CA2510734A1 - Variable strength truss for membrane cover buildings - Google Patents
Variable strength truss for membrane cover buildings Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2510734A1 CA2510734A1 CA 2510734 CA2510734A CA2510734A1 CA 2510734 A1 CA2510734 A1 CA 2510734A1 CA 2510734 CA2510734 CA 2510734 CA 2510734 A CA2510734 A CA 2510734A CA 2510734 A1 CA2510734 A1 CA 2510734A1
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- Prior art keywords
- arch
- basic
- truss
- attachable
- location
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
- E04H15/00—Tents or canopies, in general
- E04H15/18—Tents having plural sectional covers, e.g. pavilions, vaulted tents, marquees, circus tents; Plural tents, e.g. modular
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04C—STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS
- E04C3/00—Structural elongated elements designed for load-supporting
- E04C3/38—Arched girders or portal frames
- E04C3/40—Arched girders or portal frames of metal
Abstract
A method of making an arch for a membrane covered building includes providing a basic arch having a minimum strength sufficient for construction of membrane covered buildings having a minimum load requirement The load requirements for a desired membrane covered building are determined and compared to the strength of the basic arch. Under-strength portions of the basic arch that fail to meet the desire load requirement are determined, and reinforcing members are attached to the basic arch to strengthen the under-strength portions of the basic arch and form a reinforced arch with increased strength sufficient to meet the desired load requirements. An arch apparatus with reinforcing members is provided for practicing the method.
Description
VARIABLE STRENGTH ARCH FOR MEMBRANE COVERED BUILDINGS
This invention is in the field of membrane covered buildings and in particular arches for supporting the membrane cover of such buildings.
BACKGROUND
Membrane covered buildings typically comprise a plurality of arches laterally spaced along the length of the building, and covered by a fabric membrane. In narrower buildings the arches are typically a hollow tube bent into an arch. Truss arches are commonly used for added strength in wider buildings. These truss arches generally comprise top and bottom truss members, typically hollow tubes, and a web of reinforcing members extending between the top and bottom members. Each arch extends up from the ground on one side of the building and across to the other side of the building. The arches typically curve upward from the ends and across over the central portion of the building, and the shape of the arch varies with the particular design as well as the width of the building. Arches for membrane covered buildings are also known that extend generally vertically upwards for a distance from their ends, and then slope towards a peak providing a building design that is morc like a conventional wooden or steel building with walls and rafters.
Hase plates on the bottom ends of the arches are typically anchored with bolts or the like to a foundation comprising pilings or a grade beam on each side of the building, and purlins extend from one arch to the next tying the arches together to form a substantially rigid framework for the building. Cables are commonly used to attach arches to each other or to the foundation to add rigidity to the building. Such a membrane covered building is disclosed for example in United States Patent Number 6,026,613 to Quiring et al.
Such buildings must be designed to withstand snow loads, wind loads, and the like that will be encountered due to the particular weather conditions in the location where the building is erected. Local building codes generally specify the loads the building must be designed to withstand, and these loads can vary significantly. For example in one geographic area the load requirements of the local code might dictate the building must support 50 inches of snow, and 80 mile per hour winds, while another might dictate the building must support only 30 inches of snow, but must also withstand 100 mile per hour winds.
Such codes also typically specify different loads depending on the use of the building.
For example for commercial use, where the building will be occupied for substantial periods of time by humans, the specified loads will be higher than for agricultural use where human occupation is only occasional. Thus manufacturers of membrane covered buildings, who typically ship buildings to a wide geographical area for a wide variety of uses, are required to provide buildings meeting a wide variety of load requirements.
Typically manufacturers of membrane covered buildings design and make a particular S arch for each width of building. Typically the arch is designed to withstand, at a commonly desirable lateral spacing for example of 12 feet, snow and wind loads that are contemplated to be satisfactory for an average or most popular of the geographic areas where it is contemplated the buildings will be erected. While arches can be designed to withstand wide combinations of loads for a particular geographic area at a desired lateral spacing, it is not economically feasible to manufacture such a wide variety of arches.
Manufachxring costs increase, and significantly increased inventory is required to maintain timely delivery of sold buildings.
