Segmented Glulam Beam Assembly with Tension Cables for Long Spans
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glued laminated timber (glulam) beam structures face limitations in span length due to transverse tensile stress, require complex and expensive reinforcements, and have difficulties in precise joining of elements at their end faces, limiting their application and assembly.
Innovation Solution
The glulam beam structure is divided into prefabricated elements with channels and tension elements, allowing precise assembly and adjustment at the installation site, using positioning elements like tongue and groove connections and tension elements like steel cables to enhance tensile strength and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If glulam beam structures are made as one-piece prefabricated structures, then manufacturing precision is improved, but transport limitations restrict the dimensions and span length
Solution Approach 1:
The glulam beam structure is divided into multiple individual glulam beam elements that can be manufactured separately with controlled dimensions for easy transport, then assembled together to form the complete structure. This segmentation allows the structure to achieve greater span lengths while maintaining manufacturing precision through modular production units.
2Strength
If metal reinforcements are added to accommodate transverse tensile stresses, then load-bearing capacity is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning elements are integrated directly into the end faces of the glulam beam elements at specific locations where connections are needed. This local integration provides the necessary structural functionality for joining elements while avoiding the need for extensive metal reinforcements throughout the entire structure, thus maintaining simplicity.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional joining methods are used for glulam beam elements, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but precise joining at end faces becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
Positioning elements are pre-integrated into the end faces of the glulam beam elements during manufacturing. This preliminary action ensures that when the elements are assembled on-site, precise joining is achieved without requiring complex adjustment or additional precision-critical operations during construction.
4Ease of operation
If glulam beam elements are assembled with simple connections, then ease of operation is improved, but stability and tensile strength are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning elements combine multiple functions into a single integrated component: they provide precise positioning of adjacent elements, structural connection through integration with the end faces, and stability through their embedded design. This merging maintains assembly simplicity while achieving the necessary stability and tensile strength.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a glulam beam structure comprising: a plurality of glulam beam elements, each glulam beam element having substantially two opposite end faces, each glulam beam element having at least one channel extending between the two opposite end faces of the glulam beam element, the glulam beam elements being joined together at their respective end faces, and the joined end faces having respective positioning elements for the exact positioning of adjacent glulam beam elements; a tension element, the one tension element being passed through the at least one channel and extending along the entire length of the glulam beam structure;and fastening elements at the ends of the tension element for fastening the ends of the tension element and for bracing the glulam support structure in an assembled state, the fastening elements engaging the respective ends of the glulam support structure;