Modular structural load bearing system and modular composite panel for making housing units

Abstract

The invention relates to a. modular structural system (100) comprising - at least two modular composite panels (1), preferably a plurality of modular composite panels (1), wherein each panel (1) comprises: o a frame (10) comprising at least one pair of pultruded perimetral upright profiles (2') arranged parallel and spaced apart to / from each other and / or at least one pair of pultruded perimetral transverse profiles (2'') arranged parallel and spaced apart to / from each other; o at least two outer cover skins (3) constrained to said pultruded perimetral profiles (2', 2''); o at least one layer of insulating material (4) interposed between said two cover skins (3); - at least one connecting profile (5) for the connection of two pultruded perimetral profiles (2', 2'') of adjacent panels, wherein said pultruded perimetral profiles (2', 2'') have at least two housing portions (21, 22) for said connecting profile (5) and wherein two adjacent modular composite panels (1) are connected to each other by at least one said connecting profile (5) which is inserted into the respective housing portions (21, 22) of two pultruded perimetral profiles (2', 2'') of adjacent panels.

Description

[0001] “Modular structural load bearing system and modular composite panel for making housing units”

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a modular load-bearing structural system and a respective modular composite panel for making housing units. The present invention may be intended for several uses, e.g. residential or educational, healthcare, sports, museum, and may be used in temporary' or emergency situations, or in permanent situations.

[0004] KNOWN PRIOR ART

[0005] In the field of construction and, in particular, in the field of modular constructions, in which the structural elements of a housing unit are prefabricated and brought to the site in which the housing unit must be built to be assembled therein, lightness and stability of the structural and covering elements are crucial, as well as the speed of assembly.

[0006] The use of composite panels, or sandwich panels, to make modular covering walls on an existing structural frame is currently known.

[0007] In particular, making a load-bearing structure, e.g. a structural frame, on which the composite panels can be arranged as a wall or ceiling covering is known in the art.

[0008] Experience shows that the time for making the structural frame and laying the composite panels are very long.

[0009] It should also be noted that the current systems have other limitations, e.g. they do not allow' simple transportability, require high assembly expertise, have limited useful life and moderate recoverability of the structural and covering elements.

[0010] Indeed, the panels of the known art are generally assembled by using connecting materials intended to be consolidated after laying, such as glues and sealants, or by using mechanical means, such as screw's or bolts.

[0011] A further limitation of current systems is that the panels are assembled, and connected to each other, by using inelastic connecting means of a substantially punctual type, such as self-drilling screws, or bolts and respective nuts. The use of punctual inelastic connecting means determines a rigid node at the connections between two adjacent panels and the load forces are transferred to the punctual inelastic connecting means (self-drilling screws or bolts and related nuts), resulting in a possible and unwanted formation of cracks or fractures.

[0012] A further disadvantage of the systems of the known art is the difficulty in making multi- storey buildings and, for this reason, they are often used to make only emergency, nonpermanent single-storey buildings.

[0013] Indeed, the aforementioned presence of punctual rigid connections between the panels is crucial especially if the structural system provides for the making of a multi-storey building, therefore subject to high load forces: the panels of current systems that provide punctual inelastic connecting means are subject to bending generated with the high loads, typical of residential structures, with the risk of fracture or breakage at the points of rigid connection.

[0014] Object of the present invention is to solve the drawbacks of the prior art and, in particular, those mentioned above in relation to known structural systems, to provide a panel and a respective structural system that are light and easy to transport and assemble, with a high level of accuracy.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a panel and a structural system that have almost totally recoverable and reusable structural components.

[0016] Further object of the present invention is to provide a panel and a load-bearing structural system having connections adapted to withstand even high loads, e.g. the loads typical of multi-storey permanent structures.

[0017] Further object of the present invention is to provide a panel and a structural system that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

[0018] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0019] These and other objects are achieved by the present invention by means of a modular load-bearing structural system according to independent claim 10 and a modular composite panel according to independent claim 1 .

[0020] Further characteristics / aspects of the present invention are hereinafter described and / or set forth in the dependent claims. It should be noted at the outset that what is described and / or claimed herein with reference to the modular composite panel can be applied to the system and vice versa.

[0021] The modular composite panel, according to the invention, comprises: a frame, comprising at least one pair of pultruded perimetral upright profiles arranged parallel and spaced apart to / from each other and / or at least one pair of pultruded perimetral transverse profiles arranged parallel and spaced apart to / from each other; at least two outer cover skins constrained to said pultruded perimetral profiles; at least one layer of insulating material interposed between said two cover skins; wherein said pultruded perimetral profiles have at least two housing portions for a connecting profile adapted to be inserted into the respective housing portions of two adjacent pultruded perimetral profiles to make them to connect to each other.