Because the arch is designed to provide satisfactory strength at the desired spacing for an average area, the arch will therefore be over strength in some geographic areas at the desired spacing and under strength in others. Where the arch is over strength, it is possible to increase the lateral spacing of the arches. This increased spacing can be limited by the strength of the fabric membrane material. Also, it may be desired for reasons other than strength, such as for erecting a stub wall or the like, to not deviate from the desired lateral spacing. It is therefore common for the arches to be spaced to maintain the desired arch spacing, and so be over strength for the location.
Where the building design is such that it exceeds the requirements of the building code, the building cost is higher than necessary.
Similarly where the arch is under strength, the lateral spacing of the arches is conventionally reduced to increase the load characteristic. Where, as is common, concrete pilings are used as a foundation for the arches decreasing the latera3 arch spacing increases the number of pilings required, and the cost of the foundation.
Again it is then not possible to maintain a desired lateral spacing.
SUMMARY OF THE llWENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an arch for membrane covered buildings that overcomes problems in the prior art.
The invention provides, in a first embodiment, an arch apparatus for supporting a membrane covered building. The apparatus comprises a basic arch having a minimum strength for constntction of membrane covered buildings having a minimum load requirement. At least one reinforcing member is attachable to the basic arch to strengthen under-strength portions of the basic arch and form a reinforced arch wherein the reinforced arch can be used for construction of membrane covered buildings having a load requirement greater than the minimum load requirement.
The invention provides, in a second embodiment, a method of making an arch for a membrane covered building. The method comprises providing a basic arch having a minimum strength sufficient for construction of membrane covered buildings having a minimum load requirement; determining a desired load requirement for a desired membrane covered building; determining under-strength portions of the basic arch that fail to meet the desired load requirement; and attaching at least one reinforcing member to the basic arch to strengthen the under-strength portions of the basic arch and form a reinforced arch with increased strength sufficient to meet the desired load requirement.
The arch of the present invention provides a basic configuration that provides sufficient strength at a desired lateral spacing to satisfy the requirements for the least stressful geographic area, and additional strengthening components that can be added to the arch to increase its load characteristics where required. Thus a desired loiters!
arch spacing can be maintained where load requirements vary using an economically produced basic arch configuration and adding reinforcement to increase the load capacity instead of varying the lateral arch spacing as is done in the prior art.
In addition, the arch of the invention also recognizes and addresses the different requirements dictated by different types of loading. For example increased snow loads require increased strength in the upper portions of the arched arch which have a larger horizontal component and thus must be reinforced to support the vertical load exerted by snow gathered on the membrane. The lower portions of the arch are more vertically oriented and thus generally provide su~cient strength to withstand the downward force of the snow load.
Conversely increased wind loads exert a lateral force on the membrane and require increased strength in the lower portions of the arch. The wind pushes the arches laterally and creates a moment about the anchored ends of the arch. The force of the wind on the upper portions of the arch is thus magnified in the lower portions of the arch in the same manner as a lever and fulcrum.
Thus where the basic configuration provides sufficient strength to meet the wind load requirements at a building location, but insufficient strength to meet the snow load requirements, it is only required to provide additional strengthening components in the upper portions of the arches. Similarly, where the basic configuration provides sufficient strength to meet the snow load requirements at a building location, but insufficient strength to meet the wind load requirements, additional strengthening components need to be provided only in the lower portions of the arches. Thus for any combination of wind and snow load the basic arch can be adapted to meet the location requirements by providing additional strengthening components in the upper and lower portions of the arch as required.
_~gggg_ In truss arches the additional strengthening components can be provided by adding reinforcing members between the top and bottom members of the truss arch. The arches are also typically made up of a number of arch sections connected at joints, typically provided by connecting plates on each end. The connecting plates on the arch sections are bolted together to form the arch. These joints are typically a weak point in an arch, and may be strengthened by adding reinforcing members extending across the joint. In truss arches, reinforcing can be provided by a brace extending from the top member of one truss arch section to the bottom member of the adjacent truss arch section.
