Acute Z-Shaped Vertical Supports for Lateral Load Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard steel structural shapes, such as wide flange beams, are not optimally designed for vertical support structures like solar panels, leading to instability under lateral loads and potential mechanical failures, while also being material-intensive and costly.
Innovation Solution
The development of acute Z-shaped support structures with acute angles and ribs, optimized through roll forming, which aligns the neutral axis with expected lateral loads and positions the shear center at the cross-sectional centerpoint, enhancing stability and reducing material usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standard wide flange beams are used for vertical support structures, then structural stability is maintained, but material usage increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the support structure by transitioning from a standard wide flange beam configuration to an acute Z-shaped configuration with specific acute angles. This parameter change optimizes the distribution of material while maintaining structural stability, thereby reducing material usage without compromising reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric geometry in the Z-shaped support structure with acute angles that are not uniformly distributed. This asymmetric design allows for optimized material placement where it is most needed for structural stability, reducing overall material usage compared to symmetric standard beams
2Reliability
If standard wide flange beams are used for vertical support structures, then structural stability is maintained, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the geometric parameters to an acute Z-shape configuration, the patent reduces the cross-sectional area and overall volume of material required, directly reducing weight while maintaining the structural stability needed for vertical support applications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts unnecessary material from the standard wide flange beam design by implementing the acute Z-shaped configuration, removing excess weight while retaining only the essential material needed for structural stability
3Ease of manufacture
If standard wide flange beams are used for vertical support structures, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but structural optimization for lateral loads is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality optimization by concentrating material in specific regions of the Z-shaped structure where it most effectively resists lateral loads, rather than uniformly distributing material as in standard beams. This local optimization enhances lateral load stability while maintaining manufacturability
Solution Approach 2:
The acute Z-shaped configuration provides dynamic adaptability to lateral loads through its geometric configuration, allowing the structure to better distribute and respond to lateral forces compared to rigid standard beams, while still being manufacturable using standard processes
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are various methods, systems, and apparatuses relating to structural supports, including acute Z-shaped beams and further including structural features that provide additional structural support for various types of structures, including, for example, bridge and floor beams and other horizontal support structures, along with solar panels, building columns, and other vertical support structures.