Composite Timber Steel Floor Beam with Service Apertures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing composite steel and timber floor beams pose health and safety hazards during assembly and transportation due to their size and weight, particularly in long span structures with large bays, and they are not suitable for large regular openings due to the anisotropic nature of wood.
Innovation Solution
A composite timber/steel floor beam is designed with an upper part made from engineered timber and a lower part made from steel, featuring a standardized wave pattern cutout and apertures for service routing, allowing for improved assembly and transportation safety, as well as the ability to accommodate large openings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If composite steel and timber floor beams are used for long span structures, then structural span capability is improved, but health and safety hazards increase during assembly and transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The floor beam is divided into separate timber and steel components that can be assembled on-site. The timber floor panel and steel beam are connected through shear connectors, allowing each component to be transported separately and assembled safely without handling large pre-assembled composite beams.
Solution Approach 2:
The steel beam is prepared with pre-drilled holes and attached shear connectors before site assembly. The timber floor panel is also pre-prepared with corresponding connection features, enabling safe and efficient on-site assembly without requiring workers to position and secure heavy components simultaneously.
2Ease of manufacture
If timber beams are used for floor construction, then ease of manufacture is improved, but ability to accommodate large regular openings deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines timber floor panels with steel beams to create a composite floor beam system. The steel component provides the necessary strength and flexibility to accommodate large regular openings, while the timber panel maintains ease of manufacture and assembly benefits.
3Strength
If large factory-assembled composite steel and timber beams are used, then structural stiffness is improved, but transportation and craning difficulties increase
Solution Approach 1:
The composite beam is segmented into separately transportable timber and steel components that maintain their individual structural integrity. These components are assembled on-site to form the stiff composite structure, avoiding the transportation and craning difficulties of pre-assembled large composite beams.
Solution Approach 2:
The steel beam is pre-assembled with shear connectors and connection details in the factory, optimizing its structural properties. The timber panel is also pre-prepared, allowing for efficient on-site assembly that achieves the required structural stiffness without handling excessively large pre-assembled units.
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
The composite floor beam achieves enhanced structural stiffness and safety by allowing for the routing of services through the beam, reducing assembly hazards, and enabling the creation of larger openings, thus improving the practicality and safety of long span structures.
Implementation Method 1
A composite timber/steel floor beam is designed with an upper part made from engineered timber and a lower part made from steel
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a composite floor beam for use in construction. The composite floor beam comprises an upper part made from a first material extending substantially along the length of the beam and a lower part made from a second material such as metal extending substantially along the length of the beam, the upper part comprises an upper surface and a lower surface. The lower part comprises an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface of the upper part is designed to be arranged horizontally to support a floor above. The upper surface of the upper part is parallel to the lower surface of the lower part. The lower surface of the lower part is designed to be arranged horizontally for attachment to a ceiling below. The lower surface of the upper part and the upper surface of the lower part define apertures between them for cabling and/or piping and/or other utilities. The apertures pass from a first side of the beam to a second side of the beam. The direction of the apertures passing from the first side to the second side being transverse to the direction of the length of the beam.