BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In known building construction procedures, e. g. concerning multi-storey buildings, floor structures are usually made in situ and are cast into homogenous reinforced concrete structures, having acceptable sound dampening and fire safety characteris- tics. However, this traditional construction method demands a relatively large amount of man-hours at the construction site, which increases the construction time and/or the number of workers needed.

A number of methods exist that increase the degree of prefabrication. Complete pre- fabrication of floor structures is not feasible, since problems with heavy transporta- tion and meeting tolerance requirements, in turn requiring additional casting in situ, create obstacles. Many prefabrication methods include manufacturing a lower ceil- ing of the floor structure in concrete, which, with or without supports, forms a mould for upper casting with reinforcements. However, problems with heavy trans- portation remains in such methods as well. Overall, the economic gain is too small for known prefabrication solutions to become an attractive alternative to traditional floor structure construction.

With increasing requirements on the sound characteristics of buildings, traditional methods require the use of more concrete or separate upper layers, which in turn makes the construction process more expensive. Additionally, large amounts of con- crete create the need for special considerations concerning humidity and longer pe- riods for the concrete to dry, which extends the time needed for the construction.

Also, the large amount of concrete in traditional floor structures requires stronger building foundation structures, which increases construction costs, and are also rea- son why some earth quakes create so much material damage, human injuries and loss of life.

Additional known solutions include the use beams made of thin sheet. WO00/34599 describes a pre-made concrete upper floor of a floor structure supported by of I- beams made of thin steel sheet. There are similar solutions with C-and Z-beam sec- tions. However, over large spans the concrete floor often becomes too heavy to be supported by the steel sheet beams. Also, fire safety considerations require compli- cated measures, such as providing lining on the steel sheet beams. Finally, as with other prefabrication solutions additional casting in situ is required due to problems with meeting tolerance requirements.

In known multi-storey buildings, the heating and cooling arrangements present a high technical complexity resulting in high costs for installation and maintenance. In cases where the systems for cooling and heating are separate, said disadvantage is accentuated. Traditionally, heating is carried out by means of radiant and convection heat from electric or water carrying radiators, or only convection from air treatment units operating based on electricity or water.

In modern buildings and in the use of traditional temperature regulating equipment, such as air conditioners, technical and economic considerations have resulted in cooling being performed almost entirely by convention, but this has the disadvan- tage that a large fraction of the humidity of the air has to be removed. However, this

is less than optimal from a energy point of view, when looked at in a large perspec- tive outside the limitations of commonly used equipment. Another disadvantage is that the air becomes very dry but with high relative humidity, since temperature is reduced. Also, air is not replaced, or replaced only to a limited extent, by new, hu- mid and warm air, since this is costly, resulting in a decrease of the air quality.

Known solution involve radiant ceilings used for heating and cooling by means of electricity, water or some other cooling/heating medium. These are used e. g. in some luxurious buildings and offices, and can appear in the form of water circulat- ing in flanged baffles and separate sub-ceilings to produce both cooling and heating based on radiation and convection. However, this technique is far too complicated and expensive to be used in normal residential buildings.

Air has a low heat transfer capability and is not suitable for distributing heat and cold in traditional closed systems. The large density and the low thermal conductiv- ity of concrete makes the use of the latter in walls and floor structures for heating and cooling impossible, since adjustments according to varying heating and cooling needs can not be accomplished at a rate which is fast enough when air is used for transferring energy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to present a building element for a building structure such as a floor structure, which decreases the amount of work having to be per- formed at the construction site.

Another object of the invention is to present a building structure which comprises less material compared to building structures for the same structural requirements and produced according to known solutions.

A further object of the invention is to present a building structure which reduces the transfer of sound between different sections of a building.

Another object of the invention is to provide cooling and heating of a building in a simple and un-complicated fashion.

The first and second objects are reached with a building element for a building structure such as a floor structure, comprising a planar member and at least a part of a mould fixed to the planar member at an edge thereof.

Thereby, at the construction site, such building elements can be placed adjacent to each other. Whether mould parts or complete moulds are provided fixed to the pla- nar members, these can be used to cast in situ floor beams between the planar ele- ments. Thereby, essential structural components can be easily made at the construc- tion site in correct positions with the aid of the moulds or mould parts provided on the building elements, which can be prefabricated. The possibility of easily produc- ing essential load carrying members at the constructions site, makes it possible to provide prefabricated building elements that are substantially lighter than those of known methods, and therefore transportation is facilitated. Also, since the moulds or mould parts allow easy fabrication of reinforced concrete floor beams with a high flexural rigidity, a light strong floor structure, with a finished floor surface, can be obtained without the use of large quantities of concrete which result in very heavy floor structures.

Preferably, the planar member comprises at least one reinforcement member, a part of which protrudes out of the planar member at the edge at which the part of a mould is fixed. Thereby, if material of the member formed at the construction site by use of the mould is allowed to surround the protruding part of reinforcement members, an effective structural joining between the planar member and the mem- ber formed at the construction site is accomplished.

Preferably, the edge at which the part of the mould is fixed forms at least partly an additional part of the mould. Thereby, material of the member formed at the con- struction site by use of the mould is allowed to contact the edge of the planar mem- ber, and as a result of this the bond between the planar member and the member formed at the construction site is further strengthened.

