Brick Tie Gap Connector With Controlled Stiffness Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brick ties that can be field bent often suffer from variable performance in tension and compression loading due to unpredictable bend location and radius, which affects the connection's efficiency between a brick wall and a structural wall.
Innovation Solution
A connector made from thin sheet steel with controlled stiffness zones and embossments, allowing for controlled bending, featuring calibrated stiffness zones to maintain structural integrity and facilitate easy field bending, while minimizing material usage and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If brick ties are made thin to allow field bending, then ease of operation is improved, but strength and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The brick tie features varying thickness along its length, with thicker sections at critical locations (bend radius control, fastener engagement, mortar joint engagement) and thinner sections in non-critical areas. This local quality variation allows the tie to be thin enough for field bending while maintaining sufficient strength where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the brick tie by incorporating embossed patterns that create localized stiffness variations. These embossed features modify the structural properties of the thin metal sheet, enabling it to resist bending during installation while maintaining overall flexibility for field adjustment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If brick ties are made thin and flexible for field bending, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to variable bend location and radius
Solution Approach 1:
The brick tie incorporates localized embossed features at specific positions along its length that create controlled stiffness zones. These embossed patterns guide the bending process to occur at predetermined locations with consistent radii, ensuring manufacturing precision while maintaining adaptability for field adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The embossed patterns are pre-formed during manufacturing to indicate and control where bending should occur. This preliminary action of creating stiffness zones before installation ensures that field bending produces consistent, predictable results regardless of the installer's skill level.
3Device complexity
If traditional brick ties are used without controlled stiffness zones, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to unpredictable performance under load
Solution Approach 1:
The brick tie uses embossed patterns to create localized stiffness variations without adding complex components. This approach maintains relative structural simplicity while significantly improving reliability by ensuring consistent bending behavior and load distribution across all installed ties.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet metal connector is provided for connecting a brick wall to a second structural member, the connector is received in the mortar joint of the brick wall and is connected to second structural member. The connector is provided with zones of controlled bending and controlled stiffness to allow for controlled bending of the connector in the field.