Aluminium Wall Frame with Movable Steel Skeleton for Fire Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aluminium-based wall frame structures lose strength at high temperatures due to thermal expansion differences with steel reinforcement, leading to potential structural weakness and collapse in fire situations.
Innovation Solution
A wall frame structure with an aluminium outer profile and a movable steel skeleton, connected via a high-temperature-resistant supporting board and connecting piece, allowing for thermal expansion compensation to prevent deflections and stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a steel reinforcement profile (skeleton) is installed inside an aluminium hollow profile to reinforce the frame structure, then the strength and fire resistance of the structure is improved, but the different coefficients of thermal expansion between aluminium and steel cause different thermal movements at high temperatures, leading to extra stress and deflections in the structure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the connection between the aluminium outer profile and the steel skeleton dynamic rather than rigid. The aluminium profile is allowed to move relative to the steel skeleton within the hollow profile, enabling the structure to adapt to thermal expansion differences. This dynamic adjustment prevents the accumulation of thermal stress and avoids deflections that would occur with a fixed rigid connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the connection system into distinct movable components. The aluminium outer profile, the steel skeleton, and the connecting elements (such as brackets or fasteners) are treated as separate but interconnected parts. This segmentation allows each component to move independently according to its thermal expansion characteristics while maintaining overall structural integrity.
2Weight of moving object
If aluminium is used to make light-weight profile structures that are sufficiently strong and rigid, then the weight of the structure is reduced, but the use of aluminium is problematic when forming fire-resistant and compartment structures because aluminium loses its strength substantially at high temperatures due to softening and melting
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a composite structure by combining aluminium outer profiles with an internal steel skeleton. The aluminium provides lightweight properties and aesthetic appearance, while the steel skeleton provides high-temperature strength and fire resistance. This composite approach allows the structure to benefit from both materials without the disadvantages of using either material alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The steel skeleton is nested inside the hollow aluminium profile, creating a nested structure where the inner steel framework is surrounded by the outer aluminium casing. This nesting arrangement allows the steel skeleton to bear the load and maintain structural integrity at high temperatures, while the aluminium outer profile remains intact for aesthetic and protective purposes.
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
The structure maintains integrity and stability during high-temperature events by allowing the skeleton to move within the aluminium profile, reducing thermal-induced stress and deflections, thereby enhancing fire resistance.
Implementation Method 1
different coefficients of thermal expansion, and they may have different temperatures. This will result in different thermal expansion of the inner structure and the outer structure in fire situations.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2d
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AI summary
Wall frame structure comprising at least a first outer profile (2) made of aluminium and a skeleton (3) placed inside the same, and a second outer profile (8) made of aluminium, fixed substantially transversely to the first outer profile, and a skeleton placed inside the same. The skeleton inside the first outer profile is provided with a supporting board (4) whose position in the skeleton may change in the longitudinal direction of the skeleton, and the skeleton inside the second outer profile, substantially transverse to the first outer profile, is fixed to said supporting board by means of a connecting piece (5).