Swaged Column Interface for Fast On-Site Structural Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Erecting taller buildings is challenging due to the difficulty and cost of welding column segments together at the construction site, as transporting full-length columns is impractical and time-consuming.

Innovation Solution

A swaged interface is used to couple column segments, featuring a male and female element with aligned openings, where the female element is formed by expanding the inner cross-section through a swaging process, allowing for a mechanical connection using fasteners.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If column segments are transported to the building site, then full-length columns can be delivered, but welding them together at the site is time-consuming and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolumn lengthVSAvoidassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The column is divided into transportable segments that can be assembled at the building site. Each segment has a swaged interface with male and female elements that enable mechanical coupling without welding, resolving the contradiction between transporting full-length columns and on-site assembly time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The welding process is replaced with a mechanical swaged interface system. The male element is inserted into the female element and secured with fasteners through aligned openings, eliminating the need for time-consuming welding operations while maintaining structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Length of moving object

If column segments are transported to the building site, then full-length columns can be delivered, but welding them together at the site is costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolumn lengthVSAvoidassembly cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The swaged interface components (male and female elements with aligned openings) are pre-formed during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex on-site welding operations, reducing both time and cost while enabling transport of longer column segments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The expensive welding process is replaced with a simpler mechanical fastening system using bolts or other fasteners through the pre-formed openings in the swaged interface, significantly reducing assembly costs while maintaining column integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 method reduces the time and cost of assembling columns by eliminating the need for on-site welding, enabling the use of longer column segments and facilitating faster construction of multistory frames.

Implementation Method 1

The at least one female sidewall is swaged adjacent to a first end of the precursor column segment, such that the inner cross section of the first portion is expanded to a preselected cross section

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSwaging: Cold-forming

Data Source

PatentUS11802401B2Structural support member with swaged female interface

Publication Date: 2023.10.31 BULL MOOSE TUBE CO

AI summary

A swaged interface includes a male element that includes a male cavity defined by at least one male sidewall, and a plurality of first openings defined in the at least one male sidewall. The swaged interface also includes a female element that includes a female cavity defined by at least one female sidewall, and a plurality of second openings defined in the at least one female sidewall. The female element has an inner cross section sized to receive the male element such that each of the first openings is aligned with a respective one of the second openings. The inner cross section is formed by swaging.