Building Unit

Abstract

To provide a building unit mainly capable of storing a column supporting a structure of the building unit in a wall effectively or installing the column at a relatively free position.SOLUTION: In a building unit 1 including a ceiling frame 2 and a floor frame 3 installed apart in a vertical direction and coupled with a column 4, one or more thin type square pipe column 9 with square cylindrical shape having a thickness smaller than a width of ceiling beams 5,6 constituting the ceiling frame 2 is used for the column 4. The thin type square pipe column 9 is fixed to lower surfaces of the ceiling beams 5,6 with a bolt 11. The ceiling beams 5,6 are members having one lateral surface as an opened open cross section and a stiffener 41 may be mounted to a position where the thin type square pipe column 9 is mounted inside of the ceiling beams 5,6.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a building unit. [Background technology]

[0002] Some buildings, such as houses, are made from modular buildings. A modular building is a building that can be constructed in a short period of time by transporting building units manufactured in advance in a factory to a construction site and assembling them there (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The existing building unit is rectangular, and its skeleton has a box-frame rigid frame unit frame, with the upper ends of four columns (structural columns) connected in a rectangular shape by four ceiling beams, and the lower ends of the four columns connected in a rectangular shape by four floor beams. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-031220 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the existing building units used large pillars in the unit frames that were thicker than the width of the ceiling and floor beams, making it difficult to fit the pillars neatly within the walls. Furthermore, due to the structure, the four pillars could not be positioned freely relative to the unit frame.

[0006] Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to contribute to improving the above-mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In response to the above problems, the present invention provides: A building unit in which a ceiling frame and a floor frame are arranged vertically and separated and connected by structural columns, The structural columns are at least one or more thin rectangular pipe columns having a rectangular cross section and a rectangular tubular shape that has a thickness smaller than the width of the ceiling beams that constitute the ceiling frame and is wide in the longitudinal direction of the ceiling beams, and are used around at least one corner of the ceiling frame, At least one of the corner portions is before The ceiling beams are directly butted together and joined together, forming a beam-first structure. The structural columns at and around the corner portions are the thin square pipe columns, The thin square pipe column is installed near the end of one or both of the ceiling beams, away from the corner portion of the beam, and is fixed to the underside of the ceiling beam with bolts so as to fit within the width of the ceiling beam, The ceiling beam is an open cross-section member with one side open, On the inside of the ceiling beam, at the position where the thin square pipe column is to be attached, While the ceiling beam remains in its open cross section, a stiffener having a rectangular shape in side view and a width approximately equal to the thickness of the thin square pipe column is attached so as to connect the ceiling beam from top to bottom. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, the above-mentioned configuration allows the structural columns that support the structure of the building units to be thin rectangular pipe columns that are thinner than the width of the ceiling beams and wider in the longitudinal direction of the ceiling beams. At least one corner of the ceiling frame with a beam structure and the periphery of the corner are provided. This makes it possible to fit thin square pipe columns neatly within the wall, and to install structural columns in relatively free positions, such as near the ends of one or both ceiling beams, away from the corners of the beams. Furthermore, the ceiling beam is an open-section member with one side open, and a stiffener, rectangular in side view and with a width approximately the same as the thickness of the thin square pipe column, is attached to the inside of the ceiling beam at the position where the thin square pipe column is attached, so as to connect the top and bottom of the ceiling beam while the ceiling beam remains open. This makes it possible to use the internal space of the part of the ceiling beam that remains open cross-section to attach the stiffener to the ceiling beam without getting in the way, and the stiffener, rectangular in side view and with a width approximately the same as the thickness of the thin square pipe column, partially and efficiently reinforces the ceiling beam, preventing buckling of the ceiling beam. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall perspective view of a building unit according to an example of the present embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an overall front view of a thin square pipe column used in the building unit of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] This shows the upper end of the thin square pipe column in Figure 2, where (a) is a partially enlarged view and (b) is a side view of (a). Note that (a) is a view of (b) seen from the direction of the arrow. [Figure 4] This shows the lower end of the thin square pipe column in Figure 2, where (a) is a partially enlarged view and (b) is a side view of (a). Note that (a) is a view of (b) seen from the direction of the arrow. [Figure 5] 4 shows the stiffener of FIG. 3, where (a) is a partially enlarged front view and (b) is a side view of (a). [Figure 6] 5 shows the stiffener of FIG. 4, where (a) is a partially enlarged front view and (b) is a side view of (a). [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is a front view of a thin rectangular pipe column different from that shown in FIG. 2, used when mounting to support only vertical loads. [Figure 8] This shows the upper end portion of the thin square pipe column in Figure 7, where (a) is a partially enlarged view and (b) is a side view of (a). Note that (a) is a view of (b) seen from the direction of the arrow. [Figure 9]This shows the lower end of the thin square pipe column in Figure 7, where (a) is an enlarged view, (b) is a side view of (a), and (c) is a diagram showing the state of the building unit when deformed. Note that (a) is a view of (b) from the direction of the arrow. [Figure 10] 9 shows the stiffener of FIG. 8, where (a) is a partially enlarged front view and (b) is a side view of (a). [Figure 11] 10A and 10B show the stiffener of FIG. 9, where (a) is a partially enlarged front view and (b) is a side view of (a). [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is an overall perspective view of a building unit according to another embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is an overall perspective view of a building unit according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 to 13 are diagrams for explaining examples of this embodiment. Of these, Figures 1 to 6 show one embodiment of a building unit and a thin square pipe column, Figures 7 to 11 show another embodiment of a thin square pipe column, Figure 12 shows another embodiment of a building unit, and Figure 13 shows another embodiment of a building unit. [Example]

[0011] <Configuration> The configuration of this embodiment will now be described.

[0012] Buildings such as houses are constructed from modular buildings. Generally, modular buildings are constructed in a short period of time by transporting prefabricated building units to the construction site and assembling them there. The modular buildings are formed in an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0013] The building unit of this embodiment may have the following configuration.

[0014] (1) As shown in FIG. 1 (also see FIGS. 2 to 4), the building unit 1 has a structure in which a ceiling frame 2 and a floor frame 3 are arranged vertically and separated from each other, and these are connected by pillars 4. The pillars 4 are made of at least one thin square pipe pillar 9 having a square cylindrical shape and a thickness 8 (Fig. 3(b)) smaller than the width 7 (Fig. 3(b)) of the ceiling beams 5, 6 that make up the ceiling frame 2. The thin square pipe column 9 is fixed to the underside of the ceiling beams 5 and 6 with bolts 11.

[0015] Here, a building unit 1 is a structural element that serves as a constituent unit of a unit building, and is, for example, box-shaped or box-frame shaped. Typically, the building unit 1 is manufactured in a factory using large-scale manufacturing equipment. There are steel-framed and wood-framed building units 1, and the steel-framed building unit 1 has a metal unit frame 12 as its skeletal portion.

[0016] The ceiling frame 2 is a substantially horizontal metal frame that constitutes the ceiling portion of the unit frame 12 in the building unit 1, and in this embodiment is formed as a single component that is substantially rectangular (rectangular or square) in plan view. Inside the ceiling frame 2, a plurality of ceiling joists 14 (extending in the short side direction X of the ceiling frame 2) are installed parallel to each other at intervals (in the long side direction Y) along the surface of the ceiling frame 2. A ceiling surface material 16 (Fig. 3(b)) is attached to the underside of the ceiling frame 2 to form the ceiling surface.

[0017] The short side direction X is the first horizontal direction that defines the building unit 1, and the long side direction Y is the second horizontal direction that defines the building unit 1, and is a direction perpendicular to the first direction. The short side direction X is the extension direction of the short side of the ceiling frame 2. The long side direction Y is the extension direction of the long side of the ceiling frame 2.

[0018] The floor frame 3 is a substantially horizontal metal frame that constitutes the floor portion of the unit frame 12 in the building unit 1, and in this embodiment is formed as a single component that is substantially rectangular (rectangular or square) in plan view. Inside the floor frame 3, a plurality of floor joists 17 (extending in the short side direction X of the floor frame 3) are installed parallel to each other at intervals (in the long side direction Y) along the surface of the floor frame 3. A floor surface material is attached to the upper surface side of the floor frame 3 to form the floor surface.

