Building comprising prefabricated composite panels with rigid structural frame
A building structure ( 100 ) is erected on a concrete slab ( 105 ). The structure comprises a rigid beam-and-post frame ( 110 ) and a plurality of wall and roof panels ( 130, 145 ). A first end of the posts ( 120 ) of the frame are secured to the concrete slab. A beam ( 115 ) is secured to a second end of the posts. Adjacent wall and roof panels are secured to one-another by interlocking edges joined with adhesive or other fasteners. Wall panels adjacent to the posts of the frame may be secured to the posts. Roof panels are secured to the beam and wall panels. Wall panels are secured to the concrete slab by adhesive sealant ( 1000 ), angles ( 1005 ), and bolts ( 1010, 1015 ). Ceiling panels are secured to the beam by a plurality of bolts ( 1010 ), and brackets ( 1005, 1200 ). Openings ( 135 ) for windows and doors are formed in the wall panels.
1. A building structure having a perimeter of a predetermined size that encloses an interior space, said building structure consisting of:
a slab that extends outside said perimeter,
a frame comprising first and second spaced vertical posts and a beam, each post having first and second ends, said first and bottom end of each of said posts being attached to said slab at opposite ends of said perimeter, said beam being attached to and extending between said second and top ends of said posts, such that said frame has an inverted-U shape,
a plurality of wall panels extending around said perimeter of said building, said wall panels being secured side-by-side to one-another and also being secured to said slab and to said posts,
a plurality of roof panels for enclosing said building structure above said wall panels, said roof panels being secured side-by-side to one-another to form a flat or planar roof that has two opposite ends at two opposite sides of said perimeter, respectively, said roof panels also being secured to said wall panels,
said beam of said U-shaped frame underlying and secured to an underside of said flat or planar roof, said beam having opposing vertical sides that face in opposite horizontal directions, said opposing vertical sides of said beam each being spaced from an opposite end of said roof,
whereby after joining, said slab, said frame, said wall panels, and said roof form said interior space of said building structure and said frame stabilizes said building structure.
2. The building structure of claim 1 wherein at least one of said wall panels is secured to one of said posts by means selected from the group consisting of adhesives and fasteners.
3. The building structure of claim 1 wherein at least one of said roof panels is secured to said beam by means selected from the group consisting of brackets, fasteners, and adhesives.
4. The building structure of claim 1 , further including at least one opening in said wall panels for use as a window or door.
5. The building structure of claim 1 wherein said roof is sloped.
6. The building structure of claim 1 wherein said frame further includes a plurality of additional posts interposed between said first and said second posts, said plurality of posts also having first and second ends, said first ends of said plurality of posts being attached to said concrete slab and said second ends of said plurality of posts being attached to said beam so that said plurality of additional posts further strengthens said frame.
7. The building structure of claim 1 wherein said frame further includes a plurality of interior panels secured to said posts and to said beam.
8. A method for constructing a building having a perimeter, consisting of the following steps:
providing a slab,
providing a plurality of vertical posts having first or bottom and second or top ends,
providing a beam having opposing vertical sides that face in opposite horizontal directions,
providing a plurality of wall panels, and
providing a plurality of roof panels for enclosing said building structure above said wall panels, said roof panels being secured side-by-side to one-another to form a flat or planar roof that has opposite ends at said perimeter, said roof panels also being secured to said wall panels,
securing said first or bottom ends of said posts to said slab at opposite ends of said perimeter,
securing said beam to said second or top ends of said posts, said beam extending between said second ends of said posts, said beam and said posts forming an inverted-U-shaped support frame for supporting said wall panels and at least some of said wall panels,
securing said wall panels to said slab along said perimeter so that said wall panels extend around said perimeter, and
securing said roof panels to said wall panels,
securing said beam to said flat or planar roof, said beam of said U-shaped frame underlying and attached to said roof, said vertical sides of said beam spaced from said respective opposite ends of said roof,
whereby after joining, said slab, said frame, said wall panels, and said roof form said interior space of said building structure and said frame stabilizes said building.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein said wall panels are secured to said slab by means selected from the group consisting of angle brackets, fasteners, and adhesive sealant.
10. The method of claim 8 wherein said wall panels include edges with complementary, interdigitated shapes that are secured to one-another by adhesive sealant.
11. The method of claim 8 wherein at least two of said wall panels are mitered and joined at a right angle and secured together by means selected from the group consisting of angle brackets, fasteners, and adhesive sealant.
12. The method of claim 8 wherein said roof panels are secured to said wall panels by means selected from the group consisting of angle brackets, fasteners, and adhesive sealant.
13. The method of claim 8 wherein at least one of said roof panels is secured to said beam by means selected from the group consisting of brackets, fasteners, and adhesive sealant.
14. The method of claim 8 wherein said building further includes a plurality of openings for use as at least one window and one doorway.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein said plurality of openings include at least one window frame and one door frame.
16. The method of claim 8 wherein at least one of said wall panels is secured to at least one of said posts.
17. The method of claim 8 wherein said support frame further includes a plurality of additional supports selected from the group consisting of panels and additional posts.
18. The method of claim 8 wherein said roof is sloped.