[0022] Advantageously, the panels, according to the invention, have both structural and insulating characteristics and therefore allow to make a modular load-bearing structural system as will be described hereinafter, without the aid of further pre-existing structural elements, e.g. without the need for a load-bearing structural frame.

[0023] It should be noted that “load-bearing” structural system refers to the set of functional building elements that have the function of supporting the loads of the same structural system and of statically connecting its parts.

[0024] In the present invention, the functional building elements consist of panels and the structure also contributes to vertically separating the inner gaps between each other and from the outside.

[0025] Furthermore, advantageously, the presence of at least two housing portions on each pultruded profile, in addition to providing improved flexibility of use, allows two adjacent panels to be aligned by inserting two respective connecting profiles into the two housing portions. This allows a more precise and stable alignment than the panels of known art, which provide a single housing portion for a single connecting profile.

[0026] Indeed, the presence of two connecting profiles decreases the degrees of freedom of the connection between two aligned adjacent panels and ensures that two adjacent, panels, which form e.g. a wall portion of the structural system, lie on the same plane without undergoing unwanted displacements, whereas panels of the known art that have pultruded profiles with only one housing portion (and therefore only one connecting profile) allow possible mutual rotation of the two panels about the connection point. further advantage deriving from the presence of two housing portions, and therefore of two connecting profiles, ensures that two adjacent panels, which form e.g. a wall portion of the structural system, are stably, if sometimes reversibly, connected to each other without the need for further inelastic connecting means, such as screws or bolts.

[0027] As mentioned above, panels of the known art are indeed assembled and connected to each other by using punctual inelastic connecting means, such as screws or bolts. The use of punctual inelastic connecting means determines a rigid node at the connections between two adjacent panels and the load forces are transferred to the punctual inelastic connecting means (screws or bolts), thus resulting in a possible and unwanted formation of cracks or fractures.

[0028] In addition, punctual inelastic connecting means of the prior art exert a compression action between the two outer skins of the panel towards the centre thereof, thus resulting in the impossibility of counteracting any lateral forces, e.g. due to winds or earthquakes. The presence of improperly counteracted lateral forces can result in the collapse of the entire structure, if this is found to be lacking an appropriate lateral counteracting system.

[0029] Conversely, the panels according to the invention exert the function of bracing or bracing systems that absorb lateral acting forces. Indeed, the connection between the panels according to the present invention, which is operated without the use of punctual inelastic connecting means that, keep the outer skins of the panel compressed with each other, allows the skins of the panel to work alternately under tension and compression, thus acting as bracing to counteract lateral acting forces.

[0030] Furthermore, advantageously, the panels according to the invention allow the assembly of a single completely dry panel, i.e. without the use of connecting materials intended to consolidate after laying, such as glues and sealants, in particular for a single-storey building.

[0031] Further advantages deriving from such dry-assembled panels are the possibility of disassembly and recovery of the structural components and the insulating layer, and agile transportation of structural elements without the aid of heavy vehicles, even in areas devoid of urbanisation. According to an aspect, the pultruded perimetral profiles have a hollow main body which extends along a main longitudinal direction.

[0032] According to an aspect, the at least two housing portions extend in a longitudinal direction along the outer surface of said hollow main body.

[0033] It should be noted that, in a preferred embodiment, the pultruded perimetral profiles have two housing portions that extend in the longitudinal direction along the outer surface of said hollow7main body.

[0034] Advantageously, the presence of two housing portions allows at least, one connecting profile to be housed, to make the connection between two adjacent panels.

[0035] For example, as will be better explained with reference to the detailed description of the invention and the accompanying figures, two panels can be connected to form a wall portion, in such a way that they lie on the same plane, by inserting two connecting profiles having linear longitudinal section into the respective housing portions of the pultruded profiles.

[0036] Alternatively, two panels can be connected in such a way that they lie on two planes incident to each other by an angle substantially equal to 90° to make an angled connection between two distinct wall portions, by inserting a single connecting profile having a “L”- or “F”-shaped longitudinal section into the respective housing portions.

[0037] It should be noted that the same connecting profile may comprise two portions which can be inserted into two corresponding housing portions of a first pultaided profile and a portion which can be inserted into a corresponding housing portion of a second pultruded profile.

[0038] In an embodiment, the pultruded profiles are made of fibre-reinforced polymer matrix materials, e.g. glass fibre reinforced plastic (GFRP).