With the arch of the invention reinforcing members are only added where needed to meet the load requirements at the building location. Thus the arch of the present invention provides economies by providing a basic configuration that can be strengthened to meet increased load requirements, instead of varying the lateral arch spacing, and further provides additional economies by providing incxeased strength only where required.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRA~'~TGS:
While the invention is claimed in the concluding portions hereof, preferred embodiments are provided in the accompanying detailed description which may be best understood in conjunction with the accompanying diagrams where like parts in each of the several .
diagrams are labeled with like numbers, and where:
Fig. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of a basic arch with reinforcing members attached to form a reinforced arch;
Fig. 2 is a schematic front view of a clamp for ding the brace to the tube of the basic arch of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a schematic front view of a basic arch showing various brace locations;
Fig. 4 is front view of a reinforced truss arch of the invention;
Fig. 5 is a schematic front view of a corrugated plate brace;
is Fig. 6 is a cross-section view of the plate brace of Fig. 5;
Fig. 7 is a cross-section view of an angle iron brace.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMEENTS:
Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a reinforced arch 1 of the present invention for_use in supporting a membrane covered building. A typical basic arch 3 comprises a single tube curved into a semi-circle, a common profile for such arches, and having a strength that is sufficient for buildings in certain geographical locations, aad used for certain purposes, where strength requirements are minimal. Such a building, for example, might be for agricultural use in a geographical location where snow and wind loads are low.
Rigid braces 5, such as pipes or bars, are rigidly attached to the basic arch 3 as illustrated, and serve to substantially increase the strength of the basic arch 3 by adding resistance to deformation of the arch and providing a reinforced arch 1. Fig. 2 illustrates clamps 7 in the form of sleeves that are clamped around the tube of the basic arch 3, and attached to each end of the brace 5. Conveniently the clamps 7 can be moved along the tube of the basic arch 3 to locate the brace 5 in a desired location that requires added strength, and then clamped.
Fig. 1 also shows a reinforcing cable 9 attached to the basic arch 3 by holes through lugs 11 welded or otherwise fastened to the basic arch 3 and then put under tension. The tension may be supplied by tightening with a turnbuckle, winch, or the like, or alternatively it is contemplated that the lower ends of the basic arch 3 could be forced together to move the lugs together enough to attach the cable 9, such that when the bottom ends were released the cable 9 would be under tension. The reinforcing cable also adds strength to the basic arch 3 by tying two portions of the arch 3 together. An excessive downward force on the arch 3, such as a balanced snow load, will deform the arch 3 by forcing the top of tire arch down and the sides of the arch outward.
By tying the two portions of the basic arch 3 together as illustrated with the cable 9, outward movement of the sides of the arch is resisted and the basic arch 3 is strengthened.
The cable 9, however, only provides reinforcement when in tension, while the rigid brace 5 provides reinforcement in both tension and compression and thus will generally be preferred where reinforcement is provided on each side of the arch 3, where when one brace 5 is in tension, the opposite brace 5 will be in compression and thus provide useful reinforcement.
As generally illustrated in Fig. 1 then, the invention discloses a method of making an arch for a membrane covered building comprising providing a basic arch 3 having a minimum strength for construction of membrane covered buildings having a minimum load requirement. For any desired building the desired load requirements are then determined, and compared to the load bearing characteristics of the basic arch 3 to determine the under-strength portions of the basic arch 3 that fail to meet the desired load requirements.
For example where wind load requirements exceed the strength of the lower portions of the basic arch the lower portion may be under-strength.
Once the under-strength portions of the basic arch 3 are determined, reinforcing members, such as the illustrated braces 5 or cable 9, ate attached as required to strengthen the under-strength portions of the basic arch 3 such that the basic arch 3 with the attached reinforcing members form a reinforced arch 1 that meets the desired load requirements.
The rigid brace could similarly be attached to lugs welded to the basic arch.
In the alternate reinforced arch 101 illustrated in Fig. 3 a plurality of lugs 111 with holes therein could be provided on the basic arch 103. On each side of the illustrated basic arch 103 is provided first, second, and third lugs 111A, 111B, 111C. The reinforcing member 105 is schematically illustrated as attachable at each end thereof to lugs 111A and 111B, or 111B and 111C, such that the upper portion of the basic arch 103 can be reinforced to withstand snow load, or the lower portion can be reinforced to withstand wind load.
