BUILDINGS

The present invention is developed in the field of construction. Specifically, the present invention relates to a structural device that constitutes a novel invention for forming building plates that replace conventional tiles or plates, which can be easily installed in any type of construction, and also exhibits flexion and traction resistance characteristics, which confers advantages of earthquake resistance to the constructions.

STATE OF THE ART

In the field of building construction certain structures are required for the conformation of their roofs and floors that provide stiffness, resistance, and help to maintain the counterweight of the structures. For example, in the case of requiring mezzanines, these have the function of dividing a structure into a large number of equidistant structural elements (called beams), so that each resists a portion of the total load. In this way, the mezzanines need the use of these structural devices to form the plates. In this case, both the modulation and the light between beam supports will be the factors that determine the section of the structural device adopted. Therefore, in general, the beams are oriented in the direction that generates the shortest distance between supports, so that a structural device with the smallest possible section is required.

In the state of the art some construction systems are known for the formation of mezzanines that are applicable to constructions to reinforce tiles, mezzanines or roofs. Particularly, the conventional system for forming slabs or plates that function as mezzanines, which require a large number of structural elements, requires a greater amount of bearing material such as concrete or cement, more number of operative operators and, and therefore, the installation demands more time and the operating costs are increased. Additionally, these systems still exhibit certain disadvantages of earthquake resistance and flexural strength that are essential for the construction system.

Consequently, there is still an urgent need in the prior art for a novel alternative for the formation of plates or mezzanines that improves the inconveniences and disadvantages of conventional plate-based systems by reducing operating costs, the number of operators required, easily available, economical, and also significantly improve the properties of flexural strength and earthquake resistance of buildings.

FIGURES

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the structural device for forming plates or mezzanines, in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a planar view from the front structural device as illustrated in Figure 1 , the back portion being a mirror image, in which the grooves are present in the side walls and the elongated flat base, while the upper ends are straight and rounded edges.

Figures 2A, 2B and 2C are flat views from the front of the structural device as illustrated in Figure 1 , the back portion being a mirror image, in which the grooves are present in the side walls and the elongated flat base, while the upper ends exhibit different geometric shapes.

Figure 3 is a flat view from one of the sides of the structural device as illustrated in Figure 1 , the other side being a mirror image.

Figure 4 is a planar view from below of the structural device, as illustrated in Figure 1 .

Figure 5 is a flat view from above of the structural device, as illustrated in Figure 1 . Figure 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the structural device for forming plates or mezzanines, in accordance with the present invention, in which the grooves are present only on the side walls and correspond to a single series of angled lines.

DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides a first object that corresponds to a structural device for forming plates or mezzanines, characterized in that it consists of an elongated flat base that bends over its ends inwards to form two fin structures, which subsequently extend upwards to form two side walls; said side walls extend to form two upper ends, which correspond to bent ends on themselves in a U-shape; wherein said elongated flat base exhibits a series of internal grooves in the form of rhombuses formed by a series of intersecting lines at angles between 10 to 120 °, respectively, which cover the entire body of said elongated flat base, and where each one of said lateral walls exhibits internal grooves in the form of rhombuses formed by a series of lines that intersect at angles between 10 to 120°, respectively, which run said lateral walls along their longitudinal direction.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the structural device is characterized in that either of the base or the side walls exhibit only one row of internal grooves in the form of angled lines or truss.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the structural device is characterized in that the internal grooves in the form of diamonds or truss of the elongated flat base or the side walls are formed by a series of lines that intersect at an angle of 90°.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the structural device is characterized in that the internal grooves in the form of diamonds or truss of the elongated flat base or the side walls are formed by a series of lines that intersect at an angle of 45°. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the structural device is characterized in that the base is completely smooth, and does not exhibit internal grooves.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the structural device is characterized in that each of the side walls is completely smooth, and does not exhibit internal grooves.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the structural device is characterized in that the elongated flat base and each of the side walls exhibits the internal grooves in the form of diamonds or truss, and the upper ends exhibit a series of internal grooves that run longitudinally the entire body of said upper ends.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the structural device is characterized in that each of the upper ends exhibits from one to four longitudinal grooves.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the structural device is characterized in that the grooves of the upper ends are straight, rounded, semi- rounded, triangular, ellipsed, curled, polyhedral or mixtures thereof.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the structural device is characterized in that the upper ends exhibit edges of straight, rounded, square, triangular, semi-rounded, trapezoidal, ellipsed, curled, polyhedral or mixtures thereof.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the structural device is characterized in that it is made of steel, galvanized steel, cold rolled steel (commonly known as Cold Rolled (CR) or hot rolled steel (commonly known as Hot rolled (HR)) or aluminum. The structural device of the present invention exhibits a completely specific design that, when coupled to other simple structural components, significantly improves the properties of earthquake resistance and flexural strength in any construction that incorporates it, either as mezzanine or roof.

