Modular habitable structures, and associated systems and methods

Abstract

A module for a structural system may include chords oriented along a length of the module and a plurality of rib assemblies positioned between the chords. Two of the rib assemblies may include shear keys configured to be received in piers at a final installation site. A method of making a structure may include positioning the shear keys in pockets of the piers.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A structural system comprising a module, the module comprising:
 a first upper chord oriented along a length of the module;   a first lower chord oriented along the length of the module;   a second upper chord positioned opposite the first upper chord, parallel to the first upper chord;   a second lower chord positioned opposite the first lower chord, parallel to the first lower chord; and   a plurality of rib assemblies positioned between the first upper chord, the first lower chord, the second upper chord, and the second lower chord, the rib assemblies extending along a width of the module perpendicular to the chords; wherein   at least one of the chords comprises a plurality of chord portions joined together with one or more connector plates; and wherein   two rib assemblies of the plurality of rib assemblies each comprises two shear keys configured to be received in support structures.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the rib assemblies comprises two vertical column beams and two or more horizontal crossbeams connecting the column beams to each other. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the shear keys are attached to the vertical column beams of the two rib assemblies, wherein the shear keys project downwardly from the vertical column beams of the two rib assemblies. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the support structures comprise four concrete piers, wherein the shear keys are positioned in the concrete piers. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the module is a first module, and wherein the system comprises a second module joined to the first module at an interface. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the module is a Vierendeel truss structure. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the module further comprises roof panels and floor panels supported by the plurality of rib assemblies or by the chords. 
     
     
         8 . A method of making a structure, the method comprising:
 at a first location, making a module of the structure, wherein making the module comprises attaching a plurality of rib assemblies to a plurality of chords, wherein attaching the plurality of rib assemblies comprises attaching the rib assemblies perpendicular to the chords, and wherein two rib assemblies of the plurality of rib assemblies each comprise two shear keys configured to be received in support structures at a second location that is different from the first location;   transporting the module to the second location;   at the second location, building a plurality of concrete piers, wherein building the concrete piers comprises forming a pocket in each of the concrete piers; and   at the second location, positioning the module on the concrete piers, wherein positioning the module on the concrete piers comprises positioning the shear keys in the pockets.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising attaching roof and floor panels to the module at the first location. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 positioning a shim beneath one or more of the shear keys within the pocket to level the module; and   after positioning the shear keys in the pockets, positioning a filler material in empty space adjacent to the shear keys within the pockets.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the module is a first module, the method further comprising making a second module and positioning the second module adjacent to the first module and leveling the second module relative to the first module.