Universal connector component for buildings

Abstract

The invention refers to a connector component (10) for a structural frame (80) of a building. The connector component (10) comprises one or more floor connection interfaces (11), each being configured to provide a support interface (11) for a corresponding floor system 0 (90) of the structural frame (80), two or more beam connection interfaces (12), each being configured to provide a contact interface (12) for a corresponding beam (20) of the structural frame (80), and one or more column connection interfaces (13), each being configured to provide a contact interface (13) for a corresponding column (30) of the structural frame (80). Further aspects of the invention refer to a corresponding building and a fabrication method.

Description

[0001] Universal connector component for buildings

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a connector component for building constructions , in particular for buildings constructions comprising a structural frame , in particular a structural frame comprising pre- fabricated frame elements .

[0004] Background Art

[0005] Typically, structural frames of buildings are configured to trans fer the vertical and hori zontal loads on the ( structural ) floors predominantly to the beams . The beams then distribute these loads to the columns , and finally to the foundations .

[0006] In prefabricated structural frames , the frame elements such as floors , beams , and columns must be interconnected using a connection system . Traditional prefabricated floors necessitate linear supports and are connected to beams , which are then j oined to columns .

[0007] Connections between f loor-to-beam and beam- to-column may be achieved through various methods like bolts , welds , brackets , or interlocking elements , wherein the material choice depends on the respective frame type .

[0008] Steel frames often utili ze metal connections , whereas timber frames might employ a combination of metal and engineered wood products . Concrete elements typically rely on compression j oints , optionally reinforced with brackets or studs for tension .

[0009] Funicular floors , designed to channel applied loads primarily at the corners , currently rely on bespoke connection designs based on the type and material of the frame . Disclosure of the Invention

[0010] The problem to be solved by an aspect of the present invention is therefore to provide an advanced solution for the construction of buildings , in particular in terms of ef ficient and flexible fabrication and assembly .

[0011] This problem is solved by a connector component according to claim 1 , a building according to claim 12 and a fabrication method according to claim 20 .

[0012] Hence according to embodiments of an aspect of the invention a connector component for a structural frame of a building is provided . The structural frame of the building may comprise a plurality of beams , a plurality o f columns and a plurality of floor systems . The connector component comprises one or more floor connection interfaces . Each of the one or more floor connection interfaces is configured or in other words adapted to provide a support interface for a corresponding floor system of the structural frame . The connector component further comprises two or more beam connection interfaces . Each of the two or more beam connection interfaces is configured or in other words adapted to provide a contact interface for a corresponding beam of the structural frame . The connector component further comprises one or more column connection interfaces . Each of the one or more column connection interfaces is configured or in other words adapted to provide a contact interface for a corresponding column of the structural frame .

[0013] Accordingly, embodiments of the invention provide a connector component which may be used as a universal nodal connection system for structural frames , in particular for use in prefabricated structural frames of building structures .

[0014] The connector component according to embodiments of the invention may be adaptable to various di f ferent frame types of the structural frame as well as di f ferent architectural designs .

[0015] The connector component according to embodiments of the invention of fers particular advantages in terms of versatility in material compatibility, load ef ficiency, ease of assembly, and long-term durability .

[0016] The use of such a connector component facilitates an ef ficient and flexible fabrication and assembly of the structural frame . The floor connection interfaces , beam connection interfaces and the column connection interfaces may be standardi zed according to embodiments to allow a connection with other standardi zed frame elements of the structural frame , such as beams , columns and floor systems . This may allow a very ef ficient mass pre- fabrication of all the elements of the structural frame .

[0017] According to an embodiment , the one or more floor connection interfaces may be selected from the group consisting of a first , a second, a third and fourth floor connection interface . Hence according to embodiments , the connector component may comprise only one floor connection interface . According to other embodiments , the connector component may comprise two floor connection interfaces , three floor connection interfaces or four floor connection interfaces . The four floor connection interfaces may be denoted as first , second, third and fourth floor connection interface .

[0018] According to an embodiment , the two or more beam connection interfaces may be selected from the group consisting of a first , a second, a third and fourth beam connection interface . Hence according to embodiments , the connector component may comprise two beam connection interfaces . According to other embodiments , the connector component may comprise three beam connection interfaces or four beam connection interfaces . The four beam connection interfaces may be denoted as first , second, third and fourth beam connection interface .

[0019] According to an embodiment , the one or more column connection interfaces may be selected from the group consisting of a first and a second column connection interface . Hence according to embodiments , the connector component may comprise only one column connection interface . According to other embodiments , the connector component may comprise two column connection interfaces . The two column connection interfaces may be denoted as first and second column connection interface .

[0020] According to an embodiment , the connector component may comprise a foundation connection interface being configured to provide a contact interface to a foundation of the building .

[0021] According to such an embodiment the connector component may comprise in particular a column connection interface to provide a connection to an upper column and the foundation connection interface to provide a connection to the foundation below the connector component .

[0022] According to embodiments , the connector component may comprise or encompass an integrated column . According to such an embodiment , a column and the connector component are formed as a single piece . This further facilitates an ef ficient fabrication and assembly . More particularly, it saves one assembly or connection step . Such an embodiment is in particular suited for connector components and columns made of concrete .

[0023] According to embodiments , the connector component may comprise or consist of a reinforced concrete , a metal alloy, timber or a composite material . The material may be chosen in dependence on the material of the envisaged further frame elements of the structural frame .

[0024] According to embodiments , the one or more floor connection interfaces of the connector component may be inclined at a predefined angle with respect to a hori zontal mounting direction of the connector component . The inclination may be in particular configured to reduce a shear component of the resultant force of the corresponding floor system that is supported by the floor connection interfaces .

