GB2448297A

GB2448297A - A structural beam comprising opposed chords and a lattice web

Info

Publication number: GB2448297A
Application number: GB0706731A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Farzad Neysari
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-04-10
Filing date: 2007-04-10
Publication date: 2008-10-15
Also published as: GB0706731D0

Abstract

A structural truss comprising top 2, 3 and bottom 2, 4 chords separated by a web 1 shaped to define a lattice, wherein the web is comprised of a single piece of material. The web may be cut to form a number of different shapes such as zigzag, curved or sloped. The top and bottom chords may be welded or bolted to the web, they may further comprise a single piece affixed to a single side of the web, or two pieces which sandwich the web. The web may be shaped so as to form a tapered girder when assembled, wherein the depth of girder at one end is different to the depth at the other end. A number of different materials may be incorporated such as wood, metal and glass.

Description

I

Description of the Invention

This is a method of making a beam, a plate gkdcr. A beam comprises of top boom or flange, the top section 3, the bottom boom or flange, thc bottom section 2 Fig 3. A middle vertical section, web I fig 3, ties the top and bottom flanges together to torm the beam.

2 This is a structural beam, a plate girder, referred to as a Plate Lattice Girder with a Web Lattice Plate 1, 12, 13, 14, Figs 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 continuously cut out of a larger plate 9 Fig I IA.

It consists of a top boom 2, 3, a bottom boom 2, 4, and the said Web Lattice Plate I Figs 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

3 Ii is to be used for permanent and temporary structures.

4 It is a distinctive alternative to current manufactured solid beams, lattice girders, castcllated beams, perforated web beams and beams such as Cell Beams and FABSEC.

The beam, referred to as a Plate Lattice Girder is comprising of a continuous Web Lattice Plate 1, 12, 13. 14,...Figs 6, 7, 8,9, 10, 11, cut out of and shaped in a continuous way from larger plate 9, Fig 11 A, so that when connected to the top and bottom booms it provides a beam with apertures in the web, the vertically aligned section, of the plate girder based on shapes outlined but not limited to 1, 12. 13 andl4 Figs 6, 7, 8, 9. 10, 11. Other shapes to suit design and architectural requirements can be made in continuous form to make the final Plate Lattice Girder.

6 The continuous Web Lattice Plate forms the Web of the Plate Lattice Girder Fig 1,2,3,4,5,12,13,14,15,16,17, and 18.

7 Top and Bottom chords 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8... are either welded or bolted to the Web Lattice Plate to construct the Plate Lattice Girder, Figs 15, 16, 17, and 18.

8 The top and bottom chords 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 7, 8...Figs I, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 19 are proprietary sections or exclusively custom designed sections in single or double back to back formats as shown in Fig 19A to 1 9L.

9 The Web Lattice Plate 1, 12. 13. 14, or any variation of it, is cut out of larger plate 9 Fig 11 A in a continuous operation based on a designed profile/pattern 1, 12, 13, 14 Figs 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or similar to suit individual cases.

The Web Lattice Plate can also be formed, continuously cast to provide the same said shapes and patterns to!brm the web of a Plate lattice Girder.

The Web Lattice Plate is cut/profiled out of a plate 9 Fig Ii A either by plasma, flame cut, saw cut, water jet cut, casting, heat forming, cold forming, steam shaping, or any other means such to form a continuous Web Lattice Plate similar or substantially thc same which is then connected to a top and bottom chord.

Web Lattice Plate can be of any thickness depending on design requirements.

11 The openings provided due to the form and shapes of the Web Lattice Plate provide space for passage of electrical cables, mechanical piping and other building services.

12 The web plate can be of any material suitable for construction. Metallic, bi-metallic, or non-metallic material can be used to form the Web Lattice Plate and the top and bottom booms of the Plate Lattice Girder. Material used includes Glass and Timber and any other material suitable for construction.

13 Top and Bottom chords may be constructed from plates, sections, or proprietary sections/profiles, especially or custom made sections, cables, wire rods, reinforcement bars, Keviar ropes, Glass, Timber, metallic and non-metallic materials or any material suitable for construction.

14 Connections between the Top and Bottom booms with the Web Lattice Plate are made by welding, bolted connections, glued or fusion weld, propriety connectors, mechanical fasteners OT any other suitable structural or appropriate fixing solution.

The material of the Plate Lattice Girder may be monolithic (one material through out) or hybrid where any of the iop boom, Bottom boom and Web Lattice Plate may be of a different material.

16 Where bi-metallic reactions can occur. insulating barrier is introdLiced to eliminate the risk of bi-metallic reactions. Application of this insulation material includes sheet material cut to suit and placed between the joints where materials of a different chemical properties are placed against each other. cold application of a liquilied material or paste such as paint, hot dip application, or spray of an agent to insulate and prevent bi-metallic connection and adverse reaction also form part of this insulation irrespective of method of application.

17 The Plate Lattice Girder can he painted, galvanised (cold applied or hot dipped) to receive surface finish and protection against corrosion and weathering subject to the properties used in its fabrication.