Preferably, the part of the mould has a longitudinal shape. Thereby, the mould can be used to form an extended structural member, such as a floor beam, between the planar members.

Preferably, the planar member has an elongated shape, and the part of the mould extends alongside the planar member. Thereby, the building element can be used to span openings in a construction to form a floor structure, whereby the mould can be used to provide a structural member extending across the floor to carry loads to ver- tical members in the periphery of the opening.

Preferably, the part of the mould extends at least partly out of the plane of the planar member. Thereby, the mould can be used to form a member which has a thickness, or height, being considerably larger than the thickness of the planar member, as a result of which a building structure with a large flexural rigidity can be obtained.

Preferably, at least one reinforcement member is located, in relation to the part of the mould, in a position which it is intended to assume after a casting process in- volving the part of the mould. Thereby, reinforcement members, e. g. in the form of reinforcement bars, will be in their final position when the building element arrives at the construction site, so that the construction time can be accelerated. As an alter- native, the material used in the casting process, e. g. concrete, can be provided with fibres, e. g. of steel, for reinforcement.

Preferably, at least one opening providing mould portion is provided for obtaining an opening in a member made in a casting process involving the part of the mould.

Thereby, openings in a floor structure, e. g. for cooling, heating, electricity, or water installations, according to construction plans can be easily obtained at the construc- tion site.

The third object above is reached which a fastening arrangement in a building structure, for example a floor structure, for fastening a lower plate to another part or other parts of the building structure, characterised in that the lower plate or at least one member fixed thereto is supported by at least one elastic member, in turn sup- ported by the other part, or parts, of the building structure.

The invention results in the lower plate being connected to the remaining part of the structure only through intermittent elastic members. As a result, in the case of a floor structure, sound generated above the structure, for example by foot steps, and progressing through the structure has to pass through the elastic elements. The latter act to substantially dampen the sound waves, so that waves transferred to the lower plate, and therefore to a space below the structure, are eliminated or minimised.

The second object above is also reached with a beam, for a building structure, in the intended final position presenting a lower portion and an upper portion, and com- prising at least one reinforcement member with an elongated shape, characterised in that, in a region between the end regions of the beam, the reinforcement member is located in the lower portion of the beam. The beam according to the invention makes effective use of its components for structural purposes. The reinforcement member being located in the lower portion between the end regions means that it can carry tensional loads occurring there. Material in the upper portion carries com- pressive loads.

Preferably, the beam comprises high performance concrete surrounding the rein- forcement member. Preferably, the high performance concrete is of the type de- scribed in PCT/SE2004/000148, filed by the applicant and incorporated herein by reference. This type of concrete is very durable in a case of fire, since it does not split, as described in said PCT application. This, together with the high strength of this concrete allows for a relatively thin layer of concrete outside the reinforcement member, which reduces weight, and allows the inventive beam to be used for rela- tively high structural requirements.

Preferably, in a region between the end regions of the beam, the upper portion of the beam consists essentially entirely of high performance concrete. Thus, no rein- forcement material is used in the upper portion of the beam, which reduces the com- plexity of the latter, and makes production of it easier.

Preferably, the reinforcement member extents uninterrupted through the beam.

Therefore, there is no need for a strong bond between the reinforcement member and the reinforced material. The loads can simply be transferred from the reinforced material to the reinforcement member in a transverse direction of the latter. There- fore a steel bar with a smooth surface can be used for the reinforcement member.

Nevertheless, if a bond between the reinforcement and the concrete is desired, the high performance concrete of the type mentioned can be advantageously used, since it has a relatively good bondability to steel.

The fourth object above is reached with a building structure, such as a floor struc- ture, comprising two plates at least partly overlapping each other and being located at a distance from each other, whereby at least one space between the plates is communicating with an aggregate, which is adapted to heat and/or cool air and make it move between the plates.

The fourth object above is also reached with a method for heating or cooling at least a part of a building, characterised by heating or cooling air, and moving the heated or cooled air between two plates of a building structure, the plates at least partly overlapping each other and being located at a distance from each other.

The building structure could be a floor structure or a wall. The invention provides for such building structures to replace traditional arrangements for heating and cooling, such as radiators, air conditioners or radiant ceilings. The air in the building structure used for cooling and heating can be kept dry for an effective energy distri- bution, but air in rooms of the building can be allowed to have a higher humidity, as well as a lower velocity, for the comfort of people in the building.

Also, case of cooling, the air in the rooms of the building can be allowed to have a higher temperature than in the case of traditional cooling systems. The invention can be used to provide cool concrete surfaces in rooms of a building. In general, the cooling is to a larger extent effected through radiation instead of, as with traditional technology, cool air flows in the rooms of a building. People in the building will ex- perience the temperature effect to be as effective as with traditional technology, but in addition the comfort will increase. Also, the invention will require less energy in operation, since there is no need, found in known solutions, for the extra energy de- manding reduction of content of water (steam) in the air.

The invention allows for the cooling or heating of internal surfaces with air circu- lating in closed systems separated from the ventilation systems of the building. Fur- ther, the invention provides for a system for cooling and heating which is very easy to integrate in the building during the construction phase, since structural compo- nents, e. g. floor structures, is used also for enclosing the heating and cooling system, whereby a large amount of traditional installations, e. g. in the form of conduits of channels, are un-necessary. The inventive system for heating and cooling also al-

lows for lesser maintenance measures in the finalised building, due to its construc- tional simplicity.