[0025] According to embodiments , the one or more floor connection interfaces , the two or more beam connection interfaces and / or the one or more column connection interfaces may comprise apertures to accommodate fastening elements . According to embodiments , the apertures may have any desired and suitable shape corresponding to the respective fastening element . As an example , the aperture may be embodied as a nut and the fastening element may be a corresponding bolt .

[0026] According to embodiments , the connector component may comprise one or more passages , in particular column passages between a first and a second column connection interface . Such a passage may be in particular used to provide a connection between two columns via rebars that extend through the passages . According to other embodiments beam passages between respective beam connection interfaces may be provided which may be used for passing posttensioning cables . According to embodiments , the one or more floor connection interfaces , the two or more beam connection interfaces and / or the one or more column connection interfaces may comprise fastening elements themselves , in particular bolts , brackets or other connectors .

[0027] The fastening elements may be adapted for the corresponding beams , columns and / or floors systems envisaged for the respective connection . By a suitable choice of the fastening elements the connector components may be compatible with a variety of construction materials of the columns , beams and / or floor systems such as concrete , timber, and steel .

[0028] According to embodiments , the connector component may be in particular adapted to provide an ef ficient support and distribution of loads in floors or floor systems that are primarily supported at their corners .

[0029] According to embodiments , the one or more floor connection interfaces , the two or more beam connection interfaces and the one or more column connection interfaces provide a faceted geometry with multiple attachment or connection interfaces , thereby allowing for a seamless integration with various frame elements (beams or columns ) of di f ferent materials and facilitating in particular the redistribution of loads from corners of the floor or floor system to the beams and columns .

[0030] Embodiments of the invention are particularly beneficial in the construction of buildings with prefabricated structural frames , encompassing a range of building types from residential to commercial buildings .

[0031] According to a further aspect of the invention, a building comprising a structural frame is provided . The structural frame comprises a plurality of beams , a plurality of columns , one or more floor systems and a plurality of connector components . Each connector component of the plurality of connector components comprises one or more floor connection interfaces , two or more beam connection interfaces and one or more column connection interfaces .

[0032] Such a building can be ef ficiently fabricated in a flexible manner by using the connector components to provide connections between beams , columns and floor systems of the structural frame . The connector components may serve as a universal connection means or in other words as a universal node for connecting beams , columns and floors systems of the building .

[0033] According to embodiments , each of the one or more floor connection interfaces of the plurality of connector components provides a support interface for a corresponding floor system of the one or more floor systems of the structural frame , each o f the two or more beam connection interfaces of the plurality of connector components provides a contact interface for a corresponding beam of the plurality of beams of the structural frame and each of the one or more column connection interfaces of the plurality of connector components provides a contact interface for a corresponding column of the plurality of columns of the structural frame .

[0034] According to embodiments , each connector component of the plurality of connector components is arranged at a respective corner of a respective floor system of the one or more floor systems . This provides a particularly ef ficient and advantageous structural frame . More particularly, the floor system can be ef ficiently supported by the support interfaces of the connector components at the respective corner of the floor system .

[0035] According to embodiments , the one or more floor systems may be prefabricated floor systems . This enhances an ef ficient assembly of the building . More particularly, according to embodiments , all the elements of the structural frame encompassing beams , columns , connector components and the floor systems may be prefabricated and then assembled on the construction site .

[0036] According to an embodiment , the one or more floor systems are modular floor systems . Each of the modular floor systems comprises a plurality of floor elements . The plurality of floor elements of a respective floor system are assembled together to form the modular floor system .

[0037] Such modular floor systems of fer advantageous prefabrication and assembly options . More particularly, the floor elements can be prefabricated in an ef ficient manner and then assembled together on the construction site .

[0038] According to embodiments , each floor element of the plurality of floor elements comprises a main structure comprising a plurality of ribs . The main structure i s configured to operate in a compression mode . The floor elements further comprise a top plate configured to provide one or more first functional features for the floor element and interspaces between the plurality of ribs . The interspaces are configured to provide one or more second functional features for the floor system .

[0039] Accordingly, embodiments of the invention use a modular floor system which is configured to operate in a compression mode and hence to resist the applied loads through compression . More particularly, the modular floor system trans fer loads , in particular vertical loads , from the top plate via the main structure , in particular via the ribs , to the connector components of the building through compression forces . This provides the particular advantage that it allows to omit distributed reinforcement bars in the main structure . The floor elements according to such embodiments comprise two main components . The first component is a discretised main structure configured to operate in compression and a discretised top plate configured to provide one or more first functional features for the floor element .

[0040] The floor elements according to embodiments may not be embodied as massive construction but may comprise interspaces between the plurality of ribs . Hence such floor elements having interspaces allow an optimal use of the material capacity of the floor system . The interspaces may be also denoted as cavities . This contributes to reducing material usage and enhancing both the li fecycle and recyclability of the corresponding floor system .

[0041] The floor elements may be assembled together to form the floor system either on- or of f-site . The discretisation can be made such that the floor elements can be transported to the construction site by common means . Moreover, by the discretisation the stress distribution in the structure can be controlled by creating hinges between the floor elements . More particularly, when loaded, the floor-elements can rotate with respect to each other along the respective contact interfaces (hinge lines ) . By allowing these movements , it is possible to control how the stress is distributed in the structure . The modular design also promotes ef ficient assembly and disassembly, allowing for the individual components to be easily replaced, reused, or recycled .

[0042] Despite the modular design, the individual floor elements according to embodiments of the invention as such are already in "ready-to use" state . In particular, the individual floor elements may comprise already in the pre- fabricated state as integrated functions first and second functional features . This allows a highly ef ficient assembly of the modular floor system, be it on-site or of fsite . Furthermore , the top plate eases the stocking of the floor elements on top of each other during storage and transport . And the top-plate provides already a water-tight cover for the floor-element . A further advantage is the versatility of the floor elements and the resulting floor system as it allows to fabricate a variety of di f ferent floor systems with a plurality of di f ferent combinations of the first and second functional features .

