A structural wall

Abstract

A structural wall 1 is disclosed. The wall 1 comprises first 3 and second 5 spaced apart load-bearing frameworks. Each frame 3,5 includes a plurality of abuttingly arranged frame members 7 which trans

Description

The present invention relates to a structural wall. In some embodiments, the present invention relates to a structural wall for use in the construction of structures and buildings such as new homes, commercial buildings and extensions of one or more storeys. The structural wall of the present invention may be factory fabricated and deemed as 'Offsite' construction under a wider acronym of MMC (modern methods of construction). There are a number of Offsite methods known in the art which include timber frame panel assemblies which are factory fabricated to various degrees of completion prior to being delivered to site and SIPS (structurally insulated panelling systems) which comprises a glued or foamed structural insulation core between two sheathing boards separated by the insulation which provides structural racking resistance to the walling panel as well as an internal and external wall face. Whilst there are many examples of each of the above Offsite panelling system types, they have not been specifically designed and developed to provide a building system solution which can be used in extremes of weather, temperature, humidity and wind whilst ensuring the structure is not susceptible to infestation or being eaten (for example by termites). The primary design elements for any building are well understood as they have to provide shelter, warmth, coolth, protection and security whilst being comfortable to live in. These design elements are universal and 'local buildings' have a mix of the above attributes depending upon their historical and often 'empirical' design. In the most part, buildings have been built using locally available materials and formed into structures to provide some or all of the desired functional aspects described above. As the world's governments commit to reducing the impacts of climate change, the adoption of new approaches to deliver more sustainable buildings and structures has to be enforced by adopting strict building performance codes which ensure the buildings are energy efficient and sustainable. The energy efficiency of a building envelope is a mixture of insulation and airtightness which serves both to keep heat in or out (depending upon climate conditions) and prevent draughts into or out of the building which increases the demand for energy usage to compensate. Fabricated building panels typically include a mixture of insulation and membranes (internally and externally) to provide moisture control and airtightness - these materials usually rely upon the introduction of sticky tapes and mastic or silicone seals to aid their performance which can fail over time or extremes in weather and be subject to poor installation techniques leading to poor performance. In addition, often these buildings are constructed by poorly trained (or poorly supervised) builders, which means the 'designed performance' is never met during the life of the building even at the outset. The present invention aims to alleviate, at least to a certain extent, the problems and / or address at least to a certain extend the difficulties associated with the prior art. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a structural wall comprising: a first load-bearing framework and a second load-bearing framework, the second load-bearing framework being spaced apart from the first load-bearing framework; wherein the first and second frameworks each comprise a plurality of abuttingly arranged frame members so as to transfer structural loads through the first and second frameworks respectively, the first and second frameworks each comprising at least one horizontal frame member and at least one vertical frame member; the structural wall further comprising a plurality of co-planar building panels each building panel comprising a first containment board and a second containment board, the first and second containment boards being opposed and spaced-apart from each other across a thickness of each building panel, each building panel comprising a thermally insulating core arranged between the first and second containment boards of each building panel; wherein each building panel of the plurality of co-planar building panels further comprises a first peripherally extending channel and a second peripherally extending channel, wherein the first and second peripherally extending channels are spaced apart from each other across the thickness of each building panel; and wherein the first and second frameworks are each arranged between the first and second containment boards of the plurality of building panels such that the at least one horizontal frame members of the first and second frameworks are each received within the first and second peripherally extending channels of at least one corresponding building panel of the plurality of building panels respectively so as to extend along a horizontal side of the at least one building panel and such that the at least one vertical frame members of the first and second frameworks are each received within the first and second peripherally extending channels of at least one corresponding building panel of the plurality of building panels respectively so as to extend along a vertical side of the at least one building panel. Optionally, the first and second frameworks are spaced apart from each other across a thickness of the structural wall. Optionally, the first and second frameworks are substantially parallel to each other. Optionally, the plurality of frame members of the first framework are substantially coplanar with each other and wherein the plurality of frame members of the second framework are substantially co-planar with each other. Optionally, the first containment board of each of the plurality of building panels is affixed to the first framework and / or wherein the second containment board of each of the plurality of building panels is affixed to the second framework. Optionally, the first containment board (or at least one thereof) are each affixed to at least one horizontal frame member and / or at least one vertical frame member of the first framework. Optionally, the second containment boards (or at least one thereof) are each affixed to at least one horizontal frame member and / or at least one vertical frame member of the second framework. Optionally, the first containment boards (or at least one thereof) are affixed around their periphery to the frame members of the first framework. Optionally, the second containment boards (or at least one thereof) are affixed around their periphery to the frame members of the second framework. Optionally, each frame member is received with a respective peripherally extending channel of the plurality of building panels. Optionally, at least one of the first and second peripherally extending channels of each building panel comprise a square channel and wherein at least one of the plurality of frame members is square-edged and received within the square channel. Optionally, at least one of the first and second peripherally extending channels of each building panel of the plurality of building panels comprises a bevelled channel extending along a vertical side or a horizontal side of each building panel such that a depth of the bevelled first and / or second peripherally extending channel decreases towards the first and / or second containment board respectively, wherein at least one of the plurality of frame members comprises a correspondingly bevelled edge and is received within the bevelled channel. Optionally, both of the first and second peripherally extending channels of each building panel of the plurality of building panels comprises a bevelled channel extending along a vertical or a horizontal side of each building panel. Optionally, the first peripherally extending channel of each building panel comprises a sidewall defined by the first containment board and wherein the second peripherally extending channel of each building panel comprises a sidewall defined by the second containment board. Optionally, the first and second peripherally extending channels of each building panel comprises a base wall and a sidewall each defined by the thermally insulating core. Optionally, the plurality of building panels is arranged such that the first