AU620806B2

AU620806B2 - A building structure and method of erecting structures

Info

Publication number: AU620806B2
Application number: AU16361/88A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Leonard William Mckelvey; Robert Victor Peterson; John Rymill Salmon
Original assignee: SYPAK CONSOLIDATED IND Pty Ltd
Current assignee: SYPAK CONSOLIDATED INDUSTRIES PTY Ltd
Priority date: 1987-05-20
Filing date: 1988-05-17
Publication date: 1992-02-27
Anticipated expiration: 2008-05-17
Also published as: AU1636188A

Description

62080 6 CCOMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA a 49 6 0041) The Patents Act 1952-1969 *6Name of Applicant: SYPAK CONSOLIDAT2D INDUSTRIES PTY. LTD.

Addrcess of Applicant: 9 MORETON STREET, CHINDERAR, NEW SOUTH *WALES 2487 Actual Inventor$ Leonard William McKelvey 64 John Rytnill Salmon AddessforSerice Robert Victor Peterson Addres fo Serice:G,R. CULLEN COMPANY PATENT TRADE MARK ATTORNEYS q 9 DALGETY HOUSE 0400 79 EAGLE STREET BRISBANE QLD 4000 AUSTRALI A COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR THE INVENTION ENTITLED: A BUILDING STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF ERECTING STRUCTURES The following ,atement is a full description of thLe invention including the best method of performing it known to us: 2 This invention relates to a building structure and to a method of erecting structures. By way of example the present invention shall be described in relation to houses and their erection. It should be appreciated that the invention as herein described is quite appropriate for the construction of other buildings such as garages, garden sheds *too.: or the like.

0 t Hitherto houses, and in particular, timber houses o* were built in stages. Initially following the laying of a :P0 foundation, numerous floor bearers were positioned around at least the periphery of the house and joists attached thereto.

The joists 'provided a framework to which the flooring was o ao #0 attached, o oa *Once the floor was completed, timber frames :eo. representing the various walls were constructed and secured to the floor. Supported above and attached to the timber o frames representing each of the walls, there was constructed the framework required to support the roof, Upon completion, sheets of roofing material or rows of tiles were laid to form the roof.

With the roof completed, lengths of timber or sheets of an appropriate material were then secured to the timber frames to complete the external and internal walls of the house Lastly such items as windows, doors, guttering

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3 etcetera were fitted.

From the above somewhat simplified description it is appreciated that the construction of a house is a rather involved, lengthy and labour intensive task.

The construction of a house according to the method described above requires a great many fasteners. The house does not therefore represent an easily demountable structure. Hence relocation of the house on an alternative site usually involved cutting and transporting the house in large sections. This is both difficult and rather expensive.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a structure and a method of constructing structures, in j particular houses which at least minimizes some of the disadvantages referred to above.

According to the present invention there is provided I a structure including a plurality of vertically extending support posts positioned about at least the periphery of the structure, said support posts being secured to a foundation of the structure or attached to a supporting subframe, each said support post comprising at least two outwardly directed channel portions extending along the length thereof; one or more wall panels extending between two adjacent support posts so as to form a wall, the ends of said wall panels being received in the channel portion of a respective said support post; a plurality of top plates, with a said top plate extending horizontally between free upper ends of said two adjacent support posts and secured thereto and at least one roof "MVS o h^d,^ section having one or more roof beams secured to said top plates, wherein a bottom edge of the wall rests on a support extending from a side edge of the foundation or supporting subframe and said wall is secured to the support by a tie rod extending vertically through the wall from a top edge thzreof and through the support.

According to the present invention there is also provided a method of constructing a structure including the following steps: laying a foundation and/or erecting a supporting i subframe having one or more supports extending from a side edge thereof; positioning in or attaching to said foundation or supporting subframe a plurality of support posts; positioning one or more wall panels extending between two adjacent said support posts so as to form a wall, the ends of s-aid wall panels being received in channel portions of respective said support posts, a bottom edge of the wall resting on the one or more supports; oecuring the wall to the support by passing a tie rod from vertically through the wall from a top edge thereof and through the support; attaching a plurality of top plates to said support posts, with a said top plate extending horizontally between and being secured to the upper free ends of two adjacent said support posts; and attaching one or more roof sections to said top plates to form a roof.

h. m n n, K vt L 4a support post may comprise an extruded section.