Its specific design is due to an elongated element with two extreme sides, shaped as a rectangular flat base with lateral end edges that bend over themselves in the manner of flaps. Said flaps subsequently extend perpendicularly upwards to form the side walls, which continue to extend until two corresponding upper ends are formed for each wall, which are configured as bent ends on themselves in an inverted U-shape, such as those illustrated in the figures. A characteristic aspect of the structural device of the present invention is its possibility of combining completely flat or smooth surfaces or with grooves in the form of diamonds or angled lines as a "truss" in the base or side walls. In the same way, the device of the present invention contemplates the possibility of including longitudinal grooves at the upper ends, where these grooves can exhibit edges of different geometric shapes, and completely cover the body of said upper ends, as illustrated by the figure 2B.

In this way, the device of the present invention can exhibit any of the above combinations as to the presence or absence of grooves in the base, walls or upper ends. This novel combination of the structural device of the present invention makes it possible to exhibit superior properties of flexural strength with respect to conventional devices of this type, which makes it an efficient alternative to replace traditional roofing, plate forming systems or mezzanines.

The above is possible because the structural device is coupled together with other structural components to form the roofs, plates or mezzanines, in accordance with the area specifications required by the users. In this way, the structural device of the present invention is arranged longitudinally in the form of rows arranged and spaced from one another, to adjust rectangular elements of the icopor or block type on its portions of flaps, such that they are coupled one behind of another on the structural devices of the present invention. It must be taken into account for the arrangement of the structural devices of the present invention, both the modulation and the light between supports of the beam, will be the factors that determine the section of the structural device adopted. Therefore, in general, the beams are oriented in the direction that generates the shortest distance between supports, so that a structural device with the smallest possible section is required. Once this structure is formed between the structural devices of the present invention and the rectangular support elements, the operator proceeds to arrange an additional support element formed by steel rods or meshes. Finally, the operator allows concrete or cement to be emptied over the upper portion of this device-support frame until the entire area is covered, and allowed to dry. This dry system makes it possible to form a roof, construction plate or mezzanine with excellent earthquake resistance and flexural strength that replaces conventional construction systems.

The upper portions of the structural device of the present invention exhibit various configurations in its design, provided that the input of the contributing material into said device is possible. These modifications make possible various shapes at their edges and longitudinal grooves, which can be straight, triangulated, semi-straight, semi-oval, semi-ellipsed, polyhedral, curly, among others, as seen in the flat views of the figures.

The structural device of the present invention can exhibit various combinations between its three main components: base, side walls or upper ends. For example, the base may be completely smooth while the walls may exhibit the rhombus or truss-shaped grooves and the upper ends are smooth; or the base may include rhombus or truss type grooves while the side walls and upper ends are of smooth surfaces, or both the base and the side walls include rhombus or truss-shaped grooves while the upper ends include one to four longitudinal grooves In the same way, the edges of the upper ends that bend in an inverted U-shape can exhibit one or more longitudinal grooves, while the walls and the base can be smooth; or the ends may exhibit one to four longitudinal grooves while any of the base or walls may exhibit rhombus or truss type grooves. In any case, the person skilled in the art will understand that any of the base, walls or ends may or may not include more indentations; the resulting combination of these grooves in the base, walls or upper ends will depend on the needs of the market or the technical specifications required.

These grooves along the walls, the upper portions and the base of the structural device of the present invention are largely responsible for the improved properties of earthquake resistance and flexural strength with respect to conventional devices, since their arrangement specific gives greater rigidity and resistance to the structural device of the present invention.

Additionally, the ends of the upper edges may exhibit various shapes at their edges to meet the needs of the market. For example, depending on the number of slits present or not, these edges of the upper ends may exhibit between some of these shapes straight, rounded, triangulated, trapezoidal, curly, oval, semi-ellipsed, or semi-rounded edges, as illustrated in Figures 2 to 2C. Flowever, the person skilled in the art will understand that various shapes are possible for these edges of the upper ends. In any case, the person skilled in the art will understand that for practical purposes, the upper end of the structural device of the present invention must exhibit an opening that allows the input of the contributing material, which may be a mixture of cement, concrete, among others. Thus, in the case of straight edges of the upper ends, the person skilled in the art will understand that the distance between said edges may vary so that the opening is wide or smaller.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

The structural device according to the present invention is specifically configured to achieve the required earthquake resistance and flexural strength. The structural device of the present invention can be manufactured in various materials that are common to materials used in the mechanical sector, such as steels, galvanized steel, cold rolled steel (commonly known as Cold Rolled (CR) or hot rolled steel (commonly known as Hot rolled (HR)) or aluminum, among others, although the person skilled in the art will understand that another variety of materials can be used to manufacture said components, as long as the expected results are achieved to improve earthquake resistance and flexural strength of the constructions that incorporate the structural device.

