A complex cold-formed thin-walled steel fabricated steel frame
By using a locking assembly to connect complex rolled-edge cold-formed thin-walled steel frames, the construction complexity and instability of traditional bolt end plate connections are solved, achieving a fast and stable connection, improving construction efficiency and structural stability, and making it suitable for various building scenarios.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- CENT SOUTH UNIV
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-30
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-21
AI Technical Summary
In traditional prefabricated steel frames, the bolted end plate connection is complex to construct, lacks stability, makes it difficult to meet high rigidity requirements, and poses a risk of loosening, thus limiting its application potential in complex environments.
The complex rolled-edge cold-formed thin-walled steel frame is connected by high-strength bolts and anti-slip nuts in the locking assembly. The sawtooth friction surface increases the friction coefficient of the contact surface to achieve a stable connection. The connection process is simplified by the waist-shaped holes on the web of the channel steel.
It improves assembly speed and structural stability, reduces construction costs and energy consumption, enhances earthquake and wind resistance, is suitable for temporary building scenarios that require rapid assembly and dismantling, and has high material utilization and adapts to different height requirements.
Smart Images
Figure CN224531887U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of prefabricated building technology, specifically to a complex rolled-edge cold-formed thin-walled steel prefabricated steel frame. Background Technology
[0002] In the construction industry, prefabricated buildings are favored due to their advantages such as fast construction speed and easy quality control. However, traditional prefabricated buildings still face some technical challenges in practical applications. In traditional prefabricated steel frames, bolted end-plate connections are a common node connection method. However, this connection method has some significant drawbacks, especially in the application of complex rolled-edge cold-formed thin-walled steel frames. First, the construction process of bolted end-plate connections is relatively complex, requiring precise drilling and alignment, which not only increases the construction difficulty but also prolongs the construction time. Furthermore, the robustness of the joint often relies on the personal experience of the construction workers, lacking standardized reference specifications. This not only affects the reliability of the structure but also increases safety risks when working at heights. Second, bolted connections are prone to loosening under repeated or dynamic loads, which reduces the stability and safety of the structure. End-plate connections have relatively low stiffness, which may not meet the structural design requirements for certain high-stiffness structures. They also have poor adaptability to installation in complex environments. For large-sized components or structures with high load-bearing capacity requirements, it is difficult to meet the installation accuracy and stability requirements, limiting their application potential in a wider range of scenarios. During construction, extensive temporary supports and fixing measures are required to ensure the accuracy of connections and the stability of the structure, which further increases the complexity and cost of construction. Therefore, bolted end-plate connections are gradually showing their limitations in modern prefabricated buildings, necessitating a more efficient and reliable connection technology to replace them. Utility Model Content
[0003] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology and provide a complex rolled-edge cold-formed thin-walled steel prefabricated steel frame that is easy and quick to connect, flexible in height adjustment, reliable in node connection, and stable in structure. It can be widely adapted to different building needs, such as temporary building scenarios that require rapid assembly and disassembly, or as a teaching model or experimental platform for researching prefabricated building technology in education and research fields.
[0004] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical solution provided by this utility model is as follows: A complex-edged, cold-formed, thin-walled steel prefabricated frame includes steel columns and steel beams. Adjacent steel columns are connected by steel beams perpendicular to them. Each node connecting the steel columns and steel beams is connected by connectors and secured by locking assemblies. The steel columns and steel beams are all cold-formed, thin-walled channel steel with complex inwardly rolled edges. The web of the channel steel has a waist-shaped hole extending longitudinally. The connectors have circular holes. The locking assembly includes high-strength bolts and rectangular anti-slip nuts connected to the bolts. The anti-slip nuts have serrated friction surfaces. When the connecting plate is connected to the web side of the channel steel, the bolt passes through the corresponding circular hole and waist hole and is connected and tightened to the anti-slip nut placed inside the channel steel, and the serrated friction surface is in close contact with the inner side of the web of the channel steel. When the connecting plate is connected to the open side of the channel steel, the bolt passes through the circular hole and the opening of the channel steel and is connected and tightened to the anti-slip nut placed inside the channel steel, and the serrated friction surface abuts against the inner rolled edge of the channel steel.