[0043] The first functional features may encompass providing a hori zontal force trans fer, providing a walkable surface , providing an anchoring surface for building systems , in particular mechanical , electrical and / or plumbing systems , providing acoustical performance , providing thermal performance and providing a base for further buildups . The second functional features may encompass providing acoustical performance , providing thermal performance , providing vibrational performance and providing space for building systems , in particular mechanical , electrical and / or plumbing systems .

[0044] According to embodiments , the one or more floor systems are configured to distribute vertical loads by compression forces towards the floor connection interfaces of the connector components , in particular to floor connection interfaces of the connector components which are arranged at the corners of the floor systems .

[0045] According to embodiments , the plurality of ribs are configured to form a funicular network .

[0046] Hence according to such an embodiment , the applied vertical loads are internally distributed in the floor elements towards the contact interfaces with adj acent floor elements and the connector components through a funicular network of ribs .

[0047] According to embodiments , the geometry of the plurality of ribs may be in particular designed to contain the envelope of the funicular equilibrium network for all vertical loading cases . Such a speci fic funicular geometry of the floor elements and the floor system results in a near uni form stress distribution in the structure .

[0048] According to an embodiment of another aspect of the invention, a method for fabricating a building is provided . The method comprises a step of fabricating a structural frame of the building . The step of fabricating of the structural frame comprises a step of assembling a plurality of beams , a plurality of columns and a plurality of connector components according to any of the embodiments of the connector component aspect of the invention . The assembling comprises steps of connecting each of the plurality of connector components to at least two beams and one column and arranging one or more floor systems on the one or more floor connection interfaces of the plurality of connector components .

[0049] This is a highly ef ficient method for the fabrication of structural frames of a building . It allows in particular the use of standardi zed and prefabricated beams , columns , connector components and floor systems . The connector components are used as a universal and flexible node for connecting the beams , columns and floor systems in a flexible and ef ficient manner . Accordingly, embodiments of the invention streamline the construction process by means of a standardi zed connection method .

[0050] According to an embodiment , the fabricating of the structural frame comprises assembling a group of three or more beams , three or more columns and three or more connector components to form an initial base frame . Each of the three or more connector components of the group comprises a floor connection interface associated to the group and the three or more floor connection interfaces associated to the group are configured to form commonly a group support interface for a corresponding floor system . The fabricating furthermore compri ses arranging the corresponding floor system on the group support interface .

[0051] Such groups of three or more beams , columns and connector components , in particular groups of four beams , four columns and four connector components , may each provide an initial base frame which can then be used to host a corresponding floor system . A structural frame according to embodiments may comprise a plurality of such groups and hence may host a plurality of floor systems .

[0052] While according to embodiments the floor system may be embodied as a single piece , according to other embodiments the floor systems may be modular floor systems comprising a plurality of floor elements .

[0053] According to such embodiments , the floor elements may be in particular prefabricated and then shipped to the respective construction site . Then the plurality of prefabricated floor elements may be assembled together and in particular arranged on the support interfaces of the connector components to form the floor system on site .

[0054] According to embodiments , the plurality of floor elements each comprise one or more contact interfaces configured to be attached to corresponding contact interfaces of an adj acent floor element of the floor system and / or one or more support interfaces configured to be attached to corresponding support interfaces of the plurality of connector components . The step of assembling the plurality of prefabricated floor elements comprises then connecting the respective contact interfaces of the plurality of floor elements to each other by compressive forces and connecting the respective support interfaces of the plurality of floor elements to the respective support interfaces of the plurality of connector components by compressive forces .

[0055] Features and advantages of one aspect of the invention may be applied to the other aspects of the invention as appropriate .

[0056] Other advantageous embodiments are listed in the dependent claims as well as in the description below .

[0057] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0058] The invention will be better understood and obj ects other than those set forth above will become apparent from the following detailed description thereof . Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings , wherein :

[0059] Figure 1 shows an axonometric view of a connector component for a structural frame of a building according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0060] Figure 2 shows a corresponding top view of the connector component of Figure 2 ;

[0061] Figure 3 shows a corresponding bottom view of the connector component of Figure 1 ;

[0062] Figure 4 shows a corresponding side view of the connector component of Figure 1 ;

[0063] Figure 5 shows an axonometric view of a connector component for a structural frame of a building with 2 columns and 3 beams according to another embodiment of the invention;

[0064] Figure 6 shows an axonometric view of a connector component for a structural frame of a building with 2 columns and 3 beams according to another embodiment of the invention;

[0065] Figure 7 shows an axonometric view of a connector component for a structural frame of a building with 1 column and 2 beams according to another embodiment of the invention;

[0066] Figure 8 shows a top view on a part of a structural frame of a building according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0067] Figure 9 shows a 3-dimensional partly exploded view of a floor system according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0068] Figure 10 shows a flow chart of a method for fabricating a structural frame of a building according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0069] Figure 11 shows a flow chart of a method for fabricating a structural frame of a building according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0070] Figure 12 shows an axonometric view of a connector component for a structural frame of a building comprising an integrated column; and

[0071] Figure 13 shows an axonometric view of a connector component according to another embodiment of the invention .

[0072] Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0073] Same reference signs across the Figures refer to same or similar elements . In the Figures , a dashed line shall illustrate frame elements of a structural frame of a building that may be connected to a connector component according to embodiments of the invention, e . g . beams , columns or floors , while the connector component as such is illustrated as a solid line . At first , some general aspects and terms o f embodiments of the invention will be introduced .

[0074] The term " structural frame" shall refer to the primary load-bearing structure of a building comprising a plurality of frame elements . The plurality of frame elements may encompass hori zontal elements which may be denoted as beams and vertical elements which may be denoted as columns . The plurality of frame elements may also comprise floors or floor systems .

