Fire-retardant Cementitious Shear Board with Steel Tab

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fire-resistant materials used in building construction are not economically or mechanically practical for smaller buildings, as they require additional labor and materials to inhibit fire spread and provide shear resistance, leading to increased costs and unacceptable building height.

Innovation Solution

A shear panel comprising a fire-resistant material bonded to a thin high-strength backing material, such as galvanized steel, is designed to form a continuous fire-resistant barrier across seams when installed on conventionally spaced support beams, providing both fire retardation and shear resistance capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional fire-resistant materials and techniques are used, then fire spread is retarded, but construction cost and labor increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire resistanceVSAvoidconstruction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines fire-resistant material and shear-resistant structural material into a single integrated panel system. The structural panel serves dual purposes: providing shear resistance for earthquake/wind resistance and acting as the fire-resistant barrier, eliminating the need for separate fire-retardant strips and reducing construction costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The structural panel is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides shear resistance capacity, acts as a fire-resistant barrier, and serves as the underlayment layer. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional specialized materials and reduces overall construction complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If additional fire-retardant strips are installed, then fire spread between panels is prevented, but labor and material costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire spread preventionVSAvoidconstruction efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The fire-resistant function is merged into the structural panel itself through proper positioning and overlapping arrangements, eliminating the need for separate fire-retardant strips. The panels are installed to overlap by a specified distance, creating continuous fire-resistant coverage without additional materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The fire-resistant capability is built into the panel installation process itself through predetermined overlapping patterns. By designing the panel width and overlap requirements in advance, the fire-resistant barrier is created automatically during normal panel installation, eliminating the need for separate preliminary fire-retardant strip installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If fire-resistant material is used, then fire spread is retarded, but shear resistance capacity is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire resistanceVSAvoidshear resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses composite construction where structural panels (providing shear resistance) are combined with fire-resistant materials through specific overlapping and positioning arrangements, creating a composite system that delivers both structural strength and fire protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Reliability

If heavy steel beams and thick floors are used, then fire resistance is improved, but building height becomes unacceptable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire resistanceVSAvoidbuilding height

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses thin structural panels that provide both fire resistance and shear resistance without requiring thick floor constructions. The panels are positioned and overlapped to create effective fire barriers while maintaining thin profile, avoiding the need for heavy, space-consuming traditional fire-resistant constructions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS7770346B2Fire-retardant cementitious shear board having metal backing with tab for use as underlayment panel for floor or roof

Publication Date: 2010.08.10 SPECIALTY HARDWARE LLC

AI summary

A shear panel for constructing underlayments for floors and roofs of buildings includes a first rectangular layer of fire-resistant material, such as cementitious board, bonded to a second rectangular layer of thin high-strength material, such as galvanized steel. The length of the second layer is longer than the length of the first layer. The additional length of the second layer forms a tab extending from one end of the panel. During construction, a first panel is attached to a set of beams (floor joists or roof rafters) with the tab spanning between adjacent beams. A second panel is positioned on the beams with at least a portion of the second panel overlapping the tab of the first panel. The overlapping portion of the second panel is fastened to the tab of the first panel to form a continuous shear diaphragm for the floor or roof.