[0005] As a further improvement to the above technical solution: The connector is an L-shaped or T-shaped steel plate structure, including a vertical connecting part for connecting to the side of the steel column and a horizontal connecting part for connecting to the bottom of the steel beam. The horizontal connecting part is vertically connected to the top of the vertical connecting part to form an integral structure. Both the horizontal connecting part and the vertical connecting part are provided with the circular hole.
[0006] When the connector is L-shaped, its vertical connecting part and horizontal connecting part are both right-angle steel plates or both are flat steel plates; when the connector is T-shaped, its vertical connecting part is a U-shaped steel plate that can cooperate with the outside of the steel column, and its horizontal connecting part is a flat steel plate. There are two flat steel plates, which are respectively connected to the top of the two side plates of the U-shaped steel plate.
[0007] The complex inward-curled edge is a double-layer right-angle spiral inward-curled edge structure, the channel steel is a U-shaped channel steel, and the flange width of the steel column is greater than the flange width of the steel beam.
[0008] The web height H of the steel column is 41.3 mm, the flange width W is 72 mm, and the steel plate thickness t is 2.5 mm; the web height H of the steel beam is 41.3 mm, the flange width W is 41.3 mm, and the steel plate thickness t is 2 mm.
[0009] The length L1 of the waist-shaped hole is 28mm, the width is 13.5mm, and the distance L between adjacent waist-shaped holes is 50mm.
[0010] The bolt head is a bolt head that can be used with a torque wrench.
[0011] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages: 1. This utility model relates to a complex-edged, cold-formed, thin-walled steel prefabricated frame. The frame connects the pre-drilled connectors and the cold-formed thin-walled steel sections via bolts in a locking assembly, and is secured with anti-slip nuts featuring serrated friction surfaces. The interaction between the serrated friction surfaces and the steel surface increases the coefficient of friction, effectively resisting slippage and achieving a stable connection. The connection process between components is simplified, significantly reducing adjustment time and manual intervention during assembly. This enables quick and easy connections between components, making building assembly and disassembly more convenient and efficient. Assembly speed can be increased by approximately 30%, significantly improving construction efficiency and quality while reducing construction costs. Furthermore, the webs of the steel columns and beams have evenly distributed oblong holes, allowing for flexible height adjustment. This enables the frame to quickly adapt to different height requirements without the need for custom-made frames, further saving assembly time and costs, reducing material waste, and achieving a material utilization rate of over 85%.
[0012] 2. This utility model features a complex-edged, cold-formed, thin-walled steel prefabricated frame. The joints are connected using locking components, effectively preventing thermal deformation and loosening of bolted connections that may occur during welding. Compared to common welding or bolted connections in existing technologies, this method offers higher connection strength and stability, reduces the use of welding and bolts, further lowering material and construction costs, resulting in an overall cost reduction of approximately 15%. It also reduces energy consumption and environmental pollution during construction. Experimental verification shows that under the same load, the deformation at the connection points of this utility model's steel frame can be reduced by approximately 20%, significantly improving overall structural stability, extending service life, and reducing subsequent maintenance costs. Furthermore, this connection method allows for connections in various directions, providing the possibility of multi-directional force transmission to enhance the structure's seismic and wind resistance. The structure is lightweight and high-strength, suitable for environments with large dynamic loads or temporary building scenarios requiring rapid assembly and disassembly, such as disaster relief, temporary housing, or construction site offices.
[0013] 3. The complex rolled-edge cold-formed thin-walled steel prefabricated steel frame of this utility model can adapt to different usage scenarios and functional requirements, such as adjustable storage shelves and temporary grandstands. It can also be applied in the fields of education and research as a teaching model or experimental platform for researching prefabricated building technology, helping students and researchers to better understand and master the design concepts and construction techniques of prefabricated buildings. Attached Figure Description
[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the steel frame of this utility model.
