insert one lateral end edge of a wall panel into a column at an angle, and then swing the. other lateral end edge horizontally into position at the adjacent column. The above-mentioned compression devices fixing a panel in position are fitted after loose initial assembly.

The wall panels may be surface finished internally or externally, but especially the latter, with any- desired appearance. External facings may simulate for example, a brick finish, tile finish, rendered finish or paint finish. Shouid a wall panel become damaged-after building completion, the means and method of assembly will often enable its replacement without undue difficulty and without extending dismantling work to panels other than the one being replaced.

The wall structure in accordance with the invention will now be exemplified with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows one embodiment of wall structure in cross-section on a horizontal plane; Figures 1A to lE show details of respective component parts employed in the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 2 shows another embodiment of the invention, again in horizontal cross-section; Figure 2A shows a corner detail; Figures 2B to 2E show respective compo nent parts employed in the embodiment of Figure 2; Figure 3 is a somewhat- diagrammatic per spective view of a wall structure, terminating at a vertical face behind a not shown vertical column.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the building wall structure has spaced vertical I section stanchions 10. Intermediate T-section columns may also be employed at long bays, as instanced at 12. The stanchions 10 have a principal web 14 and inner and outer transverse webs 16, 18; the T-columns have a principal web 20 and a transverse web 22 outside the wall line.

The wall is completed by factory-fabricated heat-insulating inter-column wall panelling. This comprises wall panels 24, 24A, each having an intermediate layer of thermal insulation 26, an outer weather-proofing layer 28 and an in ner lining layer 30. The panels fit between the columns 10, within the depth between the inner and outer transverse webs 16, 18, with the aid of fittings which will be described hereinafter. In the present embodiment, the thickness of the panels 24 occupies substantially the entire depth of the columns 10. Each panel 24 spans the full spacing between adjacent columns 10, 12, and said panels stack on top of one another, if necessary, to provide the full height of the wall below the roof of the building. Insertion of the panels is from the top, between the columns.

At each main stanchion 10, both on the inside and outside, a heat insulating sleeve 32 (see Figure 1A) fits over the corresponding transverse web of the stanchion. The sleeve is generally of a wide U-shape, with outturned flanges 34, and comprises an outer sleeve 36 with a filler 38 of thermal insulation.

A timber capping 40 (see Figure 1B) may be provided as a separate element. The sleeves 32, and cappings 40 when provided, are pinned, as indicated at 42, through the outturned flanges 34 into timber reinforcements 44 provided at the ends of the wall panels.

The heat insulating sleeves 32 in effect thermally isolate the stanchions 10 within the structure of the wall, thereby to eliminate any possibility of cold bridging, i.e. loss of heat via the stanchions from the warm interior of the building to the cold external environment.

This assumes that at least one of the facing layers 28, 30 of the wall panels is thermally non-conductive, as will usually be the case.

However, if the panels do have a metal or like facing, inside and/or outside, additional heatinsulating strips can readily be incorporated to separate the transverse webs of the columns from the facing in question, as will be clear from the embodiment later described with reference to Figure 2.

At each T-column (see also Figure 1C) a substantially similar U-sleeve 32 and capping 40 is employed on the outside, but on the inside a heat insulating plug 46 is held in position by a cover element 48 again pinned into the reinforcements 44 of the wall panels, as indicated at 50.

The structure at a corner is shown at 52 in Figure 1. This entails use of a panel 24A which is in effect cut away at one corner edge region, together with a heat-insulating sleeve 54 (see Figure 1D) which may have an associated timber capping 56 (see Figure 1E).

The sleeve 54, again having a metal facing around a heat-insulating filler, fits around the external angle of the wall at the corner stanchion 10, and is pinned into position, with its capping 56 if provided, in the manner indicated at 58. A heat insulating part sleeve 59 is pinned into position at the interior of the wall corner, on the inside of the building.

Again, both at the T-column 12 and the corner stanchion 10, the columns are ther mally isolated within the wall structure sub stantially to prevent cold bridging.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the heat-insulating wall panels 60 have a depth which occupies only a part of the thickness, from inside to outside, of the main I-beam stanchions or columns 62. Heat insulating sleeves 64, each with rigid plastics or metal facing 66 around a filler 68 of thermal insulating material, are fitted around only the inner transverse webs 70 of the stanchions 62. The sleeves 64 have inturned flanges 72, and pinning in position is not required. The inside facing layers of the wall panels 60 are urged against the inturned flanges 72 of the heat insulating sleeves 64, with the assistance also of heat insulating spacers 74 and heat insulating packers 76, from the outside (see also Figure 2B).This is achieved by means of metal angle strips 78 welded to the principal web 80 of each stanchion 62 (see also Figure 2C), in a location to compress a plastics or timber compression spacer 82 against the weatherproof outer linings of the wall panels 60, thereby to urge said panels inwardly. The wall panels may be provided with timber reinforcements 84 at their ends, or as indicated as an alternative at 86, with metal reinforcements. Optionally, as shown at 88 and in Figure 2D, a cover providing fire protection and thermal insulation may be fitted around the regions of the main stanchions 62 which project to the outside of the wall panelling.

