L-Shaped Vertical Support Structure for Seismic Load Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat exchanger support structures experience excessive shear, tension, and bending forces during seismic events and heavy wind conditions, which are not effectively managed by existing fastening systems, leading to potential structural instability and complexity in mating sections.
Innovation Solution
A vertical support structure comprising a mounting plate and a support member with a slot and L-shaped configuration, designed to redistribute forces and provide enhanced support for cross-beams, using fasteners to connect the cross-beam flange and web to the mounting plate, thereby reducing the load on nuts and bolts and simplifying the mating of heat exchanger sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional fasteners (nuts and bolts) are used to connect cross-beams to resting plates, then the assembly is simple and easy to manufacture, but the fasteners experience excessive shear, tension, and bending forces during seismic events or heavy wind conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into multiple components: vertical support beams, resting plates, cross-beams, and brackets. Each component is designed to carry specific portions of the load, distributing forces away from the fasteners. The bracket specifically isolates the fastening connection from the bending moment by providing a separate load path through the web holes and bracket holes.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket acts as an intermediary element between the cross-beam and the resting plate. It provides a mechanical connection that redistributes forces: the bolt connects the flange to the mounting plate, while the bracket with web holes and bracket holes creates an additional load path through the web, mediating the force transmission and reducing direct stress on the bolt.
2Device complexity
If the cross-beams are fastened directly to the resting plate using bolts, then the connection is straightforward, but the bolts must resist practically the entirety of shear and tension forces plus bending moments
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into multiple functional elements: the bolt handles tensile forces from flange attachment, while the bracket with web holes and bracket holes handles shear forces and bending moments through the web connection. This segmentation allows each fastening element to be optimized for its specific function, improving overall reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket serves as an intermediary that decouples the bolt from the bending moment load path. The bolt connects the flange to the mounting plate, while the bracket provides a separate connection path through the web holes, mediating the force distribution and protecting the bolt from excessive shear and bending stresses.
3Reliability
If a robust fastening system is used to withstand seismic and wind loads, then structural stability is improved, but the assembly process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The robust fastening system is achieved through segmentation into specialized components: bolts for flange attachment, brackets for web connection, and dedicated holes in specific locations. This segmentation allows the complex load-resisting function to be distributed across multiple simple, standardized connections, maintaining ease of assembly while ensuring structural stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A vertical support structure includes a mounting plate and a support member. The support member extends vertically along a vertical axis and has a pair of vertically-elongated panel integrally connected together in a form of an angle iron to define a vertically-extending L-shaped channel between outside edges of the pair of panels. A top edge of the support member and a bottom edge of the support member are disposed vertically apart from and extend horizontally parallel to one another. The support member has a slot formed therethrough. The slot is disposed between the top and bottom edges and extends horizontally between the outside edges. The slot is sized to slidably receive the mounting plate and the mounting plate occupying the slot is connected to the support member such that the mounting plate projects perpendicularly from the support member and away from the L-shaped channel.