[0015] Figure 2 This is a structural schematic diagram of the corner node of the steel frame of this utility model.
[0016] Figure 3 This is a structural schematic diagram of the middle node of the steel frame of this utility model. Figure 1.
[0017] Figure 4 This is a structural schematic diagram of the middle node of the steel frame of this utility model. Figure 2 .
[0018] Figure 5 This is a structural schematic diagram of the T-shaped connector in this utility model.
[0019] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the L-shaped connector in this utility model. Figure 1 .
[0020] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the L-shaped connector in this utility model. Figure 2 .
[0021] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the anti-slip nut in this utility model.
[0022] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the waist-shaped hole layout on the web of the channel steel in this utility model.
[0023] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the channel steel in this utility model.
[0024] Legend: 1. Steel column; 2. Steel beam; 3. Connector; 31. Vertical connection; 32. Horizontal connection; 4. Locking assembly; 41. Bolt; 42. Anti-slip nut; 421. Serrated friction surface; 5. Waist-shaped hole. Detailed Implementation
[0025] The utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.
[0026] like Figures 1-10As shown, the complex rolled-edge cold-formed thin-walled steel prefabricated steel frame of this embodiment includes steel columns 1 and steel beams 2. Adjacent steel columns 1 are connected by steel beams 2 perpendicular to them. The bottom end of the steel column 1 is provided with a base and connected to the foundation by anchor bolts (existing technology, not shown in the figure). Each node connecting the steel column 1 and the steel beam 2 is connected by connectors 3 and fastened by locking components 4. The steel columns 1 and steel beams 2 are both cold-formed thin-walled channel steel with complex inward rolled edges. The web of the channel steel is evenly provided with multiple longitudinally extending waist-shaped holes 5 for easy connection. The connectors 3 are provided with circular holes whose positions correspond to the waist-shaped holes 5. The locking components 4 include 8.8 grade M10 high-strength large hexagonal head bolts 41 and 30mm×18mm rectangular anti-slip nuts 42 connected to the bolts 41. One side surface of the anti-slip nuts 42 is provided with a serrated friction surface 421 (preferably two sets are provided, arranged in parallel and symmetrically on both sides of the bolt hole). When the connecting plate 3 is connected to the web side of the channel steel, the bolt 41 passes through the corresponding circular hole and the oblong hole 5 and is connected and tightened to the anti-slip nut 42. The anti-slip nut 42 is placed inside the channel steel and the serrated friction surface 421 is in close contact with the inner side of the web of the channel steel. When the connecting plate 3 is connected to the open side of the channel steel, the bolt 41 passes through the circular hole and the opening of the channel steel and is connected and tightened to the anti-slip nut 42. The anti-slip nut 42 is placed inside the channel steel and the serrated friction surface 421 is in close contact with the inner rolled edge of the channel steel.
[0027] In this invention, steel columns and beams are connected by connectors, and the connectors and steel sections are fixed into a single structure by a locking assembly, ensuring the stability and integrity of the entire steel frame structure. Rectangular anti-slip nuts are nested inside the channel steel and engage with the steel surface through a serrated friction surface, making the connection between steel components more robust and reliable, effectively avoiding problems such as loosening and misalignment that may occur with traditional connection methods. Furthermore, it is easy to operate; the installation process requires no additional welding or numerous bolts, greatly improving on-site assembly efficiency and significantly reducing construction difficulty and cost. Both the steel columns and beams are made of channel steel with a complex inwardly rolled edge structure formed through a cold-bending process; this rolled edge structure increases the bending resistance of the components. The web of the channel steel has multiple evenly spaced oblong holes, which facilitates the installation of connectors and locking components. It also allows for hole-to-hole fixing using connectors and locking components, based on actual building needs and site conditions. This eliminates the need for welding or numerous bolts, enabling quick and precise adjustment of the steel frame height. This significantly enhances the versatility and flexibility of the steel frame, allowing it to adapt to building structures of varying heights without requiring custom frames for each height. This reduces resource waste and improves material utilization, achieving a utilization rate of over 85%. It also provides greater convenience for subsequent construction.