Further lugs 111D and 111E can be provided as illustrated to allow the reinforcing member 105 to be attached at an intermediate position. As illustrated, right and left reinforcing members 105 attachable to corresponding right and left sides of the basic arch 103 such that the reinforced arch is substantially symmetrical.
Fig. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the reinforced arch 201 wherein the basic arch is a basic truss arch 203 comprising upper and lower truss members 221, 223, and a web 225 connected between the upper and lower truss members 221, 223. The basic truss arch 203 comprises a plurality of truss arch sections 203A~ 203B, 203C connected together at joints 227 as is known in the art.
The illustrated reinforcing member, rigid brace 205, is attached at one end to a first lug 211 located on the upper truss member 221 of truss arch section 203B and at the opposite end to a second lug 211 located on the lower truss member 223 of the adjacent truss arch section 203A. The rigid brace 205 extends across the joint 227 and reinforces the basic truss arch 203 and also the joint 227. Again clamps could be used instead of lugs 211, as illustrated in Fig. 2. The clamps may be more costly but have the advantage of being versatile, in that the reinforcing member can be located at virtually any location on the basic arch.
The rigid brace could also be attached to first and second locations that are both on the upper truss member 221, as illustrated by rigid brace 205A or that are both on the lower truss member 223, as illustrated by rigid brace 205B. Alternatively again the rigid brace could be provided by a corrugated plate 231 attached to lugs 211, as further illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. The corrugated plate 231 in tension resists deforming movement of the upper truss member 221 away from the lower truss member 223, and in compression resists deforming movement of the upper truss member 221 toward the lower truss member 223. The corrugations, as seen in Fig. 6, add strength to the plate 231 when in compression, allowing the plate 231 to be made of relatively thin material and reduce the weight of the plate 231 for shipping.
Alternatively it is contemplated that the reinforcing member could also comprise an angle iron 241, having a cross-section as illustrated in Fig. 7 and rolled to substantially conform to a curvature of the basic arch 241, fastened to the basic arch 241 by welding, clamping, bolting, or the like.
Thus the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention.
Further, since numerous changes and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the enact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all such suitable changes or modifications in structure or operation which may be resorted to are intended to fall within the scope of the claimed invention.
This invention is in the field of membrane covered buildings and in particular arches for supporting the membrane cover of such buildings.
BACKGROUND
Membrane covered buildings typically comprise a plurality of arches laterally spaced along the length of the building, and covered by a fabric membrane. In narrower buildings the arches are typically a hollow tube bent into an arch. Truss arches are commonly used for added strength in wider buildings. These truss arches generally comprise top and bottom truss members, typically hollow tubes, and a web of reinforcing members extending between the top and bottom members. Each arch extends up from the ground on one side of the building and across to the other side of the building. The arches typically curve upward from the ends and across over the central portion of the building, and the shape of the arch varies with the particular design as well as the width of the building. Arches for membrane covered buildings are also known that extend generally vertically upwards for a distance from their ends, and then slope towards a peak providing a building design that is morc like a conventional wooden or steel building with walls and rafters.
Hase plates on the bottom ends of the arches are typically anchored with bolts or the like to a foundation comprising pilings or a grade beam on each side of the building, and purlins extend from one arch to the next tying the arches together to form a substantially rigid framework for the building. Cables are commonly used to attach arches to each other or to the foundation to add rigidity to the building. Such a membrane covered building is disclosed for example in United States Patent Number 6,026,613 to Quiring et al.
Such buildings must be designed to withstand snow loads, wind loads, and the like that will be encountered due to the particular weather conditions in the location where the building is erected. Local building codes generally specify the loads the building must be designed to withstand, and these loads can vary significantly. For example in one geographic area the load requirements of the local code might dictate the building must support 50 inches of snow, and 80 mile per hour winds, while another might dictate the building must support only 30 inches of snow, but must also withstand 100 mile per hour winds.
Such codes also typically specify different loads depending on the use of the building.
For example for commercial use, where the building will be occupied for substantial periods of time by humans, the specified loads will be higher than for agricultural use where human occupation is only occasional. Thus manufacturers of membrane covered buildings, who typically ship buildings to a wide geographical area for a wide variety of uses, are required to provide buildings meeting a wide variety of load requirements.