[0039] It should be noted that other alternative composite materials, e.g. comprising graphite, and other materials characterised by lightness, resistance and recyclability, can be identified.

[0040] .Advantageously, in addition to offering excellent structural characteristics, this material has advantages of mechanical-physical nature, low specific weight, attachability by chemical agents lower than steel and absence of corrosion, as well as radiolucency and non-magneticity. According to an aspect, the frame comprises at least one reinforcing pultruded profile which extends between said pultruded upright profiles in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extent direction of said pultruded upright profiles.

[0041] According to a further aspect, the cover skins are made of material derived from organic waste materials and organic product processing processes, e.g. rice husk thickened with oils and resins, and are preferably made of thickened organic substances processed by lamination.

[0042] Alternatively, the cover skins are made of laminated composite materials.

[0043] It should be noted that the cover skins can be made with different thicknesses, of material resistant to stresses and atmospheric agents, in particular to water.

[0044] Advantageously, the materials used, derived from the processing of organic substances, can comprise a very high component of rice husk thickened with oils and resins and, therefore, allow the use of the outer skins (made with sheets iaminated in such material) outdoors, without deformation, for long periods of time, even under complete immersion in water.

[0045] The present invention is further directed to a modular load-bearing structural system comprising at least two modular composite panels, preferably a plurality of modular composite panels according to the invention; and at least one connecting profile for the connection of two adjacent pultruded perimetral profiles, wherein two adjacent modular composite panels are connected to each other by means of said at least one connecting profile which is inserted into the respective housing portions of two adjacent pultruded perimetral profiles.

[0046] It should be noted that the term “perimetral profiles” is intended to refer to the pultruded profiles that contribute to make the perimetral structure of the frame that constitutes the panel.

[0047] Advantageously, such a structural system has modular panels as described above, which integrate a structural frame and, therefore, are self-supporting. Therefore, unlike systems belonging to the known art, the modular load-bearing structural system according to the invention can be assembled by means of the connection between the panels alone, without the need for a pre-existing frame, and is therefore configured as a 1 oad- b eari n g structural sy stem .

[0048] In other words, the system thus conceived does not provide further structural elements in addition to the panels described above, which integrate the structural frame.

[0049] Furthermore, advantageously, the connection between the panels by inserting the connecting profile allows easy assembly and disassembly of the modular structural system.

[0050] Indeed, a further advantage deriving from the present invention is the presence of the connecting profiles which allow the dry assembly of the structural system and which do not require the connection by inelastic connecting means, such as screws or bolts, with the advantages discussed above.

[0051] In addition, the presence of two housing openings on each pultruded profile allows correct alignment of the pultruded profiles for the connection between the panels: as will be better explained hereinafter, the housing portions for the connecting profiles have a substantially linear shape complementary to the shape of the connecting profiles: when the assembly is carried out and the perimetral profiles of two adjacent panels are side by side, the same connecting profile is inserted into the respective housing portions of the two adjacent perimetral profiles, thus allowing the locking in the correct position. Advantageously, as mentioned above, such a configuration makes the structural system according to the invention also load-bearing, where “load-bearing” means the set of functional building elements that have the function of supporting the loads of the same structural system and of statically connecting its parts.

[0052] In the present invention, the functional building elements consist of panels and the structure also contributes to vertically separating the inner gaps between each other and from the outside.

[0053] It should be noted that the most important loads that a structure must bear are the static loads, which do not vary over time, and the structure is generally sized according to them .

[0054] They are determined through standards and conventions.

[0055] For ceilings, e.g. conventionally, the load is assumed as a constant value in Kg / sqm.

[0056] Further loads to be considered in the sizing of the building are movable loads: people, furniture, equipment and other non-structural elements, rainwater, snow and ice, wind pressure and depression on an outer wall.

[0057] Advantageously, the load-bearing structural system according to the invention comprises panels that also exert the function of bracing or bracing systems that absorb lateral acting forces. Indeed, the connection between the adjacent panels according to the present invention, which is operated without the use of punctual inelastic connecting means that keep the outer skins of the panel compressed with each other, allows the skins of the panel to work alternately under tension and compression, thus acting as bracing to counteract lateral acting forces.

[0058] According to an aspect, the structural system provides that, the connection between two adjacent panels is made by means of at least one connecting profile, and is embedded by means of the use of connecting materials intended to consolidate after laying, such as glues and sealants or structural glues.

[0059] In other words, according to this aspect, a glue or structural glue is applied to the respective housing portions of the pultruded profiles, where the connecting profile is then inserted.

[0060] Advantageously, the use of a structural glue instead of punctual inelastic connecting means, such as screw's or bolts, allows greater stability of the structural system, in particular for a multi-storey building.

