초록 ▼

A self-supporting shearwall structure in the form of an “H,” an “I,” or a “C” is disclosed. The shearwall structure provides vertical and lateral support to the framework of a multi-story building sufficient to support the roof, other exterior and/or interior walls, and intermediate floor loads of t

A self-supporting shearwall structure in the form of an “H,” an “I,” or a “C” is disclosed. The shearwall structure provides vertical and lateral support to the framework of a multi-story building sufficient to support the roof, other exterior and/or interior walls, and intermediate floor loads of the building, as well as the wind load of the building. In the preferred embodiment, the wall structure is made primarily of reinforced concrete, preferably comprising pre-cast concrete panels. The panels are placed end to end on their edge on the first (or lowest) floor of the building and joined to the building's foundation and to at least one other horizontally adjoining panel. The structure is made higher by adding an additional row of panels horizontally aligned at vertical support points and placed on their edge on top of the row of panels that has already been formed such that each subsequent row of panels is supported on and grouted to the prior row. Horizontal floors connected to the shearwalls at various elevations of the building act as stiffening elements providing diaphragm action to the shearwalls. Additional rows of panels and floors are added until the desired height of the building is achieved. Vertical columns, vertical beams, walls, stairwells and elevator shafts forming the framework of the building are included in the structure as desired for functionality. The structure may provide lateral support for one or more attached vertically self-supporting exterior walls.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A multi-story building comprising:(a) a foundation; (b) a supporting framework coupled to the foundation, wherein the supporting framework comprises: (1) a central rectangular shearwall, (2) a first rectangular end shearwall, (3) a second rectangular end shearwall, and (4) plurality of spaced apa

1. A multi-story building comprising:(a) a foundation; (b) a supporting framework coupled to the foundation, wherein the supporting framework comprises: (1) a central rectangular shearwall, (2) a first rectangular end shearwall, (3) a second rectangular end shearwall, and (4) plurality of spaced apart floors arranged in a substantially parallel manner relative to each other and the foundation, and wherein: (5) each shearwall includes a top edge, a bottom edge, and two opposing side edges, the edges defining first and second opposing faces, and each shearwall forming a vertical support plane; (6) each floor includes at least three side edges, the edges defining a top face and an opposing bottom face, and each floor forming a horizontal support plane wherein each floor is coupled to at least two of the shearwall; (7) the bottom of each shearwall is coupled to and supported by the foundation; (8) the vertical support plane of each shearwall is aligned substantially normal to the foundation; (9) the central shearwall is coupled proximate the first side edge to the first end shearwall; (10) the central shearwall is coupled proximate its second side edge to the second end shearwall; and (11) the central rectangular shearwall, the first rectangular end shearwall and the second rectangular end shearwall in cooperation provide all necessary lateral support for the building and -all necessary vertical support for the floors of the building; and (c) at least one vertically self-supporting exterior wall that is vertically self-supporting along a vertical support plane, the vertically self-supporting exterior wall including a top vertical wall edge, a bottom vertical wall edge, and two opposing vertical wall side edges, the vertical wall edges defining first and second vertical wall opposing faces, and the vertically self-supporting exterior wall coupled to the foundation and coupled to the supporting framework, wherein the supporting framework provides all necessary lateral support for the vertically self-supporting exterior wall. 2. The building of claim 1 wherein the end shearwall are arranged substantially normal to the central shearwall.3. The building of claim 1 wherein there are multiple central rectangular shearwall.4. The building of claim 1 wherein at least each of the end shearwalls is comprised of proximate to the central shearwall approximately equidistant from the two side edges of the end shearwall.5. The building of claim 1 wherein at least one of the shearwalls is comprised of reinforced concrete.6. The building of claim 5 wherein at least part of the reinforced concrete shearwall is monolithic along its vertical support plane from the foundation to proximate the top edge