Additionally, the invention can make the need for two separate systems for heating and cooling un-necessary, since the building structure can be used for both pur- poses.

Preferably, the aggregate is located between the plates. This provides for losses of heat or cold to be significantly reduced compared to a system in which heat is trans- ported to the rooms of the building from a central heating or air conditioning ar- rangement.

The invention also provides, as will be described further below, a method for pro- ducing a structural element for a building, such as a beam, characterised in that it comprises the steps of positioning at least one building component in its intended final position in the building and so as to form at least a part of a mould for the structural element to be produced, and casting the structural element using the mould.

The invention also provides, as will be described further below, a positioning ar- rangement for use in a method, for producing a structural element for a building, comprising forming a mould for the structural element to be produced and casting the structural element using the mould, and particularly for positioning a first building component essentially above the structural element produced by said method, characterised in that it comprises a first part protruding downwards from the first building component, and/or a second part protruding upwards from a sec- ond building component forming at least part of the bottom of said mould, whereby the first part, or the first building component, presents at least one downwardly fac- ing abutment surface for contact with at least one upwardly facing abutment surface on the second part, or on the second building component.

In addition, the invention provides, as will be described further below, a wall ele- ment for a building, presenting an essentially rectangular shape and being provided with at least two reinforcement members extending diagonally through the wall element so as to intersect each other, characterised in that the reinforcement mem- bers protrude at at least one edge of the wall element, or are each fixedly connected to at least one reinforcement member protruding at at least one edge of the wall element, so that, as the wall element is positioned essentially above a mould for a structural element of the building, at least one of the protruding parts of the rein- forcement members can be at least partly submerged in a material for the structural element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Below, embodiments of the invention and their advantages will be described in greater detail with reference to the drawings, in which - fig. 1 is a front view of a building element according to one embodiment of the invention, - fig. 2-4 are front views of parts of two building elements as the one shown in fig.

1, - fig. 5 is a front view of a building element according to another embodiment of the invention, - fig. 6 is a front view of a building element according to yet another embodiment of the invention, - fig. 6a is a cross-sectional view of a mould part of a building element according to a further embodiment of the invention, - fig. 7 is a front view of parts of two joined building elements according to yet a further embodiment of the invention, - fig. 7a and 7b are front views of parts of two building elements according to a further embodiment of the invention,

fig. 7c and 7d are front views of parts of two building elements according to an- other embodiment of the invention, fig. 7e is a front view of a part of a building element according to yet another embodiment of the invention, fig. 7f is a front view of parts of two building elements of the type shown in fig.

7e, fig. 8 is a front view of a building element according to a further embodiment of the invention, fig. 9-11 are front views of parts of two building elements as the one shown in fig. 8, fig. 12-14 are front views of parts of two building elements according to addi- tional embodiments of the invention, fig. 15-18 are front views of a building elements according to further embodi- ments of the invention, fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a mould part of a building element according to another embodiment of the invention, fig. 20-22 are front views of building elements or parts thereof according to fur- ther embodiments of the invention, fig. 23-24 are front views of a building element according to yet another em- bodiment of the invention, fig. 25 shows a cross-section of a part of a building under construction, fig. 26 and 27 show parts of beams according to two respective embodiments of the invention, fig. 28a-e show cross-sections of beams according to alternative embodiments of the invention, fig. 29 shows a cross-section corresponding to the one in fig. 25 fig. 30 shows a side view of a beam according to a further embodiment of the invention, with some parts of the beam not shown in a mid-section thereof for better understanding, fig. 31 shows a detail of fig. 30

- fig. 32 is a cross-sectional view of a part of a multi-storey building including building structures according to one embodiment of the invention, - fig. 33 is a cross-sectional view of a part of a multi-storey building including building structures according to another embodiment of the invention, - fig. 34 is a cross-sectional view of a part of a multi-storey building similar to the one shown in fig. 32, - fig. 35 shows a horizontal cross-section of a building structure according to a further embodiment of the invention, - fig. 36 and 37 show cross-sections of a part of a building under construction, - fig. 38 an exploded view of parts in the building in fig. 36 and 37, - fig. 39 and 40 show schematic plan views of wall elements, and - fig. 41,42 and 43 show horizontal cross-sections of a wall in a building under construction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Fig. 1 shows a building element 1 according to one embodiment of the invention.

The building element 1 can have a number of alternative shapes, but in this em- bodiment it has an extended shape, and in fig. 1 one of its short sides can be seen.

The building element 1 comprises a planar member 10, in this embodiment in the form of a rectangular upper plate 10, which preferably comprises reinforced high performance concrete of the type described in PCT/SE2004/000148, incorporated herein by reference. A first 11 and a second 12 mould part are fixed to the plate 10 at a respective longitudinal edge lOa thereof. At each edge 1 Oa ends 1 Ob of rein- forcement bars 1 Oc protrude.

The reinforcement bars 10c could be part of a fabric reinforcement cast into the plate 10. As an alternative, for example where steel fibres are used to reinforce the plate 10, local reinforcement units with protruding ends could be provided at the

edges of the plate 10, or said edges could be provided without any protruding rein- forcement parts.