[0061] Advantageously, it has been proven that the system according to the present invention is self-supporting and allows to make buildings with walls up to three metres high.

[0062] Additionally, the structural system according to the present invention allows to make two-story buildings, up to 6 metres above ground.

[0063] According to an aspect, at least two adjacent modular composite panels are connected to each other, in such a way that they lie on the same plane to form a portion of wall or ceiling or floor of the modular structural system.

[0064] According to this aspect, the at least one connecting profile has a linear longitudinal section or a longitudinal “T”-shaped section.

[0065] Advantageously, the different structural portions of the system can be made from the same structural panels, which are placed in connection.

[0066] According to a further aspect, at least two adjacent modular composite panels are connected to each other, in such a way that they lie on two planes which are incident to each other by an angle between 30° and 100°, preferably substantially equal to 90°, to make a connection between two wall portions of the modular structural system or between a wall portion and a ceiling portion, or between a waH portion and a floor portion of the said modular structural system.

[0067] According to this aspect, the at least one connecting profile has an “L”-shaped longitudinal section, or a “T”-shaped longitudinal section, or a “J”-shaped longitudinal section, or a “F”-shaped longitudinal section.

[0068] In other words, two panels can be connected in such a way that they lie on two planes incident to each other by a given angle to make an angled connection, e.g. between two distinct wall portions, by inserting a single connecting profile having a “L”- or “F”- shaped longitudinal section into the respective housing portions.

[0069] It should be noted that the same connecting profile may comprise two portions which are inserted into two corresponding housing portions of a first pultruded profile, and a portion which is inserted into a corresponding housing portion of a second pultruded profile.

[0070] Advantageously, the modular structural system has structural nodes between the wall / wall panels or between the wall / ceiling panels made by only connecting two adjacent panels.

[0071] According to an aspect, at least two adjacent modular composite panels are connected to each other, in such a way that they lie on two parallel planes to make a reinforcing portion of the modular structural system.

[0072] Advantageously, the panels are connected to each other and allow the implementation of the structural system by means of pultruded perimetral profiles lying on two parallel planes, and are connected by means of resistant connecting profiles arranged orthogonally to the plane of the panels, thus exploiting the housing portions of the pultruded perimetral profiles. According to this aspect, the at least one connecting profile has a linear longitudinal section or a longitudinal “T’-shaped section.

[0073] Advantageously, in case of high design loads, e.g. for a two- story building, the system can then be implemented by inserting a connecting (or stiffening) “T’-shaped profile inserted into the joint between a panel and the adjacent one. This stiffening profile can be inserted into both horizontal and vertical joints, in order to increase the resistance to vertical and horizontal loads.

[0074] According to an aspect, the at least two housing portions for the at least one connecting profile have a shape complementary to at least part of the preferably linear connecting profile.

[0075] In general, as mentioned above, the connection profile can have a “T”-, “J"’-, “L”- or “F”-shaped longitudinal section, depending on the type of connection required between the adjacent panels. More generally, the connecting profile can have a longitudinal section formed by several linear portions, in such a way that the same connecting profile can comprise: a portion which is inserted into a corresponding housing portion of a first pultruded profile, and a portion which is inserted into a corresponding housing portion of a second pultruded profile, two portions which are inserted into two corresponding housing portions of a first pultruded profile and a portion which is inserted into a corresponding housing portion of a second pultruded profile, two portions that are inserted into two corresponding housing portions of a first pultruded profile and two portions that are inserted into two corresponding housing portions of a second pultruded profile.

[0076] According to a further aspect, the frame comprises at least one reinforcing pultruded profile which extends between said pultruded upright profiles in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extent direction of said pultruded upright profiles.

[0077] Advantageously, the presence of one or more reinforcing profiles allows increased resistance in terms of deformation and tension to high loads, e.g. in the case of a two- story building above ground.

[0078] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0079] Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the following description, which is made by way of example, with purely illustrative and non-limiting reference to the schematic drawings depicted in the accompanying figures in which: Figure 1A shows an exploded view of a modular composite panel according to the present invention;

[0080] Figure IB shows a side view of the panel of figure 1 A;

[0081] Figure 1C is a detail view that shows a perimetral transverse profile of the panel of figure 1 A;

[0082] Figure ID is a perspective view of the panel of figure 1 A;

[0083] Figure 1C shows the section according to a plane perpendicular to the axis of a bipolar cable according to figure 1 A;

[0084] Figures 2A and 2B show a perspective view and a sectional view of a portion of a pultruded profile of a panel according to the invention;

