Beam-Column Connection Member With Notch and Rib

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connection structures for steel pipe columns with beams of different heights require extensive welding and are costly, with poor workability and the need for internal diaphragms, which complicates the process and increases material mass.

Innovation Solution

A connection structure that uses a connection member with a column-connection surface and a beam-mounting surface, featuring a notch along the width direction to avoid interference, and a reinforcing member with a convex part to transmit stress between the beam and column, eliminating the need for internal diaphragms and allowing for efficient stress transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If internal diaphragms are provided in the column to connect beams of different heights, then the connection structure can accommodate varying beam heights, but the welding amount increases significantly and workability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to connect beams of different heightsVSAvoidworkability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The connection structure is divided into modular components: external diaphragms attached to the column exterior, and connection members with notches that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately and assembled outside the column, avoiding the need for internal welding and significantly improving workability while maintaining adaptability to different beam heights.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The diaphragms are moved from the internal dimension (inside the column) to the external dimension (outside the column). This dimensional relocation allows workers to access and weld diaphragms from the exterior, eliminating the need for complex internal welding operations and dramatically improving ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Strength

If the connection member is integrally molded with the column, then the structural strength is improved, but the material mass increases and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidmaterial mass

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The connection structure is segmented into the column body and the connection member as separate components. The connection member with its notch and diaphragms is manufactured independently and then attached to the column exterior. This segmentation reduces the total material mass compared to integral molding while maintaining connection strength through proper welding of the connection member to the column.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of making the entire column-integration structure uniformly thick and heavy, the connection member is designed with localized thickness variations - thicker at the notch and diaphragm areas where strength is needed, and thinner elsewhere. This local quality approach maintains necessary connection strength while minimizing overall material mass.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple diaphragms are provided for beams of different heights, then each beam can be connected properly, but the number of man-hours increases due to cutting and positioning work

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection capability for different beam heightsVSAvoidinstallation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The diaphragms are pre-attached to the column exterior at predetermined positions before beam installation. The connection members with notches are also prepared in advance. This preliminary action eliminates the need for on-site cutting and positioning work, allowing beams to be directly connected to the pre-positioned diaphragms, thereby significantly improving installation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The connection member with the notch acts as an intermediary component between the beam and the diaphragm. It provides a standardized interface that simplifies the connection process, allowing different beam heights to be accommodated without requiring custom cutting and positioning of diaphragms for each beam, thus improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9394679B2Connection structure of beam and column, and connection member

Publication Date: 2016.07.19 SENQCIA CO LTD

AI summary

In a beam-connection member 9, the bottom surface side is a column-connection surface 14 and one side surface is a beam-mounting surface 16. In other words, the column-connection surface 14 and the beam-mounting surface 16 are formed to be substantially perpendicular. The column-connection surface 14 is the site of connection with a surface of the column. A depression 15 is formed on the column-connection surface 14. The depth of the depression 15 is preferably at least half of the main body thickness of the beam-connection member 9. Further, a notch 11 is formed across the width direction on the column-connection surface 14. The notch 11 is to avoid interference with the diaphragm. Near the notch 11, a rib 17 is provided in the depression 15 as necessary in the width direction. The rib 17 is for preventing deformation of the beam-connection member and for reinforcing the beam-connection member.