External surfaces of each support post may be coated with a protective coating to guard against the effects of corrosion.

As mentioned above, each support post includes a plurality of 5 outwardly directed channel portions extending along the length thereof. In one embodiment each support post may include a pair of opposed outwardly directed channel portions. In an alternative embodiment each support post may include a plurality of adjacent outwardly directed channel portions.

Each channel portion may comprise a pair of opposed c arms and an intermediate web portion. Preferably the o transverse cross sectional shape of each channel portion 0 00 corresponds with the external profile of the end portion of a wall panel to be received therein. Thus the transverse cross sectional shape of each channel portion may be U, V or any o So° other suitable shape, Each support post may also include a plurality of 1" apertures at locations along the length thereof so that other components may be positively secured thereto.

0,o As mentioned previously, extending between adjacent support posts there are positioned one or more wall panels.

The ends of each wall panel are adapted so as to be received in a channel portion of an adjacent support post, The ends of each wall panel may also be positively secured to an adjacent support post, A wall of the structure may comprise one wall panel or a plurality of wall panels.

Each wall panel may comprise an elongate member.

The wall panels may be of round, square or polygonal 6 transverse cross section. Preferably each wall panel comprises a substantially flat, elongate plate like member.

Preferably the profile of the ends of each member correspond with the transverse cross section of the channel portion of an adjacent support post.

Where a wall comprises a plurality of wall panels, abutting edges of adjacent wall panels may engage.

a 6 6 Preferably the external profiles corresponding to the top and bottom edges of adjacent wall panels are complementary. Thus }P in one embodiment, the top edge of a wall panel may include 6* an upstanding ridge extending the length thereof and the bottom edge of the wall panel may include a complementary channel extending the length thereof.

9 6 Where a wall comprises a plurality of wall panels, L6". adjacent wall panels may be secured together by one or more fasteners, The fastener may comprise a long rod having 0« threaded endo. The rod may be received in a bore formed in ooo: each wall panel. Preferably the bore extends transversely 6 0 and vertically through the wall panel. Preferably there are several bores formed in and along the length of each wall panel allowing for more than one fastener to be used to secure adjacent panels together. The fastener or fasteners in use maintain the wall comprising a plurality of wall sections in compression.

Each wall panel may be made from wood, metal, i 7 plastics or a combination thereof and. may be of solid or hollow construction.

Preferably each top plate extends outwardly from each wall so as to cover the top edge of the uppermost wall panel used to forn; the wall, where the wall comprises a plurality of wall panels, or the top edge of the wall panel used to form the wall, where the wall comprises a single wall b: panel. The top plate may comprise a single elongate member.

E O The elongate member may have any suitable transverse cross j ,e section i.e. round, square or polygonal. Thus the top plate may include a substantially flat, elongate plate like member.

Preferably the top plate includes two opposed elongate plate like members secured together, 6l The top plate may also include a plurality of is A. upstanding projections or stubs. Each stub may be integral with or affixed to one or both opposed plate like members.

sOo Preferably each stub is sandwiched between opposed elongate 00*0 members. Preferably the stubs are arranged in pairs.

o Preferably each stub has a rectangular transverse cross section, As mentioned before, the structure includes one or more roof sections to form a roof and are secured to the top plates. The roof sections may be round, square or polygonal in shape when viewed from above. The roof may comprise a single roof section or a plurality of roof sections. Where a L: -8 roof comprises a plurality of roof sections those sections need not all be of the same shape or size. Preferably each roof section is triangular in shape when viewed from above and a roof formed from a plurality of such sections is pyramidal in shape.

Each roof section may comprise one or more roof o panels and a supporting subframe of beams. Each beam may 0 0 have a round, square, polygonal or other suitable transverse Soo cross section. Preferably each beam is substantially 'o 0 ,3Q* rectangular in transverse cross section.

