Brace Member Dry Assembly Using Threaded Joints and Retaining Rings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing buckling stiffening brace members in building structures require burdensome welding work and increase weight due to mortar filling, making them costly and heavy.
Innovation Solution
A brace member configuration using a solid cross-section axial force member and a tubular stiffening pipe, connected with a retaining ring and sleeve, allowing dry assembly and reducing the need for welding and mortar filling, with a gap between the sleeve and stiffening pipe to enhance stiffness and prevent buckling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If steel pipe members are welded to form axial force members with end plates fixed by welding, then the structural strength and stability are improved, but the work man-hours for welding increase and processing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the welding mechanical system with a threading mechanical system. The axial force member and stiffening pipe are connected through threaded joints instead of welding, eliminating the need for welding operations while maintaining structural strength. This substitution of connection method directly reduces work man-hours for welding and processing cost.
2Reliability
If the steel pipe stiffening buckling is filled with mortar, then the buckling prevention is improved, but the weight per brace increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a hollow stiffening pipe structure instead of filling with mortar. The stiffening pipe provides buckling prevention through its tubular geometry and wall thickness, eliminating the need for mortar filling. This approach maintains reliable buckling prevention while significantly reducing the weight per brace compared to mortar filling methods.
3Ease of manufacture
If ready-made articles such as steel rod and steel pipe are used as axial force member and stiffening member, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the connection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the connection system into distinct components: the axial force member, the stiffening pipe, the retaining ring, and the sleeve. Each component has a specific function, and they are connected through standardized threaded joints. This segmentation allows for easy manufacture of individual components while providing a clear, manageable connection system that reduces overall complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A buckling stiffening brace member eliminates welding time. Readily available components such as a steel rod and a steel pipe can be used as an axial force member and a stiffening member. The axial force member and the stiffening member can be easily connected in a dry manner by threads. A thread for screwing with a joint is formed at an end of an axial force member. At an end of a stiffening pipe that does not have a retaining ring, a sleeve for suppressing neck bending of the axial force member is joined to the outer surface of the axial force member. The axial force member and the stiffening pipe are joined together with the retaining ring therebetween by inserting an end of the axial force member that does not have the sleeve into the inner peripheral surface of the retaining ring and joining it to the retaining ring.