containment board of at least one of the plurality of building panels is abuttingly arranged with the first containment board of at least one other building panel of the plurality of building panels. Optionally, the plurality of building panels is arranged such that the second containment board of at least one of the plurality of building panels is abuttingly arranged with the second containment board of at least one other building panel of the plurality of building panels. Optionally, the at least one horizontal frame member of the first framework comprises a plurality of horizontal frame members and / or the at least one vertical frame member of the first framework comprises a plurality of vertical frame members, and / or wherein the at least one horizontal frame member of the second framework comprises a plurality of horizontal frame members and / or the at least one vertical frame member of the second framework comprises a plurality of vertical frame members. Optionally, the plurality of horizontal frame members of the first framework and the plurality of vertical frame members of the first framework are together arranged to extend around a periphery of each building panel of the plurality of building panels. Optionally, the plurality of horizontal frame members of the first framework and the plurality of vertical frame members of the first framework together extend around an entire periphery of each building panel of the plurality of building panels. Optionally, the plurality of horizontal frame members of the second framework and the plurality of vertical frame members of the second framework are together arranged to extend around a periphery of each building panel of the plurality of building panels. Optionally, the plurality of horizontal frame members of the second framework and the plurality of vertical frame members of the second framework together extend around an entire periphery of each building panel of the plurality of building panels. Optionally, the plurality of building panels comprises a first horizontal row of horizontally adjacently arranged building panels. Optionally, each building panel of the plurality of building panels of the first row is adjoined to another building panel of the first row by a corresponding vertical member of both of the first and second frameworks. Optionally, the plurality of building panels comprises a second horizontal row of horizontally adjacently arranged building panels, the second horizontal row being arranged vertically above the first horizontal row. Optionally, each building panel of the plurality of building panels of the second row is adjoined to another building panel of the second row by a corresponding vertical member of both of the first and second frameworks. Optionally, the building panels of the second row are vertically offset with respect to the building panels of the first row. Optionally, the building panels of the second row are vertically aligned with respect to the building panels of the first row. Optionally, the plurality of horizontal frame members of the first and second frameworks each comprise a common horizontal lower frame member associated with the first row and received within the first and second peripherally extending channels respectively of the building panels of the first row, each of the common horizontal lower frame members of the first and second frameworks being arranged to extend along a lowermost side of at least two horizontally adjacently arranged building panels of the first row. Optionally, the common horizontal lower frame member associated with the first row is affixed to a sole plate arranged to extend along the lowermost side of at least two building panels of the first row. Optionally, the plurality of horizontal frame members of the first and second frameworks each comprises at least one horizontal upper frame member, the at least one horizontal upper frame member being arranged to extend along an uppermost side of at least one building panel of the plurality of building panels. Optionally, the at least one horizontal upper frame member is arranged to extend along an uppermost side of at least one building panel of the first row. Optionally, the at least one horizontal upper frame member is arranged to extend along an uppermost side of at least one building panel of the second row. Optionally, the at least one horizontal upper frame members of the first and second frameworks each comprise a common horizontal upper frame member which is arranged to extend along an uppermost side of at least two horizontally adjacently arranged building panels of the plurality of building panels. Optionally, the common horizontal upper frame member is arranged to extend along an uppermost side of at least two building panels of the first row. Optionally, the common horizontal upper frame member is arranged to extend along an uppermost side of at least two building panels of the second row. Optionally, the at least one horizontal upper frame members of the first and second frameworks comprise a plurality of horizontal upper frame members each arranged to extend along an uppermost side of a corresponding building panel of the plurality of building panels and each being spaced apart from one another by, and being in abutting engagement with, a vertical frame member of the first and second frameworks respectively. Optionally, each of the plurality of horizontal upper frame members of the first and second frameworks is in abutting engagement with a vertical frame member of the first and second frameworks respectively. Optionally, the plurality of horizontal upper frame members are each arranged to extend along an uppermost side of a corresponding building panel of the plurality of building panels of the first row. Optionally, the plurality of horizontal upper frame members are each arranged to extend along an uppermost side of a corresponding building panel of the plurality of building panels of the second row. Optionally, the at least one horizontal upper frame members of the first and second frameworks are each affixed to a binder plate, the binder plate being arranged between the at least one horizontal upper frame members of the first and second frameworks, the binder plate extending along the uppermost side of at least two horizontally adjacently arranged building panels. Optionally, the binder plate is arranged to extend along the uppermost side of at least two building panels of the second row. Optionally, the at least one horizontal upper frame members of the first and second frameworks are associated with the second row, the at least one horizontal upper frame members associated with the second row being arranged to extend along an uppermost side of at least two building panels of the second row, and wherein the plurality of horizontal frame members of the first and second frameworks each comprise at least one horizontal upper frame member associated with the first row, the at least one horizontal upper frame member associated with the first row being arranged to extend along an uppermost side of at least one of the building panels of the plurality of building panels of the first row. Optionally, the at least one horizontal upper frame members of the first and second frameworks associated with the first row comprise a common horizontal upper frame member associated with the first row which is arranged to extend along an uppermost side of at least two horizontally adjacently arranged building panels of the first row. Optionally, the at least one horizontal upper frame members of the first and second frameworks associated with the first row comprise a plurality of horizontal upper frame members each arranged to extend along an uppermost side of a corresponding building panel of the first row and each being spaced apart from one another by, and being in abutting engagement with, a vertical frame member of the first and second frameworks respectively. Optionally, the plurality of horizontal frame members of the first and second frameworks each comprise a common horizontal lower frame member associated with the second row, each common horizontal lower frame member associated with the second row being arranged to extend along a lowermost side of at least two horizontally adjacently arranged building panels of the second row. Optionally, the common horizontal lower frame member associated with the second row is in abutting engagement with the common horizontal upper frame member