Precast Concrete Foundation Column with Concealed Connector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Post-frame building construction using wooden columns set into the earth faces challenges such as environmental impact from treated wood and inconsistent hole depths, requiring improved foundation solutions that are both environmentally friendly and adaptable.
Innovation Solution
A two-piece foundation column system comprising a precast concrete column with upstanding arms and a wooden column, where the upstanding arms are concealed within the wooden column's cross-section, allowing for secure connection and adjustable height, along with anchor receivers and a jack screw mechanism for enhanced stability and ease of installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If treated wood columns are used to prevent degradation, then durability is improved, but environmental impact worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The column system is divided into two separate components: a concrete foundation column embedded in the ground and a wooden column above ground. This segmentation allows the concrete portion to provide durability and resistance to ground-based degradation, while the wooden portion remains untreated and free from environmental contamination, thus resolving the contradiction between durability and environmental impact.
Solution Approach 2:
The concrete foundation column acts as an intermediary between the ground and the wooden column. It provides a stable, durable base that protects the wooden column from direct contact with moisture and insects in the ground, eliminating the need for chemical treatments while ensuring column durability.
2Ease of manufacture
If wooden columns are set directly into the earth, then installation simplicity is improved, but adaptability to inconsistent hole depths worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The concrete foundation column incorporates an adjustable mechanism with a threaded rod and nut that allows vertical adjustment of the wooden column height. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the system to adapt to varying hole depths while maintaining a consistent final column height, resolving the contradiction between installation simplicity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows for parameter changes in the embedded portion of the concrete foundation column while maintaining a consistent total column height. By adjusting the length of the concrete portion and compensating with the threaded rod mechanism, the system adapts to different installation conditions without changing the overall structural parameters.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a two-piece foundation column system is used, then adaptability and environmental friendliness are improved, but device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into modular components (concrete foundation column, wooden column, connection hardware) that can be manufactured separately and assembled on-site. This segmentation provides adaptability while keeping each individual component relatively simple, balancing overall system complexity with functional versatility.
4Strength
If upstanding arms are used for connection, then connection strength is improved, but exterior profile consistency worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The upstanding arms of the concrete foundation column are designed to be received within the cross-sectional envelope of the wooden column, creating a nested configuration. The arms extend into slots or cavities within the wooden column, providing strong mechanical connection while remaining concealed, thus maintaining exterior profile consistency while achieving connection strength.
Data Source
AI summary
A precast concrete column supports a building. In one exemplary embodiment, the precast concrete column includes a connector for securing a wooden column to the precast concrete column such that no portion of the connector extends beyond the cross-section of the wooden column. In an alternative embodiment, a jack screw extends from the distal end of the precast concrete column to provide height adjustment for the precast concrete column. In certain embodiments, an insert or tube is cast into the precast concrete column body to allow a fastener to traverse the precast concrete column body so that structural components of the building may be secured thereto.