of the shearwall.7. The building of claim 6 wherein each reinforced concrete shearwall further comprises at least one line of rebar running continuously from the bottom edge of the shearwall to proximate the top edge of the shearwall.8. The building of claim 7 wherein the continuous rebar in the reinforced concrete shearwall comprises multiple individual pieces of rebar relatively aligned end-to-end and coupled at their respective aligned ends.9. The building of claim 8 further comprising a coupler physically joining the relatively aligned ends of the individual pieces of rebar in the reinforced concrete shearwall.10. The building of claim 7 wherein the reinforced concrete shearwall comprises a plurality of individual reinforced concrete panels aligned substantially normal to the foundation, and wherein each panel is defined by at least three perimeter edges and at least one substantially vertical face.11. The building of claim 10 wherein the reinforced concrete shearwall further comprises a plurality of panel joints joining at least a portion of a perimeter edge of each panel to at least a portion of a perimeter edge of an adjacent panel.12. The building of claim 11 wherein at least two panels are arranged in a vertically adjacent manner, and wherein a panel joint between the two vertically adjacent panels comprises:(a) at least one piece of rebar running between and joining the adjacent perimeter edges of the vertically adjacent panels and wherein the rebar is aligned normal to the foundation and parallel to the opposing faces defined by the panels; and (b) a layer of grout sealing the joint. 13. The building of claim 12 wherein at least two panels in the reinforced concrete shearwall are arranged in a horizontally adjacent manner, and wherein a panel joint coupling the two horizontally adjacent panels comprises a layer of grout between the panels sealing the joint.14. The building of claim 13 wherein the panel joint coupling the horizontally adjacent panels further comprises a bracket coupling together the two horizontally aligned panels.15. The building of claim 3 wherein the panel joint coupling the vertically adjacent panels further comprises a bracket coupling together the two vertically aligned panels.16. The building of claim 3 wherein the panel joint coupling the horizontally adjacent panels further comprises at least one piece, of rebar running from one of the horizontally adjacent panels into the panel joint.17. The building of claim 3 wherein the panel joint coupling the horizontally adjacent panels further comprises at least one piece of rebar running from one of the horizontally adjacent panels into the panel joint and hooking in the panel joint.18. The building of claim 3 wherein the panel joint coupling the horizontally adjacent panels further comprises at least one piece of rebar running from one of the panels through the layer of grout and into the second panel.19. The building of claim 1 further comprises at least three exterior walls, and wherein at least one of the exterior walls is one of the end shearwalls.20. The building of claim 1 further comprises a dependent framework, and wherein the dependent framework comprises:(a) the floors; (b) a plurality of horizontally oriented beams arranged in a spaced apart manner and coupled to and horizontally supporting the floors; (c) a plurality of vertically oriented columns arranged in a spaced-apart manner and coupled to and vertically supporting the beams; (d) a plurality of vertically oriented dependent walls coupled between the floors; (e) at least one vertically oriented outside wall coupled to and supported by the foundation and coupled to a plurality of the floors; and wherein (f) each dependent wall and each outside wall includes a top edge, a bottom edge, and two opposing side edges, the edges defining first and second opposing faces. 21. The building of claim 20 wherein at least one of the columns is comprised of reinforced concrete.22. The building of claim 20 wherein at least one of the beams is comprised of reinforced concrete.23. The building of claim 20 wherein at least one of the floors is comprised of reinforced concrete.24. The building of claim 21 wherein at least one of the floors is comprised of reinforced concrete planks.25. The building of claim 24 wherein at least one of the planks is hollow.26. The building of claim 20 wherein at least one of the shearwalls is comprised of reinforced concrete.27. The building of claim 26 wherein at least part of the reinforced concrete shearwall is monolithic along its vertical support plane from the foundation to proximate the top edge of the shearwall.28. The building of claim 27 wherein at least one of the dependent walls has at least one opening extending from one face of the dependent wall to the opposing face of the dependent wall.29. The building of claim 20 wherein