WO2007144635A2

WO2007144635A2 - A vehicle parking structure

Info

Publication number: WO2007144635A2
Application number: PCT/GB2007/002227
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andreas Paschale Pashouros
Original assignee: Condek Holdings Limited
Priority date: 2006-06-14
Filing date: 2007-06-14
Publication date: 2007-12-21
Also published as: GB2439216A; WO2007144635A3; GB0711538D0; EP2032781A2; GB2439216B

Abstract

A vehicle parking structure (10) comprising a parking surface (15) for vehicles to park on comprising fibre reinforced polymer. Preferably, the fibre reinforced polymer is glass fibre reinforced plastics. The structure (10) is lightweight yet strong, long lasting with little maintenance, and it is quick to assemble on-site.

Description

A VEHICLE PARKING STRUCTURE

Background of the invention

The present invention relates to a vehicle parking structure.

The number of cars on the road continues to increase. There is a corresponding increase in the demand for parking spaces for cars, particularly at supermarkets and railway stations. Land space for car parking spaces is becoming increasingly limited.

A typical, ground level single storey car park such as those found at supermarkets and railway stations is made from steel reinforced concrete with a tarmac surface for cars to drive over and park on.

One way to increase the number of parking spaces of a ground level single storey car park is to build a further storey above it.

One such two storey structure, made by Another Level Car Parks Limited of Oldham, UK, comprises a steel frame supporting a steel decking section. The decking section has a corrugated cross section fastened to a steel sheet below. Concrete is poured onto the decking section and tarmac is laid on the concrete to form the surface on to which cars are driven and parked. Parking spaces are indicated by lines painted on the tarmac surface.

This type of structure is disruptive to build because a significant portion of the existing ground level car park cannot be used for a significant period during the construction of the new storey. Typically, for this type of structure, a 200 space car park takes 26 weeks to build, with new car parking spaces being released in monthly phases. Furthermore, a lot of disruptive maintenance is required. The lines indicating the parking spaces must be re-painted every three years at a typical cost of £4000 (the costs mentioned in this specification are at

2006 prices and are for a 200 space car park). Cracks in the tarmac surface appear regularly through the action of water freezing and thawing on the tarmac surface and the surface must be regularly repaired. The entire tarmac surface must be relaid every 10 years (typical cost of £175000) and at least some of the car park must be closed for at least some of this period. The steel decking section of this type of structure will become corroded over time by rainwater entering the space between the corrugated portion and the steel sheet.

A high density of support columns are required because this largely concrete and steel structure is so heavy. This makes it difficult to manoeuvre cars in the ground level part of the car park, particularly as cars are becoming bigger.

This type of structure requires a large highly skilled work force on site for the whole long period in which the car park is being built. The work force itself requires support facilities. Contractors' preliminary work typically lasts 26 weeks. There is a high intensity of noisy, large, site deliveries.

The structure itself cannot be relocated. Although, once demolished it is typically 90% recyclable.

Japanese patent application No. JP-A-2000291279 discloses a movable garage for a single car. The garage has a floor made of fibre glass reinforced plastics.

US patent No. US-B-6652694 discloses a sheet-like photocurable resin compound which can be used for repair of water proof undercoatings such as those of parking lots as well as repair of, amongst other things, wall materials and boats. The compound can provide a standing surface with an FRP layer having a uniform thickness.

Japanese patent application No. JP-A-09177014 discloses a sheet for strengthening asphalt. The reinforcing sheet can be laid on top of asphalt or the strengthening sheet can be sandwiched between two layers of asphalt.

Japanese patent application No. JP-A-07052301 discloses a fibre reinforced plastics layer on asphalt providing a waterproof layer for a parking area. Japanese patent application No. JP-A-07207898 discloses FRP applied to a floor plate made from a griddle forming the upper side of the floor of a multilevel car park.

Japanese patent application No. JP-A-02204503 discloses a rubber sheet on to which a glass fibre reinforced plastic panel is placed.

UK patent application No. GB-A-983071 discloses panels which can be laid on the ground edge to edge so as to form a load-bearing surface for use as a road, runway or for other purposes. Reinforced synthetic plastic facing panels, preferably of glass fibre, asbestos fibre, or metal wire, embedded in polyester resin or epoxy resin are disclosed. The panels are held together by an arrangement of pins and linking strips. The pins are fixed to a straight linking strip, which engages the lower face of the panels. In each panel, there are vertical holes. During assembly, the holes in two adjacent panels are lowered on to the pins. The tips of the pins project upwards slightly through the panels. A second straight linking strip having keyhole slots is dropped over the heads of the pins and is slid longitudinally so as to lock into necks of the pins.

European patent application No. EP-B-1165909 discloses a demountable modular floor for raised decks in which the load-bearing floors are made of corrugated metal sheet filled with a layer of concrete cast on the corrugated metal sheet.

European patent application No. EP-A-0364414 discloses a parking place made of modular units. Each modular unit comprises a composite floor slab or plate. The floor plate is made of two layers of different materials, for example, corrugated iron sheet and epoxy resin coated ply-wood and/or synthetic material panels, the latter panels constituting the exposed surface.

UK patent application No. GB-A-2404928 discloses a modular platform suitable for use as a temporary car park in which sheet metal is bolted to the deck beams and deck side angles to create the surface of the deck module. In the UK, the surface of a car park is legally required to withstand the considerable pressure of a car being jacked up. That is, it should support 0.9 tons over an area of 50mm by 50mm.

A car park for a supermarket or railway station, for example, should be sufficiently smooth so that it is easy to push supermarket trolleys or baggage trolleys over.

A car park should have a surface that allows sufficient grip for both cars driving over it and people walking on it.

Summary of the Invention

The invention is defined in the independent claims below to which reference should now be made. Advantageous features are set forth in the appendant claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is described in more detail below and takes the form of a vehicle parking structure comprising a parking surface for vehicles to park on comprising fibre reinforced polymer. Preferably, the fibre reinforced polymer is glass fibre reinforced plastics.

