Elevated Tile Support with Stabilizing Braces for Seismic Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing support structures for elevated surfaces often lack structural stability, particularly in seismically active or high-wind areas, and have limited height due to increased instability as the center of gravity rises, compromising their ability to maintain the elevated surface during disruptive vibrations.
Innovation Solution
A support structure comprising spaced-apart pedestals interconnected by stabilizing braces and restraint members, which secure surface tiles to the braces, allowing the pedestals to move in unison during seismic events and maintain spacing, thereby enhancing stability and enabling increased height without collapsing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the height of support pedestals is increased to create elevated surfaces at greater heights, then the elevation capability is improved, but the structural stability deteriorates due to increased center of gravity and instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces lateral stabilizing braces that connect adjacent pedestals horizontally, adding a new dimensional aspect to the vertical support structure. This lateral bracing system provides stability in the horizontal plane while maintaining the increased vertical height, effectively resolving the contradiction between height and stability by operating in a different dimensional space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple pedestals into a unified stable structure through lateral bracing connections. By merging adjacent pedestals into a interconnected system that moves in unison, the structure achieves greater stability than individual isolated pedestals could provide at the same height.
2Length of stationary object
If the height of support pedestals is increased, then the elevation capability is improved, but the reliability deteriorates in seismically active or high-wind areas due to increased susceptibility to disruptive vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral bracing system operates in the horizontal dimension to counteract vertical and lateral vibrations caused by seismic activity or high winds. This dimensional approach allows the structure to maintain reliability at increased heights by providing stabilization forces perpendicular to the direction of disruptive vibrations.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizing braces are pre-installed and configured to work together with the pedestals before exposure to seismic events or high-wind conditions. This preliminary structural configuration ensures that the system is already optimized for vibration resistance, allowing it to withstand disruptive forces without compromising reliability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If additional restraint members and stabilizing braces are added to improve structural stability, then the stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral stabilizing braces serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide structural stability, enable increased pedestal height, resist seismic vibrations, and maintain spacing between tiles. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity despite adding stability features.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates the stabilizing brace system with the pedestal structure itself, combining what could have been separate components into a unified assembly. This merging approach reduces the total number of discrete parts and simplifies installation while achieving the desired structural stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A support structure for elevating a building surface above a fixed surface including a plurality of support pedestals disposed in spaced-apart relation on the fixed surface, a plurality of stabilizing braces interconnecting adjacent of the plurality of support pedestals, and a plurality of restraint members. The restraint members include a mounting portion securable to one of the plurality of stabilizing braces and a restraint portion operatively attached to the mounting portion and securable to an outer edge segment of one or more of the surface tiles.