Elastomeric Building Connection for Earthquake Force Absorption
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing earthquake-resistant building connection methods are complex and difficult to implement quickly during construction, lacking a simple and efficient design to absorb earthquake-induced forces and motions effectively.
Innovation Solution
A building connection system featuring a projecting element from a first structural element into a cavity of a second structural element, filled with an elastic material like rubber (Masticord®) and a filler, allowing for absorption of forces and motions without direct contact, facilitating easy and rapid construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex earthquake-resistant connection methods are used, then building safety is improved, but construction time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into distinct functional components: a rigid connecting element embedded in the first structural element, a flexible element providing movement capability, and a filler material completing the connection. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while simplifying the overall design and construction process.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection utilizes composite construction combining rigid concrete elements with flexible rubber or elastomeric materials. This composite approach allows the structure to simultaneously maintain rigidity for load-bearing and flexibility for earthquake movement absorption, improving safety without requiring overly complex designs.
2Reliability
If complex earthquake-resistant connection methods are used, then building safety is improved, but ease of construction deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid connecting element and flexible element are pre-positioned and embedded in the structural elements during normal construction before the earthquake event. This preliminary action ensures that the earthquake-resistant features are already in place and require no special construction procedures or complex assembly during critical phases, improving ease of construction while maintaining safety.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid connections are used, then structural stability is improved, but ability to absorb earthquake forces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system applies local quality by making the connection rigid in certain aspects (through the rigid connecting element for normal stability) while flexible in others (through the flexible element for earthquake movement). This localized differentiation of mechanical properties allows the same connection to provide both structural stability and earthquake force absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic system that can adapt its behavior. The flexible element allows the connection to move and deform during earthquake events, absorbing forces dynamically, while maintaining structural integrity. This dynamic capability enables the connection to provide both stability and earthquake resistance.
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 solution provides a simpler, effective, and quick-to-implement earthquake-resistant connection that absorbs earthquake-induced forces and motions, enhancing building stability and safety by allowing relative motion between structural elements.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic element, such that in the event of an earthquake, forces and motions that are transferred between the first structural element and the second structural element will preferably be capable of being absorbed in the elastic element
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
There is described an earthquake-resistant building connection (10) comprising a first structural element (11) and a second structural element (12) that lie at a distance (13) from each other, and where the first structural element comprises an outer side face (14) that faces the second structural element. The first structural element comprises at least one projecting element (16) that projects from said outer side face (14) of the first structural element and into a cavity (17) in the second structural element (12), which cavity (17) is wider, higher and deeper than the projecting element (16). The first structural element (11) further comprises an elastic element (18) for absorbing forces and motions in the event of an earthquake. The elastic element (18) has an outer surface (19) that extends around the projecting element (16) and faces the second structural element (12), whereby a fill area (20) is formed between the outer surface (19) of the elastic element and the second structural element (12) and further between the projecting element (16) and the cavity (17). The fill area (20) is filled with a filler (21) such that forces and motions that are transferred between the first structural element (11) and the second structural element (12) in the event of an earthquake are absorbed in the elastic element (18).