[0028] In this embodiment, the force transmission mechanism of the locking connection mainly relies on the high frictional resistance of the serrated friction surface on the anti-slip nut. When a load is applied to the structure, the serrated friction surface effectively transmits shear and tensile forces by increasing contact pressure and friction, thus providing an anti-loosening function to prevent loosening under external loads. This locking connection method effectively avoids thermal deformation and bolt loosening problems that may occur during welding. Compared with common welding or bolt connections in the prior art, it has higher connection strength and stability, and can reduce the use of welding and bolts, further reducing material and construction costs, with an overall cost reduction of approximately 15%, reducing energy consumption and environmental pollution during construction. Experimental verification shows that under the same load, the deformation of the steel frame of this utility model can be reduced by approximately 20%, significantly improving the overall structural stability, extending service life, and reducing subsequent maintenance costs. Moreover, the locking assembly allows for connection in various directions, providing the possibility of multi-directional force transmission, thereby enhancing the seismic and wind resistance performance of the structure. This multi-directional connection capability makes the structure of this utility model particularly suitable for environments with large dynamic loads or temporary building scenarios requiring rapid assembly and disassembly.
[0029] In this embodiment, the connector 3 is an L-shaped or T-shaped steel plate structure, including a vertical connecting part 31 for connecting to the side of the steel column 1 and a horizontal connecting part 32 for connecting to the bottom of the steel beam 2. The horizontal connecting part 32 is vertically connected to the top of the vertical connecting part 31 to form an integral structure. Both the horizontal connecting part 32 and the vertical connecting part 31 are provided with circular holes. The shape and size of the connector match the steel column and steel beam to be assembled, which can ensure the best matching and connection effect. It can guide the steel components to be quickly and accurately aligned without repeated manual measurement and adjustment, greatly reducing manual intervention, improving the intelligence of the assembly operation, enhancing on-site adaptability, ensuring the smooth progress of the assembly work, effectively shortening the construction cycle, and improving the overall construction efficiency and quality.
[0030] In this embodiment, the bolt head of bolt 41 is a bolt head that can be matched with a torque wrench. The opening of the steel beam 2 faces upward, and the opening of the steel column 1 faces inward.
[0031] In this embodiment, when the connector 3 is L-shaped, its vertical connecting part 31 and horizontal connecting part 32 are both right-angle steel plates or both are flat steel plates. When the connector 3 is T-shaped, its vertical connecting part 31 is a U-shaped steel plate that can cooperate with the outside of the steel column 1, and its horizontal connecting part 32 is a flat steel plate. Two flat steel plates are provided, which are respectively connected to the top of the two side plates of the U-shaped steel plate. Preferably, a circular hole is provided on each surface of the right-angle steel plate, the U-shaped steel plate, and the flat steel plate.
[0032] In this embodiment, when connecting the corner nodes of the steel frame, it is preferable to use L-shaped connectors 3, where both the vertical connecting part 31 and the horizontal connecting part 32 are right-angled steel plates. During installation, first place one side of the right-angled steel plate serving as the vertical connecting part 31 on the web side of the steel column 1, and align the circular hole on the right-angled steel plate with the oblong hole on the web. Pass the bolt 41 through the corresponding circular hole and oblong hole and thread it onto the anti-slip nut 42 placed inside the channel steel. Tighten the bolt 41 with a torque wrench so that the serrated friction surface of the anti-slip nut 42 abuts against the inner side of the web of the channel steel to form an integral structure. Then, place the bottom of the web of one end of the steel beam 2 on the right-angled steel plate serving as the horizontal connecting part 32, and use the same method to form an integral structure between the steel beam 2 and the right-angled steel plate. Alternatively, one side of the right-angled steel plate serving as the vertical connecting part 31 can be placed on the opening side of the steel column 1, and the bolt can be threaded through the circular hole and the opening to connect with the anti-slip nut placed inside the channel steel, so that the sawtooth friction surface of the anti-slip nut is in tight contact with the inner rolled edge of the channel steel for fixation. This method does not require the circular hole to correspond with the waist-shaped hole, making it easier to connect.