The structure is lightweight yet strong, long lasting with little maintenance, and it is quick to assemble on-site.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will be described' in more detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view from above of a vehicle parking structure embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view from above of a surface section of the vehicle parking structure of Figure 1 ; Figure 3 is a view of a section of the vehicle parking structure of Figure 1 from an end of the structure;

Figure 4 is a view of a section of the vehicle parking structure of Figure 1 from an end of the structure; Figure 5 is a view from below of the section of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is an end view of the vehicle parking structure of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a detailed view of a section of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a dismantled portion of a part of the section of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is the same view of an alternative arrangement of Figure 7; Figure 10 is a view from above of a portion of the vehicle parking structure of Figure 1 ;

Figure 11 is a side view of the portion of the vehicle parking structure of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is an enlarged view of a portion of the vehicle parking structure of Figure 11 ;

Figure 13 is the same view of an alternative embodiment of part of the arrangement of Figures 7 and 9;

Figure 14 is the same view of another alternative embodiment of Figure 13; Figure 15 is an exploded perspective view from above of part of the vehicle parking structure of Figure 1 ;

Figure 15a is a side view of a portion of the vehicle parking structure of Figure 15;

Figure 16 is an enlarged view of a portion of the vehicle parking structure of Figure 6;

Figure 17 is a side view of the structure of Figure 2;

Figure 18 is a side view of a portion of another embodiment of the parking structure of Figure 2;

Figure 19 is an exploded perspective view from above of another embodiment of the part of the vehicle parking structure of Figure 15; Figure 20 is a side view of another embodiment of the parts of the vehicle parking structure of Figures 9 and 16;

Figutre 20a is a side view of a portion of the embodiment of Figure 20;

Figure 20b is a side view of another port ion of the embodiment of Figure 20;

Figure 21 is a side view of another embodiment of the part of the vehicle parking structure of Figure 1 ; and

Figure 22 is a plan view from below of another embodiment of the part of the vehicle parking structure of Figure 5.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

A preferred vehicle parking structure or car park 10 will now be described with reference to Figure 1.

Vehicles described herein can include cars, motorcycles and vans.

The car park 10 comprises a plurality of frames 12, joined together by infill sections 14, for supporting a parking surface 15 above the ground 16 and, in particular, above an existing single storey car park. The parking surface is supported above the ground by sufficient height such that a vehicle can pass underneath it. In the examples decribed, the parking surface is located one storey above ground. The frames 12 will first be described, then the parking surface 15 and then the infill sections 14.

Frame

The arrangement of a frame 12 is shown best in Figure 2. The frames 12 are made from steel. Each frame 12 comprises a truss 18. The truss 18 is supported above the ground 16 by legs 20. The truss 18 extends along a first axis 24 and the legs 20 extend parallel to a second axis 25, perpendicular to the first axis 24. A third axis 27 extends perpendicular to the both the first axis 24 and second axis 25.

The truss comprises two side sections 22. The side sections 22 extend along a first axis 24. In this example, the longitudinal axis of the vehicle parking structure 10. Each side section 22 comprises two joists 26 spaced apart in the direction of the second axis 25 forming an upper joist 28 and a lower joist 30. Each joist 26 has a hollow rectangular cross section of dimensions 150mm high (along the first axis 25) by 100mm wide (along the third axis 27). The thickness of the steel sheet making up each joist is 6.3mm. The upper joist 28 and the lower joist 30 are spaced apart by connecting elements 32. The connecting elements 32 mechanically connect the upper joist 28 and the lower joist 30 together. The connecting elements are elongate members having a hollow square cross-section of side 50mm. The steel sheet forming the elongate members has a thickness of 5mm. The connecting elements 32 slope from the upper joist 28 to the lower joist 30 (at 45° to the upper joist 28) and from the lower joist 30 to the upper joist 28 (at 135° to the lower joist 30), in pairs, along the length of the joists 28,30. In this example, seven pairs of connecting elements 32 are provided. Terminating connecting elements 34, located towards the free ends 36 of the joists 28,30, extend in the direction of the second axis 25 from the free end 38 of a connecting element 32 at the upper joist 28 to the lower joist 30. The terminating connecting elements 34 have the same dimensions in cross- section as the connecting elements 32.

The side sections 22 are spaced apart in a direction parallel to the third axis 27 and are held apart as follows.

The following arrangement is provided between the upper joists 28 in order to hold the sides sections 22 spaced apart. The upper joists 28 are spaced apart by beams 40 located between the upper joists 28. The beams 40 are elongate members having a hollow rectangular cross-section. The beams 40 extend along the third axis 27. Beams 40 are located at spaced apart positions along the upper joists 28 along the first axis 24, at each join of connecting elements 32. A further beam 42 is located between the free ends 36 of the upper joists 28 at both free ends 36.

The following arrangement is provided between the lower joists 30 in order to hold the sides sections 22 spaced apart. A beam 44, which extends along the third axis 27, is provided towards the free ends 36 of the lower joists 30 at both free ends 36 directly below the beam 40 nearest the free end of the upper joist 28. The beams 44 extend between the free ends of the terminating connecting elements 34 of the spaced apart lower joists 30. Further beams 46, which extend along the third axis 27, are located between the join of the pair of connecting elements 32 second closest to the free end 36 of the lower joists 30 towards both free ends 36. Cross braces 48,50 are provided at both ends of the truss 18. The cross braces 48,50 have a hollow, square cross-section of side 50mm and a thickness of 5mm. One cross brace 48 located towards one end of the truss 18, which extends diagonally from the free end of the terminating connecting element 34 on a first side 52 of the truss 18 to the free end of one of the further beams 46 on the other, second, side 54 of the truss 18 in the plane of the lower joists 30. Another cross brace 50 extends diagonally from the free end of the other of the further beams 46 on the first side 52 of the truss 18 to the free end of the terminating connecting element 34 on the second side 54 of the truss 18.

All the ends of the upper joists 28 and lower joists 30 terminate in a bracket 56. Each bracket 56 comprises a planar sheet 58 that lies in the plane of the first and second axes 24, 25. The planar sheet 58 comprises two through holes 60 spaced apart along the second axis 25. The four brackets 56 at either end of the truss 18 together form a leg module bracket that are each is adapted to be held to a leg module 57.

Each leg module 57 comprises a pair of legs 20 that are spaced apart in the direction of the third axis 27 by a head module 60, which is shown in Figure 3. The head module is located at one end of each pair of legs 20. The head module 60 comprises a pair of beams 62 that extend along the third axis 27 and that are spaced apart along the second axis 25 forming an upper beam 64 and a lower beam 66. The beams 62 have an I shape cross-section of height 175mm by a width of 102mm of 6mm thick steel. The free ends 68 of the pair of beams 62 terminate in brackets 70 that are the same configuration as the brackets 56 described above. A pair of elongate cross beams 72 forms a cross shape between the ends of the head module 60. The cross beams 72 have a hollow, square cross-section of side 50mm and thickness 5mm. One of the pair of elongate cross beams 72 extends from one free end 68 of the upper beam 64 at one end of the head module 60 to one free end 68 of the lower beam 66 at the other end of the head module 60. The other elongate cross beam 72 extends from the other free end 68 of the upper beam 64 at the other end of the head module 60 to the other free end 68 of the lower beam 66 at the other end of the head module 60. A pair of column members 74 are located at the free ends 68 of the pair of beams 72, one column member 74 at each free end 68. They each extend between the upper beam 64 and the lower beam 66 along the second axis 25. The column members 74 have a hollow, square cross-section of side 50mm and thickness 5mm.

