Vertical Compression Assembly for Seismic Hanger Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hanger systems for supporting conduits in buildings are prone to damage during seismic events due to 'slop' between the conduit and the hanger, leading to unpredictable and destructive compressive forces, and existing solutions are either ineffective or difficult to implement universally.
Innovation Solution
A compression member, such as a strut or pipe, is integrated into the hanger assembly to provide adjustable compression resistance, eliminating the need for hanger rod stiffeners and allowing the compression force to be transferred to the compression member during seismic events, thereby preventing conduit movement and damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a hanger system allows slop between conduit and hanger for easy installation and adjustment, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates during seismic events due to unpredictable compressive forces
Solution Approach 1:
The hanger system is segmented into distinct functional components: the hanger body for support, the compression member for seismic resistance, and the rod for adjustment. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together as a unified system that provides both ease of installation and seismic reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
A compression member is introduced as an intermediary element between the conduit and the hanger rod. This compression member acts as a mediator that absorbs and manages compressive forces during seismic events, preventing these forces from being directly transferred to the hanger rod and conduit assembly, thereby maintaining system reliability while preserving installation flexibility.
2Strength
If hanger rod stiffeners are added to provide compression resistance, then strength is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compression resistance function is extracted from the hanger rod itself and placed into a separate, dedicated compression member. This extraction allows the hanger rod to remain simple and focused on its primary function of suspension and adjustment, while the compression member provides the necessary strength against compressive forces without adding complexity to the overall assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression member serves multiple functions: it provides compression resistance during seismic events, maintains the slop space for installation flexibility, and works with standard hanger rod components. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for specialized stiffeners or complex modification of existing hanger systems.
3Reliability
If spacers are placed in slop space to prevent impact, then reliability is improved, but adaptability deteriorates as hardware must be customized for different conduit and hanger sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The compression member is designed with adjustable characteristics that allow it to adapt to different conduit sizes, hanger configurations, and slop space requirements. This dynamic design enables a single compression member type to provide reliable impact prevention across various application scenarios without requiring custom hardware for each size combination.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for the seismic stabilization of loads supported by hanger rods are presented. The apparatus includes a compression member that is placed in parallel to a hanger rod and which spans, or substantially spans, the distance from the load, which may be a conduit, and the supporting structure. This apparatus may be retrofit onto existing load-bearing hanger rods, or may be included at the time of installation of the conduit. Methods of installation are described that allow for providing additional structural integrity without disassembly of existing supports.