[0075] According to embodiments of the invention the frame elements of a structural frame are complemented with connector components which serve as a connection element or in other words as a node between two or more beams , one or more columns and one or more floors or floor systems .

[0076] The term connector component shall generally denote components which comprise connection interfaces for frame elements of a structural frame of a building . According to embodiments a connector component may also be j ust denoted as component . According to embodiments , a connector component may comprise an integrated frame element of the structural frame , in particular an integrated column, while providing connection interfaces to further frame elements of the structural frame .

[0077] The term floor system shall denote a hori zontal element of the structural frame which extends two-di- mensionally in a hori zonal plane of the building between corresponding beams . The floor system may also be denoted j ust as floor . The floor system according to embodiments may be a single piece or it may comprise a plurality of floor elements . The floor system may comprise or consist of concrete , concrete mixes or timber .

[0078] According to embodiments the floor system may comprise a plurality of floor elements , wherein to floor elements comprise a main structure which comprises a plurality of ribs and a top plate on top of the main structure . Between the ribs there may be interspaces or in other words cavities which may be filled or not by non- structural materials . The main structure of such floor elements may be in particular configured to operate in a compression mode .

[0079] The term compression mode shall mean that the main structure is configured or in other words designed such that it can withstand the applied loads through compression only . More particularly, the main structure transfers loads , in particular the loads from the top plate to the support structure of the bui lding, in particular to the connector component of the structural frame , through compression forces only . The compression forces may be in particular accumulated at connector components of the structural frame of the building which are arranged at the corners of the floor system . In this respect , it should be noted that in service conditions , i . e . during normal use , there is always some unavoidable tension, but the main structure is designed such that tension is reduced to a minimum under service conditions . However, in ultimate conditions , the floor system according to embodiments of the invention can resist only in compression .

[0080] According to embodiments , the ribs form a funicular network and accordingly the floor system is funicular . A funicular floor system may be defined as a floor that is shaped to follow a funicular network of the applied loads .

[0081] The term funicular may be generally defined as following the shape of a hanging cable or chain . Accordingly, a funicular form may be de fined as a form taken by a cable or chain under any given load . A funicular form in pure tension can be inverted vertically or in other words flipped to obtain a compression-only funicular form and vice-versa . Such an inverted funicular form may be also denoted as anti- funicular form . In this document the main- structure is configured to operate in compression only and is hence a vaulted structure that has strictly speaking, when taking into account the orientation, an anti- funicular form . But as the form as such is the same , the geometry of the main structure may also be denoted generally as funicular .

[0082] Such a funicular geometry of the floor system results in low stresses in the structure . This allows low- strength materials with a low carbon footprint to be used, and even high percentages of construction demolition waste instead of scarce natural resources .

[0083] According to embodiments the geometry of the main structure may be designed as compression-only surface structure by performing a thrust network analysis ( TNA) .

[0084] Thrust network analysis ( TNA) is a method for generating compression-only networks as described e . g . in the paper by Block, Philippe & Ochsendorf , John, " Thrust network analysis : A new methodology for three-dimensional equilibrium" , Journal of the International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures , 2007 , Vol . 48 . The method can be used to find possible funicular solutions under gravitational loading within a def ined envelope . The method may be performed in particular by the compas-tna package of compas which is available under https : / / blockre- searchgroup . github . io / compas tna / 0 . 2 . 0 / .

[0085] Figure 1 shows an axonometric view of a connector component 10 of or for a structural frame of a building according to an embodiment of the invention . Figure 2 shows a corresponding top view, Figure 3 a corresponding bottom view and Figure 4 a corresponding side view . The connector component 10 comprises four floor connection interfaces 11 . According to embodiments the four floor connection interfaces 11 may be denoted as first , second, third and fourth floor connection interface . Each of the four floor connection interfaces 11 is configured to provide a support interface 11 for a corresponding floor system of the structural frame . The corresponding floor systems are not shown in the Figures 1 , 2 , 3 and 4 .

[0086] The connector component 10 further comprises four beam connection interfaces 12 . According to embodiments , the four beam connection interfaces may be denoted as first , second, third and fourth beam connection interface . Each beam connection interface 12 is configured to provide a contact interface 12 for a corresponding beam 20 of the structural frame .

[0087] The connector component 10 further comprises two column connection interfaces 13 . The two column connection interfaces 13 may be denoted as first and a second column connection interface . Each column connection interface 13 is configured to provide a contact interface 13 for a corresponding column 30 of the structural frame .

[0088] The connector component 10 is embodied as universal connector component or in other words as a universal node for structural building frames and may be connected to in total four beams 20 , two columns 30 and four floor systems .

[0089] According to embodiments , connector components which comprise a foundation connection interface may be provided . Such a foundation connection interface may be similar or even identical to a column connection and may be provided at the bottom side of the connector component . Such a foundation connection interface is configured to provide a contact interface to a foundation of the building . According to embodiments , the connector component 10 may comprise or consist of a reinforced concrete , a metal alloy, timber or a composite material . The material may be chosen in dependence on the respective application and in particular on the material of the corresponding structural frame .

[0090] The floor connection interfaces 11 are inclined at a predefined inclination angle a with respect to a hori zontal mounting direction 14 of the connector component 10 . The inclination angle a is in particular configured to reduce a shear component of the resultant force of the supported floor system .

[0091] Figure 5 shows an axonometric view of a connector component 50 for a structural frame of a building according to another embodiment of the invention . According to this embodiment , the connector component 50 comprises one floor connection interface 11 which is configured to provide a support interface 11 for one corresponding floor system of the structural frame . The connector component 50 further comprises two beam connection interfaces 12 which are configured to provide a contact interface 12 for two corresponding beams 20 of the structural frame . The connector component 50 further compri ses two column connection interfaces 13 configured to provide a contact interface 13 for two corresponding columns 30 of the structural frame . The connector component 50 may be in particular suitably arranged at corners of the corresponding supported floor system .