A side edge of each beam may be checked out. The checked out portion may abut the top edge of a respective top plate and make plane contact with it. Each beam may also abut and be secured to a single stub. Preferably each beam is adapted so as to be received between and secured to a pair of stubs.

In an alternative embodiment the stubs may be 0 a integral with or attached to the beams and in use may locaca o 0 in the gap provided between opposed elongate members forming the top plate.

The walls of the structure may include a plurality of window and/or door openings. Each window or door opening may be defined by a frame member or a plurality of "rame members, Preferably each frame member comprises an outwardly extending chanp-l portion extending the length thereof. Each I _I I I 9 Po 0 4 Pi channel portion may comprise a pair of arms and an intermediate web portion. Where a wall panel extends between a frame member and an adjacent support post, the channel portion of the frame member is preferably adapted so as to receive therein an end of the wall panel. Where a wall panel extends between two adjacent support posts and a portion of the bottom or top edge of the wall panel abuts a frame member, the channel portion of the frame member is preferably adapted so as to receive therein the top or bottom edge of the wall panel. Preferably the transverse cross sectional S shape of each channel portion corresponds with the external profile of the end or top or bottom edges of the wall panel to be received therein. The transverse cross sectional shape S of each channel portion may therefore be U, V or any other S1 suitable shape.

0 4, a The frame member may also include a plurality of o apertures positioned at locations along the length thereof so a 4#0 0: that other components may be positively secured thereto, 0 c Thc frame member may also include outwardly extending flanges between which may be received a door or sheet of window glass. The flanges may be integral with or attached to the frame member.

As stated previously, the method of constructing a structure according to the present invention initially requires the preparation of a foundation and/or the erjetion I I 10 of a supporting subframe.

The foundation may comprise a cleared piece of ground or a slab of concrete. Alternatively, the foundation may comprise a plurality of discrete concrete channels or slabs which may define the periphery of the structure and/or the location of any internal walls or structural supports.

Secured to or set in the foundation, there may also be constructed a supporting subframe. The subframe may S simply comprise a plurality of footings extending vertically Ott, ,0 from a top surface of the foundation. Structural members may be secured to and extend between adjacent footings. Further structural members may be secured to and extend diagonally between adjacent structural members.

Preferably sheets or lengths of an appropriate Sl'~ Material are secured to the supporting subframe to form a floor of the structure.

The next stage includes the erection of a plurality of support posts around at least the periphery of the structure. The support posts may, where the foundation ~o0 comprises concrete, be set in the foundation at the time of pouring, Where the foundation comprises or includes a supporting subframe, the support posts may be secured to the supporting subframe by appropriate fasteners, In one embodiment the support posts may be secured to the footings, i; i 1 1 11 In an alternative embodiment the support posts may be secured to the structural members.

Having erected a plurality of support posts, one or more adjaent wall panels a, turn arranged to extend between adjacent support posts a as to form a wall, The ends of each wall panel are positioned in a channel portion of an adjacent support post, The wall panels may also be positively secured to the support posts by fasteners, 0 9 Where a wall comprises a plurality of wall panels, 6 a the wall panels may be stacked one above the other. The wall 9 panels may be secured together along lengths thereof by the 0 0 insertion at this stage of fasteners which extend vertically through the wall and are secured top and bottom at both ends, The fasteners serve to maintain the wall in a state of compression.

The wall may include one or more window and/or door 9 94 openings. Where a door opening is desired, a frame comprisang a plurality of frame members defining the .4 Speriphery of the door opening is secured to or simply positioned on the floor or foundation of the structure, Wall panels in turn are arranged so as ts? extend between vertically oriented frame members and adjacene .i.jport posts, The ends of the wall panels are preferably positioned in respective channel portions of the feame member and support post. The bottom edge of a wall panel extending between two 24 subframe of beams, each said beaa bGing received between and gacureA to an adhaAcnt bai of said u otandian stubs, ,a i M i- 12 adjacent wall panels and abutting a horizontally oriented frame member is preferably received in the channel portion of the frame member.

