DESC:FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention related to warehouses and more particularly to a hybrid composite warehouse.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Warehouses are utilized by producers, merchants, exporters, wholesalers, transport organizations and normally have substantial plain structures in mechanical zones of urban communities, villages and towns. Warehouses ordinarily have stacking docks to stack and empty merchandise/ goods from trucks. Here and there warehouses are intended for the stacking and emptying of goods specifically from railroads, air terminals, or seaports. They frequently have cranes and forklifts for moving products.
Generally, storage locations including warehouses are either made of concrete or structures made of mild steel (MS, hereinafter). The warehouses made of MS or concrete typically have 20 years of life expectancy before they need structural retrofitting and generally have a temperature difference of 3-4 degrees between outside and inside temperature. Accordingly, these warehouses do not provide suitable working conditions to the people working in the warehouses. In addition, these warehouses have inherent problems such as heavy weight, susceptibility to corrosion, seepage and faster rate of degradation of the structural components made of MS in comparison to other engineered materials like fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP, hereinafter). However, if one tries to alter all MS structural components with that of FRP then these structures becomes highly expensive.
Accordingly, there is a need of fabricating a hybrid composite warehouse having lightweight with a substantially low weight per constructed area along with improved work room conditions.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Described herein are lightweight warehouses or storage locations which also have lower thermal conductivity.
Described herein is a hybrid storage warehouse comprising a load bearing support system, comprising
(i) a plurality of a fiber reinforced plastic columns and a plurality of concrete pedestal members configured to be connected with each other;
(ii) a plurality of fiber reinforced plastic purlins;
(iii) a plurality of fiber reinforced plastic trusses, comprising truss channels, joined to the purlins and columns; and
(iv) a plurality of fiber reinforced plastic cladding panels forming a side cladding;
wherein the warehouse is assembled such that the load gets transmitted from the roof to purlins, purlins to trusses, trusses to columns and columns to concrete pedestals.
In some embodiments of the hybrid storage warehouse, each of the columns is made of a plurality of channels and a plurality of flat portions that interconnect with each other.
In some embodiments of the hybrid storage warehouse, each of the columns has a plurality of L-shaped angles connected to a bottom portion thereof where the L-shaped angles comprise fiber reinforce plastic.
In some embodiments of the hybrid storage warehouse, the L-shaped angles are connected to the pedestal and the joint between the column and the pedestal member comprise a plurality of stiffeners.
In some embodiments of the hybrid storage warehouse, the truss member comprises a top member and a bottom member and wherein the top member and the bottom member comprise a plurality of truss channels that support box sections thereon through a plurality of bolts.
In some embodiments of the hybrid storage warehouse, the side cladding panels comprise an arrangement of side sheeting and comprise a plurality of horizontal members, a plurality of vertical members and a plurality of side bracings and are joined to the truss via box sections.
In any of embodiments of the hybrid storage warehouse described herein, the fiber reinforced plastic comprises glass, aramid, carbon, thermosetting resins (e.g., polyester resin, polyurethanes, polyurea/polyurethane hybrids, vulcanized rubber, bakelite®, duroplast®, urea-formaldehyde, melamine®, diallyl-phthalate (DAP), epoxy resin, epoxy novolac resins, benzoxazines, polyimides and bismaleimides, cyanate esters or polycyanurates, furan resins, silicone, vinyl ester resins, phenolic resins or any combination thereof), thermoplastic resins (e.g., acrylic, nylon, polylactic acid, polybenzimidazole, polycarbonate, polyether sulfone, polyoxymethylene, polyetherether ketone, polyetherimide, polyethylene, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulphide, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, Teflon®, or any combination thereof), or a combination thereof.
In any of embodiments of the hybrid storage warehouse described herein, the fiber reinforced plastic comprises glass, aramid, carbon, polyester, phenolic resins, epoxy resins, or a combination thereof.
In some embodiments of the hybrid storage warehouse, the hybrid storage warehouse has a lighter weight and lower thermal conductivity compared to a warehouse comprising mild steel and concrete.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front view of a hybrid composite warehouse constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a plan view of purlins of the hybrid composite warehouse of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a plan view of cladding panels of the hybrid composite warehouse of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4A is a perspective view of joinery details of the hybrid composite warehouse of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4B is a partially distended perspective view of the joinery details of FIG. 4A;
FIG. 4C is a partially distended perspective view of the joinery details of FIG. 4A;
FIG. 5A shows various joints between columns and trusses of the hybrid composite warehouse of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5B is a partially distended perspective view showing joining between the column and top member;
FIG. 5C is a partially distended perspective view showing joining between the column and the bottom member;
FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the hybrid composite warehouse of FIG. 1 showing connection of a top roof to purlins; and
FIG. 6B a front view of the hybrid composite warehouse of FIG. 1 showing connection between the top roof and the purlins.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
The invention described herein is explained using specific disclosures/mechanisms exemplary details for better understanding. However, the invention disclosed can be worked on by a person skilled in the art without the use of these specific disclosures.
References in the specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, or function described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
References in the specification to “preferred embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, or function described in detail thereby omitting known constructions and functions for clear description of the present invention.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a uniquely assembled hybrid composite warehouse for storage of goods that addresses the limitations of the current storage locations thereby providing a very low weight per square meter of constructed area with improved work room conditions. In any of the embodiments described herein, a hybrid storage warehouse is referred to in the alternative as a hybrid composite warehouse.