[0092] According to this embodiment , the beam connection interfaces 12 and the column connection interfaces 13 comprise fastening elements 15 . The fastening elements 15 are embodied as bolts and can be used as a connection to the corresponding beams 20 and columns 30 . In general , the connections at the interfaces between the frame elements and the connector component can be configured with several types of fasteners depending on the speci fic nature of the connected elements .

[0093] Figure 6 shows an axonometric view of a connector component 60 for a structural frame of a building according to another embodiment of the invention . According to this embodiment , the connector component 60 comprises one floor connection interface 11 which is configured to provide a support interface 11 for one corresponding floor system of the structural frame . The connector component 60 further comprises two beam connection interfaces 12 which are configured to provide a contact interface 12 for two corresponding beams 20 of the structural frame . The connector component 50 further compri ses two column connection interfaces 13 configured to provide a contact interface 13 for two corresponding columns 30 of the structural frame . The connector component 60 may be in particular suitably arranged at corners of the corresponding floor system .

[0094] According to this embodiment the connector component 60 comprises apertures 16 . More particularly, the column connection interfaces 13 comprise the apertures 16 to accommodate fastening elements . While generally the apertures 16 may have a broad variety of suitable shapes and dimensions , according to this embodiment the apertures 16 are embodied as passages 16 which extend between the upper and the lower column connection interfaces 13 . By this the upper column 30 and the lower column 30 may be connected through passing rebars that extend through the passages 16 .

[0095] Furthermore , the two beam connection interfaces 12 comprise fastening elements 15 which are embodied according to this embodiment as brackets . Such brackets may be particularly suitable for a connection to timber beams .

[0096] Figure 7 shows an axonometric view of a connector component 70 for a structural frame of a building according to another embodiment of the invention . According to this embodiment , the connector component 70 comprises one floor connection interface 11 which is configured to provide a support interface 11 for one corresponding floor system of the structural frame . The connector component 70 further comprises two column connection interfaces 13 configured to provide a contact interface 13 for two corresponding columns 30 of the structural frame . The connector component 70 may be in particular suitably arranged at corners of the corresponding floor system .

[0097] According to this embodiment , the connector component 70 comprises two beam connection interfaces 12 which have an L-shape . The beam connection interfaces 12 encompass vertical contact interfaces 12a as well as a hori zontal contact interface 12b . On the hori zontal contact interface 12b there are arranged fastening elements 15 which are embodied as bolts and extend upward in a vertical direction . Such beam connection interfaces 12 shown in FIG . 7 are particularly suited for a connection to timber beams .

[0098] Figure 8 shows a top view on a part of a structural frame 80 of a building according to an embodiment of the invention . The structural frame 80 encompasses 4 connector components 10a, 10b, 10c and l Od which are arranged at corners of a floor system 90 and hence surround the floor system 90 . According to this embodiment , the floor system 90 is illustrated and embodied as a single piece , but according to other embodiments the floor system 90 may comprise two or more floor elements which are arranged together to form the floor system 90 . The structural frame 80 may comprise further floor systems , which are only partly shown and denoted as floor systems 90a, 90b and 90c .

[0099] The four connector components 10a, 10b, 10c and l Od form together with corresponding beams 20a, 20b, 20c and 20 d and not shown corresponding columns (which extend in a vertical direction below the four connector components 10a, 10b, 10c and l Od) a group of frame elements that establish an initial base frame of the structural frame 80 . Each of the four connector components 10a, 10b, 10c and l Od of the group comprises a corresponding floor connection interface I la, 11b, 11c and l id which is associated to the group . The four floor connection interfaces I la, 11b, 11c and l id associated to the group are configured to form commonly a group support interface for the corresponding floor system 90 . Accordingly, the floor system 90 is arranged on the group support interface formed by the four floor connection interfaces I la, 11b, 11c and l id .

[0100] While the connector component 10b is arranged at a corner of the building and has only the support interface 11b, the connector component 10a has a further support interface I la for the floor system 90a, the connector component 10c has three further support interfaces 11c for the floor systems 90a, 90b and 90c . And the connector component l Od has a further support interface l id for the floor system 90c .

[0101] Figure 9 shows a 3-dimensional view of a floor system 90 according to an embodiment of the invention .

[0102] The floor system 90 comprises a plurality of discreti zed floor elements , more particularly in this example five floor elements 91 , 92 , 93 , 94 and 95 . Each of the floor elements 91 , 92 , 93 and 94 comprises a main structure 910 and a top plate 920 . The main structure 910 comprises a curved shell 911 and a plurality of ribs 912 . The central floor element 95 may be formed according to embodiments as massive element without ribs or also with ribs like the elements 91- 94 . The floor elements 91 , 92 , 93 , 94 and 95 are configured or in other words designed to operate in a compression mode . The floor element 94 is shown in an exploded view . The curved shells 911 form a bottom shell of the floor elements 91- 94 and the ribs 912 are arranged on top of this bottom shell 911 , in particular in a vertical or substantially vertical direction . The plurality of ribs 912 extend between the curved shell 911 and the top plate 920 . Between the top plate 920 and the curved shell 911 there are interspaces 913 , separated or in other words divided by the ribs 912 . The curved bottom shell 911 follows the curvature of the ribs 912 . The thickness of the curved bottom shell 911 may be variable and may be adj usted to meet application-speci fic thermal insulation and acoustic performance requirements . According to embodiments , the curved shell 911 may also be omitted .

