Multipurpose structural panels and systems for assembling structures

Abstract

The present invention relates to a multipurpose panel that can be used as a surface or support beam in a structure. In a preferred embodiment, the panel can be monolithically extruded from aluminum. Systems for assembling structures from these panels, using various additional components, preferably extruded from aluminum, are also described.

Description

Multipurpose structural panels and systems for assembling structures Background of the invention Field of invention The present invention relates to a multipurpose structural panel that can be used for any surface or support element within a building or structure. The present invention also provides construction systems for assembling buildings and structures from the inventive panel element, the system including a variety of other components to facilitate assembly. The present invention further relates to systems and methods for assembling buildings and structures from prefabricated extruded alloy components. Description of the state of the art Structural insulated panels (also known as SIPs) are a relatively new building material consisting of a foam core and two facing layers, typically expanded polystyrene sandwiched between two thin metal sheets or oriented strand board. While an improvement over traditional timber-framed construction, they present several significant challenges. A major issue is durability and corrosion resistance. Because the panels are glued together, they tend to delaminate under harsh conditions. SIPs also pose difficulties when running mechanical, electrical, or plumbing conduits through them, as cuts in the panel can reduce its strength. Furthermore, SIPs do not meet fire resistance requirements and must be surrounded by a separate fire-resistant material. Intermodal shipping containers have also been used as an alloy-based building system. However, they are often difficult to handle and are only manufactured in a few standard sizes, which limits the options for designing structures from shipping containers. Therefore, the present invention provides substantial improvements in these and other areas. Reference is also made to document EP 0 558 767 A1 which describes a large surface paving system composed of flat slabs, with widths ranging from 2.50 m to 3.0 m without bottom fill and with four hollow elements of metallic material, provided with guide and support pieces that run along the longitudinal sides. Furthermore, document ES 2289881 A1 refers to an aluminum panel system for cladding and shaping ornamental roofs, which features three external geometries in the shape of T, L and I, composed of aluminum plates joined by internal dividing walls. US Patent 4790112 A describes an assembly consisting of two similar interconnected plastic boards and a frame, two similar interconnected plastic boards, and a fastener for attaching the boards to the frame. Each board includes an outward-protruding L-shaped plate and a first support portion on one side, as well as an outward-protruding U-shaped plate and a second support portion on the opposite side. A U-shaped cover is placed over the outward-protruding U-shaped plate. Summary of the invention According to the present invention, a multipurpose structural construction panel and a system for constructing structures using identical, monolithic, multipurpose panels are provided, as described in claims 1 and 10, respectively. Further embodiments of the invention are described, among other things, in the dependent claims. The present invention relates to improvements in construction technology by means of an innovative, multipurpose structural panel element, as well as to systems and methods for its use. First, the inventive panel consists of an improved rectangular profile for aluminum extrusions that can be used as virtually any surface or support element within a building or structure. The panel is capable of supporting loads in any direction and includes internal channels for insulation and ventilation.Therefore, it can be used for walls, ceilings, roofs, structural supports, beams, lintels, and similar elements. In a preferred embodiment, the panel is monolithically extruded from aluminum, such as 6082 T6 aluminum alloy. However, other materials and manufacturing processes can be employed. For example, the alloy in question can be customized according to the location or use of the structure, for instance, with high corrosion resistance for marine environments or a low thermal coefficient for environments with extreme temperatures. Non-metallic materials, such as carbon fiber or basalt, may also be suitable. The panel can also be assembled from components, rather than manufactured as a single piece. The panel can be sized to suit any desired construction element; however, the inventor has determined that an optimal dimension, suitable for various construction techniques, is a rectangular profile approximately 10.2 cm (4 