Slide Bearing Assembly for Long-Span Structure Thermal Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Movable long-span structures, such as stadium roofs, face challenges with thermal expansion and contraction, leading to uneven load distribution and potential damage due to the lack of effective accommodation of thermal movements in existing support systems.
Innovation Solution
The use of slide bearing assemblies between the long-span structure and the bogies allows for lateral movement, ensuring that thermal expansion and contraction are managed by forcing growth in a predictable direction, maintaining even load distribution and preventing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the long-span structure is rigidly fixed to the bogies, then the structural stability is improved, but thermal expansion and contraction cause uneven load distribution and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing assembly is designed with a slider plate that can move laterally relative to the bogie body, transforming the rigid fixed connection into a dynamic adjustable connection. This allows the structure to adapt to thermal expansion and contraction while maintaining stable support, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and load distribution uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing assembly acts as an intermediary element between the long-span structure and the bogie. It includes a slider plate that moves laterally to accommodate thermal movements, thereby mediating the interaction between the structure and support system to maintain both stability and uniform load distribution.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the long-span structure is allowed to move freely to accommodate thermal expansion, then thermal stress is reduced, but the load distribution becomes uneven and structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing assembly provides controlled movement through its slider mechanism, allowing thermal expansion while preventing uncontrolled movement that would compromise stability. The dynamic design enables the system to accommodate thermal stress without sacrificing structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing assembly changes the positional parameter of the slider plate laterally to accommodate thermal expansion. This parameter change allows the structure to expand and contract while maintaining stable support and even load distribution through the guided movement mechanism.
3Force
If multiple bogies are used to distribute the load evenly, then the load distribution is improved, but the complexity of the support system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is segmented into multiple independent bogies, each equipped with its own bearing assembly. This segmentation allows the load to be distributed across multiple units while keeping each unit relatively simple in design, resolving the contradiction between load distribution and system complexity.
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
This solution effectively accommodates thermal changes, ensuring stable and predictable movement of long-span structures, reducing the risk of damage and maintaining even load distribution across the bogies.
Implementation Method 1
the roof panels and/or the trusses, which are typically fabricated from metal, tend to undergo thermal expansion. As the panels or trusses expand, the movable roof structure may tend to grow in length.
Implementation Method 2
The same problem may occur if the movable roof structure experiences thermal contraction (i.e., shrinkage) because of unduly cold conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A long-span structure engaged with a plurality of first and second transportation devices for moving the long span structure. The transportation devices travel along parallel, longitudinally-oriented first and second tracks; moving the structure between a first position and a second position. A first region of the structure is fixed to each first transportation device. A second region of the structure is secured to each second transportation device via a bearing assembly. The first and second regions of the structure are laterally spaced apart. When the long-span structure thermally expands or contracts, a slider plate of each bearing assembly moves laterally relative to the rest of the bearing assembly. Growth of the structure in a predictable direction is forced by keeping the first region thereof fixed against lateral movement with the first transportation devices and allowing movement of the second region thereof via the bearing assemblies on the second transportation devices.