IL309621B2

IL309621B2 - Building modules with structural frames

Info

Publication number: IL309621B2
Application number: IL309621A
Authority: IL
Original assignee: Yunnity Advanced Homes Ltd
Priority date: 2023-12-21
Filing date: 2023-12-21
Publication date: 2026-01-01
Also published as: IL309621A; IL309621B1

Description

0296571267- BUILDING MODULES WITH STRUCTURAL FRAMES TECHNOLOGICAL FIELDThe subject matter of the present specification relates broadly to the field of prefabricated prefinished volumetric construction ( PPVC ). In particular, the present specification relates to a structural frame of a building module, along with an envelope thereof, configured to facilitate mating of two or more building modules together to form a PPVC. The present specification also relates to an associated modular construction kit comprising two or more such building modules, along with an associated construction method and a PPVC formed from the kit and/or method. BACKGROUND The PPVC construction method involves fabricating building modules off-site before they are delivered to a construction site for installation to form a modular building structure. As such, a PPVC building module often has a relatively regular and repeating form which enables numerous such modules to be connected together to form the resulting modular structure. A PPVC building module often comprises structural framing (e.g., steel members) and an external building module envelope which may be formed from materials such as concrete, aluminium panels etc. A PPVC module often includes finishes for the internal walls, floor and ceiling which define an internal occupancy space before the module is delivered for installation. Once delivered, PPVC modules are hoisted into position for connection with other PPVC modules to form the modular building structure. Modules are often connected using cement or via steel connectors secured to the actual structure of the modules, however such connection mechanisms often do not allow for building loads to be effectively distributed and shared between the building modules of the building. This can result in certain modules needing to withstand a significantly increased load compared with adjacent modules. As a consequence, many building modules may also be overdesigned since they each need to be robust enough to withstand certain maximum expected loading, even if most of the modules do not in fact 0296571267- experience that loading. This can thus result in modules that are needlessly heavy, and time and cost-intensive to produce and install. The requirement for sufficient load bearing capacity may also call for structural components such as shear walls, support columns and the like which may limit the design and versatility of the resulting modular building structure. GENERAL DESCRIPTIONAccording to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a structural frame of a PPVC building module configured to mate with a mating structural frame of a mating neighbouring module to form together a modular structure of mated neighbouring modules which together define a continuous space, the structural frame comprising a first mating portion formed with: at least one support comprising a support passage extending along a support axis; and at least one mating support receiving space defined by the structural frame and extending along said support axis, said at least one mating support receiving space being dimensioned to accommodate at least one mating support having a mating support passage extending along a mating support axis, when the at least one mating support forms a part of the mating structural frame of the mating neighbouring module, and enable alignment of the mating support passage with the support axis, thereby allowing at least one common connecting element to pass through said passages along the support axis to mate the structural frame with the mating structural frame of the mating neighbouring module to form the modular structure. In certain embodiments, the building module, including the continuous space formed therefrom, may be configured for use by occupants, such as residential dwellers, office workers etc. Of course, the building module may also be configured for additional and/or alternative purposes. For example, the building module may also be configured as a primarily structural element for the modular structure, and may comprise a service area, function as a storage facility, house a water reservoir, comprise a portion of a stairwell, contain a segment of an elevator shaft, and so on. The structural frame of the building module may be configured to mate with a mating structural frame of a mating neighbouring module to form together the modular structure. In such embodiments, the neighbouring modules may be structurally and/or functionally similar, 0296571267- if not identical, to one another. Of course, the present building module can mate with one or more neighbouring modules that differ in configuration from the present building module but possess the necessary connection mechanisms to enable such mating. For example, a neighbouring module could comprise a central module to which one or more other building modules can be mated. This neighbouring module might be associated with or house elements such as a segment of a stairwell or elevator shaft or define a service area or storage facility to which other building modules can be mated. Of course, the neighbouring building module, to which the present building modules can be mated, need not be a repeating module and may occur singularly within a specific modular structure formed using the building modules described herein. In at least certain embodiments, the support axis extends in a vertical direction. It is envisaged that the building module may comprise a floor defining a floor plane and a ceiling defining a ceiling plane, and wherein the first mating portion is substantially disposed between the planes. The first mating portion may extend along at least a majority of a height between the floor and ceiling planes. In certain embodiments, the structural frame comprises opposed lateral sides and a first end defining a first end plane that extends between the lateral sides and is perpendicular to the floor and ceiling planes. The first mating portion may be disposed adjacent the first end. Each lateral side may be associated with a respective first mating portion. In certain embodiments, at least a majority of the mating support receiving space is bounded by the first end plane and the ceiling or floor plane. The at least one support may be tubular and define therethrough the support passage. For example, the at least one support may comprise: a primary support comprising a primary support passage extending along a primary support axis, the primary support having a length that extends along at least a majority of a height of the structural frame; and a secondary support comprising a secondary support passage extending along a secondary support axis that is spaced from and parallel to the primary support axis, the secondary support having a length that is less than that of the primary support. 0296571267- The structural frame may comprise upper framing defining an upper plane, and lower framing defining a lower plane, the planes being parallel to one another and perpendicular to the support axes, wherein at least the primary support extends upwardly from the lower framing. The structural frame may further comprise an intermediate frame member that interconnects the primary support and the upper framing. In certain examples, the mating support receiving space is dimensioned to accommodate said at least one mating support when the at least one mating support forms a part of the mating structural frame of the mating neighbouring module and comprises: a mating primary support comprising a mating primary support passage extending along a mating primary support axis, the mating primary support having a length that extends along at least a majority of a height of the mating structural frame; and a mating secondary support comprising a mating secondary support passage extending along a mating secondary support axis that is spaced from and parallel to the mating primary support axis, the mating secondary support having a length that is less than that of the mating primary support, to enable alignment of: the mating secondary support with the primary support along the primary support axis; and the mating primary support with the secondary support along the secondary support axis, thereby allowing a common connecting element to pass through the passages of each pair of aligned supports to mate the structural frame with the mating structural frame of the mating neighbouring module to form the modular structure. The structural frame may further comprise a second mating portion formed with: at least one of said mating support; and at least one support receiving space defined by the structural frame and extending along said mating support axis, said at least one support receiving space being dimensioned to accommodate said at least one support, when the latter forms a part of the mating structural frame of the mating neighbouring module, and enable alignment of the support passage thereof with the mating support axis, thereby allowing at least one common connecting element to pass 0296571267- through the mating support passage of the structural frame and the support passage of the mating structural frame along the mating support axis to mate the structural frame with that of the mating neighbouring module to form the modular structure. In certain embodiments, the support and mating support axes thereof are parallel to one another. The second mating portion may be substantially disposed between the floor and ceiling planes. The second mating portion may extend along at least a majority of the height between the floor and ceiling planes. The structural frame may comprise a second end defining a second end plane that extends between the lateral sides and is parallel to the first end plane. It is envisaged that the second mating portion is disposed adjacent the second end. In certain examples, each lateral side is associated with a respective second mating portion. In certain embodiments, at least a majority of the at least one support receiving space may be bounded by the second end plane and the ceiling or floor plane. It is considered that the at least one mating support is tubular and defines therethrough the mating support passage. It is envisaged that the at least one mating support comprises: said mating primary support; and said mating secondary support, wherein the at least one support receiving space is dimensioned to accommodate said at least one support when the at least one support forms a part of the mating structural frame of the mating neighbouring