The mould parts 11, 12 are suitably made of thin sheet section beams, preferably of a standardised type, extending along the longitudinal edges of the plate 10. Each mould part 11, 12 can be fixed to the plate 10 by an edge region thereof being cast into the plate 10. For this the mould part is preferably provided with a shoulder that can be used to secure the former until casting is finalised. Each mould part 11,12 can also be mounted to the plate 10 by some kind of suitable fastening arrangement, by means of for example braces or welds.

As can be seen in fig. 1 the thin sheet section beams 11,12 have a Z-section. The thin sheet section beams 11,12 each have a portion 1 la, 12a extending laterally es- sentially perpendicular to the plate 10, and an end portion 1 lb, 12b extending later- ally essentially parallel to the plate 10 at a distance therefrom, and a fixing portion I I c, 12c extending laterally essentially parallel to the plate 10 and cast into the plate 10. As can be seen in fig. 2, at a lateral free end region of each end portion 1 lb, 12b, the respective thin sheet section beam 11,12 presents a shoulder lid, 12d.

Referring to fig. 2, the lateral dimension, b, of the end portion 12b of the second mould part 12 is larger than the lateral dimension, a, of the end portion 1 lb of the second mould part 11. Thereby, as can be seen in fig. 3, the first mould part 11 of one building element 1 can be partly fitted into the second mould part 12 of another building element 1, so that a mould 111 is formed between the plates 10.

As can be seen in fig. 2, the first and second mould parts 11,12 can be formed with the same Z-profile, presenting one flange, a, shorter than the other flange, b. By po- sitioning the mould parts 11,12 with the Z-profiles in inverted and mirrored rela- tionship to each other, the desired length difference of the end portions can be ac- complished. Thereby, the distance b should be equal or larger than the distance a

plus two times the sheet thickness. Additionally, the mould parts 11,12 are slightly shifted in a direction perpendicular to the plate 10, so that the second mould part 12 extends laterally a little further in the direction perpendicular to the plate 10 than the first mould part 11.

Referring to fig. 3, a suitable number of reinforcement bars 13 with suitable dimen- sions are suitably positioned before casting, in order to obtain a desired span and stiffness of the floor beams and the floor structure.

Preferably, the building elements 1 are adapted to carry loads occurring in a state preceding the casting stage, i. e. as depicted in fig. 4. Alternatively, they can be sup- ported by ledgers or braces.

Referring to fig. 4, the mould 111, formed by the mould parts 11,12 and the edges 1 Oa of the plates 10, is filled with material, preferably high performance concrete of the type described in the above mentioned PCT/SE2004/000148, incorporated herein by reference. Thereby a beam 14 is formed. Preferably, immediately after hardening of the material in the moulds 111, the floor structure fulfils the structural requirements set for the floor structure in the finalised building.

Referring to fig. 5, before transportation to the construction site, the building ele- ment can be provided with a sound isolating layer 15, under and adjacent the plate 10, and a vibration dampening lower ceiling 16, mounted on the mould parts 11,12 for reduction of noise from foot steps, transfer of sound between apartments and circulating air in the finalised building.

Again referring to fig. 5, as a further option, mould inlays 17 can be provided on the mould parts 11, 12 to reduce the amount of material to be used in the casting proc- ess, especially in regions of the cross-section where material is not needed for structural reasons, e. g in the central parts of the cross-section.

Fig. 6 shows an alternative to the arrangement in fig. 5, at which a sound isolating layer 18 is arranged above and adjacent vibration dampening lower ceiling 16.

Further, in fig. 6, reinforcement bars 13 are mounted in their intended final positions in relation to the respective mould parts 11,12. The reinforcement bars can be sus- pended from the protruding ends 1 Ob of the reinforcement bars l Oc in the plate 10, e. g. by wires, or, as depicted in fig. 6a, held by supporting devices 13b, fixed to the respective mould part 11.

Fig. 7 shows an embodiment for forming openings 19 in the beam 14 to be moulded.

The openings can be used for a heating and cooling system described below, or for electricity, water and/or sewer installations in the building. Referring to fig. 7a the embodiment includes holes 1 le, 12e in the mould parts 11, 12, provided for exam- ple by punching the sheet metal of the mould parts 11,12. Tube sections 1 lf, 12f provided with flanges 1 lg, 12g are mounted in the holes live, 12e. As can be seen in fig. 7b, when the building elements are positioned so as for the mould 111 to be formed, as described above, the flanges 1 lg, 12g abut against each other so as for the tube sections lift, 12f to form an opening providing mould portion 19a.

Fig. 7c and 7d show another embodiment for forming openings 19 in the beam 14 to be moulded. Holes lie, 12e are provided in the mould parts 11,12. As can be seen in fig. 7d, when the building elements are positioned so as for the mould 111 to be formed, a tube section 12f is positioned so that it extends through the holes lie, 12e, to form an opening providing mould portion 19a.

Fig. 7e and 7f show yet another embodiment for forming openings 19 in the beam 14 to be moulded. A collar 1 lf, 12f, preferably in an elastic material, is fixed to each mould part 11,12, and, as can be seen in fig. 7f, when the building elements are po-

sitioned so as for the mould 111 to be formed, the collars abut to form an opening providing mould portion 19a.