Typically manufacturers of membrane covered buildings design and make a particular S arch for each width of building. Typically the arch is designed to withstand, at a commonly desirable lateral spacing for example of 12 feet, snow and wind loads that are contemplated to be satisfactory for an average or most popular of the geographic areas where it is contemplated the buildings will be erected. While arches can be designed to withstand wide combinations of loads for a particular geographic area at a desired lateral spacing, it is not economically feasible to manufacture such a wide variety of arches.
Manufachxring costs increase, and significantly increased inventory is required to maintain timely delivery of sold buildings.
Because the arch is designed to provide satisfactory strength at the desired spacing for an average area, the arch will therefore be over strength in some geographic areas at the desired spacing and under strength in others. Where the arch is over strength, it is possible to increase the lateral spacing of the arches. This increased spacing can be limited by the strength of the fabric membrane material. Also, it may be desired for reasons other than strength, such as for erecting a stub wall or the like, to not deviate from the desired lateral spacing. It is therefore common for the arches to be spaced to maintain the desired arch spacing, and so be over strength for the location.
Where the building design is such that it exceeds the requirements of the building code, the building cost is higher than necessary.
Similarly where the arch is under strength, the lateral spacing of the arches is conventionally reduced to increase the load characteristic. Where, as is common, concrete pilings are used as a foundation for the arches decreasing the latera3 arch spacing increases the number of pilings required, and the cost of the foundation.
Again it is then not possible to maintain a desired lateral spacing.
SUMMARY OF THE llWENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an arch for membrane covered buildings that overcomes problems in the prior art.
The invention provides, in a first embodiment, an arch apparatus for supporting a membrane covered building. The apparatus comprises a basic arch having a minimum strength for constntction of membrane covered buildings having a minimum load requirement. At least one reinforcing member is attachable to the basic arch to strengthen under-strength portions of the basic arch and form a reinforced arch wherein the reinforced arch can be used for construction of membrane covered buildings having a load requirement greater than the minimum load requirement.
The invention provides, in a second embodiment, a method of making an arch for a membrane covered building. The method comprises providing a basic arch having a minimum strength sufficient for construction of membrane covered buildings having a minimum load requirement; determining a desired load requirement for a desired membrane covered building; determining under-strength portions of the basic arch that fail to meet the desired load requirement; and attaching at least one reinforcing member to the basic arch to strengthen the under-strength portions of the basic arch and form a reinforced arch with increased strength sufficient to meet the desired load requirement.
The arch of the present invention provides a basic configuration that provides sufficient strength at a desired lateral spacing to satisfy the requirements for the least stressful geographic area, and additional strengthening components that can be added to the arch to increase its load characteristics where required. Thus a desired loiters!
arch spacing can be maintained where load requirements vary using an economically produced basic arch configuration and adding reinforcement to increase the load capacity instead of varying the lateral arch spacing as is done in the prior art.
In addition, the arch of the invention also recognizes and addresses the different requirements dictated by different types of loading. For example increased snow loads require increased strength in the upper portions of the arched arch which have a larger horizontal component and thus must be reinforced to support the vertical load exerted by snow gathered on the membrane. The lower portions of the arch are more vertically oriented and thus generally provide su~cient strength to withstand the downward force of the snow load.
Conversely increased wind loads exert a lateral force on the membrane and require increased strength in the lower portions of the arch. The wind pushes the arches laterally and creates a moment about the anchored ends of the arch. The force of the wind on the upper portions of the arch is thus magnified in the lower portions of the arch in the same manner as a lever and fulcrum.
Thus where the basic configuration provides sufficient strength to meet the wind load requirements at a building location, but insufficient strength to meet the snow load requirements, it is only required to provide additional strengthening components in the upper portions of the arches. Similarly, where the basic configuration provides sufficient strength to meet the snow load requirements at a building location, but insufficient strength to meet the wind load requirements, additional strengthening components need to be provided only in the lower portions of the arches. Thus for any combination of wind and snow load the basic arch can be adapted to meet the location requirements by providing additional strengthening components in the upper and lower portions of the arch as required.
