WO2011058526A2

WO2011058526A2 - Modular building system and method of constructing a modular building

Info

Publication number: WO2011058526A2
Application number: PCT/IB2010/055167
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul Stephen Leggatt; John James Brown; Alexander Floris Du Plessis; Clive Graham Rudman
Original assignee: Paul Stephen Leggatt; John James Brown; Alexander Floris Du Plessis; Clive Graham Rudman
Priority date: 2009-11-14
Filing date: 2010-11-15
Publication date: 2011-05-19
Also published as: WO2011058526A3; ZA201203360B; AP2012006274A0

Abstract

This invention relates to a modular building system, a modular building (10) constructed with the modular building system, a method of constructing such a modular building and a foundation body (12) forming part of a foundation structure (14) of the modular building (10). The foundation structure (14) includes a plurality of hollow foundation bodies (12) being connected to one another and is removably located on a surface on which the building (10) is to be constructed. A plurality of building wall panels (16) are erected on the foundation structure (14) and a roof structure (18) spans the wall panels to form modular the building (10). The roof structure is slanted in one direction so that rain water from the roof structure (18) flows into cavities (20) defined by the foundation bodies (12).

Description

MODULAR BUILDING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CONSTRUCTING A MODULAR

BUILDING

INTRODUCTION

This invention relates to a modular building system, a modular building constructed with the modular building system, a method of constructing such a modular building and a foundation body forming part of a foundation structure of the modular building. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Modular buildings are known in the art and generally consist of multiple components, which are manufactured in a remote facility and are then delivered to a site where they are to be assembled into a single building.

There are a number of key factors that need to be addressed by a modular building, which most known modular buildings do not do sufficiently or at all. These are as follows: 1. Insulation: most modular buildings, especially those found in poorer urban areas, are not adequately insulated. The building must thus constantly be heated or cooled. This means that power being generated from fossil fuels is being relied on. These resources usually prove too costly and those living in developing countries and in poorer areas therefore have to resort to unsafe measures, such as temporary structures and the use of paraffin or coal burning heaters or cookers. Traditional stoves using dung and charcoal are also used, but these emit large amounts of carbon monoxide and other noxious gases. Installation: most known modular buildings require some level of professional knowledge and input, which is not only costly, but also time consuming.

Durability and safety: many of the known modular or temporary buildings, especially in poorer areas, are not only structurally unsound, but are usually constructed from unsafe materials.

Cost: many of the known modular buildings are defined by the UN, as slum conditions. Urbanisation in less developed countries is often characterised by poor quality housing and lack of security of tenure de to inflation and increase in housing prices. The high cost of items such as transport, health, education and water, coupled with poor living conditions, including inadequate housing and poor access to basic services, affect the ability of the urban poor to rise out of poverty.

Flexibility: generally known modular structures are not suitable to be improved, adapted, modified or to be increased in size, and if it could be done, it would be a relatively costly exercise.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a modular building system, a modular building constructed with the modular building system, a method of constructing such a modular building and a foundation body forming part of a foundation structure of the modular building with which the aforesaid disadvantages can be overcome or at least minimised. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a modular building system for constructing a modular building comprising:

a foundation structure adapted to form a foundation of the building; a plurality of building wall panels adapted to form walls of the building; and

a roof structure adapted to span the wall panels forming a roof of the building,

the foundation structure being removably locatable on a surface on which the building is to be constructed.

The foundation structure may include a foundation body.

The foundation body may include an upper face, a lower face being substantially parallel to the upper face, four sides connecting the upper and lower faces to one another, and an outer corner formation being adapted to form an outer corner of the building to be erected on the foundation structure.

The foundation body may be a first foundation body and the foundation structure may include a plurality of similar foundation bodies, which may be connectable to one another with their respective sides abutting to form the foundation structure. The foundation bodies may be connectable to one another by means of a connector, so that a single composite foundation structure is formed.

Each foundation body may be hollow and may thus define a cavity therein, which may be suitable for storage.

Each cavity of each foundation body may be in fluid flow communication with the cavity of an adjacent foundation body, the arrangement being such that a single cavity is formed within the entire foundation structure.

Each foundation body may be a rotationally moulded polyethylene body or the like.