Fig. 8 shows a building element 2 according to an alternative embodiment of the in- vention. The building element 2 has an extended shape, and in fig. 8 one of its short sides can be seen.

The building element 2 comprises a planar member 21, in this embodiment in the form of a rectangular lower plate 21, which preferably comprises reinforced high performance concrete of the type described in PCT/SE2004/000148, incorporated herein by reference. Two mould parts 11 are fixed to the plate 21 at a respective longitudinal edge 2 la thereof.

As in the embodiments described above, the mould parts 11 are preferably made of thin sheet section beams, preferably of a standardised type, extending along the lon- gitudinal edges of the plate 21. Each mould part 11, each having the cross-section in the form of a Z, can be fixed to the plate 10 by an edge region thereof being cast into the plate 21, or mounted to the plate 21 by some kind of suitable fastening ar- rangement.

Fig. 9 shows parts of two building elements 2 of a similar type as the one shown in fig. 8, in positions for forming parts of a floor structure. The mould parts 11 are ar- ranged so as to form a mould 111 above the plates 21 and in the region where the elements 2 meet. In fig. 9 the mould parts 11 are further provided with mould inlays 17, similar to the ones described above with reference to fig. 5.

As can be seen in fig. 9, the mould parts 11 extend laterally away from the respec- tive plate 21 at a distance from the edge 21a of the plate 21. Thus, a mould 111 is formed above the plates 21. Reinforcement bars 13, with suitable dimensions and positions, and in suitable numbers are placed in the mould 111 before casting.

In fig. 10 a part of the building structure can be seen after casting and hardening of a beam 14 using the mould parts 11. Preferably, the high performance concrete of the type described in PCT/SE2004/000148, incorporated herein by reference, is used as material for the beam 14.

The embodiment described with reference to fig. 8-10 results in a stronger and stiffer structure than the embodiments described above with reference to fig. 1-7.

The reason for this is that the plates 21 are provided and adds to the strength and stiffness in the lower part of the structure where tensional loads are occurring. This allows for the structure to span larger openings. For additional performance of the structure, the embodiment in fig. 10 is provided with a larger flange on the beam 14 and more reinforcements 13.

In fig. 11 an alternative embodiment of the building elements 2 is shown, resulting in a beam 14 having an upper flange for greater support of the compression loads in the upper part of the structure. On top of the structure, an upper floor 22 is provided.

The upper floor 22 can be provided with stiffening bars 23 for improving its stiff- ness.

Fig. 12 shows an embodiment where a layer 24 for dampening noise from foot steps and air circulation is provided between the floor beam 14/mould parts 11 and the upper floor 22. Preferably, the sheet of the floor 22 is fastened to upper horizontal flanges of the mould parts 11, by screws 25, or similar. A sound absorbtion layer 18 is suitably placed on top of the plates 21, i. e. the lower ceiling.

Fig. 13 shows parts of building elements 3, according to a further embodiment of the present invention, in relative positions for forming parts of a building structure.

Each building element 3 has an extended shape, and in fig. 13 a part of one of the short sides of each element 3 can be seen. Each building element 3 comprises two

parallel planar members 10, 21, in this embodiment in the form of a rectangular up- per plate 10 and a rectangular lower plate 21, each of which preferably comprises reinforced high performance concrete of the type described in PCT/SE2004/000148, incorporated herein by reference. The plates 10,21 are joined by two mould parts 11, fixed to the plates 10,21 at respective longitudinal edges 10a, 21a thereof.

As in the embodiments described above, the mould parts 11 are preferably made of thin sheet section beams, extending along the longitudinal edges of the plates 10, 21.

Each mould part 11, each having the cross-section in the form of a Z, is fixed to the upper plate 10 at an upper lateral end region of the mould part 11, and to the lower plate 21 at an lower lateral end region of the mould part 11. At the edges lOa of the upper plate 10 ends 1 Ob of reinforcement bars lOc protrude.

In fig. 13 the mould parts 11 are arranged so as to form a mould 111 extending ver- tically essentially between the upper plates 10 and the lower plates 21. Thereby, the mould parts 11 extend laterally away from the respective lower plate 21 at a distance from the edge 2 la of the lower plate 21, and up to the upper plate 10.

Reinforcement bars 13, with suitable dimensions and positions, and in suitable numbers are placed in the mould 111 before casting. The mould parts 11 are further provided with mould inlays 17, similar to the ones described above with reference to fig. 5 and 9.

In a casting process, the mould 111 is filled with a material, preferably the high per- formance concrete of the type described in PCT/SE2004/000148, incorporated herein by reference, whereby a beam 14 is formed as can be seen in fig. 14.

Advantageously, the embodiment in fig. 12 and 14 gives a finalised upper floor and lower ceiling immediately after the casting process.

As can be seen in fig. 14, sound dampening isolation 15,18 can either be provided below the upper floor or the lower ceiling. Alternatively, the building elements 3, and hence the floor structure, could be completely filled with isolating material.

Fig. 15 shows yet another embodiment of a building element 1 according to the in- vention. This building element is similar to the ones showed in fig. 1-7, but addi- tionally, it is provided with a mould 112 between the longitudinal edges 10a of the plate 10. Thus, the main part of the additional mould 112 extends at a substantial distance from the edges of the planar member 10. In particular, the additional mould 112 is located at a substantial distance from the edges 10a at which the mould parts 11,12 are located. The additional mould 112 extends in the longitudinal direction of the plate 10. The mould 112 can comprise two mould parts 11,12 similar the ones provided at the longitudinal edges lOa of the plate 10. The casting process is made possible by one or more holes or slots 29 in the plate 10. Preferably, reinforcement bars 10c of the plate 10 extend uninterrupted past the additional mould 112.