18 Method of fabrication can be mechanised for mass fabrication or beams can be fabricated individually.

19 The continuity of the web plate allows for minimum weld or fastener application at the points of contact with top and bottom booms.

The shape and form of the Web Lattice Plate 1, 12, 13, 14 or any substantially similar form can be so that it allows for the final Plate Lattice Girder to form a curved shape Fig 21, be pre-cambered or so that the formation of the fabricated Plate Lattice Girder may follow a zigzag shape or form a combination of Flat, sloped, zigzag, and curved beams Figs 20 & 21 as may be required by design. Hence there are neither limitations nor restrictions in the continuous form of the Wcb Lattice Plate or in the continuous form of the final Plate Lattice (irdcr.

The Web Lattice Plate can be cut so that the final fabricated Plate Lattice Girder may fonn a tapered girder where the depth of the beam on one end is different to the depth o1the beam at the other end.

21 Web Lattice Plate is cut out of wide plates of varying widths, thicknesses and lengths. The current available width of manufactured plates allows for a deep Plate lattice Girder to depth approaching 3m and over. This outweighs current cellular beams where their final depth is limited to a lower depth of available rolled sections.

22 Web Lattice Plate is cut individually 1, figs 6, 7 and 12, 13 figs 8 and 9 or mass patterned 1, 14 figs 10 and 1 1A to achieve maximum efficiency in a repeatable pattern with minimum waste output.

23 Due to continuity of the Web Lattice Plate, connection force between the Web Lattice Plate and the top and bottom booms of the Plate Lattice Girder is considerably reduced hence requiring less welding and lighter bolting or fastening Connection.

24 l'he Web Lattice Plate I, 12, 13, 14 or similar patterns, Figs I to 11 is cut out of larger plate 9 Fig 11 in a continuous shape based on a designed profile/pattern. This eliminates cutting odd many individual members. The design and detail extensively reduces welding requirements. This additionally reduces waste and fabrication time.

While current solutions in the market arc generally produced using propriety sections, the Web Lattice Plate of the Plate Latlicç Girder is manufactured from a plate which connects to top and bottom booms. Top and Bottom booms can also he made of plates. Plates are generally less expensive than rolled sections and more available globally, hence the proposed beam would be more economical and widely available in comparison with the current alternatives.

26 The making of the Platc Lattice Girder using a continuous Web Lattice Plate is an advancement in fabrication, making and manufacture of beams currently available in the market. Contrary to a normal lattice girder which is comprised of discontinuous web members referred to as diagonals or internal members which are then welded or bolted at their ends to the top and bottom booms of the lattice girder, an operation that is commercially costly and a time consuming method, thc continuity of the Web Lattice Plate provides the alternative ceonomical and time effective solution which is the Plate Lattice Girder where connection between the internal members to the top and bottom booms of the girder requires minimum weld or minimum number of bolts due to the continuous nature of the Web lattice Plate.

27 Some of the current alternatives use ready made manufactured rolled sections.

The rolled section is then cut ta a set profile, cut sections are then repositioned in a diffcrent manner and then welded together to form a deeper beam. CELL beam is one of these alternatives. Its depth is limited to maximum depth of available manufactured rolled sections currently available in the market.

The Web Lattice Plate provides a beam far deeper than currently available CELL beams. Furthermore it reduces the extent of the required welding.

28 Some other current alternatives simply use an already manufactured rolled section and cut holes in the web of these sections to provide, holes for the services. Depths of these alternatives are limited to what is currently available in the market. FABSEC is one of these alternatives.

The Web Lattice Plate not only provides a beam capable of being far deeper than currently available FABSEC type solutions but also leaves a continuously repeating aperture in the web zone providing further perfordtions for passage of service ducts. Additionally the hole/opening patterns of the Web Lattice Plate may be set to various shapes and configurations providing a flexible solution.

29 Current available solutions do not cater for bi-metallic or hybrid solutions where two different materials are used to form the lattice girder.

The Web Lattice Plate provides opportunity to make a lattice girder where top boom, Web Lattice Plate, and bottom boom each may be of a different material.

The Web Lattice Plate provides availability of the Plate Lattice Girder that in turn can provide for system building of structures such as portal frames fig 20, where either or both rafters and columns of the portal frame can be made out of Plate Lattice Girder. In such cases, the Web Lattice Plate will have more solid areas 10 and 11 Fig 20 around the connection zone between the column and the rafters. This zone 10 is known as hunch connection area. Similarly at the apex, ridge of the portal frame where the roof rafters/beams meet ii fig 20, the Web Lattice Plate Would have more solid areas 11 to allow for the continuity of the force pattern normally applicable to rigid connections.

The application of rigid ends utilising plates 10 and 11 Fig 20 is not limited to Portal Framed structures fig 20 and such application can be used to provide for rigid connections in any other circumstances.