module and comprises: said primary support; and said secondary support, to enable alignment of: the mating primary support with the secondary support along the mating primary support axis; and the mating secondary support with the primary support along the primary support axis, thereby allowing a common connecting element to pass through the passages of each pair of aligned supports to mate the structural frame with the mating structural frame of the mating neighbouring module to form the modular PPVC. 0296571267- In certain examples, the first and second mating portions have complementary yet distinguishable shapes. For example, the first and second mating portions may be identical to one another but oppositely oriented. The first mating portion may be configured to mate with the second mating portion when the second mating portion forms part of the mating structural frame of the mating neighbouring module. The second mating portion may also be configured to mate with the first mating portion when the first mating portion forms part of the mating structural frame of the mating neighbouring module. The structural frame may further comprise at least one engagement member extending along an engagement axis that is perpendicular to the support axis, the or each engagement member being configured to engage a respective mating engagement member when formed as part of the mating structural frame of the mating neighbouring module, the or each mating engagement member extending along a mating engagement axis that is perpendicular to the support axis. In certain examples, the at least one engagement member comprises upper engagement members extending along an upper engagement axis that is perpendicular to the support axis, the upper engagement members being configured to engage respective mating upper engagement members when formed as a part of the mating structural frame, the or each mating upper engagement member extending along a mating upper engagement axis that is perpendicular to the support axis. It is envisaged that the at least one engagement member comprises lower engagement members extending along a lower engagement axis that is perpendicular to the support axis, the lower engagement members being configured to engage respective mating lower engagement members when formed as a part of the mating structural frame, the or each mating lower engagement member extending along a mating lower engagement axis that is perpendicular to the support axis. The structural frame may also comprise the said respective mating engagement member configured to engage the said at least one engagement member when the said at least one engagement member forms a part of the mating structural frame of the mating neighbouring module. In certain examples, the said respective mating engagement member comprises the said respective mating upper engagement members which are configured to engage the said 0296571267- upper engagement members when formed as a part of the mating structural frame. In additional examples, the said respective mating engagement member comprises the said respective mating lower engagement members which are configured to engage the said lower engagement members when formed as a part of the mating structural frame. In at least one embodiment, the engagement members and the mating engagement members are identical to one another but oppositely oriented. It is envisaged that the or each engagement member may comprise a horizontally extending clip. According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a PPVC building module envelope configured to mate with a PPVC mating neighbouring building module envelope, when positioned at a mating position with respect thereto, to form together a modular structure of mated neighbouring modules which together define a continuous space, the building module envelope comprising a top wall, a bottom wall, and a sliding arrangement for enabling sliding of a mating sliding arrangement thereupon when the mating sliding arrangement is formed as part of the mating neighbouring building module envelope, the sliding arrangement comprising at least one slanted surface extending at least partially between the bottom and top walls to enable sliding thereon, by force of gravity, a respective mating slanted surface of the mating slanted arrangement which extends at least partially between the bottom and top walls of the mating neighbouring building module envelope. The module may further comprise the said mating sliding arrangement having the said at least one mating slanted surface to enable sliding thereof, by force of gravity, upon the said at least one slanted surface of the sliding arrangement when formed as part of the mating neighbouring building module envelope. In certain embodiments, the envelope further comprises opposed lateral walls, wherein a first end of each lateral wall comprises one of the said slanted surfaces. In certain examples, a second end of each lateral wall comprises one of the said mating slanted surfaces. The slanted surfaces and the mating slanted surfaces may be substantially parallel to one another and angled from the vertical. The envelope may further comprise horizontally extending engagement means for engagement with mating horizontally extending engagement means when formed as part of the mating neighbouring building module envelope. For example, the horizontally extending 0296571267- engagement means may comprise at least one tongue projecting from the envelope and the mating horizontally extending engagement means comprise at least one complementary slot, the at least one tongue being configured for insertion into a respective complementary slot when the latter is formed as part of the mating neighbouring building module envelope. It is envisaged that the at least one tongue comprises a transverse through hole and the envelope further comprises a mating transverse through hole extending through the said respective complementary slot, wherein when in the mating position, the transverse through hole and the said mating transverse through hole, when formed as part of the mating building module envelope, are aligned along a horizontal axis to permit insertion of a connector through the aligned through holes to connect the envelopes together. When in the mating position, the mating transverse through hole and the said transverse through hole, when formed as part of the mating building module envelope, may be aligned along the horizontal axis to permit insertion of a connector through the aligned through holes to connect the envelopes together. According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a PPVC building module configured to mate with one or more mating neighbouring building modules to form together a modular structure of mated neighbouring modules defining a continuous space, the building module comprising: a structural frame according to a first aspect of the present disclosure; and a building module according to a second aspect of the present disclosure. In relation to example building modules, the structural frame may be internal of and substantially encased by the building module envelope. The building module envelope may comprise one or more apertures extending vertically through lateral walls thereof configured to receive respective connecting elements therethrough for mating the structural frame and envelope to, respectively, the mating structural frame and mating envelope of the mating neighbouring building module. It is envisaged that the building module is stackable upon another building module to enable construction of a modular multistorey building. 0296571267- According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a PPVC modular construction kit for forming a modular structure from mated neighbouring modules which together define a continuous space, the kit comprising: two or more building modules according to a third aspect of the present disclosure; and at least one connecting element for connecting the building modules together to form the modular structure of mated neighbouring modules which together define a continuous space. It is envisaged that the at least one connecting element may comprise a support post. The building modules may comprise: at least one corner building module which defines a corner of the modular structure and is configured to mate with one other building module; and at least one body building module which defines a body portion of the modular structure and is configured to mate with at least two other building modules. In certain embodiments the at least one corner building module comprises the first mating support portion or the second mating support portion. Meanwhile, the at least one body building module may comprise the first and second mating support portions. The kit may further comprise at least one connector for interconnecting the envelopes of respective building modules together. According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for forming a PPVC of mated neighbouring modules which together define a continuous space from a modular construction kit according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, comprising: providing a first building module; arranging a second building module adjacent the first building module such that the support of the first module and the mating support of the second module are aligned along the support axis; and inserting a first connecting element, along the support axis, through the support of the first module and the mating support of the second module so as to mate the respective structural frames and envelopes of the first and second building modules together. The method may further comprise: 0296571267- arranging a third building module adjacent the first building module such that the mating support of the first module and the support of the third module are aligned along the mating support axis; and inserting a second connecting element, along the mating support axis, through the mating support of the first module and the support of the third module so as to mate the respective structural frames and envelopes of the first and third building modules together. In certain embodiments, arranging the second module adjacent the first module comprises engaging the slanting arrangement of the first module with mating slanting arrangement of the second module. In further examples, arranging the third module adjacent the first module comprises engaging the mating slanting arrangement of the first module with the slanting arrangement of the third module. It is envisaged that the building modules may be arranged adjacent one another by lowering one building module down adjacent another building module such that the slanting arrangements and the mating slating arrangements of respective building modules engage one another. In certain