Modular buildings and methods of construction thereof

Abstract

A method of assembling a modular building includes affixing a plurality of horizontally-extending metal bands to a shear core. The metal bands are spaced vertically from one another along a vertical axis defined by the shear core. Modular units are coupled to the shear core via the metal bands.

1 . A method of assembling a modular building, the method comprising:
 affixing a plurality of horizontally-extending metal bands to a shear core, the metal bands being spaced vertically from one another along a vertical axis defined by the shear core;   positioning a modular unit adjacent to a first metal band of the plurality of metal bands a selected, tolerated distance from an outer surface of the first metal band; and   welding a metal plate to the outer surface of the first metal band and an upper surface of the modular unit, thereby coupling the modular unit to the shear core while being spaced the selected, tolerated distance from the outer surface of the first metal band.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein welding the metal plate to the upper surface of the modular unit includes welding an underside of the metal plate to a corner section of the upper surface of the modular unit. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the metal plate extends horizontally along a mateline defined by the first metal band. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of metal bands are fabricated from steel. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of metal bands are exposed from an outer surface of the shear core. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first metal band is affixed to the shear core via at least one anchor extending inwardly from an inner surface of the first metal band, the at least one anchor being embedded within the shear core. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one anchor is connected to a reinforcing bar embedded within the shear core. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the shear core is fabricated from concrete. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of metal bands are plates that extend across a majority of the width of an outer surface of the shear core. 
     
     
         11 . A vertically-extending structure for supporting modular units, comprising:
 a concrete shear core having an outer surface;   a plurality of horizontally-extending metal bands fixed to the outer surface of the concrete shear core, wherein the plurality of metal bands are spaced vertically from one another along a vertical axis defined by the concrete shear core;   a metal plate welded to an outer surface of a first metal band of the plurality of metal bands; and   a modular unit having an upper surface welded to an underside of the metal plate, wherein the modular unit is spaced a selected, tolerated distance from the outer surface of the first metal band.   
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The vertically-extending structure according to  claim 11 , wherein the metal plate covers a corner section of the upper surface of the modular unit. 
     
     
         14 . The vertically-extending structure according to  claim 11 , wherein the metal plate extends horizontally along a mateline defined by the first metal band. 
     
     
         15 . The vertically-extending structure according to  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of metal bands are fabricated from steel. 
     
     
         16 . The vertically-extending structure according to  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of metal bands are exposed from the outer surface of the concrete shear core. 
     
     
         17 . The vertically-extending structure according to  claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of metal bands includes at least one anchor extending inwardly from an inner surface thereof, the at least one anchor being embedded within the concrete shear core. 
     
     
         18 . The vertically-extending structure according to  claim 17 , wherein the at least one anchor is connected to a reinforcing bar embedded within the concrete shear core. 
     
     
         19 . The vertically-extending structure according to  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of metal bands are plates that extend across a majority of the width of the outer surface of the concrete shear core. 
     
     
         20 . The vertically-extending structure according to  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of metal bands are spaced vertically from one another a distance substantially equal to a height of a modular unit.