[0019] The pillars 4 are metal vertical members that support the ceiling frame 2 from below, and extend in the vertical direction Z. In the case of a normal building unit 1, the ceiling frame 2 is supported on top of the floor frame 3 by the pillars 4. The pillars 4 are structural pillars (structural pillars) that have the strength necessary to support the building unit 1 or the ceiling frame 2. Therefore, simple vertical members that do not constitute structural pillars are excluded from the pillars 4 in this embodiment. Wall members 19 (Figure 3(b)), such as interior walls and exterior walls, are installed on the sides of the unit frame 12 as needed. The pillars 4 are hidden by the wall members 19.

[0020] In this embodiment, the unit frame 12 is completed by, for example, manufacturing the ceiling frame 2 as a single complete component in a factory, and also manufacturing the floor frame 3 as a single complete component separately from the ceiling frame 2 in a factory, and then connecting the ceiling frame 2 and floor frame 3, which are separate components, with pillars 4 at the factory (or construction site) to form a single unit.

[0021] The ceiling beams 5, 6 are horizontal metal members that make up the rectangular ceiling frame 2, and are provided in two pairs facing in directions perpendicular to each other. Each pair of ceiling beams 5 and 6 has the same length and is arranged horizontally and parallel to the unit frame 12. In this embodiment, the ceiling frame 2 is approximately rectangular in plan view, and is made up of a pair of long ceiling beams 5 that form the long sides of the ceiling frame 2, and a pair of short ceiling beams 6 that form the short sides of the ceiling frame 2.

[0022] In this embodiment, the ceiling frame 2 is made by directly butting the end of the short ceiling beam 6 against the side of the end of the long ceiling beam 5 and joining them together by welding or the like. By directly joining the ends of the ceiling beams 5, 6 together in this way, the unit frame 12 has a beam-dominant structure.

[0023] Each ceiling beam 5, 6 can be constructed, for example, as shown in Figure 2, from a long, uniform-section C-shaped steel beam having a vertical web portion 21 and horizontal upper and lower flange portions 22, 23 extending laterally from the upper and lower edges of the web portion 21. The upper and lower flange portions 22, 23 have the same width. The ceiling beams 5, 6 can be joined together with the open portions of the C-shaped steel beams facing outward or inward as appropriate (all are facing outward in Figure 1).

[0024] The width 7 of the ceiling beams 5 and 6 is the width 7 of the upper and lower flange portions 22 and 23 .

[0025] The rectangular floor frame 3 is made up of floor beams 24, 25. The floor beams 24, 25 are metal horizontal members that make up the floor frame 3, and are provided in two pairs facing in directions perpendicular to each other. Each pair of floor beams 24 and 25 has the same length and is arranged horizontally and parallel to the unit frame 12. In this embodiment, the floor frame 3 is approximately rectangular in plan view, and is made up of a pair of long floor beams 24 that form the long sides of the floor frame 3, and a pair of short floor beams 25 that form the short sides of the floor frame 3.

[0026] In this embodiment, the floor frame 3 is formed by directly butting the end of the short floor beam 25 against the side of the end of the long floor beam 24, and joining them together by welding or the like. By directly joining the ends of the floor beams 24, 25 together in this way, the unit frame 12 has a beam-dominant structure.

[0027] Each floor beam 24, 25 can be constructed, for example, as shown in Figure 2, from a long, uniform-section C-shaped steel beam having a vertical web portion 26 and horizontal upper and lower flange portions 27, 28 extending laterally from the upper and lower edges of the web portion 26. The upper and lower flange portions 27, 28 have the same width. The floor beams 24, 25 can be joined to each other with the open portions of the C-shaped steel beams facing outward or inward as appropriate (all are facing outward in Figure 1).

[0028] The width 7 of the floor beams 24, 25 is the width 7 of the upper and lower flange portions 27, 28. In this case, it is preferable that the widths 7 of the upper and lower flange portions 22, 23 of the ceiling beams 5, 6 and the widths 7 of the upper and lower flange portions 27, 28 of the floor beams 24, 25 are all the same size. This gives the ceiling beams 5, 6 and the floor beams 24, 25 the same width 7.

[0029] Regarding the height dimensions of the web portions 21 of the ceiling beams 5, 6 and the web portions 26 of the floor beams 24, 25, in this embodiment, the web portions 21 of the ceiling beams 5, 6 are larger (higher) than the web portions 26 of the floor beams 24, 25, but the height dimensions of both may be the same, or conversely, the web portions 26 of the floor beams 24, 25 may be higher.

[0030] The thickness 8 of the thin square pipe column 9 does not refer to the wall thickness of the hollow thin square pipe column 9, but refers to the external dimension of the thin square pipe column 9 in the inward and outward directions of the ceiling frame 2, and refers to the dimension of the thin square pipe column 9 in the longitudinal direction 31 of the ceiling beams 5, 6 (or floor beams 24, 25) and the width direction 32 perpendicular to the up-down direction Z. Note that the longitudinal direction 31 and width direction 32 of the ceiling beams 5, 6 (or floor beams 24, 25) are directions relative to each ceiling beam 5, 6 (or floor beams 24, 25) when the building unit 1 is installed horizontally, and the following description will be based on the longitudinal direction 31 and width direction 32 of the ceiling beams 5, 6 (or floor beams 24, 25) as the reference directions.

[0031] The thin square pipe column 9 is a hollow column 4 with a small cross section that is square tubular (square pipe) (or has a hollow rectangular cross section). The thinness of the thin square pipe column 9 refers to a state in which the thickness 8 of the thin square pipe column 9 is thinner than the width 7 of the ceiling beams 5, 6 or floor beams 24, 25, for example.

[0032] The thin square pipe column 9 is a long hollow member having a uniform cross section and uniform thickness extending in the vertical direction Z, and is formed by four sides: a pair of side surfaces (faces 33) parallel to the longitudinal direction 31 of the corresponding ceiling beams 5, 6 (and floor beams 24, 25), and a pair of side surfaces (faces 34) parallel to the width direction 32 of the corresponding ceiling beams 5, 6 (and floor beams 24, 25).

[0033] The thin square pipe column 9 has a rectangular cross section in which the face 33 in the longitudinal direction 31 is wider than the face 34 in the width direction 32, and the width of the face 34 in the width direction 32 is the thickness 8 of the thin square pipe column 9.

[0034] The thin square pipe columns 9 are not simply vertical members (wall mounting members) for mounting wall members 19, such as partition walls, but are installed on the unit frame 12 as structural columns (load-bearing members) having the strength to withstand at least the vertical load acting on the building unit 1, as described above. However, the thin square pipe columns 9 serving as load-bearing members may also have the function of partition walls or other functions.

[0035] In addition, the columns 4 (normal columns 35, for example, Figure 13) normally used in a typical building unit 1 (unit frame 12) are large square pipes with a rectangular cross section (for example, a square cross section) larger than the thin square pipe columns 9, so the thin square pipe columns 9 can also be called small cross section square pipe columns and the normal columns 35 can be called large cross section square pipe columns.

[0036] The large columns 4 (normal columns 35) typically used in building units 1 are thicker in the inward and outward directions of the building unit 1 than the width 7 of the ceiling beams 5, 6 (and floor beams 24, 25), whereas the thin square pipe columns 9 have a thickness 8 that is smaller than the width 7 of the ceiling beams 5, 6 (and floor beams 24, 25), and are therefore clearly distinguishable from each other.

[0037] When normal columns 35 are used in the building unit 1, joint pieces 37 are welded and fixed to the sides of the upper and lower ends of the normal columns 35, and the ceiling beams 5, 6 and floor beams 24, 25 are attached to these joint pieces 37 by welding or bolts, etc., so that one normal column 35 is always installed at each of the four corners 38 of the ceiling frame 2 and floor frame 3.

[0038] For this reason, these four normal columns 35 are structured so that they cannot be easily installed in any position other than the corners 38 of the unit frame 12 (of the ceiling frame 2 and floor frame 3). In other words, there is no freedom in the placement of the four normal columns 35. Furthermore, since the thickness of the normal columns 35 is greater than the width 7 of the ceiling beams 5, 6 (and floor beams 24, 25), the planar shape of the joint piece 37 widens from the side of the ceiling beams 5, 6 (and floor beams 24, 25) towards the side of the normal columns 35.