As an alternative, more than one mould 112 can be provided between the longitudi- nal edges of the plate 10, whereby the additional moulds 112 can be arranged paral- lel to each other.

The embodiment shown in fig. 15 makes it possible to obtain wider building ele- ments 1 than in the embodiments described above.

As an alternative to the embodiment in fig. 15, the building element 1 can be pro- vided with one or more additional moulds 112 extending in a transverse direction of the plate 10, or in an angle to the longitudinal direction of the plate 10. Thereby the inclusion in a simple manner of trimmed joists in the building structure is made pos- sible.

Also, the building element with the mould parts, in the final position of the building element positioned above the plate, described above with reference to fig. 8-10, can be provided with one or more additional moulds between the longitudinal edges of the plate. Additionally, the building element with two parallel plates joined by mould parts, described above with reference to fig. 13 and 14, can be provided with one or more additional moulds between the longitudinal edges of the plate.

Fig. 16 shows an embodiment, similar to the ones shown in fig. 1-7, at which the building element 1 comprises a channel 30 for electricity, water and/or sewer in- stallations. Thus, the channel 30 is not to be used for casting. Preferably, the plate 10 extents continuously past the channel 30, apart from one or more apertures 29 provided for access of the channel. Alternatively, such access could be provided at the ends of the channel.

Fig. 17 shows an embodiment, similar to the one shown in fig. 8-10, in which the mould parts 31 are provided as C-section beams instead if Z-section beams. In other respects the embodiment in fig. 17 can present the same features as the embodi- ments shown in fig. 8-14.

Fig. 18 shows an embodiment of a building element 4, with mould parts 11,12 pro- vided at a respective longitudinal edge 1 Oa of a rectangular plate 10. The mould parts, in the form of Z-section beams, extend laterally out of the plane of the plate 10 on both sides of the plate 10. After casting by use of the mould parts 11,12, and mounting of an upper floor on top of, and a lower ceiling at the bottom of building elements 4 joined by the casting process, a floor structure is obtained with a lower and an upper fire isolating space, both possible to use for separate installations.

Fig. 19 shows a mould part 11 for a building element according to yet another em- bodiment of the invention, and in fig. 20 the building element 1 is shown in a suit- able position in relation to a similar building element, shown in part, for a casting

process to be carried out using the mould parts 11, fixed at respective longitudinal edges 10a of rectangular plates 10 of the building elements.

Differing from the embodiments shown in fig. 1-7, the mould parts 11 of adjacent building elements do not overlap. Instead, each mould part 11 present a shoulder 1 ld at their respective free edge region, and during positioning of the building ele- ments 1, shoulders lid of adjacent mould parts 11 are brought to abut against each other, so that a mould 111 is formed. This provides for an easy assembly at the con- struction site of the building elements before casting. In particular, it provides for a simple manufacturing process and adjustment of the lower ceiling.

The building elements 1 are provided with lower plates 16 to form a lower ceiling.

One or more reinforcement bars 13 are placed in the mould 111 before casting. As can be seen in fig. 21 the mould 111 is subsequently filled with material in order to form a beam 14.

In fig. 22 a lower profile 32 is mounted below and extends transversely of the beams 14 of the building structure. Such lower profiles 32 can be provided to support the lower plates 16, if spans are too large for the latter to support themselves. They can also have a function of reducing, by means of a flexible connection to the beams, sound transportation, as described below.

Fig. 23 shows a fastening arrangement in a building element 1, similar to the one shown in fig. 20, intended to be part of a floor structure. The fastening arrangement is used for fastening the lower plate 16 to the remaining part of the building ele- ment. The lower plate can be provided with profiles 32 as shown in fig. 22.

A support 33a for an elastic member in the form of an elastic cushion 33 is fixed to the mould part 11. Alternatively such a support 33a can be fixed to another part of the building element, e. g. the upper plate 10.

A member in the form of a nail 34 is fixed to the lower plate 16, and protrudes through an opening in the support 3 3 a without contacting the latter, and through the elastic cushion 33, on which it is supported by means of a head 34a formed on top of the nail. A suitable number of such fastening arrangements with elastic members 33 are distributed, preferably around the periphery of the lower plate, to support the latter.

Instead of nails 34, screws, bolts and washers, or any other means could be used for support on the elastic members 33. Alternatively, the lower plate could be directly supported by the elastic members, or profiles 32, as shown in fig. 22, can be ar- ranged to be supported by the elastic members.

The elastic member is preferably made of an elastomer material, for example a rub- ber material. The fastening arrangement is advantageous in that the weight of the lower plate is not critical for the function of the elastic members. This is in contrast to a case where steel springs are used, which might be permanently deformed by ex- cessive loading. For large weight requirement imposed by the lower plate 16, the hardness of the elastic members could be easily adapted.

