Cable Brace Bracket for Seismic Conduit Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conduits in commercial buildings experience increased load and potential damage during seismic events due to lateral and axial movement, necessitating a solution to stabilize them without requiring removal of existing hangers or conduits.
Innovation Solution
A cable brace bracket system with hooks in different planes and angles, attachable to hangers and building surfaces, which uses a cable to brace loads and reduce movement, allowing for retrofitting without removing existing installations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional hangers are used to support conduits, then the conduits can be suspended from overhead structures under normal conditions, but during seismic events the conduits experience increased lateral and axial movement that dramatically increases load and may cause damage
Solution Approach 1:
A cable brace bracket is introduced as an intermediary component between the hanger and the overhead structure. The bracket includes a first portion that attaches to the hanger and a second portion that attaches to the overhead structure, with a cable connecting these portions. This intermediary cable-bracket system provides seismic bracing by reducing lateral and axial movement, thereby stabilizing the conduit without requiring modification of the original hanger-conduit connection.
2Reliability
If a cable brace bracket is added to stabilize conduits during seismic events, then lateral and axial movement is reduced, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cable brace bracket is segmented into distinct functional portions: a first portion for attaching to the hanger, a second portion for attaching to the overhead structure, and a cable connecting them. This segmentation allows each component to be independently designed, installed, and adjusted, simplifying the overall system while maintaining seismic stability.
3Ease of operation
If a cable brace bracket is designed to be compatible with prior art hangers, then ease of installation is improved, but the design constraints increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cable brace bracket is designed with universal attachment features that are compatible with multiple types of prior art hangers and overhead structures. The first portion of the bracket can attach to various hanger configurations, and the second portion can attach to different overhead structure types, allowing the same bracket design to serve multiple functions across different installation scenarios without compromising seismic stability.
Data Source
AI summary
Cable brace brackets and a system for bracing are provided. The cable brace bracket includes two hooks of different sizes and having a bracket angle between them that is less than 90°. The system using to cable brace brackets connected with a cable. One hook of each bracket is held against a surface using a threaded rod through the surface, and the other hook is interlocked with loops at the end of the cable.