[0039] In addition, by positioning the four normal columns 35 at each of the four corners 38 of the ceiling frame 2 and the floor frame 3, the ceiling frame 2 and the floor frame 3 are structured so that at each corner 38, the ceiling beams 5, 6 and the floor beams 24, 25 are not directly joined to each other and are separated from each other.

[0040] Therefore, in a normal building unit 1 (its unit frame 12), the ceiling beams 5, 6 and floor beams 24, 25 stop at the side of the normal column 35, and the normal column 35 passes vertically through the ceiling beams 5, 6 and floor beams 24, 25, which is a so-called column-dominated structure. In contrast, the beam-dominated structure described above is a structure in which the ends of the thin square pipe column 9 are covered by the ceiling beams 5, 6 and floor beams 24, 25 so that the thin square pipe column 9 cannot pass vertically through the ceiling beams 5, 6 and floor beams 24, 25, as shown in Figure 1.

[0041] "At least one or more" means that there is always one thin square pipe column 9 of this embodiment for each building unit 1 (unit frame 12 thereof). The simplest example would be a structure in which one to four normal columns 35 at the corner portions 38 of a normal building unit 1 (unit frame 12 thereof) are each replaced with one or more thin square pipe columns 9.

[0042] The lower surfaces of the ceiling beams 5, 6 are (the lower surfaces of) the lower flange portions 23 of the ceiling beams 5, 6. The upper surfaces of the floor beams 24, 25 are (the upper surfaces of) the upper flange portions 27 of the floor beams 24, 25.

[0043] The bolt 11 is attached between the upper end of the thin square pipe column 9 and the lower surfaces of the ceiling beams 5 and 6 in the vertical direction Z, with the upper end of the thin square pipe column 9 abutting against the lower surfaces of the ceiling beams 5 and 6 from below. In this embodiment, the bolt 11 can be attached between the lower end of the thin square pipe column 9 and the upper surfaces of the floor beams 24 and 25 in the vertical direction Z, with the lower end of the thin square pipe column 9 abutting against the upper surfaces of the floor beams 24 and 25 from above. A specific mounting structure for the thin square pipe column 9 will be described later. A high-strength bolt is used for the bolt 11. The bolt 11 extends in the vertical direction Z. Nuts, washers, etc. are used as appropriate for fastening with the bolt 11.

[0044] (2) Stiffeners As shown in FIG. 5, the ceiling beams 5 and 6 are members with an open cross section, one side of which is open. A stiffener 41 may be attached to the inside of the ceiling beams 5, 6 at the position where the thin square pipe column 9 is to be attached.

[0045] Here, in the case of ceiling beams 5, 6 made of C-shaped steel as described above, one side of the ceiling beams 5, 6 is the open side (open face) opposite the web portion 21. The inside of the ceiling beams 5, 6 refers to the internal space of the ceiling beams 5, 6. The stiffeners 41 are installed so as not to protrude from the internal space of the ceiling beams 5, 6.

[0046] 6, the floor beams 24, 25 are members with an open cross section with one side open, and stiffeners 42 may be attached to the inside of the floor beams 24, 25 at the position where the thin square pipe column 9 is attached. The stiffeners 42 of the floor beams 24, 25 are substantially the same as the stiffeners 41 of the ceiling beams 5, 6.

[0047] In the case of floor beams 24, 25 made of C-section steel as described above, one side of the floor beams 24, 25 is the open side (open face) opposite to the web portion 26. The inside of the floor beams 24, 25 refers to the internal space of the beams. The stiffener 42 is installed so as not to protrude from the internal space of the floor beams 24, 25.

[0048] The position where the thin square pipe column 9 is attached refers to the installation position of the thin square pipe column 9 relative to the longitudinal direction 31 of the ceiling beams 5, 6 that make up the ceiling frame 2 (and the floor beams 24, 25 that make up the floor frame 3).

[0049] The stiffeners 41, 42 are metal members (reinforcement plates) that transmit the structural stress from the thin square pipe column 9 to the entire cross section of the ceiling beams 5, 6 and floor beams 24, 25, which have an open cross section. The stiffeners 41, 42 are formed as separate members from the ceiling beams 5, 6 and floor beams 24, 25, and are attached to and integrated with the ceiling beams 5, 6 and floor beams 24, 25. The stiffeners 41, 42 are attached to the ceiling beams 5, 6 and floor beams 24, 25 in advance before attaching the thin square pipe column 9 to the unit frame 12.

[0050] When the thin square pipe column 9 is attached to the ceiling beams 5, 6, a pair of stiffeners 41 are preferably provided at positions inside the ceiling beams 5, 6 that are continuous in a straight line in the vertical direction Z with each of the surfaces 34 on both sides of the thin square pipe column 9 that face the width direction 32 (Fig. 3). It is preferable to use stiffeners 41 that are approximately the same thickness as or thicker than the surface 34 of the thin square pipe column 9 that faces the width direction 32.

[0051] Similarly, when the thin square pipe column 9 is attached to the floor beams 24, 25, a pair of stiffeners 42 may be provided at positions inside the floor beams 24, 25 that are continuous in a straight line in the vertical direction Z with each of the surfaces 34 on both sides of the thin square pipe column 9 that face the width direction 32 (Fig. 4). It is preferable to use stiffeners 42 that are approximately the same thickness as or thicker than the surface 34 of the thin square pipe column 9 that faces the width direction 32.

[0052] The stiffener 41 has a vertical surface that is perpendicular to the web portion 21 and the upper and lower flange portions 22, 23 of the ceiling beams 5, 6. Similarly, the stiffener 42 can have a vertical surface that is perpendicular to the web portion 26 and the upper and lower flange portions 27, 28 of the floor beams 24, 25.

[0053] The stiffeners 41, 42 are installed inside the ceiling beams 5, 6 and floor beams 24, 25, with a height approximately equal to the distance between the inner surfaces of the upper and lower flange portions 22, 23 of the ceiling beams 5, 6 and the upper and lower flange portions 27, 28 of the floor beams 24, 25, and a width approximately equal to or smaller than the width 7 of the upper and lower flange portions 22, 23 and flange portions 27, 28.

[0054] In this case, the stiffeners 41, 42 are installed so that one side edge and the upper and lower edges thereof are in line contact with the web portion 21 and the upper and lower flange portions 22, 23 of the ceiling beams 5, 6, and the web portion 26 and the upper and lower flange portions 27, 28 of the floor beams 24, 25. The width of the stiffeners 41, 42 is approximately the same as the thickness 8 of the thin square pipe column 9.

[0055] In addition, chamfered portions may be formed at the upper and lower corners of the stiffeners 41, 42 that contact the corners between the web portion 21 of the ceiling beams 5, 6 and the upper and lower flange portions 22, 23, and the corners between the web portion 26 of the floor beams 24, 25 and the flange portions 27, 28.

[0056] One side edge of each stiffener 41, 42 is welded and fixed to at least the inner surface of the web portions 21, 26. The upper and lower edges of the stiffener 41 may also be welded and fixed to the upper and lower flange portions 22, 23 and the upper and lower surfaces of the flange portions 27, 28.

[0057] (3) About splices A splice plate 51 may be attached to the stiffener 41 to be brought into contact with the lower surfaces of the ceiling beams 5, 6 from above.

[0058] Here, the lower surfaces of the ceiling beams 5, 6 refer to the lower flange portions 23 of the ceiling beams 5, 6. The splice plate 51 is installed on the upper surfaces of the lower flange portions 23.

[0059] Furthermore, a splice plate 52 that abuts from below against the upper surfaces of the floor beams 24, 25 may be attached to the stiffener 42. The upper surfaces of the floor beams 24, 25 refer to the upper flange portions 27 of the floor beams 24, 25. The splice plate 52 is installed on the lower surfaces of the upper flange portions 27. The splice plate 52 is substantially the same as the splice plate 51.

