Hinged Trapeze Hanger Brace Assembly for Seismic Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Trapeze hangers in buildings are unstable under lateral loading conditions, particularly during seismic events, leading to potential damage to the hangers and supported pipes.
Innovation Solution
A brace assembly comprising a structural member, a bracket with a baseplate and a clamp, and a hinge pin, which secures to a trapeze pipe hanger to provide stability and support during lateral loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a trapeze hanger is used to suspend pipes, then the pipe support structure is simple and easy to install, but the hanger becomes unstable under lateral loading conditions during seismic events
Solution Approach 1:
The seismic brace assembly is divided into separate modular components including a base plate, clamp assembly, structural member, and fastening elements. This segmentation allows each component to be independently manufactured and installed, maintaining ease of installation while creating a more complex, stable structure that resists lateral loads through its distributed bracing configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a lateral bracing dimension to the traditionally vertical pipe support system. By introducing structural members that extend horizontally and diagonally from the base plate, the system transforms from a simple vertical suspension arrangement to a three-dimensional braced framework that provides stability against seismic lateral forces while maintaining the original vertical support function
2Reliability
If a seismic brace assembly is added to the trapeze hanger, then stability under lateral loading is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base plate serves multiple functions: it anchors the vertical rods to the structural support, provides mounting points for the seismic bracing elements, and distributes lateral forces across multiple connection points. The clamp assembly similarly provides both pipe support and bracing attachment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving improved seismic stability
3Reliability
If the base plate is secured to the rod, then the brace assembly provides stable support, but the rod cannot be adjusted or repositioned
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system incorporates dynamic characteristics through the interaction of the base plate with the rod. The base plate can be positioned at different locations along the rod and secured at each position, allowing the system to transition between fixed and adjustable states. This enables initial installation flexibility followed by stable fixed attachment when needed, balancing adaptability and secure attachment requirements
Data Source
AI summary
A brace assembly can include a structural member including a sidewall; and a bracket including a baseplate defining a slot extending from an open end to a closed end, the baseplate defining at least one baseplate hinge hole at the open end; a clamp including a jaw member and a tightening member, the jaw member and the tightening member engaging the sidewall to couple the structural member to the bracket, the jaw member defining a clamp hinge hole; and a hinge pin engaging the at least one baseplate hinge hole and the clamp hinge hole.