Flat Roof Support Structure Using Bolted Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flat roof structures require on-site welding, which is inconvenient, expensive, and necessitates special equipment and inspectors, making installation difficult and costly.
Innovation Solution
A flat roof support structure that can be easily assembled on-site using bolted connections, where U-shaped attachment members and attachment plates are pre-fabricated off-site to eliminate the need for on-site welding, allowing for simple and cost-effective installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If welding is used to fix steel posts and beams on-site, then the structural connection strength is improved, but the installation complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into separate components: U-shaped attachment members are pre-fixed to vertical columns, and separate attachment plates are fixed to horizontal beams. These segmented components are then assembled together using bolts on-site, eliminating the need for welding while maintaining connection strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment members and plates are prepared in advance during manufacturing. The U-shaped attachment members are pre-fixed to the vertical columns and the attachment plates are pre-fixed to the horizontal beams before delivery to the construction site. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex on-site welding operations.
2Reliability
If welding equipment and inspectors are brought to the site, then the welding quality is ensured, but the installation cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The welding process is extracted from the on-site construction phase and moved to the off-site manufacturing phase. By removing welding from the construction site and replacing it with pre-fabricated bolted connections, the patent eliminates the need for welding equipment, electricians, and welding inspectors during installation, significantly reducing installation time and cost.
3Reliability
If large welds are used to ensure connection strength, then the structural reliability is improved, but the material cost and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, material-intensive welding with a more economical bolted connection system. The U-shaped attachment members and attachment plates use minimal material and can be easily assembled and disassembled with standard tools, eliminating the need for large quantities of weld material while maintaining adequate connection reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A flat roof support structure includes a plurality of vertical columns, an elongated generally horizontally oriented beam associated with and positioned atop each vertical column, and attachment structure fixing the upper end of each vertical column to a mounting area of the associated elongated beam. The attachment structure includes U-shaped attachment members affixed to opposed sides of the vertical columns at the upper end of each column with the attachment members opening in an outwardly directed orientation parallel to the associated elongated beam. A pair of attachment plates is fixed to opposed sides of each elongated beam in the mounting area. The attachment plates extend downwardly below a lower surface of the elongated beam a distance equal to a portion of the U-shaped attachment members so as to overlap the portion. Attachment devices fix the attachment plates to the U-shaped attachment members and are assembled on-site.