[0060] The splice plates 51, 52 are metal members (reinforcement plates) that partially reinforce the flange portions 23 on the undersides of the ceiling beams 5, 6, which have an open cross section, and the flange portions 27 on the upper surfaces of the floor beams 24, 25, thereby strengthening the joints between the thin square pipe column 9 and the ceiling beams 5, 6 or the floor beams 24, 25. The splice plates 51, 52 are preferably thicker than the flange portions 23 on the undersides of the ceiling beams 5, 6, which have an open cross section, and the flange portions 27 on the upper surfaces of the floor beams 24, 25.

[0061] It is preferable to provide the splices 51, 52 on both the underside of the ceiling beams 5, 6 and the upper surfaces of the floor beams 24, 25, but depending on the situation, it may be possible to provide only one of them.

[0062] The splice plates 51, 52 are formed as separate members from the stiffeners 41, 42, and are attached to the stiffeners 41, 42 to be integrated with them.

[0063] When a pair of stiffeners 41, 42 are provided, the splice plates 51, 52 are integrated with both stiffeners 41 of the pair.

[0064] The splice plates 51, 52 have flat surfaces parallel to the lower flange portions 23 of the ceiling beams 5, 6 and the upper flange portions 27 of the floor beams 24, 25, and are disposed in contact therewith.

[0065] The splices 51, 52 have approximately the same width dimension in the width direction 32 as the stiffeners 41, 42, and have a length dimension longer than the width dimension in the longitudinal direction 31 of the face 33 in the longitudinal direction 31 of the thin square pipe column 9 (approximately the distance between the pair of stiffeners 41), and are attached to the pair of stiffeners 41, 42 so as to protrude from the pair of stiffeners 41, 42 on both sides in the longitudinal direction 31.

[0066] In addition, chamfered portions may be formed on the edges of the splices 51, 52 that contact the corners between the web portions 21 and flange portions 23 of the ceiling beams 5, 6, and the corners between the web portions 26 and flange portions 27 of the floor beams 24, 25.

[0067] The splice plates 51 and 52 are attached in advance to the stiffener 41 and the ceiling beams 5, 6, and the stiffener 42 and the floor beams 24, 25 before the thin square pipe column 9 is attached to the unit frame 12.

[0068] The splices 51, 52 are fixed to the upper or lower edge portions of the stiffeners 41, 42 by welding, and are integrated with the stiffeners 41, 42.

[0069] The splice plates 51, 52 are integral with the ceiling beams 5, 6 and floor beams 24, 25 by being appropriately welded along the edges of the stiffeners 41, 42 to the lower flange portions 23 of the ceiling beams 5, 6 and the upper flange portions 27 of the floor beams 24, 25 (welds 55, Figures 5 and 6). At this time, it is preferable to perform corner box welding on the corners of the edges of the stiffeners 41, 42. The splice plates 51 are also welded along the edges of the stiffeners 41, 42 to the web portions 21, 26 of the ceiling beams 5, 6 and floor beams 24, 25 (welds 56, Figures 5 and 6).

[0070] When splice plates 51, 52 are provided, the height dimension of stiffeners 41, 42 is shortened by the thickness 8 of splice plate 51. As a result, stiffeners 41, 42 are indirectly fixed to the lower flange portions 23 of ceiling beams 5, 6 and the upper flange portions 27 of floor beams 24, 25 via splice plates 51, 52.

[0071] (4) Reinforcement pieces As shown in FIG. 3, a reinforcing piece 61 may be attached to the outer surface of the upper end of the thin square pipe column 9.

[0072] Here, the outer surface of the thin square pipe column 9 (its end) refers to the outer peripheral surface of the thin square pipe column 9, and refers to any one or more of the four faces 33, 34 that constitute the side face of the thin square pipe column 9.

[0073] 4, a reinforcing piece 62 may also be attached to the lower end of the thin square pipe column 9. The reinforcing piece 62 is substantially the same as the reinforcing piece 61.

[0074] The reinforcing pieces 61, 62 are metal members (reinforcing members) that reinforce the ends of the thin square pipe column 9. The reinforcing pieces 61, 62 are formed as separate members from the thin square pipe column 9 and are integrated with the thin square pipe column 9. The reinforcing pieces 61, 62 are attached to the thin square pipe column 9 in advance before attaching the thin square pipe column 9 to the unit frame 12. The reinforcing pieces 61, 62 have approximately the same thickness as the thin square pipe column 9.

[0075] The reinforcing pieces 61, 62 are preferably, for example, plate-shaped to reinforce one or more surfaces 33, 34 of the thin square pipe column 9, or, for example, a single C-shaped member that is ring-shaped or close to a ring and surrounds almost the entire circumference of the end of the thin square pipe column 9 so as to reinforce the end over almost the entire circumference, or multiple C-shaped members that reinforce the end from both sides for approximately half the circumference.

[0076] The ring-shaped or C-shaped reinforcing pieces 61, 62 are components (external fitting components) having an inner peripheral surface or inner surface of approximately the same size and shape as all or part of the outer peripheral surface of the thin square pipe column 9, and having a shape that allows them to be slidingly fitted (externally fitted with almost no gaps) onto the end of the thin square pipe column 9 in the vertical direction Z.

[0077] In this embodiment, the reinforcing pieces 61, 62 are made of one or more C-shaped members so as to be easily attached to the end portions of the thin square pipe column 9. The C-shaped reinforcing pieces 61, 62 have at least three or four or more portions, including a portion that contacts the face 34 in the width direction 32 of the thin square pipe column 9 and portions that contact each face 33 in the longitudinal direction 31.

[0078] The portion in contact with the surface 33 in the longitudinal direction 31 is divided vertically in the center into two parts (dividing portion 63), and the reinforcing pieces 61, 62 (external fitting members) are formed by this dividing portion 63 into two C-shaped members spanning the three surfaces 33, 34 of the thin square pipe column 9, or a single C-shaped member (discontinuous member) spanning all four surfaces 33, 34.

[0079] The reinforcing pieces 61, 62 are welded and fixed at their peripheral edges to the thin square pipe column 9 while being in contact with or fitted onto the outer surface of the end of the thin square pipe column 9, thereby being integrated with the thin square pipe column 9. In this case, it is preferable to firmly weld and join the reinforcing pieces 61, 62 and the thin square pipe column 9, etc., by butt welding.

[0080] The reinforcing pieces 61, 62 are arranged so that when attached to the thin square pipe column 9, the overall thickness is equal to or smaller than the width 7 of the ceiling beams 5, 6 and floor beams 24, 25.

[0081] (5) End plates An end plate 71 may be attached to the upper end of the thin square pipe column 9, which abuts against the lower surfaces of the ceiling beams 5, 6 from below.

[0082] Here, the upper end of the thin square pipe column 9 refers to the opening surface (or opening) at the upper end of the thin square pipe column 9.

[0083] In addition, an end plate 72 that abuts from above on the upper surfaces of the floor beams 24, 25 may be attached to the lower end of the thin square pipe column 9. The lower end of the thin square pipe column 9 refers to the opening surface (or opening) at the lower end of the thin square pipe column 9. The end plate 72 is substantially the same as the end plate 71.

[0084] The end plates 71, 72 are metal members (end closing members) that close the upper and lower ends of the thin square pipe column 9 and reinforce the ends of the thin square pipe column 9, and are also members (fixing members) that secure and form areas (fixing portions 73) for fixing the thin square pipe column 9 to the undersides of the ceiling beams 5, 6 and the upper surfaces of the floor beams 24, 25 with bolts 11.

[0085] The end plates 71, 72 are formed as separate members from the thin square pipe column 9 and are integrated with the thin square pipe column 9. The end plates 71, 72 are attached to the thin square pipe column 9 in advance before the thin square pipe column 9 is attached to the unit frame 12.

[0086] The end plates 71, 72 are plate-like members having a width dimension approximately equal to the thickness 8 of the thin square pipe column 9 (including the reinforcing pieces 61, 62, if present) and approximately the same length as the splice plates 51, 52, and are arranged opposite the splice plates 51, 52 so as to overlap (almost completely) vertically with the flange portions 23 and 27 sandwiched between them, with their orientations approximately aligned with those of the splice plates 51, 52. The end plates 71, 72 are preferably as thick as or thicker than the lower flange portions 23 and upper flange portions 27 of the ceiling beams 5, 6, and approximately the same thickness as the splice plates 51, 52.

