Connection for sandwich panel and foundation

Abstract

A joint connecting a sandwich panel to a foundation comprising, a sandwich panel having a core and two outer layers separated from one another by the core, an anchor in the foundation, a U-shape member having two side walls and a bottom wall extending between the sidewalls, the bottom wall defining a opening that is aligned with the anchor in the foundation and a securing member insertable through the opening in the bottom wall of the U-shape member and engaged to the anchor to secure the U-shape member to the anchor, wherein the U-shape member is connected to the outer layers of the sandwich panel by bonding material between the outer layers of the sandwich panel and the side walls of the U-shape member.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to constructing buildings, and more particularly, to a joint and method of connecting a sandwich panel to a building foundation.DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART[0002]There is an increasing global demand for lower cost buildings such as houses, warehouses and office space. The demand for lower cost buildings is particularly strong in developing countries where economic resources may be limited and natural resources and raw materials may be scarce. For example, in areas of the Middle East or Africa, conventional building materials such as cement, brick, wood or steel may not be readily available or, if available, may be very expensive. In other areas of the world, poverty may make it too costly for people to build houses or other buildings with conventional materials.[0003]The demand for lower cost housing also is high in areas afflicted by war or natural disasters, such as hurricanes, tornados, floods, and th...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005]The present invention provides an alternative to conventional construction materials and techniques. Buildings, such as houses, commercial buildings, warehouses, or other structures can be constructed by composite sandwich panels (also referred to as “sandwich panels” or “composite panels”), which have an insulative core and one or more outer layers. The buildings can be constructed by gluing several sandwich panels together, and usually traditional fasteners, such as screws, rivets, nails, etc., are not needed for such connections. Generally, composite sandwich panels offer a greater strength-to-weight ratio than traditional materials that are used by the building industry. The composite sandwich panels are generally as strong as, or stronger than, traditional materials including wood-based and steel-based structural insulation panels, while being lighter in weight. Because they weigh less than traditional building materials, the handling and transport of composite sandwich panels is generally less expensive. The composite sandwich panels also can be used to produce light-weight buildings, such as floating houses or other light-weight structures.

[0006]Sandwich panels generally are more elastic or flexible than conventional materials such as wood, concrete, steel or brick and, therefore, monolithic (e.g., unitary or single unit structure) buildings made from sandwich panels are more durable than buildings made from conventional materials. For example, sandwich panels also may be non-flammable, waterproof, very strong and durable, and in some cases able to resist hurricane-force winds (up to 300 Kph (kilometers per hour) or more). The sandwich panels also may be resistant to the detrimental effects of algae, fungicides, water, and osmosis. As a result, buildings constructed from sandwich panels may be better able to withstand earthquakes, floods, tornados, hurricanes, fires and other natural disasters than buildings constructed from conventional materials.

Problems solved by technology

The demand for lower cost buildings is particularly strong in developing countries where economic resources may be limited and natural resources and raw materials may be scarce.

For example, in areas of the Middle East or Africa, conventional building materials such as cement, brick, wood or steel may not be readily available or, if available, may be very expensive.

In other areas of the world, poverty may make it too costly for people to build houses or other buildings with conventional materials.

These devastating events often lead to widespread destruction of large numbers of buildings and houses, especially when they occur in densely populated regions.

The rebuilding of areas affected by these events can cause substantial strain on the supply chain for raw materials, making them difficult or even impossible to obtain.

Furthermore, natural disasters often recur and affect the same areas.

If a destroyed building is rebuilt using the same conventional materials, it stands to reason that the building may be destroyed or damaged again during a similar event.

Prefabricated buildings, however, are made from conventional materials that may be scarce or expensive to obtain.

Images