Modular Wall Support Assembly with Segmented Base and Elongate Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for supporting brick walls using concrete supports are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and require multiple skilled trades, lacking flexibility in manufacturing and installation.
Innovation Solution
A support member assembly with elongate members featuring slots and connection means, allowing for on-site assembly and adjustable positioning, enabling separate manufacturing and easier shipping, and allowing the base portion to be connected to either the elongate member engagement portion or the elongate support member, enhancing flexibility and productivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If concrete supports with shuttering and metal rods are used to support brick walls, then the wall support strength is improved, but the construction time and labor requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is divided into separate modular components: precast concrete support elements with integrated rod receptacles, and separate metal rod tie-ins. This segmentation allows parallel manufacturing and simplifies on-site assembly, directly reducing construction time while maintaining structural strength through proper component integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The concrete support elements are manufactured in advance with pre-formed rod receptacles and attachment points. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for on-site shuttering construction and rod bending operations, significantly reducing construction time and labor requirements while ensuring consistent quality and strength.
2Strength
If conventional concrete supports with shuttering are used, then adequate support structure is achieved, but the number of skilled trades required increases to three or more
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines multiple functions into a single integrated precast concrete support element: the support beam function, the shuttering formwork function, and the metal rod receptacle function are all integrated into one manufactured component. This merging eliminates the need for separate carpenter (shuttering), steel bender (metal rods), and concrete pourer operations, reducing the number of skilled trades required while maintaining structural adequacy.
3Reliability
If custom-shaped metal rods are bent and installed on-site to tie brick walls to concrete supports, then proper mechanical connection is achieved, but the labor intensity and specialized skill requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The metal rod tie-ins are manufactured to their final configured shape in advance at a fabrication facility with proper equipment. This preliminary action ensures consistent, reliable mechanical connections while eliminating the need for on-site rod bending operations that require specialized steel bender skills and increase labor intensity.
Solution Approach 2:
The preconfigured metal rod tie-ins are designed to be easily installed by workers without specialized steel bending skills. The rods come ready-to-install with appropriate bends and shapes already formed, allowing workers to simply position and secure them, making the installation process self-serviceable without requiring expert steel bender intervention.
4Manufacturing precision
If complete support assemblies are manufactured as single units, then manufacturing precision is improved, but the shipping and handling complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is segmented into standardized modular components that can be manufactured with high precision using consistent templates and fixtures. These modular segments are designed for efficient stacking and shipping, reducing handling complexity compared to custom-built assemblies while maintaining manufacturing precision through repeated production of standardized parts.
Data Source
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AI summary
A support member system (100) is disclosed herein. In a preferred embodiment, the system (100) comprises an elongate support member (102, 103) having an effective length, an elongate member engagement portion (130, 135) arranged to engage with one end of the elongate support member (102, 103) to extend the member's effective length, and a base portion (110) for engaging with a support structure (8, 9). The base portion (110) including connection means (114, 116) for releasably connecting the base portion (110) selectively to the elongate member engagement portion (130, 135) or to the elongate support member (102, 103).