in) thick by 64.5 cm (24.5 in) wide. The panel length can also be customized, especially for extruded panels, but a maximum length of 18.3 m (60 ft) allows for road transport of the panel elements. The panel may include several internal channels, approximately 10.2 cm (4 in) by 15.2 cm (6 in), separated by webs extending along both faces of the panel. The panel wall thickness can be uniform to facilitate extrusion.The inventor has determined that a 6082 T6 aluminum alloy only needs a uniform wall thickness of about 3.2 mm (1 / 8 inch) to provide the strength and load-bearing capacity required against hurricanes, high winds, snow loads, and earthquakes. Another aspect of the invention involves using the inventive panel in conjunction with various other components to create a system in which buildings can be assembled, rather than constructed in the traditional sense. To explain this in more detail, the panel elements include interlocking male and female pieces, which, while not essential, facilitate the alignment of these elements. Rails can be used to fix the panel elements to the foundation and to each other, in order to form roof, floor, and deck structures. Frame elements can be used to cap the panels, creating flat surfaces at their edges, thus facilitating the creation of openings for door or window frames. In a preferred embodiment, the panels are substantially hollow or have internal channels and can be adapted for various purposes. For example, the channels can be used to house mechanical, electrical, or plumbing pipes. Additionally, the channels can be used as air conditioning ducts. This not only contributes to more efficient construction, but the air conditioning within the panel allows for more effective heating or cooling of the structure. This is partly because heat conduction from one side of the panel to the other (and therefore heat loss or gain from one side of the panel to the other) can be mitigated by conditioning the air inside the panel. This type of structure can virtually eliminate the need for suspended ceilings thanks to its space-saving design.It should be noted that these channels can also store and / or serve as conduits for various future home technologies. In another embodiment, the channels can be configured to collect, transport, and / or store rainwater. When the innovative panels are used as roofing elements, openings can be selectively created to facilitate the entry of rainwater into the channels. The channels in the roofing elements can also be connected to the channels in other panel elements, such as walls or ceilings, to facilitate the transport or storage of the collected rainwater. Another feature of the present invention is the ability to construct buildings with electromagnetic isolation through the use of aluminum panels on all surfaces. This can be useful in certain situations, such as when it is desirable to prevent radio frequency transmissions from entering or leaving a building. Furthermore, the present invention can also block radio transmissions between different rooms within the same building. In this case, it may be advisable to install a wired mesh network or similar system to improve the coverage of Wi-Fi, mobile, and other signals throughout the building. Another feature of the invention is the ability to use certain panels in a way that makes them electrically conductive. While using the panels to conduct mains voltage (e.g., in the 100 to 240 V range) must be done with extreme caution, transmitting low-voltage electricity can be done relatively easily and with fewer safety risks. Therefore, various low-voltage electronic devices can be powered simply by contact with the panel surface. This can facilitate the installation of household devices such as air conditioning thermostats, smoke detectors, security alarm panels and sensors, cameras, and other devices, including, but not limited to, internet-connected devices and / or Internet of Things (IoT) devices.Furthermore, the aluminum panels themselves can be used as transducers to more accurately and efficiently determine temperatures inside a building. As is well known, the resistivity of aluminum varies with temperature fluctuations. Therefore, each aluminum panel can be used as a temperature sensor if the fluctuations of the low-voltage current applied across the panel are monitored. Thus, the temperature of each room in a building can be controlled with much greater precision than is currently possible. "Smart" air conditioning systems can then direct cool or warm air where needed, for example, by opening or closing diffuser grilles in specific rooms. It should be noted that the use of the panels as sensors or transducers is not strictly limited to their application as temperature sensors. The panels of the present invention are not limited to use in buildings or enclosures, but can be used as virtually any structural element. Therefore, with the system of the present invention, it is possible to quickly assemble