associated with the first row. Optionally, the plurality of frame members of the first and second frameworks each comprise a horizontal intermediate frame member, the intermediate frame member of each of the first and second frameworks being arranged between and in abutting engagement with the respective at least one horizontal upper frame member associated with the first row and the respective common horizontal lower frame member associated with the second row. Optionally, the at least one horizontal upper frame members of the first and second frameworks associated with the first row are each affixed to a load-distributor comprising at least one beam, the at least one beam being arranged between the at least one horizontal upper frame members of the first and second frameworks associated with the first row, the at least one beam extending along the uppermost side of at least two horizontally adjacently arranged building panels of the first row. Optionally, the load-distributor comprises two or more beams affixed to one another and optionally arranged back-to-back to each other and optionally in abutting engagement with each other. Optionally, where the load-distributor comprises two or more beams the load-distributor may comprise a gap or a layer between two beams of the load-distributor, for example sandwiched between the two beams. The layer may be a layer of steel or of foil or multi-foil, or vapour-control or acoustic or thermally-insulating material. Optionally, the layer may be between 4 and 8mm thick, for example about 6mm thick. Optionally, the common horizontal lower frame member of the first and second frameworks associated with the second row is affixed to the load-distributor, for example to the at least one beam thereof. Optionally, the building panels of the second row are vertically aligned with the building panels of the first row and wherein the plurality of horizontal frame members of the first and second frameworks each comprise a plurality of common horizontal frame members each arranged to extend along an uppermost side of a corresponding building panel of the first row and along a lowermost side of a corresponding building panel of the second row so as to be received within the corresponding first and second peripherally extending channels of the corresponding panel of the first row and the corresponding first and second peripherally extending channels of the corresponding panel of the second row, and each being spaced apart from one another by, and being in abutting engagement with, a respective common vertical frame member of the plurality of vertical frame members of first and second frameworks respectively. Optionally, the common vertical frame members of the first and second frameworks are each received within the first and second peripherally extending channels of the corresponding building panel of the first row and of the corresponding building panel of the second row respectively so as to extend between the corresponding building panel of first row and the corresponding building panel of the second row. Optionally, the plurality of common horizontal frame members are each affixed to a load-distributor comprising at least one beam, the at least one beam being arranged between the common horizontal frame members of the first and second frameworks, the at least one beam extending along the uppermost side of at least two horizontally adjacently arranged building panels of the first row and / or extending along the lowermost side of at least two horizontally adjacently arranged building panels of the second row. Optionally, the load-distributor comprises two or more beams affixed to one another and optionally arranged back-to-back to each other and optionally in abutting engagement with each other. Optionally, where the load-distributor comprises two or more beams the load-distributor may comprise a gap or a layer between two beams of the load-distributor, for example sandwiched between the two beams. The layer may be a layer of steel or of foil or multi-foil, or acoustic or thermally-insulating material. Optionally, the layer may be between 4 and 8mm thick, for example about 6mm thick. Optionally, the common vertical frame members of the first and second frameworks are affixed to the load-distributor, for example to the at least one beam thereof. Optionally, each of the common horizontal frame members of the first and second frameworks are received within the first and second peripherally extending channels respectively of the corresponding panel of the first row and of the corresponding panel of the second row. Optionally, the first and second containment boards are affixed to the load-distributor. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a structure or building comprising the structural wall of the first aspect of the present invention. The present invention may be carried out in various ways and embodiments of a structural wall in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a section of a structural wall according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a building panel of the first embodiment, and of all other embodiments disclosed hereinbelow, of the present invention showing two peripherally-extending channels of the building panel; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the structural wall of Fig. 1 wherein the containment boards are omitted for ease of illustration; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a section of a structural wall according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the structural wall of Fig. 4 wherein the containment boards are omitted for ease of illustration; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a section of a structural wall according to a third embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the structural wall of Fig. 6 wherein the containment boards are omitted for ease of illustration; Fig. 8 is a side view of a building panel according to the first, second and third embodiments showing a square-edged frame member received within respective square sections of the peripherally extending channels of the building panel; Fig. 9 is a side view of two side-by-side building panels according to the first, second and third embodiments and a bevelled-edged frame member received within respective peripherally extending channels of the building panel. With reference to Fig. 1, a structural wall 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. The structural wall 1 comprises a first load-bearing framework 3 and a second load-bearing framework 5 spaced apart from the first loadbearing framework 3 across the thickness of the structural wall 1 and extending along the structural wall 1 parallel to the first load-bearing framework 3. Each of the first 3 and second 5 load-bearing frameworks comprise a plurality of co-planar frame members 7 in abutting engagement with each other such that structural loads are transmitted through the first 3 and second 5 frameworks respectively. Each of the plurality of frame members in each of the embodiments disclosed herein are substantially planar, although other configuration are also envisaged. The first 3 and second 5 load-bearing frameworks of each of the three embodiments disclosed herein are substantially symmetrical to each other and so discussion and features of the first framework 3 herein applies equally to the second framework 5. The structural wall 1 comprises a plurality of co-planar building panels 13 which in this embodiment are arranged in first 41 and second 42 horizontal rows, with the second horizontal row 42 of building panels 13 being arranged vertically above the first horizontal row 41 of building panels 13 and vertically offset from the building panels of the first row 41 such that the building panels 13 of the second row 42 are staggered with respect to the building panels 13 of the first row 41. The building panels 13 of each of the first 41 and second 42 rows are arranged horizontally adjacent to one another in a side-by-side arrangement and in abutting engagement with each other. In some embodiments, the first row 41 of building panels 13 may correspond to a first storey of the structural wall 1 and the second row 42 of building panels 13 may correspond to a second storey of the structural wall 1. In each of the first and second embodiments disclosed herein, the plurality of co-planar building panels 13 may only comprise a single row of horizontally adjacently