JP7820118B2 - Foundations and buildings - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a simple foundation structure for small buildings that can be installed simply by placing it on the ground.

Known examples of conventional building foundation structures include the technologies described in Utility Model Publication No. 5-067634 (Patent Document 1) and Japanese Patent Publication No. 2004-176407 (Patent Document 2). In the techniques described in these patent documents, the ground surface is first excavated to create a foundation structure with embedded roots. The excavated soil is then backfilled to level the ground, and a superstructure is then constructed on top of the foundation structure. The superstructure's column bases are then fastened to the foundation structure to prevent the superstructure from toppling over in the event of an earthquake or windstorm.

Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open Publication No. 5-067634 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-176407

However, the above-mentioned conventional building foundations have the following problems. Because the building foundations are embedded, they cannot be easily removed or relocated, and they cannot be installed directly on the asphalt surface of a parking lot or an existing concrete floor, making them disadvantageous for relocating or temporary buildings. Furthermore, when constructing a building on soil, a soil survey must generally be carried out to prevent the building from sinking, which requires time and effort.

In light of the above-mentioned circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a building foundation structure that can be installed simply by placing it on the ground without requiring any embedment, and that prevents or easily corrects the sinking of the building.

For this purpose, the building foundation structure of the present invention comprises a foundation structure that rests on the ground and supports the superstructure from below, a weight container that holds a heavy load and is placed on the ground inside the building relative to the foundation structure, and connecting means that interconnect the superstructure and the weight container.

This invention allows for installation simply by placing it on the ground, eliminating the need for embedding. This means that buildings can be easily installed on parking lots or concrete floors.

In one aspect of the present invention, the weight is liquid or gravel. This allows the weight container to be easily installed and removed at the site where the building is to be constructed, facilitating relocation.

In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the connecting means are provided at two or more locations spaced horizontally apart. This makes it possible to resist overturning moments acting on the superstructure during earthquakes or strong winds.

The connecting means is not particularly limited, but in one aspect of the present invention, the connecting means has one connecting portion that connects to the upper structure, another connecting portion that connects to the weight container, and a connector that selectively connects or disconnects the one connecting portion and the other connecting portion.

In one aspect of the present invention, the connecting means further includes a sensor that detects earthquake shaking or wind pressure, and a drive unit that receives a command from the sensor when the sensor detects earthquake shaking or wind pressure and drives the connector into a connected state.

In one aspect of the present invention, the connecting means allows relative vertical movement under normal circumstances. However, in an emergency such as when horizontal forces such as earthquake or wind force act on the building, the relative vertical movement is restricted. In one aspect of the present invention, the connecting means includes a damper (e.g., a vibration damper) that absorbs relative movement between the superstructure and the weight container.

The building of the present invention comprises a foundation member of the building placed on the ground, a superstructure supported from below by the foundation member, a weight containing a heavy object placed on the ground inside the building beyond the foundation member, and connecting means for connecting the superstructure and the weight to each other.

As such, according to the present invention, no embedment is required and buildings can be installed simply by placing them on the asphalt surface of a parking lot or on the surface of unimproved ground. Buildings can also be easily relocated.

1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a basic structure of the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the embodiment resisting an overturning moment. FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a building according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a plan view of a building foundation structure according to the same embodiment. These are longitudinal cross-sectional views of a building. Building 10 is a small-scale structure occupying an area of 10 to 15 square meters in the plan view of Figure 2, and comprises a foundation structure 11, a weight 21, a superstructure 31, and a connecting means 41.

The foundation structure 11 has multiple grounding members 12 and multiple mounting stands 13. The lower ends of the grounding members 12 are placed flat on the ground surface S. The upper ends of the grounding members 12 rise from the ground surface S and connect to the mounting stands 13. The grounding members 12 are arranged along the contour of the building 10 and are spaced apart from one another. The mounting stands 13 extend along the contour of the building 10 and connect the grounding members 12 to one another. In this embodiment, the foundation structure 11 is a steel foundation made of multiple steel members. In variants not shown, the grounding members 12 may be beams and the mounting stands 13 may be made of wood. Where the lower ends of the grounding members 12 are placed flat on the ground surface S, protrusions or mats may be laid down to prevent the grounding members 12 from slipping.

The ground surface S may be soil, an asphalt pavement, or a concrete pavement. The ground including the ground surface S does not require compaction or special ground improvement work. The ground surface S may be, for example, a parking lot. At least two of the grounding member 12 and the mounting base 13 may be formed as a single unit, or they may be separate members secured to each other with bolts and nuts, etc.

The weight 21 comprises a steel or resin weight container that is filled with a heavy object such as water or soil at the construction site of the building 10, making it heavier than a predetermined weight, for example, heavier than the foundation members or the superstructure. As shown in the plan view of Figure 2, the weight 21 is positioned inside the building's outer edge 32 and away from the foundation structure 11. The weight 21 is placed flat on the ground surface S and directly supported by the ground. Regarding the flat placement, to increase friction, a non-slip structure such as a protrusion may be provided on the bottom of the weight 21, or a rubber mat may be placed between the weight 21 and the ground surface S. Due to its large weight, the weight 21 will not move due to lateral forces during an earthquake. In this embodiment, the weight 21 and ground contact member 12 are placed directly on the ground surface S, such as a parking lot, without any excavation of the ground surface S, and can be easily relocated to another location.

The height dimension of the weight 21 is smaller than the width and depth dimensions of the weight 21, and is smaller than the height dimension of the foundation structure 11 as shown in Figure 1. The weight 21 is placed flat on the ground surface S. Placing the weight 21 flat reduces the surface pressure, making it less likely for the weight 21 to sink from the ground surface S.

