One-Piece Structural Fuse Assembly from a Single Beam
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current structural fuses in buildings require multiple pieces of steel with different properties, necessitating difficult complete joint penetration welds that are prone to imperfections and human error, and are less ductile than the rest of the steel components.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece structural fuse assembly is formed from a single piece of structural steel, such as an I-beam or standard structural W-shape beam, where the fuse base, yield plate, and buckling restraint plate are integrally formed, eliminating the need for complete joint penetration welds and ensuring uniform properties and response across the assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pieces of steel with different properties are used to form structural fuse components, then each component can be optimized for its specific function, but the assembly requires difficult complete joint penetration welds that are prone to imperfections and human error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate steel components (fuse base, fuse yield plate, spacers, and buckling restraint plate) into a single monolithic steel structure. This integration eliminates all weld joints between these components, removing the source of weld-related imperfections and human error while maintaining the functional differentiation of each component through strategic placement and geometric design within the unified structure.
Solution Approach 2:
While the overall structure is monolithic, the patent segments the steel blank through controlled notches and cutouts to create distinct functional zones. The fuse yield plate contains notches that segment the stress path to control yielding location, while separate zones accommodate spacers and buckling restraint plate attachments, achieving component differentiation without requiring separate welded parts.
2Strength
If complete joint penetration welds are used to join fuse base to fuse plate, then the components can be connected, but the weld is less ductile than the other portions of steel in the structural fuse and can abruptly fail before yielding of the structural fuse at the midsection
Solution Approach 1:
The fuse base and fuse yield plate are merged into a single continuous steel component, eliminating the weld joint that created ductility problems. The monolithic construction ensures uniform ductile properties throughout the entire assembly, allowing the structure to deform plastically at the intended midsection location without abrupt failure at connection points.
3Adaptability or versatility
If different pieces of steel with different properties are used for fuse components, then each component can have optimized properties, but the grain alignment of the steel is not consistent, affecting the uniformity of stress response
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines all fuse components into a single steel blank, ensuring that the metallurgical grain structure is continuous and uniformly aligned throughout the entire assembly. This monolithic construction eliminates grain misalignment issues that would arise from welding separate pieces, while component differentiation is achieved through geometric features (notches, cutouts, and dimensional variations) rather than material property changes.
Data Source
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AI summary
A one-piece structural fuse assembly is disclosed that is formed from a single piece of structural steel such as a beam. In embodiments, a first flange of the beam may form the fuse base, and a portion of the web of the beam may form the fuse plate. Additionally, a buckling restraint plate of the structural fuse assembly may be formed from a second flange of the beam, and the spacers of the structural fuse assembly may be formed from a portion of the web unused by the fuse plate. In examples, all of the components cut from the single piece of the beam are used in a single structural fuse assembly.