embodiments, insertion of connecting elements may comprise inserting connecting elements through respective engaged building module envelopes and structural frames of adjacent building modules for mating thereof. According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a PPVC modular structure formed from: a modular construction kit according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure; and/or a method according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure. According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a multilevel PPVC modular structure formed from two or more modular structures according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, wherein at least one modular structure is stacked upon another modular structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSIn order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 0296571267- Fig. 1is a perspective view of a PPVC building module according to embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an example modular structure formed from four like PPVC building modules according to the presently disclosed subject matter, wherein the front or left-most building module corresponds with that of Fig. 1, and wherein the second and third modules are shown without their respective external envelopes; Fig. 3is a perspective view of the right-most building module of Fig. 2; Fig. 4is a cross-sectional side view of the structure of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a top perspective view of a structural frame of a PPVC building module according to embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter; Fig. 6is a rear perspective view of the structural frame of Fig. 5; Fig. 7is a top view of the structural frame of Fig. 5; Fig. 8is a side view of the structural frame of Fig. 5; Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of the structural frame of Fig. 7 along the plane A-A thereof; Fig. 10 is a side view of three structural frames of Fig. 5 arranged to illustrate how they are positioned relative to one another prior to their being connected to one another; Fig. 11is a cross-sectional side view of two structural frames of Fig. 8 adjacent and engaged with one another; Fig. 12 is a perspective view of two structural frames according to embodiments of the present disclosure being mated together via common connecting elements; Fig. 13is a perspective view of a PPVC building module envelope according to embodiments of the present disclosure; Fig. 14 is a partially transparent side view of the envelope of Fig. 13; Fig. 15 is a partially transparent side view of the envelope of Fig. 13 and a mating envelope being lowered into a mating position; Fig. 16is a perspective view of two envelopes of Fig. 13 mated together; Fig. 17is a top view of the mated envelopes of Fig. 16; and Fig. 18is a cross-sectional side perspective view of the mated envelopes of Fig. taken along the plane B-B thereof. 0296571267- DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS The present specification relates to, among other things, embodiments of a PPVC building module which can be mated with one or more adjacent or neighbouring building modules to form a modular building structure, such as a residential building, a commercial building, a storage facility, an industrial site and so on. The present specification also relates to structural components or features of the building module which enable their mating with one another. In this regard, the present specification relates to a structural frame of the building module which can be mated to the structural frame of a neighbouring building module. The present specification also relates to the external envelope of the PPVC building module which can be mated to the envelope of a neighbouring building module. As will be discussed, the mechanism by which neighbouring structural frames can be mated together, and/or the mechanism by which neighbouring building envelopes can be mated together, help to more effectively distribute and share building loading amongst adjacent and mated building modules, making for a modular building structure whose modules are more structurally integrated with one another. Fig. 1 shows a PPVC building module 302 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The module 302 is shown with an external envelope 202 which substantially encases and is reinforced by a structural frame 102 of the module 302. Prior to delivery, the building module 302 may also be provided with internal walls, floor, and ceiling, though these have been omitted from Fig. 1 to show the internal structural frame 102. Fig. 2 illustrates four like building modules 302 arranged in a neighbouring configuration to define a modular building structure 4 having a generally continuous internal space 6 for occupants. With reference to Fig. 2, the left-most building module 302a corresponds with the module 302 shown in Fig. 1, and one end thereof is mated with an adjacent and neighbouring building module 302b ("the second module") wherein the external envelope thereof is omitted but the internal walling, floor and ceiling are shown 2. Also mated to the second module 302b is a third ‘building module’ 302c wherein only the structural frame thereof is depicted. Finally, the fourth and right-most building module 302d is shown with each of the external envelope 202d, the structural frame 202d, and the internal walling, ceiling, and floor 0296571267- 2d. This right-most module 302d is also shown in Fig. 3 and is configured as a corner module which defines a corner of the building structure 304. As will be discussed, this corner module 302d is similar and thus like the other depicted building modules 302a-302c, though the external building envelope 202d differs slightly to form a corner of the building structure 304. Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional side view of the arrangement of Fig. 3 to illustrate how the four building modules 302 are mated together. It will be understood that each building module 302 comprises a floor 308 which defines a floor plane PF, and a ceiling 310 defining a ceiling plane PC (see Figs. 1 and 4), between which planes PF, PC a height of the building module 302 is defined. As will be discussed, the presently disclosed mechanisms for mating neighbouring building modules 302 utilise connecting elements 4 which ‘stitch’, ‘thread’ or link neighbouring building modules 302 to one another. In particular, the structural frame of one building module can be threaded or stitched to the structural frame of a neighbouring module, preferably in a manner whereby loading imparted upon the structural frame of one module can be distributed to or at least partially carried by the structural frame of the other module, and vice versa. Generally speaking, the presently disclosed building module, along with the envelope and structural frame thereof, are configured as repeating units which are mateable with one another to form a modular building structure. That is to say, a building module and a mating neighbouring module may be identical to one another, and thus they would have identical mating structural frames and identical mating envelopes so as to connect the respective building modules. That said, certain building modules may not necessarily be identical to the aforementioned repeating unit-like modules, such as the corner module of Fig. 2. Indeed, Fig. shows four like neighbouring building modules, three of which are identical, whereas the corner module differs slightly in that its external envelope differs in form from the envelopes of the other three modules, as previously discussed. Of course, and as previously described, the neighbouring module to which the present building module can mate can be configured differently therefrom; for example, the neighbouring module may define a structural element of the modular structure, comprise a service area, house a segment of an elevator shaft and so on. 0296571267- It will be understood that a building module in accordance with the present specification may also be referred to as a mating building module, a mating neighbouring like module, a neighbouring module, a like module, an adjacent module etc. when it is described in relation to an adjacent module to which it is mated. Similarly, a structural frame according to embodiments of the present specification may also be referred to as a mating structural frame etc. when described in relation to another structural frame in respect of which it is to mate. Also similarly, a building module envelope according to embodiments of the present specification may also be referred to as a mating neighbouring building module envelope, mating envelope, like envelope etc. when described in relation to another building module envelope in respect of which it is to mate. The structural frame according to embodiments of the present disclosure is configured to mate with a mating structural frame of a mating neighbouring module to form together a modular structure of mated neighbouring modules which together define a continuous space for occupants, an example of which is shown in Figs. 2 and 4. In particular, embodiments of the presently disclosed structural frame comprise a first mating portion which enables the structural frame to mate with a corresponding mating portion of the mating structural frame so that the two structural frames can be mated together. Preferably, the mating of the respective mating portions enables loading imparted upon the structural frame to be distributed or at least partially carried by the mating structural frame, and vice versa. In this way, when installed, the structural frame and mating structural frame are not simply independent or standalone frames side by side, but they are structurally linked, threaded, or stitched together to form, together, adjacent frames which can transfer loading to one another. The first mating portion comprises at least one support comprising a support passage extending along a support axis. The first mating portion also comprises at least one mating support receiving space, being a space that extends along the support axis and is defined, at least in part, by the structural frame. The at least one mating support receiving space is dimensioned to accommodate features of the mating structural frame so that the two frames can be mated together. In this regard, the at least one mating support receiving space is dimensioned to accommodate at least one mating support when formed as part of the mating structural frame. That is to say, when the mating structural frame comprises at least one mating 0296571267- support, the at least one mating support can be received or otherwise accommodated in the at least one mating support receiving space of the structural frame. Like the at least one support of the structural