Each foundation body may include locating means being locatable within a foundation trench provided in the ground on which the foundation is to be located.

The locating means may be an extension of the foundation body extending from the lower face thereof.

The building system may include a plurality of support elements that may be adapted to be positioned on the surface on which the foundation structure is to be positioned and to each abut the outer corner formation of each of the foundation bodies, so as to partially encapsulate the foundation structure, in order to stabilise and brace each other. Each support element may include a base, a primary receiving formation, defining at least one slot formation, and a secondary receiving formation.

The building system may further include a structural frame consisting of a plurality of elongate support members, a lower support frame locatable on the foundation structure, corner support members and an upper support frame located at the upper ends of the support members and corner support members.

The comer support members may also define at least one slot formation and may be adapted to be received by the primary receiving formations of the support elements.

Each wall panel may be a composite wall panel.

The composite wall panel may be made of a corrugated recycled wood product.

Alternatively, the composite wall panel may include a core of expanded polystyrene or the like, sandwiched between an internal panel, such as plaster board, rhino board or the like, and an external panel of a fibre cement board, marine ply or the like. The outer periphery of each of the wall panels may include connecting formations, so that adjacent wall panels are adapted to be connected to one another in order to form the walls of the building.

The building may be provided with external wall panels, defining the outer boundary of the building and internal wall panels defining different rooms within the building. The roof structure may be supported by the upper support frame.

The roof structure may include corrugated roof sheeting, which may be slanted in one direction.

The roof structure may further include internal ceiling sheeting, such as plasterboard, marine ply or a plastic composite structure; and an expanded polystyrene core sandwiched between the internal ceiling sheeting and the corrugated roof sheeting.

At least one channel may be provided within the corner support members at the corners of the building to extend from the roof structure to the cavity within the foundation structure, the arrangement being such that rain water is guided from the roof structure to the cavity and is stored therein.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a foundation body which is removably locatable on a surface on which a building is to be constructed.

A plurality of foundation bodies may be connectable to one another to form a modular foundation structure for a building.

The foundation body may include an upper face, a lower face being substantially parallel to the upper face, four sides connecting the upper and lower faces to one another, and an outer corner formation being adapted to form an outer corner of the building to be erected on the foundation structure. The foundation body may be a first foundation body and the foundation structure may include a plurality of similar foundation bodies, which may be connectable to one another with their respective sides abutting to form the foundation structure.

A connector may be provided, which is adapted to connect adjacent foundation bodies to one another to form a single composite foundation structure.

The locating means may be an extension of the foundation body extending from the lower face thereof. The foundation body may define a plurality of parallel and perpendicular channels, so that pods are defined between intersecting channels, the arrangement being such that the foundation body has a 'waffle' appearance. The foundation body may include an access opening, so that the cavity therein is accessible from the outside.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of constructing a modular building including the steps of:

- providing a removable foundation structure on a surface on which the building is to be constructed;

erecting a plurality of support members and building wall panels from the foundation structure to form the building; and

providing a roof structure to span the wall panels to form the roof of the building.

The method may include the step of forming a foundation trench in the ground on which the foundation bodies of the modular building is to be provided. The method may include the further step of compacting and levelling the ground defined by the foundation trench.

The method may include the further step of providing a damp proof cover over the compacted and levelled ground before providing the foundation structure on the ground defined by the trench. A plurality of foundation bodies may be provided and connected to one another to form the foundation structure. A plurality of support elements may also be provided which are adapted to be positioned on the surface on which the foundation structure is to be positioned and to each abut the outer corner formation of each of the foundation bodies, so as to partially encapsulate the foundation structure, in order to stabilise and brace each other. The method may include the further step of providing flooring panels over the foundation structure once it has been positioned in the foundation trenches.