Where a window opening is desired, a frame S compris,ng a plurality of frame members defining the periphery of the window opening is positioned above and in abutting relationship with a wall panel extending between two adjacent support posts. Wall panels in turn are arranged so t t as to exte,,d between vertically oriented frame members and adjacent support posts, The ends of the wall panels are t n reerably positioned in respective channel portions of the frame member and support post, The edges of wall panels extending between adjacent support posts which abut horizontally oriented frame members are preferably received in the respective channel portion of the frame members, Once each wall is completed, top plates are secured to and extend between adjacent support posts. Where the top plate comprises a single elongate member, the ends of the elongate member may be secured to the free ends of the 120 support posts Where the top plate comprises a pair of opposed elongate members, the ends of the elongate members may be secured to orposing sides of the free ends of the support posts.

Having erected top plates around at least the periphery of the structure one or more roof sections are, as I I 13 stated before, secured to the top plates to form a roof.

Where each roof section includes a subframe of beams, each beam may be secured to a top plate. Where the top plate includes a stub, each beam may be secured to the stub. Where the top plate includes a pair of opposing stubs, each beam may be positioned between and secured to the stubs. Eacn beam may include a checked out portion. The checked out portion may be used to locate the beam relative to a top plate.

t'Q Having erected a frame work of beams, roofing S- material may be secured thereto to form the roof.

,tt ~Lastly such items as guttering, doors and sheets of window glass where appropriate may be fitted so as to 4 complete the structure.

i'Y. Reference may now be made to a preferred embodiment S of the invention as shown in the accompanying drawings wherein figure 1 shows an elevational view of a house S constructed in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 shows an exploded view of a portion of the house of figure 1; Figure 2a is a view similar to figure 2 but shows an alternative foundation; Figure 2b is a view similar to figure 2 but shows another altern-ttive foundation; 14 Figure 3 shows a typical vertical section of the house of figure 1; Figure 4 shows a typical horizontal section of a portion of the house of figure 1; Figure 5 shows a transverse cross section of a support post; Figure 6 shows a transverse cross section of a support post according to a second embodiment; Figure 7 shows a tzansverse cross section of a 0 support post according to a third embodiment; and, Figure 8 shows a partial perspective view of an apex of a roof according to an embodiment of the invention.

A house 40 constructed in accordance with the invention includes a plurality of support posts 2 positioned around the periphery of the house. The posts are secured by bolts to a subframe assembly 3. The subframe assembly 3 (see figure 2) comprises a plurality of interconnected structural members 5 supported by legs 30 is used to support sheets of *9 material 4 completing the floor. At various positions along the length of those structural members 5 defining the periphery of the house, there are provided numerous outwardly extending support lugs 6.

As shown in figures 2, 2a and 2b, each support post 2 includes two outwardly directed cnannel portions 7. Each channel portion 7 extends the entire length of the support -a t L

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15 post 2 and is defined by two opposing flanges 20 and web portion 31 (see figure Each channel portion 7 has a substantially U shaped transverse cross section.

Wall panels 8 extend between two adjacent support posts 2. The ends 9 of wall panels 8 are adapted so as to be received in channel portions 7 of support posts 2. A plurality of wall panels 8, stacked on top of one another are required to form a complete wall. The top edge of each wall 4 panel 8 includes a stepped portion or ridge 10 extending the entire length thereof. The bottom edge of each wall panel includes a channel 11 extending the entire length thereof.

,ou,,r The ridge 10 of one wall panel 8 is adapted to be received in the channel 11 of the wall panel 8 stacked above, The bottom edge of each bottom panel 8a rests on or is supported by the support lugs 6. A tie rod 12, used to secure a plurality of adjacent wall panels 8 together, a locates in mating bores 13 positioned transversely in each panel 8 and vertically in each wall panel 8, The tie rod 12 is secured at one end to a plate 14 and at the other end to a 120 supporting lug 6. Figure 3 shows greater detail of how the Slower part of a wall is completed.