As shown best in Figure 4, each leg 20 comprises a hollow elongate column 76 having a circular cross-section of diameter 193.7mm and thickness 5mm. The free end 77 of each leg 20 comprises a first (upper) set of brackets 78, of the configuration described above, located around the circumference of the leg 20 projecting at right angles to one another. A second (lower) set of brackets 80 is spaced apart from the upper set of brackets 78 along the second axis 25. The brackets 80, are of the configuration described above. They are located around the circumference of the leg 20. They project in the same directions as the upper brackets 78. One of the upper brackets (the end bracket 82) is located slightly closer to the lower brackets 80 than the other brackets of the upper set 78. Each leg 20 terminates in a foot 84, shown best in Figure 5, located at the other free end of the leg 20 to the brackets 78,80. Each foot 84 is square shape with sides of 450mm. The sides of the feet 84 have bevelled edges 86 shown in Figure 4. A through hole 88 is located towards the corner of each foot 84. A fastener, such as a threaded bolt, can be passed though each through hole 88 in order to fasten the leg 20 to the ground and, in particular, concrete foundations. This fixing arrangement means that the vehicle parking system is permanently fixed in place.

One bracket from each of the upper and lower brackets 78, 80 is mechanically connected to a bracket 70 that terminates the beams 62 of the head module 60. The mechanical connection (not shown) is made by a threaded bolt, passed though corresponding through holes of the brackets, and tightened by a nut.

As illustrated in Figure 2, the leg modules 57 are mechanically connected to the truss 18 as follows. Another bracket from each of the upper and lower brackets 78, 80 of each leg 20 is fastened to the brackets 56, which terminate the upper and lower joists 26, by a bolt which pass though the corresponding through holes of the brackets 56, 78, 80 and around which a nut is tightened.

The end brackets 82 (not shown in Figure 2) project outwardly along the first axis 24. Crash barriers 90 (see Figure 1 ) can be fastened to these brackets and the corresponding lower bracket of the legs 20, which project in the same direction as the end brackets 82.

As shown best in Figure 6, sheets of profile sheeting 96 are positioned on the truss 18 forming a decking section or support surface. The profile sheeting 96 has a corrugated profile. The corrugations extend along the first axis 24. When viewed along the first axis 24, the profile of each corrugation is in the form of a truncated triangle. At the edges of the truss 18, the profile sheeting 96 terminates at a raised portion 98 of a truncated triangle, in the example shown, about a third of the way along a surface portion of a truncated triangle that is spaced away from or above the truss 18. The surface of each corrugation has a channel 98 that extends along the first axis 24 and projects into the profile sheeting 96. The channels 98 have a semi-circular cross-section. Fastening points for fastening the profile sheeting 96 to the frame 12 in the form of through holes are located in the profile sheeting 96. Through holes are located either spaced apart along the channels 98, or to one side or both sides of the channels 98 spaced apart following the side of the channels. A combination of these arrangements of through holes may be provided.

The profile sheeting is made from steel.

The profile sheeting 96 is fastened to the beams 40, 42 using the following fastening arrangement 99, which is illustrated in Figures 7 and 8. This arrangement forms a resilient and water-tight seal to the beams. It also helps to absorb vibration caused by vehicles being driven over the parking surface. The profile sheeting takes the load of the parking surface and the load of the vehicles on it. It forms a support for the parking surface and, in particular, a continuous support surface. A sealing surface 92 in the form of waterproof tape, and in particular mastic tape, is applied to the upper surface 94 of the beams 40, 42 of the truss 18.

Lugs 100 in the form of semi-circular cross-section cylinders, each complementary in shape to the channels 98, are located on the tape. The lugs 100 are made from waterproof mastic. The profile sheeting 96 is positioned on the tape and the lugs 100 are aligned with the channels 98 so that they lie in the channels 98. Resilient and waterproof plastics sheet in the form of neoprene sheet 104 having a complementary shape to the channels 98 is located on the other side of channels 98. A saddle portion 106 is located over each neoprene sheet 104. Each saddle portion 106 is cuboid in shape and comprises a semicircular cross-section channel 108 along its surface. The semi-circular channel 108 is complementary to the neoprene sheet 104. A planar resilient and waterproof plastics sheet in the form of neoprene sheet 110 is located on the other, flat side 112 of the saddle portion 106. A washer 112, made from stainless steel, is located on the planar neoprene sheet 110. A through hole (not shown) passes through the centre of all the components of this fastening arrangement and into the beams 40, 42 to which the profile sheeting 96 is fastened. A threaded screw 114 in the form of a Tek screw is screwed through the fastening arrangement 99 such that the head of the screw 114 is on the profile sheeting side and the shank projects into the beam 40, 42.

An alternative fastening arrangement 99 is shown in Figure 9.

In this arrangement 99, a sealing surface 92 in the form of waterproof tape, and in particular mastic, is applied to the upper surface 94 of the beams 40, 42 of the truss 18 and the profile sheeting 96 is positioned on the tape 92. A resilient and waterproof plastics washer 116 is located on the profile sheeting to one side of a channel 98 and aligned with a through hole in the profile sheeting 96 and beams 40, 42. Another rigid washer of stainless steel is located on the plastics washer and their through holes are aligned so that a threaded screw 114 (a Tek screw) passes through all the aligned through holes such that the head of the screw 114 rests on the profile sheeting side and the shank projects into the beams 40, 42. Parking surface

The floor or parking surface 200 is shown best in Figures 10, 11 and 12. The parking surface 200 comprises sheets, plates or panels 202 that are adapted to be fastened to each other and to the profile sheeting or support surface 96. The sheets 202 are fastened directly to the profile sheeting. The sheets, plates or panels 202 are rigid. They are load bearing. They can support the weight of vehicles on them.

The parking surface 200 is made only from fibre reinforced polymer and, in particular, glass or fibre glass reinforced plastics. The parking surface has a glass to plastics ratio with a higher portion of plastics to glass, such as 30:70.

Each sheet 202 comprises a continuous surface on a first, upper side 204 and a matrix, array or grid of indentations 206 on the second, under side 208. Viewed from above, the sheets 202 are rectangular in shape.

Viewed from below, the indentations 206 have a rectangular and in particular square cross-section. The indentations 206 extend to a top or upper layer 210, which has a thickness of 3mm. The indentations 206 are divided by sidewalls 208, which have parallel sides.