frame, the at least one mating support of the mating structural frame is also formed with a corresponding mating support passage extending along a mating support axis. In mating the structural frame with the mating structural frame, the at least one mating support is accommodated in the at least one mating support receiving space so the mating support passage of the mating structural frame can be aligned with the support axis of the structural frame. In other words, the mating support axis and the support axis are aligned and coincident when the two frames are positioned for mating together. With the support passage and the mating support passage now aligned along the support axis (and thus the mating support axis), one or more common connecting elements can then be passed through the aligned passages along the support axis so as to mate the structural frame with the mating structural frame of the mating neighbouring module so as to form the modular building structure. Put another way, the at least one mating support of the mating frame can be inserted into the at least one mating support receiving space of the frame so that the at least one mating support and mating passage thereof can be aligned with the support and passage thereof, thereby enabling a connecting element to be threaded or otherwise inserted through the aligned passages so as to structurally link the structural frame with the mating structural frame. Embodiments of the presently disclosed structural frame may also comprise a second mating portion which enables the structural frame to mate with a corresponding mating portion of the mating structural frame (e.g., the first mating portion thereof) so that the two structural frames can be mated together. Advantageously, the mating of the respective mating portions may enable loading imparted upon the structural frame to be distributed or at least partially carried by the mating structural frame, and vice versa. The second mating portion comprises the aforementioned at least one mating support with its mating support passage extending along the mating support axis. The second mating portion also comprises at least one support receiving space, being a space that extends along the mating support axis and is defined, at least in part, by the structural frame. The at least one support receiving space is dimensioned to accommodate features of the mating structural frame so that the two frames can be mated together. In this regard, the at least 0296571267- one support receiving space is dimensioned to accommodate the aforementioned at least one support when formed as part of the mating structural frame. That is to say, when the mating structural frame comprises at least one support, the at least one support can be received or otherwise accommodated in the at least one support receiving space of the structural frame. In mating the structural frame with the mating structural frame, the at least one support of the mating structural frame is accommodated in the at least one support receiving space of the structural frame so that the support passage of the structural frame can be aligned with the mating support axis of the mating structural frame. In other words, the support axis and the mating support axis are aligned and coincident when the two frames are positioned for mating together. With the mating support passage and the support passage now aligned along the mating support axis (and thus the support axis), one or more common connecting elements can then be passed through the aligned passages along the mating support axis so as to mate the structural frame with the mating structural frame of the mating neighbouring module so as to form the modular building structure. Put another way, the at least one support of the structural frame can be inserted into the at least one support receiving space of the mating structural frame so that the at least one support and passage thereof can be aligned with the mating support and mating passage thereof, thereby enabling a connecting element to be threaded or otherwise inserted through the aligned passages so as to structurally link the structural frame with the mating structural frame. Figs. 5 to 9 show a structural frame 102 according to embodiments of the present disclosure, and Figs. 10 to 12 show how such structural frames 102 can be mated together. The depicted structural frame 102 comprises opposed top and bottom ends 104, 106 associated with a height of the building module 302, front and rear ends 108, 110 associated with a depth of the building module 302, and opposed lateral sides 112, 114 associated with a width of the building module 302, thereby generally defining an internal volume or space that is substantially in the form of a rectangular prism, though of course other sized and shaped spaces are within the scope of the present specification. The top end 104 of the frame 102 comprises upper framing UF associated with a ceiling 310 of the associated building module 302, and the bottom end 106 of the frame 102 comprises lower framing LF associated with the floor 308 of the associated building module 302. The 0296571267- framing LF, UF may be formed from steel members, and can include longitudinal members 116, lateral members 118 and diagonal members 120 arranged in common configurations to form the upper and lower framing UF, LF of the structural frame 102. Referring to Fig. 8, the upper framing UF lies in an upper frame plane which is spaced from and parallel to the ceiling plane PC of the building module 302. Similarly, the lower framing LF lies in a lower frame plane that is spaced from and parallel to the floor plane PF of the building module 302. However, the upper and lower frames UF, LF are offset from one another in the depth-wise direction. In the depicted embodiment, and with reference to Fig. 8, the forward-most end of the lower framing UF lies in a front plane P1 extending vertically between and perpendicularly to the ceiling and floor planes PC, PF. Meanwhile, the rearward-most end of the upper framing UF lies in a rear plane P2 extending vertically between and perpendicularly to the ceiling and floor planes PC, PF. As can be seen, the lower frame UF extends more forwardly in the width-wise direction, whereas the upper frame UF extends more rearwardly in the widthwise direction. Put another way, the respective longitudinal centres of the lateral frame members 118 of the lower framing LF are not vertically aligned beneath corresponding longitudinal centres of the respective lateral frame 118 members of the upper framing UF. This offset of the upper and lower framing UF, LF relative to one another in the width-wise direction can also be seen in Fig. 7. It is this offset which, in part, defines at each end of the depicted structural frame, the respective first and second mating portions of the structural frame. Fig. 7 also depicts the opposed lateral sides of the structural frame 112, 114, wherein each side 112, 114 is associated with or lies on and defines a respective lateral plane PR, PL. Referring to Fig. 8, the first mating portion 122 of the structural frame 102 is disposed toward or adjacent the forward or first end 108 of the structural frame 102, and the second mating portion 124 is disposed toward or adjacent the rearward or second end 110 of the structural frame 102. Of course, in other embodiments, the structural frame 102 may comprise only one of the first and second mating portions 122, 124. The first mating portion 1comprises the at least one support and the mating support receiving space. In the depicted embodiment, the at least one support comprises a primary support 126 and a secondary support 128. Both supports 126, 128 are in the form of an elongate and tubular structure, wherein the 0296571267- primary support 126 extends vertically upwardly from the lower framing LF towards the upper framing UF along the height-wise direction. While the lower end of the primary support 126 is shown connected directly to an associated lower lateral frame member 118, the upper end of the primary support 126 is not similarly directly connected to an opposite upper lateral frame member 118, owing to the width-wise offset between the upper and lower framing UF, LF. Consequently, an upper end of the primary support 126 is interconnected to the upper framing UF, and in particular, to the upper lateral frame member 118U thereof, via an intermediate frame member 130 that extends upwardly and rearwardly in the width-wise direction from the upper end of the primary support 126 to connect to the upper lateral frame member 118U. The intermediate frame member 130 is depicted as a shorter and diagonally oriented frame member which interconnects the upper end of the primary support 126 with an upper lateral frame member 118U of the upper framing UF. The secondary support 128 of the first mating portion 122 is of a different height from the associated primary support 126; in the depicted embodiment, the secondary support 128 is shorter than the primary support 126 and is associated with the lower framing LF of the structural frame 102. As shown in Fig. 8, the secondary support 128 is forwardly spaced from the primary support member 126 of the first mating portion 122 and is interconnected thereto by a relatively short interconnecting frame member 132. As shown in Fig. 5, the secondary support 128 is also associated or secured to a lower longitudinal frame member 116L of the structural frame 102. Referring also to Fig. 9, both the primary and secondary support members 126, 128 comprise tubular structures having respective support passages 126p, 128p defined therethrough. That is, the primary support 126 comprises a primary support passage 126p extending along a primary support axis 126X. In other words, the primary support axis 126X defines a longitudinal axis of the primary support 126. Similarly, the secondary support 1comprises a secondary support passage 128P extending along a secondary support axis 128X. In other words, the secondary support axis 128X defines a longitudinal axis of the secondary support 126. In the depicted embodiment, the primary and secondary support axes 126X, 128X are parallel to one another and extend in a vertical direction. As such, the axes 126X, 128X are perpendicular to both the floor and ceiling planes PF, PC of the building module 302. 