at least one of the columns and one of the beams are comprised of reinforced concrete.30. The building of claim 29 wherein at least one of the floors is comprised of reinforced concrete.31. The building of claim 29 wherein at least one of the shearwalls is comprised of reinforced concrete.32. The building of claim 26 wherein at least one shearwall has at least one opening extending from one face of the shearwall to the opposing face of the shearwall.33. The building of claim 32 wherein at least one of the columns is comprised of reinforced concrete.34. The building of claim 32 wherein at least one of the beams is comprised of reinforced concrete.35. The building of claim 32 wherein at least one of the floors is comprised of reinforced concrete.36. The building of claim 32 wherein at least one of the floors is comprised of reinforced concrete planks.37. The building of claim 36 wherein at least one of the planks is hollow.38. The building of claim 32 wherein at least one of the dependent walls is comprised of reinforced concrete.39. The building of claim 38 wherein at least part of the reinforced concrete shearwall is monolithic along its vertical support plane from the foundation to proximate the top edge of the shearwall.40. The building of claim 39 wherein at least one of the dependent walls has at least one opening extending from one face of the dependent wall to the opposing face of the dependent wall.41. The building of claim 32 wherein at least one of the columns, at least one of the beams, at least one of the floors, at least one of the dependent walls, and the exterior wall are comprised of reinforced concrete.42. The building of claim 32 wherein at least one of the columns, at least one of the beams, at least one of the dependent walls, and the exterior wall are comprised of reinforced concrete and wherein the floors is comprised of reinforced concrete planks.43. The building of claim 32 wherein at least one of the columns, at least one of the beams, at least one of the dependent wall, at least one of the outside wall, and the exterior wall are comprised of reinforced concrete and wherein at least one of the floors is comprised of hollow reinforced concrete planks.44. The structure of claim 20 wherein the shearwalls are comprised of reinforced concrete.45. The building of claim 44 wherein at least part of each reinforced concrete shearwall is monolithic along its vertical support plane from the foundation to proximate the top edge of the shearwall.46. The building of claim 45 wherein each reinforced concrete shearwall further comprises at least one line of rebar running continuously from the bottom edge of the shearwall to proximate the top edge of the shearwall.47. The building of claim 46 wherein the continuous rebar in each reinforced concrete shearwall comprises multiple individual pieces of rebar relatively aligned end-to-end and coupled at their respective aligned ends.48. The building of claim 47 further comprising a coupler physically joining the relatively aligned ends of the individual pieces of rebar in the reinforced concrete shearwalls.49. The building of claim 46 wherein each of the reinforced concrete shearwall comprises a plurality of individual reinforced concrete panels aligned substantially normal to the foundation, and wherein each panel is defined by at least three perimeter edges and at least one substantially vertical face.50. The building of claim 49 wherein each of reinforced concrete shearwall is further comprised of a plurality of panel joints joining at least a portion of a perimeter edge of each panel to at least a portion of a perimeter edge of an adjacent panel.51. The building of claim 50 wherein at least two panels in each of the reinforced concrete shearwall are arranged in a vertically adjacent manner, and wherein a panel joint between the two vertically adjacent panels comprises:(a) at least one piece of rebar running between and joining the adjacent perimeter edges of the vertically adjacent panels and wherein the rebar is aligned normal to the foundation and parallel to the opposing faces defined by the panels; and (b) a layer of grout sealing the joint. 