Active Beam Joint Brace for Structural Distortion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-rise buildings and bridges face structural integrity issues due to external forces like wind and earthquakes, which cause distortion and resonance, leading to damage and occupant discomfort, with existing solutions like tuned mass dampers and fluid viscous dampers having limitations, especially in terms of cost and interference with building design.
Innovation Solution
An active beam joint brace system that spans one corner of a rectangular beam structure, using powered solenoids to apply counteractive forces detected by sensors, including strain gauges, wind speed sensors, and accelerometers, to mitigate distortion caused by wind and earthquakes, with optional computer-aided algorithms for sophisticated force patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If tuned mass dampers are installed to counteract wind and earthquake forces, then structural stability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the structural stabilization function into multiple distributed beam joint braces positioned at specific corners of the beam structure, rather than using a single centralized tuned mass damper. Each brace independently counteracts forces at its location, segmenting the overall stabilization system to reduce complexity while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The beam joint braces are strategically positioned at specific corners of the beam structure where distortion is most likely to occur, providing localized stabilization. This allows the structure to maintain stability without requiring comprehensive damping throughout the entire structure, reducing overall device complexity and cost.
2Stability of the object's composition
If tuned mass dampers are installed to reduce building sway, then structural stability is improved, but the design interferes with window and door placement
Solution Approach 1:
By using distributed beam joint braces at specific corners rather than a centralized tuned mass damper, the patent allows for greater design flexibility in window and door placement. The corner-brace configuration naturally preserves opening spaces in the beam structure, eliminating the need to redesign around large damper installations.
3Stability of the object's composition
If passive dampers are used to counteract external forces, then structural stability is improved, but the system lacks proactive resistance capability
Solution Approach 1:
The beam joint braces incorporate sensors that continuously monitor the beam structure for distortion and external forces. This feedback mechanism enables the system to detect changes in real-time and automatically adjust the brace positioning or stiffness to provide proactive resistance against wind and earthquake forces, transitioning from passive to active stabilization.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively reduces building sway and distortion during high winds and earthquakes, potentially replacing or reducing the need for tuned mass dampers, while maintaining window and door space and providing proactive resistance to external forces.
Implementation Method 1
The active beam joint brace is comprised of a solenoid, a movement detector, and a power supply
Implementation Method 2
The active beam joint brace is positioned near the joint corner of two joined beams to register movement of the beams at the corner of the structure
Implementation Method 3
sensors, including strain gauges, wind speed sensors, and accelerometers
Implementation Method 4
sensors, including strain gauges, wind speed sensors, and accelerometers
Data Source
AI summary
The Active Beam Joint Brace (ABJB) is an improvement or a compliment to the current technology of protecting steel beam structured buildings such as tuned mass dampers near the top floors of sky scrapers and large shock absorbers to reduce sway due to high winds and earthquakes. The ABJB can be also used in any type of structure i.e. bridges. It is positioned near the joint of two of the beams and therefore does not interfere with the placement of doors and windows. There are two embodiments of the ABJB:1. A basic ABJB2. A smart ABJBThe basic ABJB reacts to any distortion of the protected beam joint and applies a counter force to the two beams in than joint.The smart ABJB is also able to forecast some of the remaining wave forces in an earthquakes duration (from the first wave forms) and proactively apply counter forces (i.e. a Rayleigh Wave). It may also adjust the frequency, magnitude and direction in combination with the other ABJB's in the structure based on the properties of the external force on the structure.Additional sensors, such as strain gauges, wind speed sensors, wind direction sensors and accelerometers can be used to gather more data about any distortion of the beam structure which can then be utilized with an intelligent algorithm to forecast and proactively resist the beam structure from distorting due to external forces.