0296571267- The first mating portion 122 also comprises at least one mating support receiving space dimensioned to receive an at least one mating support when formed as part of the mating structural frame of a mating neighbouring building module. With reference to Fig. 8, the at least one mating support receiving space is a space at a forward end 108 of the frame 102 and is substantially bounded by the ceiling plane PC. In the depicted embodiment, the first mating portion 122 comprises two mating support receiving spaces, each being a vertically extending space above a respective one of the primary and secondary support members 126, 128. In particular, the first mating portion 122 comprises a mating primary support receiving space 134M extending vertically upwardly from the secondary support member 128 and sized to accommodate a mating primary support member 126M when formed as part of a mating structural frame, and a mating secondary support receiving space 136M extending vertically upwardly from the primary support 126 member sized to accommodate a mating secondary support 128M when formed as part of the mating structural frame. Referring to Fig. 9, it will be appreciated that the second mating portion 124 is similar in form to the first mating portion 122, though in an inverted orientation. Put another way, if the two-dimensional representation of the structural frame 102 of Fig. 9 were rotated 1degrees clockwise or anticlockwise (i.e., about a central axis extending along the width-wise direction of the building module 102), the first mating portion 122 would be in the orientation of the presently depicted second mating portion 124, and vice versa. Indeed, the structural frame 102 of Fig. 9 constitutes a repeating unit which can mate with a first like structural frame 102 at its front end 108, and a second like structural frame 102 at its rear end 110. As such, the above description in relation to the first mating portion 122 is similarly applicable to the second mating portion 124, though in the inverted orientation. That is to say, the second mating portion 124 similarly comprises: a mating primary support member 126M, though extending downwardly from the upper lateral frame 118U and interconnected to the lower lateral frame 118L via an intermediate diagonal frame member 130; and a shorter mating secondary support member 132 that is spaced rearwardly from the mating primary support member 126M, interconnected thereto via a relatively short interconnecting frame member 132 and being associated or secured to an rearward and upper longitudinal frame member 116U. 0296571267- Similarly, the second mating portion also comprises at least one support receiving space, though bounded by the floor plane PF rather than the ceiling plane PC, and the rear plane P2 rather than the front plane P1. With reference to Fig. 8, the at least one support receiving space comprises a primary support receiving space 134 extending vertically downwardly from the mating secondary support 128M dimensioned to accommodate the primary support 126 of a mating structural frame, and a secondary support receiving space 136 extending vertically downwardly from the mating primary support 126M dimensioned to accommodate the secondary support 128 of the mating structural frame. Similarly, the mating primary and secondary supports 126M, 128M each comprise respective mating primary and secondary support passages 126Mp, 128Mp extending along respective mating primary and secondary support axes 126MX, 128MX. It may thus be said that the first and second mating portions 122, 124 have complementary yet distinguishable shapes or forms. In this way, and as will be discussed, the first mating portion 122 of the structural frame 102 is configured to mate with the second mating portion 122 when it forms part of the mating structural frame 102. Similarly, in embodiments wherein the structural frame 102 also comprises the second mating portion 124, the second mating portion 124 is configured to mate with the first mating 122 portion when it forms part of the mating structural frame 102. In other words, structural frames 1such as that shown in Figs. 5 to 12 can mate with one another via by mating the first mating portion 122 of one frame 102 with the second mating portion of another frame 124, and vice versa. The foregoing description of the first and second mating portions 122, 124 have primarily referred to one lateral side 114 of the structural frame 102 shown in Figs. 8 and 9. However, and with reference to Fig. 5, it will be appreciated that the opposite lateral side 1of the structural frame 102 is similarly provided with corresponding first and second mating portions 122, 124. As such, it can be said that each lateral side 112, 114 of the structural frame 102 is associated with a respective first and second mating portion 122, 124. Fig. 10 shows three identical structural frames 102, each having both the first and second mating portions 122, 124. To distinguish between the frames 102, the central structural frame will be referred to as the central frame 102C and the subscript C shall refer to features of the central frame 102C, the left-most structural frame will be referred to as the left mating frame 0296571267- 102L and the subscript C shall refer to features of the left mating frame 102L, and the right-most structural frame will be referred to as the right mating frame 102R and the subscript R shall refer to features of the right mating frame 102R. Fig. 10 shows how the structural frames 102 can be positioned relative to one another to enable mating thereof. The central frame 102C and the left mating frame 102L are positioned such that the first mating portion 122C of the former 102C and the second mating portion 124L of the latter 102L are configured to engage one another. In particular, the left mating frame 102L is lowered relative to the central frame 102C such that: the mating secondary support 128ML of the left mating frame 102L is accommodated by the mating secondary support receiving space of the central frame 102C such that the mating secondary support 128M is above and aligned with the primary support 126C of the first mating portion 122C of the central frame 102C, and more particularly, such that the mating secondary support passage is aligned with the primary support passage along the primary support axis 126CX of the primary support 126C of the first mating portion 122C of the central frame 102C; and the mating primary support 126ML of the left mating frame 102L is accommodated by the mating primary support receiving space of the central frame 102C such that the mating primary support 126ML is above and aligned with the secondary support 128C of the first mating portion 122C of the central frame 102C, and more particularly, such that the mating primary support passage is aligned with the secondary support passage along the secondary support axis 128CX of the secondary support 128C of the first mating portion 122C of the central frame 102C. In turn, the central frame 102C and the right mating frame 102R are positioned such that the second mating portion 124C of the former 102C and the first mating portion 122R of the latter 102R are configured to engage one another. In particular, the central frame 102C is to be lowered relative to the right mating frame 102R such that: the mating secondary support 128MC of the central frame 102C is accommodated by the mating secondary support receiving space of the right frame 102R such that the mating secondary support 128MC is above and aligned with the primary support 126R of the first mating portion 122R of the right frame 102R, and more particularly, such that the mating secondary support passage of the mating secondary support 128MC of the central frame 102C 0296571267- is aligned with the primary support passage 126R of the primary support 126R of the right mating frame 102R along the primary support axis 126RX of the primary support 126R of the first mating portion 122R of the right frame 102R; and the mating primary support 126MC of the central frame 102C is accommodated by the mating primary support receiving space of the right mating frame 102R such that the mating primary support 126MC is above and aligned with the secondary support 126R of the first mating portion 122R of the right mating frame 102R, and more particularly, such that the mating primary support passage of the central frame 102C is aligned with the secondary support passage of the secondary support 128R of the first mating portion 122R of the right mating frame 102R along the secondary support axis 128RX of the secondary support 128R of the first mating portion 122R of the right mating frame 102R. Fig. 11 shows two structural frames 102L, 102R in engagement with one another and ready for mating. As can be seen, a lower end of the mating primary support 126ML of the left-most frame 102L engages against an upper end of the secondary support 126R of the right-most frame 102R, forming a first tubular structure 138LR having a continuous tubular passage 140pLR that is aligned along the secondary support axis 128RX of the right frame 102R. Similarly, a lower end of the mating secondary support 128ML of the left-most frame 102L engages against an upper end of the primary support 126R of the right-most frame 102R, forming a second tubular structure 138RL having a continuous tubular passage 140RL that is aligned along the primary support axis 126RX of the right frame 102R. As can be seen, the resulting continuous tubular structures 140LR, 140RL are identical in height and together define a pair of tubular structures 140LR, 140RL through which respective common connecting elements 4 can be passed to mate the two structural frames 102L, 102R together. This is illustrated in Fig. 12, wherein vertically extending connecting elements, such as concrete support posts or columns 4, are lowered and inserted into the continuous passage of respective tubular structures, so as to stitch, thread, weave or otherwise link the structural frames 102L, 102R to one another. The presently disclosed mechanism for mating neighbouring structural modules together can help to distribute loading between adjacent and mated structural frames, and thus associated building modules. For example, with reference to Fig. 11, loading borne by the left-most frame 102L can at least partially be carried by the right-most frame 102R by virtue of the 0296571267- mating support members 126ML, 128ML of the left-most frame 102L being in physical engagement with the respective support members 126R, 128R of the right-most frame 102R. Additionally, since the structural frames 102 are stitched to or linked to one another via a pair of connecting elements 4 at each lateral end 112, 114, the mated frames 102 are prevented from hingedly moving relative to one another. Moreover, any twisting or torsional forces and loads that would act to cause one frame to turn about the longitudinal axis of a connecting element can also be shared with the adjacent structural frame, since each connecting element 4 is received through a structural support 126, 126M, 128, 128M of both of the neighbouring mated frames. Embodiments of the presently disclosed structural frame also comprise at least one engagement member configured to engage a respective mating engagement member