52. The buildings of claim 51 wherein at least two panels in each of the reinforced concrete shearwall are arranged in a horizontally adjacent manner, and wherein a panel joint coupling the two horizontally adjacent panels comprises a layer of grout between the panels sealing the joint.53. The building of claim 52 wherein each shearwall has at least one opening extending from one face of the shearwall to the opposing face of the shearwall.54. The building of claim 53 wherein the columns, the beams, the dependent walls, the exterior wall, the outside wall and the floors are comprised of reinforced concrete.55. The building of claim 46 wherein the exterior wall is comprised of reinforced concrete.56. The building of claim 55 wherein each reinforced concrete exterior wall further comprises at least one line of rebar running continuously from the bottom edge of the exterior wall to proximate the top edge of the exterior wall.57. The building of claim 56 wherein the continuous rebar in each reinforced concrete exterior wall comprises multiple individual pieces of rebar relatively aligned end-to-end and coupled at their respective aligned ends.58. The building of claim 57 further comprising a coupler physically joining the relatively aligned ends of the individual pieces of rebar in each reinforced concrete exterior wall.59. The building of claim 56 further comprising dependent framework joints coupling each reinforced concrete exterior wall to the dependent framework of the building adjacent to the exterior wall.60. The building of claim 59 wherein at least one reinforced concrete exterior wall is coupled to at least one of the end shearwalls.61. The building of claim 59 wherein at least one of the dependent framework joints comprises a bracket.62. The building of claim 59 wherein at least one of the dependent framework joints comprises a layer of grout.63. The building of claim 62 wherein at least one of the dependent framework joints further comprises a bracket.64. The building of claim 60 further comprising dependent shearwall joints coupling the reinforced concrete exterior wall to at least one end shearwall.65. The building of claim 64 wherein at least one of the dependent shearwall joints comprises a bracket.66. The building of claim 64 wherein at least one of the dependent framework joints comprises a layer of grout.67. The building of claim 66 wherein at least one of the dependent.68. The building of claim 66 wherein the panel joint coupling two horizontally adjacent panels in the reinforced concrete shearwall further comprises at least one framework joints further comprises a bracket. piece of rebar running from one of the panels through the layer of grout and into the second panel.69. The building of claim 67 wherein the panel joint coupling two horizontally adjacent panels in the reinforced concrete shearwall further comprises at least one piece of rebar running from one of the panels through the layer of grout and into the second panel.70. The building of claim 56 wherein at least one exterior reinforced concrete wall further comprises a plurality of individual reinforced concrete panels aligned substantially normal to the foundation, and wherein each panel is defined by at least three perimeter edges and at least one substantially vertical face.71. The building of claim 70 wherein the exterior reinforced concrete wall further comprises a plurality of panel joints joining at least a portion of a perimeter edge of each panel to at least a portion of a perimeter edge of an adjacent panel.72. The building of claim 71 wherein at least two panels in the exterior reinforced concrete wall are arranged in a vertically adjacent manner, and wherein a panel joint between the two vertically adjacent panels comprises:(a) at least one piece of rebar running between and joining the adjacent perimeter edges of the vertically adjacent panels and wherein the rebar is aligned normal to the foundation and parallel to the opposing faces defined by the panels; and (b) a layer of grout sealing the joint. 73. The building of claim 72 wherein at least two panels in the exterior reinforced concrete wall are arranged in a horizontally adjacent manner, and wherein a panel joint coupling the two horizontally adjacent panels comprises a layer of grout between the panels sealing the jot.74. The building of claim 73 further comprising dependent framework joints coupling the reinforced concrete exterior wall to the dependent framework of the building adjacent to the exterior wall.75. The building of claim 74 wherein at least one reinforced concrete exterior wall is coupled to at least one of the end shearwalls.76. The building of claim 74 wherein at least one of the dependent framework joints comprises a bracket.77. The building of claim 74 wherein at least one of the dependent framework joints comprises a layer of grout.78. The building of claim 77 wherein at least one of the dependent framework joints further comprises a bracket.79. The building of claim 75 further comprising dependent shearwall joints coupling the reinforced concrete exterior wall to at least one end shearwall.80. The building of claim 79 wherein at least one of the dependent shearwall joints comprises a bracket.81. The building of claim 79 wherein at least one of the dependent shearwall joints comprises a layer of grout.82. The building of claim 81 wherein at least one of the dependent shearwall joints further comprises a bracket.83. The building of claim 81 wherein the panel joint coupling two horizontally adjacent panels in the exterior reinforced