[0087] The end plates 71, 72 are attached in a state in which they protrude almost evenly (or overhang by almost the same length) from both sides of the ceiling beams 5, 6 and floor beams 24, 25 in the longitudinal direction 31 so as to ensure and form areas (fixing portions 73, Figures 3 and 4) that are fixed to the thin square pipe column 9 with bolts 11. Note that the portions of the splices 51, 52 that protrude almost evenly from the pair of stiffeners 41, 42 on both sides in the longitudinal direction 31 also serve as similar fixing portions.

[0088] Bolt holes 75 extending in the vertical direction Z are formed through corresponding positions of the fixing portions 73 of the end plates 71, 72, the lower flange portions 23 of the ceiling beams 5, 6, the upper flange portions 27 of the floor beams 24, 25, and the splice plates 51, 52 (portions protruding on both sides of the pair of stiffeners 41, 42). The bolt holes 75 match with each other and communicate vertically.

[0089] The end plates 71, 72 are preferably welded and fixed to the thin square pipe column 9 (and also to the reinforcing pieces 61, 62, if present). At this time, it is preferable to firmly weld and join them to each other by butt welding.

[0090] Furthermore, by adopting at least one or all of the following measures, the thin square pipe column 9 can be installed on the unit frame 12 so as to withstand both vertical and horizontal loads (e.g., earthquake force and wind pressure), such as thickening the end plates 71, 72 (for example, more than the flange portions 23, 27), attaching reinforcing pieces 61, 62 to the ends of the thin square pipe column 9, attaching thick splice plates 51, 52 to the stiffeners 41, 42, or using bolts 11 with a large diameter.

[0091] (6) About the web page As shown in another embodiment in Fig. 7 (to Fig. 9), end plates 71, 72 at the ends of a thin square pipe column 9 may be provided with web surfaces 81, 82 extending up and down.

[0092] Here, the web surfaces 81, 82 are reinforcing portions attached to the end plates 71, 72 in order to strengthen the horizontal surfaces of the end plates 71, 72 in the vertical direction Z and the longitudinal direction 31.

[0093] The web surfaces 81, 82 are integrally formed on one or both of the edges (extending in the longitudinal direction 31) of the end plates 71, 72, extending upward or downward. The web surfaces 81, 82 are preferably provided continuously over the entire edge of the end plates 71, 72. The height of the web surfaces 81, 82 is preferably constant over the entire area. For example, the web surfaces 81, 82 are preferably formed to a height approximately equal to or greater than the width dimension of the end plates 71, 72.

[0094] The web surfaces 81, 82 are formed integrally with the edges of the end plates 71, 72 by bending the edges of the plate material that constitutes the end plates 71, 72 at approximately right angles. These web surfaces 81, 82 make the end plates 71, 72 into members with an L-shaped cross section (angle iron) or a U-shaped cross section (in this embodiment, the end plates are members with an L-shaped cross section).

[0095] The web surfaces 81, 82 may be arranged to extend in the opposite direction in the vertical direction Z from the ceiling beams 5, 6 and floor beams 24, 25, but in this embodiment, they are arranged to extend from only one edge of the end plates 71, 72 to the same side as the ceiling beams 5, 6 and floor beams 24, 25 and overlap (abut or be attached to) the outer surfaces of the web portions 21, 26 of the ceiling beams 5, 6 and floor beams 24, 25.

[0096] For example, when the thin square pipe column 9 is to support only a vertical load, the web surfaces 81, 82 are provided on the end plates 71, 72. When the thin square pipe column 9 is to be installed so as to withstand both vertical and horizontal loads, the end plates 71, 72 may not be provided with the web surfaces 81, 82, as shown in Figs. 2 to 4.

[0097] In this case, compared to the case where the thin square pipe column 9 as described above is installed so as to withstand both vertical and horizontal loads, the end plates 71, 72 are made thinner so that small deformations of the end plates 71, 72 in the vertical direction Z, as shown in Figure 9(c), can be tolerated to a certain extent.

[0098] In the figure, when the thin square pipe column 9 tilts to the left due to a horizontal load, the end plate 72 is deformed so that the right side (opposite side) is lifted around the end on the left side (the tilted side). The web surfaces 81, 82 function to transmit (part or all of) the stress F in the up-down direction Z generated at this time to the bolt 11 by virtue of the bearing strength G in the surface direction (the up-down direction Z and the longitudinal direction 31).

[0099] The thickness of the end plates 71, 72 is reduced to, for example, approximately the same as or thinner than the flanges 23, 27 of the ceiling beams 5, 6 and floor beams 24, 25. Deformation of the end plates 71, 72 is permitted only to the extent of the play between the bolts 11 and the bolt holes 75 in the longitudinal direction 31.

[0100] For this reason, it is preferable that at least the bolt holes 75 of the end plates 71, 72 be round holes slightly larger than the diameter of the bolts 11 to be used, or elongated holes slightly longer in the longitudinal direction 31 than the diameter of the bolts 11 to be used, so that some play is formed in the longitudinal direction 31.

[0101] When the thin square pipe column 9 is to support only a vertical load, at least one or all of the following may be adopted: no reinforcing pieces 61, 62 are attached to the ends of the thin square pipe column 9; no splice plates 51 are attached to the stiffeners 41, 42 as shown in Figures 10 and 11; or bolts 11 having a smaller diameter than those shown in Figures 2 to 4 are used.

[0102] A specific example of the building unit 1 (the unit frame 12) provided with the thin square pipe column 9 will be described below.

[0103] (7) As shown in the example of FIG. The ceiling frame 2 may be supported from below only by the thin square pipe columns 9.

[0104] Here, the ceiling frame 2 being supported from below only by the thin square pipe columns 9 means that the ceiling frame 2 is supported in the vertical direction Z only by the above-mentioned thin square pipe columns 9, without using any of the large columns 4 (normal columns 35) that are normally used in building units 1. A building unit 1 with such a structure has never existed before.

[0105] In this embodiment, thin square pipe columns 9 are installed at or around the four corners 38 of the ceiling frame 2, and the ceiling frame 2 is supported from below by the thin square pipe columns 9 alone.

[0106] A total of four thin square pipe columns 9 are installed, one on each end of or near both ends of a pair of long ceiling beams 5 that form the long sides of the ceiling frame 2. Nearby means near both ends, and refers to a relatively narrow range, for example, up to the width of several thin square pipe columns 9.

[0107] In addition, two thin square pipe columns 9 are installed, one for each of a pair of short ceiling beams 6 that form the short sides of the ceiling frame 2. This makes a total of six thin square pipe columns 9.

[0108] The installation position of the thin square pipe column 9 relative to the short ceiling beam 6 is at or near the end of one of the pair of long ceiling beams 5, but it may also be at or near the end of the other side of the long ceiling beam 5, or at or near the ends on different sides, or, as will be described later, at the middle or central part of the short ceiling beam 6.

[0109] The above is just one example, and the number and mounting positions of the thin square pipe columns 9 relative to the ceiling frame 2 and floor frame 3 are not limited to those described above.

[0110] In this embodiment, as described above, a total of six thin square pipe columns 9 support the ceiling frame 2, but if the ceiling frame 2 is supported only by the thin square pipe columns 9, it is preferable to provide at least four or more thin square pipe columns 9.

[0111] The thin square pipe columns 9 can be provided in any number as needed, for example, five, six, or more. Increasing the number of thin square pipe columns 9 increases the supporting force on the ceiling frame 2, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in the installation positions of the thin square pipe columns 9. Therefore, for example, by providing many thin square pipe columns 9 to sufficiently ensure and improve the supporting force on the ceiling frame 2, it becomes structurally possible to eliminate the need to install thin square pipe columns 9 at at least one or all of the four corner portions 38 of the ceiling frame 2 or their nearby positions. In this embodiment, approximately one, two, or three thin square pipe columns 9 are provided at one, two, three, or four positions among the four corner portions 38 or their nearby positions.