_~gggg_ In truss arches the additional strengthening components can be provided by adding reinforcing members between the top and bottom members of the truss arch. The arches are also typically made up of a number of arch sections connected at joints, typically provided by connecting plates on each end. The connecting plates on the arch sections are bolted together to form the arch. These joints are typically a weak point in an arch, and may be strengthened by adding reinforcing members extending across the joint. In truss arches, reinforcing can be provided by a brace extending from the top member of one truss arch section to the bottom member of the adjacent truss arch section.
With the arch of the invention reinforcing members are only added where needed to meet the load requirements at the building location. Thus the arch of the present invention provides economies by providing a basic configuration that can be strengthened to meet increased load requirements, instead of varying the lateral arch spacing, and further provides additional economies by providing incxeased strength only where required.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRA~'~TGS:
While the invention is claimed in the concluding portions hereof, preferred embodiments are provided in the accompanying detailed description which may be best understood in conjunction with the accompanying diagrams where like parts in each of the several .
diagrams are labeled with like numbers, and where:
Fig. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of a basic arch with reinforcing members attached to form a reinforced arch;
Fig. 2 is a schematic front view of a clamp for ding the brace to the tube of the basic arch of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a schematic front view of a basic arch showing various brace locations;
Fig. 4 is front view of a reinforced truss arch of the invention;
Fig. 5 is a schematic front view of a corrugated plate brace;
is Fig. 6 is a cross-section view of the plate brace of Fig. 5;
Fig. 7 is a cross-section view of an angle iron brace.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMEENTS:
Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a reinforced arch 1 of the present invention for_use in supporting a membrane covered building. A typical basic arch 3 comprises a single tube curved into a semi-circle, a common profile for such arches, and having a strength that is sufficient for buildings in certain geographical locations, aad used for certain purposes, where strength requirements are minimal. Such a building, for example, might be for agricultural use in a geographical location where snow and wind loads are low.
Rigid braces 5, such as pipes or bars, are rigidly attached to the basic arch 3 as illustrated, and serve to substantially increase the strength of the basic arch 3 by adding resistance to deformation of the arch and providing a reinforced arch 1. Fig. 2 illustrates clamps 7 in the form of sleeves that are clamped around the tube of the basic arch 3, and attached to each end of the brace 5. Conveniently the clamps 7 can be moved along the tube of the basic arch 3 to locate the brace 5 in a desired location that requires added strength, and then clamped.
Fig. 1 also shows a reinforcing cable 9 attached to the basic arch 3 by holes through lugs 11 welded or otherwise fastened to the basic arch 3 and then put under tension. The tension may be supplied by tightening with a turnbuckle, winch, or the like, or alternatively it is contemplated that the lower ends of the basic arch 3 could be forced together to move the lugs together enough to attach the cable 9, such that when the bottom ends were released the cable 9 would be under tension. The reinforcing cable also adds strength to the basic arch 3 by tying two portions of the arch 3 together. An excessive downward force on the arch 3, such as a balanced snow load, will deform the arch 3 by forcing the top of tire arch down and the sides of the arch outward.
By tying the two portions of the basic arch 3 together as illustrated with the cable 9, outward movement of the sides of the arch is resisted and the basic arch 3 is strengthened.
The cable 9, however, only provides reinforcement when in tension, while the rigid brace 5 provides reinforcement in both tension and compression and thus will generally be preferred where reinforcement is provided on each side of the arch 3, where when one brace 5 is in tension, the opposite brace 5 will be in compression and thus provide useful reinforcement.
As generally illustrated in Fig. 1 then, the invention discloses a method of making an arch for a membrane covered building comprising providing a basic arch 3 having a minimum strength for construction of membrane covered buildings having a minimum load requirement. For any desired building the desired load requirements are then determined, and compared to the load bearing characteristics of the basic arch 3 to determine the under-strength portions of the basic arch 3 that fail to meet the desired load requirements.
For example where wind load requirements exceed the strength of the lower portions of the basic arch the lower portion may be under-strength.
Once the under-strength portions of the basic arch 3 are determined, reinforcing members, such as the illustrated braces 5 or cable 9, ate attached as required to strengthen the under-strength portions of the basic arch 3 such that the basic arch 3 with the attached reinforcing members form a reinforced arch 1 that meets the desired load requirements.
The rigid brace could similarly be attached to lugs welded to the basic arch.