concrete shearwall further comprises a bracket coupling together the two horizontally aligned panels.84. The building of claim 79 wherein the panel joint coupling two horizontally adjacent panels in the exterior reinforced concrete shearwall further comprises a bracket coupling together the two horizontally aligned panels.85. The building of claim 73 wherein the panel joint coupling two horizontally adjacent panels in the exterior reinforced concrete wall further comprises a bracket coupling together the two horizontally aligned panels.86. The building of claim 54 wherein the exterior reinforced concrete walls has at least one opening extending from one face of the exterior wall to the opposing face of the exterior wall.87. The building of claim 56 wherein the exterior wall includes a portion that projects out from the outside face of the exterior wall relative to the vertical support plane.88. The building of claim 56 wherein the exterior wall includes a portion that projects out from the inside face of the exterior wall relative to the vertical support plane.89. The building of claim 55 wherein each reinforced concrete exterior wall further comprises at least one line of rebar running continuously from the bottom edge of each of the exterior wall to proximate the top edge of the exterior wall.90. The building of claim 89 wherein the continuous rebar in the exterior wall comprises multiple individual pieces of rebar relatively aligned end-to-end and coupled at their respective aligned ends.91. The building of claim 90 further comprising a coupler physically joining the relatively aligned ends of the individual pieces of rebar in the exterior wall.92. The building of claim 89 further comprising dependent framework joints coupling each of the reinforced concrete exterior walls to the dependent framework of the building adjacent to the exterior wall.93. The building of claim 92 wherein at least one of the reinforced concrete exterior walls is coupled to at least one of the end shearwalls.94. The building of claim 93 further comprising dependent shearwall joints coupling the reinforced concrete exterior wall to the end shearwall.95. The building of claim 94 wherein at least one of the dependent shearwall joints comprises a bracket.96. The building of claim 94 wherein at least one of the dependent shearwall joints comprises a layer of grout.97. The building of claim 96 wherein at least one of the dependent framework joints further comprises a bracket.98. The building of claim 97 wherein the panel joint coupling two horizontally adjacent panels the exterior reinforced concrete wall further comprises at least one piece of rebar running from one of the panels through the layer of grout and into the second panel.99. The building of claim 96 wherein the panel joint coupling two horizontally adjacent panels the exterior reinforced concrete wall further comprises at least one piece of rebar running from one of the panels through the layer of grout and into the second panel.100. The building of claim 92 wherein at least one of the dependent framework joints comprises a bracket.101. The building of claim 92 wherein at least one of the dependent framework joints comprises a layer of grout.102. The building of claim 101 wherein at least one of the dependent framework joints further comprises a bracket.103. The building of claim 89 wherein the exterior reinforced concrete wall comprises a plurality of individual reinforced concrete panels aligned substantially normal to the foundation, and wherein each panel is defined by at least three perimeter edges and at least one substantially vertical face.104. The building of claim 103 wherein the exterior reinforced concrete wall further comprises a plurality of panel joints joining at least a portion of a perimeter edge of each panel to at least a portion of a perimeter edge of an adjacent panel.105. The building of claim 104 wherein at least two panels in the exterior reinforced concrete wall are arranged in a vertically adjacent manner, and wherein a panel joint between the two vertically adjacent panels comprises:(a) at least one piece of rebar running between and joining the adjacent perimeter edges of the vertically adjacent panels and wherein the rebar is aligned normal to the foundation and parallel to the opposing faces defined by the panels; and (b) a layer of grout sealing the joint. 