Beam Assembly for Composite Floor with Adjustable Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for assembling composite floors with hollow-core slabs face challenges in logistics, installation ease, and flexibility due to fixed coupling reinforcement positions, which complicate manufacturing, storage, and on-site adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A steel girder assembly with a coupling device featuring a coupling rail attached to the girder's web, allowing for adjustable positioning of coupling rods through a rotatable coupling protrusion that engages behind a rail wall, enabling stepless positioning options and simplifying the attachment process, even when the exact location of coupling rods is not known.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If coupling reinforcement positions are fixed according to calculated floor plan, then connection reliability between floor boards and girder is ensured, but logistic effort in manufacturing, storage and transport increases, and adaptability to project changes decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device incorporates a rotatable coupling protrusion that can be positioned at multiple locations along the coupling rail, transforming the fixed coupling position into a dynamic, adjustable configuration. This allows the girder to adapt to different floor plan requirements while maintaining reliable connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device is segmented into modular components: coupling rods, coupling protrusions, and a coupling rail with multiple possible engagement positions. This segmentation enables flexible reconfiguration without requiring custom-designed girders for each project variation.
2Reliability
If coupling reinforcement positions are fixed according to calculated floor plan, then connection reliability between floor boards and girder is ensured, but logistic effort in manufacturing, storage and transport increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling rail serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, guides the coupling protrusions, and enables positioning at multiple locations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized girders for different projects, simplifying manufacturing and logistics.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable coupling protrusion allows a single girder design to serve multiple coupling positions, eliminating the need to manufacture and store multiple girder variants, thereby reducing logistic effort while maintaining connection reliability.
3Ease of operation
If coupling protrusion allows stepless positioning along coupling rail, then ease of installation and adaptability improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable coupling protrusion provides a simple mechanical mechanism for achieving multiple positions along the coupling rail. The rotation action is intuitive and easy to perform during installation, improving ease of operation despite the added component.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling rail acts as an intermediary element between the girder web and the coupling rods, providing a guided path for the coupling protrusions. This intermediary structure simplifies the positioning process while the modular design keeps overall device complexity manageable.
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Assembly of a steel girder for a composite floor including concrete hollow-core slabs, and a coupling device for connecting the hollow-core slabs to the girder, wherein the girder comprises: - at least one laterally extending lower flange having a support surface for support ends of the hollow-core slabs and - a web extending upwards from the lower flange, wherein the coupling device comprises: - a number of coupling rods which with the one, first end are intended to be accommodated in the respective longitudinal voids of the hollow-core slabs or in joints between the hollow-core slabs and to be secured to them by poured concrete, and at the other, second end are provided with a coupling protrusion projecting transverse from the respective coupling rod, - at least one coupling rail attached to the web of the girder, which rail extends substantially parallel to the lower flange, and which has a length of at least the width of a hollow-core slab, wherein the rail defines an accommodation space for the coupling protrusions that is at least partially screened off towards the hollow-core slabs in horizontal direction by a coupling wall, and is provided with an opening continuing in longitudinal direction for access of the coupling protrusions to the accommodation space, wherein the coupling protrusions in an insertion position can be introduced through the opening into the accommodation space and engage behind the coupling wall in a coupling position that is rotated relative to the insertion position.