Column Assembly with Full-Length Beam for Torsion Resistance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional steel frame building joint connections are inefficient, labor-intensive, and costly, particularly in field welding processes, and lack sufficient torsion capacity and resistance to extreme loads such as blasts and earthquakes, leading to potential progressive collapse.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a full-length beam assembly welded into each joint connection, eliminating the need for stub beams and link beams, and utilizing optimized gusset plates for enhanced structural continuity and torsion resistance across columns.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional gusset plates and stub beams are used with field welding, then joint connections can be assembled, but construction costs and labor intensity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejoint connection assemblyVSAvoidconstruction efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The beam-to-column connection is segmented into factory-prepared column assemblies with integrated gusset plates and stub beams, and site-installed link beams. This segmentation allows complex welding to be performed in controlled factory conditions rather than on-site, improving construction efficiency while maintaining connection integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The gusset plates and stub beams are pre-assembled and pre-welded to column assemblies in the factory before shipment to the construction site. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex on-site welding operations, significantly reducing labor intensity and construction time while ensuring consistent quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional gusset plates are used, then beam-to-column connections can be made, but torsion capacity and resistance to extreme loads are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejoint connection fabricationVSAvoidtorsion capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The joint connection system combines multiple structural elements (column assemblies with integrated gusset plates, stub beams, and link beams) into a composite structural system. This composite approach enhances torsion capacity and resistance to extreme loads beyond what conventional separate gusset plate connections can achieve, while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If field welding is performed for link beam installation, then structural continuity is achieved, but labor intensity and construction time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural continuityVSAvoidconstruction time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous beam structure is segmented into stub beams (pre-assembled with columns) and link beams (installed on-site). This segmentation maintains structural continuity through properly designed connections while reducing on-site welding operations to only the link beam installations, significantly cutting construction time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The column assemblies are designed to be self-contained units with pre-assembled gusset plates and stub beams that require minimal on-site work. The link beams serve as the only remaining connection element needed to complete the structural continuity, making the construction process more efficient while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of manufacture

If conventional joint connections are used, then building framework can be erected, but material costs and construction costs are significantly higher than necessary

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejoint connection assemblyVSAvoidmaterial cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The gusset plates are merged with the column assemblies as integrated components rather than separate field-installed elements. This merging eliminates redundant materials and simplifies the connection system, reducing both material costs and construction costs while maintaining the structural functionality of the joint connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8176706B2Column assembly for a building framework

Publication Date: 2012.05.15 MITEK HOLDING INC

AI summary

A building framework includes plural column assemblies interconnected by plural full-length beam assemblies, with the union of the column assemblies and beam assemblies forming beam-to-column joint assemblies according to this invention. The column assemblies include pairs of side plates spanning the column members of the column assemblies and projecting toward another column assembly of the plurality of such column assemblies. The full-length beam assemblies include beam members for being received between column assemblies to be interconnected and defining an end gap with respect to each column member. Additionally, the full-length beam assemblies include at each opposite end portion thereof a pair of cover plates, including an upper cover plate and a lower cover plate, which cover plates are sized and configured to be united with the side plates of a column assembly, as by welding applied at a construction site. The full-length beam assemblies may also include provisions for drawing together the side plates of a column assembly preparatory to welding, which side plates are sufficiently spaced apart to provide a “rattle” space allowing entry of an end portion of a full-length beam assembly between the side plates as a step in the erection process for the framework.