Fluted Deck Bracket With Flute Keys for Seismic Utility Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mounting brackets for utility supports on fluted decks are challenging due to difficulty in accessing the concrete thickness and limited attachment options, which can lead to instability and misalignment of anchors under lateral forces like those from earthquakes.
Innovation Solution
A bracket with a plate longer than the fluted deck pitch, featuring attachment holes spaced by the deck pitch for centering on ridges, and integrally formed flute keys that fit within the flutes to secure the plate tightly, providing structural rigidity and resisting lateral forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If anchors are placed within a flute to utilize available concrete thickness, then attachment flexibility is improved, but alignment precision deteriorates due to unknown concrete thickness and difficulty in accessing the flute
Solution Approach 1:
The flute key acts as an intermediary element that fits within the flute to indirectly position the bracket plate. Instead of directly placing anchors in the flute (which causes alignment issues), the flute key serves as a mediator that translates the flute's position into precise ridge alignment for the attachment holes, solving both the flexibility and precision problems simultaneously
2Manufacturing precision
If anchors are placed on a ridge between flutes to ensure alignment, then alignment precision is improved, but adaptability deteriorates due to limitations on maximum offsets from the centerline
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket plate is segmented into distinct functional elements: the plate body for mounting, and the protruding flute keys for positioning. This segmentation allows the attachment holes to be precisely positioned on ridges while the flute keys independently engage with flutes, providing both precision and adaptability without compromising either function
3Strength
If the bracket plate is made rigid to maintain structural integrity, then strength is improved, but ability to accommodate tolerances deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket exhibits local quality differentiation: the main plate is rigid to provide structural strength, while the flute keys are designed with specific geometric properties (tapered sides, limited depth) that allow them to flexibly engage with the flute structure. This local differentiation enables the rigid plate to maintain strength while the localized flute key elements accommodate tolerances and provide adaptability
Data Source
AI summary
A bracket for utilities hangers and sway braces suspended below a fluted deck includes a bracket plate having attachment holes therethrough spaced apart by the known pitch of the fluting on the deck. A mount is positioned in the plate. One or more flute keys extend perpendicular to the mounting plate and have two sides which are tapered away from the plate toward one another to fit within one or more flutes in the deck.