This application claims the priority benefit of China application No. 201110088373.5, filed on Apr. 11, 2011, application No. 201110098178.0, filed on Apr. 20, 2011, application No. 201110112365.X, filed on May 3, 2011, application No. 201110129530.2, filed on May 19, 2011 and application No. 201110164626.2, filed on Jun. 20, 2011. The contents of these prior applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
The present invention relates to an aluminium alloy truss structure. The truss structure of this invention involves the use of mating tenon-mortise groove connection nodes or implanted plate type body-shaped connection nodes. All the members of the truss structure are made from aluminum alloy. And all the members meeting at the connection nodes are fastened using bolts or riveting bolts.
China Patent Application Serial No. 200780039151.6 discloses a space frame connection node arrangement which is used for a node connector useful for interconnections of plural framing members at a node in a double layer grid-type of space frame, the node connector comprising a cylindrical base portion defining a passage having an axis and which is sized and shaped for snug slidable substantially axial insertion thereinto of an elongate chord framing member of the grid and which chord framing member has an axis along its length substantially alignable with the passage axis upon said insertion, the passage being configured to substantially enclose the chord framing member and to hold the framing member axis in alignment with the passage axis upon such insertion, the node structure carrying substantially along the length of and externally of the base portion fixed plural structural elements defining at least two pairs of parallel spaced opposing substantially flat surfaces, the surfaces of each pair being spaced equidistantly from a center plane between them which is parallel to and substantially intersects the passage axis, at least one pair of holes in the base portion aligned on a line which intersects the passage axis and is normal to it, at least one pair of further holes through the elements which define each pair of parallel spaced opposing surfaces and aligned on a line which is normal to that pair of surfaces. The node connector can be secured to a chord member in its passage and to ends of other framing members by shear pins which have zero clearances in node connector holes and in holes or passages through the respective framing members. The space frame can be a movable armature for a curved solar reflector, the space frame having a V-shaped major surface. At least some of the framing members can be thin wall tubes modified to have opposing, flat-exterior wall zones along the length of each tube and in which the wall thickness is locally increased and through which shear pin holes are defined. Unfortunately, for load bearing structures in civil engineering works (especially large-span grid structures, for example), the connection node arrangement in accordance with the said application has deficiencies in that the solid portions at the bottom of the grooves are excessively thin and the shear pin holes in the groove walls have to be disposed at relatively high locations due to the constraints of connection requirements, and, consequently, there is a potential risk that these portions are susceptible to local buckling under the effects of the pressure rods in the civil engineering works. The connection nodes are structured in a way such that the tubular chord members would be under stress eccentrically. Moreover, the application of screws to connect the members would give rise to unreliable load bearing structures in civil engineering works. For ease of assembling, one would have to resort to shear pins and retaining parts which are used to fasten the members, which, however, are unsafe and unreliable for load bearing structures in civil engineering works either. Thus, the ability of the “connector” to carry the internal forces of connection nodes of load bearing structures in civil engineering works is obviously insufficient. Therefore, it is highly desirable in the art to provide a novel aluminum alloy truss structure.
The objective of this invention is to provide an aluminum alloy truss structure. The truss structure of this invention involves the use of mating tenon-mortise groove connection nodes or implanted plate type body-shaped connection nodes. All the members of the truss structure are made from aluminum alloy. And all the members meeting at the connection nodes are fastened together using bolts or riveting bolts. This invention contributes to greatly reduced own weight of buildings and a save of materials for columns and foundation that serve to support the truss structure. Moreover, this invention allows rapid assembling of members at construction site and is particularly advantageous to cut the construction costs, and can further improve the earthquake resistant performance of structures. In addition, the aluminum alloy materials almost require no maintenance throughout their service life, thereby making it possible for a project to function for more than one hundred years. The trusses can have an either large or small span, and are widely employed in civil engineering works such as large-span factory buildings, exhibition halls, stadiums and bridges etc.