arranged building panels 13. As will be seen hereinbelow, the plurality of building panels 13 of each row 41, 42 are adjoined to at least one other adjacently arranged building panel of the same row by a corresponding vertical member 11 of the plurality of frame members 7. A single building panel 13 of the plurality of building panels 13 of both the first, second and third embodiments of the present invention is shown in Fig. 2. The building panel is substantially rectangular in shape with the vertical sides 27 thereof being longer than the horizontal sides 25 but any other suitable arrangement is also envisaged, such as wherein the vertical sides 27 are shorter than the horizontal sides 25 or wherein the building panel 13 is substantially square in shape. The building panel 13 comprises an uppermost horizontal side 51 and a lowermost horizontal side 47, each of which being substantially parallel to each other. Each building panel 13 is substantially identical to the others of the structural wall 1, although this is not essential and particular building panels 13 of the structural wall 1 may be adjusted according to need. The building panel 13 of Fig. 2 comprises a first containment board 15 and a second containment board 17, the first 15 and second 17 containment boards being opposed and spaced-apart from each other across a thickness of each building panel 13, i.e. across a thickness of the structural wall 1. In other embodiments, the first 15 and second 17 containment boards may be any other suitable type of planar board such as a sheathing board. A thermally insulating core 19 is arranged between the first 15 and second 17 containment boards and in the embodiment shown, the thermally insulating core 19 extends between the first 15 and second 17 containment boards and in some embodiments the first 15 and second 17 containment boards may be bonded to the thermally insulating core 19. The thermally insulating core 19 may be made of any suitable thermally-insulating material and in this embodiment the thermally insulating core 19 is a foam thermally insulating core. As seen in Fig.l the plurality of building panels of each row are arranged such that the first 15 and second 17 containment board of each of the plurality of building panels 13 are abuttingly arranged with the first 15 and second 17 containment board respectively of at least one other building panel 13 of the same row. As best seen in Fig. 2, each of the plurality of building panels 13 comprises a first 21 and a second 23 peripherally extending channel or groove which in this embodiment each extend continuously entirely around the uppermost 51, lowermost 47 and two opposed vertical sides 27 of the building panel 13. The first 21 and second 23 peripherally extending channels are spaced apart from each other across a thickness of the building panel 13. As discussed herein below, the first 21 peripherally extending channel comprises a first sidewall 33 defined by the first containment board 15 and a base wall 37 and second sidewall 39 defined by the thermally insulating core 19 (see Figs. 8 and 9). Similarly, the second 23 peripherally extending channel comprises a first sidewall 35 defined by the second containment board 17 and a base wall 37 and second sidewall 39 defined by the thermally insulating core 19. The second sidewall 39 of each peripherally extending channel is opposed to the first sidewall 33, 35 of each peripherally-extending channel respectively. Turning now to Fig. 3, the structural wall of Fig. 1 is shown with the first 15 and second 17 containment boards omitted so as to better show the arrangement of the plurality of frame members 7 of each of the first 3 and second 5 frameworks. The plurality of frame members 7 of each of the first 3 and second 5 frameworks each comprise a plurality of horizontal 9 and vertical 11 frame members each of which are received within a corresponding section of the first 21 and second 23 peripherally extending channels of each building panel 13 such that, for example, the horizontal frame members 9 of the first framework 3 are each received within a respective horizontal section of the first peripherally-extending channel 21 of at least one corresponding building panel 13 such that each horizontal frame member 9 extends along a respective horizontal side of at least one building panel 13 and the vertical frame members 11 of the first framework 3 are each received within a respective vertical section of the first peripherally-extending channel 21 of a corresponding building 13 such that each vertical frame member 11 extends along a respective vertical side of the building panel 13. Thus, the plurality of horizontal 9 and vertical 11 frame members of each of the first 3 and second 5 frameworks are together arranged to extend around an entire periphery of each building panel 13 of the structural wall 1, each of the plurality of horizontal 9 and vertical 11 frame members of the first 3 and second 5 frameworks being received within a respective first 21 and second 23 peripherally-extending channel of at least one building panel 13. In the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 3, and in each of the other embodiments disclosed herein, the plurality of horizontal frame members 9 of the first 3 and second 5 frameworks each comprise a common horizontal lower frame member 45 which is received within the first 21 and second 23 peripherally extending channels respectively of the building panels 13 of the first row 41. Thus, the common horizontal lower frame members 45 of the first 3 and second 5 frameworks each extend along a lowermost side of each of the building panels 13 of the first row 41 such that the common horizontal lower frame member 45 is common to a plurality of building panels 13 of the first row 41. The common horizontal lower frame members 45 of the first 3 and second 5 frameworks are each received by a sole plate 81. In some embodiments, the common horizontal lower frame members 45 may be affixed to the sole plate 81 for example by adhesive or by a suitable fastening means such as by nails or screws. In this embodiment, and in each of the other three embodiments disclosed herein, the sole plate 81 comprises two spaced-apart and longitudinally-extending steps or grooves which are configured to receive a respective common horizontal lower frame member 45. These steps are provided in this embodiment a first plank or beam 83 arranged above and in abutting engagement with, and optionally affixed to, a second, lower plank or beam 85, the first plank or beam 83 being having a width corresponding to the distance between the common horizontal frame members 45 of the first 3 and second 5 frameworks and the second plank or beam 85 having a width corresponding to the distance between an outer surface of the common horizontal frame members 45 of the first 3 and second 5 frameworks (that is to say the width of the second plank or beam corresponds to a thickness of the structural wall excluding the thickness of the first 15 and second 17 containment boards). The plurality of horizontal frame members 9 of the first 3 and second 5 frameworks each further comprise a common horizontal upper frame member 57 associated with the first row 41, each common horizontal upper frame member 57 being received within the first 21 and second 23 peripherally extending channels respectively of the building panels 13 of the first row 41. Thus, the common horizontal upper frame members 57 of the first 3 and second 5 frameworks each extend along an uppermost side of each of the building panels 13 of the first row 41 such that the common horizontal upper frame member 57 is common to a plurality of building panels 13 of the first row 41. The plurality of horizontal frame members 9 of the first 3 and second 5 frameworks each further comprise a common horizontal upper frame member 53 associated with the second row 43 which is received within the first 21 and second 23 peripherally extending channels respectively of the building panels 13 of the second row 43. Thus, the common horizontal upper frame members 53 of the first 3 and second 5 frameworks each extend along an uppermost side 51 of each of the building panels 13 of the second row 43 such that the common horizontal upper frame member 53 is common to a plurality of building panels 13 of the second row 43. A binder plate 54 is arranged between the common horizontal upper frame members 53 associated with the second row 43 of the