bridges and other crossing structures. The present invention may be particularly suitable when a temporary or reusable structural element is required, such as pedestrian bridges, stages for event venues, or even as a structural cover for swimming pools that provides additional space for hotels. Another advantage of the present invention is that the construction components can be sold by weight, rather than by unit. Since all the system components can be manufactured from extruded aluminum, the total mass of aluminum required to assemble any structure can be calculated from the known quantities of the components required for that structure.Therefore, the cost of the materials needed to build a specific structure can be easily calculated. These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will become clearer by examining the drawings together with the detailed description. Brief description of the drawings To better understand the nature of the present invention, it is advisable to consult the following detailed description together with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a panel element. Figure 2 is a front isometric view of the panel element depicted in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a perspective view of a corner bracket. Figure 4 is a front isometric view of the corner support shown in Figure 3. Figure 5 is a perspective view of a corner bracket. Figure 6 is a front isometric view of the corner support shown in Figure 6. Figure 7 is a perspective view of a rail. Figure 8 is a perspective view of a frame. Figure 9 is a perspective view of a pair of ridge plates. Figure 10 is a perspective view of a reinforcing insert. Figure 11 is a partial sectional perspective view showing the various assembled components. Figure 12 is a partial sectional perspective view showing the various assembled components. Figure 13 is a partial sectional perspective view showing the various assembled components. Figure 14 is a partial sectional perspective view showing the various assembled components. Figure 15 is a partial sectional perspective view showing the various assembled components. Figure 16 is a partial sectional perspective view showing the various assembled components. Figure 17 is a partial sectional perspective view showing the various assembled components. Figure 18 is a detailed sectional perspective view showing the various assembled components. Figure 19 is a partial sectional perspective view showing the various assembled components.Figure 20 is a partial perspective cutaway view showing the various assembled components. Figure 21 is a partial perspective section view showing the various assembled components. Figure 21A is an exploded view of Figure 20. Figure 22 is a partial sectional perspective view showing the various assembled components. Figure 23 is a partial sectional perspective view showing the various assembled components. Figure 24 is a partial sectional perspective view showing the various assembled components. Figure 25 is a partial sectional perspective view showing the various assembled components. Figure 26 is a partial sectional perspective view showing the various assembled components. Figure 27 is a partial sectional perspective view showing the various assembled components. Figure 28 is a partial sectional perspective view showing the various assembled components. Figure 29 is a partial sectional perspective view showing the various assembled components. Figure 30 is a partial sectional perspective view showing the various assembled components. Figure 31 is a partial sectional perspective view showing the various assembled components. Figure 32 is a partial sectional perspective view showing the various assembled components. Figure 33 is a partial sectional perspective view showing the various assembled components. Figure 34 is a partial sectional perspective view showing the various assembled components. Figure 35 is a partial sectional perspective view showing the various assembled components. Figure 35A is a detailed view of Figure 35. Figure 35B is a detailed view of Figure 35. Figure 35C is a detailed view of Figure 35. Figure 35D is a detailed view of Figure 35. Figure 36 is a partial sectional perspective view showing the various assembled components. Figure 37 is a partial sectional perspective view showing the various assembled components. Figure 38 is a partial sectional perspective view showing the various assembled components. Figure 39 is a partial sectional perspective view showing the various assembled components. Figure 40 is a partial sectional perspective view showing the various assembled components. Figure 41 is a partial sectional perspective view showing the various assembled components. Figure 42 is a partial sectional perspective view showing the various assembled components. Figure 43 is a perspective view of several components. Figure 44 is a partial sectional perspective view showing the various assembled components. Figure 45 