[0103] The top plate 920 is configured to provide one or more first functional features for the corresponding floor element 91- 94 and as a result to the floor system 90 . More particularly, the top plate 90 may provide a continuous and flat surface , allowing construction workers to safely walk on the floor . Furthermore , the top plate 920 may provide a suitable surface for the installation of building systems , raised floors or other architectural features of the building . The top plate 920 is configured or in other words designed to trans fer both concentrated and distributed vertical loads to the ribs 912 by contact . Furthermore , the top plate is configured to trans fer hori zontal loads , in particular hori zontal forces generated in the corresponding buildings by for example wind or seismic events , to the buildings lateral resisting system by contact . The lateral resisting system is the building' s main structure designed to sustain lateral loads such as wind and seismic events . Additionally, the top plate 920 may contribute to the improvement of the acoustic and vibration performance of the floor system 90 by allocating additional mass . Furthermore , it may serve thermal insulation purposes and provide other functional features denoted as first functional features . The thickness of the top plates 920 may be variable and can be adj usted to meet the static and acoustic requirements of the respective application .

[0104] According to embodiments , a layer (not shown ) of vibration absorbing materials can be inserted between the top plate 920 and the ribs 912 to enhance the vibration performance of the floor system 90 .

[0105] The interspaces 913 , which may be also denoted as cavities 913 , may be fully or partly filled with fillings 914 . The fillings 914 may be implemented in particular as non-structural materials 914 , i . e . as materials which do not serve a structural purpose of the floor system . Rather, the fillings 914 provide as second functional features in particular acoustical , thermal and / or vibrational performance .

[0106] Each of the floor elements 91- 95 may be prefabricated and can then be assembled together with the other prefabricated floor elements 91- 95 to form the floor system 90 . The assembly of the floor system 90 can be performed in particular on the respective construction site of a respective building .

[0107] Each of the floor elements 91- 95 comprises contact interfaces 915 which are conf igured to be attached to corresponding contact interfaces 915 of the respective ad- j acent floor element 91- 95 of the floor system 90 . In addition, the outer floor elements , i . e . the floor elements 91- 94 which are configured to be attached to the connector components 10 of a structural frame of the building comprise support interfaces 916 which are configured to be attached to corresponding support interfaces 11 of the connector components 10 . The support interfaces 916 of the floor elements 91- 94 and the corresponding support interfaces 11 of the connector components 10 are embodied according to this example as inclined support interfaces , i . e . non-vertical interfaces to provide a support in the respective vertical direction . The support interfaces 916 are arranged in particular at the corners of the floor elements 91- 94 . This facilitates an ef ficient assembly and connection to the connector components of the structural frame .

[0108] It should be noted that according to other embodiments the support interfaces 916 of the floor elements 91- 94 and the corresponding support interfaces 11 of the connector component 10 may also be embodied as vertical interfaces .

[0109] The ribs 912 are configured to distribute vertical loads of the top plate 920 by compression forces towards the corresponding contact interfaces 915 of the adj acent floor elements and / or via the support interfaces

[0110] 916 to the support interfaces 11 of the respective connector component 10 .

[0111] The ribs 912 may be connected to the top plate 920 by mechanical connectors 917 . The mechanical connectors

[0112] 917 may be in particular reversible or in other words removable connectors , e . g . screws . The ribs may comprise support interfaces 912a for the top plate 920 . The top o f the ribs 912 can either be flat , sloped or a combination of both . The geometry of the ribs 912 is designed to contain the envelope of the funicular equilibrium network for all loading cases .

[0113] According to embodiments , the main structure 910 does not comprise any embedded reinforcement bars .

[0114] The curved shell 911 , the plurality of ribs 912 and the top plate 920 may comprise or consist in particular of concrete mixes , in particular of concrete mixes comprising steel fibres . The absence o f embedded reinforcement bars and the use of reversible connections 917 with the top plate 920 may guarantee easy reuse of the floor elements and full recyclability of their materials .

[0115] Optionally the floor elements 91- 95 may be additionally connected by mechanical connectors 918 . The mechanical connectors 918 may be in particular embodied as bolts . The mechanicals connectors may serve as additional safety connectors and may facilitate the assembly .

[0116] Figure 10 shows a flow chart of a method for fabricating a building according to an embodiment of the invention . The fabricating of the building includes the fabricating of a structural frame , e . g . a structural frame 80 as shown in Figure 8 . The fabricating of the structural frame 80 comprises as a step 1010 an assembling of a plurality of beams 20 , a plurality of columns 30 and a plurality of connector components 10 . As a result , each o f the plurality of connector components 10 of the structural frame is connected to at least two beams 20 and one column 30 .

[0117] Then, at a step 1020 , one or more floor systems 90 are arranged on the corresponding floor connection interfaces 11 of the corresponding connector components 10 . Figure 11 shows a flow chart of a method for fabricating a building according to another embodiment of the invention, in particular of an embodiment according to which the floor system comprises a plurality of floor elements as illustrated in Figure 9 .

[0118] At a step 1110 , a plurality of floor elements of the floor system as well as columns , beams and connector components of a structural frame are fabricated or in other words prefabricated .

[0119] Then, at a step 1120 , the beams , columns and connector components are assembled and connected together and thereby form an initial base frame of the structural frame .

[0120] Next , at steps 1130 and 1140 one or more floor systems are arranged on the corresponding floor connection interfaces of the initial base frame ( s ) .

[0121] More particularly, at a step 1130 the respective contact interfaces of the plurality of floor elements are connected to each other by compressive forces to form the floor system . And, at a step 1140 , the respective support interfaces of the plurality of floor elements are connected to the respective support interfaces of the plurality of connector components by compressive forces .

[0122] Here it should be noted that the steps 1130 and 1140 may be performed according to embodiments partly or fully simultaneously or in an intermingled manner .