The method may include the further steps of erecting a structural frame consisting of a plurality of elongate support members, a lower support frame eatable on the foundation structure, corner support members and an upper support frame located at the upper ends of the support members and corner support members onto the foundation structure.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a modular building constructed with the modular building system of the first aspect of the invention and/or according to the method of the third aspect of the invention.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a building including the foundation structure of the second aspect of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described further by way of a non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: figure 1 is a perspective top view of a foundation body forming part of a modular building constructed from a modular building system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

figure 2 is a perspective bottom view of the foundation body of figure 1 ;

figure 3 is a perspective exploded view of a foundation structure including a plurality of foundation bodies being connectable to one another;

figure 4 is a perspective exploded view of a portion of a modular building constructed on the foundation structure of figure 3;

figure 5 is a perspective view of a portion of a modular building;

figure 6 is a perspective view of a modular building according to the present invention;

figure 7 is a perspective view of the modular building of figure 6 as seen from another angle;

figure 8 is a cross-sectional side view of the modular building of figure 7, along line VIII-VIII;

figure 9 is a detailed view of an upper corner of the modular building depicting the roof structure and support member;

figure 10 is a top view of a support element of the modular building;

figure 11 is an exploded perspective top view of the support elements of figure 10 and one foundation body; figure 12 is an exploded perspective view from below of the support elements of figure 10 and one foundation body;

figure 3 is a perspective view of the foundation structure and four support elements;

figure 14 is the same as figure 13 including corner support members and a lower support frame; and

figure 15 is the same as figure 14 with the foundation structure in dotted lines.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Referring to figures 4 to 8, a modular building constructed from a modular building system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is generally designated by reference numeral 10 and referring to figures 1 to 3 and 11 to 15, a foundation body according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is generally designated by reference numeral 12.

The modular building 10 comprises a foundation structure 14 forming a foundation of the building, a plurality of building wall panels 16 to form walls of the building, and a roof structure 18 which spans the wall panels 16, to form a roof of the building.

The foundation structure 14 is removably located on a surface on which the building 10 is to be constructed and it includes a plurality of foundation bodies 12 being connected to one another to form said foundation structure 14. In this example four foundation bodies 12 are shown to be connected to one another to form a relatively squarely shaped foundation structure 14. However, numerous foundation bodies 12 could be positioned adjacent one another and connected to form a foundation structure 14 of any shape and size.

Each foundation body 12 is a rotationally moulded polyethylene body, which is hollow, so that a cavity 20 is defined therein, which is suitable for storage. It is foreseen that the foundation body 12 could be of a similar type of material and manufactured in any other suitable manner. Each foundation body has an upper face 22, a lower face 24 being substantially parallel to the upper face 22, four sides 26 connecting the upper and lower faces 22 and 24 to one another, and an outer corner formation 28 being adapted to form an outer corner of the building 10 to be erected on the foundation structure 14.

The plurality of bodies 12 are arranged adjacent to one another to form the foundation structure 14 in a desired shape as necessitated by the shape of the building 10. The bodies 12 are then connected to one another by connectors 30 to form a single composite foundation structure. The connectors 30 are each a combination of brackets and rods which pass through the body 12 and are tightened on the two opposite faces 22 and 24. Each cavity 20 within each foundation body 12 is in fluid flow communication with the cavities 20 of adjacent bodies 12, by the bodies 12 being connected to one another via conduits 29. The arrangement is such that a single cavity is formed within the entire foundation structure 14. Each foundation body 12 may define a plurality of parallel and perpendicular channels 31, so that pods 33 are defined between intersecting channels, the arrangement being such that the foundation body 12 has a 'waffle' appearance. The specific shape and patterns of the foundation body 12 ensure that the body is relatively very strong and durable. Each foundation body 12 further includes an access opening 35, so that the cavity 20 therein is accessible from the outside.

The foundations bodies 12 are further each provided with locating means 32 which is adapted to be provided within a foundation trench within the ground, in order to locate and position the foundation structure 12. The locating means 32 is an extension of the foundation body 12 extending from the lower face 24 thereof.

The building system further includes a plurality of support elements 34 that are adapted to be positioned on the surface on which the foundation structure 4 is to be positioned and to each abut the outer corner formation 28 of each of the foundation bodies 12, to at least partially encapsulate the foundation structure 14. Each support element 34 includes a base 36, a primary receiving formation 38 defining at least one slot formation 39 and at least one secondary receiving formation 40.

The building system further include a structural frame 42 consisting of a plurality of elongate support members 44, a lower support frame 46 eatable on the foundation structure 14, comer support members 48 and an upper support frame 50 located at the upper ends of the support members 44 and corner support members 48. Each corner support member 48 also defines at least one slot formation 49 towards a lower end thereof.