is a sectional view of two panel elements according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 46 is a perspective view of one panel element according to the embodiment of Figure 45. Figure 47 is a perspective view of a rail. Figure 48 is a cross-sectional view of a rail according to Figure 47. Figure 49 is a perspective view of a rail. Figure 50 is a cross-sectional view of a rail according to Figure 49. Figure 51 shows a partially constructed structure in which panel elements are used. Figure 52 is a perspective view of a reinforcing plate. Figure 53 is a detailed perspective view showing the use of a reinforcing plate joining two panels. Figure 54 is a perspective view of an insert plate. Figure 55 is a cross-sectional view of the insert plate according to Figure 54. Figure 56 is a perspective view showing an insert plate arranged within a channel of a panel element, in which the panel element is depicted as partially transparent for ease of description. Figure 57 is a front isometric view of a panel. Figure 58 is a front perspective view of a panel according to Figure 57. Figure 59 is a front isometric view of a rail. Figure 60 is a front isometric view of a rail. Identical reference numbers refer to equivalent parts in different views of the drawings. Detailed description of the preferred implementation Although the overall construction system of the present invention will be described in detail below, it is appropriate to first analyze the various individual components of the system. Figures 1 and 2 show a panel element or panel 10. The panel 10 is preferably manufactured monolithically, for example, by extrusion, although it can also be assembled from several components. The panel 10 includes two opposing faces 12 supported by a series of webs 15. The faces 12 also define a longitudinal edge 1 of the panel 10 profile. The panel 10 further includes a ridge element 13 and a valley element 14 that define a short edge 2 of the panel 10 profile. The ridge profile 13 and the valley profile 14 also serve to facilitate the joining of adjacent and consecutive panels 10 when used, for example, for the construction of a wall, floor, or ceiling.It should be noted that the exact shape of the crest element 13 and the valley element 14 is not critical, as long as they allow for proper coupling. In the figures, they are represented as simplified shapes. The webs 15 define, at least partially, a series of channels 11 that run along the length of the panel 10 and terminate in open ends 16 at each end of the panel 10. The panels 10 may also include a series of mounting openings 17 located at desired positions and, as explained later, may be positioned to coincide with other mounting openings present in the various components of the system of the present invention. Figures 3 to 6 show two corner supports 20, 20' that may be used in an embodiment of the present invention, although they are neither mandatory nor required. As can be seen, the corner support 20, 20' is essentially a closed profile 21, 21' with a ridge element 23, 23' and a valley element 24, 24' arranged on its faces to facilitate joining the panels 10 at non-zero angles (i.e., not in a straight line). A relatively common corner angle in building construction is ninety degrees, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. As can be seen, the ridge element 23 and the valley element 24 are orthogonal to each other, which facilitates joining consecutive panels 10 at ninety-degree angles. However, virtually any joining angle can be adopted, as shown in Figures 5 and 6. Figure 7 shows a rail 30. The rail includes a channel 33 defined, at least partially, by two flanges 31, as well as an external flange 32. Panel elements 10 can be inserted into the channel 33 to facilitate alignment and fixing when constructing walls, floors, or ceilings. In this respect, the mounting openings 35 can be aligned with the mounting openings 17 of the panel elements (as shown in Figure 1) to facilitate fixing a panel 10 to the rail 30. Turning now to Figure 8, a frame 40 is shown. The frame 40 can serve as an end cap when required, for example, when framing window openings with panels 10. It therefore includes a channel 42 defined, at least partially, by flanges 41, and is distinguished from the rail by the absence of an external flange. The frame 40 may also include several mounting openings 43 to facilitate its attachment to a panel 10. Figure 9 shows a ridge plate 50 designed to facilitate the joining of panel elements along the ridge of a pitched roof. Figure 10 shows an insert 60, which essentially consists of a closed channel or box girder, that can be inserted into a channel 11 of a panel 10 to provide structural reinforcement to the panel 10, for example, when used as a support beam or main beam. The insert 60 can also be used to increase the safety margin in a cantilevered or independent-span configuration of panels 10. Now that several of the individual components