Building Structural Element Load Capacity Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for monitoring the load carrying capacity of building structural elements, especially under variable and asymmetrical loads, suffer from significant measurement errors and are unreliable in harsh environmental conditions such as extreme temperatures, high humidity, and dusty environments, and fail to accurately represent the utilization of load carrying capacity in cases of asymmetrical loading.

Innovation Solution

The method involves measuring the rotation angles of cross-sections around the axis Z in two points symmetrically relative to the transverse axis of symmetry using inclinometers or similar devices, with the higher measured value representing the load carrying capacity utilization, and optionally measuring angles around axes perpendicular to these sections to indicate stability loss, allowing for periodic and synchronous measurements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If inclinometers are mounted on structural elements to measure rotation angles, then the utilization of load carrying capacity can be monitored, but large measurement errors occur under asymmetrical loading conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement accuracy of load carrying capacity utilizationVSAvoidreliability under asymmetrical loading

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The structural element is divided into multiple measurement sections, with at least two inclinometers mounted at different locations (e.g., first inclinometer at one location and second inclinometer at another location). Each inclinometer measures rotation angles independently, and the system processes these segmented measurements to determine overall utilization, thereby reducing errors from asymmetrical loading at any single location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent explicitly addresses asymmetrical loading by mounting inclinometers at strategically chosen locations that account for potential asymmetry. The evaluation unit processes measurements from multiple inclinometers to calculate utilization parameters that remain accurate even when load distribution is asymmetrical, effectively using the asymmetry of measurement locations to compensate for asymmetry in loading.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Measurement precision

If laser rangefinders are used to measure vertical displacement and deflection, then structural monitoring is achieved, but the method becomes inapplicable in harsh environmental conditions such as extreme temperatures, high humidity, dustiness, and uneven ground

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevertical displacement measurement accuracyVSAvoidadaptability to environmental conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces optical measurement systems (laser rangefinders) that are sensitive to environmental conditions with a mechanical/inertial measurement system using inclinometers. These inclinometers measure rotation angles directly and are insensitive to temperature, humidity, dust, and ground conditions, thereby substituting an environmentally vulnerable system with a robust mechanical sensor system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If a single inclinometer is used to measure rotation angle, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement accuracy under asymmetrical loading is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of inclinometersVSAvoidload carrying capacity utilization measurement

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a single inclinometer, the system segments the measurement task across multiple inclinometers mounted at different locations on the structural element. This segmentation allows the system to capture rotation angles at multiple points, enabling more accurate determination of overall utilization while accounting for asymmetrical loading patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11422056B2Method for measuring the utilization of the load carrying capacity of the building structural element

Publication Date: 2022.08.23 WISENE Z O O

AI summary

A method is shown for measuring the utilization of the load carrying capacity of a building structural element subject to variable action, including measurements of the rotation angles of cross-sections of this building structural element, wherein the rotation is caused by the variable action, wherein the rotation angles α1 and α2 of the cross-sections of the building structural element around the axis (Z) perpendicular to the longitudinal section of this building structural element are measured in two points (A) and (B) of this building structural element, located symmetrically relative to its transverse axis of symmetry, and subsequently the greater of the measured values of the angles α1 and α2 is used as the measure of the utilization of the load carrying capacity of the building structural element.