The support elements 34 are specifically adapted to partially encapsulate the foundation structure 14, so that it forms an integral part thereof in order to stabilise and brace each other in a way that negates the requirement of traditional founding methods. Therefore, the building is more of an encapsulation of the foundation than physically sitting on the foundation in a point load configuration. The foundation body 12 is received by the secondary receiving formation 40 of the support element 34 and the corner support members 48 are receivable by the primary receiving formation 38 of the support elements 34. The primary receiving formation 38 is arranged at a 45^° angle to the base 36 which further aids in bracing the foundation structure 14.

Each wall panel 16 is a composite wall panel is a corrugated recycled wood product panel. It is, however, foreseen that any suitable wall panel could be used, such as a composite wall panel including a core of expanded polystyrene or the like, sandwiched between an internal panel, such as plaster board, rhino board or the like, and an external panel of a fibre cement board, marine ply or the like. The composite wall panels 16 will maintain the characteristics, aesthetics and insulation properties of a standard, know double brick wall. The outer periphery of each of the wall panels 16 includes connecting formations, so that adjacent wall panels 16 are adapted to be connected to one another in order to form the walls of the building 10. The building 10 may be provided with external wall panels, defining the outer boundary of the building 10 and internal wall panels defining different rooms within the building 10. The wall panels 16 could also define openings for window and doors, as would be required and specified. The window and door panels could be interchanged in order to suit the individual's needs and preferences.

The roof structure 18 is supported on the upper support frame 50 and includes corrugated roof sheeting 52 received by the upper support frame 50. The roof sheeting 52 is slanted in one direction, so that water, from rain, flows in that direction. The roof structure 18 further includes internal ceiling sheeting (not shown), such as plasterboard, marine ply or a plastic composite structure; and an expanded polystyrene core (also not shown) sandwiched between the internal ceiling sheeting and the corrugated roof sheeting 52. It is, however, foreseen that any other similar roof sheeting could be used instead of corrugated sheeting.

Passages 54 are defined along inside of each of the corner support members 48 to extend from the roof structure 18 to the cavities 20 within the foundation bodies 12. Therefore, rain water is guided from the roof structure 18 to the corner support members 48 and along the passages 54 to the respective support elements 34, where the configuration of the slots defined by the primary receiving formation 38 and the slots 39 and 49, defined by the lower end of the corner support members 48 enable water to pass into the respective foundation bodies 12. Since the foundation bodies 12 are all connected to one another by means of conduits 29, the water fills all the interconnected the bodies 12 and is stored therein.

The surfaces of the foundation bodies 12 have a specific profile to eradicate condensation or water build-up. By storing water within the foundation bodies 12, the need for external and exposed conventional water storage tanks, reducing the element of wear and tear or theft. It is foreseen that the foundation bodies 12 would be black in colour to prevent the build-up of algae therein. A readily available source of water is therefore available to the occupiers of the building by pumping the water out of the cavities. When constructing the modular building 10, a foundation trench is first dug into the ground on which a foundation structure 14 of the modular building 10 is to be provided and the ground defined by the foundation trench is compacted and levelled. Thereafter, a damp proof cover is provided over the compacted and levelled ground. The support elements 34 are then positioned on the surface on which the foundation structure 14 is to be positioned so as to abut the outer corner formations of each of the foundation bodies 12, when they are located on the ground defined by the trench to form a removable foundation structure 14. The foundation bodies 12 are located on the ground with the locating means 32 of each body 12 received by the trench, so that the foundation bodies 12 connect to one another in order to form a foundation structure 14. Once the bodies 12 are connected to one another and the foundation structure 14 has been formed, the structural frame 42 including the elongate support members 44 and lower support frame 46 are located on the foundation structure 14. Flooring panels are provided over the foundation structure 14 and a plurality of internal and external wall panels 16 are erected to form the modular building 10. The corner support members 48 are received by the primary receiving formation 38 of the support elements 34 at a 45^° angle, to provide additional strength to the foundation structure 14. Panels defining doors and windows are also positioned where required. Finally, the roof structure 18 is provided and located within the upper support frame 50 to span the wall panels 16 to form the roof of the building 10. The building includes a plumbing system (not shown), as well as passages 54 defined by the corner support members 48 providing a fluid passage extending from the roof structure 18 to the cavities 20 within the foundation bodies 12, so that water is stored therein. It is foreseen that the modular building according to the invention would provide a suitable solution housing problems around the world, since the building would be relatively quick to construct and could be taken down and moved to a different location if desired. However, the modular building is not merely suited for low-cost housing, it is foreseen that it could very well be suited for high-end designer housing as well. The building could be dressed up or down as required by the user and could be specifically designed and constructed for a specific purpose, for example, for a classroom, upmarket garden room, security huts, retail stores, mobile construction offices or weekend retreats.

