Resilient Plate Connector for Demountable Modular Buildings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors for modular building systems face challenges in demounting and reusing volumetric modules after damaging events, often requiring costly retrofitting or demolition, and can become jammed due to distortion during extreme weather or earthquakes, lacking components that are easy to repair or replace.
Innovation Solution
A connector comprising a first and second plate with a resilient core, forming a channel for a fixing to connect adjacent modules, enhancing energy dissipation and shielding the fixing from damage, allowing easy assembly and disassembly with a single fixing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional connectors are used to guide damage in framing members during extreme weather or earthquakes, then structural collapse is mitigated, but the connectors become distorted and jammed, requiring costly retrofitting or demolition
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into distinct components: resilient cores (providing damage absorption) and plate assemblies (providing connection functionality). This segmentation allows the resilient cores to deform and absorb energy during extreme events while the plate assemblies remain relatively intact and can be easily removed or replaced, enabling demounting and reuse of volumetric modules without requiring complete connector replacement
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient cores act as intermediary elements between the plate assemblies, absorbing the distortion and damage forces during extreme events. This protects the plate assemblies and fixings from direct damage, allowing them to remain functional and be easily removed or replaced after the event, thus facilitating module reuse
2Strength
If connectors use multiple fixings to couple adjacent volumetric modules, then connection strength is improved, but assembly and disassembly procedures become complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple fixings are merged into a single integrated fixing mechanism that passes through all resilient cores and plate assemblies. This single fixing provides sufficient connection strength while simplifying assembly and disassembly procedures, as only one fixing needs to be installed or removed per connector, rather than multiple separate fixings
Solution Approach 2:
The single fixing serves multiple functions: it couples adjacent volumetric modules, engages with all resilient cores and plate assemblies simultaneously, and provides a simple assembly/disassembly interface. This multi-functionality maintains connection strength while dramatically simplifying operational procedures
3Stability of the object's composition
If connectors are designed for permanent installation to ensure structural stability, then building stability is improved, but adaptability for reconfiguration or relocation is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The connector transitions from a static, permanent design to a dynamic, reversible system. The resilient cores provide temporary stability during extreme events through controlled deformation, while the plate assemblies and single fixing maintain structural integrity during normal use. The entire connector can be easily removed or reconfigured, enabling building adaptability and relocation while maintaining stability when assembled
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
The connector facilitates efficient assembly and disassembly of modular buildings, improves ductility and energy dissipation, and reduces damage to fixings by resilient deformation and fire protection, enabling easier repair or replacement of components.
Implementation Method 1
the core is resilient, the connector enhances energy dissipation in buildings constructed from a plurality of volumetric modules, particularly when such buildings are subject to meteorological or geological events
Implementation Method 2
as the core is resilient, the connector enhances energy dissipation in buildings constructed from a plurality of volumetric modules
Implementation Method 3
as the fixing extends through aligned apertures in the plates and core, the plates and core act to shield the fixing from the effects of fire
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to a connector (15) for connecting volumetric modules (1) of a modular building system. In an embodiment, the connector comprises: a first plate (17) that defines a first plate aperture (21): a second plate (19) that defines a second plate aperture. and a resilient core (23) that defines a resilient core aperture: wherein the first plate aperture (21), the second plate aperture and the resilient core aperture are arranged so that the respective apertures align when the resilient core (23) is sandwiched between the first (17) and second (19) plates to thereby provide a channel through the first and second plates (17. 19) and the resilient core (23), said channel being sized to accommodate a fixing (43) so that a structural member of a first volumetric module abutted against said first plate (17) can be connected by means of said fixing (43) to a structural member of a second volumetric module abutted against the second plate (19).