have been described, their interconnectivity can be addressed. Figures 11 to 16 show various partial and detailed views of the assemblies created with the aforementioned components. In each view, several panels 10, rails 30, and frames 40 are arranged in various configurations on the foundation 500 of a structure, such as a house or building. As can be seen, the panels are used to construct the various exterior and interior walls, ceilings, upper floor floors, and the building's roof. The rails 30 are used to fix the panels 10 to the foundation 500 and to each other when two panels are joined to form a connection between the ceiling / floor or the roof and a wall.The frames 40 act as a "final cap" when framing a window; otherwise, the interior opening of the window would not present a flat and uniform surface, given the existence of the valleys 14 and the ridges 13 on the panels 10. In Figure 11, several rails 30 are fixed to a foundation 500 and used to support several panels 10 in a vertical position, serving as wall elements. Figure 12 shows two panel elements arranged in a T-shape, demonstrating that these elements can also be used as columns and support beams. Furthermore, in Figure 12, the panels 10 are arranged to form a window, with one panel 10 suspended as a lintel above two other panels 10 acting as columns. It can also be seen that frames 40 are fixed to the inside of the window to create a flat surface for installing the window and / or window frame. Figure 13 shows several rails 30 that have been attached to the top of several vertically oriented panels 10. In this respect, the structure is being prepared for the construction of a second floor or a roof terrace. Figure 14 shows a horizontally oriented panel 10 used as the ceiling of the first floor and the floor of the second floor. As will be explained in more detail below, the horizontal panel 10 is attached to the rails 30 by fasteners, such as self-drilling screws, bolts, or rivets, which are inserted through the outer flange 32. In Figure 15, it can be seen that another vertically oriented panel 10 has been installed on the rail 30 to create a wall for the second floor. It can also be seen that the horizontally oriented panel 10 cantilevers out from the structure and can function as an awning or balcony.Finally, Figure 16 shows that another panel 10 has been installed in an inclined configuration to create a gable roof. It is attached to the vertically oriented panel 10 by means of a rail 30. Figures 17 and 18 show detailed views of a corner configuration. Figure 17 shows the connection between two adjacent panels 10 by means of a ninety-degree corner bracket 20, along with the corresponding mating interface between the ridge and valley elements 13 and 14 of panel 10 and the ridge and valley elements 23 and 24 of the corner bracket 20. Figure 18 shows several rails 30 fixed to a foundation 500 by means of fasteners 600 through the outer flange 32. In certain cases, it may be convenient to use steel fasteners to penetrate a concrete foundation. However, when the rail 30 is made of aluminum, galvanic corrosion may occur over time. Therefore, a neoprene gasket or washer can be used to isolate the fastener 600 from the rail 30 and thus prevent electrical contact between the fastener 600 and the rail 30.In addition, several fixing elements 600 are placed through the corresponding mounting openings in each of the rails 30 and panels 10 in order to fix the panels 10 to the rails 30. Figures 19 and 20 provide a detailed view of the system of the present invention used to construct a multi-story building. Several panels 10 are used to construct the walls and ceiling of the first floor and the floor of the second floor. The panel 10 that serves as both ceiling and floor is fitted between two rails 30 arranged in the panels 10 that serve as walls. Fasteners 600 are inserted through the outer flanges 32 of the rails and secured to the panel 10 that serves as the floor. The floor panel is thus securely fixed in place. In certain embodiments, it may be convenient to use self-tapping screws, bolts, or rivets for this purpose, as the panels 10 may not have mounting openings in suitable locations. Figures 21 and 21A show a partially completed structure, both in its assembled and disassembled form, as a further example. As can also be seen, several panels 10 are joined together to form a gable roof. Therefore, two ridge plates 50 are used to facilitate joining each panel 10 at the roof ridge. Figure 22 shows a partially completed structure in which a membrane 100 is used between consecutive panels 10. In a preferred embodiment, the membrane 100 is self-adhesive and waterproof. Therefore, particularly with regard to roof construction, the system of the present invention can be used in cases where resistance to water penetration is an important factor. As can be seen, the membrane 100 can be placed at the intersection of any two consecutive panels 10 to ensure that water