first 3 and second 5 frameworks. The common horizontal upper frame members 53 of the first 3 and second 5 frameworks are both affixed to the binder plate 54 by any suitable means, for example by adhesive or by a fastening means such as screws or nails. In the embodiment shown, and in each of the other two embodiments disclosed herein, the binder plate 54 comprises two beams or planks stacked atop of one another and affixed together, the width of the two beams or planks corresponding to the distance between the common horizontal upper frame members 53 of the first 3 and second 5 frameworks. Thus, the binder plate 54 is arranged to extend along the uppermost side of at least two building panels 13 of the second row 43. The plurality of horizontal frame members 9 of the first 3 and second 5 frameworks each further comprise a common horizontal lower frame member 61 associated with the second row 43. The common horizontal lower frame members 61 are received within the first 21 and second 23 peripherally extending channels respectively of the building panels 13 of the second row 43. Thus, the common horizontal lower frame members 61, associated with the second row 43, of the first 3 and second 5 frameworks each extend along a lowermost side 47 of each of the building panels 13 of the second row 43 such that the common horizontal lower frame members 61 of both the first 3 and second 5 frameworks are common to a plurality of building panels 13 of the second row 43. The common horizontal lower frame members 61 of the first 3 and second 5 frameworks are in abutting engagement with a respective common horizontal upper frame member 57 associated with the first row 41. In the embodiment of Fig. 3, the common horizontal upper frame members 57 associated with the first row 41 and the common horizontal lower frame members 61 associated with the second row 43 are both affixed to a load-distributor 71 which in the embodiments disclosed herein comprises a horizontal member 71, or beam 71, of the structural wall 1 which is arranged between the first 3 and second 5 frameworks and thereby between the common horizontal upper frame members 57 associated with the first row 41 and the common horizontal lower frame members 61 associated with the second row 43. This load-distributor 71, or beam 71, may in some embodiments be referred to as an intermediate floor skirt 71 and may be a glulam beam, or may be two beams, such as two glulam beams, affixed back-to-back as shown in Fig. 3. The load-distributor 71 extends along an uppermost side 51 of the building panels 13 of the first row 41 and along a lowermost 47 side of the building panels 13 of the second row 43. In the embodiment shown, the load-distributor 71 comprises two horizontally arranged beams 71 affixed to one another back-to-back to each other but spaced apart from one another a layer such that the layer is sandwiched between the two beams 71. The layer may in some embodiments be a layer of steel or foil or multi-foil, or vapour-control or acoustic or thermally insulating material. The layer may be between 4 and 8mm thick, for example about 6mm thick. The beams 71 may be bolted together thereby forming a flitch beam. The plurality of vertical frame members 11 of the first 3 and second 5 frameworks of the first 41 and second rows 43 each extend along a vertical side 27 of two adjacent building panels 13 of a respective row 41, 43 and are each arranged, or sandwiched, between the two adjacent building panels 13 such that each vertical frame member 11 adjoins and bridges between two horizontally adjacent building panels 13 of the same row 41, 43, each vertical frame member 11 being received within a corresponding peripherally extending channel 21, 23 of each building panel 13. Thus, each of the vertical frame members 11 of the first framework 3 are received within the first peripherally extending channel 21 of two respective adjacent building panels 13 so as to extend between the two respective adjacent building panels 13, thereby adjoining them. Similarly, each of the vertical frame members 11 of the second framework 5 are received within the second peripherally extending channel 23 of the same two respective adjacent building panels 13 so as to extend between the two respective adjacent building panels 13, thereby adjoining them. Finally with regard to the embodiment of Fig. 1, the first containment board 15 of each of the plurality of building panels 13 is affixed to the first framework 3 and the second containment board 17 of each of the plurality of building panels 13 is affixed to the second framework 5, for example by adhesive or by any suitable fastening means (or fastener) such as by screws or nails. In some embodiments, the first and second containment boards 15, 17 may be affixed, e.g. around their perimeters, to at least one horizontal frame member 9 and / or at least one vertical frame member 11 of the first 3 and second 5 frameworks respectively. A trim board 73 may be arranged between the containment boards 15, 17 of the first 41 and second 43 rows on each side of the structural wall 1, for example the trim board 73 may be affixed to the common horizontal upper frame members 57 of the first row 41, as shown in Fig. 1. Turning now to Figures 4 and 5, a second embodiment of a structural wall 101 according to the present invention is shown. This second embodiment shares corresponding features with the first embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 3 and so redundant discussion will be omitted for the sake of brevity. Corresponding features between the two embodiments share corresponding reference numerals, with those of the second embodiment being increased by 100 as compared to those of the first embodiment. The structural wall 101 of the second embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that, rather than a providing a single, common horizontal frame member 57 extending along an uppermost side 51 of the building panels 13 of the first row 41, the common horizontal frame member 57 being received within the peripherally extending channels 41, 43 of adjacent building panels 13 of the first row 41, in this second embodiment a plurality of horizontal upper frame members 159 are instead provided. Each of the plurality of horizontal upper frame members 159 are arranged to extend along an uppermost side 151 of a corresponding building panel 113 of the plurality of building panels 113 of the first row 141 and each being spaced apart from one another by, and being in abutting engagement with, a vertical frame member 111 of the first 103 and second 105 frameworks respectively. Each of the plurality of horizontal upper frame members 159 of the first 103 and second 105 frameworks are arranged so as to be received within the first 121 and second 123 peripherally extending channels respectively of a respective building panel 113. Thus, in this embodiment, the vertical frame members 111 of the first row 141 extend further vertically higher than in the first embodiment such that a longitudinal edge 89 of the vertical frame members 111 is in abutting engagement with a widthwise edge of the horizontal upper frame members 159. The longitudinal edge 89 of the vertical frame members 111 being in abutting engagement with a widthwise edge of the horizontal upper frame members 159 allows the vertical frame members 111, for example of the first row 141, to be in abutting engagement with a horizontal intermediate frame member 163 of the second row 143 thereby allowing vertical loads to be transmitted from the second row 143 directly to the vertical frame members 111 of the first row 141, thereby improving the load capacity of the structural wall 101. A further difference compared to the first embodiment is that, rather than the common horizontal lower frame member 61 associated with the second row 43 being in abutting engagement with the common horizontal upper frame member 57 associated with the first row 41, the first 103 and second 105 frameworks each instead comprise a horizontal intermediate frame member 163. In some embodiments, the intermediate frame member 163 may be omitted such that the common horizontal lower frame member 161 associated with the second row 143 is in abutting engagement with the horizontal upper frame members 159 and with the vertical frame members 111 of the first row 141. The intermediate frame member 163 of the first framework 103 is arranged between and in abutting engagement with the plurality of horizontal upper frame members 159 of the first framework 103 and the respective common horizontal lower frame member 161 of the first framework 103, and similarly the intermediate frame member 163 of the second framework 105 is arranged between and in abutting engagement with the plurality of horizontal upper frame members 159 of the second framework 103 and the respective common horizontal lower frame member 161 of the second framework 103. