Seismic Resistant Concrete Pillar With Deformable Separator Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current seismic-resistant pillar systems in earthquake zones face issues with lateral forces causing stress and potential collapse due to inadequate deformation capacity at joints, despite existing solutions combining energy dissipators with concrete pillars.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a metal reinforcement with a separator element and energy dissipator elements within the pillar, where the separator element is more deformable than concrete, allowing for seismic energy dissipation through a triangular fissure creation and anchoring dissipator elements to concrete, maintaining stress within the elastic field to prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If energy dissipators are combined with concrete pillars, then seismic energy dissipation is improved, but the deformation capacity of critical zones remains insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The separator element divides the pillar into distinct segments, creating a controlled weak zone that concentrates deformation. This segmentation allows the critical zone to deform independently while the rest of the pillar maintains structural integrity, resolving the contradiction between energy dissipation and deformation capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The separator element has deliberately different mechanical properties (lower stiffness, higher deformability) compared to the surrounding concrete and reinforcement. This parameter change creates a localized region that can undergo large deformations without compromising the overall pillar strength, enabling both energy dissipation and adequate deformation capacity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If lateral forces are resisted by traditional pillar structures, then structural stability is maintained, but stresses cause joint damage or pillar collapse
Solution Approach 1:
The separator element acts as an intermediary component between the reinforcement and the concrete cast. During seismic events, it mediates the stress transfer, allowing the reinforcement to yield and dissipate energy while preventing direct stress concentration at the joints, thus maintaining both stability and strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful effect of lateral seismic forces into beneficial energy dissipation through the controlled deformation of the separator element and reinforcement. The stresses that would normally cause damage are instead channeled through the dissipator elements, transforming potential harm into useful energy absorption.
3Loss of energy
If dissipator elements are anchored to concrete, then energy dissipation is enhanced, but stress concentration may occur at anchorage points
Solution Approach 1:
The separator element is positioned beforehand to create a cushioning effect at the anchorage points. It distributes the stresses from the dissipator elements over a larger area of the concrete cast, preventing stress concentration and potential damage at the anchorage locations while maintaining effective energy dissipation.
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
Enhances the deformation capacity of critical pillar zones without substantial stress increase, preventing collapse and damage, thus ensuring structural integrity during seismic events.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one separator element has a deformability which is greater than that of the concrete so as to be able to deform in the event of stresses due to an earthquake
Implementation Method 2
a fissure with a triangular section or similar is created between the upper part and the supporting base of the separator element, which puts the dissipator elements in traction and generates a dissipation of the seismic energy
Implementation Method 3
each energy dissipator element has a coefficient of elasticity greater than that of the cast of concrete
Implementation Method 4
If the energy absorbed is such as to maintain the traction and/or the compression of the dissipator elements within the elastic field of the steel, the structure is not damaged
Data Source
Figure 1a~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Pillar for building constructions, made of reinforced concrete or a mix of cement-steel or ring reinforced concrete, having a metal reinforcement (14) with a longitudinal development immersed in a cast of concrete (16), which comprises at least a separator element (12) disposed substantially in a position orthogonal to the longitudinal development. The separator element (12) cooperates with dissipator elements (14 and/or 15, and/or 25), and also cooperates with a support element (22, 24). The separator element has a deformability greater than that of the cast of concrete (16). The dissipator elements (14, and/or 15, and/or 25) are anchored to the support element (22, 24) and/or to said cast of concrete (16).