does not seep through the gap formed between them. The figure also shows that the panel elements 10 can be used in a cantilevered configuration to create awnings and balconies. The sealant can be used as a complement to or in place of the membrane 100, especially between adjacent panels 10. Figures 23 to 28 show how traditional interior and exterior finishes can be used with the system by applying them over the panel 10 elements. By way of non-exhaustive example, exterior finishes may include siding, waterproofing membrane / mesh, and stucco (Figure 23); rigid insulation, fiberglass mesh, and stucco (Figure 24); or siding, high-density polyethylene paper, and exterior siding (Figure 25). Some non-exhaustive examples of interior finishes are drywall and paint (Figure 26); cement board and stucco (Figure 27); and battens, cement board, and tiles (Figure 28). Figures 29 to 34 show how traditional roof and floor finishes can be used with the system. By way of example, these roof finishes may include rigid insulation, sheathing, and TPO (Figure 29); rigid insulation, a moisture barrier, and metal roofing tiles (Figure 30); or rigid insulation, plywood, and asphalt shingles (Figure 31). Floor finishes may include, by way of example, construction paper or mesh and tile flooring (Figure 32); a plastic barrier, foam underlayment, and laminated wood (Figure 33); or battens, foam infill, and solid wood (Figure 34). Figures 35 to 35D show how traditional mechanical, electrical, and plumbing installations can be integrated with the present invention. Specifically, water pipes 1000 and electrical conduits 2000 can be easily laid through channels 11 located within panels 10. Furthermore, channels 11 can be used as air conditioning ducts 300, as shown in Figure 35B. Figures 36 to 41 show various insulation options that can be applied to the surface of a panel or placed within the channel 11 of a panel 10. Figure 36 shows preformed or precut insulation 3000, in the form of foam, which can be inserted into the channels 11 during construction. Figure 37 shows spray-on insulation 4000 that can be applied to the face 12 of a panel 10. Figure 38 shows injected foam insulation 5000 that can be used in conduits 11 through which electrical cables or pipes run. Figures 40 and 41 show that insulation can be added in situ through the open ends 16 of the panels 10. Figures 42 and 44 provide a schematic representation of how the present invention can be used to more efficiently direct cooled air from an air conditioning unit through the channels 11 of the panels 10. Figure 43 shows the additional components that facilitate this objective. As can be seen, the connectors 330 and elbows 320 can be used to direct cooled air from the air conditioning unit 6000 to one or more channels 11 and between the channels 11 of consecutive panels. Although it would be possible to simply make openings in the rails 30 (and at the ends of the panels 10) to facilitate airflow between successive panels 10 and the rails 30, this could complicate the overall construction of the structure. The elbows 320 and connectors 330 allow this advantage to be taken advantage of after construction is complete.The 310 diffuser grilles can also be used to introduce cooled air into the room through the 10 wall panels or the 10 ceiling panels. Figures 45 and 46 show another embodiment of panel 10'. This embodiment is particularly suitable for using panel 10' as a roofing element. As can be seen, panel 10' has the same structure as in the previous embodiments, including opposite faces 12' separated by a series of webs 15', which at least partially define channels 11' that pass through the open ends 16' of panel 10'. Panel 10' also includes a ridge element 13' and a valley element 14'. The additional structure of this embodiment consists of a flanged extension 19 that runs the entire length of panel 10'. Each flanged extension 19 includes a flange that extends inward toward panel 10'. As can be seen in Figure 45, when two panels 10' are joined side by side, the flanged extensions 19 come into contact with each other.A cap 200 can then be placed around both flanged extensions 19, covering the flanged portion of the extension, thereby securing the two panels 10' together and creating a watertight seal. This assembly resembles the typical corrugated structure of existing metal roofs. Using this embodiment of the present invention eliminates the need for additional waterproofing measures, such as membranes and sealing, when the panels 10' are used as roofing elements. Figures 47 and 48 show a variant of the 30' rail that can be used to facilitate the construction of a gable roof. As can be seen, the 31' flanges are angled relative to the outer flange 32'. Therefore, when a 10 or 10' panel is positioned at an angle for use on a gable roof, it can be flush with the outer flange 32', facilitating better fastening. Figures 49 and 50 show another 30" rail that includes two external flanges 32", each