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the vertical frame members 111 of the first row 141 are each in abutting engagement with the intermediate frame member 163. While in the second embodiment shown, only the first row 141 comprises the plurality of horizontal upper frame members 159, embodiments are envisaged wherein the second row 143 additionally or alternatively has the same configuration as that of the first row 141 in that the second row 143 may additionally or alternative also comprise a plurality of horizontal upper frame members, similar to the horizontal upper frame members 159 of the first row 141, which are similarly configured to extend along an uppermost side of the building panels 113 of the second row 143, with the vertical frame members 111 being in abutting engagement with the horizontal upper frame members of the second row 143 such that a longitudinal edge of the vertical frame members 111 is in abutting engagement with a widthwise edge of the horizontal upper frame members of the second row 143. Turning now to Figures 6 and 7, a third embodiment of a structural wall 201 according to the present invention is shown. This second embodiment shares corresponding features with the first embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 3 and so redundant discussion will be omitted for the sake of brevity. Corresponding features between the third and first embodiments share corresponding reference numerals, with those of the third embodiment being increased by 200 as compared to those of the first embodiment. Whereas in the first and second embodiments, the building panels 13, 113 of the second row 43, 143 are vertically offset from the building panels 113, 113 of the first row 41, 141 in a staggered arrangement, in the third embodiment, the building panels 213 of the second row 243 are vertically aligned with the building panels 213 of the first row 241. In the third embodiment, the plurality of horizontal frame members 209 of the first 203 and second 205 frameworks each comprise a plurality of common horizontal frame members 267. Each common horizontal frame member 267 is arranged to extend along an uppermost side of a corresponding building panel 213 of the first row 241 and along a lowermost side of a corresponding building panel 213 of the second row so as to be received within the corresponding first 221 and second 233 peripherally extending channels of the corresponding building panel 213 of the first row 241 and the corresponding building panel 213 of the second row. Thus, each common horizontal frame member 267 of the first framework 203 is received within the first peripherally extending channel of a respective building panel 213 of the first row 241 and within the first peripherally extending channel 221 of a respective building panel 213 of the second row 243, the respective building panel 213 of the second row 243 being arranged vertically above and in vertical alignment with the respective building panel 213 of the first row 241. Similarly, each common horizontal frame member 267 of the second framework 205 is received within the second peripherally extending channel 223 of a respective building panel 213 of the first row 241 and within the second peripherally extending channel 223 of a respective building panel 213 of the second row 243. Thus, each of the common horizontal frame members 267 is common between a respective building panel 213 of the first row 241 and a respective building panel 213 of the second row 243. The common horizontal frame members 267 of the first framework 203 are spaced apart from one another by, and are in abutting engagement with, a common vertical frame member 275 of the first framework 203 and, in the same way, the common horizontal frame members 267 of the second framework 205 are spaced apart from one another by, and are in abutting engagement with, a common vertical frame member 275 of the second framework 205. The common vertical frame members 275 of the first 203 and second 205 frameworks are each received within the first 221 and second 233 peripherally extending channels respectively of two respective adjacently arranged building panels 213 of the first row 241 and the first 221 and second 233 peripherally extending channels respectively of two respective adjacently arranged building panel 213 of the second row 243 so as to extend between the two adjacently arranged building panels 213 of first row 241 and the two adjacently arranged building panels 213 of the second row 243 and so as to extend along a vertical side 227 of both of the building panels 213 of the first row 241 and along a vertical side 227 of both of the building panels 213 of the second row 243. Thus, the common vertical frame members 275 of the first framework 203 are each received within the first peripherally extending channel 221 of two respective adjacently arranged building panels 213 of the first row 241 and are also received within the first peripherally extending channel 221 of two respective adjacently arranged building panels 213 of the second row 243, such that each common vertical frame member 275 of the first framework 203 extends between the first row 241 and the second row 243. Similarly, the common vertical frame members 275 of the second framework 205 are each received within the second peripherally extending channel 223 of two respective adjacently arranged building panels 213 of the first row 241 and are also received within the second peripherally extending channel 223 of two respective adjacently arranged building panels 213 of the second row 243, such that each common vertical frame member 275 of the second frame work 205 extends between the first row 241 and the second row 243. The plurality of vertical frame members 211 of each of the first 203 and second 205 frameworks comprise a plurality of lower vertical frame members 277 each of which is arranged between, and is in abutting engagement with, a corresponding common vertical frame member 275 and the common horizontal lower frame member 245 of the first row 241. The plurality of lower vertical frame members 277 of the first framework 203 are each received within a respective first peripherally extending channel 221 of two adjacently arranged building panels of the first row 241 and, similarly, the plurality of lower vertical frame members 277 of the second framework 205 are each received within a respective second peripherally extending channel 223 of the two adjacently arranged building panels of the first row 241. The plurality of vertical frame members 211 of each of the first 203 and second 205 frameworks comprise a plurality of upper vertical frame members 279 each of which is arranged between, and is in abutting engagement with, a corresponding common vertical frame member 275 and the common horizontal upper frame member 255 of the second row 243. The plurality of upper vertical frame members 279 of the first framework 203 are each received within a respective first peripherally extending channel 221 of two adjacently arranged building panels of the second row 243 and, similarly, the plurality of upper vertical frame members 279 of the second framework 205 are each received within a respective second peripherally extending channel 223 of the two adjacently arranged building panels of the second row 243. Each common horizontal frame members 267 of the first 203 and second 205 frameworks is affixed, for example by adhesive or by any suitable fastening means such as by screws or nails, to a load distributor 271 which is the same as the loaddistributor 71 of the first embodiment. The load-distributor 271, or beam 271, extends horizontally and is arranged between the common horizontal frame members 267 of the first 203 and second 205 frameworks and is arranged between the building panels 213 of the first row 241 and the building panels 213 of the second row 243. The beam 271 is configured to extend along the uppermost side of at least two horizontally adjacently arranged building panels 