One of the main advantages of the modular building according to the invention is that it relatively very easy and quick to assemble and likewise to disassemble again, when necessary. Further, since the foundation bodies are only removable located on the surface to form the foundation structure, the entire modular building is capable of being relocated.

Some other advantages of the modular building is that they can be mass produced, they are easily transportable, they are resalable and durable, easy to assemble, highly recyclable, expandable, energy efficient, environmentally friendly, simple to customise, and they are able to harvest rainwater and store water.

Further advantages include that the modular building is cost effective, can range from a simple living/bedroom and bathroom unit to a multiple room dwelling, they are electricity ready, provide sanitation, are not dependable on skilled labour to be constructed, can be constructed in a single day and again dismantled quickly and easily, sustainable materials are used extensively, a build-in water retention system is provided, they provide superior insulation

It will be appreciated that variations in detail are possible with a modular building system, a modular building constructed with the modular building system, a method of constructing such a modular building and a foundation body forming part of a foundation structure of a modular building according to the invention without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A modular building system for constructing a modular building comprising: a foundation structure adapted to form a foundation of the building; a plurality of building wall panels adapted to form walls of the building; a roof structure adapted to span the wall panels forming a roof of the building, the foundation structure being removably locatable on a surface on which the building is to be constructed.

2. A modular building system according to claim 1 wherein the foundation structure includes a foundation body.

3. A modular building system according to claim 2 wherein the foundation body includes an upper face, a lower face being substantially parallel to the upper face, four sides connecting the upper and lower faces to one another, and an outer corner formation being adapted to form an outer corner of the building to be erected on the foundation structure.

4. A modular building system according to claim 3 wherein the foundation body is a first foundation body and the foundation structure includes a plurality of similar foundation bodies, which are connectable to one another, by connectors, with their respective sides abutting to form a single composite foundation structure.

5. A modular building system according to claim 4 wherein each foundation body is hollow and thus defines a cavity therein, which is suitable for storage.

6. A modular building system according to claim 5 wherein each cavity of each foundation body is in fluid flow communication with the cavity of an adjacent foundation body, the arrangement being such that a single cavity is formed within the entire foundation structure.

7. A modular building system according to claim 6 wherein each foundation body includes locating means being locatable within a foundation trench provided in the ground on which the foundation is to be located.

8. A modular building system according to claim 7 wherein the locating means is an extension of the foundation body extending from the lower face thereof.

9. A modular building system according to claim 8 wherein each foundation body is a rotationally moulded polyethylene body or the like.

10. A modular building system according to any one of claim 9 which includes a plurality of support elements that are adapted to be positioned on the surface on which the foundation structure is to be positioned and to each abut the outer corner formation of each of the foundation bodies, so as to partially encapsulate the foundation structure, in order to stabilise and brace each other.

11. A modular building system according to claim 10 wherein the support element includes a base, a primary receiving formation, defining at least one slot formation, and a secondary receiving formation.

12. A modular building system according to claim 11 which includes a structural frame consisting of a plurality of elongate support members, a lower support frame locatable on the foundation structure, corner support members and an upper support frame located at the upper ends of the support members and corner support members.

13. A modular building system according to claim 12 wherein the corner support members define at least one slot formation and are adapted to be received by the primary receiving formations of the support elements.

14. A modular building system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the wall panel is a composite wall panel.

15. A modular building system according to claim 14 wherein the composite wall panel is made of a corrugated recycled wood product

16. A modular building system according to claim 14 wherein the composite wall panel includes a core of expanded polystyrene or the like, sandwiched between an internal panel, such as plaster board, rhino board or the tike, and an external panel of a fibre cement board, marine ply or the like.