The upper side of the upper layer 210 has a covering layer 212 (that provides a non-skid and non-slip surface for vehicles being driven over it and people walking on it). The covering layer 212 comprises silicon carbide in the form of Carborandum (registered trade mark). Corundum could also be used.

Carbon chips could be used.

The sheets 202 (shown best in Figure 12) are adapted to be fastened to each other and to the profile sheeting 96. Threaded fasteners, such as bolts, are used. Each sheet edge 214 comprises an indent or undercut 216 arranged such that the upper side overhangs a projecting portion 218 of the sheet 202 that projects from the edges. The projecting portion 218 forms a rim that extends around the circumference of the sheet 202, which has a first or upper surface 220 aligned with the base of the undercut 216 and a second or lower surface 222 aligned with the underside 208 of the sheet 202. The undercut 216 projects an angle of 60° to the upper surface 220 of the rim.

Spaced around the rim are through holes 226 (not shown in Figures 10, 11 and 12, but shown in Figures 7 and 9), which extend from the upper surface 220 to the lower surface 222. These are for mounting bolts In a first type of sheet 224, the end of the through holes 226 at the upper surface 220 of the rim is wider than the through hole 226 to provide a recess 227 for a bolt head. In a second type 228 of sheet, the through holes 226 have parallel sides through the whole depth of the rim.

A first type 224 of sheet and a second type 228 of sheet are connected to each other and to the profile sheeting 96 using fasteners to fasten the first and second type of sheet 224, 228 to the profile sheeting 96 and an interlocking joint or connector 229 to connect the first and second type of sheet 224, 228 together. This is illustrated best in Figure 7.

A resilient and waterproof plastics layer 230 in the form of waterproof tape, and in particular, mastic tape is located on the upper, raised surface of the corrugations of the profile sheeting 96.

A sheet of the first type 224 is placed on the tape 230. A fastener in the form of a bolt 232 is located through the through hole 226 in the rim so that the head of the bolt rests in the recess 227. The shank of the bolt 232 extends through a through hole in the upper surface of the profile sheeting 96. A resilient washer and in particular a plastics washer 233 in the form of a neoprene washer is located around the shank of the bolt 232, which projects through the through hole and the washer lies against the underside of the upper surface of the profile sheeting 96. A rigid washer 234, and in particular a stainless steel washer, is located against the plastics washer 233. A nut or lock nut 236, in the form of a Nylock lock nut (this type of lock nut comprises a plastics or nylon interference washer captured on the end of the nut, its resilience locks the nut onto the bolt, and absorbs vibration), is located against the metal washer 234 in order to hold the first type of sheet 224 to the profile sheeting 96. A sheet of the second type 228, and in particular the rim at the edge, is placed against the rim at the edge of the sheet of the first type 224. A resilient seal in the form of a sealing strip, with an "O" shape cross section, deformed to an elongate "O" shape or oval (Figure 13), is located between the edges of the neighbouring rims. Alternatively, sealant, and in particular two-part sealant, may be added between the edges of the neighbouring rims (Figures 7 and 9). In another alternative arrangement shown in Figure 14, there is a space 239 between the edges of the neighbouring rims of the first and second type of sheet

224, 228. An interlocking joint 229 or connector traverses the neighbouring rims to hold the neighbouring sheets of the first and second type 224, 228 together.

The interlocking joint 229 comprises an elongate sheet. One longitudinal edge 240 comprises a ramp or wedge that is complementary to the undercut 216 of the first type of sheet 224. The other longitudinal edge 242 extends perpendicular to the surfaces of the interlocking joint 229. The upper surface 244 of the interlocking joint 229 has a covering layer of high friction, non-slip, non-skid material of silicon carbide in the form of Carborandum (registered trade mark). Corundum could also be used. As with the upper surface of the sheets 202, this layer provides a non-skid and non-slip surface for vehicles being driven over it and people walking on it. A through hole 246 is located towards the perpendicular edge 242 of the interlocking joint 229 and passes through the joint 229. A recess 248 is located at the upper end of the through hole 296 for housing the head of a fastener in the form of a bolt 250.

In use, the wedge shape on ramped edge of the interlocking joint 229 is engaged with the undercut 216 of the first type of planar sheet 224 and the base or underside 252 of the interlocking joint 229 is moved down to rest on the neighbouring rims of the first and second type of sheet 224, 228. A space 254 having a wedge shape remains between the perpendicular or straight edge 242 of the interlocking joint 229 and the undercut of the second type of planar sheet 228. The through hole 246 of the interlocking joint 229 is aligned with the through hole 226 in the rim of the second type of sheet 228. A bolt 250 is located through the through hole 246 of the interlocking joint 229 and the second type of sheet 228 so that the head of the bolt 250 rests in the recess 248 and the surface of the bolt is flush with the surface of the interlocking joint 229. The shank of the bolt 250 projects through a corresponding through hole in the upper, raised surface of the corrugations of the profile sheeting. The bolt 250 is fastened in the same way as described above. That is, a resilient washer 254 and in particular a plastics washer in the form of a neoprene washer is located around the projecting shank of the bolt 250 against the underside of the profile sheeting 96. A rigid or metal washer 256, and in particular a stainless steel washer, is located around the projecting shank of the bolt 250 against the plastics washer 254. A nut 258 or lock nut, in the form of a Nylock lock nut is located around the projecting shank of the bolt 250 and tightened against the metal washer 256. In this way, neighbouring sheets 224, 228 are held together and to the profile sheeting 96.

Sealant 260, and in particular two-part sealant, is applied into the space 254 between the straight edge 242 of the interlocking joint 229 and the undercut of the second type of planar sheet 228 to fill the space 254. The upper surface of the sealant 260 is flush with the surface of the planar sheets 224, 228 and has the same covering layer as the planar sheets as described above. The heads of the bolts 250 are not covered by the covering layer so that they can be accessed to undo the bolts 250 so that the interlocking joints 229 can be released.

In the alternative arrangement of Figure 14, both longitudinal edges of the interlocking joint 229 are ramp or wedge shape. Both the longitudinal edges are complementary in shape to the undercuts 216 of the first and second type of sheet 224, 228. A resilient lining 262 of neoprene is located around the edges and underside of the interlocking joint 229 and it is located to fill the space between neighbouring first and second types of sheet 224, 228 and fastened as described above.

These arrangements of parking surface 200 prevent water from entering the cavity formed by the profile sheeting 96. As such, the steel profile sheeting 96 is prevented from corrosion. Furthermore, this arrangement helps absorb vibrations from vehicles being driven over the surface.