[0123] As described above , embodiments o f the invention provide a universal nodal connection system by means of connector components which are designed to provide a standardi zed yet adaptable solution for the challenges presented by the intersection of various structural components , particularly in prefabricated construction environments . This may simpli fy the assembly process , may enhance the structural integrity and may be conducive to a variety of architectural designs and load-bearing requirements . The connector component according to embodiments of the invention is versatile in many aspects , e . g . by its adaptability in terms of the si ze and orientation of the connection interfaces which can be modi fied to suit various dimensions and material types of the structural frame and its corresponding elements . Embodiments of the invention may optimi ze the load distribution from the corners of the supported floor or floor system to the structural frame by minimi zing shear forces at the connection interface of the connector component . The structural frame provided by embodiments of the invention may ensure long-term stability and integrity of the structural connection . The structural frame provided by embodiments of the invention may be easily dismounted, providing a circular connection solution that can be reused in other similar structures i f the original one is demolished .

[0124] Figure 12 shows an axonometric view of a connector component 120 for a structural frame of a building according to another embodiment of the invention . According to this embodiment , the connector component 120 comprises two subparts which are formed together as a single piece . More particularly, the connector component 120 comprises as a first part 121 an actual connector part 121 which corresponds to or is similar to the connector component 50 as shown in FIG . 5 . In other words , the first part comprises the one or mor floor connection interfaces , the two or more beam connection interfaces and a column connection interface . The first part 121 may also be denoted as core connector part or main connector part . Furthermore , the connector component 120 comprises as a second part 122 an integrated beam 122 which corresponds to the lower beam 30 of FIG . 5 shown in dashed lines . The first part 121 comprises one floor connection interface 11 which is configured to provide a support interface 11 for one corresponding floor system of the structural frame . The first part 121 further comprises two beam connection interfaces 12 which are configured to provide a contact interface 12 for two corresponding beams 20 of the structural frame . The first part 121 further comprises one column connection interface 13 configured to provide a contact interface 13 for an upper column 30 of the structural frame . According to this embodiment , the beam connection interfaces 12 and the column connection interface 13 comprise fastening elements 15 as described in more detail with reference to FIG . 5 . Such an embodiment is in particular advantageous for connector components and columns which are made of concrete . According to such an embodiment , the integrated column 122 is an integral part of the connector component 120 . The integrated column 122 and the actual connector component 121 may be formed and fabricated as a single piece , e . g . by moulding it of concrete . According to embodiments , a plurality of connector components 120 may be arranged or assembled on top of each other to form the structural frame of the building . Such an assembly method is particularly ef ficient . Referring to FIG . 12 , the upper column 30 as illustrated in dashed lines may be replaced according to embodiments by a corresponding connector component 120 with an integrated column and the two or more connector components 120 may be arranged on top of each other .

[0125] Figure 13 shows an axonometric view of a connector component 130 for a structural frame of a building according to another embodiment of the invention . According to this embodiment , the connector component 130 comprises one floor connection interface 11 which is configured to provide a support interface 11 for one corresponding floor system of the structural frame . The connector component 130 further comprises two column connection interfaces for two corresponding columns 30 of the structural frame and two beam connection interfaces 12 . The beam connection interfaces 12 encompass an inclined contact interfaces 12 c as well as a hori zontal contact interface 12b . The horizontal contact interface 12b is arranged in the same plane as the upper column connection interface 13 . Such beam connection interfaces 12 as shown in FIG . 13 are particularly suited for a connection to timber beams .

[0126] The diagrams , drawings and further elements in the Figures illustrate the architecture , functionality and assembly of possible implementations of connector components , buildings , floor elements , floor systems and fabrication methods according to various embodiments of the present invention .

[0127] While there are shown and described presently preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims .

[0128] List of reference signs :

[0129] 10 Connector component l Oa- l Od Connector components

[0130] 11 Floor connection interface l la- l ld Floor connection interfaces

[0131] 12 Beam connection interface

[0132] 12a Vertical contact interfaces 12b Hori zontal contact interfaces

[0133] 12c Inclined contact interface

[0134] 13 Column connection interface

[0135] 14 Hori zontal mounting direction

[0136] 15 Fastening elements

[0137] 16 Apertures , Passages

[0138] 20 Beam

[0139] 20a-20d Beams

[0140] 30 Column

[0141] 30a-30d

[0142] 40 Building

[0143] 50 Connector component

[0144] 60 Connector component

[0145] 70 Connector component

[0146] 80 Structural frame

[0147] 90 Floor system

[0148] 120 Connector component

[0149] 121 First part of connector component

[0150] 122 Second part of connector component / Integrated column

[0151] 130 Connector component

[0152] 90a- 90c Floor systems

[0153] 91- 95 Floor elements

[0154] 910 Main structure

[0155] 911 Curved shell

[0156] 912 Ribs

[0157] 912a Support interfaces of ribs

[0158] 913 Interspaces / cavities

[0159] 914 Fillings of interspaces

[0160] 915 Contact interfaces between floor elements

[0161] 916 Support interfaces

[0162] 917 Mechanical connectors

[0163] 920 Top plate

[0164] 1000 Flow chart

[0165] 1100 Flow chart

Claims

Claims1. A connector component (10) for a structural frame (80) of a building, the connector component (10) comprising one or more floor connection interfaces (11) , each being configured to provide a support interface (11) for a corresponding floor system (90) of the structural frame (80) ; two or more beam connection interfaces (12) , each being configured to provide a contact interface (12) for a corresponding beam (20) of the structural frame (80) ; and one or more column connection interfaces (13) , each being configured to provide a contact interface (13) for a corresponding column (30) of the structural frame (80) .

2. A connector component according to claim 1, wherein the one or more floor connection interfaces (11) are selected from the group consisting of: a first, a second, a third and fourth floor connection interface.

3. A connector component according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the two or more beam connection interfaces (12) are selected from the group consisting of: a first, a second, a third and a fourth beam connection interface.