In the alternate reinforced arch 101 illustrated in Fig. 3 a plurality of lugs 111 with holes therein could be provided on the basic arch 103. On each side of the illustrated basic arch 103 is provided first, second, and third lugs 111A, 111B, 111C. The reinforcing member 105 is schematically illustrated as attachable at each end thereof to lugs 111A and 111B, or 111B and 111C, such that the upper portion of the basic arch 103 can be reinforced to withstand snow load, or the lower portion can be reinforced to withstand wind load.
Further lugs 111D and 111E can be provided as illustrated to allow the reinforcing member 105 to be attached at an intermediate position. As illustrated, right and left reinforcing members 105 attachable to corresponding right and left sides of the basic arch 103 such that the reinforced arch is substantially symmetrical.
Fig. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the reinforced arch 201 wherein the basic arch is a basic truss arch 203 comprising upper and lower truss members 221, 223, and a web 225 connected between the upper and lower truss members 221, 223. The basic truss arch 203 comprises a plurality of truss arch sections 203A~ 203B, 203C connected together at joints 227 as is known in the art.
The illustrated reinforcing member, rigid brace 205, is attached at one end to a first lug 211 located on the upper truss member 221 of truss arch section 203B and at the opposite end to a second lug 211 located on the lower truss member 223 of the adjacent truss arch section 203A. The rigid brace 205 extends across the joint 227 and reinforces the basic truss arch 203 and also the joint 227. Again clamps could be used instead of lugs 211, as illustrated in Fig. 2. The clamps may be more costly but have the advantage of being versatile, in that the reinforcing member can be located at virtually any location on the basic arch.
The rigid brace could also be attached to first and second locations that are both on the upper truss member 221, as illustrated by rigid brace 205A or that are both on the lower truss member 223, as illustrated by rigid brace 205B. Alternatively again the rigid brace could be provided by a corrugated plate 231 attached to lugs 211, as further illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. The corrugated plate 231 in tension resists deforming movement of the upper truss member 221 away from the lower truss member 223, and in compression resists deforming movement of the upper truss member 221 toward the lower truss member 223. The corrugations, as seen in Fig. 6, add strength to the plate 231 when in compression, allowing the plate 231 to be made of relatively thin material and reduce the weight of the plate 231 for shipping.
Alternatively it is contemplated that the reinforcing member could also comprise an angle iron 241, having a cross-section as illustrated in Fig. 7 and rolled to substantially conform to a curvature of the basic arch 241, fastened to the basic arch 241 by welding, clamping, bolting, or the like.
Thus the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention.
Further, since numerous changes and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the enact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all such suitable changes or modifications in structure or operation which may be resorted to are intended to fall within the scope of the claimed invention.
Claims (23)
1. An arch apparatus for supporting a membrane covered building, the apparatus comprising:
a basic arch having a minimum strength for construction of membrane covered buildings having a minimum load requirement;
at least one reinforcing member attachable to the basic arch to strengthen under-strength portions of the basic arch and form a reinforced arch;
wherein the reinforced arch can be used for construction of membrane covered buildings having a load requirement greater than the minimum load requirement.
a basic arch having a minimum strength for construction of membrane covered buildings having a minimum load requirement;
at least one reinforcing member attachable to the basic arch to strengthen under-strength portions of the basic arch and form a reinforced arch;
wherein the reinforced arch can be used for construction of membrane covered buildings having a load requirement greater than the minimum load requirement.
2. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein a reinforcing member comprises a cable attachable to first and second locations on the basic arch such that the cable is under tension.
3. The apparatus of Claim 2 wherein the basic arch comprises first and second lugs respectively fixed to the first and second locations on the basic arch, and wherein the cable is attached through holes defined by the lugs.
4. The apparatus of Claim 3 further comprising a cable tightening device operative to apply tension to the cable after attachment to the lugs, wherein the cable tightening device includes one of a winch and a turnbuckle.
5. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein a reinforcing member comprises a rigid brace attachable to first and second locations on the basic arch.
6. The apparatus of Claim 5 wherein the basic arch comprises first and second lugs respectively fixed to the first and second locations on the basic arch, and wherein the rigid brace is attached at each end thereof through holes defined by the first and second lugs.
