Methods, systems and components for multi-storey building construction

A method of forming a building, comprising the steps of:

• erecting a series of vertically oriented support columns in spaced apart relationship to define a generally vertical support structure;
• connecting a series of horizontally oriented support beams to the support columns in spaced apart relationship to define a generally horizontal support structure for a floor;
• providing a plurality of pre-fabricated structural panels, each including at least one lifting hole extending through the panel from a front face to a rear face thereof, to facilitate crane lifting of the panels to selected floor levels in the building structure;
• releasably securing a lifting attachment incorporating a pair of lifting formations to each of the structural panels such that one of the lifting formations is accessible from the front face of each panel and the other lifting formation is accessible from the rear face of each panel, and such that the lifting formations are interconnected directly by a load-bearing connecting element extending through each of the respective lifting holes;
• releasably interconnecting two or more of the panels in series by means of at least one intermediate linking element positioned to extend between the respective lifting formations;
• hoisting the interconnected panels in the series substantially simultaneously to a required height whereby the panels are supported in vertically spaced apart relationship by the linking elements during the hoisting operation, with each panel being directly connected to an upper and/or lower panel in the series during the lifting operation;
• and
• positioning the structural panels in substantially contiguous side-by-side relationship on the horizontal or vertical support structure to form a structural floor or wall section for the building.

A building structure formed substantially in accordance with the method as defined in any one of the preceding claims, the building structure including:

• a series of vertically oriented support columns disposed in spaced apart relationship to define a generally vertical support structure;
• a series of horizontally oriented support beams connected to the support columns in spaced apart relationship to define a generally horizontal support structure for a floor;
• and
• a plurality of pre-fabricated structural panels positioned in contiguous side-by-side relationship on the horizontal support structure to form a structural floor, wherein each panel includes at least one lifting hole extending from a front face to a rear face of the panel so as to be adapted to releasably receive a lifting attachment, the lifting attachment having at least one lifting formation and a load-bearing connecting element for extending through the respective lifting hole.

A method of installing a wall section in a multi-storey building, the building including a series of vertically oriented support columns disposed in spaced apart relationship to define a generally vertical support structure, the method including the steps of:

• providing a plurality of pre-fabricated structural panels, each panel including at least one lifting hole extending from a front face to a rear face of the panel;
• releasably securing a lifting attachment to each of the structural panels, the lifting attachment having at least one lifting formation and a load-bearing connecting element extending through the respective lifting hole;
• releasably attaching a rail formation to the support structure in a substantially horizontal orientation generally above an intended location for the wall section;
• providing a crane carriage assembly incorporating a panel engagement mechanism and a rail traversing mechanism;
• releasably attaching the crane carriage assembly to the rail formation by means of the rail traversing mechanism whereby the carriage assembly is adapted securely to traverse the rail;
• releasably connecting the panel engagement mechanism on the carriage assembly with the lifting formation on the panel, whereby the panel is suspended from the rail formation;
• moving the carriage assembly along the rail so as to position the suspended panel adjacent an intended location for the wall section;
• positioning and securing the panel in the wall section;
• releasing the panel engagement mechanism;
• repeating the foregoing steps with successive panels positioned in contiguous side-by-side relationship to form the wall section of the building.