Only the outline of the superstructure 31 is shown in Figure 1. The superstructure 31 is one story high and has a floor area of 10 to 15 square meters as described above. The superstructure 31 and building 10 may have other shapes not shown, in addition to the rectangular shape shown in Figure 2. The superstructure 31 has a cross member 33. The cross member 33 is part of the frame that supports the load of the superstructure 31, and extends from one exterior wall of the superstructure 31 to the other exterior wall, crossing the superstructure 31. In this embodiment, the cross member 33 is installed at the bottom of the superstructure 31 and is located directly above the weight 21.

The connecting means 41 is composed of one or more connecting members and connects the cross member 33 and the weight 21. In this embodiment, the connecting means 41 is one or more pairs of rails extending in the vertical direction, with their upper ends connected to the cross member 33 and their lower ends engaging with a runner (not shown) fixed to the weight 21. The rails of the connecting means 41 are movable vertically relative to the weight 21, but are restricted from moving horizontally, for example, in the lateral direction in which the cross member 33 extends.

Figure 3 shows how horizontal force Hf due to strong winds, earthquakes, etc. acts on building 10. When horizontal force Hf acts on superstructure 31, the horizontal movement of superstructure 31 is restricted by weight 21 and connecting means 41, preventing horizontal movement of superstructure 31. Furthermore, horizontal force Hf applies an overturning moment to superstructure 31, but a reaction moment Rv is applied by weight 21 and connecting means 41, preventing superstructure 31 from overturning.

Figure 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the installation of a building 10 on sloping ground S1. The vertical dimensions of the ground contact member 12 of the foundation structure 11 can be adjusted appropriately. The thrust is placed flat to match the inclination angle of the sloping ground S1.

According to this embodiment, installation is completed simply by placing the building 10 on the ground surface S of a parking lot or the like, making installation simple and eliminating the need for foundation work such as root cutting. Furthermore, this embodiment makes it possible to reduce the weight of the foundation structure 11, thereby preventing ground subsidence of the superstructure 31 due to aging. This means that there is no need for ground surveys. Even if ground subsidence does occur, the lighter building's level can be easily restored using jacking equipment or the like.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the base structure 11, weight 21, and upper structure 31 are separate structures, and the weight 21 contains the weight container and its contents, so the weight container can be emptied and easily relocated.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, because the foundation structure 11 and the weight 21 are separated, the foundation structure 11 and the superstructure 31 are lighter, preventing ground subsidence of these structures. Because the weight 21 is heavy, there is concern that it may sink into the ground surface S over time, but this does not affect the foundation structure 11 and the superstructure 31, which are separate structures from the weight 21.

The above describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment. Various modifications and variations can be made to the illustrated embodiment within the same scope as the present invention or within an equivalent scope.

In another embodiment (not shown), the connecting means 41 may be a detachable connector.

The weight 21 may be an empty weight container. When needed, water is poured into the weight container for use. The water in the weight container can be used for domestic purposes.

The connecting means 41 connecting the superstructure 31 and the weight container to each other may be a chain that hangs down from the cross member 33 under its own weight alone. This chain is not normally taut, but becomes taut when a horizontal force is applied, preventing the superstructure 31 from tipping over.

Alternatively, the connecting means 41 may be a coupler that is normally separate and can be connected as needed. For example, the connecting means 41 may further include one connecting portion that connects to the superstructure 31, the other connecting portion that connects to the weight 21 (its weight container), a connector that selectively switches the one connecting portion and the other connecting portion between a connected state and a disconnected state, a sensor that detects earthquake shaking or wind pressure, and a drive unit that receives a command from the sensor upon detection and drives the connector to the connected state. The connecting means 41 equipped with such a sensor is structured to allow relative vertical movement when no horizontal force such as earthquake force or wind force is applied to the superstructure 31, and to restrict relative horizontal movement when a horizontal force is applied to the superstructure 31. The connecting means may include a damper that absorbs relative movement between the superstructure and the weight container. The damper expands and contracts horizontally to absorb horizontal shaking of the superstructure 31. The damper may be, for example, a vibration damper.

The weight container of the weight 21 may be a foldable bag. Furthermore, the empty weight container may be placed away from the ground surface S, such as by being hung from the cross member 33.

This invention can be advantageously used in buildings.

10 Building, 11 Foundation structure, 12 Grounding member, 13 Mounting base
21 weight or weight container; 31 upper structure; 32 outer edge;
33 Horizontal member, 41 Connection means, S Ground surface, Sl Slope.

Claims (7)

a foundation structure that is placed on the ground surface and supports the superstructure from below;
A weight container that holds a heavy object and is placed on the ground surface inside the building relative to the foundation structure;
A building foundation structure comprising a connecting means for connecting the superstructure and the weight container to each other. The building foundation structure according to claim 1 , wherein the connecting means is provided at two locations spaced apart in the horizontal direction. The building foundation structure described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the connecting means includes one connecting portion that connects to the superstructure, another connecting portion that connects to the weight container, and a connector that selectively connects the one connecting portion and the other connecting portion to either a connected state or a disconnected state. The building foundation structure described in claim 3, wherein the connecting means further includes a sensor that detects earthquake shaking or wind pressure, and a drive unit that receives a command from the sensor when the sensor detects earthquake shaking or wind pressure and drives the connector into a connected state. A building foundation structure as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the connecting means is a structure that allows relative vertical movement when no horizontal force is applied to the superstructure, and restricts the relative horizontal movement when a horizontal force is applied to the superstructure. A building foundation structure as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the connecting means includes a damper that absorbs relative movement between the superstructure and the weight container. A foundation structure of a building that rests on the ground;
an upper structure supported from below by the foundation structure;
a weight container that holds a heavy object and is placed on the ground surface inside the building relative to the foundation structure;
and connecting means for interconnecting said superstructure and said weight container.