Beam Assembly with Inclined Head Plate Joints for Thermal Stress Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Steel structures in nuclear facilities and other heavily loaded applications face challenges in balancing thermal expansion with the need for minimal constraint to distribute external loads evenly, leading to insufficient axial rigidity and reduced load-bearing capacity.
Innovation Solution
A carrier arrangement with inclined head plate joints and elongated holes allows for lateral displacement of central segments relative to outer segments during thermal expansion, maintaining load-bearing capacity by overcoming static friction through pre-tensioned screw connections, and automatically restoring the original position upon temperature change.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If floating bearings are used to allow axial displacement for thermal expansion, then thermal constraining forces are reduced, but axial rigidity is insufficient to distribute external loads homogeneously
Solution Approach 1:
The head plate joints are designed with inclined connection elements and elongated holes that enable dynamic adaptation: the connection is rigid in the longitudinal direction for load bearing, but allows lateral displacement when thermal expansion forces act, thus distributing thermal stresses while maintaining axial rigidity
Solution Approach 2:
The connection elements are inclined relative to the longitudinal axis, and elongated holes permit displacement in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis. This dimensional transformation allows thermal expansion to be accommodated laterally while maintaining longitudinal rigidity for load bearing
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the bearing is made as free from constraints as possible to compensate for thermal expansion, then thermal stresses are reduced, but load-bearing capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connection has different characteristics in different directions: it is rigid in the longitudinal direction to bear external loads, but flexible in the lateral direction to accommodate thermal expansion. This directional differentiation resolves the contradiction between thermal stress reduction and load-bearing capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The connection dynamically adapts its behavior based on the type of load: under external loads it acts rigidly, while under thermal expansion it allows lateral displacement. This dynamic response maintains both thermal stress reduction and load-bearing capacity
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
This solution enables a controlled reduction of thermal stresses while maintaining load-bearing capacity for external loads, achieving a rigid and economical steel construction with material savings, suitable for both new and existing structures.
Implementation Method 1
The high constraining forces overcome the static friction between the head plates, which is achieved by partially pre-tensioning the screw connection.
Implementation Method 2
which is achieved by partially pre-tensioning the screw connection
Implementation Method 3
The axial expansion of the segments under thermal load is compensated for by the sideways deflection of the construction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a beam assembly, comprising a substantially straight beam (2), which is arranged between two bearings (4, 6) and extends in a longitudinal direction (8) and comprises at least three segments (10, 2, 14), which are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction (8) and which are connected to each other by means of two head plate joints (22), namely a middle segment (10) and two outer segments (12, 14), wherein the bearings (4, 6) are prevented from moving in the longitudinal direction (8), should permit controlled relief of thermal constraining forces while the load-transferring function is simultaneously maintained and while external dynamic forces are evenly distributed within the construction. According to the invention this is achieved in that the middle segment (10) has a middle segment head plate (18) at each of the two ends of the middle segment and each of the two outer segments (12, 14) has an outer segment head plate (20) at the end of the outer segment directed toward the middle segment (10), each outer segment head plate (20) is oriented complementarily to the middle segment head plate (18) facing the outer segment head plate in such a way that the outer segment head plate and the middle segment head plate together form a head plate joint (22), the two head plates (18, 20) of each head plate joint (22) are connected to each other by means of connecting bolts (28), which are inserted through openings (26) in the head plates (18, 20), the openings (26) in at least one of the head plates (18) of each head plate joint (22) are designed as elongated holes (34), and both head plate joints (22) are angled in opposite directions with respect to a plane normal to the longitudinal direction (8) in such a way and the elongated holes (34) are arranged and oriented in such a way that lateral displacement of the middle segment (10) in relation to the two outer segments (12, 14) is possible in the event of thermal expansion or contraction of the segments (10, 12, 14).