Referring to FIG. 1, a skeleton of hybrid composite warehouse 100 in accordance with the present invention is shown. In an embodiment, the hybrid composite warehouse is a load bearing support system 100 that includes a plurality of columns, a plurality of trusses, a plurality of purlins, a plurality of cladding panels forming a side cladding and at least one roof that are assembled such that load gets transmitted from roof to purlins, purlins to trusses, trusses to columns and columns to concrete pedestals.
As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of purlins 101 is configured to support the roof from top. The purlins 101 carry load of roof including any live load that is transmitted to the trusses over which the purlins 101 are supported. The purlins 101 are connected with the roof using connecting members such as self-tapping screws and J bolts. It is understood however that the connecting members may change in other alternative embodiments of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 3, the cladding panels 102 facilitate an arrangement of side sheeting. The cladding panels 102 form a support structure that includes a plurality of horizontal members, a plurality of vertical members and a plurality of side bracings. The support structure holds side sheeting/cladding in accordance with the present invention. The slide cladding is supported by wall frames made of I-beams and is fastened with self tapping screws.
Referring to FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C, a column 103 and a pedestal member 104 are configured to be connected with each other. In accordance with the present invention, the column 103 is made of fibre reinforced plastic (FRP, hereinafter) and the pedestal member 104 is made of concrete. Each of the columns 103 is made of a plurality of channels 103A and a plurality of flat portions 103B that interconnect with each other. The channels 103A and the flat portions 103B are made of FRP in accordance with the present invention. Each of the columns 103 has a plurality of L-shaped angles 103C connected to a bottom portion thereof. The L-shaped angles 103 are made of FRP in the context of the present invention. The L-shaped angles 103C are connected to the pedestal 104. The columns 103 transmit load from the truss to the pedestal 104. The joining between the column 103 and the pedestal member 104 also includes use of a plurality of stiffeners that provide an additional support. The stiffeners are L-angled members comprising the composites described herein and support the mounting of the columns on the foundation.
Referring to FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C, the column 103 and a truss member 105 are configured to be joined as shown. The truss member 105 has a top member 105A and a bottom member 105B. The top member105A is a secondary brazing member for the truss for supporting the primary members (105B) of the truss.
The top member 105A and the bottom member 105B respectively include a plurality of truss channels 105C. The truss channels 105C support box sections 105D thereon through a plurality of bolts 105E. The truss and the columns are connected by fasteners and the purlin is connected to the truss via box sections 105D.
Referring to FIGS. 6A, and 6B, a roof sheet 106 is configured to be joined to the purlins 101 as shown. The connection between purlins 101 and the roof sheet 106 is mediated by self tapping screws and facilitates load transfer which starts from this junction of the super structure.
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6B, the hybrid composite warehouse 100 constructed in accordance with the present invention has high strength to weight ratio due to unique combination and assembly of concrete, galvanised iron (GI, hereinafter) and FRP. Non-limiting examples of materials which can be used for manufacture of FRP include and are not limited to materials such as glass, aramid, carbon and the like in combination with any resins like polyester, phenolic resins (e.g., phenol formaldehyde), epoxy or any other thermoset or thermoplastic grade materials which facilitate a lighter structural weight to the hybrid composite warehouse 100 in comparison to standard concrete or MS structures.
The hybrid composite warehouse 100 constructed in accordance with the present invention has an additional feature of selective electrical conductivity which can advantageously mitigate the risk of natural calamities like lightning and accidental conditions like short circuiting of electrical circuits. The hybrid composite warehouse 100 constructed in accordance with the present invention has a lower thermal conductivity that ensures reduction in temperature of atmosphere within the hybrid composite warehouse by at least 2 0C in comparison to standard hybrid composite warehouses made of concrete or MS structures.
The hybrid composite warehouse 100 constructed in accordance with the present invention has a hybrid storage location including hybrid composite warehouse structure comprising of MS, GI, FRP and concrete resulted due to homogeneous integration of heterogeneous materials. It is understood here that the heterogeneous materials comprise reinforcements like glass, carbon, aramid or any other fibre with binding resins like polyester, phenolic or epoxy in thermoset or thermoplastic grades. Such heterogeneous materials have higher strength to weight ratio coupled with low thermal conductivity. This results in higher breaking loads at same weight or same breaking load at lower weight. Also, the heterogeneous materials stated above have lower thermal conductivity and dimensionally stability at relatively higher temperature exposures thereby resulting in lowering the workroom temperature.
The hybrid composite warehouse 100 constructed in accordance with the present invention is unique in terms of frugality of assembling, de-assembling the structure without causing damage to environment. The hybrid composite warehouse 100 constructed in accordance with the present invention achieves the specific weight for a given constructed area using homogeneous integration of heterogeneous material and an engineered thermal conductivity to achieve required temp differential.
The roof sheets 106, columns 103, truss members 105 and purlins 101 are made of FRP using reinforcements like glass, carbon and aramid and thermoset resins by manufacturing processes like pultrusion, hand lamination or sheet moulding machine in order to reduce overall structural weight, achieve required strength to weight ratio and facilitate required thermal conductivity. The use of FRP in accordance with the present invention is itself a unique combination of different materials resulting in a unique article that is integrated with other heterogeneous materials/articles to create a homogeneous hybrid composite warehouse or storage location with lighter weight and lower thermal conductivity - when compared to warehouses made of steel and concrete - thereby resulting in a temperature difference (e.g., lower temperatures in the warehouses described herein).
Although the warehouses described herein are described as storage warehouses, other contemplated uses include and are not limited to warehouses having utility as aircraft hangars, exhibition halls, makeshift shelters, production or manufacturing facilities, any generic static spaces used to store existing materials or mobile spaces (e. g., transport containers) used to store the material while being transported and the like.