As for the weights and measures of the structural device of the present invention, the person skilled in the art will understand that said device can be manufactured to fit and comply with the standard standards established in accordance with each local legislation for the field of building. Thus, although the structural device of the present invention can be manufactured to fit the needs of the market, the person skilled in the art will understand that the necessary modifications in weight, measurements and materials can be made, as long as maintain the technical specifications required for the structural device of the present invention for improved earthquake resistance and flexural strength.

This is how the person skilled in the art interested in manufacturing the structural device of the present invention can design it in a table of calculations in which the specifications of the device are standardized based on different variables, including weight, dimensions, maximum load supported (flexural strength), earthquake resistance, among others. Based on these specifications, the person skilled in the art can combine these variables and perform the calculations necessary to determine the technical specifications of the structural device resulting from the present invention with improved properties of earthquake resistance and flexural strength.

However, as an illustrative example, the following table shows some typical technical specifications for a structural device such as that of the present invention:

The above dimensions are not restrictive of the structural device of the present invention, but are illustrative of some measures commonly required in the market for such a structural device, and therefore, may vary in accordance with the requirements of the user or the market.

ASSAYS

An illustrative structural device of the present invention that exhibits straight upper edges, and diamond-shaped grooves in the base and side walls, was subjected to various laboratory tests to measure its resistance to bending or maximum load bearing. The results are shown in the following table.

Tests carried out by the Trial Division - CONCRELAB, Bogota Headquarters, Colombia. The test corresponds to a FLEXION TEST, performed following the procedure described in Colombian technical standard NTC 3353-97.

The above results clearly demonstrate that the structural device of the present invention with grooves in the base and the side walls, with straight edges, exhibits a significantly higher flexural strength, since it is capable of withstanding a maximum load of 22, 56-24.52 kN (2300-2500 kgf), compared to conventional devices without grooves that barely exhibit a maximum load of 13 kN (1300 kgf), which makes it absolutely ideal for forming plates or mezzanines in various constructions. Additional tests performed on other structural devices, which are within the scope of the present invention, demonstrate that the presence of grooves in the walls, the base or the upper ends, or the combination of grooves with smooth surfaces, also exhibit superior strength results to bending, which makes it a highly desirable device to replace conventional mezzanine construction systems or to improve conventionally available devices.

Thus, the previous tests corroborate that the structural device of the present invention that combines the presence or not of grooves, in the ways described herein, does represent an advance in the field of construction and a novel alternative in the conformation of plates, covers or mezzanines, since it is capable of resisting a very high maximum load to confer properties of flexural strength and earthquake resistance compared to conventional systems.

MANUFACTURING

The structural device of the present invention can be configured and manufactured by various state-of-the-art techniques well known to anyone skilled in the art. For example, it is well known that one of the techniques consists of cold rolling (referred to as "cold rolled" in the conventional market) and hot rolling. Another technique that can be used to configure the structural device of the present invention is the extrusion of the material, which may include steel or aluminum, until the specific design of the structural device is achieved. The procedure used must allow the design proposed for the structural device of the present invention with the required technical specifications. ADVANTAGES

The structural device of the present invention exhibits the following advantages that make it desirable to replace conventional systems for forming plates, decks or mezzanines.

• It exhibits excellent properties of flexural strength and earthquake resistance in any type of construction, since it exhibits a specific configuration that provides improved rigidity, with light weight, particularly due to the presence of grooves in the walls, the base and the upper edges.

• It is simple because it does not require forms or expensive accessories.

• It is versatile because it easily accommodates any area, and is aesthetically attractive because it gives an excellent finish.

• It is easy to install since it does not require installation equipment and special tools, which significantly reduces construction costs.

• It is obtained through simple manufacturing processes, which significantly reduces its production costs.

• It has applications in the formation of mezzanines and roofs of any construction.

• It is a product of easy availability for the user in warehouses and hardware stores.

Any person skilled in the construction technique will understand without difficulty that various modifications or variations are possible on the structural device disclosed herein, without them departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiments and variations set forth in the present invention should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, which is determined by the content of the following claims.