Prefabricated Beam Coupling System for Construction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The construction industry faces aesthetic and stability issues with the coupling of beams to pillars using prefabricated structures, as existing methods leave visible shelves and lack complete stability until cementation, compromising both aesthetics and safety.
Innovation Solution
A building system that couples prefabricated beams to pillars via a mechanical connection without shelves, using a sliding blade and threaded bars for secure fixation, and a completion jet to simulate the 'wet knot' behavior, ensuring stability and aesthetics by eliminating visible supports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If beams are placed on shelves provided on pillars for coupling, then the construction process is simplified and prefabricated elements can be easily assembled, but the shelves remain visible below the floor creating aesthetic problems and the connection lacks complete stability until cementation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing preliminary supports with seats that protrude from the pillar before beam installation. These supports are pre-positioned and prepared to receive the beam ends, enabling immediate stable connection without requiring subsequent cementation for initial stability. The threaded bars are also pre-installed in the preliminary supports, ready to secure the beams upon placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the traditional shelf element from the coupling system. Instead of using shelves that protrude from the pillar and remain visible, the invention uses preliminary supports with seats that receive the beam ends directly, eliminating the need for visible shelves while maintaining the coupling function. This extraction resolves the aesthetic issue while preserving structural integrity.
2Productivity
If traditional shelf-based coupling is used, then construction speed is maintained through prefabrication, but the visible shelves create aesthetic disadvantages and the connection is not completely stable during construction phases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the traditional shelf element from the coupling system. Instead of using shelves that protrude from the pillar and remain visible, the invention uses preliminary supports with seats that receive the beam ends directly, eliminating the need for visible shelves while maintaining the coupling function. This extraction resolves the aesthetic issue while preserving structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simulated wet knot by injecting cementitious composition into the space between the beam ends and the preliminary supports. This copying approach replicates the appearance and structural characteristics of traditional in-situ concrete coupling without requiring the beams to actually be cast monolithically, thereby maintaining construction speed while achieving aesthetic similarity to traditional methods.
3Ease of operation
If beams are simply supported on shelves, then assembly is quick and easy, but the connection lacks complete stability and safety until cementation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing preliminary supports with seats that protrude from the pillar before beam installation. These supports are pre-positioned and prepared to receive the beam ends, enabling immediate stable connection without requiring subsequent cementation for initial stability. The threaded bars are also pre-installed in the preliminary supports, ready to secure the beams upon placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a blade element with a curved or angled insertion face that slides into the seat of the preliminary support. This curved geometry facilitates easy insertion while ensuring positive engagement and stable positioning of the beam end, combining assembly simplicity with connection reliability through the geometric design of the interfacing surfaces.
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
This system enhances the aesthetic appeal by removing visible shelves and provides a safer, more stable connection during construction and post-construction, leveraging prefabricated elements for rapid and practical assembly.
Implementation Method 1
a completion jet (68) is provided to inject a cementitious composition (69) in the space comprised between the ends of the one or more beams (14, 16) and the pillar (12) so as to solidarize the elements
Data Source
Figure 1~4
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Figure 9~12
AI summary
The invention refers to a building system for the construction industry involving the coupling of one or more prefabricated beams to a pillar preliminarily by means of a mechanical connection without the need to have a shelf on the pillar for the support of the beams, and subsequently by means of a solidarization of said coupling with a completion jet so as to simulate the same static behavior of the structures in work by using prefabricated elements.