Charles H Churches

6955016, Oct 18, 2005

Jun 26, 1997

08/883387

Charles H. Churches - Claysville PA, US
Anthony Scavo - Brooklyn NY, US

Lefrak Organization, Inc. - Forest Hills NY

E04H001/02

522363, 52 792, 52251, 52274, 522931, 5274512

A self-supporting shearwall structure in the form of an “H,” an “I,” or a “C” is disclosed. The shearwall structure provides vertical and lateral support to the framework of a multi-story building sufficient to support the roof, other exterior and/or interior walls, and intermediate floor loads of the building, as well as the wind load of the building. In the preferred embodiment, the wall structure is made primarily of reinforced concrete, preferably comprising pre-cast concrete panels. The panels are placed end to end on their edge on the first (or lowest) floor of the building and joined to the building's foundation and to at least one other horizontally adjoining panel. The structure is made higher by adding an additional row of panels horizontally aligned at vertical support points and placed on their edge on top of the row of panels that has already been formed such that each subsequent row of panels is supported on and grouted to the prior row. Horizontal floors connected to the shearwalls at various elevations of the building act as stiffening elements providing diaphragm action to the shearwalls. Additional rows of panels and floors are added until the desired height of the building is achieved.