Preferably, the lower part 16 and the fastening arrangement 33,34 are provides on the building element 1 before transportation to the building construction site. Fig. 24 shows that the arrangement described above is adapted for safe transport, simply by moving the lower plate 16 to abut against the mould part 11, whereby the nail 34 is shifted in relation to the elastic member 33, so that the head 34a is removed from the latter.

As an alternative to the embodiments described above, the building element can be provided with a mould on one of its edges, which mould is used to form a beam between the plate of said building element at said edge and another building element

at an edge of the other building element, which latter edge does not present a mould or a mould part.

Fig. 25 shows a cross-section of part of a building under construction. A beam 71, is in its intended final position, with the end regions 7 la thereof at a respective wall (or column) 72. A region above the wall 72 forms a mould for a structural element, as described below and also in PCT/SE2004/000148, incorporated herein by refer- ence.

The beam presents a lower portion 71b and an upper portion 71c, and comprises a reinforcement member 71 d with an elongated shape. In a region 71 e between the end regions 7 la of the beam 71, the reinforcement member is located in the lower portion 71b of the beam. A portion 71i of the reinforcement member protrudes from the end of the beam in an upper portion thereof, and in the longitudinal direction of the beam.

Referring to fig. 26, the beam 71 can present openings 7 If in its web and additional reinforcement 71g. Fig. 27 shows an alternative arrangement of such openings 7 If and additional reinforcement 71g.

Fig. 28a-28e show cross-sections of different embodiments of the beam. As can be seen, one, two or more reinforcement members 71 d can extend through the lower portion of the beam.

Fig. 29 shows the part of the building after the mould for the structural element has been filled with material in a casting process. It can be seen that the portion 71 i of the reinforcement member is thereby surrounded by the material for the structural element.

Fig. 30 shows schematically an alternative embodiment of the invention, at which a beam 71 comprises at least two reinforcement members 7 1 d, partly overlapping each other by a distance d in a region 71 d between the end regions 7 la. Suitably, in this embodiment the reinforcement members 71 d are in the form of ribbed bars. An advantage with this embodiment is that more reinforcement is provided in the cen- tral region 71 e of the beam, where the bending moment is the largest. Further, the beam can be easily adjusted for different spans.

As can be seen in fig. 31, at each end of the beam, the reinforcement member 71 d protrudes from the lower portion of the beam, and form a loop outside the beam, and enters the beam again at its end in the upper portion thereof. A structural element at the ends of the beam can be formed in the same manner as in the embodiment de- scribed with reference to fig. 25 and 29. Thereby, the ends of the beam will be sol- idly secured to the structure at its ends, which will further increase its structural ca- pabilities.

Fig. 32 shows schematically a vertical cross-section of a multi-storey building with an outer wall 41, an inner wall 42 and building structures 43 in the form of floor structures 43 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Each floor structure 43 can be built from building elements 1,2, 3,4 according to any of the embodiments described above, and comprises two separated mutually overlapping plates 410,411 in the form of an upper floor plate 410 a lower ceiling plate 411.

In the embodiment in fig. 32, the ceiling plate 411 is the active heat distributor and an isolating layer 412 is provided under and in the vicinity of the floor plate 410.

Apart from heat isolation, the isolating layer 412 also provides sound isolation.

An aggregate 413 is located in the space between the upper floor plate 410 and the lower ceiling plate 411, and in a heating operation the aggregate 413 provides warm air above the ceiling plate 411 and makes the air circulate above the latter 411.

Thereby, the ceiling plate 411 is heated and heats in its turn the air in the room be- low via radiation and convection.

Fig. 33 shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention, which is similar to the embodiment shown in fig. 32, but differs in that the floor plate 411 is the ac- tive heat distributor and an isolating layer 412 is provided above and in the vicinity of the floor plate 410. In this embodiment as well, the isolating layer 412 provides sound isolation besides heat isolation. An aggregate 413 provides in a heating op- eration warm air below the floor plate 410 and makes the air circulate below the latter 410. Thereby, the floor plate 410 is heated and heats in its turn the air in the room above via radiation and convection.

Fig. 34 shows the embodiment in fig. 32 used for cooling purposes, whereby the lower ceiling 411 is an active receiver of warm air. The aggregate 413 provides in a cooling operation cool air above the ceiling plate 411 and makes the air circulate above the latter 411. Thereby, the ceiling plate 411 is cooled and cools in its turn the air in the room below via radiation and convection.

Within the scope of the claims below, the embodiment in fig. 33 can also be used for cooling purposes, but in climates with a high rate of humidity there is a risk of precipitation of condensation which can result in problems with humidity, especially below carpets etc. In contrast, the isolating layer 412 in fig. 34 contributes to the floor temperature not becoming too cool, so that problems with condensation are avoided. Again the isolating layer 412 also provides sound isolation.

Fig. 35 shows a horizontal cross-section of a building structure 43 in the form of a floor structure 43, according to an embodiment of the invention. Floor beams 417 are provided with openings 418, preferably provided by means of opening providing mould portions 19a, described above with reference to fig. 7a-7f. Thereby, the air can be made to circulate essentially throughout the entire building structure 43.

Preferably, the openings 418 are located close to a peripheral region of the floor structure. Thereby, a main portion 414 of the air brought into motion by the aggre- gate 413 can circulate close to the peripheral region of the structure, and smaller air flows 414"can be guided through regions closer to or at the central part of the building structure 43.

