Decking Edge Support Member for Cantilever Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cutting extruded decking members to reduce width at edges creates cantilevered portions that are prone to undesirable elastic and plastic deformation under high loads due to uneven support.
Innovation Solution
A decking board edge support system featuring a floor support member with a U-shaped cross-section, including a first flange that supports the cantilevered portion between the leg and free end, and a second flange angled inwardly to rotate into contact, reducing deformation risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If the decking member is cut between two adjacent feet to reduce width at edges, then the width of the decking member is reduced, but the cantilevered portion becomes prone to elastic and plastic deformation under high loads
Solution Approach 1:
A support member is introduced as an intermediary element between the cantilevered portion of the decking member and the substrate. This support member has a first flange that contacts the bottom surface of the cantilevered portion and a base that contacts the substrate, effectively mediating the load transfer and preventing deformation of the cantilevered portion while allowing the decking member to maintain its reduced width
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves from a two-dimensional problem (width reduction in the horizontal plane) to a three-dimensional solution by introducing vertical support elements. The support member extends in the vertical dimension to provide additional load paths, with the first flange supporting the cantilevered portion from below and the base anchoring to the substrate, thereby resolving the deformation issue without compromising the width reduction
2Adaptability or versatility
If the decking member is cut between two adjacent feet, then lower-width decking members are provided at edge regions, but high loads on the cantilever cause undesirable elastic and plastic deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The support member acts as a mediator that enables the decking member to achieve both adaptability in width and reliability under load. By providing intermediate support at the cut location, it allows the decking member to be cut to different widths for edge regions while maintaining structural stability through the additional support pathway
3Ease of operation
If support legs are spaced apart to support the decking member like a beam, then the decking member can be supported on two adjacent legs, but cutting between legs creates an unsupported cantilevered portion
Solution Approach 1:
The support member serves as an intermediary that bridges the gap created by cutting the decking member between standard spaced support legs. It provides the necessary structural integrity to the cantilevered portion by creating a new support pathway that does not interfere with the standard leg spacing configuration
Data Source
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AI summary
A decking board edge support system has a floor member (14) having a cross-section with a floor surface portion (22a) and a leg (26a) extending from the floor surface portion towards a support surface in use, the floor support portion defining a cantilevered portion with a free end. A floor support member (50) is provided having a cross section with a base portion (52) and a first flange (54) extending therefrom. The floor support member (50) is arranged between the floor surface portion and an underlying substrate in use, such that the first flange supports the floor support portion between the leg and the free end.