U-Channel Vertical Support Structure for Seismic Load Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat exchanger support structures fail to effectively manage shear, tension, and bending forces during seismic events and heavy wind conditions, leading to excessive stress on nuts and bolts, and complicate the mating of top and bottom sections.
Innovation Solution
A vertical support structure featuring a U-shaped-channel support member with a slot for a mounting plate and a guide element, which redistributes forces and provides enhanced support for cross-beams, using stiff yet resilient materials like metal or graphite fiber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional support structures with nuts and bolts are used to fasten cross-beams to the resting plate, then the structure can be assembled, but excessive shear, tension, and bending forces are generated on the fasteners during seismic events and heavy wind conditions, leading to structural instability
Solution Approach 1:
A resilient support block is introduced as an intermediary element between the cross-beam and the resting plate. This support block absorbs and redistributes the shear, tension, and bending forces generated during seismic events and heavy wind conditions, preventing these excessive forces from being transmitted directly to the nuts and bolts fasteners, thereby maintaining structural stability while reducing stress on connection points
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure transitions from a rigid connection system to one incorporating resilient materials with specific physical properties. The resilient support block exhibits controlled elasticity and energy absorption characteristics, changing the mechanical parameters of the support system to reduce peak forces on fasteners while maintaining overall structural integrity under extreme loading conditions
2Reliability
If conventional fastening methods with multiple nuts and bolts are used, then the cross-beam can be securely fastened, but the assembly process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The support assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the resilient support block, the mounting plate with integrated fastening features, and the cross-beam interface. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall assembly process by reducing the number of separate fastening operations required while maintaining secure attachment
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting plate integrates multiple functions into a single component, combining the fastening mechanism with the support interface. This merging of functions reduces the total number of separate parts and fastening steps required, simplifying the assembly process while ensuring reliable connection between the cross-beam and the resting plate
Data Source
AI summary
A vertical support structure includes a mounting plate and a support member. The support member has a vertically-elongated central panel and a pair of vertically-elongated side panels connected to and extending perpendicularly from the central panel to form a U-shaped-channel as viewed in cross-section. The support member has a top edge and a bottom edge disposed vertically apart from and extending horizontally parallel to one another. The support member has a slot formed at least through the central panel. The slot is disposed between and extends parallel to the top and bottom edges. The mounting plate is slidably inserted into the slot in a close-fitting manner and is connected to the support member such that the mounting plate at least partially projects perpendicularly from the central panel away from the U-shaped channel. A guide element is connected to the top edge and extends upwardly and inwardly toward the U-shaped channel.