106. The building of claim 105 wherein at least two panels in the exterior reinforced concrete wall are arranged in a horizontally adjacent manner, and wherein a panel joint coupling the two horizontally adjacent panels comprises a layer of grout between the panels sealing the joint.107. The building of claim 106 further comprising dependent framework joints coupling the reinforced concrete exterior wall to the dependent framework of the building adjacent to the exterior wall.108. The building of claim 107 wherein the reinforced concrete exterior wall is coupled to at least one of the end shearwall.109. The building of claim 108 further comprising dependent shearwall joints coupling the reinforced concrete exterior wall to at least one end shearwall.110. The building of claim 109 wherein at least one of the dependent shearwall joints comprises a bracket.111. The building of claim 109 wherein at least one of the dependent shearwall joints comprises a layer of grout.112. The building of claim 111 wherein at least one of the dependent shearwall joints further comprises a bracket.113. The building of claim 109 wherein the panel joint coupling two horizontally adjacent panels in each of the exterior reinforced concrete wall further comprises a bracket coupling together the two horizontally aligned panels.114. The building of claim 111 wherein the panel joint coupling two horizontally adjacent panels in each of the exterior reinforced concrete wall further comprises a bracket coupling together the two horizontally aligned panels.115. The building of claim 103 wherein the columns, the beams, the dependent walls, and the floors are comprised of reinforced concrete.116. The building of claim 104 wherein the columns, the beams, the dependent walls, and the floors are comprised of reinforced concrete.117. The building of claim 106 wherein the panel joint coupling two horizontally adjacent panels in each of the exterior reinforced concrete wall further comprises a bracket coupling together the two horizontally aligned panels.118. The building of claim 107 wherein at least one of the dependent framework joints comprises a bracket.119. The building of claim 107 wherein at least one of the dependent framework joints comprises a layer of grout.120. The building of claim 119 wherein at least one of the dependent framework joints further comprises a bracket.121. The building of claim 89 wherein the exterior wall has at least one opening extending from one face of the exterior wall to the opposing face of the exterior wall.122. The building of claim 121 wherein the columns, the beams, the dependent walls, and the floors are comprised of reinforced concrete.123. The building of claim 121 wherein the exterior wall includes a portion that projects out from the outside face of the exterior wall relative to the vertical support plane.124. The building of claim 123 wherein the columns, the beams, the dependent walls, and the floors are comprised of reinforced concrete.125. The building of claim 89 wherein each of the exterior wall includes a portion that projects out from the outside face of the exterior wall relative to the vertical support plane.126. The building of claim 89 wherein the exterior wall includes a portion that projects out from the inside face of the exterior wall relative to the vertical support plane.127. The building of claim 89 wherein columns, the beams, the dependent walls, and the floors are comprised of reinforced concrete.128. A method of constructing a vertically sellf-supporting reinforced concrete wall of a structure comprising the step of:(a) constructing one level of a network of interior building supports and walls on a foundation (b) hoisting a plurality of individual exterior reinforced concrete wall panels wherein each panel is defined by at least three perimeter edges and at least one substantially vertical face; (c) arranging the exterior wall panels normal to the foundation and edge-to-edge over the foundation and next to the interionr network to form a row of panels wherein at least one edge of each panel is adjacent to at least one edge of another panel; (d) coupling the row of panels to the foundation and coupling the adjacent edges of the panels to each other and further coupling the panels to the interior network to form a first level of an exterior wall including a substantially horizontal top edge; (e) constructing another level of the interior network onto and above the existing interior network; (f) arranging an additional plurality of individual exterior reinforced concrete wall panels normal to the foundation and edge-to-edge and along the horizontal top edge of the existing level of the exterior wall to form an additional row of panels; (g) coupling the row of panels to the existing level of the exterior wall and coupling the adjacent edges of the panels to each other and coupling the panels to the interior network to form an additional level of an exterior wall; and (h) repeating steps (e) through (g) until the desired height of the exterior wall is achieved. 