Each windca or door opening comprises a frame having a plurality of frame members 15. Each frame member consists of a channel 16 extending the length thereof. Each channel 16 is substantially U shaped and is defined by I i~ L 16 opposed flanges 32 and web portion 33. Wall panels 8 extend between vertically oriented frame members 15 and adjacent support post 2. The ends of the wall panels 8 are adapted to be received in channels 16. Where wall panels 8 extend between two adjacent support posts 2 and a portion of the bottom or top edges of the wall panels 8 abut horizontally oriented frame members 15, the top or bottom edges of the wall panels 8 are adapted to be received in channels 16.

a I A top plate 17 is attached to ends of an adjacent 4 40 TO*° pair of support posts. Each top plate 17 comprises two 0 o opposed elongate plate like bers 18. The ends of opposed members 18 are secured to respective opposed flanges 20 of a 4 channel portion 7 of a support post 2. Secured between 0 0# opposed members 18 there are provided a plurality of 045 upstanding projections or stubs 19. Stubs 19 are secured to members 18 by fasteners 21, Preferably stubs 19 are arranged 0 in pairs. In the case of stubs 19a located at the end of each top plate 17, a second stub 19a completing the pair is a 0 0 provided by a stub 19a associated with the end of an adjacent top plate 17.

The roof of the house includes a plurality of triangularly shaped roof sections 34. Each roof section comprises a supporting subframe of beams 22. Each beam is adapted so as to locate between a pair of opposed stubs 19 or 19a, A checked out portion 23 formed in the bottom edge of 17 each beam 22 abuts the top edges of members 18 of the respective top plate 17 and makes plane contact with it.

Each beam is secured to a pair of opposing stubs 19 by fasteners 26. Suitable roofing material 25 is in turn secured to the rafters to complete the roof. Figure 3 shows greater detail of the way the roof of the house is completed.

Figures 5 to 7 show the transverse cross sectional shape of a support post 2 according to three different embodiments. Each support post 2 includes two outwardly 0, extending or adjacent channel portions 7. Each channel S portion 7 includes two opposed flanges 20 and an intermediate *t web 31. Each support post 2 also includes at least one cavity 41.

The support post 2 shown in figure 5 is appropriate .140,. where the wall panels 8 extending outwardly therefrom and the o a* wall panels 8 make an angle of 180 degrees therebetween, The support post 2 shown in figure 6 is appropriate where the wall panels 8 extend outwardly therefrom at a desired angle, the desired angle being greater than degrees but less that 180 degrees. Figure 4 shows a support post 2 of figure 6 with wall panels 8 extending outwardly therefrom, The support post 2 shown in figure 6 is appropriate where wall panels 8 extend outwardly therefrom at an angle of 90 degrees therebetween.

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18 Figure 8 shows detail of the manner in which the apex of a roof may be completed. The upper free ends 50 of beams have channel shaped fixing brackets 51 secured thereto by fasteners 52. Each bracket 51 has a web 53 from which project two threaded studs (not shown). These studs locate in apertures 54 in drum 55 and are fixed to the drum to thereby fix the beams 22 relative thereto.

A cap (not shown) is then positioned over the drum t tsrc O rl 'ri4

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c.

1 t and the cap extends part way over roofing fixed to beams 22.

Figure 2 shows a particular embodiment for a subframe 3. Figures 2a and 2b show alternative foundations for the structure of the invention. In figure 2a the foundation consists of a concrete slab 60. Slab 60 has a plurality of apertured projections 61 (only one of which is shown). Wall panel 8a rests on projection 61. The aperture in the projection 61 receives rod 12 and may have that rod fixed thereto. The corner of the slab 60 has a mounting bracket 62 relative to which post 2 may be fixed by fasteners 21.

It itP I I I I I I St 1,b2 In figure 2b a slab 60 is shown having a bracket 62 to which post 2 is secured by fasteners 21. The slab has a ledge 63 upon which panel 8a may rest. An aperture 64 is present in the ledge and receives rod 12.

T'ihe bracket 61 in figure 2a and the ledge 63 of figure 2b extend outwardly from the slab 60 for a distance r- 1 7 19 less than the width of the panel 8a.