Intermediate T-section columns, exempiified at 90, have the transverse web 92 on the interior sleeved in a similar manner to the inner transverse webs of the main stanchions.

At the outer end of the principal web of the T-column, a central compression clip 94 (see also Figure 2E) is secured in position, as by screws 96, to urge the interior linings of the wall panels against the interior heat-insulating sleeving, spacing and packing. T-section columns will generally be provided only in the case of long bays, e.g. a spacing in excess of three metres between main stanchions.

Figure 2A shows the structure at a corner of the building. An outer heat insulating sleeve 98 or cover extends around the corner on the outside, and a heat insulating part sleeve 100 is provided on the interior corner. The arrangement is preferably designed so that fixing is by means of a single welded angle strip 102 acting on a compression spacer 104. The requirement for a cut-away region at the end of one wall panel is avoided, with the arrangement illustrated in Figure 2A.

For completeness, Figure 3 shows part of a completed wall in perspective. This wall has a height requiring two stacked wall panels 106, 108 between each two adjacent columns, whereat the internal or external sleeving or capping is indicated at 110. As shown at 112, either one or both outer layers of the wall panels may have any desired finish, e.g.

simulated brick.

At the top, where it adjoins the roof of the building, the wall is finished with a top capping 114, and the lower edges of the panels 106, 108 are timber reinforced at 116 and abut through the intermediary of weathering strips 118. The ends of the wall panels 106, 108 may be timber faced, as indicated at 120, over the internal thermal insulation, although this facing is not seen in the erected wall, being concealed behind a stanchion which is omitted in Figure 3 in order to show the manner in which the panels stack on top of one another. Stacking from the top is not always necessary or desirable, however. In the case where an intermediate T-column is involved, it is possible to insert a panel at an angle into a main stanchion, and then swing the panel into position at the intermediate column.

Various modifications of the above-described and illustrated embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention hereinbefore defined. More particularly, it is possible to incorporate fire-retardant material in the wall panels and sleeves, especially at the faces thereof exposed to the building interior, which acts to reduce spread of heat to the wall columns in the event of a fire within the building, thereby to reduce the risk of buckling and collapse of the building structure.

Claims (19)

1. A building wall structure which comprises spaced upright steel columns each having a principal web transverse to the wall line and, at least at the end of the principal web on the inner or the outer side of the wall line, a transverse web which extends parallel to the wall line on both sides of the principal web; heat insulating wall panels each extending the full width between adjacent columns; a composite sleeve member located around the transverse inner and/or outer web of each column, each sleeve member having a heat insulating inner element and an outer lining element; and means locating the wall panels between the columns, each with an end region of its inner and/or outer surface urged into engagement with the sleeve members located around the transverse webs of adjacent columns, thereby thermally to isolate the steel columns which extend through the wall.

2. A structure according to claim 1, wherein the heat insulating wall panels preferably have a relatively thick heat insulating intermediate layer, a relatively thin weather-proofing outer facing layer and a relatively thin inner lining layer.

3. A structure according to claim 1 or claim 2, having between adjacent columns a single heat insulating panel extending the full height of the wall.

4. A structure according to claim 1 or claim 2, having between adjacent columns a plurality of two or more heat insulating panels stacked in coplanar relationship to extend the full height of the wall.

5. A structure according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the thickness of the heat insulating panels is substantially equal to the full depth (inside to outside) of at least some of the wall columns.

6. A structure according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the thickness of the heat insulating panels is less than the full depth (inside to outside) of at least some of the wall columns.

7. A structure according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the columns include main building stanchions of I-beam cross-section and intermediate columns of T cross-section.

8. A structure according to claim 7, wherein the main stanchions are of greater depth (inside to outside) than the intermediate columns.

9. A structure according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the intermediate T-bar columns have the transverse webs thereof on the inside of the wall line, coplanar with the inner transverse webs of the main stanchions.

10. A structure according to claim 9, wherein the panels are urged inwardly against sleeve members located on the said coplanar transverse webs on the inside of the wall line.

11. A structure according to claim 10 when appendant to claim 8, wherein the principal webs of the main stanchions have angle strips secured thereto to form an abutment for compression spacers acting to urge the panels inwardly.

12. A structure according to any of claims 7 to 11, wherein the intermediate columns of T cross-section have compression clips secured to the principal webs thereof for urging the panels against the transverse webs of said intermediate columns.

13. A structure according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the heat insulating panels have reinforced vertical end edges.

14. A structure according to any of claims 1 to 13, wherein a composite cover providing thermal insulation and fire protection is fitted around externally exposed parts of the columns.

15. A structure according to claim 14, wherein said cover is of the same construction as the said composite sleeve member.

16. A structure according to any of claims 1 to 15, wherein each composite sleeve member is of a U cross-section with inturned flanges at the free ends of the side limbs, and heat insulating packers are provided to fill any space between the inner end edges of said flanges and the principal web of the column to which the sleeve member is fitted.

17 A structure according to any of claims 1 to 16, wherein heat insulating spacers are provided to separate the outer linings of the sleeve members from the facing surface of the heat insulating wall panels.

18. A structure according to any of claims 1 to 17, wherein the heat insulating panels are internally and/or externally faced with a decorative finish.

19. A building wall structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.