when formed as part of the mating structural frame of the mating neighbouring building module. The at least one engagement member extends along an engagement axis that is perpendicular to the support axis. The engagement axis can extend in a width-wise direction across the width of the frame. In this way, the engagement member(s) enable engagement with a mating structural frame along a horizontal axis. This engagement in a horizontal direction adds to the aforedescribed mating between frames which utilises connecting elements which extend in a vertical direction, thereby contributing to a robust mating and engagement between adjacent structural frames. Referring to Fig. 5 and 6, a front end 108 of the structural frame 102 comprises upper engagement members 142 extending along an upper engagement axis 142X, the upper engagement members 142 being configured to engage respective mating upper engagement members 142M when formed as a part of the mating structural frame, the mating upper engagement members 142M extending along a mating upper engagement axis 142MX. The front end 108 of the structural frame 102 also comprises lower engagement members 1extending along a lower engagement axis 144X and configured to engage respective mating lower engagement members 144M when formed as a part of the mating structural frame, the mating lower engagement members 144M extending along a mating lower engagement axis 144MX. 0296571267- The depicted structural frame 102 comprises both: the upper and lower engagement members 142, 144 which can engage respective mating upper and lower engagement members 142M, 144M of a mating structural frame; and the mating upper and lower engagement members 142M, 144M which can engage respective upper and lower engagement members 142, 144 of the mating structural frame. In the depicted embodiment, each engagement member 142, 142M, 144, 144M is in the form of a horizontally extending clip-like member having a U or V-shaped cross-sectional shape. Referring to Fig. 5, a forward surface of the forward and upper longitudinal frame member 116U is provided with a series of spaced apart and horizontally extending clip-like upper engagement members 142; the forward surface of the forward and lower longitudinal frame member 116L is similarly provided with a series of spaced apart and horizontally extending clip-like lower engagement members 144. In the depicted embodiment, each lower engagement member 144 is vertically aligned beneath a respective upper engagement member 142. The same alignment holds through for the mating engagement members 142M, 144M. Referring to Fig. 6, a rear end 110 of the structural frame 102 is provided with similar clip-like and horizontally extending mating engagement members 142M, 144M, wherein the mating engagement members 142M, 144Mare identical in form to the engagement members 142, 144, though inverted such that the V or U-shaped cross-sectional shapes thereof are upside-down. As can be seen, a rearward surface of the rearward and upper longitudinal frame member 116U is provided with a series of spaced apart and horizontally extending clip-like upper mating engagement members 142M; the rearward surface of the lower and rearward longitudinal frame member 116L is similarly provided with a series of spaced apart and horizontally extending clip-like lower mating engagement members 144M. Referring to Fig. 11, when two neighbouring structural frames 102L, 102R are to be positioned relative to one another ready to be mated together, the mating engagement members 142M, 144M of the mating structural frame (e.g., 102L) are configured to engage respective engagement members 142, 144 of the structural frame (i.e., 102R). In particular, as the mating structural frame 102L is lowered into position relative to the structural frame 102R, the upper mating engagement members 142ML of the mating frame 102L are lowered into a position wherein they can clip or latch into respective upper engagement members 142R of the right- 0296571267- most frame 102R, and the lower mating engagement members 144ML of the left-most frame 102L similarly engage respective lower engagement members 144R of the right-most frame 102R. This engagement helps to further secure the neighbouring structural frames 102L, 102R together and helps to resist against relative movement of the structural frames 102L, 102R in the depth-wise direction. It will be appreciated that when engagement members and mating engagement members of adjacent structural frames are engaged, the or each engagement axis of the former and the or each mating engagement axis of the latter are aligned so as to be coincident with one another. Loading imparted upon one structural frame can also at least be partially distributed and carried by the neighbouring and mated structural frame through the engagement of the horizontally extending engagement members. The present disclosure also relates to a PPVC building module envelope. The envelope may be made from material such as concrete which can be cast around the structural frame of the building module. The envelope is configured to mate with a PPVC mating neighbouring building module envelope, when positioned at a mating position with respect thereto, to form together a modular structure of mated neighbouring modules. The depicted envelope is configured to substantially encase the structural frame, as shown in Fig 1, and thus encloses an internal volume that is generally in the form of a rectangular prism. Of course, the envelope can be formed with any range of dimensions and shapes to suit the structural frame as needed. Referring to Figs. 13 to 19, the depicted building module 202 envelope comprises a top wall 204, a bottom wall 206 and opposed lateral walls 208, 210 extending therebetween. The envelope 302 also comprises a sliding arrangement which enables sliding of a mating sliding arrangement thereupon when the mating sliding arrangement is formed as part of the mating neighbouring building module envelope. As will be discussed, the sliding arrangement facilitates sliding of the mating envelope into the mating position which is adjacent and against the envelope. For example, as the mating envelope is lowered toward the mating position relative to the envelope, the sliding arrangement thereof may be configured to slidingly engage the mating sliding arrangement of the mating envelope so that the two envelopes slidingly bear against one another to facilitate the modules assuming and remaining in the mating position. 0296571267- The sliding arrangement can comprise at least one slanted surface extending at least partially between the top and bottom walls to enable sliding thereon, by force of gravity, a corresponding and respective mating slanted surface of the mating slanted arrangement of the mating envelope. In this way, the or each mating slanted surface of the mating envelope can engage and bear against a respective slanted surface of the envelope as the mating envelope is lowered into the mating position relative to the envelope. In the depicted embodiment, a sliding arrangement is associated with each of the two opposed lateral walls 208, 210. In particular, with reference to Fig. 14, it can be seen that the profile of a lateral wall 208 is not in the form of a regular rectangle, as is common of prior art building module envelopes. Instead, the profile or shape of the lateral wall 208 is generally in the form of a parallelogram, wherein the longer sides thereof define a height of the envelope 202. As can be seen, the front or first end 212 of the lateral wall slants rearwardly at an angle to the vertical. Similarly, the second or rear end 212M of the lateral wall 208 also slants rearwardly at the same angle to the vertical and is thus parallel to the slanting first end 212 of the lateral wall 208. In this way, it can be said that the top and bottom walls 204, 206 of the envelope 202 are offset from one another in the depth-wise direction of the building module 302, as is evident in Fig. 14. Referring also to Fig. 13, these slanted edges 212, 212M of the lateral walls 208, 210 define the aforementioned slanted and mating slanted surfaces of the slanting arrangement and mating slanting arrangement, respectively, of the PPVC building module envelope 202. Put another way, the depicted envelope 202 comprises a pair of forwardly disposed and laterally opposed slanted surfaces 212, and a corresponding pair of rearwardly disposed and laterally opposed mating slanted surfaces 212M. In the depicted embodiment, the top wall 204 of the envelope 202 substantially encases the upper framing UF of the structural frame 102, and the bottom wall 206 of the envelope 2substantially encases the lower framing LF of the structural frame 102. Referring to Figs. and 14, each lateral side of the envelope 202 also comprises a generally rectangular and internal wall element 214 extending between the top and bottom walls 204, 206 of the envelope 202. Each internal wall element 214 is configured to span between and encase the primary support 126 and the mating primary support 126M of the structural frame 102 of a respective lateral side thereof 112, 114. To this end, a bottom 216 of each internal wall element 214 is spaced 0296571267- rearwardly from a forward end or face 218 of the bottom wall 206, thereby reserving a forward ‘platform’ or ledge 220 of the bottom wall 206 extending in the width-wise direction between the opposed lateral walls 208, 210. The wall element 214 extends vertically upwardly to the top wall 204, wherein a forward top end 222 of the wall element projects forwardly from a forward end or face 224 of the top wall 204. A passage 226 (e.g., a tubular passage) extends vertically through the forward end of the wall element 214, downwardly through the bottom wall 206 of the envelope 202. This elongate passage can be referred to as a primary passage 226 and is configured to enable reception of a connecting element 4 through the envelope 2and primary support passage 126p of the encased primary support member 126. Referring back to the forward ledge or platform 220 defined toward the forward end 220 of the bottom wall 206 of the envelope 202, it can be seen that the opposed lateral ends thereof are formed with respective and vertically extending passages; each can be referred to as a secondary passage 228 and is configured to enable reception of a connecting element 4 through the secondary support passage 228p of the secondary support 128 of the encased structural frame 102. imilarly, and with reference to Fig. 14, a rearward top end 230 of the internal wall element 214 is spaced forwardly from a rearward end or face 232 of the top wall 204, thereby reserving a rearward ‘lip’ or ledge 234 of the top wall 204 which will be referred to later. The wall element 214 extends vertically downwardly to the bottom wall 206, wherein a rearward and bottom end 236 of the wall element 214 projects rearwardly from a rearward end or face 238 of the bottom wall 206. A mating passage (e.g., a tubular passage) extends vertically through the rearward end of the wall element and through the top wall of the envelope. This elongate passage can be referred to as a mating primary passage 226M and is configured to enable reception of a connecting element 4 through the envelope 202 and the mating primary support passage 226Mp of the encased mating primary support member 226M of a mating structural frame 102 of a mating neighbouring building module 302. Referring back to the rearward ledge or platform 234 at the rearward end 232 of the top wall 204 of the envelope 202, the opposed lateral ends 204, 206 thereof are formed with respective and vertically extending passages; each can be referred to as a mating secondary passage 228M configured to enable reception of a connecting element 4 through the mating secondary support passage 228Mp of the mating secondary support 228M of a mating structural frame 102. 