[0112] In this embodiment, the floor frame 3 has approximately the same size and planar shape as the ceiling frame 2 (normal floor frame), and is arranged approximately parallel to the ceiling frame 2, spaced apart from it above and below, with its orientation aligned so that it almost completely overlaps the ceiling frame 2 when viewed in a plan view.

[0113] A plurality of thin square pipe columns 9 of the same length are interposed between the floor frame 3 and the ceiling frame 2, and the same number of thin square pipe columns 9 are attached to the same positions on the floor frame 3 and the ceiling frame 2. In other words, the floor frame 3 and the ceiling frame 2 are connected to each other vertically at the same positions by all of the thin square pipe columns 9.

[0114] In this case, as described above, a total of six thin square pipe columns 9 are installed at or near the four corner portions 38 of the ceiling frame 2, but the number and mounting positions of the thin square pipe columns 9 relative to the ceiling frame 2 and floor frame 3 are not limited to the above.

[0115] At least one thin square pipe column 9 should be installed in the number required for the structure of the building unit 1 (for example, four or more), using an installation method (Figure 2) that can withstand both vertical and horizontal loads (for example, earthquake force and wind pressure).

[0116] When installing more thin square pipe columns 9 in a building unit 1 than are structurally required, the excess thin square pipe columns 9 may be installed in a manner that allows them to withstand both vertical and horizontal loads, or in a manner that allows them to support only vertical loads (Figure 7).

[0117] For example, it is preferable that the thin square pipe columns 9 closest to the four corner portions 38 of the ceiling frame 2 are attached in a manner that allows them to withstand both vertical and horizontal loads. Also, for example, it is preferable that at least one of the thin square pipe columns 9 attached to the long ceiling beam 5 and at least one of the thin square pipe columns 9 attached to the short ceiling beam 6 are attached in a manner that allows them to withstand both vertical and horizontal loads. This enables the unit frame 12 to withstand horizontal loads in two orthogonal directions.

[0118] In this embodiment, all of the thin square pipe columns 9 are attached in a manner that allows them to withstand both vertical and horizontal loads.

[0119] (8) As shown in another embodiment of FIG. At least some of the thin square pipe columns 9 may have lower ends that are not fixed to the floor frame 3 (unconnected lower ends 91).

[0120] Here, "at least some of the thin square pipe columns 9 have lower ends that are not fixed to the floor frame 3" means that the lower end of at least one of the thin square pipe columns 9 supporting the ceiling frame 2 is designed to be attached to something other than the floor frame 3 that constitutes the same building unit 1.

[0121] The building unit 1 is configured so that the lower end of at least one thin square pipe column 9 is attached to the floor frame 3 of the same building unit 1 (connected lower end). Alternatively, the building unit 1 has at least one connected lower end. This connects the ceiling frame 2 to the floor frame 3, establishing the minimum structure of the building unit 1, and it is therefore possible to configure the building unit 1 as in this embodiment.

[0122] The building unit 1 may support the ceiling frame 2 only with thin square pipe columns 9, or may have at least one large column 4 (normal column 35 or large cross-section square pipe column) that is normally used in a general building unit 1, and at least one thin square pipe column 9.

[0123] In this embodiment, five thin square pipe columns 9 are attached to the four corners 38 of the ceiling frame 2 or in their vicinity, and the lower ends (connected lower ends) of three of the thin square pipe columns 9 are attached to the floor frame 3 of the same building unit 1, while the lower ends (non-connected lower ends 91) of two of the thin square pipe columns 9 are not attached to the floor frame 3 of the same building unit 1. No normal columns 35 are used.

[0124] The lower end (non-connecting lower end 91) of the thin square pipe column 9 that is not fixed to the floor frame 3 of the same building unit 1 can be attached directly to, for example, the foundation 93 or the ceiling frame 2 of the building unit 1 on a lower floor. The thin square pipe column 9 that is directly joined to the foundation 93 or the ceiling frame 2 of the building unit 1 on a lower floor can be attached to the foundation 93 or the ceiling frame 2 of the building unit 1 on a lower floor by extending its lower end (non-connecting lower end 91) (by making it longer than the connecting lower end) to the position of the underside (lower flange portion 28) of the floor frame 3 of the same building unit 1.

[0125] Alternatively, all the thin square pipe columns 9 may be made the same length, and for the thin square pipe columns 9 that are to be used longer (as non-connected lower ends 91), an extension member of the required length may be attached (or added) to the lower end so that the length can be adjusted (extended).

[0126] Furthermore, if necessary, a reinforcing piece 62, an end plate 72, etc. can be attached to the lower end (non-connected lower end 91) of the thin square pipe column 9 that is not fixed to the floor frame 3 of the same building unit 1.

[0127] In this embodiment, the floor beams 24a on the long sides of the ceiling frame 2 are made to be about half the normal length, and the floor beams 25 on the short sides of the ceiling frame 2 are made to be of normal length, so that the floor frame 3 is made small and irregular in shape (small floor frame 3a) that is about half the size and planar shape of the ceiling frame 2. In this case, the floor beams 24a may be about the same length as the floor beams 25 or may be shorter than the floor beams 25.

[0128] The floor frames 3 are arranged parallel to one side of the ceiling frame 2 (in the long side direction Y), spaced apart from one another, with the corner portions 38 aligned so that the floor frames 3 do not protrude from the ceiling frame 2. This results in no floor frames 3 being present below the half of the area on the opposite side of the ceiling frame 2 (in the long side direction Y).

[0129] If necessary, a metal intermediate beam 94 or the like may be attached to the inside of the ceiling frame 2 to reinforce the ceiling frame 2. This intermediate beam 94 may be installed, for example, in the small floor frame 3a, above (almost directly above) the floor beam 25 located inside the ceiling frame 2, in a state parallel to the floor beam 25.

[0130] Under the ceiling frame 2, thin square pipe columns 9 located above the floor frame 3 (small floor frame 3a) and thin square pipe columns 9 located away from the floor frame 3 are attached, each with a different length, and only the thin square pipe columns 9 located above the floor frame 3 are attached at their upper and lower ends between the floor frame 3 and the ceiling frame 2, while the thin square pipe columns 9 detached from the floor frame 3 have their upper ends attached only to the ceiling frame 2. In other words, the floor frame 3 and the ceiling frame 2 are connected to each other vertically only by some of the multiple thin square pipe columns 9.

[0131] In this embodiment, five thin square pipe columns 9 are installed in total at or near the four corner portions 38 of the ceiling frame 2, as described above.

[0132] At the corner portion 38 on one side of the ceiling frame 2 in the long side direction Y, three thin square pipe columns 9 are attached: one near the end of each of the two long ceiling beams 5, and one near one end of the short ceiling beam 6. The lower ends of these three thin square pipe columns 9 are fixed to the floor frame 3 (small floor frame 3a).

[0133] Furthermore, at the corner portion 38 on the opposite side of the long side direction Y of the ceiling frame 2, two thin square pipe columns 9 are attached, one on each side near both ends of the short ceiling beam 6. The lower ends (non-connected lower ends 91) of these two thin square pipe columns 9 are not fixed to the floor frame 3 (small floor frame 3a).

[0134] However, the number and mounting positions of the thin square pipe columns 9 relative to the ceiling frame 2 and floor frame 3 are not limited to those described above. For example, as will be described later, additional thin square pipe columns 9 can be installed between the middle part of the ceiling frame 2 in the long side direction Y and the corner part 38 located on the inside of the floor frame 3 located directly below it.

[0135] The installation method of the thin square pipe columns 9, whether they are installed so that they can withstand both vertical and horizontal loads (Fig. 2) or so that they support only vertical loads (Fig. 7), is the same as in the above-mentioned embodiment. In this embodiment, all the thin square pipe columns 9 are installed so that they can withstand both vertical and horizontal loads.

[0136] (9) As shown in another embodiment of FIG. A thin square pipe column 9 may be provided in the middle of the side of the ceiling frame 2.

[0137] Here, the middle part of the side of the ceiling frame 2 refers to a middle position on at least one of the four sides of the ceiling frame 2 that constitutes the building unit 1, away from both ends and their vicinity.

