ICF Wall Brackets With Embedded Anchors for Direct Joist Hangers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of joists in Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) systems is challenging due to the need for cutting insulation and temporary shoring, as ICF panels may not support the weight of beams and joists effectively, and existing joist hanger designs complicate the process further due to concrete settling and expansion.
Innovation Solution
A bracket system with anchor members embedded at varying angles in the concrete wall allows direct mechanical attachment of joist hangers, eliminating the need for ledgers and providing in-plane vertical and lateral resistance, facilitating simplified joist installation by inserting anchor members through ICF panels into the formwork cavity and securing them with a face plate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ICF panels are used to construct walls with insulation, then insulation effectiveness is improved, but the ability to support beams and joists during construction deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is installed into the ICF panels before the concrete is poured, allowing the insulation to remain intact and provide thermal protection. The bracket is positioned and secured in the formwork cavity ahead of time, so that when concrete is added, the bracket becomes embedded and gains full structural support from the curing concrete, thereby achieving both insulation effectiveness and load-bearing capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket is divided into multiple components: a first portion that engages with the ICF panel, a second portion that extends into the formwork cavity, and multiple anchor members. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function - the first portion maintains insulation integrity, while the second portion provides structural anchoring capability once concrete is poured.
2Ease of operation
If conventional joist hanger designs are used with ICF systems, then joist attachment is achieved, but installation complexity increases due to concrete settling and expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is installed into the ICF panels before the concrete is poured, allowing the insulation to remain intact and provide thermal protection. The bracket is positioned and secured in the formwork cavity ahead of time, so that when concrete is added, the bracket becomes embedded and gains full structural support from the curing concrete, thereby achieving both insulation effectiveness and load-bearing capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket's second portion is inserted into the formwork cavity, which is then filled with concrete. The concrete surrounds and embeds the bracket portions, creating a nested structure where the bracket is contained within the concrete, which itself is contained within the ICF assembly. This nesting simplifies installation by eliminating the need for separate ledger boards or complex post-concrete attachment methods.
3Strength
If anchor members are embedded at varying angles in the concrete wall, then load capacity and resistance are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor members are configured with varying angles relative to the face plate, creating different mechanical advantages for different loading conditions. This parameter variation optimizes the bracket's performance by providing both vertical load support and lateral resistance. The angular variation is built into the manufacturing process through controlled forming or bending operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple anchor members with different angles are integrated into a single face plate structure, combining their load-bearing capabilities into one unified component. This merging allows the bracket to handle complex multi-directional loads that would require multiple separate components or more complex installation procedures if the anchors were all at the same angle.
Data Source
AI summary
Existing systems require the installation of joists directly to a partially cast hanger or bracket or to the joist hanger. The present disclosure is related to the brackets for use in ICF systems allowing joist hangers to be directly mechanically attached to brackets obviating the need for the use of ledgers. A bracket includes a plate having one or more anchor members extending from the plate for casting into an ICF wall. A method of assembling a bracket includes cutting a sheet of metal to define the plate and the one or more anchor members and bending the anchor members toward from the plate. A method installing joist hangers includes inserting anchor members of brackets into an ICF wall pre-casting and attaching joist hangers to the brackets post-casting.