[0085] Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the connection of two panels according to the invention, which form a wall portion of the structural system according to the invention,

[0086] Figure 4 shows a sectional view of the connection of two wall portions of the structural system according to the invention;

[0087] Figure 5 shows a secti onal view of the connection of a wall porti on and a ceiling portion of the structural system according to the invention;

[0088] Figure 5A shows a sectional view of the connection of two wall portions of the structural system according to the invention;

[0089] Figure 6 shows a sectional view of the connection of two panels according to the invention, which form a reinforcing portion of the structural system according to the invention;

[0090] Figure 7 shows a structural system according to the invention, comprising walls, ceiling and flooring;

[0091] Figure 8 shows a structural system according to the invention, which has two levels above ground;

[0092] Figure 9 shows a modular composite panel according to the invention;

[0093] Figure 10 shows a modular structural system according to the invention;

[0094] Figures 11A and 11B show detailed figures of the connection between different modular composite panels according to the invention;

[0095] Figures 12A and 12B show the connection between two wall portions of the structural system according to the invention;

[0096] Figures 13 A and 13B show the connection between a wall portion and a ceiling portion of a structural system according to the invention.

[0097] EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0098] With reference to figure 1 and figure 9, the modular composite panel 1 according to the invention comprises a frame 10 comprising at least one pair of pultruded perimetral upright profiles 2’ arranged parallel and spaced apart to / from each other and / or at least one pair of pultruded perimetral transverse profiles 2" arranged parallel and spaced apart to / from each other.

[0099] It should be noted that, in a preferred embodiment, the frame 10 comprises one pair of pultruded perimetral upright profiles 2’ arranged parallel and spaced apart to / from each other and one pair of pultruded perimetral transverse profiles 2” arranged parallel and spaced apart to / from each other.

[0100] In a possible embodiment, the pultruded profiles 2’, 2” are made of fibre-reinforced polymer matrix material, e.g. glass fibre reinforced plastic (GFRP).

[0101] Additionally, the modular composite panel 1 according to the invention comprises at least two outer cover skins 3 constrained to the pultruded perimetral profiles 2’, 2”, and at least one layer of insulating material 4 interposed between the two cover skins 3.

[0102] In an embodiment, the cover skins 3 are made of organic waste materials, e.g. rice husk thickened with oils and resins, and are preferably laminated sheets made of a similar material.

[0103] Alternatively, the cover skins 3 are made of laminated composite materials.

[0104] The cover skins 3 can be made with different thicknesses, of material resistant to stresses and atmospheric agents, in particular to water.

[0105] With reference to figure 2D and figures 3 - 5, it should be noted that the cover skins 3 can be glued to the pultruded perimetral profiles 2’, 2 ” by using a structural adhesive. Furthermore, the connection of the cover skins 3 to the pultruded perimetral profiles 2’, 2” can be embedded by means of self-drilling screws that make the cover skins 3 and the frame 10 made by the pultruded perimetral profiles 2’, 2”, integral. Additionally, in a possible embodiment, the insulating material 4 interposed between the two cover skins 3 comprises closed-cell polyurethane or high-density extruded polystyrene (Xps) or, in general, preferably high-density insulating materials.

[0106] With reference to figures 2A and 2B, the pultruded perimetral profiles 2’, 2” of the panel 1 according to the invention have at least two housing portions 21, 22 for at least one connecting profile 5 adapted to be inserted into the respective housing portions 21, 22 of two pultruded perimetral profiles 2’, 2” of adjacent panels 1 to make them to connect each other, in order to connect two adjacent panels 1 .

[0107] Depending on the shape of the connecting profile 5, one or both of the housing portions 21, 2'2 of the pultruded perimetral profiles 2’, 2” of two adjacent panels 1 can be engaged.

[0108] The use of more than one connecting profile 5 to connect two pultruded perimetral profiles 2’, 2” of adjacent panels 1 to each other is not excluded.

[0109] It is noted as of now that the pultruded perimetral profiles 2’, 2” are devoid of holes or seats for punctual inelastic connecting means, such as screws or bolts, placed at the respective housing portions 21, 22. The constraint between the connecting profile 5 and the housing portions 21, 22 of the pultruded perimetral profiles 2’, 2” of adjacent panels 1 is of the type where complementary’ parts are inserted.

[0110] As will be better described hereinafter, with reference to the modular structural system 100 according to the invention, the connection between two adjacent modular panels 1 is made by means of at least one connecting profile 5 and can also be embedded bymeans of glues or sealants, preferably structural glues.