[0033] In this embodiment, when connecting the nodes (including cross-shaped nodes and T-shaped nodes) in the middle of the frame, a T-shaped connector 3 is preferably used in conjunction with an L-shaped connector 3 whose vertical connecting part 31 and horizontal connecting part 32 are both flat steel plates. When installing a T-shaped node, the U-shaped steel plate of the T-shaped connector 3 is fitted onto the outside of the steel column, with the bottom plate of the U-shaped steel plate positioned on the open side of the steel column. One L-shaped connector 3 with both vertical connecting part 31 and horizontal connecting part 32 being flat steel plates is provided, placed on the web side of the steel column. When installing a cross-shaped node, the U-shaped steel plate of the T-shaped connector 3 is fitted onto the outside of the steel column, with the bottom plate of the U-shaped steel plate positioned on the open side of the steel column. Two L-shaped connectors 3 with both vertical connecting part 31 and horizontal connecting part 32 being flat steel plates are provided, placed on the web side of the steel column and the outside of the bottom plate of the U-shaped steel plate, respectively. The remaining installation methods are the same as above and will not be repeated. This hole-to-hole installation method not only improves installation accuracy and efficiency but also reduces on-site machining workload. Using a torque wrench to tighten the bolts ensures that the torque at each connection point meets design requirements, guaranteeing a tight and secure connection, thereby ensuring the stability and safety of the entire frame structure.
[0034] In this embodiment, the complex inward rolled edge is a double-layer right-angle spiral inward rolled edge structure, the channel steel is a U-shaped channel steel, and the flange width of the steel column 1 is greater than the flange width of the steel beam 2.
[0035] In this embodiment, the web height H of the steel column 1 is 41.3 mm, the flange width W is 72 mm, and the steel plate thickness t is 2.5 mm; the web height H of the steel beam 2 is 41.3 mm, the flange width W is 41.3 mm, and the steel plate thickness t is 2 mm.
[0036] In this embodiment, the length L1 of the oblong hole is 28mm, the width is 13.5mm, and the distance L between adjacent oblong holes is 50mm. The diameter of the circular hole is 13.5mm.
[0037] In the structure of this utility model, a plug is also provided between the top of the steel column and the end of each steel beam (existing technology, not shown in the figure).
[0038] The feasibility of this invention has been proven through a series of experiments and simulation tests, as detailed below: 1: Experimental Model Construction and Testing Step 1, Constructing the experimental model In the experiment, we constructed an experimental model of a prefabricated steel frame with complex rolled-edge cold-formed thin-walled steel sections based on this invention. The model includes node locking components, perforated cold-formed thin-walled steel components, and connectors, achieving a design with precise alignment.
[0039] Step 2, Structural stability test Stability tests were conducted on the experimental model. The results showed that the stability of the frame structure was significantly enhanced by the interlocking joints and adjustable opening height. During the tests, the frame did not exhibit significant deformation or instability under the design load.
[0040] Step 3, Installation efficiency test The alignment was tested using holes. Experimental results show that this function effectively reduces manual intervention, improves the intelligence of assembly operations, and enhances on-site adaptability. The alignment accuracy of components reached the millimeter level, significantly improving construction efficiency.
[0041] 2: Verification of adaptability to the construction environment Step 1: Multiple simulation experiments were conducted based on the layout and environment of different construction sites to verify the adaptability and ease of operation of this invention. Experimental results show that the system can operate efficiently and stably at different construction sites, and is especially suitable for sites with limited space.