The objective of this invention is achieved through the technical schemes as descried below: an aluminum alloy truss structure, comprising upper chord members, lower chord members, web members and all connection nodes by which the members are interconnected using riveting bolts; all members of the truss are made from aluminum alloy materials; the chord members and web members are interconnected using tenons and mortise grooves that mate with each other, each of the chord members being provided with a tenon plate at the end adjacent to the web members, each of the web members being correspondingly provided with a mortise groove at either end thereof, and the tenon plate on the chord members being implanted into the mortise groove on the web members; or, alternatively, each of the chord members being provided with a mortise groove at the end adjacent to the web members, each of the web members being correspondingly provided at either end thereof with a tenon to mate with the mortise groove, either end of each web member being implanted into the mortise groove in the chord member that intersects with the web member; after each tenon is implanted into the respective mortise groove, they are fastened together using bolts or riveting bolts.
An aluminum alloy truss structure, comprising plate-shaped connection node plates and chord members and web members of aluminum alloy materials respectively connecting therewith, all the aluminum alloy members of the truss each having a groove made at either end thereof, the plate-shaped connection node plate being implanted into the grooves at the respective ends of all members that intersect at a node and fastened together with the members using bolts or riveting bolts.
An aluminum alloy truss structure, comprising all body-shaped connection node bodies of the space truss and all aluminum alloy members of the space truss that are interconnected with the connection node bodies, all the aluminum alloy members of the space truss each having a groove made at either end thereof to receive an limb plate of a connection node body that is implanted into the groove, each body-shaped connection node body being provided with three limb plates, respectively referred to as U, V and W, along X, Y and Z direction of the space truss, the limb plates being respectively implanted into the grooves at the respective ends of all members that intersect at a node and fastened together with the members using bolts or riveting bolts.
An aluminum alloy truss structure, comprising chord members, web members and all connection nodes by which the members are interconnected using riveting bolts; all members of the truss are made from aluminum alloy materials; the chord members and web members are interconnected using tenons and mortise grooves that mate with each other; in particular, a tenon plate is provided at the chord member respectively along Y, Z direction of the space truss, and a mortise groove is made at either end of each of the web chamber along Y, Z direction of the space truss to mate with the tenon, the tenon plates at the chord member along Y, Z direction being implanted into the mortise grooves in the web members along Y, Z direction respectively that intersect the chord member; or, alternatively, a mortise groove is made at the chord member respectively along Y, Z direction of the space truss, and a tenon is respectively provided at either end of each of the web chamber along Y, Z direction of the space truss to mate with the tenon, the tenon at either end of each of the web member along Y, Z direction being implanted into the mortise grooves in the chord member along Y, Z direction respectively that intersects the chord members; after each tenon is implanted into the respective mortise groove, they are fastened together using bolts or riveting bolts.
An aluminum alloy truss structure, comprising all body-shaped connection node bodies of the grid structure made from aluminum alloy materials, and all chord members and web members of the grid structure made from aluminum alloy materials that meet at respective connection nodes and are interconnected with the respective connection node bodies; in response to the needs for connecting the members, each body-shaped connection node body is provided with limb plates of the connection node body respectively in positive and negative direction of X axis in XY plane to connect the truss chord members in X axis direction, or is provided with grooves to connect the truss chord members in X axis direction, and it is provided with limb plates of the connection node body respectively in positive and negative direction of Y axis in XY plane to connect the truss chord members in Y axis direction, or is provided with grooves to connect the truss chord members in Y axis direction, and is provided with limb plates or grooves at one side of the YZ plane where the web members are located to connect the truss web members, and is provided with limb plates or grooves at the other side of the YZ plane symmetrically with respect to the said side to connect the truss web members; the truss members meeting at the connection node each has a groove made at either end thereof to receive the limb plate of the connection node body to be implanted and is then fastened together with the limb plate using bolts or riveting bolts; after the ends of truss members are respectively implanted into the grooves in the connection node body directly, they are fastened together using bolts or riveting bolts.
This invention has the following advantages over the prior art:
1. The riveting bolt and implanted plate type connection nodes are characterized in that they are stressed reasonably, structured reliably and provided with complete functions, and can be fabricated, manufactured and assembled readily during construction. All these make it a novel critical technical scheme in respect of connection nodes of aluminum alloy trusses. The truss structure, including planar truss, space truss and grid truss, is stressed definitely, structured reasonably, consumes less materials and can have either a large or a small span. In light of these advantages, they are widely employed in construction engineering of stadiums, industrial buildings, and bridges. The investigation and analysis indicate that, the truss structure, including planar truss, space truss and grid truss, is an ideal structure system made from aluminum alloy materials. The configuration of the connection nodes is a critical technology for addressing the design, fabrication, construction and widespread application of the aluminum alloy truss structure. This invention provides a truss structure involving the use of riveting bolt and implanted plate type connection nodes, including planar truss, space truss and grid truss. It has effectively addressed the application of aluminum alloy materials in civil engineering works and other fields, thereby making it possible to generalize the application of aluminum alloy structures in civil engineering works field.