[0111] In particular, the at least one connecting profile 5 and the respective housing portions 21, 22 of two adjacent panels 1 may preferably be shaped to make a stable interlocking constraint of the connecting profile 5 in such housing portions 21, 22. This stable interlocking constraint can be of the reversible type, i.e. allow the connecting profile to be disassembled from the respective housing portions 21, 22.

[0112] Alternatively, as will be seen, the at least one connecting profile 5 and the respective housing portions 21, 22 can be shaped to allow a looser constraint by juxtaposition of geometric shapes between the connecting profile 5 and the housing portions 21 , 22 and, at the same time, to possibly allow spreading one or more layers of a glue or sealant, e.g. structural glues or other adhesive material, between such connecting profile 5 and the housing portions 21 , 22 into which it is inserted, so as to make the constraint between these components substantially permanent, without having to employ punctual inelastic connecting means, such as screws or bolts.

[0113] In general, as will be better described hereinafter with reference to the structural system 100 and the possible connections between adjacent panels (to form e.g. simple or angled wall portions, ceilings or flooring), the connecting profile 5 can have a linear longitudinal section or “T”-> “J”-, “L”- or “F’-shaped, depending on the type of connection required between the adjacent panels.

[0114] More generally, the connecting profile 5 can have a longitudinal section formed by different linear portions, in such a way that the same connecting profile 5 can comprise: a portion that is inserted into a corresponding housing portion of a first pultruded profile and a portion that is inserted into a corresponding housing portion of a second pultruded profile or: two portions that are inserted into two corresponding housing portions of a first pultruded profile and a portion that is inserted into a corresponding housing portion of a second pultruded profile, or alternatively: two portions that are inserted into two corresponding housing portions of a first pultruded profile and two portions that are inserted into two corresponding housing portions of a second pultruded profile.

[0115] In an embodiment shown by way of example in figures 1A - ID and figure 9, the frame 10 comprises at least one reinforcing pultruded profile 6 which extends between the pultruded upright profiles 2’ in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extent direction of said pultruded upright profiles 2’.

[0116] Preferably, the frame 10 comprises a plurality of pultruded reinforcing profiles 6 arranged parallel and spaced apart from each other.

[0117] In an embodiment, the pultruded perimetral profiles 2’, 2” have a tubular shape, i.e. they have a hollow main body 23 that extends along a main longitudinal direction.

[0118] It should be noted that the pultruded reinforcing profiles 6 can also have such a tubular shape, i.e. they have a hollow main body 23 that extends along a main longitudinal direction. Preferably, the hollow main body 23 has a substantially, preferably rectangular or square, polygonal cross section, but embodiments in which the hollow main body 23 has a circular or elliptical cross section are not excluded.

[0119] Referring to figure 2B, the hollow main body 23 has an axis of symmetry X passing through the centre of the cross section of the hollow main body 23 and perpendicular to the main longitudinal extent direction of the hollow main body.

[0120] Additionally, with reference to figure 2 A, the pultruded perinietral profiles 2’, 2” have two housing portions 21, 22 that extend in a longitudinal direction along the outer surface of the hollow7main body 23.

[0121] Preferably, the two housing portions are equidistant from the axis of symmetry X passing through the centre of the cross section of the hollow7main body 23.

[0122] In particular, the hollow main body 23 is provided with at least two flanges or guides 24, 25 that extend in the longitudinal direction along the outer surface of the hollow main body 23 to form the respective housing portions 21, 22 for the connecting profile 5, in such a w'ay that each housing portion is then interposed between the hollow main body 23 and the at least one flange or guide 24, 25.

[0123] In a preferred embodiment, the housing portions 21, 22 for the connecting profile 5 have a shape complementary to at least part of the preferably linear connecting profile 5.

[0124] As mentioned, the present invention is further directed to a modular structural system 100 comprising at least two modular composite panels 1, preferably a plurality of modular composite panels 1 of the type described above.

[0125] Additionally, the modular structural system 100 according to the invention comprises at least one connecting profile 5 for the connection of two adjacent pultruded perimetral profiles 2’, 2”.

[0126] As mentioned, the pultruded perimetral profiles 2’, 2” of the system 100 according to the invention have at least two housing portions 21, 22 for at least one connecting profile 5 and two adjacent modular composite panels 1 are connected to each other by at least one connecting profile 5, which is inserted into the respective housing portions 21, 22 of tw7o adjacent pultruded perimetral profiles 2’, 2”.

[0127] In a possible embodiment, the connection between tw7o adjacent modular panels 1 is made by means of at least one connecting profile 5 and can be embedded also by means of structural glues.