213 of the first row and to extend along the lowermost side of at least two horizontally adjacently arranged building panels 213 of the second row 243. The common vertical frame members 275 of the first 203 and second 205 frameworks are affixed to the load-distributor 271, for example by adhesive or by any suitable fastening means such as by screws or nails. Fig. 8 shows in detail the configuration of a side of a building panel 13, 113, 213 according to the first, second and third embodiments. Fig. 8 further shows the way in which a first frame member 7, 107, 207 of the first framework 3, 103, 203 is received within the first peripherally extending channel 21, 121, 221 of a building panel 13, 113, 213 and a second frame member 7, 107, 207 of the second frame work 5, 105, 205 is received within the second peripherally extending channel 23, 123, 223 of a building panel 13, 113, 213 according to the first, second and third embodiments. As can be seen, the first peripherally extending channel 21, 121, 221 comprises a first sidewall 33, 133, 233 defined by the first containment board 15, 115, 215 and a base wall 37, 137, 237 and a second sidewall 39, 139, 239 of the first channel 21, 121, 221, the second sidewall 39, 139, 239 being opposed to the first sidewall, both the base wall 37, 137, 237 and the second sidewall 39, 139, 239 being defined by the thermally insulating core 19, 119, 219. Similarly, the second peripherally extending channel 23, 123, 223 comprises a first sidewall 35, 135, 235 defined by the second containment board 17, 117, 217 and a base wall 37, 137, 237 and a second sidewall 39, 139, 239 of the second channel 23, 123, 223, the second sidewall 39, 139, 239 being opposed to the first sidewall 35, 135, 235, both the base wall 37, 137, 237 and the second sidewall 39, 139, 239 being defined by the thermally insulating core 19, 119, 219. The first and second sidewalls of each of the first 21, 121, 221 and second 23, 123, 223 peripherally extending channels are substantially parallel to each other. The base wall 37, 137, 237 of each of the first 21, 121, 221 and second 23, 123, 223 peripherally extending channels is substantially parallel with the side of the building panel (that is, substantially parallel to the thickness of the building panel 13, 113, 213) so as to define a square, or U-shaped, channel having a flat base wall 37, 137, 237. In some embodiments, the side 287 of the building panel 13, 113, 213 shown in Fig. 8 may be any side of the building panel 13, 113, 213, for example the side shown may be one or more of an uppermost horizontal side 51, 151, 251, a lowermost horizontal side 47, 147, 247 and / or either one or both vertical sides 27, 127, 227 of the building panel 13, 113, 213. In the first, second and third embodiments disclosed herein (corresponding to Figs. 1, 4 and 6 respectively), the uppermost and lowermost sides of the building panels have the configuration shown in Fig. 8. As also shown in Fig. 8, the first and second frame members 7, 107, 207 of the first 3, 103, 203 and second 5, 105, 205 frameworks respectively are square-edged along the longitudinal edges 89 thereof so as to be received within the square first 21, 121, 221 and second 23, 123, 223 peripherally extending channels respectively. An alternative configuration to that shown in Fig. 8 is shown in Fig. 9, showing two adjacently arranged building panels 13, 113, 213. The side 287 of the building panel 13, 113, 213 shown in Fig. 9 may be any side of the building panel 13, 113, 213, for example an uppermost horizontal side 51, 151, 251, a lowermost horizontal side 47, 147, 247 and / or either one or both vertical sides 27, 127, 227 of the building panel 13, 113, 213, however in the first, second and third embodiments disclosed above, the configuration of Fig. 9 corresponds to each vertical side 27, 127, 227 of each building panel 13, 113, 213. In Fig. 9, rather than the first and second frame members 7, 107, 207 being square-edged as in Fig. 8, the first and second frame members 7, 107, 207 of Fig. 9 each comprise a bevelled longitudinal edge 89 on each opposed side of the first and second frame members 7, 107, 207. In some embodiments one longitudinal edge 89 may be bevelled whereas the other opposed longitudinal edge 89 may be square such as that shown in Fig. 8. The bevelled edge 89 causes the thermally insulating core to be compressed upon insertion of the frame member 7, 107, 207 into the peripherally extending channel 21, 121, 221, 23, 123, 223, thereby improving the air-tightness of the join between the frame member 7, 107, 207 and the peripherally-extending channel 21, 121, 221, 23, 123, 223 and thereby improving the thermal performance of the building panel 13, 113, 213. In some embodiments, the first and second peripherally-extending channels along the corresponding side 89 of the building panel 13, 113, 213 may be bevelled (that is, the base wall 37, 137, 237 of the respective channel is angled), as shown in Fig. 9, such that the depth (that is in a direction perpendicular to the thickness of the building panel 13, 113, 213) of the bevelled first and / or second peripherally extending channel 21, 121, 221, 23, 123, 223 decreases towards the first 15, 115, 215 and / or second 17, 117, 217 containment boards respectively. A peripherally extending channel 21, 121, 221, 23, 123, 223 being bevelled in this way also improves the thermal performance of the building panel 13, 113, 213. In each of the embodiments disclosed herein, the first and second containment boards may be Cement Bonded Particle Board (CBPB), Magnesium Oxide Board (MgO), OSB, Plywood, or Magnesium Silicate Board. 5 In each of the embodiments disclosed herein, the frame members may be made from CBPB, MgO, OSB, plywood, steel or light gauge folded steel on its own or in combination with any of the other afore mentioned materials in a composite. In each of the embodiments disclosed herein, each frame members of the first and / or 10 second frameworks may be affixed to at least one other frame member of the first and / or second frameworks respectively, either directly or indirectly. Any suitable means of fixing the frame members may be used, for example adhesive, screws and / or nails. 15 It is envisaged that the person skilled in the art may make various changes to the embodiments specifically disclosed above without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A structural wall comprising:a first load-bearing framework and a second load-bearing framework, the second load-bearing framework being spaced apart from the first load-bearing framework;wherein the first and second frameworks each comprise a plurality of abuttingly arranged frame members so as to transfer structural loads through the first and second frameworks respectively, the first and second frameworks each comprising at least one horizontal frame member and at least one vertical frame member;the structural wall further comprising a plurality of co-planar building panels each building panel comprising a first containment board and a second containment board, the first and second containment boards being opposed and spaced-apart from each other across a thickness of each building panel, each building panel comprising a thermally insulating core arranged between the first and second containment boards of each building panel;wherein each building panel of the plurality of co-planar building panels further comprises a first peripherally extending channel and a second peripherally extending channel, wherein the first and second peripherally extending channels are spaced apart from each other across the thickness of each building panel; andwherein the first and second frameworks are each arranged between the first and second containment boards of the plurality of building panels such that the at least one horizontal frame members of the first and second frameworks are each received within the first and second peripherally extending channels of at least one corresponding building panel of the plurality of building panels respectively so as to extend along a horizontal side of the at least one building panel and such that the at least one vertical frame members of the first and second frameworks are each received within the first and second peripherally extending channels of at least one corresponding building panel of the plurality of building panels respectively so as to extend along a vertical side of the at least one building panel.