Markings to indicate parking spaces for vehicles are applied to the parking surface. The parking surface has different colour sections to indicate parking surface, walk ways or access ways for vehicles. Infill sections

As described above, infill section 14 are provided between neighbouring frames 12. They are illustrated best in Figures 6, 15, and 15a. Each infill section 14 comprises a pair of infill trusses 262 that extend between two neighbouring frames 12. They are made from steel.

Each infill truss 262 comprises a pair of beams 264 (with an l-shape cross section of height 175mm by a width of 102mm and a steel thickness of 6mm) that terminate in brackets of the type described above. The pair of beams 264 are spaced apart along the second axis 25, one above the other forming an upper beam 266 and a lower beam 268, by connecting elements 270 in the form of an elongate beam with a square cross-section (50mm x 50mm) made from steel (of 5mm thickness). Connecting elements 270 extend, at an angle, between the upper and lower beams along the length of the beams. Connecting elements 270 join with the upper beam at one end of the infill truss 262 and connecting elements 270 extend from the upper beam to the lower beam, from the lower beam to the upper beam, from the upper beam to the lower beam, and finally from the lower beam to the upper beam. At each join, a connecting element 272 of the same configuration of the connecting element 270 extends straight and vertically between the upper beam 266 and the lower beam 268 along the second axis 25. The connecting elements 270, 272 are joined to the beams 266, 268 by welding.

A plurality of infill trusses 262 are provided (in this example, two) spaced apart from each other, along the first axis 24, between neighbouring frames 12.

A main truss 274, which is in the same form as the side sections 22 described above, is provided which extends between the infill trusses 262 along the first axis 24 and is fastened to the infill trusses 262, by brackets (of the configuration described above) at the free ends of the main truss 274, to the middle of the infill trusses 262.

Ladder frames 276 are provided on either side of the main truss 274 between the infill trusses 262. Each ladder frame 276 comprises two elongate beams 278 with an I shape cross-section (150mm high by 100mm wide with a steel thickness of 6.3mm) which extend along the first axis 24 and which are spaced apart along the third axis 27 by connecting beams 280 spaced apart along the length of the elongate beams 278. The connecting beams 280 have a hollow rectangular or square shape cross-section of side 50mm and thickness 5mm. The connecting beams 280 are spaced apart evenly along the length of the elongate beams 278 except at the ends of the elongate beams 278 when the end two connecting beams 280 are close together. In this example, eleven connecting beams 280 are provided.

In an alternative embodiment (described below and shown in Figure 19), infill sections 14 are provided in the form of beams spaced apart along the length of the frames of Figure 12 extending between neighbouring frames 12 and fastened directly to the neighbouring frames. Main trusses 274 of the form described above may be used as well or instead of the beams. The main trusses and beams are fastened to the frames by bolts and nuts.

As shown best in Figure 6, profile sheeting 96 is fastened to the infill trusses 262, main truss 274 and ladder frames 276 in the same manner as to the trusses of the frames 12 described above. As with the profile sheeting 96 fastened to the trusses of the frames 12, the profile sheeting 96 terminates at a raised portion of a truncated triangle, in the example shown, about a third of the way along a surface portion of a truncated triangle that is spaced away from or above the infill truss 262, main truss 274 or ladder frame 276. As shown in detail in Figure 16, reinforcing channel portions or U-shape beams 282 are located between the free longitudinal edges of the profile sheeting 96 of adjoining frames 12 and infill sections 14. The channel portions 282 are elongate and extend along the first axis 24. These have a U-shape cross-section, comprising a base 284 and two side sections 286, which extend perpendicularly from the edges of the base 284, along the second axis 25. The free ends 288 of the side sections 286 rest against the underside of the terminating raised portion of the profile sheeting 96.

This arrangement strengthens or reinforces the terminating portions of the profile sheeting 96. A parking surface 200 of the type described above is fastened to the infill trusses^' 262 and the beams 274, 276 provided between neighbouring frames in the same way as described above, that it is fastened to the beams 40,42. The sheets 202 of the parking surface 200 of the infill section 14 are rectangular in

^■ 5 shape as those described above. The rectangular sheets lie with their

. _. longitudinal axes' along the third axis 27. That is perpendicular to the rectangular sheets 202 of the frames 12. As illustrated in Figure 6, the edges of the planar sheets 202 project beyond the outer edges of the infill section 14 to align with the outer edges of the sheet 202 of the parking surface on the frames 12. The edges

10 of the sheets are located inwardly of the inner edges of the infill section 14. In other words, the joins between the surface coverings or parking surface 200 lie away from the joins between the profile sheeting 96. The boundaries between separate sheets 202 and separate profile sheeting sheets 96 do not coincide.

^•. . This arrangement allows the force applied by vehicles to the parking 15 surface 200 to be: spread over a portion of the total parking surface 200.

Small gaps between the sheets 202, particularly over gaps between

^■: sheets of profile sheeting 96, are covered by narrow sections of sheet 290. In

. particular; a gap between sheets in the middle of the infill section. The sheets

290 and in particular the edges of the sheet 290 are configured in the same way

20 as the two different types described above so that they can be fastened together.

_. . . . The edges of the sheets forming the parking surface 200 on the infill section are connected to the planar sheets of the frames 12 and to each other in , _.. the. same manner as the sheets of the frames 1.2 described above.

The parking surface 200 is cambered. It is cambered such that the centre

25 is higher than the edges. This allows surface water usually from rain to flow to the outer edges where drains or guttering are provided (not shown) to take this water away. As illustrated in Figure 17, a typical camber is 125mm from the centre, i.e. the centre is 125mm higher than the edges.

Folding Legs In another embodiment illustrated in Figure 18, folding legs 20' are provided. By providing folding legs 20', the trusses 18 can be easily transported with the legs 20' already connected to the truss 18, particularly when, as illustrated, the legs 20' fold such that the edge of the foot 84 of each leg 20' rests against the lower joist 30 in the folded position. This arrangement allows more construction of the parking structure, and in particular the difficult alignment of the legs 20' to the trusses 18, to be carried out off-site.

The folding legs 20' are provided by mechanically connecting a bracket, from the second set of brackets of each leg 20', located towards one free end of each leg 20', to a bracket 56 at the end of a lower joist 30 so that the leg 20' is rotatable relative to the lower joist 30 about an axis parallel to the third axis 27. The legs 20' are rotatable from a folded position, in which the foot 84 of each leg 20' rests against the lower truss 30, to an extended position, in which the legs 20' extend parallel to the second axis 25, perpendicular to the direction of the legs 20' in the folded position. The mechanical connection is in the form of a bolt (not shown) located through aligned through holes in the brackets. A nut is loosely tightened around the bolt.

