Sidewalk Shed Scaffold Frame Without Diagonal Bracing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sidewalk sheds utilize diagonal cross bracing, which causes visual clutter and obstructs pedestrian movement, failing to meet aesthetic and practical requirements during construction or demolition.
Innovation Solution
A sidewalk shed system with vertical columns and horizontal major and minor beams, utilizing face plates and fasteners to form a rectangular grid without diagonal bracing, providing robust structural support and allowing for modular, flexible installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If diagonal cross bracing is used to ensure structural stability, then the sidewalk shed prevents collapse, but visual clutter and pedestrian movement are blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the diagonal cross bracing element entirely from the sidewalk shed structure. Instead of modifying the bracing to reduce its harmful effects, the invention extracts this component completely and replaces it with an alternative structural system using only vertical columns and horizontal beams with moment connections, thereby eliminating visual clutter and pedestrian obstruction while maintaining stability through a different mechanical principle
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental structural parameter from a truss system requiring diagonal bracing to a rigid frame system using moment connections. This parameter change allows the structure to achieve stability through rotational restraint at beam-column joints rather than through triangular bracing, thereby resolving the contradiction between stability and aesthetic/circulation requirements
2Strength
If traditional sidewalk shed structures are used with diagonal bracing, then structural strength is achieved, but the structure becomes heavy and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the diagonal bracing components that add weight and complexity to traditional sidewalk sheds. By removing these unnecessary elements and relying on moment connections between vertical columns and horizontal beams, the structure achieves the required strength with less material, resulting in a lighter and simpler overall construction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a truss-based structural system to a rigid frame system. This phase transition in structural methodology allows the sidewalk shed to achieve strength through moment-resisting connections rather than through diagonal bracing, thereby reducing weight and complexity while maintaining structural integrity
3Reliability
If diagonal cross bracing is installed to prevent collapse, then structural reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the diagonal cross bracing that increases structural complexity. By extracting this component and replacing it with moment connections at beam-column joints, the invention achieves collapse prevention through a simpler structural system that relies on rotational restraint rather than triangular bracing geometry
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the structural system parameter from a braced frame to a rigid frame with moment connections. This parameter change simplifies the overall device complexity by eliminating the need for diagonal bracing while maintaining reliability through moment-resisting joints that prevent collapse through rotational restraint
Data Source
AI summary
A sidewalk shed and system includes a plurality of columns and a plurality of major beams. Each column includes one to four column face plate assemblies, based on the application, for attachment to major beams. Each column face plate assembly comprises a column face plate, trapezoidal-shaped top and bottom gussets, and a vertical plate support, which in combination support the column face plate in a spaced-apart relation to a column. Major beam face plates attached to the opposing ends of a major beam releasably engage the column face plate assemblies using fasteners. Minor beams span opposing major beams. The minor beams may support other sidewalk shed structures, such as decking, parapets, lighting, signage, and other scaffolding.