A method of constructing a house 40 in accordance with the invention initially requires the preparation of a suitable foundation. The builder in turn may set in or attach to the foundation a plurality of footings 30 situated around at least the periphery of the house. Numerous structural members 5 are then secured to the various footings to form a supporting subframe 3 to which is attached sheets S of material 4 to form the floor.

Having completed the floor, support posts 2 representing the corners of the external and/or internal walls are secured to the structural members 5. Wall panels 8 e 4 are arranged so as to extend between adjacent support posts So,, 2. A plurality of wall panels 8 are stacked one above the other to form a wall. The ends 9 of wall panels 8 are 0 *9 positioned in channel portions 7 of adjacent support posts 2.

t 6 Where there is desired a window, opening a frame comprising a plurality of frame members 15 defining the o periphery of the window opening is constructed. A horizontally oriented frame member 15 representing the bottom edge of the frame is positioned above and in abutting relationship with a wall panel 8 extending between two adjacent support posts, Wall panels in turn are arranged so as to extend between the vertically oriented frame members 15 and adjacent support posts 2 the ends of the wall panels 20 are positioned in respective channel portions 16, 7 of the frame members 15 and support posts 2 respectively. The edges of wall panels 8 extending between adjacent support posts 2 which abut horizontally oriented frame members 15 are positioned in channel portions 16 of the horizontally oriented frame member 15. During construction of the wall, numerous wall panels 8 are secured together by the rods 12.

The tie rods 12 are positioned within bores 13 of wall panels 8 and thus extend through the wall. The tie rods 12 are 4.

40i secured at one end to a plate 14 and at the other end to lug 6.

*ot Once each wall is completed, top plates 17 are secured to and extend between adjacent support posts 2. The S ends of the elongate members 18 are secured to flanges 20 of support posts 2.

4 e Having secured top plates 17 to support posts 2 *4 positioned around at least the periphery of the house, one or more roof sections 34 are in turn secured to the top plates 18 to form a roof. Beams 22 from which the subframe of each roof section is constructed are positioned between and secured to pairs of opposed stubs 19 or 19a, The checked out portion 23 of beams 22 abuts the top edges of the adjacent top plate 17.

It should be appreciated from the foregoing description that a structure such as a house constructed in I 21 accordaoce iwith the present invention is easier to construct than a conventional timber house. All the various components can be fabricated away from the building site and in turn easily and quickly erected on site.

As there are relatively few nails or other types of fasteners used in the construction of the house, the house represents an easily demountable structure. The house, should it be necessary, can be disassembled and easily and quickly reassembled on another site, Lastly, houses constructed according to the present 9 '0 S invention comprising numerous support posts and including tie rods securing a number of wall panels together, exhibit a 0 a higher wind load strength than that attributed to houses S built along conventional methods.

0 0 S0 a Ii" a o tf«Kil

Claims

1. A structure including a plurality of vertically extending support posts positioned about at least the periphery of the structure, said support posts being oecured to a foundation of the structure or attached to a supporting subframe, each said support post comprising at least two outwardly directed channel portions extending along the length thereof; one or more wall panels extending between two adjacent support posts so as to form a wall, the ends of said wall panels being received in the channel portion of a respective said support post; conform in I of an end ol 4(r*99 #9 *r 9 rr 99 9*9 wall panels of the pane:

6. Ti a plurality other and wJ tie rod to 1

7. TI tie rods ar wall panels,

8. TI said top pJ horizont&'. partially a) respective a plurality of top plates, with a said top plate 99,9 extending horizontally between free upper ends of said two adjacent support posts and secured thereto and at least one roof section having one or more roof beams secured to said top plates, Q wherein a bottom edge of the wall rests on a support extending from a side edge of the foundation or supporting subrame and said wall is secured to the support by a tie rod extending vertically through the wall from a top edge thereof and through the support, 2. The structure of claim 1 wherein each said post comprises an extruded section. 34 rhe structure of claim 1 or 2 wherein said channel portions are defined by outwardly directed flanges, said channel portions on said post being either oppositely directed or directed at an angle to one another, said angle being either acute, 90 degrees or obtuse, 9, TI 20 includes a F to one or bo members. 100 Ti either circi 25 plan.