Alternative Embodiments

Another embodiment of the parking structure will now be described with reference to Figures 19 to 22. The parking structure is the same as the parking structure of the example of Figures 1 to 16 in most respects and like features have been given like reference numerals. The differences between the embodiments are described below.

Referring to Figure 19, the infill sections 14 of the parking structure are the same as those shown in Figures 6 and 15, except that the infill sections do not have the elongate beams of Figure 15 (elongate beams 278 in Figure 15).

Like the example of Figure 15, the ladder frames 276 comprise connecting beams 280 spaced apart along the first axis 24. Profile sheeting 96 as described above is connected to the connecting beams 280 of each ladder frame 276 to space them apart and a parking surface 200 of glass fibre reinforced plastics is fixed to the profile sheeting 96 of each ladder frame. For ease of illustration, in the example of Figure 19, profile sheeting and a parking surface is only shown on one of the ladder frames. In practice, each ladder frame will have profile sheeting and a parking surface fastened to it in the same way. The border 299 between ,the sheets 202 of the parking surface are shown by dashed lines in Figure 19. Each ladder frame is made in two parts. That is in two halves divided through the middle along solid line 300. This allows these sections to be easily transported as an integral unit to the construction site where they are joined together.

An alternative fastening 308 to that illustrated in Figures 7 and 9 may be provided to hold sheets of the parking surface 200 together and to the profile sheeting. It. is illustrated in Figure 20. This fastening holds together sheets of the parking surface, which have edges in the shape of a step 310. One type of sheet 320 of the parking surface has an overhang 322 forming a step. That is, the outer or upper side 324 of the parking surface projects beyond the inner or lower side 326 forming the step. Another type of sheet 328 has a recess 330 along the edge of the upper side 324 forming the step. That is, the sheet 328 has an inner side that projects beyond the outer side of the parking surface forming the step.

The fastening 308 comprises an elongate connector 312. The connector 312 has a rectangular planar, sheet-like centre portion 332. Arms 334 project downwardly from both longitudinal edges of one face of the planar rectangular centre portion 332. The outer side 336 of the arms 334 extend perpendicular to the surface of the rectangular planar portion. The arms narrow towards their free ends 338. The inner surface 340 of the arms is similar or complementary to the shape of a corrugation of the profile sheeting 96. Through holes are located, spaced apart, longitudinally along the arms. Rails 342 (shown best in Figure 20a) project upwardly and extend longitudinally along the middle of the other face of the rectangular portion. There are two rails, which extend parallel to one another. In cross section, the rails widen at their free ends 346. The underside of the wider portion of each rail has an undercut 348.

Sealant (not shown) in the form of mastic is located underneath the parking surface and in particular between the top of the connector 312 and the bottom of the parking surface.

The connector 312 is a pulltrusion of glass fibre reinforced plastics with a higher quantity of glass to plastics, such as a glass to plastics ratio of 70:30. Nuts 350 are located, spaced apart, between the rails 342 along the length of the rails (see Figure 20a). The nuts are complementary in shape to the space between the rails. That is to say, in cross section, they comprise a body 352 with shoulders 354 that extend upwardly from the body and a head 356 between the shoulders, which widens as it projects from the shoulders. A threaded through hole 358 extends through the centre of the nut. The nuts are made of steel and, in particular, chrome steel.

In use, the connector 312 is placed underneath the overhang of the parking surface, such that the overhang extends over the rails 342 of the connector and rests in the recess of the other type of parking surface. A rail of the connector rests against sealant 360, in the form of sealing tape or mastic sealant strip, which is located in the recess of the recessed parking surface. The underside of the parking surfaces being connected rest on the sheet-like centre portion 322 of the connector. Socket head bolts 362 are located in through holes through the edge of the parking surface with the overhang, and thus through the sealant between the parking surface and the connector, and into the nuts located between the rails. When tightened, the bolts pull the rails together and the free ends of the rails locate in the shoulders of the nuts. The sealant through which the bolts 362 pass seals the area around the bolts 362. The underside of the planar rectangular portion of the connector rests on the upper surface of a corrugation of the profile sheeting. Screws (soft steel stichers) 364 project through the through holes in the arms of the connector and through through holes 366 in the upper sides of the corrugation of the profile sheeting to connect the connector to the profile sheeting and thus the parking surface is held to the profile sheeting.

In this way, at adjoining or neighbouring edges of sheets of the parking surface only the edge of one sheet is fastened down by a fastening (screw). The other edge is held down by pressure applied by the adjoining or neighbouring sheet acting on it.

Planar spacers 368 are located on the top of the corrugations of the profile sheeting that do not have connectors. This makes these parts the same height as the as the tops of the rectangular planar, sheet-like centre portions 332 of the corrugations with connectors 312. This means that the parking surface can lie flat across the top of the profile sheeting 96.

An alternative fastening 400 to that illustrated in Figures 13 and 14 may be provided to connect sheets of the parking surface 200 together and to the profile sheeting 96, which is illustrated in Figure 21.

The fastening 400 of Figure 21 comprises a connector 402 that is similar to that of the connector of Figure 20 and like parts have been given like reference numerals. The connector 402 does not have arms projecting downwardly from the edges of the rectangular planar portion 332. The connector has through holes 404 through the rectangular planar portion spaced apart longitudinally along the connector on either side of the head 342.

In use, the fastening 400 fastens the sheets of the parking surface in the same manner as the example of Figure 20 except that bolts 406 (and particularly socket head bolts) are located through the through holes in the rectangular planar portion 332 and through through holes in the profile sheeting. Nuts 408 are tightened to the bolts.

For both the embodiments of Figures 20 and 21 , the nuts 350 are located with the through holes through the parking surface as follows. Rods (not shown) are placed in the through holes 358 in the nuts such that the rods project upwardly. The through holes in the parking surface are then placed over the rods so the rods project through the holes in the parking surface. The rods are then removed and bolts can be screwed into the nuts through the parking surface.

The use of these fastenings and the sealing arrangement can prevent rainwater that falls on the parking surface from falling on the profile sheeting. Typically, 95% of rainwater falling on the parking surface is prevented from falling on the profile sheeting. This helps to prevent the profile sheeting from corroding.