0296571267- As described above, each internal wall-like element 214 of the envelope 202 is configured to encase the primary and mating primary supports 226, 226M of the structural frame 102 on that lateral side thereof 112, 114. As such, a forward end 222 of the internal lateral wall 214 comprises a vertical primary passage 226p to enable reception of a connecting element 4 through the primary support 126 of the encased structural frame 102, and a rearward end 230 of the internal lateral wall 214 comprises a vertical mating primary passage 226Mp to enable reception of a connecting element 4 through the mating primary support 126M of the encased structural frame 102. Meanwhile, each lateral side 208, 210 of the forward ledge 2of the bottom wall 206 comprises a secondary passage 228 to enable reception of a connecting element 4 through the secondary support 128 of the encased structural frame 102, and each lateral side of the rearward ledge 234 of the top wall 204 comprises a mating secondary passage 228M to enable reception of a connecting element 4 through the mating secondary support 126M of the encased structural frame 102. With reference to Figs. 15 and 16, a mating of two like building module envelopes 202L, 202R is illustrated. As the left-most envelope 202L (i.e., the mating envelope) is lowered into the mating position relative to the right-most envelope 202R (i.e., the envelope), the rear end of the mating envelope 202L is aligned with the front end of the envelope 202R such that: the mating secondary passage 228ML of the mating envelope 202L is above and vertically aligned with the primary passage 226R of the envelope 202R (such that both passages 228ML, 226R would be aligned with the primary support axis 126X of the primary support member 126 of the structural frame 102 that would be encased by the envelope 202); and the mating primary passage 226ML of the mating envelope 202L is above and vertically aligned with the secondary passage 228R of the envelope 202 (such that both passages 226ML, 228R would be aligned with the secondary support axis 128X of the secondary support member 128 of the structural frame 102 encased by the envelope 202R). As the mating envelope 102L is lowered relative to the envelope 102R, an underside of the rearwardly projecting lip or ledge 234of the top wall 204 of the mating envelope 102L engages against the exposed upper ends 222 of the internal lateral walls 214 at the forward end of the envelope 102R, and the exposed lower ends 236L of the internal lateral walls 214 at the 0296571267- rearward end of the mating envelope 102L engage against an upper side of the forwardly projecting platform or ledge 220 of the bottom wall 206 of the envelope 202. In this way, the structural frame and the mating structural frame which would be encased by the envelope 202L and the mating envelop 102R are arranged in a mating position as aforedescribed and as depicted in Fig. 11, thereby enabling common connecting elements 4 to be passed through respective aligned passages of the envelopes and associated structural frames, thereby mating the building envelope (and thus encased structural frames) together. It will be appreciated that in lowering the mating envelope 202L downwardly relative to the envelope 202R, the mating slanted surfaces 212ML of the mating envelope 202L bears or urges against the forward slanted surfaces 212R of the envelope 202R, under the force of gravity, to establish a close fitting engagement at the interface of the slanted and mating slanted surfaces 212ML, 212R of the two envelopes 202L, 202R, thereby minimising any gaps therebetween. It will also be appreciated that embodiments of the present building module envelope 202 need not having sliding arrangements at both the front and rear ends thereof. For example, with reference Fig. 3, the depicted envelope 302d is configured for a corner building module, and thus comprises a closed rear wall 240 which does not have a sliding arrangement; rather than having slanted surfaces, it simply has a non-slanting exterior surface which would define an exterior of the modular structure to be formed. The presently disclosed envelope also comprises horizontally extending engagement means for engagement with mating horizontally extending engagement means when formed as part of the mating neighbouring building module envelope. The disclosed envelope math also be formed with the said mating horizontally extending engagement means. The engagement means and the mating engagement means enable a respective envelope and mating envelope to be engaged with one another in the mating position. With reference to Fig. 13, the horizontally extending engagement means comprise horizontally spaced apart tongues 242 projecting forwardly from the forward surface 224 of the top wall 204. While not shown, the mating horizontally extending engagement means can comprise horizontally spaced apart slots formed through the rearward surface 232 of the top wall 204. In this way, each tongue 242 at a forward end of an envelope 202 can be inserted in a respective rearward slot of the mating envelope 202. 0296571267- Referring also to Fig. 15, an upper rearward end of the mating envelope 202L is also formed with a through hole 244 that extends between and through the lateral walls 208, 210 of the envelope 202 and through the mating slots thereof. Each tongue 242 is also formed with a corresponding transverse through hole 248 which, when the envelopes 202L, 202R are in the mating position, are configured to align with the rearward transverse through hole 244 of the mating envelope 202L. With reference to Fig. 18, a connector, such as an elongate rod 6, can thus be inserted through the rearward transverse through hole 244 of the mating envelope 102L, and through the transverse through holes 248 of the inserted tongues 242 so as to provide an additional degree of engagement and connection between the envelope 202R and the mating envelope 202L. While not shown, it is considered that the rearward surface 238 of the bottom wall 2of the presently disclosed envelope 202 may also be provided with similar rearwardly projecting tongues, and the forward surface 218 of the bottom wall 206 of the envelope 2may also be provided with complementarily shaped slots for receiving the bottom tongues of a neighbouring envelope. Referring to Fig. 16, a lower forward end of the envelope 202 is also provided with a transverse through hole 246 extending between and through the lateral walls 208, 210 of the envelope 202, which transverse through hole 246 would extend through the lower slots and, in the mating position, would be aligned with the respective transverse through holes of the lower tongues inserted into the lower slots. Similarly, a connector such as a rod can be inserted through the lower transverse through hole 246 of the envelope 202 and through the aligned transverse through holes of the inserted lower tongues of the neighbouring envelope. The present disclosure also relates to a PPVC building module formed from the aforedescribed structural frame and the aforedescribed envelope. For example, the structural frame may be formed and then substantially encased in the envelope, which may be made from concrete. In Fig. 3, the envelope 202d encases the structural frame such that only the horizontal engagement members 142, 144 thereof and the upper (and lower) ends of the tubular supports 126, 126M, 128, 128M are visible and remain exposed. The building envelope 302d in Fig. is illustrated without the aforedescribed tongues and slots, though of course can include such horizontal engagement means. Given the aforedescribed mechanisms via which neighbouring 0296571267- structural frames and associated envelopes can be structurally mated to one another and along different support and engagement axes, the presently disclosed building modules are more integrated with one another when arranged to form a modular building structure, whereby loading can be more effectively carried and shared between adjacent neighbouring building modules through their linked structural frames and envelopes. The presently disclosed building modules can be mated with one another in a horizontal direction to define a generally continuous and horizontally extending space for occupants. The building modules can also be stacked upon one another to define a multilevel modular building structure, such as a high-rise apartment or office building. The present disclosure also relates to a PPVC modular construction kit for forming a modular building structure, wherein the kit may comprise two or more building modules, along with connecting elements and/or connectors for mating the building modules together. The building modules of the kit may be like one another in that they have corresponding features which enable their mating to one another, though they need not be exactly identical. For example, building modules which define a corner of the building structure may differ from those which simply define a relatively straight outer perimeter of the building structure. In other examples, one or more building modules of the kit may comprise primarily structural components or elements of the modular structure to be formed, such as a service area, a segment of an elevator shaft and so on, and such modules need not be repeating units. While various embodiments have been described herein, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not by way of limitation. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the scope of the present specification should not be limited by the embodiments described and depicted herein. Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. 0296571267- The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Claims

