Modular construction system for permanent formwork

A modular wall that is a substantially linear permanent external formwork of a building, the modular wall having a length and a height and comprising:

• a series of outer panels made of a thermoplastic polymer, each of the outer panels having a first end and an opposite end;
• a series of inner panels substantially parallel to the outer panels and made of the thermoplastic polymer or another thermoplastic polymer, each of the inner panels having a first end and an opposite end;
• a first end of a first outer panel is configured to fit into an opposite end of a second outer panel using an option of a sliding motion and is configured to fit into the opposite end of the second outer panel using an option of an end to end joining motion, to form a first locking connection,
• a first end of a first inner panel is configured to fit into an opposite end of a second inner panel using an option of a sliding motion and is configured to fit into the opposite end of the second inner panel using an option of an end to end joining motion, to form a second locking connection,
• wherein the inner panels and the outer panels are configured to remain in place as a permanent structure after a casting of concrete;
• wherein the first end of the first outer panel comprises a projecting head and the opposite end of the second outer panel comprises a flange such that the first locking connection is implemented (a) using the option of the end to end joining motion by positioning the first end of the first outer panel and the opposite end of the second outer panel facing each other and inserting the projecting head at an angle beyond the flange so as to join the first outer panel and the second outer panel or (b) using the option of the sliding motion with the first outer panel above the second outer panel and sliding the first outer panel into the second outer panel,
• wherein each of (i) the sliding motion that forms the first locking connection and (ii) the sliding motion that forms the second locking connection is in a direction substantially parallel to the height of the modular wall and wherein each of the end to end joining motions is in a direction substantially parallel to the length of the modular wall;
• and
• wherein each of the outer panels and each of the inner panels comprise two substantially parallel walls separated by a pattern of reinforcing ribs that together with the substantially parallel walls define spaces for heat insulation.

A method of constructing a substantially linear permanent external formwork for a building, the modular wall having a length and a height and comprising:

• setting in place in a vertical position a series of outer panels made of a thermoplastic polymer, a first end of each outer panel comprising a projecting head and an opposite end comprising a flange, such that a first end of a first outer panel connects to an opposite end of an adjacent second outer panel by choosing an option of a sliding motion in a direction substantially parallel to the height, or an alternative option of an end to end joining motion in a direction substantially parallel to the length that includes positioning the first end of the first outer panel and the opposite end of the second outer panel facing each other at an angle, to form a first locking connection;
• setting in place in a vertical position a series of inner panels substantially parallel to the outer panels and made of the thermoplastic polymer or another thermoplastic polymer, a first end of each inner panel comprising a projecting head and an opposite end comprising a flange, such that a first end of a first inner panel connects to an opposite end of an adjacent second inner panel by choosing the option of the sliding motion in the direction substantially parallel to the height, or the alternative option of the end to end joining motion in the direction substantially parallel to the length that includes positioning the first end of the first inner panel and the opposite end of the second inner panel facing each other at an angle, to form a second locking connection,
• wherein one or both of the outer panels and the inner panels are transparent;
• attaching reinforcing metal pipes to the outer panels and to corresponding portions of the inner panels;
• pouring concrete between the inner panels and the outer panels so as to occupy the space between the series of outer panels and the series of inner panels, wherein the inner panels and the outer panels are configured to remain in place as a permanent structure after the concrete has been cast;
• and
• providing the outer panels and the inner panels with two substantially parallel walls separated by a pattern of reinforcing ribs that together with the substantially parallel walls define spaces for heat insulation.