2. The structural wall of Claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second peripherally extending channels of each building panel comprise a square channel and wherein at least one of the plurality of frame members is square-edged and received within the square channel.

3. The structural wall of Claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the first and second peripherally extending channels of each building panel of the plurality of buildingpanels comprises a bevelled channel extending along a vertical side of each building panel such that a depth of the bevelled first and / or second peripherally extending channel decreases towards the first and / or second containment board respectively, wherein at least one of the plurality of frame members comprises a correspondingly bevelled edge and is received within the bevelled channel.

4. The structural wall of any preceding claim, wherein the first peripherally extending channel of each building panel comprises a sidewall defined by the first containment board and wherein the second peripherally extending channel of each building panel comprises a sidewall defined by the second containment board.

5. The structural wall of any preceding claim, wherein the first and second peripherally extending channels of each building panel comprises a base wall and a sidewall each defined by the thermally insulating core.

6. The structural wall of any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of building panels is arranged such that the first containment board of at least one of the plurality of building panels is abuttingly arranged with the first containment board of at least one other building panel of the plurality of building panels.

7. The structural wall of any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of building panels is arranged such that the second containment board of at least one of the plurality of building panels is abuttingly arranged with the second containment board of at least one other building panel of the plurality of building panels.

8. The structural wall of any preceding claim, wherein the at least one horizontal frame member of the first framework comprises a plurality of horizontal frame members and the at least one vertical frame member of the first framework comprises a plurality of vertical frame members, and wherein the at least one horizontal frame member of the second framework comprises a plurality of horizontal frame members and the at least one vertical frame member of the second framework comprises a plurality of vertical frame members.

9. The structural wall of Claim 8, wherein the plurality of horizontal frame members of the first framework and the plurality of vertical frame members of the first framework are together arranged to extend around a periphery of each building panel of the plurality of building panels.

10. The structural wall of Claim 8 or 9, wherein the plurality of horizontal frame members of the second framework and the plurality of vertical frame members of the second framework are together arranged to extend around a periphery of each building panel of the plurality of building panels.

11. The structural wall of any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of building panels comprises a first horizontal row of horizontally adjacently arranged building panels.

12. The structural wall of Claim 11, wherein the plurality of building panels comprises a second horizontal row of horizontally adjacently arranged building panels, the second horizontal row being arranged vertically above the first horizontal row.

13. The structural wall of Claim 11 when dependent upon Claim 8 or of Claim 12 when dependent upon Claim 8, wherein the plurality of horizontal frame members of the first and second frameworks each comprise a common horizontal lower frame member associated with the first row and received within the first and second peripherally extending channels respectively of the building panels of the first row, each of the common horizontal lower frame members of the first and second frameworks being arranged to extend along a lowermost side of at least two horizontally adjacently arranged building panels of the first row.

14. The structural wall of any one of Claims 8 to 10, of any one of Claims 11 to 13 when dependent upon Claim 8, wherein the plurality of horizontal frame members of the first and second frameworks each comprises at least one horizontal upper frame member, the at least one horizontal upper frame member being arranged to extend along an uppermost side of at least one building panel of the plurality of building panels.

15. The structural wall of Claim 14, wherein the at least one horizontal upper frame members of the first and second frameworks each comprise a common horizontal upper frame member which is arranged to extend along an uppermost side of at least two horizontally adjacently arranged building panels of the plurality of building panels.

16. The structural wall of Claim 14 or 15, wherein the at least one horizontal upper frame members of the first and second frameworks comprise a plurality of horizontal upper frame members each arranged to extend along an uppermost side of a corresponding building panel of the plurality of building panels and each being spacedapart from one another by, and being in abutting engagement with, a vertical frame member of the first and second frameworks respectively.

17. The structural wall of Claims 14 to 16 when dependent upon Claim 12, wherein the at least one horizontal upper frame members of the first and second frameworks are associated with the second row, the at least one horizontal upper frame members associated with the second row being arranged to extend along an uppermost side of at least two building panels of the second row, and wherein the plurality of horizontal frame members of the first and second frameworks each comprise at least one horizontal upper frame member associated with the first row, the at least one horizontal upper frame member associated with the first row being arranged to extend along an uppermost side of at least one of the building panels of the plurality of building panels of the first row.

18. The structural wall of Claim 17, wherein the at least one horizontal upper frame members of the first and second frameworks associated with the first row comprise a common horizontal upper frame member associated with the first row which is arranged to extend along an uppermost side of at least two horizontally adjacently arranged building panels of the first row.

19. The structural wall of Claim 17 or 18, wherein the at least one horizontal upper frame members of the first and second frameworks associated with the first row comprise a plurality of horizontal upper frame members each arranged to extend along an uppermost side of a corresponding building panel of the first row and each being spaced apart from one another by, and being in abutting engagement with, a vertical frame member of the first and second frameworks respectively.

20. The structural wall of Claim 12 or any one of Claims 17 to 19 or any one of Claims 13 to 16 when dependent upon Claim 12, wherein the plurality of horizontal frame members of the first and second frameworks each comprise a common horizontal lower frame member associated with the second row, each common horizontal lower frame member associated with the second row being arranged to extend along a lowermost side of at least two horizontally adjacently arranged building panels of the second row.

21. The structural wall of Claim 20, wherein the plurality of frame members of the first and second frameworks each comprise a horizontal intermediate frame member, the intermediate frame member of each of the first and second frameworks beingarranged between and in abutting engagement with the respective at least one horizontal upper frame member associated with the first row and the respective common horizontal lower frame member associated with the second row.

22. The structural wall of Claims 17 to 19 or of any one of Claims 20 to 21 when dependent upon Claim 17, wherein the at least one horizontal upper frame members of the first and second frameworks associated with the first row are each affixed to a load-distributor comprising at least one beam, the at least one beam being arranged between the at least one horizontal upper frame members of the first and second frameworks associated with the first row, the at least one beam extending along the uppermost side of at least two horizontally adjacently arranged building panels of the first row.

23. The structural wall of any one of Claims 12 to 22 when dependent upon Claim 8, wherein the building panels of the second row are vertically aligned with the building panels of the first row and wherein the plurality of horizontal frame members of the first and second frameworks each comprise a plurality of common horizontal frame members each arranged to extend along an uppermost side of a corresponding building panel of the first row and along a lowermost side of a corresponding building panel of the second row so as to be received within the corresponding first and second peripherally extending channels of the corresponding panel of the first row and the corresponding first and second peripherally extending channels of the corresponding panel of the second row, and each being spaced apart from one another by, and being in abutting engagement with, a respective common vertical frame member of the plurality of vertical frame members of first and second frameworks respectively.

24. The structural wall of Claim 23, wherein the common vertical frame members of the first and second frameworks are each received within the first and second peripherally extending channels of the corresponding building panel of the first row and of the corresponding building panel of the second row respectively so as to extend between the corresponding building panel of first row and the corresponding building panel of the second row.

25. The structural wall of Claim 23 or 24, wherein the plurality of common horizontal frame members are each affixed to a load-distributor comprising at least one beam, the at least one beam being arranged between the common horizontal frame members of the first and second frameworks, the at least one beam extending along the uppermost side of at least two horizontally adjacently arranged buildingpanels of the first row and / or extending along the lowermost side of at least two horizontally adjacently arranged building panels of the second row.

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