As an alternative, the aggregate could be located separated from the space between the upper plate 410 and the lower plate 411, but communicating with the latter, e. g. by means of a suitable channel arrangement.

As a further alternative, two or more aggregates 413 can be provided in, or in com- munication with the building structure 43. As yet another alternative, two or more building structures 43 can be in communication with one common aggregate 413.

Suitably, in a residential building, one aggregate serves each apartment. Alterna- tively or in addition, the aggregate 413 can be formed by spatially separate units having different functions, e. g. one unit adapted to heat or cool air and another unit adapted to bring the air into motion.

As a further alternative, the building structure in which heated or cooled air is brought into motion could be a wall.

Fig. 36 shows a cross-section of a part of a building under construction including building components, comprising a floor structure 51, a first building component 52, for example a column or a wall element, and a second building component 53, for example a column or a wall element. The floor structure 51, the a second building component 53, and an shoulder member 54 extending along an upper edge of the second building component 53 form a mould 55 for a structural element to be pro- duced, in the form of a beam.

Fig. 37 shows the same part of the building after casting of the structural element 56 using the mould 55.

As can be seen in fig. 36 and 37, in this example the first building component 52 is positioned in its intended final position above the mould 55 before material, in- cluding concrete, for the beam is placed in the mould. However, as an alternative, the first building component 52 can placed in its intended final position above the mould 55 after the material for the structural element has been placed in the mould 55, but before said material has solidified. In any of said alternatives, at least one protruding part, further described below, of at least one reinforcement member of said first building component 52 is at least partly submerged in the material.

Referring to fig. 36, a positioning arrangement 57 is used for positioning the first building component 52 above the mould 55.

Referring to fig. 38, the positioning arrangement 57 comprises a first part 57a pro- truding downwards from the first building component 52. The first part 57a can be presented in a number of alternative forms, but in this example it comprises a plate 57b fixedly mounted to protruding end regions of reinforcement members in the first building component 52.

Further, the positioning arrangement 57 comprises a second part 57c protruding up- wards from the second building component 53. The second part 57c can be pre- sented in a number of alternative forms, but in this example it comprises nuts 57d mounted onto threaded portions of protruding end regions of reinforcement mem- bers in the second building component 53.

A lower side of the plate 57b forms downwardly facing abutment surface 57e for contact with upwardly facing abutment surfaces 57f on the nuts 57d on the second part 57c.

The plate 57b present guide holes for guiding the ends of the reinforcement mem- bers of the second building component 53 above the nuts 57d, whereby a correct horizontal position and orientation of the first building component 52 can be ob- tained.

By means of the abutments surfaces 57e, 57f of the first and second parts 57a, 57c of the positioning arrangement 57, the first building component 52 can be easily po- sitioned in a desired vertical position.

By rotating the nuts 57d, the vertical position of the upwardly facing abutment sur- faces 57d in relation to the second building component can be adjusted. Thereby, the desired vertical position of the first building component 52 can be adjusted. Addi- tionally, as can be seen in fig. 36, the first building component is secured to the sec- ond building component by additional nuts threaded onto upper portions of the sec- ond part that has protruded through the plate.

Of course, as an alternative, the plate 57b can be arranged on the second building component 53, and the adjustable nuts 57d can be arranged on the first building component 52.

As a further alternative to the fastening arrangement shown in fig. 38, the first building component 52 can present abutment surfaces directly on its lower face.

Thereby the first building component 52 can also present holes on its lower face for receiving respective protruding parts of the second building component 53. As an- other alternative, the second building component 53 can present abutment surfaces directly on its upper face, whereby the second building component 53 also can pres- ent holes on its upper face for receiving respective protruding parts of the first building component 52.

Fig. 39 shows a wall element 61 for a building, presenting an essentially rectangular shape and being provided with at least two reinforcement 62 members extending di- agonally through the wall element so as to intersect each other. Each reinforcement member 62 is, at its ends, fixedly connected to two reinforcement members 63 pro- truding at opposite edges of the wall element. As the wall element is positioned es- sentially above a mould for a structural element of the building, protruding parts of some of the reinforcement members 63 can be at least partly submerged in a mate- rial for the structural element. Additionally, the wall element 61 can be provided with a part of a positioning arrangement as described above, with reference to fig.

38.

Fig. 40 shows an alternative to the wall element in fig. 39, at which the intersecting reinforcement members 62 protrude at two edges of the wall element. As the wall element is positioned essentially above a mould for a structural element of the building, protruding parts of the reinforcement members 62 can be at least partly submerged in a material for the structural element.

Fig. 41 shows a horizontal cross-section through a wall element 81, with a column 82, and adjacent wall panels 83. On an outwardly facing surface the column 82 pre- sents protruding studs 84 and nuts 85. A net 86 is stretched between the wall panels 83. The edges of the wall panels are shifted outwards in relation to the column. Re- ferring to fig. 42, a board 87 is bolted onto the wall element using the nuts 85 in the column. Thereby, a mould for concrete is created between the board and the column.

After hardening of material placed in the mould, the board is removed. Thereby, a structural connection between the column and the wall panels has been created.

Fig. 43 shows an arrangement similar to the one shown in fig. 41 and 42. Instead of the casting procedure, a board 91 is placed directly onto the column 82, and gaps between the board and the wall panels 83 are filled.