Example 1:
The detailed theoretical working followed by actual construction of hybrid composite warehouse 100 is tested for given constructed area, for given same wind speeds and for same structural stability. The results of the same were tabulated in Table-1 as below-

Table-1: Weight testing of hybrid composite warehouse
Sr. No. Material Weight (Kg) Kg/m2
1 Composite
60-65% Reinforcement (e.g., Glass, carbon, aramid)
35-40% Resin (polyester or phenolic or epoxy) 1,87,238 25.77
2 MS 4,28,844 59.02
3 Hybrid (Option-1)
Composite :19.2 %
Mild Steel :80.8% 2,86,778 39.47
4 Hybrid (Option-2)
MS: 11%
Composite:89% 1,69,599 23.34

It was observed from above data that for a given storage constructed area, for given same wind speeds and for same structural stability, the hybrid composite warehouse has the lowest structural weight. Also, due to lower thermal conductivity and selective electrical conductivity, the hybrid composite warehouse was found to be a safe and comfortable storage location.
The foregoing description of specific embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.
The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others, skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.


,CLAIMS:
1. A hybrid storage warehouse comprising a load bearing support system 100 comprising
(i) a plurality of a fiber reinforced plastic columns 103 and a plurality of concrete pedestal members104 configured to be connected with each other;
(ii) a plurality of fiber reinforced plastic purlins 101;
(iii) a plurality of fiber reinforced plastic trusses 105, comprising truss channels 105C and 105D, joined to the purlins 101 and columns 103;
(iv) a plurality of fiber reinforced plastic cladding panels 102 forming a side cladding;
wherein the warehouse is assembled such that the load gets transmitted from the roof to purlins, purlins to trusses, trusses to columns and columns to concrete pedestals.

2. The hybrid storage warehouse as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the columns 103 is made of a plurality of channels 103A and a plurality of flat portions 103B that interconnect with each other.

3. The hybrid storage warehouse as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the columns 103 has a plurality of L-shaped angles 103C connected to a bottom portion thereof where the L-shaped angles 103C comprise fiber reinforce plastic.

4. The hybrid storage warehouse as claimed in claim 3, wherein the L-shaped angles 103C are connected to the pedestal 104 and the joint between the column 103 and the pedestal member 104 comprise a plurality of stiffeners.

5. The hybrid storage warehouse as claimed in claim 1, wherein the truss member 105 comprises a top member 105A and a bottom member 105B and wherein the top member 105A and the bottom member 105B comprise a plurality of truss channels 105C that support box sections 105D thereon through a plurality of bolts 105E.

6. The storage hybrid warehouse as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side cladding panels 102 comprise an arrangement of side sheeting and comprise a plurality of horizontal members, a plurality of vertical members and a plurality of side bracings and are joined to the truss via box sections 105D.

7. The hybrid storage warehouse as claimed in any of the preceding claims 1 to 6, wherein the fiber reinforced plastic comprises glass, aramid, carbon, thermosetting resins, thermoplastic resins, or a combination thereof.

8. The hybrid storage warehouse as claimed in any of the preceding claims 1 to 7, wherein the fiber reinforced plastic comprises glass, aramid, carbon, polyester, phenolic resins, epoxy resins, or a combination thereof.
9. The hybrid warehouse as claimed in any of the preceding claims 1-8, wherein the hybrid storage warehouse has a lighter weight and lower thermal conductivity compared to a warehouse comprising mild steel and concrete.