Building Structure Connecting Means for Bending Moment Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing building structures made of solid concrete elements face challenges in achieving stability and transferring bending moments due to high dead loads, which are exacerbated by the weight and handling difficulties of such elements, and are vulnerable in natural disasters like earthquakes, especially where lifting equipment is limited or infrastructure is poor.
Innovation Solution
The use of EPS concrete with reinforcement lattice girders and a connecting means featuring elongate members that allow for a rigid connection capable of transferring bending moments, including girders with H- or I-sections and bolted connections, to link slab and wall elements, reducing the dead load and enabling easier handling and installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If welding plates are used to connect prefabricated wall elements and slab elements, then the connection can be assembled, but the connection cannot transfer bending moments between elements
Solution Approach 1:
The connection is divided into multiple components: a first joint element integrated into the slab element, a second joint element integrated into the wall element, and an elongate member that bridges between them. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while collectively achieving rigid moment transfer capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The elongate member is slid into engagement with recesses and slots within the joint elements, creating a nested configuration where the connection components fit together. This nested arrangement ensures proper positioning and enables the transmission of bending moments through the interconnected elements.
2Ease of manufacture
If welding plates are positioned in formwork prior to concrete pouring, then connections can be made, but exact positioning is difficult to achieve and requires comprehensive checks
Solution Approach 1:
The joint elements are pre-integrated into the building elements during manufacturing, with recesses and slots预先 prepared. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex positioning operations during assembly, as the elongate member simply needs to be slid into the pre-formed engagement features.
Solution Approach 2:
The recesses and slots act as intermediary features that facilitate the connection between building elements. These intermediary structures guide the elongate member into proper position and maintain alignment, eliminating the need for precise manual positioning of connection plates.
3Strength
If solid concrete elements are used for building structures, then structural strength is achieved, but dead load increases and handling becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The building elements use composite construction with concrete infill combined with steel joint elements and reinforcement. This composite approach provides the strength of concrete while using steel components strategically only where needed for connection and structural integrity, reducing overall weight compared to solid concrete elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The structure is segmented into prefabricated elements with integrated joint elements, allowing for optimized material distribution. Concrete is used for mass and stability while steel components provide targeted strength at connection points, reducing the overall dead load compared to solid concrete construction.
4Productivity
If prefabricated elements are used for building construction, then assembly is facilitated, but connection reliability for moment transfer is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system transitions from static welding plates to a dynamic assembly process where the elongate member is slid into engagement with the joint elements. This dynamic insertion method maintains assembly speed while achieving reliable moment transfer through the interlocking geometry of recesses, slots, and the elongate member.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A building structure connecting means (1) and a method for connecting an end portion (3) of at least one first building element (5) having a thickness (T5), to an end portion (7) of at least one second building element (9), the connecting means (1) comprising: - a first joint element (11) for connection to the end portion (3) of the first building element (5); the first joint element (11) having a length substantially corresponding to the thickness (T5) of the first building element (5); - a second joint element (13) for connection to the end portion (7) of the second building element (9); and - at least one elongate member (20) for slidable engagement with at least one of the first joint element (11) and the second joint element (13), such that relative movement between the first joint element (11) and the second joint element (13) in at least one direction is prevented.