Post Sleeve and T-Bolt Shear Connection for Curtain Wall Transitions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional building construction techniques face challenges in securely attaching curtain wall systems to structural elements without compromising the integrity of the installation, particularly during the transition from temporary safety railings to permanent curtain wall attachments.
Innovation Solution
The use of T-bolts and post sleeves with shear connections allows for secure attachment of posts to edge angles, enabling temporary safety railings and subsequent curtain wall installation without welding, while ensuring OSHA compliance and facilitating easy removal of temporary components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional welding techniques are used to attach curtain walls to structural elements, then structural strength is improved, but installation complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the attachment function into separate components: edge angles with pour stops are installed during concrete pouring, and curtain walls are subsequently attached to these pre-installed edge angles using clip angles and bolts. This segmentation allows the structural support function to be separated from the curtain wall attachment function, reducing installation complexity while maintaining strength
Solution Approach 2:
Edge angles with integrated pour stops are installed beforehand during the concrete pouring process, creating pre-prepared attachment surfaces. This preliminary action eliminates the need for later welding operations, as bolt connections can be made to the pre-installed edge angles, thereby reducing both installation complexity and time
2Strength
If clip angles welded to pour stops are used to attach curtain walls, then attachment strength is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the welding process (thermal/mechanical combination) with a pure mechanical bolt connection system. Clip angles connect to edge angles via bolts that thread into the edge angle channels, eliminating the need for welding operations while maintaining attachment strength and significantly improving ease of installation
3Reliability
If temporary safety railings are installed using conventional methods, then safety compliance is improved, but removal complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses separate, modular components for temporary safety railings that can be independently installed and removed. Posts with flanges connect to edge angles via bolt connections rather than permanent welding, allowing the temporary railing system to be segmented into removable units that maintain OSHA compliance while facilitating easy removal after construction
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system transitions from static permanent welds to dynamic bolt connections that can be easily assembled and disassembled. This allows temporary safety railings to be dynamically installed during construction for safety compliance and then easily removed when no longer needed, without leaving permanent modifications to the structural elements
Data Source
AI summary
A post sleeve including a first mounting plate including a first mounting hole. The post sleeve also can include a second mounting plate including a second mounting hole, The post sleeve additionally can include a channel portion extending between the first mounting plate and the second mounting plate. The channel portion can include a channel configured to secure a post within the channel. The first and second mounting plates can be configured to be attached to an anchor channel of an edge angle. Other embodiments are described.