[0138] The side may be any of the four sides of the ceiling frame 2, which is substantially rectangular in plan view. The side to which the thin square pipe column 9 is attached may be any one, any two, any three, or all four sides of the rectangle. In addition, the side to which the thin square pipe column 9 is attached may be either a long side or a short side of the ceiling frame 2. In this embodiment, the thin square pipe column 9 is attached to the middle of one of the long sides.

[0139] The intermediate portion may be the center of the side (the position of the bisection point) or may be a position shifted from the center of the side.

[0140] The number of thin square pipe columns 9 installed on any side may be one or more.

[0141] The thin square pipe column 9 may connect the ceiling frame 2 and the floor frame 3, or may be attached at its upper end only to the ceiling frame 2. This allows the thin square pipe column 9 in the middle to be used as, for example, a load-bearing member or a stud (structural column).

[0142] In this embodiment, one thin square pipe column 9 is installed at the intermediate portion (near the center) of one of the long ceiling beams 5 so as to connect the ceiling frame 2 and the floor frame 3. Note that the number of thin square pipe columns 9 installed and their mounting positions relative to the ceiling frame 2 are not limited to those described above.

[0143] In this case, the building unit 1 may support the ceiling frame 2 only with thin square pipe columns 9, or may have at least one or more large columns 4 (normal columns 35 or large cross-section square pipe columns) that are normally used in general building units 1. In this embodiment, a general building unit 1 has four normal columns 35 at four corners 38, and the ceiling frame 2 and floor frame 3 are of the same size and shape and completely overlap each other vertically, and additional thin square pipe columns 9 are installed.

[0144] As in the above-mentioned embodiments, the thin square pipe column 9 may be attached in a manner that allows it to withstand both vertical and horizontal loads (FIG. 2) or in a manner that allows it to support only vertical loads (FIG. 7).

[0145] In this embodiment, ordinary large columns 4 (ordinary columns 35 or large cross-section square pipe columns) are attached to the four corners 38 of the ceiling frame 2, and since the ordinary columns 35 are capable of adequately withstanding both vertical and horizontal loads, the thin square pipe columns 9 may be attached in a manner that allows them to withstand both vertical and horizontal loads, or in a manner that allows them to support only vertical loads, but they are attached in a manner that allows them to withstand both vertical and horizontal loads.

[0146] <Effects> According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0147] (Effect 1) The building unit 1 (unit frame 12) may use at least one thin square pipe column 9 having a square cylindrical shape with a thickness 8 smaller than the width 7 of the ceiling beams 5, 6 that make up the ceiling frame 2.

[0148] This makes it easier to handle the column 4 (structural column) because the thin square pipe column 9 is lighter than the normal large column 4 (normal column 35) used in a typical building unit 1. In addition, by using at least one thin square pipe column 9 for a building unit 1, it becomes possible to reduce the number of normal large columns 4, which in turn makes it easier to manufacture the building unit 1.

[0149] Because the thin square pipe column 9 has a closed cross section, it has relatively high strength and is therefore functional enough to be used as a structural column (load-bearing member) that supports the structure of the building unit 1.It can be suitably used in the building unit 1 as a member that is less likely to suffer from ``twisting,'' which can be a problem when attaching the column 4 to the ceiling beams 5, 6 and floor beams 24, 25 (which have open cross sections) that are commonly used in the building unit 1.

[0150] The thin square pipe column 9 has a thickness 8 smaller than the width 7 of the ceiling beams 5, 6, so that it can be installed in the building unit 1 so as not to affect the wall member 19 (so that the shape of the column 4 is not visible), and can be neatly stored inside the wall member 19.

[0151] Furthermore, by using thin square pipe columns 9 for the corner portions 38 of the building unit 1 and their vicinity, the thin square pipe columns 9 have a smaller thickness 8 than the large columns 4 (normal columns 35) normally used in the building unit 1, so the space occupied by the columns 4 can be reduced, and as a result, for example, the installation position of the wall members 19 in the inside and outside directions of the building unit 1 can be made closer to the ceiling beams 5, 6, thereby making it possible to expand the internal space of the building unit 1.

[0152] The thin square pipe column 9 may be fixed with bolts 11 to the underside of the ceiling beams 5, 6. By fixing the thin square pipe column 9 to the underside of the ceiling beams 5, 6 with bolts 11, there are no restrictions on the installation position of the thin square pipe column 9 on the underside of the ceiling beams 5, 6, so the thin square pipe column 9 can be installed in any position along the ceiling frame 2. Furthermore, by fixing with bolts 11, the thin square pipe column 9 can be easily moved.

[0153] The thin square pipe column 9 may be fixed with bolts 11 between the underside of the ceiling beams 5, 6 and the upper surfaces of the floor beams 24, 25. By fixing the thin square pipe column 9 to the underside of the ceiling beams 5, 6 and the upper surfaces of the floor beams 24, 25 with bolts 11, there are no restrictions on the installation position of the thin square pipe column 9 between the ceiling beams 5, 6 and the floor beams 24, 25, so the thin square pipe column 9 can be installed in any position between the ceiling frame 2 and the floor frame 3. Furthermore, by fixing with bolts 11, the thin square pipe column 9 can be easily moved.

[0154] (Effect 2) The ceiling beams 5, 6 may be members with an open cross section with one side open. A stiffener 41 may be attached to the inside of the ceiling beams 5, 6 at a position where the thin square pipe column 9 is to be attached. Similarly, the floor beams 24, 25 may be members with an open cross section with one side open. If necessary, a stiffener 42 may be attached to the inside of the floor beams 24, 25 at a position where the thin square pipe column 9 is to be attached.

[0155] By making the ceiling beams 5, 6 (and floor beams 24, 25) members of open cross section, it becomes possible to use the internal space of the ceiling beams 5, 6 (and floor beams 24, 25) to attach stiffeners 41 (and stiffeners 42) to the ceiling beams 5, 6 (and floor beams 24, 25) without getting in the way.

[0156] Note that, by arranging the open cross-section ceiling beams 5, 6 (and floor beams 24, 25) with one open side facing outward, it becomes easier to create the ceiling frame 2 (and floor frame 3) and also becomes possible to attach the stiffeners 41 (and stiffeners 42) from the outside of the building unit 1, which is preferable in terms of attaching the stiffeners. However, as described above, the open cross-section ceiling beams 5, 6 (and floor beams 24, 25) may be arranged with one open side facing inward, or may be arranged with one side facing inward and one side facing outward in combination.

[0157] By attaching stiffener 41 (or stiffener 42) to the position where thin square pipe column 9 is to be installed, the position where thin square pipe column 9 is to be attached on ceiling beams 5, 6 (or floor beams 24, 25) can be partially and efficiently reinforced by stiffener 41 (or stiffener 42), thereby preventing buckling of ceiling beams 5, 6 (or floor beams 24, 25).

[0158] (Effect 3) A splice plate 51 that abuts from above against the underside of the ceiling beams 5, 6 may be attached to the stiffener 41. Similarly, if necessary, a splice plate 52 that abuts from below against the upper surfaces of the floor beams 24, 25 may be attached to the stiffener 42.

[0159] By pressing the area around the position where the thin square pipe column 9 is attached on the underside of the ceiling beams 5, 6 (and the flange portion 23 and flange portion 27 on the upper surface of the floor beams 24, 25) with the surface of the splice plate 51 (or splice plate 52) installed on the stiffener 41 (or stiffener 42), the ceiling beams 5, 6 (and floor beams 24, 25) can be reinforced partially and efficiently.

[0160] (Effect 4) A reinforcing piece 61 may be attached to the outer surface of the upper end of the thin square pipe column 9. Similarly, if necessary, a reinforcing piece 62 may be attached to the outer surface of the lower end of the thin square pipe column 9.

[0161] The reinforcing pieces 61 and 62 attached to the outer surfaces of the ends (upper and lower ends) of the thin square pipe column 9 can partially and efficiently reinforce the periphery of the end of the thin square pipe column 9.

[0162] Therefore, it is possible to reinforce the thin square pipe column 9 itself with the reinforcing piece 61 so that it can withstand vertical and horizontal loads (e.g., earthquake force and wind pressure) acting on the thin square pipe column 9.

