Serrated Steel Beam Shear Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional structural beam systems rely on ancillary components like headed anchor studs or reinforcing dowels to transfer shear forces between steel beams and concrete slabs, which can be cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A serrated top flange geometry is encased in a concrete slab, allowing for horizontal shear force transfer without the need for reinforcing dowels, utilizing the serrations to create composite action between the beam and slab, and optionally incorporating reinforcing dowels or U-shaped straps for additional support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If headed anchor studs or reinforcing dowels are used to transfer shear forces, then shear force transfer is achieved, but device complexity and installation cumbersome increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for headed anchor studs or reinforcing dowels by incorporating shear transfer functionality directly into the beam's top flange geometry. The serrated or castellated pattern in the top flange itself provides the shear transfer mechanism, removing ancillary components from the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the shear transfer function with the structural beam component. By integrating serrations or castellated patterns directly into the top flange geometry, the beam simultaneously serves as both structural support and shear connection medium, eliminating the need for separate shear connection components.
2Reliability
If reinforcing dowels are installed through voids in the top flange, then shear force transfer is enhanced, but ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the requirement for installing reinforcing dowels through voids by making the top flange geometry itself the shear transfer mechanism. The serrated or castellated pattern provides sufficient shear connection without requiring additional dowel installation steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The top flange geometry serves itself by incorporating the shear transfer function directly into its structure. The serrations or castellated patterns automatically provide shear connection when the concrete slab is poured over the beam, eliminating the need for separate dowel installation operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A structural member section is provided that may be comprised of horizontal top and bottom flange elements interconnected by one or more vertical web member. The top flange of the member is serrated such that a series of serrations protrude horizontally in at least one direction from a top of the one or more vertical web member or are cut-out from the flange of a rolled shape. In one embodiment, the serrated top flange and at least a portion of the web member are intended to be encased by a horizontal concrete slab or slab-on-deck assembly. The slab material is capable of encasing all exposed surfaces of and curing around each serration to transfer horizontal shear forces between the serrated top flange and the slab material such that the member and slab behave compositely without needing additional reinforcing located within the voids between serrations.