[0128] With reference to figures 3-6 and figures 11A-13B, it should be noted that the connecting profile 5 allows the adjacent perimetral profiles 2’, 2” to be correctly positioned, since it allows the housing portions 21, 22 of the perimetral profiles 2’, 2” to be aligned.

[0129] It should be noted that the modular structural system 100 is adapted for the making of housing units, by connecting the modular panels 1 for the making of walls 101, cover ceilings 102, lower horizontal partitions 103 (floors) or reinforcing walls 104.

[0130] The connection to the ground takes place by means of adjustable feet directly connected in-situ to the panels 1 by means of self-drilling screws, as shown in figure 7.

[0131] In an embodiment, the adjacent modular composite panels 1 are connected to each other, in such a way that they lie on the same plane to form a portion of wall 101, ceiling 102 or flooring 103 of the modular structural system 100.

[0132] Figure 3 shows by way of example two adjacent modular composite panels 1 connected to each other in such a way that they lie on the same plane to form a wall portion 101.

[0133] In this case, the at least one connecting profile 5, that is inserted into the respective housing portions 21, 22 of two adjacent pultruded perimetral profiles 2’, 2” for the connection of two adjacent panels 1, has a linear longitudinal section or a“ T”-shaped longitudinal section.

[0134] With reference to figure 3, it should be noted that, in this case the same connecting profile 5 comprises a portion that is inserted into a corresponding housing portion 21 of a first pultruded profile 2’ and a portion that is inserted into a corresponding housing portion 21 of a second pultruded profile 2’,

[0135] With reference to figures 3 - 6 and 11A - 13B, the at least one connecting profile 5 has a longitudinal section at least partly linear and is inserted into the respective housing portions 21 of two adjacent pultruded perimetral upright profiles 2’, which in turn have a linear shape complementary to the shape of the connecting profile 5 and adapted to accommodate it at least partly.

[0136] In an embodiment of the modular structural system 100, which is shown by way of example in figures 4 and 5 and in figures 11A - 13B, at least two adjacent modular composite panels 1 are connected to each other, in such a way that they lie on two planes which are incident to each other by an angle between 30° and 100°, preferably substantially equal to 90°, in order to make a connection between two portions of wall 101 of the modular structural system 100, or between a portion of wall 101 and a portion of ceiling 102, or between a portion of wail 101 and a portion of floor 103 of the modular structural system 100.

[0137] In other words, the modular load-bearing structural system 100 has pi Ilar / 'pillar or beam / pillar structural nodes made by connecting the pultruded perimetral profiles 2’, 2” of tw?o adjacent panels 1.

[0138] According to this embodiment, the at least one connecting profile 5 has an “L” -shaped longitudinal section or a “T”-shaped longitudinal section, or a “f’-shaped longitudinal section, or a “F”-shaped longitudinal section.

[0139] In this case, the connecting profile 5 may have a longitudinal section formed by several linear portions, in such a way that the same connecting profile 5 may comprise: a portion that is inserted into a corresponding housing portion 22 of a first pultruded profile 2’ and a portion that is inserted into a corresponding housing portion 21 of a second pultruded profile 2’, as shown in the embodiment of figure 4, or: two portions that are inserted into two corresponding housing portions 21, 22 of a first pultruded profile 2’ and a portion that is inserted into a corresponding housing portion 22 of a second pultruded profile, as shown in the embodiment of figure 5 A.

[0140] With reference to figure 4 and figures 12 A and 12B which show a structural node made by connecting two pultruded upright profiles 2’ to make a node between two wall portions 101 of the structural system 100, the at least one connecting profile 5 has a longitudinal “L” section and is inserted into the respective housing portions 21, 22 of two adjacent pultruded perimetral upright profiles 2’, which in turn have a linear shape complementary to the shape of the connecting profile 5 and adapted to accommodate it at least partly.

[0141] With reference to figure 5 and figures 13A and 13B, winch show a structural node made by connecting a pultruded upright profile 2’ and a pultruded transverse profile 2" to make a node between a portion of ceiling 102 and a portion of wall 101 of the structural system 100, there are two connecting profiles 5, one of which has a longitudinal “Iff- shaped section and the other has a longitudinal “J”-shaped section.

[0142] In a possible embodiment shown by way of example in Figure 6, at least two adjacent modular composite panels 1 are connected to each other in such a way that they lie on two parallel planes to make a reinforcing portion 104 of the modular structural system 100.

[0143] With reference to Figure 6, which show's a reinforcing portion 104 of the modular structural system 100, which is made by connecting two pultruded upright profiles 2’ with a third stiffening profile 7, the connecting profile 5 has a “T”-shaped longitudinal section and is inserted into the respective housing portions 22 of the two adjacent pultruded perimetral upright profiles 2’ and into the housing portion 22 of the third stiffening profile 7.