of which projects perpendicularly from the two wings 31". This embodiment of the 30" rail is suitable for certain installation scenarios, such as when an interior wall is used to support a ceiling. The wall can be inserted into the channel between the two wings 31", while the ceiling panels can be attached to each of the two flanges 32". Figure 51 shows a partially completed structure in which panels 10 are used in a vertical configuration to support longer spans between panels, acting as columns. For ease of description in the context of Figure 51, vertically oriented panels are designated as "10'", while horizontally oriented panels are designated as "10"". Vertically oriented panels 10" can also be referred to as those supporting loads in the plane of the panel, while horizontally oriented panels 10" can be referred to as those supporting loads out of the plane of the panel. It should be noted that the flexural strength of the panel is much greater on its short side than on its long side.Therefore, vertically oriented 10' panels are capable of supporting much greater loads when cantilevered, suspended between two or more points, or without continuous support, compared to horizontally oriented 10" panels. The 10" panels, which act as columns, are designed to support axial loads. Figure 51 also shows a configuration for supporting a pitched roof using vertically arranged panel elements 10'. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 52 and 53, a reinforcing plate 70 can be used to facilitate angled, vertical joining between the panel elements 10 and 10'. The reinforcing plate 70 may include mounting openings 71 to allow the use of bolts or other fasteners. Figures 54 and 55 show an insert plate 80. The insert plate includes two wings 81 that define, at least partially, an inner channel 83. Two flanges 82 project outwards from the insert plate 80. As shown in the illustration, the flanges 82 are orthogonal to the wings 81, but can be positioned at any desired angle. Looking now at Figure 56, it can be seen that the insert plate 80 is to be inserted into a channel 11 of a panel element 10. Therefore, the length of the insert plate 80 and the distance between the two wings 81 must be configured and dimensioned to fit the channel 11. In a preferred embodiment, this is a square approximately 10.2 cm (4 in.) on a side (as described above).Therefore, as can be seen, the 80 insert plate can be used similarly to the 30, 30', and 30" rails in any situation where it is more convenient to have the flanges arranged inside the 10 panel. This may be for aesthetic reasons, for waterproofing, or for other reasons. Furthermore, the 80 insert plate can also be useful in installations where a full-length rail element is unsuitable, such as when some of the 11 channels in a 10 panel are used for mechanical, electrical, or plumbing conduits, or for other miscellaneous purposes. It may be preferable to use several 80 insert plates sized to a single channel rather than cutting a 30 rail to the required size. Looking at Figures 57 and 58, another panel 10 is shown, which includes protrusions or projections 3 along the inner faces of the panel. The projections 3 provide additional material for the fastener to grip, which can reduce the total number of fasteners required per panel to securely fasten the panels 10. The projections 3 can be of virtually any size, dimension, or location desired for the intended purpose. In the embodiment shown, the projections 3 are located approximately 1.3 cm (1 / 8 in.) from the edge of each panel 10 and are approximately 0.54 cm (0.54 in.) thick. The projections 3 can span the entire length of the panel or be trimmed to the desired length. Specifically, in Figure 58, a visual marker 4 can be included on the outer surface to assist users in correctly positioning the fasteners. Looking at Figures 59 and 60, additional rails 30 and 30 are shown, respectively. Each rail 30, 30 includes additional flanges 32, 32 compared to the embodiments described above or the unclaimed examples, in order to provide a more structurally secure fit of the panels within the channels 33, 33 of the rails 30, 30. This is because the fasteners can be inserted into both flanges 32 and 32, rather than relying on only one flange, as previously described. Figure 59 shows a T-shaped rail 30 that can accommodate three panels in each of the three channels 33. Figure 60 shows an L-shaped rail 30 that accommodates two panels. The rails 30 and 30 can be sized and configured to suit any orientation or load capacity. For example, flanges 32 and 32 can be lengthened to provide additional support. Since numerous modifications, variations, and changes can be made to the described embodiments of the invention, all aspects of the foregoing description and those shown in the accompanying drawings are intended to be illustrative and not limiting. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be determined in relation to the appended claims.