2. The riveting bolt and implanted plate type connection nodes of aluminum alloy truss of this invention have eliminated the drawbacks inherent in the prior-art aluminum alloy truss as follows: The welding of aluminum alloy materials is difficult, and, consequently, sets out high technical requirements on welding thereof; heat affected regions are avoidable in welded aluminum alloy, leading to reduced material strength; and the welding of aluminum alloy materials cannot be carried out at workshops conveniently and is difficult to perform at contraction site.
3. The aluminum alloy truss structure involving the use of riveting bolt or implanted plate type connection nodes as provided in this invention have made full use of the characteristics of aluminum alloy materials that they can be formed satisfactorily and fabricated easily. The members and connection nodes that are made by means of either extruding or pressing can be standardized, enabling them to be produced in large volume at workshops and assembled rapidly at construction sites. They can not only be fabricated and constructed readily, but exhibit satisfactory quality.
4. The aluminum alloy truss structure involving the use of riveting bolt or implanted rod type connection nodes as provided in this invention allows the structural design to be performed following certain procedures.
5. The aluminum alloy material is lightweight (⅓ of weight of steel material), has a high strength (the physical and mechanical performance of series 6 aluminum material approaches that of the construction steel Q235) and high corrosion resistant performance (4-6 folds that of steel material) and almost requires no maintenance during its service life. It is a renewable environment friendly construction metal. The aluminum alloy truss structure involving the use of riveting bolt or implanted rod type connection nodes as provided in this invention is made from aluminum alloy material which can greatly reduce the own weight of buildings and improve both the earthquake resistant and corrosion resistant ability of the buildings. Moreover, it almost requires no maintenance during its service life and can function for more than one hundred years, exhibiting significant comprehensive economic benefits.
The above features and advantages, and other features and advantages, of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best modes for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
Referring to
Described below is an example of the truss structure in accordance with this embodiment being used to construct a factory building truss purlin beam having a span of nine meters. According to the original design scheme, welded steel pipe trusses of Q235B materials are used. By consuming 122 kg of steel materials at a unit price of RMB 5000 per ton, each truss will cost RMB 610. Now, planar trusses involving the use of riveting bolt type connection nodes made from Series 6 aluminum alloy materials are employed instead. Seeing that the span is less, and, consequently, the cross section of the members is less, it is decided that solid chord members having type II cross section are provided with mortise grooves to receive the tenons provided on square-shaped web members respectively having a single hole made therethrough. Alternatively, solid chord members with a T-shaped cross section are provided with tenons to mate with the respective mortise grooves provided on either end of the square-shaped web members respectively having a single hole made therethrough. By consuming 41 kg of aluminium alloy materials at a unit price of RMB 22000 per ton, each aluminium alloy truss involving the use of riveting bolt type connection nodes will cost RMB 902.
Described below is a second example of the truss structure in accordance with this embodiment being used to construct a factory building truss column having a height of six meters. According to the original design scheme, welded steel pipe truss columns of Q235B materials are used. By consuming 128 kg of steel materials at a unit price of RMB 5000 per ton, each truss will cost RMB 640. Now, truss columns involving the use of riveting bolt type connection nodes made from Series 6 aluminum alloy materials are employed instead. By consuming 40 kg of aluminium alloy materials at a unit price of RMB 22000 per ton, each such truss column will cost RMB 880.