[0042] Step 2: Compared with the existing bolt-end plate connected assembled steel frame, the design model of this utility model has been tested in continuous working cycle. The design model has shown stable performance and no failures or problems caused by long-term service, which proves that the model has good reliability and durability.
[0043] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this utility model, and the protection scope of this utility model is not limited to the above embodiments. Improvements and modifications obtained without departing from the technical concept of this utility model should also be considered within the protection scope of this utility model.
Claims
1. A complex rolled-edge cold-formed thin-walled steel prefabricated steel frame, comprising steel columns (1) and steel beams (2), wherein adjacent steel columns (1) are connected by steel beams (2) perpendicular to them, characterized in that, The steel column (1) and the steel beam (2) are connected at each node by a connector (3) and fastened by a locking assembly (4); the steel column (1) and the steel beam (2) are both cold-formed thin-walled channel steel with complex inward rolled edges. The web of the channel steel is provided with a waist-shaped hole (5) extending longitudinally. The connector (3) is provided with a circular hole. The locking assembly (4) includes a high-strength bolt (41) and a rectangular anti-slip nut (42) connected to the bolt (41). The anti-slip nut (42) is provided with a sawtooth friction surface (421). When the connector (3) is connected to the web side of the channel steel, the bolt (41) passes through the corresponding circular hole and waist-shaped hole (5) and is connected and tightened to the anti-slip nut (42) placed inside the channel steel, and the sawtooth friction surface (421) is in close contact with the inner side of the web of the channel steel. When the connector (3) is connected to the open side of the channel steel, the bolt (41) passes through the circular hole and the opening of the channel steel and is connected and tightened with the anti-slip nut (42) placed inside the channel steel, and the serrated friction surface (421) abuts against the inner rolled edge of the channel steel.
2. The assembled steel frame of complex rolled-edge cold-formed thin-walled steel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connector (3) is an L-shaped or T-shaped steel plate structure, including a vertical connecting part (31) for connecting to the side of the steel column (1) and a horizontal connecting part (32) for connecting to the bottom of the steel beam (2). The horizontal connecting part (32) is vertically connected to the top of the vertical connecting part (31) to form an integral structure. Both the horizontal connecting part (32) and the vertical connecting part (31) are provided with the circular hole.
3. The assembled steel frame of complex rolled-edge cold-formed thin-walled steel according to claim 2, characterized in that, When the connector (3) is L-shaped, its vertical connecting part (31) and horizontal connecting part (32) are both right-angle steel plates or both are flat steel plates; When the connector (3) is T-shaped, its vertical connecting part (31) is a U-shaped steel plate that can cooperate with the outside of the steel column (1), and its horizontal connecting part (32) is a flat steel plate. The flat steel plate is provided in two pieces, which are respectively connected to the top of the two side plates of the U-shaped steel plate.
4. The assembled steel frame of complex rolled-edge cold-formed thin-walled steel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The complex inward rolled edge is a double-layer right-angle spiral inward rolled edge structure, the channel steel is a U-shaped channel steel, and the flange width of the steel column (1) is greater than the flange width of the steel beam (2).
5. The assembled steel frame of complex rolled-edge cold-formed thin-walled steel according to claim 4, characterized in that, The web height H of the steel column (1) is 41.3 mm, the flange width W is 72 mm, and the steel plate thickness t is 2.5 mm; the web height H of the steel beam (2) is 41.3 mm, the flange width W is 41.3 mm, and the steel plate thickness t is 2 mm.
6. The assembled steel frame of complex rolled-edge cold-formed thin-walled steel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The length L1 of the waist-shaped hole (5) is 28mm, the width is 13.5mm, and the distance L between adjacent waist-shaped holes (5) is 50mm.
7. The assembled steel frame of complex rolled-edge cold-formed thin-walled steel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bolt head of the bolt (41) is a bolt head that can be matched with a torque wrench.