Claims

1. A multipurpose structural construction panel comprising: a monolithic panel element (10; 10') including two opposite faces (12; 12') separated from each other by a plurality of webs (15; 15'); correspondingly configured ridge and valley elements (13, 14; 13', 14'); said two oppositely arranged faces (12; 12'), together with said ridge and valley elements (13, 14; 13', 14'), delimit a rectangular profile of said panel element (10; 10'); said plurality of webs (15; 15') defines, at least partially, a plurality of channels (11; 11') running longitudinally along said panel element (10; 10') and terminating in contiguous open ends (16; 16') of said panel element (10; 10'); at least one flanged extension (19) running the entire length of the panel (10; 10'); including the at least one flanged extension (19) a flange;and a cap (200) surrounding the flange of the flanged extension (19) and designed to join two panel elements (10; 10') and create a watertight seal; characterized in that the flange of the at least one flanged extension (19) extends inwards towards the panel (10; 10').

2. The multipurpose structural construction panel according to claim 1, wherein said panel element (10; 10') is made of extruded aluminum.

3. The multipurpose structural construction panel according to claim 1, wherein said panel element (10; 10') is made of 6082 T6 aluminum alloy.

4. The multipurpose structural construction panel according to claim 1, wherein said ridge and valley elements (13, 14; 13', 14'), configured accordingly, are dimensioned and configured to interlock when one panel element (10; 10') is placed in contiguous relation to another panel element (10;10').

5. The multipurpose structural construction panel according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of mounting openings (17) on each of said two oppositely arranged faces (12; 12').

6. The multipurpose structural construction panel according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of said faces (12; 12'), webs (15; 15') and ridge and valley elements (13, 14; 13', 14') is between approximately 1.65 mm and 6.35 mm (0.065 and 0.25 in).

7. The multipurpose structural construction panel according to claim 1, wherein the distance between said two opposite faces (12; 12') is approximately 10.16 cm (4.00 in).

8. The multipurpose structural construction panel according to claim 1, wherein the distance between said crest element and said valley element (13, 14;13', 14') is approximately 60.96 cm (24.00 in).

9. The multipurpose structural construction panel according to claim 1, wherein said panel further comprises at least one projection disposed within said panel element (10; 10').

10. A system for constructing structures using identical, monolithic, multipurpose panels, said system comprising: a multipurpose structural construction panel, according to any of the preceding claims, used for all surfaces and support beams of the structure; a rail element (30) including a channel (33) for accommodating an end (16) of said panel element (10;10'), further including said rail element (30) at least one outer flange (32).

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein said channel (33) of said rail element (30) is defined, at least partially, by two wing elements (32), each of said wing elements (32) having a plurality of mounting openings (35) along its length; each of said panel elements (10; 10') having mounting openings (17) arranged accordingly along at least one of its ends (16; 16').

12. The system according to claim 10, wherein several panel elements (10; 10') can be inserted into said channel (33) of said rail element (30) and fixed thereto by means of several fastening elements arranged through the corresponding mounting openings (17, 35) in said rail element (30) and said panel element (10;10').

13. The system according to claim 11, wherein said rail element (30) is fixed to a foundation (500) of the structure by means of a plurality of fastening elements (600) arranged through a corresponding flange (32) of said rail element (30), said fastening elements (600) using an electrically insulating washer to prevent electrical contact between said fastening elements (600) and said rail element (30).

14. The system according to claim 10, further comprising a panel insert (60), said panel element insert (60) being dimensioned and configured to be inserted into a channel (11; 11') of said panel element (10; 10') and to structurally reinforce said panel element (10; 10').

15. The system according to claim 10, further comprising a ridge plate (50) dimensioned and configured to accommodate a plurality of panel elements (10;10') that join at an angle to form the ridge of a gable roof of the structure.

16. The system according to claim 10, further comprising an insert plate (80) dimensioned and configured so that it can be placed, at least partially, within a channel (11; 11') of said panel element (10; 10').

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