17. A modular building system according to any one of claims 14 to 16 wherein the outer periphery of each of the wall panels includes connecting formations, so that adjacent wall panels are adapted to be connected to one another in order to form the walls of the building.

18. A modular building system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the building includes external wall panels, defining the outer boundary of the building and internal wall panels defining different rooms within the building.

19. A modular building system according to claim 2 wherein the roof structure is supported by the upper support frame.

20. A modular building system according to claim 19 wherein the roof structure includes corrugated roof sheeting, which is slanted in one direction.

21. A modular building system according to claim 20 wherein the roof structure includes internal ceiling sheeting, such as plasterboard, marine ply or a plastic composite structure; and an expanded polystyrene core sandwiched between the internal ceiling sheeting and the corrugated roof sheeting.

22. A modular building system according to claim 21 wherein a channel is provided within the comer support members at the corners of the building to extend from the roof structure to the cavity within the foundation structure, the arrangement being such that rain water is guided from the roof structure to the cavity and is stored therein.

23. A foundation body which is removably locatable on a surface on which a building is to be constructed.

24. A foundation body according to claim 23 which includes an upper face, a lower face being substantially parallel to the upper face, four sides connecting the upper and lower faces to one another, and an outer corner formation being adapted to form an outer corner of the building to be erected on the foundation structure.

25. A foundation body according to claim 24 wherein a plurality of foundation bodies are connectable to one another, by a connector, with their respective sides abutting to form a single composite foundation structure.

26. A foundation body according to claim 25 which is hollow and defines a cavity therein, which is suitable for storage.

27. A foundation body according to claim 26 wherein the cavity of each foundation body is in fluid flow communication with the cavity of an adjacent foundation body, the arrangement being such that a single cavity is formed within the entire foundation structure.

28. A foundation body according to any one of claims 23 to 27 which is a rotationally moulded polyethylene body or the like.

29. A foundation body according to claim 23 or 28 which includes locating means being eatable within a foundation trench provided in the ground on which the foundation body is to be located.

30. A foundation body according to claim 29 wherein the locating means is an extension of the foundation body extending from the lower face thereof.

31. A foundation body according to claim 30 which defines a plurality of parallel and perpendicular channels, so that pods are defined between intersecting channels, the arrangement being such that the foundation body has a 'waffle' appearance.

32. A foundation body according to any one of claims 23 to 31 which includes an access opening, so that the cavity therein is accessible from the outside.

33. A method of constructing a modular building including the steps of: providing a removable foundation structure on a surface on which the building is to be constructed; erecting a plurality of support members and building wall panels from the foundation structure to form the building; and providing a roof structure to span the wall panels to form the roof of the building.

34. A method of constructing a modular building according to claim 33 which includes the step of forming a foundation trench in the ground on which the foundation bodies of the modular building is to be provided.

35. A method of constructing a modular building according to claim 34 which includes the further step of compacting and levelling the ground defined by the foundation trench.

36. A method of constructing a modular building according to claim 35 which includes the further step of providing a damp proof cover over the compacted and levelled ground before providing the foundation structure on the ground defined by the trench.

37. A method of constructing a modular building according to any one of claims 33 to 36 wherein a plurality of foundation bodies are provided and connected to one another to form the foundation structure.

38. A method of constructing a modular building according to claim 37 wherein a plurality of support elements are provided which are adapted to be positioned on the surface on which the foundation structure is to be positioned and to each abut an outer corner formation of each of the foundation bodies, so as to partially encapsulate the foundation structure, in order to stabilise and brace each other.

39. A method of constructing a modular building according to claim 38 which includes the further step of providing flooring panels over the foundation structure once it has been positioned in the foundation trenches.

40. A method of constructing a modular building according to claim 39 which includes the further steps of erecting a structural frame consisting of a plurality of elongate support members, a lower support frame beatable on the foundation structure, corner support members and an upper support frame located at the upper ends of the support members and corner support members onto the foundation structure.

41. A modular building constructed with the modular building system according to any one of claims 1 to 22 and/or according to the method of any one of claims 33 to 40.

42. A building including the foundation structure according to any one of claims 23 to 32.

43. A modular building system substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

44. A foundation body according to substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

45. A method substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.