It follows from the practical examples of civil engineering works described above that, despite the fact that an aluminum alloy truss costs more than a steel truss, it has a weight of around 30% of that of the steel truss, considerably reducing the own weight of buildings. Also, this will contribute to a save of materials of columns and foundations on which the trusses rest, and, consequently, is advantageous in cutting the construction costs of civil projects and can further increase the earthquake resistant performance of structures. Moreover, aluminum alloy materials are far more corrosion resistant and durable than any other metals. The tests made by the relevant departments indicate that, aluminum alloy materials reduce in thickness at a rate of 0.5 microns per year, and will reduce in thickness by only 50 microns after being exposed to atmospheric corrosion for one hundred years, which is almost negligible. Aluminum alloy materials almost require no maintenance during their service life, making it possible for civil engineering works structures made from them to function for more than one hundred years.
Referring to
Referring to
Described below is an example of the truss structure in accordance with this embodiment being used to construct an arch-shaped roof of a basketball gymnasium in a coastal city in south China. The arch-shaped roof truss structure has a span of 33 meters and a thickness of 1.65 meters, with the height of the arch camber being 4.95 meters. According to the original design scheme, welded steel pipe trusses of Q235B materials are used. By consuming 1920 kg of steel materials at a unit price of RMB 5000 per ton, each truss will cost RMB 9600. Now, the planar truss system involving the use of implanted plate type plate-shaped connection nodes that is made from Series 6 aluminum alloy materials is employed instead. By consuming 620 kg of aluminium alloy materials at a unit price of RMB 22000 per ton, each aluminium alloy truss will cost RMB 13640.
The aluminum alloy planar truss involving the use of implanted plate type plate-shaped connection nodes in accordance with this embodiment comprises chord members and web members each having an groove made at either end thereof. It involves the use of connection nodes that are structured in form of implanted plate type connection node, namely, each connection node plate is implanted into the grooves at the respective ends of all members that intersect at a node and fastened together with the members using bolts or riveting bolts. This results in an aluminum alloy planar truss system that is stressed reasonably, structured reliably and can be easily designed, fabricated and constructed. The connection nodes of aluminum alloy planar truss involving the use of implanted plate type plate-shaped connection nodes have overcome the deficiencies of aluminum alloy materials that they are difficult to weld and, therefore, place high technical requirements in this respect, the heat affected regions is unavoidable in welded aluminum alloy thus leading to reduced material strength, and the welding of aluminum alloy materials cannot be carried out at workshops conveniently and is difficult to perform at contraction site. As a result, the use of aluminum alloy structures will become popular.
The truss structure in accordance with this embodiment comprises all body-shaped connection node bodies of the space truss and all aluminum alloy members of the space truss that intersect at the respective connection nodes and are interconnected with the respective connection node bodies, all the aluminum alloy members of the space truss each having an groove made at either end thereof to receive an limb plate of a connection node body that is implanted into the groove, each body-shaped connection node body being provided with three limb plates, respectively referred to as U, V and W, along X, Y and Z direction of the space truss, the three limb plates being respectively implanted into the grooves at the ends of all members that respectively intersect along X, Y and Z direction at a node and fastened together with the members using bolts or riveting bolts.
Referring to
The truss in accordance with this embodiment has a cross section in form of a triangle, and, therefore, it may be referred to as a triangular truss. The connection node body in this embodiment may be used in rectangular trusses, namely, which have a cross section in form of a rectangle.
All the aluminum alloy members of the truss structure in this embodiment may be configured to have a cross section in form of square with a single or a plurality of holes being made thereon, and ribs may be provided along the walls of the square-shaped members. The length, cross-sectional dimensions and wall thickness of the square-shaped members are determined according to the actual engineering conditions. The opening and length of the groove at the respective member ends are determined according to the design. The centrelines of the cross sections of the three limb plates of the connection node body meet at a point. The included angles between the three limb plates, the thickness of the limb plates and the length of the connection node body are determined when designing the connection node. The diameter and number of the fastening bolts or riveting bolts are determined through calculation.
Another type of truss in accordance with this embodiment is triangular truss (the overall structure thereof is shown in
Referring to
The embodiment is according to the rule of “three non-coplanar link members can fix a new connection node in the space”. All the members are made from aluminum alloy materials. A chord member and a web member are interconnected with a tenon and a mortise groove which mate with each other and are then fastened together using bolts or riveting bolts. The truss structure can have an either large or small span, and are widely employed in civil engineering works such as large-span factory buildings, exhibition halls, stadiums, bridges and tower-shaped structures. The truss in accordance with this embodiment has a cross section in form of a triangle, and, therefore, it may be referred to as a triangular truss or a triangular space truss. In this embodiment, there are two upper chord members disposed symmetrically with respect to each other and one lower chord member. Both the upper chord member and the lower chord member are of a triangular pipe piece over their whole length and each of the triangular pipe pieces has a triangular cross section with a single opening made therethrough.