4. A connector component according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more column con-nection interfaces (13) are selected from the group consisting of: a first and a second column connection interface .

5. A connector component according to any of the preceding claims 1-3, further comprising a foundation connection interface being configured to provide a contact interface to a foundation of the building.

6. A connector component according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the connector component (10) comprises or consists of: a reinforced concrete, a metal alloy, timber or a composite material.

7. A connector component according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more floor connection interfaces (11) are inclined at a predefined angle with respect to a horizontal mounting direction (14) of the connector component (10) , wherein the inclination is in particular configured to reduce a shear component of the resultant force of a supported floor system (90) .

8. A connector component according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more floor connection interfaces (11) , the two or more beam connection interfaces (12) and / or the one or more column connection interfaces (13) comprise apertures (16) to accommodate fastening elements.

9. A connector component according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the connector component comprises one or more passages (16) , in particular columnpassages (16) between a first and a second column connection interface (13) and / or beam passages between respective pairs of beam connection interfaces (12) .

10. A connector component according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more floor connection interfaces (11) , the two or more beam connection interfaces (12) and / or the one or more column connection interfaces (13) comprise fastening elements (15) , in particular bolts, brackets or other connectors.

11. A connector component (120) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the connector component (120) comprises an integrated column (122) .

12. A building comprising a structural frame (80) , the structural frame (80) comprising a plurality of beams (20) , a plurality of columns (30) , one or more floor systems (90) and a plurality of connector components (10) , wherein each connector component (10) of the plurality of connector components comprises one or more floor connection interfaces (11) ; two or more beam connection interfaces (12) ; and one or more column connection interfaces (13) .

13. A building according to claim 12, wherein each of the one or more floor connection interfaces (11) of the plurality of connector components (10) provides a support interface (11) for a corresponding floor system (90) of the one or more floor systems of the structural frame (80) ;each of the two or more beam connection interfaces (12) of the plurality of connector components (10) provides a contact interface (12) for a corresponding beam (20) of the plurality of beams of the structural frame (80) ; and each of the one or more column connection interfaces (13) of the plurality of connector components (10) provides a contact interface (13) for a corresponding column (30) of the plurality of columns of the structural frame (80) .

14. A building according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein each connector component (10) of the plurality of connector components is arranged at a respective corner of a respective floor system (90) of the one or more floor systems .

15. A building according to any of the preceding claims 12-14, wherein the one or more floor systems (90) are prefabricated floor systems.

16. A building according to any of the preceding claims 12-15, wherein the one or more floor systems (90) are modular floor systems, the modular floor systems each comprising a plurality of floor elements (91-95) , wherein the plurality of floor elements (91-95) are assembled together to form the modular floor systems.

17. A building according to claim 16, wherein one or more floor elements (91-94) of the plurality of floor elements comprisesa main structure (910) comprising a plurality of ribs (912) , the main structure (910) being configured to operate in a compression mode; a top plate (920) configured to provide one or more first functional features for the floor elements; and interspaces (913) between the plurality of ribs (912) , wherein the interspaces (913) are configured to provide one or more second functional features for the floor system.

18. A building according to any of the preceding claims 12-17, wherein the one or more floor systems (90) are configured to distribute vertical loads by compression forces towards the floor connection interfaces (11) of the connector components (10) .

19. A building according to claim 17, wherein the plurality of ribs (912) are configured to form a funicular network.

20. A method for fabricating a building, the method comprising fabricating a structural frame (80) of the building, wherein the fabricating of the structural frame (80) comprises assembling a plurality of beams (20) , a plurality of columns (30) and a plurality of connector components (10) according to any of the preceding claims 1-10, wherein the assembling comprises connecting each of the plurality of connector components (10) to at least two beams (20) and one column (30) ; andarranging one or more floor systems (90) on the one or more floor connection interfaces (11) of the plurality of connector components (10) .

21. A method according to claim 20, wherein the fabricating of the structural frame (80) comprises assembling a group of three or more beams (20) , three or more columns (30) and three or more connector components (10) to form an initial base frame, wherein each of the three or more connector components (10) of the group comprises a floor connection interface (11) associated to the group, wherein the three or more floor connection interfaces (11) associated to the group are configured to form commonly a group support interface for a corresponding floor system (90) ; and arranging the corresponding floor system (90) on the group support interface.

22. A method according to claim 20 or claim 21, wherein the one or more floor systems (90) are modular floor systems comprising a plurality of floor elements (OIOS) , the method comprising pre-fabricating the plurality of floor elements (91-95) ; and wherein the step of arranging the one or more floor systems (90) on the one or more floor connection interfaces (11) comprises assembling the plurality of pre-fabricated floor elements (91-95) to form the floor system (90) .

23. A method according to claim 22, wherein the plurality of floor elements (91-95) each comprise one or more contact interfaces (915) configuredto be attached to corresponding contact interfaces (915) of an adjacent floor element of the floor system and / or one or more support interfaces (916) configured to be attached to corresponding support interfaces (11) of the plurality of connector components (10) ; and the step of assembling the plurality of prefabricated floor elements (91-95) comprises connecting the respective contact interfaces(915) of the plurality of floor elements (91-95) to each other by compressive forces; and connecting the respective support interfaces(916) of the plurality of floor elements to the respective support interfaces (11) of the plurality of connector components (10) by compressive forces.

24. A method according to any of the preceding claims claim 20 to 23, wherein one or more of the plurality of floor elements (91-94) comprises a main structure (910) comprising a plurality of ribs (912) , the main structure being configured to operate in a compression mode; a top plate (920) configured to provide one or more first functional features for the floor element; and interspaces (913) between the plurality of ribs (912) , wherein the interspaces are configured to provide one or more second functional features for the floor system (90) .

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