Building system, building element and methods of construction
A building element ( 10 ) comprises a substantially metallic, substantially planar core member ( 20 ) and a thermally insulating and water resistant sheathing member ( 30 ) either side of the core member. The core member is continuous along a substantial length of the building element and a void ( 40 ) is created between the core member and at least one of the sheathing members. At least one bridging member ( 50 ) is provided in the void and couples the core member and at least one of the sheathing members. A building system and method of construction are also disclosed.
1. A building element comprising:
a substantially metallic, substantially planar core member, said core member being substantially solid and continuous along a substantial length of the building element;
a thermally insulating and water resistant sheathing member provided either side of said core member;
a void between the core member and at least one of the sheathing members; and
at least one bridging member in the void coupling the core member and at least one of the sheathing members.
2. The building element as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the sheathing members are substantially parallel with the core member.
3. The building element as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the core member is continuous along an entire length of the building element.
4. The building element as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the core member comprises multiple core member elements joined together.
5. The building element as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the core member is made from one or more of the following: steel, stainless steel, aluminium, nickel, alloys.
6. The building element as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the core member comprises one or more of the following: wood, glass, resin embedded sheets, polymers, fibreglass, polymer composite materials, fibre reinforced cement or other cementitious materials.
7. The building element as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the sheathing members are made from one or more of the following: extruded polystyrene, expanded polystyrene, a coating, a layer, a laminate, fibre reinforced cement, wood, resin embedded sheets, fibreglass, plasterboard, vinyls, plastics, cardboard based products, paint, fibre composites, polymer composite materials, or other cementitious materials.
8. The building element as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the polystyrene is of a closed cell formation.
9. The building element as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the sheathing members are coupled either side of the core member using one of the following techniques: adhesion, lamination, mechanical fastening.
10. The building element as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising insulation in at least one of the voids between the core member and at least one of the sheathing members.
11. The building element as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the insulation is in the form of one or more of the following: polyester, woollen or fibreglass batts, fly ash, in situ insulation, open cell polystyrene.
12. The building element as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the building element is prefabricated.
13. A building system comprising a plurality of the building elements as claimed in claim 1 coupled together to form a structure, or part thereof.
14. The building system as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the core member of one or more building elements forming a wall, or part thereof, is coupled to the core member of one or more building elements forming a roof, or part thereof.
15. A method of constructing a building, or part thereof, including the steps of:
erecting a substantially metallic, substantially planar core member, said core member being substantially solid and continuous along a substantial length of the core member;
coupling at least one bridging member to at least one side of the core member;
coupling a thermally insulating and water resistant sheathing member to said at least one bridging member on at least one side of the core member; and
coupling a thermally insulating and water resistant sheathing member to an opposite side of said core member, or a bridging member if provided, such that a void exists between the core member and at least one sheathing member.
16. The method of constructing a building as claimed in claim 15 , wherein coupling the thermally insulating and water resistant sheathing members to the core member or the at least one bridging member includes one of the following techniques: adhesion, lamination, mechanical fastening.
17. The method of constructing a building as claimed in claim 15 , further including the step of coupling the core member(s) of one or more building elements forming a wall, or part thereof, to the core member(s) of one or more building elements forming a roof, or part thereof.
18. The method of constructing a building as claimed in claim 15 , further including the step of coupling the core member(s) of one or more building elements forming a wall, or part thereof, to reinforcement in a foundation or floor of the building.
19. The method of constructing a building as claimed in claim 15 , further including the step of at least partially filling at least one of the voids between the core member and at least one of the sheathing members with insulation.
20. A building, or part thereof, constructed using the building element as claimed in claim 1 .
21. A building, or part thereof, constructed using the building system as claimed in claim 13 .
22. The building, or part thereof, as claimed in claim 20 , wherein the building part is a floor, a wall, a ceiling, a roof, a balcony, a verandah, a patio, a roof garden, a poolside, or part thereof.