These alternative fastenings do not suffer from the problem of the other fastenings. The latter are often made with poor tolerances and thus are difficult to assemble, generally requiring factory assemble rather than assembly on the car park site. Alternative reinforcing portions to the reinforcing channel portion 282 of Figure 16 may be used. The reinforcing portions are illustrated in Figures 20 and 20b. Each reinforcing portion 282 reinforces one open end of profile sheeting 96. Each reinforcing portion 282 is elongate. In cross-section, each reinforcing portion 282 has a head portion 400 with part of its outer surface being complementary in shape to the profile sheeting (in particular, the upper portion) of the free longitudinal edges of the profile sheeting 96 of adjoining frames 12 and infill sections 14. Each reinforcing portion 282 has a foot 402 that rest on the beams to which the adjoining profile sheets are connected. A stem 404 connects each foot 402 to the head portion 400. Each foot 402 projects from both sides of the stem 404 it is attached to. The head of each reinforcing portion 400 may be connected by a screw 406 (shown on the left hand reinforcing portion of Figure 20b) to the upper portions of the free longitudinal edges of the profile sheeting 96 of adjoining frames 12 and infill sections 14 that it reinforces. An elongate planar section 408 is located over the gap 410 between the free ends of neighbouring profile sheets 96. The section 408 provides a surface for the underside of the parking surface to rest on that is the same height as the top of the rectangular planar, sheet-like centre portion 332 of the connector 312.

An alternative to the foot 84 shown in Figure 5 may be used to terminate the leg 20 of the leg modules 57. The alternative foot 84 is shown in Figure 22.

The foot 84 is rectangular in shape and has two through holes 406 for bolts to fasten the foot to the ground. A through hole 406 is located in the middle of each short edge 408 of the rectangular foot.

Typical dimensions of the vehicle parking structure are as follows. The length of the frame 12 is 15m. The width of the frames is 1972mm (about 2m).

The width of the infill sections is 4372mm (about 4.5m). The parking surface is located 3405mm above the ground (about 3.4m). The planar sheets on the frames are 1995mm (about 2m) by 1220mm (about 1.2m). The planar sheets on the infill section are 2394mm long (about 2.4m). The narrow sections of planar sheet on the infill sections are 391 mm wide (about 0.4m).

Embodiments of the present invention have been described with particular reference to the examples illustrated. However, it will be appreciated that variations and modifications may be made to the examples described within the scope of the present invention. In particular, although one arrangement of frame and infill section has been described it will be appreciated that other arrangements could be used, which enables the car parking structure to be made in a variety of shapes.

Claims

1. A vehicle parking structure comprising a parking surface for vehicles to park on, the parking surface comprising fibre reinforced polymer in the form of at least one sheet, the parking surface is fastened to a support and the support has a corrugated profile.

2. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 1 , wherein the parking surface is fastened to the support by at least one threaded fastener.

3. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the parking surface is supported above ground.

4. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 3, wherein the parking surface is supported above ground at a height sufficient for a vehicle to pass underneath.

5. A vehicle parking structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the parking surface is fastened directly to the support.

6. A vehicle parking structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the parking surface is rigid.

7. A vehicle parking structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the support is made from steel.

8. A vehicle parking structure according to any preceding claim , wherein the or each sheet comprises an upper side for vehicles to park on and an underside comprising a plurality of indentations.

9. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 8, wherein the indentations are arranged as a grid.

10. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the indentations have a substantially rectangular cross-section.

11. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 10, wherein the indentations have a substantially square cross-section.

12. A vehicle parking structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the fibre reinforced polymer is glass fibre reinforced plastics.

13. A vehicle parking structure according to any preceding claim, comprising an upper surface layer comprising silicon carbide.

14. A vehicle parking structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the parking surface is continuous.

15. A vehicle parking structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the support comprises profile sheeting.

16. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 15, wherein the profile sheeting comprises plural profile sheets.

17. A vehicle parking structure according to any preceding claim, wherein edges of the sheets of fibre reinforced polymer each comprise a step.

18. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 17, wherein the steps of adjoining sheets are complementary in shape.

19. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 18, wherein the step of a sheet overhangs the step of an adjoining sheet.

20. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 19, wherein adjoining sheets are held to one another by a connector.

21. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 20, wherein the connector comprises rails.

22. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 21 , wherein a fastener, passes through a step of a sheet and into a mate which lies between the rails of the connector, the connector being arranged such that as the fastener mates with the mate the rails are brought together to grip the mate.

23. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 22, wherein the fastener is a threaded fastener.

24. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 23, wherein the threaded fastener is a bolt.

25. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 23 or 24, wherein the mate is a nut.

26. A vehicle parking structure according to any of claims 22 to 25, wherein the connector is fastened to the support surface.

27. A vehicle parking structure according to any of claims 15 to 26, wherein the edge of a profile sheet is reinforced by a reinforcement.

28. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 27, wherein the reinforcement is complementary in shape to the shape of at least part of the profile sheet.

29. A vehicle parking structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the cross-section of each corrugation is in the shape of a truncated triangle.

30. A vehicle parking structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the support surface forms part of a frame.

31. A vehicle parking structure having a parking surface for vehicles to park on, the parking surface comprising a first sheet and a second sheet which are held together and to a support by a first fastening means which fastens the first sheet to the support; and a second fastening means which fastens both a connector to the second sheet and the second sheet to the support; wherein the connector engages with the first sheet to hold the first and second sheets together.

32. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 31 , wherein the connector comprises a wedge shape portion, which engages with a complementary undercut in the edge of the first sheet.

33. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 31 or 32, wherein the first fastening means comprises a threaded bolt, which extends through a through hole in the first sheet.

34. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 33, wherein the top of the through hole is adapted to house the head of the bolt.

35. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 33 or 34, wherein the through hole in the first sheet is located underneath the connector.

36. A vehicle parking structure according to any of claims 31 to 35, wherein the second fastening means comprises a bolt, which extends through aligned through holes in the connector and the first sheet.

37. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 36, wherein the top of the aligned through holes are adapted to house the head of the bolt.

38. A vehicle parking structure according to any of claims 35 to 37, comprising resilient means between adjoining edges of the first and second sheets.

39. A vehicle parking structure according to any of claims 35 to 38, comprising a gap between the connector and the edge of the second sheet.

40. A vehicle parking structure according to any of claims 35 to 39, wherein the edge of the second sheet comprises an undercut.

41. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 39, comprising resilient means in the gap.

42. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 41 , wherein the resilient means comprises resin.

43. A vehicle parking structure according to any of claims 31 to 42, wherein the first sheet comprises fibre reinforced polymer.

44. A vehicle parking structure according to any of claims 31 to 43, wherein the second sheet comprises fibre reinforced polymer.

45. A vehicle parking structure according to any of claims 31 to 44, wherein the sheets comprise an upper side for vehicles to park on and an underside comprising a plurality of indentations.

46. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 45, wherein the indentations are arranged as a grid.

47. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 45 or 46, wherein the indentations have a substantially rectangular cross-section.

48. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 45, wherein the indentations have a substantially square cross-section.

49. A vehicle parking structure according to any of claims 31 to 48, wherein the fibre reinforced polymer is glass fibre reinforced plastics.

50. A vehicle parking structure according to any of claims 31 to 49, comprising an upper surface layer comprising silicon carbide.

51. A vehicle parking structure according to any of claims 31 to 50, wherein the parking surface is supported above ground.

52. A vehicle parking structure comprising: a parking surface for vehicles to park on comprising a plurality of sheets having a boundary or boundaries between them; and a plurality of supports for supporting the parking surface, the supports having a boundary or boundaries between them; wherein the or each boundary between sheets does not coincide, at least in part, with the or each boundary between supports.

53. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 52, wherein edges of the supports forming at least part of the boundary of the supports are at least in part reinforced.

54. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 52 or 53, wherein the supports have a corrugated cross-section.

55. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 54, wherein the cross- section of each corrugation is in the shape of a truncated triangle.

56. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 55, wherein the edges of the boundary or boundaries between supports are formed by the edges of terminated corrugations.

57. A vehicle parking structure according to any of claims 53 to 56, wherein the edges of the supports forming at least part of the boundary of the supports are at least in part reinforced by U shape profile sections.

58. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 57, wherein free ends of the U-shape cross-section members rest against the supports.

59. A vehicle parking structure according to any of claims 57 to 58, wherein the sheets comprise fibre reinforced polymer.

60. A vehicle parking structure according to any of claims 57 to 59, wherein the sheets comprise an upper side for vehicles to park on and an underside comprising a plurality of indentations.

61. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 60, wherein the indentations are arranged as a grid.

62. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 60 or 61 , wherein the indentations have a substantially rectangular cross-section.

63. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 62, wherein the indentations have a substantially square cross-section.

64. A vehicle parking structure according to any of claims 59 to 63, wherein the fibre reinforced polymer is glass fibre reinforced plastics.

65. A vehicle parking structure according to any of claims 52 to 64, comprising an upper surface layer comprising silicon carbide.

66. A vehicle parking structure according to any of claims 52 to 65, wherein the parking surface is supported above ground.

67. A vehicle parking structure having a parking surface comprising at least one sheet fastened to a support surface.

68. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 67, comprising a plurality of sheets.

69. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 68, wherein at least some of the sheets are fastened to each other.

70. A vehicle parking structure according to any of claims 67 to 69, wherein the support surface forms part of a frame.

71. A vehicle parking structure according to any of claims 67 to 70, wherein the parking surface comprises fibre reinforced polymer.

72. A vehicle parking structure according to any of claims 67 to 71 , wherein the parking surface comprises a first sheet and a second sheet which are held together and to the support surface by a first fastening means which fastens the first sheet to the support surface; and a second fastening means which fastens both a connector to the second sheet and the second sheet to the support surface; wherein the connector engages with the first sheet to hold the first and second sheets together.

73. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 72, wherein the connector comprises a wedge shape portion, which engages with a complementary undercut in the edge of the first sheet.

74. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 72 or 73, wherein the first fastening means comprises a threaded bolt, which extends through a through hole in the first sheet.

75. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 74, wherein the top of the through hole is adapted to house the head of the bolt.

76. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 74 or 75, wherein the through hole in the first sheet is located underneath the connector.

77. A vehicle parking structure according to any of claims 72 to 76, wherein the second fastening means comprises a bolt, which extends through aligned through holes in the connector and the first sheet.

78. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 77, wherein the top of the aligned through holes are adapted to house the head of the bolt.

79. A vehicle parking structure according to any of claims 72to 78, comprising resilient means between adjoining edges of the first and second sheets.

80. A vehicle parking structure according to any of claims 72 to 79, comprising a gap between the connector and the edge of the second sheet.

81. A vehicle parking structure according to any of claims 72 to 80, wherein the edge of the second sheet comprises an undercut.

82. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 80, comprising resilient means in the gap.

83. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 82, wherein the resilient means comprises resin.

84. A vehicle parking structure according to any of claims 67 to 83, wherein the or each sheet comprises an upper side for vehicles to park on and an underside comprising a plurality of indentations.

85. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 84, wherein the indentations are arranged as a grid.

86. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 84 or 85, wherein the indentations have a substantially rectangular cross-section.

87. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 86, wherein the indentations have a substantially square cross-section.

88. A vehicle parking structure according to any of claims 72 to 87, wherein the fibre reinforced polymer is glass fibre reinforced plastics.

89. A vehicle parking structure according to any of claims 72 to 88, comprising an upper surface layer comprising silicon carbide.

90. A vehicle parking structure according to any of claims 72 to 89, comprising a parking surface for vehicles to park on comprising a plurality of sheets having a boundary or boundaries between them; and a support surface comprising a plurality of supports for supporting the parking surface, the supports having a boundary or boundaries between them; wherein the or each boundary between sheets does not coincide, at least in part, with the or each boundary between supports.

91. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 90, wherein edges of the supports forming at least part of the boundary of the supports are at least in part reinforced.

92. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 90 or 91 , wherein the supports have a corrugated cross-section.

93. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 92, wherein the cross- section of each corrugation is in the shape of a truncated triangle.

94. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 93, wherein the edges of the boundary or boundaries between supports are formed by the edges of terminated corrugations.

95. A vehicle parking structure according to any of claims 91 to 94, wherein the edges of the supports forming at least part of the boundary of the supports are at least in part reinforced by U shape profile sections.

96. A vehicle parking structure according to claim 95, wherein free ends of the U-shape cross-section members rest against the supports.

97. A vehicle parking structure according to any of claims 67 to 96, wherein the parking surface is supported above ground.

98. A method of assembling a vehicle parking structure, the method comprising fastening a parking surface for vehicles to park on comprising fibre reinforced polymer in the Form uf al least one sheet to a support having a corrugated profile.

99. A method of assembling a vehicle parking structure, the method comprising fastening at least one sheet on a support surface such that the at least one sheet forms a parking surface.

100. A method according to claim 99, the method further comprising: fastening a first sheet to the support surface; placing a second sheet on the support surface; engaging a connector with the first sheet and the second sheet; and fastening both the connector to the second sheet and the second sheet to the support surface.

101. A method according to claim 99 or 100, the method comprising: placing the boundary or boundaries between a plurality of sheets on a plurality of support surfaces such that a boundary or boundaries between the support surfaces does not coincide, at least in part, with the boundary or boundaries between the sheets.