7. The apparatus of Claim 6 wherein the basic arch comprises a third lug fined to a third location on the basic arch, and wherein the reinforcing member is further attachable at each end thereof through holes defined by the second and third lugs.
8. The apparatus of Claim 5 comprising a first arch clamp attachable to the first location on the basic arch, and a second arch clamp attachable to the second location on the basic arch, and wherein the rigid brace is attachable at each end thereof to a corresponding clamp.
9. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein the basic arch is a basic truss arch comprising upper and lower truss members, and a web connected between the upper and lower truss members, and wherein a reinforcing member is attachable to first and second locations on the basic truss arch.
10. The apparatus of Claim 9 wherein the first and second locations are both on one of the upper truss member and the lower truss member.
11. The apparatus of Claim 9 wherein the first location is on the upper truss member and the second location is on the lower truss member.
12. The apparatus of Claim 11 wherein a reinforcing member comprises a corrugated plate.
13. The apparatus of Claim 11 wherein the basic truss arch comprises a plurality of truss arch sections connected together at joints, and wherein the first location is on the upper truss member of a first truss arch section and the second location is on the lower truss member of an adjacent second truss arch section, such that the reinforcing member extends across the joint.
14. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein a reinforcing member comprises an angle iron rolled to substantially conform to a curvature of the basic arch, and fastened to the basic arch.
15. The apparatus of Claim 14 wherein the angle iron is fastened by one of welding, clamping, and bolting.
16. The apparatus of any one of Claims 1 - 15 comprising right and left reinforcing members attachable to corresponding right and left sides of the basic arch such that the reinforced arch is substantially symmetrical.
17. A method of making an arch for a membrane covered building, the method comprising:
providing a basic arch having a minimum strength sufficient for construction of membrane covered buildings having a minimum load requirement;
determining a desired load requirement for a desired membrane covered building;
determining under-strength portions of the basic arch that fail to meet the desired load requirement;
attaching at least one reinforcing member to the basic arch to strengthen the under-strength portions of the basic arch and form a reinforced arch with increased strength sufficient to meet the desired load requirement.
providing a basic arch having a minimum strength sufficient for construction of membrane covered buildings having a minimum load requirement;
determining a desired load requirement for a desired membrane covered building;
determining under-strength portions of the basic arch that fail to meet the desired load requirement;
attaching at least one reinforcing member to the basic arch to strengthen the under-strength portions of the basic arch and form a reinforced arch with increased strength sufficient to meet the desired load requirement.
18. The method of Claim 17 wherein a reinforcing member comprises a cable attachable to first and second locations on the basic arch, and comprising placing tension on the cable after same is attached.
19. The method of Claim 17 wherein a reinforcing member comprises a rigid brace attachable to first and second locations on the basic arch.
20. The method of Claim 16 wherein the basic arch is a basic truss arch comprising upper and lower truss members, and a web connected between the upper and lower truss members, and wherein a reinforcing member is attachable to first and second locations on the basic truss arch.
21. The method of Claim 20 wherein the first location is on the upper truss member and the second location is on the lower truss member.
22. The method of Claim 21 wherein the basic truss arch comprises a plurality of truss arch sections connected together at joints, and wherein the first location is on the upper truss member of a first truss arch section and the second location is on the lower truss member of an adjacent second truss arch section, such that the reinforcing member extends across the joint.
23. The method of any one of Claims 17 - 22 comprising attaching right and left reinforcing members to corresponding right and left sides of the basic arch such that the reinforced arch is substantially symmetrical.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2510734 CA2510734A1 (en) | 2005-06-27 | 2005-06-27 | Variable strength truss for membrane cover buildings |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2510734 CA2510734A1 (en) | 2005-06-27 | 2005-06-27 | Variable strength truss for membrane cover buildings |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2510734A1 true CA2510734A1 (en) | 2006-12-27 |
Family
ID=37561611
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2510734 Abandoned CA2510734A1 (en) | 2005-06-27 | 2005-06-27 | Variable strength truss for membrane cover buildings |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2510734A1 (en) |
-
2005
- 2005-06-27 CA CA 2510734 patent/CA2510734A1/en not_active Abandoned
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