摘要 |
<p>A variety of buildings may be formed from monolithic building units or modules (1). These units or modules (1) comprise a tubular structure formed of an inner and outer skin (5, 6), defining therebetween a space (13) which is filled with foam insulating material. The space between the inner and outer skins (5, 6) is closed by end rings (7, 8) at each end of the module (1). The module (1) has open ended tubes (9, 10, 11, 12) extending at least between end rings (7, 8), and passing through said insulating material, with tensioning strands or cables (14, 15, 16, 17) secured to at least one end ring (7, 8) and passing through said tubes (9, 10, 11, 12), whereby the composite structure of the module (1) is stressed by an amount greater than any loading stresses likely to be encountered in any given situation and to place the module (1) in uniform compression to an extent that will eliminate fatigue stresses and stress reversals.</p> |