31 In the construction of rigid structures where connection between the column and beams is to carry continuous force, moments, torsions and alike, the Web Lattice Plate of the Plate Lattice Girder would have more solid areas allowing for transfer of such forces/loads. Plates 10 and 11 Fig 20 illustrate.

32 Web Lattice Plate and consequently the Plate Lattice Girder would provide a commercially viable solution for continuous or better known rigid structures as well as providing an alternative for simply supported structures where bracing provides structural stability to the whole.

33 In view ot items 30 to 32 above, Plate Iatticc Girder is a flcxiblc structural beam with no restriction on the use for simple or complex structural form. Keys Items

1 Continuous cut and shaped web plate, shape 1 as drawn 12 Continuous cut and shaped web plate alternative pattern 13 Continuous cut and shaped web plate alternative pattern 14 Continuous cut and shaped web plate alternative pattern 2 Top or Bottom Chords, Double or single Angles 3 Top or Bottom Chords, Double or single channels 4 Top or Bottom Chords, Flat plate Top or Bottom Chords. Double web Tee section 6 Top or Bottom Chords, Tubular square or circular section 7 Top or Bottom Chords, Square solid section 8 Top or Bottom Chords, Circular solid section 9 Main plate Eaves Haunch Plate Ii Ridge or Apex 1-launch Plate Figures Fig 1 Plate Lattice Girder with Angle top and bottom boom Fig 2 Plate Lattice Girder with Angle top and bottom boom Fig 3 Plate Lattice Girder with Angle top and bottom boom Fig 4 Plate 1 atticc Girder with Angle top and bottom boom Fig 5 Plate Lattice Girder with Angle top and bottom boom Fig 6 Web Plate alternative I Fig 7 Web Plate alternative. 1, Front View Fig 8 Web Plate alternative, 12, Front View Fig 9 Web Plate alternative, 13, Front view Fig 10 Web Plate continuous cut, pattern repeating to save off cuts Fig 11 Web Plate continuous cut, pattern of a varied shape Fig 12 Plate Web Girder varied top and bottom booms Fig 13 Plate Web Girder varied top and bottom booms Fig 14 Plate Web Girder varied top and bottom booms Fig 15 Connection between top and bottom booms with the web plate Fig 16 Connection between top and bottom booms with the web plate Fig 1 7 Connection between top and bottom booms with the web plate Fig 18 Connection between top and bottom booms with the web plate Fig 19 Alternative combinations of top and bottom booms from A to L but not limited to items shown.

Fig 20 Structure formed using Web Lattice Plate, Plate Lattice Girder Fig 21 Curvcd Web Lattice Plate, Plate I.attice Girder

Claims

Claims A method of making a beam referred to as a Plate Lattice Girder

using a continuous web plate referred to as Web lattice Plate 1, 12, 13, 14 or similarly formed as sho but not limited to figs 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11
2 A method of cutting out of a larger plate 9 fig I IA, a continuous shaped Web Plate 1, 12, 13, 14 or similar forming a continuous Web Plate in an inclined form 1 or curved 12, 13, or a combination of wherein substantially the same allowing to separate the top and bottom booms of a beam figs 1,2, 3,4, 5, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16,17, and 18.
3 A method of claim 2 wherein the top boom and bottom boom formed of any shape are separated using a continuous profiled or continuous cut Web Plate wherein the web of such girders/beams allows substantially the same perforations, triangular, curved, circular or similar as per items 1, 12, 13, 14 or similar.
4 A method of claim I to 3 above where a continuous plate of similar pattern is utilised to achieve substantially the same to fabricate a Plate Lattice Girder.
A method of cLaim 4 wherein the web plate is formed or cut using, but not limited to, plasma cut, flame cut, saw cut, water jet cut, heat forming, cold forming, mechanical bending, steam shaping or any other way to form substantially the same web plate to form a plate lattice girder whether the continuous plate 1, 12, 13, 14 or similar is cut individually figs 6, 7, 8 and 9 or is multiple cut as per figs10 and I 1A.
6 A method of claim 5 wherein any proposals utilising the continuity of the web plate and shaping of the web plate separating the top and bottom booms substantially the same.
7 A method according to any claims I to 6 wherein the separating of the top and bottom booms are of the same or substantially the same.
8 A method substantially as described herein and/or with reference to the accompanying drawings Figs 1 to 2] irrespective of the shape/s of the top and bottom boom/s.
9 A Plate Lattice Girder and or Plate Girder and or Plate beam wherein manufactured according to method of any one of the claims 1 to 8 irrespective of what the product is called.
A method of claim I to 9 wherein the top or bottom boom is constructed on single or double section placed on either side, over or under of the continuous web plate in a similar way or substantially the same.
11 Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein and/or in the accompanying drawings Figs I to 21.
12 Any novel feature using features described herein andlor in the accompanying drawings Figs 1 to 21 to form a complex structure where elements of such structure are made in a similar way or substantially the same.
13 A Plate girder or beam or lattice girder irrespective of any name given or adopted where manufactured according to the method of any one claims I to 12 whether used as a temporary, permanent or decorative part of a structure.