Abutting Irregular Hexagon Beam Ties for Composite Joists
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roof truss joists face challenges in supporting large loads, especially over long distances, as large wooden beams are costly and difficult to acquire, while smaller wooden members like 2-by-4 beams often fail to withstand substantial loads.
Innovation Solution
A roof support structure featuring a joist composed of parallel, spaced apart smaller beams joined by corrugated beam ties, which are preferably made of plywood or metal, forming a stronger, heavier joist capable of resisting vertical and lateral compression and twisting, and are secured using TECO clips and nails.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If large wooden beam members (10 inches or more width) are used as joists, then the joists can bear large loads over long spanning distances, but they are difficult or expensive to acquire
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single large beam into multiple smaller beam segments (typically three 2x4 beams) that are stacked and joined together to form a composite joist. This segmentation allows the use of readily available small lumber while achieving the structural capacity of a large beam through the combined strength of multiple pieces working together as a unified load-bearing element.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure by joining multiple wooden beam segments with metal connectors (beam ties, hurricane ties, and block ties). This composite construction combines the advantages of small, available lumber with metal fastening systems to achieve the load-bearing capacity of large beams while maintaining ease of acquisition and assembly.
2Ease of manufacture
If smaller wooden members (2-by-4 beams) are used in fabricating joists, then they are easier to supply, but they are not always able to withstand large loads that joists for trusses are often needed to bear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses multiple small beam segments (typically three 2x4 beams) stacked vertically to create a composite joist. The segmentation distributes the load across multiple smaller members while the metal connectors ensure they act as a unified structural element, achieving both availability and adequate load-bearing capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple small beam segments with metal connectors (beam ties, hurricane ties, block ties) to create a composite structure. This combining of small wooden members with metal fastening systems creates a unified joist assembly that can withstand large loads while using readily available small lumber components.
3Ease of manufacture
If smaller wooden members are stacked and joined to form a heavier joist, then the cost is reduced, but the structural integrity must be maintained through proper connection methods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple small beam segments with metal connectors (beam ties, hurricane ties, block ties) to form a unified composite joist. This merging ensures that the individual small members work together as a single structural unit, maintaining reliability and structural integrity while reducing cost by using smaller, more affordable lumber.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite wood-metal structure where small wooden beam segments are joined with metal fastening systems. This composite construction maintains structural integrity by distributing loads across both the wooden members and metal connectors, ensuring reliable performance while using cost-effective small lumber components.
Data Source
AI summary
A roof structure supporting a roof comprising a truss and a joist supporting the truss, the joist having two elongated wooden beam members on the bottom of the truss connected with beam tie members comprised of a pair of congruent truncated mirror image parallelograms forming hexagons with mutually facing and abutting portions. Each beam tie member is connected to outer sides of top and bottom elongated wooden beams and is adjacent to the next beam tie connected to outer sides of top and bottom elongated wooden beams. The tied beams allow use of smaller, less expensive beam members yet providing good truss support in a joist.