[0163] In this case, by making the reinforcing piece 61 (or reinforcing piece 62) a ring-shaped or single or multiple C-shaped members, the thin square pipe column 9 can be reinforced with the reinforcing piece 61 over almost the entire periphery.

[0164] (Effect 5) An end plate 71 may be attached to the upper end of the thin square pipe column 9, which abuts from below against the underside of the ceiling beams 5, 6. Similarly, if necessary, an end plate 72 may be attached to the lower end of the thin square pipe column 9, which abuts from above against the upper surfaces of the floor beams 24, 25.

[0165] The end plate 71 (or end plate 72) attached to the upper end (or lower end) of the thin square pipe column 9 can partially and efficiently reinforce the upper end (or the fixed part of the lower end to the ceiling beams 5, 6 and floor beams 24, 25) of the thin square pipe column 9.

[0166] Then, by abutting the end plate 71 (or end plate 72) against the underside of the ceiling beams 5, 6 (or the upper surfaces of the floor beams 24, 25), a portion (fixing portion 73) for fixing the thin square pipe column 9 with a bolt 11 to the underside of the ceiling beams 5, 6 (or the upper surfaces of the floor beams 24, 25) can be secured and set.

[0167] Furthermore, for example, by (making the end plate 71 (or end plate 72) thicker) and fixing it in contact with the underside of the ceiling beams 5, 6 (or the upper surfaces of the floor beams 24, 25), it becomes possible to allow the thin square pipe column 9 to bear the vertical and horizontal loads acting on the thin square pipe column 9 from the ceiling beams 5, 6 (or floor beams 24, 25) via the end plate 71 (or end plate 72).

[0168] In addition to or other than thickening the end plates 71 (or 72), it is possible to make the thin square pipe column 9 capable of withstanding vertical and horizontal loads by adopting at least one or all of the following: attaching a reinforcing piece 61 (or reinforcing piece 62) to the end of the thin square pipe column 9; attaching a splice plate 51 (or splice plate 52) to the stiffener 41 (or stiffener 42); or using a bolt 11 with a large diameter.

[0169] (Effect 6) The end plates 71, 72 at the ends of the thin rectangular pipe column 9 may be provided with web surfaces 81, 82 extending up and down.

[0170] For example, if the thin-type square pipe column 9 is designed to support only vertical loads, the thin-type square pipe column 9 does not need to support horizontal loads. However, the thin-type square pipe column 9 tilts due to lateral displacement of the ceiling beams 5, 6 (or floor beams 24, 25) caused by the horizontal load, and as a result, deformation in the vertical direction Z occurs in the end plates 71, 72, as shown in Figure 9(c). In this case, small deformations in the vertical direction Z of the end plates 71, 72 are tolerated to a certain extent, but the generated stress F in the vertical direction Z needs to be transmitted to the bolts 11 that secure the ceiling beams 5, 6 or floor beams 24, 25 to the thin-type square pipe column 9. Therefore, web surfaces 81, 82 extending vertically are integrally formed on the end plates 71, 72. This makes it possible to transmit the minimum necessary stress F to the bolts 11 by the bearing strength G in the surface direction (vertical direction Z or the longitudinal direction 31) of the web surfaces 81, 82.

[0171] (Effect 7) The ceiling frame 2 may be supported from below only by the thin square pipe columns 9. This allows for the construction of a building unit 1 in which the ceiling frame 2 is supported only by the thin square pipe columns 9, in addition to the effects of the thin square pipe columns 9 and the like described above, making it possible to provide, for example, a new building unit 1 with a beam-supported structure. Note that this new building unit 1 with a beam-supported structure can be used together with regular building units 1 to construct a unit building.

[0172] Furthermore, by supporting the ceiling frame 2 only with the thin square pipe columns 9, the building unit 1 can be assembled not only in a factory but also at a construction site.

[0173] That is, for example, the ceiling frame 2 and floor frame 3 components can be manufactured in advance in a factory, transported to the construction site, and then separated vertically at the construction site and connected with thin square pipe columns 9 (fixed with bolts 11), allowing the building unit 1 to be assembled relatively easily at the construction site. This eliminates the need for large-scale manufacturing facilities for the building unit 1 and simplifies the facilities required at the factory.

[0174] (Effect 8) At least some of the thin square pipe columns 9 may have lower ends that are not fixed to the floor frames 3. This allows the floor frames 3 to be made smaller than the ceiling frames 2, in addition to the effects of the thin square pipe columns 9 and the building units 1 described above, and therefore a building unit 1 with a new structure in which the floor frames 3 are smaller than the ceiling frames 2 can be provided. The lower ends that are not fixed to the floor frames 3 can be directly fixed to the foundation 93 or the ceiling frames 2 of the building units 1 on the lower floor. A building unit 1 with such a structure can be applied when an irregular floor structure is desired, for example, in a store, garage, or entryway.

[0175] (Function and Effect 9) The thin square pipe column 9 may be provided in the middle of the side of the ceiling frame 2. In this way, in addition to the effects of the thin square pipe column 9 and the building unit 1 described above, the thin square pipe column 9 provided in the middle of the side of the ceiling frame 2 increases the support force for the ceiling frame 2, allowing the building unit 1 to be freely reinforced. Also, at the construction site, it becomes possible to freely attach additional thin square pipe columns 9 to the ceiling frame 2 of the building unit 1 later. As described above, this thin square pipe column 9 can be installed in a free position and the position of the thin square pipe column 9 can be easily moved, making it effective when reinforcing the building unit 1, etc.

[0176] For example, even for a general (column-dominated) building unit 1 having a normal large column 4 (normal column 35 or large cross-section square pipe column), by adding a thin square pipe column 9, the general building unit 1 can be freely reinforced with the thin square pipe column 9. [Explanation of symbols]

[0177] 1 building unit 2 Ceiling Frame 3 Floor Frame 4 pillars 5. Ceiling beams 6. Ceiling beams 7 Width 8 Thickness 9 Thin Square Pipe Column 11 volts 12 Unit Frame 24 Floor beam 25 Floor beam 31 Longitudinal direction 32 Width direction 41 Stiffener 51 Plate 61 Reinforcement piece 71 End plate 72 End Plate 81 Web page 82 Web page 91 Unconnected lower end X Short Side Direction Y Long side direction Z vertical direction

Claims

1. A building unit in which a ceiling frame and a floor frame are arranged vertically and separated and connected by structural columns, The structural columns are at least one or more thin rectangular pipe columns having a rectangular cross section and a rectangular tubular shape that has a thickness smaller than the width of the ceiling beams that constitute the ceiling frame and is wide in the longitudinal direction of the ceiling beams, and are used around at least one corner of the ceiling frame, At least one of the corner portions has a beam-first structure in which the ceiling beams are directly butt-jointed, and the thin square pipe columns are provided as the structural columns of the corner portion and the periphery of the corner portion; The thin square pipe column is installed near the end of one or both of the ceiling beams, away from the corner portion of the beam, and is fixed to the underside of the ceiling beam with bolts so as to fit within the width of the ceiling beam, The ceiling beam is an open cross-section member with one side open, On the inside of the ceiling beam, at the position where the thin square pipe column is to be attached, A building unit characterized in that, while the ceiling beam remains in its open cross section, stiffeners having a rectangular shape in side view and a width approximately equal to the thickness of the thin square pipe columns are attached so as to connect the ceiling beams vertically.

2. 2. A building unit according to claim 1, A building unit characterized in that a splice plate that abuts against the underside of the ceiling beam from above is attached to the stiffener.

3. 3. A building unit according to claim 1 or claim 2, A building unit characterized in that a reinforcing piece is attached to the outer surface of the upper end of the thin square pipe column.

4. A building unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A building unit characterized in that an end plate is attached to the upper end of the thin square pipe column so as to abut against the underside of the ceiling beam from below.

5. 5. A building unit according to claim 4, A building unit characterized in that the end plates are provided with web surfaces extending vertically.

6. A building unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, A building unit characterized in that the ceiling frame is supported from below only by the thin square pipe columns.

7. A building unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, A building unit characterized in that at least some of the thin square pipe columns have lower ends that are not fixed to the floor frame.

8. A building unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, A building unit characterized in that the thin square pipe column is further provided at the middle portion of a side of the ceiling frame.

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