11. TI section com *A4~o~ K 4. The structure of claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said channels conform in transverse sectional profile to an external profile of an end or edge portion of the panel received therein. The structure of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said wall panels comprise sheets, planks, beams or logs with the ends of the panels being secured to the posts by fasteners. 6. The structure of any one of claims 1 to 5 comprising a plurality of wall panels arranged vertically on top of each other and wherein said wall panels are secured together by the 'ib tie rod to keep the panels in compression, 7. The structure of claim 6 including a plurality of said tie rods arranged at spaced intervals longitudinally along the .l.0 wall panels. 8. The structure of any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein each said top plate comprises a pair of elongate spaced parallel horizontally extending plate members, each plate member extending partially above the top edge of the wall and partially along a respective side face of the wall, 9. The structure of claim 8 wherein said top plate includes a plurality of upstanding stubs integral with or affixed to one or both said plate members and arranged between said plate members, The structure of claim 9 wherein said roof sections are either circular, square polygonal or triangular when viewed in plan. 11. The structure of claim 10 wherein each said roof section comprises one or more roof panels and a supporting 2 rt subframe of beams, each said beam being received between and secured to an adjacent pair of said upstanding stubs.

12. The structure of claim .1 wherein each said beam having a checked out portion whia abuts a top edge of a respective said top plate.

13. The structure of any one of c4aims 1 to 12 including a plurality of window and/or door openings, said openings being defined by a frame member or a plurality of frame members.

14. The structure of claim 1$ *hrerein said window and/or edor frame members are channel thaped in transverse aross section and an edge or end of adjacent said wall panels are received in the channel of the door frame and/or window members, 15, The structure of claim 14 wherein the wall panels are secured to the window and/or the door frame members,

16. The structure of any one of claims 1 to 15 wherein the foundation comprises a sub ,rNme to which the posts are secured, 44

17. The structure o: any one of claims 1 to 15 wherein the i i foundation comprises a slab having mountings to which the posts are secured.

18. The structure of claim 16 or 17 where the foundation includes the support in the form of a ledge upon which the wall panel or the lowermost wall panel of a plurality of panels may rest.

19. The structure of any one of claims 1 to 18 wherein adjacent longitudinal edges of said wall panels are formed with inter-engaging male, and female connections. A structure substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings. A ,S. i A S. ~'F~u~ua

21. A method of constructing a structure including the following steps: laying a foundation and/or erecting a supporting subframe having one or more supports extending from a side edge thereof; positioning in or attaching to said foundation or supporting subfxame a plurality of support posts; positioning one or more wall panels extending between two adjacent said support posts so as to form a wall, the ends of said wall panels being received in channel #Ate portions of respective said support posti, a bottom edge of S the wall resting on one or more of said supports; securing the wall to said one or more supports by passing a tie rod from vertically through the wall from a top edge thereof and through the support; attaching a plurality of top plates to said support posts, with a said top plate extendiig horizontally between and being secured to the upper free ends of two adjacent said support posts; and attachino one or more roof sections to said top plates t form a roof.

22. The method of o.iim 21 including securing the or each said wall panel to said support posts. 23, The method of claim 21 or 22 comprising a plurality of wall panels arranged vertically on top of each other and wherein said wall panels are secured together by the tie rod to keep the panels in comp,,esaion,

24. The method of claim 23 wherein said tie rods are positioned at longitudinal intervals along said wall panels. h*p' ~x i i"i i- 26 The method of any one of claims 21 to 24 including securing upstanding stubs to said top plates.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein said roof sections include roof panels and beams and said beams are secured to said stubs.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein said roof beams have a checked out portion and said checked out portion is positioned to rest upon the top plates.

28. The method of any one of claims 21 to 27 including positioning door and/or window frame, members in a wall formed by said wall panels and securing sa.d wall panels to said door and/or window frames. S 29. A method according to c aim 21 substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings. DATED this Fourth day of December, 1991, SYPAK CONSOLIDATED INDUSTRIES PTY LTD by their Patent Atto rneys CULLEN CO. M F4W