Modular Building Structure With Pre-Welded Uniform Columns
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Solution Overview
Problem
The construction of multi-story steel buildings is time-consuming and costly due to the need for designing and welding numerous columns of varying lengths, widths, and load-bearing capacities, which also results in inefficiencies and delays in the construction process.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing modular components with uniform shape and size columns, baseplates, and support beams, where protrusions on the columns engage with sleeves and baseplates, eliminating the need for on-site welding by using pre-welded components and ensuring structural integrity through dual shield Flux-covered arc welding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If columns of varying lengths, widths, and load-bearing capacities are designed and welded on-site, then the building meets specific structural requirements, but the construction time increases to several months and labor costs increase tremendously
Solution Approach 1:
Columns, baseplates, and beams are pre-welded together in a factory setting before delivery to the construction site. This preliminary assembly of modular building sections eliminates time-consuming on-site welding operations while ensuring structural integrity through controlled factory welding processes and inspections.
Solution Approach 2:
The building structure is divided into discrete modular segments (columns, baseplates, beams) that can be independently manufactured, pre-assembled, and then quickly connected on-site. This segmentation allows parallel manufacturing of multiple modules and eliminates sequential on-site welding operations.
2Reliability
If columns are designed for use at particular locations within the building, then the structural design is optimized, but columns must be left sitting at the construction site for days or weeks until being installed
Solution Approach 1:
Standardized column modules with uniform dimensions and connection interfaces can be used at multiple locations throughout the building. This universality allows columns to be pre-assembled into complete modular sections that are ready for immediate installation at any required location, eliminating waiting time while maintaining structural optimization through modular design.
3Reliability
If each column must be welded on-site and inspected, then structural integrity is ensured, but skilled labor costs add tremendously to the overall building cost
Solution Approach 1:
All welding operations are performed in advance at the factory where columns, baseplates, and beams are pre-assembled into modular sections. Factory welding allows for better quality control, automated processes, and reduced reliance on expensive on-site skilled welders, while final structural integrity is ensured through factory inspections and on-site verification of pre-welded connections.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces construction time and costs by allowing for interchangeable, pre-welded components that can be assembled quickly without on-site welding, improving efficiency and safety through traceable weld inspections and optimal assembly conditions.
Implementation Method 1
each of the columns include protrusions that are disposed a set distance from each end of the column, each of the protrusions are configured to engage the outer edge of a sleeve or baseplate that is connected to the respective end of the column
Implementation Method 2
ensuring structural integrity through dual shield Flux-covered arc welding
Data Source
AI summary
A building structure system and method includes a plurality of columns each having a uniform shape and size, a plurality of baseplates, a plurality of sleeves, and a plurality of support beams each having a uniform shape and size. Each of the columns include protrusions a first distance from each end of the column. Each sleeve is sized to receive two columns vertically and to position the ends of the received columns together while the protrusions of each of the received columns engage both ends of the sleeve. Apertures on the columns, baseplates and sleeves align to receive connectors. Each of the uniform beams are positioned horizontally between the columns and are joined to a sleeve at both ends. When so positioned, the top end of the sleeve will extend above the beam and flooring material so as to receive another column after the flooring material has cured.