Demountable Composite Floor Connector for Shear-Resistant Reuse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing composite floor systems with permanent keying connections between concrete slabs and steel beams do not allow for easy dismantling and reuse, and their shear strength improvements are modest even with high-performance materials.
Innovation Solution
A demountable connection system using prefabricated concrete slabs with recesses and connectors, including a smooth rod, removable connector heads, and a waterproof housing part, allows for quick assembly and disassembly, and uses less efficient materials while enhancing shear resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a permanent keying connection system using grout and dowel-type connectors is used, then the shear strength and connection reliability are improved, but the ability to dismantle and reuse components is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into separate modular components: a connector body fixed to the beam, a removable connector head with waterproof housing, and sealing concrete. This segmentation allows the connector head to be removed independently while maintaining the connector body and sealing concrete in place, enabling dismantling and reuse of components without compromising connection reliability during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector head is designed to be dynamically removable and reinsertable, transitioning between a fixed state during operation (providing reliable connection) and a removable state for dismantling and reuse. This dynamic characteristic resolves the contradiction between maintaining permanent connection reliability and enabling future dismantling flexibility.
2Strength
If high-performance materials are used to increase shear resistance, then the connection strength is improved, but the cost and material efficiency are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system uses a composite approach combining different materials with complementary properties: the connector body and beam use high-strength materials for structural integrity, while the waterproof housing uses less expensive polymer materials for sealing functions. The sealing concrete provides frictional resistance without requiring high-performance concrete throughout the entire connection system, optimizing material efficiency while maintaining adequate shear resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The waterproof housing acts as an intermediary element between the connector body and the sealing concrete, providing the necessary sealing function with less expensive materials. This intermediary allows the system to achieve adequate performance without relying solely on high-performance materials throughout all components.
3Ease of operation
If a demountable connection system is implemented, then the ease of assembly and disassembly and reuse capability are improved, but the connection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is segmented into a body and head that can be assembled and disassembled independently, simplifying the demountable operation. The waterproof housing is integrated with the connector head, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying assembly while maintaining ease of disassembly for reuse.
Solution Approach 2:
The waterproof housing is merged with the connector head as a single integrated component, reducing the total number of parts and simplifying the assembly and disassembly operations. This merging maintains the demountable characteristic while reducing connection system complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables easy assembly and disassembly of composite floors, promotes reuse of components, and significantly improves shear resistance without requiring high-performance materials, facilitating a circular economy.
Implementation Method 1
at least one connector body (C) which is fixed to the upper surface of the beam (P) and which extends into the respective recess (D1, D2) from the upper surface of the beam (P)
Implementation Method 2
sealing concrete which fills the free space in each recess, as well as the space between the through hole and the connector
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a mechanical connection system (1) for linking at least one concrete slab (D) to a steel beam, which system (1) comprises at least one connector body (C) including a smooth rod (2) having a proximal end intended to be fixed to the beam, a free distal end (2b), and a female coupling part (20) opening at least at the free distal end (2b), and, for each of the at least one connector body (C), a removable connector head (4, 5, 6) comprising a sealed housing part (4) including a housing body (40), a base (41) and a removable cover (42) delimiting a sealed compartment, and a male coupling part (5) adapted to be housed in the sealed compartment and to pass through an opening (410) in the base (41), the male coupling part (5) being configured to be coupled in the female coupling part (20).The invention also relates to a composite floor in which at least one concrete slab (D) is joined to at least one steel beam using this connection system (1).