Dynamic Rockfall Barrier Structure With Reduced Support Beam Buckling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rockfall protection barriers experience high buckling loads on support beams due to direct attachment of middle support cables, leading to structural inefficiencies and potential failure under load.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an additional central suspension cable that transfers a portion of the load directly to the anchorage of the support beams, reducing the buckling load and allowing for a more compact, yet load-bearing support beam design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If central support cables are fastened directly to support beams by brackets, then the barrier provides structural support, but the support beams experience increased buckling loads leading to structural instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces tension elements as intermediary components between the central support cables and the support beams. These tension elements allow free displacement at their contact points with the cables while being anchored to the beams, thereby mediating the load transfer and eliminating direct bracket attachments that cause buckling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the support system dynamic by allowing the central support cables to displace freely relative to the tension elements. This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt to rockfall loads without creating fixed attachment points that would generate buckling moments on the support beams.
2Force
If central support cables are directly attached to support beams, then load transfer is achieved, but the support beams require thicker dimensions to resist buckling
Solution Approach 1:
The tension elements serve as mediators that transfer loads from the central support cables to the support beams without requiring direct bracket attachments. This indirect load path eliminates the need for thick beams to resist buckling, allowing for slimmer beam dimensions while maintaining load transfer capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the bracket attachment mechanism from the system and replaces it with tension elements that anchor only at the beam ends. This removal of intermediate brackets eliminates the source of buckling loads while preserving the essential load transfer function.
3Ease of manufacture
If brackets are used to fasten support cables to beams, then cable attachment is achieved, but the structure becomes less compact and more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the bracket components entirely from the system, replacing them with tension elements that are simpler in design. This extraction of the bracket mechanism reduces structural complexity and achieves a more compact overall design while maintaining the cable attachment function.
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
Reduces buckling loads on support beams, enabling a slimmer and more efficient structural design while maintaining load-bearing capacity, and potentially incorporating additional brake cables for enhanced safety.
Implementation Method 1
tension elements (6) that run essentially perpendicularly to each central support cable (1, 11, 21) and have a contact point with the central support cable or central support cables (1, 11, 21), which allow free displacement of each central support cable (1, 11, 21) relative to the tension element (6)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
Dynamic stone chip protection barrier for protecting against stone chips or other natural occurrences, containing - a plurality of support carriers (3) which are each fastened to a floor anchor (4), - a mesh network (5) which is suspended between the support carriers (3), an upper network carrying cable (1) which runs along the upper edge of the mesh network (5) and which has in each case one contact point to the support carriers (3), a lower network carrier cable (11) which runs along the lower edge of the network (5) and which has in each case one contact point to the support carriers, and also - at least one central carrying cable (21), characterized by tension elements (6) which run substantially perpendicular to each central carrying cable (21) and which are fastened by way of their ends to the top and bottom of a support carrier (3), and which have a contact point to the individual carrying cable (21), which contact point allows displacement of each individual carrying cable (21) relative to the tensioning element (6).