Fire Protection Device for Structural Cable Anchorages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire protection systems for structural cables, particularly at singular points like cable anchorages, fail to provide effective protection without compromising the functioning of peripheral equipment such as dampers or deflectors, as flexible materials used in current solutions cannot maintain the necessary rigidity and force transmission.
Innovation Solution
A fire protection device comprising a protective mattress enveloping the structural cable sections with a more rigid thermally insulating ring at connection zones, ensuring continuous thermal protection and avoiding thermal bridges, which can be made from fiber-reinforced concrete and accompanied by a plastic deflector tube to enhance insulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a flexible protective mattress envelops the cable reinforcements, then fire protection is improved, but the rigidity and force transmission at connection zones deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The protective system uses different materials with different properties in different locations: a flexible protective mattress for fire protection in cable sections, and a rigid thermally insulating ring at connection zones for both fire protection and mechanical rigidity. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by providing appropriate properties where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution combines two different protective elements: a flexible protective mattress (first material) and a rigid thermally insulating ring (second material with different properties). The ring has both thermal insulation properties and high rigidity, creating a composite protective system that satisfies both fire protection and mechanical strength requirements.
2Force
If a rigid collar is installed at connection zones for structural support, then force transmission is improved, but thermal protection continuity deteriorates due to thermal bridges
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid thermally insulating ring acts as an intermediary element between the cable reinforcements and the collar. It provides the necessary mechanical support for force transmission while simultaneously blocking thermal bridges, thus resolving the contradiction between force transmission and thermal protection continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid thermally insulating ring is specifically placed at the connection zone where thermal bridges would occur, providing localized thermal protection without compromising the overall force transmission capability of the collar structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If peripheral equipment such as dampers or deflectors is installed at connection zones, then structural functionality is improved, but fire protection effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The protective system is segmented into different components: the flexible protective mattress covers the cable sections, while the rigid thermally insulating ring is specifically positioned at connection zones where peripheral equipment is installed. This segmentation allows fire protection to be maintained at critical connection points without interfering with the functionality of dampers or deflectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid thermally insulating ring provides localized fire protection at connection zones where peripheral equipment is installed, ensuring that fire protection effectiveness is maintained at these critical points while allowing the peripheral equipment to function properly.
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 continuous thermal protection to structural cables, preventing heat transfer during fires while maintaining the structural integrity and functionality of cable anchorages, with the insulating ring offering at least 100 times greater rigidity than the protective mattress.
Implementation Method 1
a thermally insulating ring that is more rigid than the protective padding, placed between the reinforcements and the collar in the connection zone
Implementation Method 2
a protective mattress enveloping the structural cable at least in the first and second sections
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 2
AI summary
A fire protection device is proposed for a structural cable comprising tensioned metal reinforcements (32) and having a first section (41), a second section (42), and a connection zone (40) for a collar (30) located between the first and second sections. The fire protection device includes a protective blanket (34) enveloping the structural cable (16) in the first and second sections (41, 42) and interrupted in the connection zone (40), and a thermally insulating ring (36) more rigid than the protective blanket (34), disposed between the reinforcements (32) and the collar (30) in the connection zone (40) and cooperating with the protective blanket to provide the reinforcements with continuous thermal protection along the first section (41), the connection zone (40), and the second section (42).