- 33 - 0296571267- CLAIMS

1. A structural frame of a PPVC building module configured to mate with a matingstructural frame of a mating neighbouring module to form together a modular structure of mated neighbouring modules which together define a continuous space, the structural frame comprising a first mating portion formed with: at least one support comprising a support passage extending along a support axis; and at least one mating support receiving space defined by the structural frame and extending along said support axis, said at least one mating support receiving space being dimensioned to accommodate at least one mating support having a mating support passage extending along a mating support axis, when the at least one mating support forms a part of the mating structural frame of the mating neighbouring module, and enable alignment of the mating support passage with the support axis, thereby allowing at least one common connecting element to pass through said passages along the support axis to mate the structural frame with the mating structural frame of the mating neighbouring module to form the modular structure.

2. The structural frame of claim 1, wherein the support axis extends in a verticaldirection.

3. The structural frame of claim 1 or 2, wherein the building module comprises a floordefining a floor plane and a ceiling defining a ceiling plane, and wherein the first mating portion is substantially disposed between the planes.

4. The structural frame of claim 3, wherein the first mating portion extends along at leasta majority of a height between the floor and ceiling planes.

5. The structural frame of claim 3 or 4, comprising opposed lateral sides and a first enddefining a first end plane that extends between the lateral sides and is perpendicular to the floor and ceiling planes. - 34 - 0296571267-

6. The structural frame of claim 5, wherein the first mating portion is disposed adjacent the first end.

7. The structural frame of claim 5 or 6, wherein each lateral side is associated with a respective first mating portion.

8. The structural frame of any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein at least a majority of the mating support receiving space is bounded by the first end plane and the ceiling or floor plane.

9. The structural frame of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one support is tubular and defines therethrough the support passage.

10. The structural frame of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one support comprises: a primary support comprising a primary support passage extending along a primary support axis, the primary support having a length that extends along at least a majority of a height of the structural frame; and a secondary support comprising a secondary support passage extending along a secondary support axis that is spaced from and parallel to the primary support axis, the secondary support having a length that is less than that of the primary support.

11. The structural frame of claim 10, comprising upper framing defining an upper plane, and lower framing defining a lower plane, the planes being parallel to one another and perpendicular to the support axes, wherein at least the primary support extends upwardly from the lower framing.

12. The structural frame of claim 11, further comprising an intermediate frame member that interconnects the primary support and the upper framing. - 35 - 0296571267-

13. The structural frame of any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the mating support receiving space is dimensioned to accommodate said at least one mating support when the at least one mating support forms a part of the mating structural frame of the mating neighbouring module and comprises: a mating primary support comprising a mating primary support passage extending along a mating primary support axis, the mating primary support having a length that extends along at least a majority of a height of the mating structural frame; and a mating secondary support comprising a mating secondary support passage extending along a mating secondary support axis that is spaced from and parallel to the mating primary support axis, the mating secondary support having a length that is less than that of the mating primary support, to enable alignment of: the mating secondary support with the primary support along the primary support axis; and the mating primary support with the secondary support along the secondary support axis, thereby allowing a common connecting element to pass through the passages of each pair of aligned supports to mate the structural frame with the mating structural frame of the mating neighbouring module to form the modular structure.

14. The structural frame of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a second mating portion formed with: at least one of said mating support; and at least one support receiving space defined by the structural frame and extending along said mating support axis, said at least one support receiving space being dimensioned to accommodate said at least one support, when the latter forms a part of the mating structural frame of the mating neighbouring module, and enable alignment of the support passage thereof with the mating support axis, thereby allowing at least one common connecting element to pass through the mating support passage of the structural frame and the support passage of the - 36 - 0296571267- mating structural frame along the mating support axis to mate the structural frame with that of the mating neighbouring module to form the modular structure.

15. The structural frame of claim 14, wherein the support and mating support axes thereof are parallel to one another.

16. The structural frame of claim 14 or 15 as appended to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein the second mating portion is substantially disposed between the floor and ceiling planes.

17. The structural frame of claim 16, wherein the second mating portion extends along at least a majority of the height between the floor and ceiling planes.

18. The structural frame of claim 16 or 17 as appended to any one of claims 5 to 8, comprising a second end defining a second end plane that extends between the lateral sides and is parallel to the first end plane.

19. The structural frame of claim 18, wherein the second mating portion is disposed adjacent the second end.

20. The structural frame of claim 18 or 19, wherein each lateral side is associated with a respective second mating portion.

21. The structural frame of any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein at least a majority of the at least one support receiving space is bounded by the second end plane and the ceiling or floor plane.

22. The structural frame of any one of claims 14 to 21, wherein said at least one mating support is tubular and defines therethrough the mating support passage. - 37 - 0296571267-

23. The structural frame of any one of claims 14 to 22 as appended to claim 13, wherein the at least one mating support thereof comprises: said mating primary support; and said mating secondary support, wherein the at least one support receiving space is dimensioned to accommodate said at least one support when the at least one support forms a part of the mating structural frame of the mating neighbouring module and comprises: said primary support; and said secondary support, to enable alignment of: the mating primary support with the secondary support along the mating primary support axis; and the mating secondary support with the primary support along the primary support axis, thereby allowing a common connecting element to pass through the passages of each pair of aligned supports to mate the structural frame with the mating structural frame of the mating neighbouring module to form the modular PPVC.

24. The structural frame of any one of claims 14 to 23, wherein the first and second mating portions have complementary yet distinguishable shapes.

25. The structural frame of claim 24, wherein the first and second mating portions are identical to one another but oppositely oriented.

26. The structural frame of claim 25, wherein the first mating portion thereof is configured to mate with the second mating portion when the second mating portion forms part of the mating structural frame of the mating neighbouring module. - 38 - 0296571267-

27. The structural frame of claim 25 or 26, wherein the second mating portion thereof is configured to mate with the first mating portion when the first mating portion forms part of the mating structural frame of the mating neighbouring module.

28. The structural frame of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one engagement member extending along an engagement axis that is perpendicular to the support axis, the or each engagement member being configured to engage a respective mating engagement member when formed as part of the mating structural frame of the mating neighbouring module, the or each mating engagement member extending along a mating engagement axis that is perpendicular to the support axis.

29. The structural frame of claim 28, wherein the at least one engagement member comprises upper engagement members extending along an upper engagement axis that is perpendicular to the support axis, the upper engagement members being configured to engage respective mating upper engagement members when formed as a part of the mating structural frame, the or each mating upper engagement member extending along a mating upper engagement axis that is perpendicular to the support axis.

30. The structural frame of claim 28 or 29, wherein the at least one engagement member comprises lower engagement members extending along a lower engagement axis that is perpendicular to the support axis, the lower engagement members being configured to engage respective mating lower engagement members when formed as a part of the mating structural frame, the or each mating lower engagement member extending along a mating lower engagement axis that is perpendicular to the support axis.

31. The structural frame of claim 28, further comprising the said respective mating engagement member configured to engage the said at least one engagement member when the said at least one engagement member forms a part of the mating structural frame of the mating neighbouring module. - 39 - 0296571267-

32. The structural frame of claim 29, wherein the said respective mating engagement member comprises the said respective mating upper engagement members which are configured to engage the said upper engagement members when formed as a part of the mating structural frame.

33. The structural frame of claim 30, wherein the said respective mating engagement member comprises the said respective mating lower engagement members which are configured to engage the said lower engagement members when formed as a part of the mating structural frame.

34. The structural frame of any one of claims 31 to 33, wherein the engagement members and the mating engagement members are identical to one another but oppositely oriented.

35. The structural frame of any one of claims 28 to 34, wherein the or each engagement member comprises a horizontally extending clip.