129. A method of constructing a multi-story structure comprising the steps of:(a) constructing an internal supporting framework comprising the steps of: (1) hoisting a plurality of prefabricated vertically self-supporting reinforced concrete panels wherein each panel is defined by at least three perimeter edges and at least one substantially vertical face; (2) arranging the panels normal to a foundation and edge-to-edge over the foundation to form at least one row of panels wherein at least one edge of each panel in a row is adjacent to at least one edge of another panel in the row; (3) coupling the panels to the foundation and coupling the adjacent panel edges to each other to form at least one center shearwall wherein each center shearwall includes a top edge, a bottom edge, and two opposing side edges, the edges defining first and second opposing faces, and wherein each center shearwall includes a vertical support plane substantially normal to the foundation, and wherein each bottom shearwall edge is coupled to and supported by the foundation; (4) arranging an additional plurality of panels normal to the foundation and edge-to-edge over the foundation to form a row of panels wherein at least one edge of each panel is adjacent to at least one edge of another panel, and wherein the row of panels is adjacent to a first side edge of each center shearwall; (5) coupling the additional panels to the foundation and coupling the adjacent panel edges to each other to form a first side shearwall wherein the side shearwall includes a top edge, a bottom edge, and two opposing side edges, the edges defining first and second opposing faces, and wherein the first side shearwall includes a vertical support plane substantially normal to the foundation, and wherein the bottom shearwall edge is coupled to and supported by the foundation; (6) further coupling each center shearwall proximate the first side edge of the center shearwall to the first end shearwall; (7) arranging an additional plurality of panels normal to the foundation and edge-to-edge over the foundation to form a row of panels wherein at least one edge of each panel is adjacent to at least one edge of another panel, and wherein the row of panels is adjacent to a second side edge of each center shearwall; (8) coupling the additional panels to the foundation and coupling the adjacent panel edges to each other to form a second side shearwall wherein the second side shearwall includes a top edge, a bottom edge, and two opposing side edges, the edges defining first and second opposing faces, and wherein the second side shearwall includes a vertical support plane substantially normal to the foundation, and wherein the bottom shearwall edge is coupled to and supported by the foundation; (9) further coupling each center shearwall proximate the second side edge of the center shearwall to the second end shearwall; (10) constructing one level of a network including interior building supports and wall and coupling the network to the shearwall and foundation; (11) coupling one level of at least one floor onto the shearwall and the network; (12) arranging an additional plurality of panels normal to the foundation and edge-to-edge over and along the top edge of the shearwall; (13) coupling the additional panels to the top edge of the shearwall and coupling the adjacent panel edges to each other; (14) constructing another level of a network including interior building supports and wall onto the existing shearwall and existing network and onto and above existing floor; (15) repeating steps (11) through (14) until a desired height of the shearwall is achieved; and (b) constructing at least one vertically self-supporting exterior wall comprising the steps of: (1) arranging an additional plurality of panels normal to the foundation and edge-to-edge over the foundation to form a row of panels wherein at least one edge of each panel is adjacent to at least one edge of another panel and wherein the row of panels is adjacent to the internal supporting framework; (2) coupling the additional panels to the foundation and coupling the adjacent panel edges to each other to form a vertically self-supporting exterior wall wherein the exterior wall includes a top edge, a bottom edge, and two opposing side edges, the edges defining first and second opposing faces, and wherein the exterior wall includes a vertical support plane substantially normal to the foundation and wherein the bottom exterior wall edge is coupled to and supported by the foundation; (3) coupling the exterior wall to the internal supporting framework proximate the first side edge of the first exterior wall; (4) arranging an additional plurality of panels normal to the foundation and edge-to-edge over and along the top edge of the exterior wall; (5) coupling the additional panels to the top edge of the exterior wall and coupling the adjacent panel edges to each other; 6) further coupling the exterior wall to the internal supporting framework proximate the first side edge of the first exterior wall; and (7) repeating steps (4) through (6) until a desired height of the first exterior wall is achieved.