Modular Pipe Brace Assembly for Concrete Wall Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional wall braces for supporting concrete wall panels in construction require high inventory levels due to varied project needs, and they often lack flexibility in length and load capacity, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A modular pipe brace assembly with standard length and load capacity sections that can be assembled in various configurations to achieve desired lengths and load capacities, featuring adjustable shoe assemblies for engagement with ground anchors or wall panels, allowing for reconfiguration and reuse across different projects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional wall braces are used with fixed lengths and load capacities, then each specific bracing need is met, but inventory levels must be high to cover diverse project requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The wall brace is divided into multiple interchangeable sections with standardized connection interfaces. Each section has defined load capacities and lengths, allowing assembly of different configurations to match specific bracing requirements. This segmentation enables a reduced inventory of standardized components to replace a large inventory of fixed-length braces.
Solution Approach 2:
The standardized connection plates and interfaces are designed to accommodate multiple section types and configurations universally. A single connection plate design can join different section combinations, enabling the same hardware to serve multiple bracing scenarios across diverse projects, thereby reducing the need for project-specific inventory.
2Length of moving object
If longer wall braces are used to extend bracing distance, then reach is improved, but load capacity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Long bracing requirements are met by assembling multiple sections in series rather than using a single long brace. Each section maintains its full load capacity, and the modular connection system allows load distribution across multiple connection points, effectively maintaining strength over extended bracing distances.
Solution Approach 2:
Different section types with varying load capacities can be strategically positioned within the assembly. High-load sections are placed in critical load-bearing positions, while lower-load sections are used in less critical areas, optimizing the overall structure's load distribution and capacity utilization.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fixed-length wall braces are maintained in inventory, then all project lengths can be covered, but storage and handling costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of inventorying complete fixed-length braces for every possible project length, the system inventories standardized sections that can be assembled into various lengths. This reduces inventory complexity while maintaining the ability to cover all project length requirements through modular combination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the fundamental parameter from fixed-length complete braces to modular sections with standardized dimensions. This parameter change enables combinatorial flexibility, where a limited set of section parameters (lengths, load capacities) can generate a wide range of final brace configurations to suit different projects.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular pipe brace assembly is provided for supporting a concrete wall panel, where the modular pipe brace assembly has a plurality of brace sections that each have a pipe with one of at least two standard lengths and a connection plate attached to each end of the pipe. At least two of the plurality of brace sections are attached together in longitudinal alignment by engaging the connection plates to define a pipe assembly with a desired length. An adjustable shoe assembly is attached to each end of the pipe assembly and is configured to engage a ground anchor or a concrete wall panel. The plurality of brace sections may, for example, include a low-load brace section that has a low-load capacity pipe and a high-load brace section that has a high-load capacity pipe.