[0144] In an embodiment shown in figure 7, the modular structural system 100 has a level above ground. In a further possible embodiment shown in figure 8, the modular structural system 100 has two levels above ground, which are made by connecting two wall portions 101, at the perimetral transverse profiles 2” of the respective panels.

Claims

CLAIMS1. M odul ar composite panel ( 1 ) compri sing : a frame (10) comprising at least one pair of pultruded perimetral upright profiles (2’) arranged parallel and spaced apart to / from each other and / or at least one pair of pultruded perimetral transverse profiles (2”) arranged parallel and spaced apart to / from each other; at least two outer cover skins (3) constrained to said pultaided perimetral profiles (2’, 2”) at least one layer of insulating material (4) interposed between said two cover skins (3) w'herein said pultruded perimetral profiles (2’, 2”) have at least two housing portions (21, 22) for at least one connecting profile (5) adapted to be inserted into respective housing portions (21, 22) of two pultruded perimetral profiles (2’, 2”) of adjacent panels to make them to connect to each other.

2. Modular composite panel (1) according to claim 1 , wherein said pultaided perimetral profiles (2’, 2”) have a hollow main body (23) which extends along a main longitudinal direction.

3. Modular composite panel (1) according to claim 2, wherein said housing portions (21, 22) extend in a longitudinal direction along the outer surface of said hollow' main body (23).

4. Modular composite panel (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said pultruded profiles (2’, 2”) are made of fibre-reinforced polymer matrix material, e.g. glass fibre reinforced plastic (GFRP).

5. Modular composite panel (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wdierein said frame (10) comprises at least one reinforcing pultruded profile (6) w'hich extends between said pultruded upright profiles (2’) in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extent direction of said pultruded upright profiles (2’).

6. Modular composite panel (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wdierein said cover skins (3) are made of material derived from organic w'aste materials, e.g. rice husk thickened with oils and resins.

7. Modular structural system ( 100) comprisingat least two modular composite panels (1), preferably a plurality of modular composite panels (1), according to one of claims 1 - 6, at least one connecting profile (5) for the connection of two pultruded perimetral profiles (2’, 2”) of adjacent panels (1), wherein two adjacent modular composite panels (1) are connected to each other by means of said at least one connecting profile (5) which is inserted into respective housing portions (21, 22) of two pultruded perimetral profiles (2’, 2”) of adjacent panels.

8. Modular structural system (100) according to claim 7, wherein the connection of two adjacent modular panels (1) is obtained by means of the at least one said connecting profile (5) and is embedded by the use of connecting materials intended to be consolidated after laying, preferably structural glues, which are applied inside said housing portions (21, 22).

9. Modular structural system (100) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said at least two adjacent modular composite panels (1) are connected to each other, in such a way that they lie on the same plane to form a portion of wall (101) or ceiling (102) or floor (103) of the said modular structural system (100).

10. Modular structural system ( 100) according to claim 9, wherein said at least one connecting profile (5) has a linear longitudinal section or a longitudinal “T”~ shaped section.

11. Modular structural system (100) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said at least two adjacent modular composite panels (1) are connected to each other, in such a way that they lie on two planes which are incident to each other by an angle between 30° and 100°, preferably substantially equal to 90°, in order to make a connection between two portions of wall (101) of the said modular structural system (100) or between a portion of wall (101) and a portion of ceiling (102), or between a portion of wall (101) and a portion of floor (103) of the said modular structural system (100).

12. Modular structural system (100) according to claim 1 1, wherein said at least one connecting profile (5) has an “L”-shaped longitudinal section or a ‘T’-shaped longitudinal section, or a “J”-shaped longitudinal section, or a “F”-shaped longitudinal section.

13. Modular structural system (100) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said at least two adjacent modular composite panels (1 ) are connected to each other, in such a way that they lie on two parallel planes to make a reinforcing portion (104) of the said modular structural system (100).

14. Modular structural system (100) according to claim 13, which comprises at least one stiffening profile (7) having a linear longitudinal section or a ‘T’-shaped longitudinal section.

15. Modular structural system (100) according to one of claims 7 - 14, wherein said at least two housing portions (21, 22) for said connecting profile (5) have a shape complementary to at least part of the said, preferably linear, connecting profile (5).

16. Modular structural system (100) according to one of claims 7 - 15, wherein said frame (10) comprises at least one reinforcing pultruded profile (6) which extends between said pultruded upright profiles (2’) in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extent direction of said pultruded upright profiles (2’).

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