Building Panel Radial Stiffeners Buckling Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional building panels have limited capacity to withstand negative bending moments and are prone to local buckling, restricting the size and shape of self-supporting structures, and current methods for curving panels often weaken the material.

Innovation Solution

The improved building panel features a center section with an approximately radial pattern of alternating inward and outward segments acting as longitudinal stiffeners, enhancing resistance to bending and buckling, and can be curved longitudinally without corrugations using a method involving controlled buckling and stretching.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional building panels with straight central portions are used, then manufacturing is simple, but resistance to negative bending moments is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to negative bending momentsVSAvoidpanel cross-section complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The central portion of the panel is segmented into alternating inward and outward segments that form longitudinal stiffeners. This segmentation creates structural reinforcement against negative bending moments while maintaining a manageable level of complexity through repetitive patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The panel cross-section features localized stiffening segments at the central portion while the wing portions maintain simpler geometries. This local quality approach concentrates structural reinforcement where it is most needed for resisting negative bending moments without unnecessarily complicating the entire panel design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If panel size is increased to construct larger buildings, then construction efficiency improves, but internal stresses from external forces exceed panel capacity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconstruction efficiencyVSAvoidpanel stress resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The panel is divided into distinct functional zones including the central portion with alternating segments and wing portions with connection features. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for specific stress conditions, enabling larger panel sizes that can span greater distances and support larger building structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The panel design combines different geometric configurations within a single cross-section, creating a composite structural system where the alternating segments and wing portions work together to distribute and resist various types of stresses including axial, bending, and shear forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Adaptability or versatility

If corrugations are added to allow curving of panels, then adaptability to different building shapes improves, but panel strength and resistance to buckling decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurving capabilityVSAvoidresistance to local buckling

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of adding external corrugations to enable curving, the invention inverts the approach by creating inherent curvature capability through the alternating inward and outward segments in the panel cross-section. This inverted design allows the panel to be curved longitudinally without adding weakening corrugations, as the segmented structure naturally accommodates curvature while maintaining buckling resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Strength

If material thickness is increased to withstand greater forces in larger structures, then strength improves, but material cost and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce resistance capacityVSAvoidmaterial thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The alternating inward and outward segments create a stiffened cross-section that increases moment of inertia and section modulus without increasing material thickness. This segmentation allows the panel to withstand greater forces in larger structures while using the same amount of material, effectively reducing material requirements compared to conventional solid-section panels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the geometric parameters of the panel cross-section by introducing alternating segments with specific dimensions and spacing. This parameter optimization allows the panel to achieve higher strength-to-weight ratios and greater force resistance capacity without increasing material thickness, as the segmented geometry provides structural efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS7647737B2Building panel and building structure

Publication Date: 2010.01.19 MIC IND INC

AI summary

An improved building panel with increased stiffness and resistance to buckling is disclosed. The panel cross section is characterized by a novel center portion comprised of radially arranged longitudinal stiffening ribs which transition into side portions configured to allow joining of the panels. The configuration of the panel's center section results in an increased moment of inertia as well as higher resistance to positive and negative bending moments and local buckling when compared to existing designs. Additionally, the panel configuration allows curving longitudinally without corrugations. These improvements in the strength of the panel and the elimination of corrugations reduce design constraints on buildings constructed of such panels and allow larger buildings to be constructed.