Structural Column Stilt for Single-Site Concrete Footing Pour
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing structural column assemblies require multiple site visits and are prone to uplift and misalignment during concrete footing formation, leading to increased construction costs and errors.
Innovation Solution
A structural column assembly with a stilt assembly that is fixedly attached to the post and recessed below the grade surface, using cleats to resist shifting, allowing for a single-site concrete pour and improved stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple trips to the job site are made to set the post and form the concrete footing, then the concrete footing can be properly formed, but the construction time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The stilt assembly is pre-attached to the post before site installation. The stilt extends below the post bottom end and includes a base pad that rests on the hole floor, establishing the correct spacing and orientation before concrete is poured. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for multiple site visits.
Solution Approach 2:
The stilt assembly acts as an intermediary device between the post and the concrete footing. It temporarily supports the post in the correct upright position and spacing during the concrete pouring process, then becomes embedded in the concrete. This mediator enables single-site completion of both post installation and footing formation.
2Device complexity
If the post is directly set in the earthen hole without a stilt, then the installation is simpler, but the post shifts orientation during concrete pouring
Solution Approach 1:
The stilt assembly is pre-configured with the post before installation, with the base pad positioned to rest on the hole floor. This preliminary setup ensures the post is held in the correct upright orientation before concrete is poured, preventing shifts during the pouring process.
Solution Approach 2:
The stilt serves as a temporary intermediary support structure that maintains post orientation during concrete pouring. The base pad provides a stable resting surface on the hole floor, while the stilt body supports the post in the correct orientation until the concrete hardens.
3Ease of repair
If fasteners are exposed above the earthen hole for post replacement, then the post can be easily replaced, but the appearance is compromised and corrosion risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fasteners are nested within the stilt assembly structure, specifically positioned in recesses or cavities of the stilt that extend below the hole floor. This nesting protects the fasteners from environmental exposure while maintaining their functional integrity for post attachment and potential replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The stilt assembly acts as a protective intermediary that shields the fasteners from direct exposure to elements. The fasteners remain accessible for their intended function but are protected from corrosion by being embedded within the stilt structure below the hole floor level.
4Ease of manufacture
If concrete is poured in situ around the post, then the footing is formed, but uplift resistance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The stilt assembly is pre-installed with the post before concrete pouring, establishing the correct spacing and orientation. The stilt's base pad rests on the hole floor, creating a stable foundation that contributes to uplift resistance from the outset.
Solution Approach 2:
The final structure combines multiple materials: the wooden post, the metallic stilt assembly, and the concrete footing. This composite construction provides comprehensive uplift resistance through the synergistic action of all components, with the stilt serving as a mechanical reinforcement within the concrete.
Data Source
AI summary
A structural column assembly of the type used for erecting building structures and the like is bedded in a concrete footing formed in situ in an earthen hole. The column assembly includes a post whose bottom end is suspended above a floor of the hole by a stilt. The stilt includes a plurality of legs which extend from the post's bottom end and grip the hole floor through a plurality of cleats. The cleats help stabilize the column assembly during the concrete pour operation so that it does not shift out of position. The stilt legs are provided with a base pad, which is set below the bottom end of the post at a predetermined distance so that the concrete footing can be poured in a single operation immediately after the hole is formed. The stilt can accommodate posts made from wood, pre-cast concrete or any other known construction material. The stilts can be manufactured from formed flat steel or commercially available angle iron and channel stock.