Movable Stair Connectors for Seismic Landing Displacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stair assemblies are rigidly connected to building structures, leading to potential damage and disconnection during seismic events, hindering safe egress and delaying rescue operations.
Innovation Solution
A moveable stair system with connectors and sliding bodies that allow for multidirectional movement, including telescopic and rotational capabilities, to absorb landing displacement without damage, ensuring structural integrity during building motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If stairs are rigidly connected to building structures, then structural stability is improved, but damage and disconnection during seismic events occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The stair system transitions from a rigid static connection to a dynamic movable connection. The stair assembly is connected to the building structure through movable connectors that allow the stairs to move independently during seismic events, absorbing building motion through controlled displacement rather than rigid resistance. This dynamic capability prevents damage while maintaining structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The stair system is divided into separate movable components including the stair assembly, connectors, and landing structures. Each component can move independently to accommodate building motion, with connectors designed to allow controlled displacement. This segmentation enables the system to absorb seismic forces through relative movement between components rather than requiring the entire structure to remain rigid.
2Strength
If rigid stairs are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but damage to surrounding structure and stair system occurs during building motion
Solution Approach 1:
Movable connectors serve as intermediary elements between the stair assembly and the building structure. These connectors allow controlled movement and displacement, acting as a buffer that absorbs building motion and prevents direct transmission of harmful forces to both the stair system and surrounding structure. The connectors maintain structural integrity while enabling necessary movement during seismic events.
3Reliability
If moveable stair systems are implemented, then damage during building motion is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connectors are designed to change their mechanical parameters dynamically during seismic events. The movable connections allow the system to transition from a rigid state during normal operation to a more compliant state during building motion, changing stiffness and displacement characteristics automatically based on the building's movement without requiring complex active control systems.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C
Figure 2A~2F
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to stair systems and methods for allowing stair movement between building levels while maintaining the structural integrity of the stair system for safe egress passage. The systems and methods of the present disclosure allow for independent movement of the surrounding building walls, landings, floor slabs, and/or any other portion of the surrounding building structure or stair system. The embodiments of the present disclosure are suitable for use in both new constructions as well as in existing constructions for retrofit applications to allow for movement between levels, landings, or within stairwell structures. The present disclosure reduces stair damage during building movement whether it is from wind, thermal, or seismic activity, and/or any other type of suitable force or experience, as the present disclosure allows for directional movement, or a combination thereof, including tension and compression, lateral, or vertical movement.