Referring to
When the connection node G of the truss in this embodiment is placed in a three-dimensional coordinate system (namely, a coordinate system consisting of X axis, Y axis and Z axis), the upper chord member is parallel to X axis and has a tenon plate provided respectively along Y axis and Z axis which are respectively implanted into the mortise groove of the respective web member.
Now go to
Referring to
Referring to
Described below is an example of the truss structure in accordance with this embodiment being used to construct a power transmission tower. The power transmission tower is 16.6 meters high and has a cross section in form of a rectangular space truss structure with variable sections. The maximum wind speed is 35 m/s; the icing thickness is 0 mm; the adjustment factor of wind pressure applied on the tower body is taken as 1.000; the adjustment factor of wind pressure used for design calculation of the foundation is taken as 1.0; the conductor is of 1×LGJ-150/25 type; the earth wire is of GJ-35 type; and external loads applied at the attachment points are calculated with the parameters provided by the electrical discipline using the computing programs designed for calculation of the external loads of towers. According to the original design scheme, welded space truss structures of Q235B angles are used. By consuming 1257 kg of steel materials at a unit price of RMB 5000 per ton, each tower will cost RMB 6285. Now, space truss structures involving the use of riveting bolt type connection nodes made from Series 6 aluminum alloy materials are employed instead. By consuming 400 kg of aluminium alloy materials at a unit price of RMB 22000 per ton, each aluminium alloy tower will cost RMB 8800.
The truss structure in accordance with this embodiment comprises all body-shaped connection node bodies made from aluminum alloy materials and all chord members and web members of aluminum alloy materials that meet at respective connection nodes and are interconnected with the respective connection node bodies. In response to the needs for connecting the members, each body-shaped connection node body is provided with a limb plate of the connection node body respectively in positive and negative direction of X axis in XY plane to connect the truss chord members in X axis direction, or is provided with grooves to connect the truss chord members in X axis direction; and it is provided with a limb plate of the connection node body respectively in positive and negative direction of Y axis in XY plane to connect the truss chord members in Y axis direction, or is provided with grooves to connect the truss chord members in Y axis direction; and is provided with a limb plate or a groove at one side of the YZ plane to connect the truss web members, and is provided with a limb plate or a groove at the other side of the YZ plane symmetrically with respect to the said side; the truss members meeting at the connection node each has a groove made at either end thereof to receive the limb plate of the connection node body and then fastened together with the limb plate using bolts or riveting bolts; after the ends of truss members are respectively implanted into the grooves in the connection node body, they are fastened together using bolts or riveting bolts.
In the prior art, grid structures are generally classified into plane trussed lattice grids, square pyramid space grids and triangular pyramid space grids in terms of grid units combination mode.
When the connection node H of the truss in accordance with this embodiment is placed in a three-dimensional coordinate system (namely, a coordinate system consisting of X axis, Y axis and Z axis), as shown in
Referring to
Referring to
In case of a multi-layer grid structure, by providing on the connection node body two additional limb plates and two additional grooves at the grid structure side, the desirable connect node body can result. The form and sizes of the cross section of the members of the grid structure, the thickness of the connection node body and the sizes of the limb plates and grooves of the connection node body, the diameter and quantity of bolts and riveting bolts of stainless steel materials are all determined according to the relevant specifications during the design.
In the truss of this embodiment, the upper chord member 504 may also be understood as the chord member in the positive direction of X axis in XY plane of the grid structure; the upper chord member 505 may also be understood as the chord member in the negative direction of X axis in XY plane of the grid structure; the upper chord member 506 may also be understood as the chord member in the positive direction of Y axis in XY plane of the grid structure; the upper chord member 507 may also be understood as the chord member in the negative direction of Y axis in XY plane of the grid structure; the oblique web member 508 may also be understood as the web member in the XYZ direction of the grid structure; the oblique web member 509 may also be understood as the web member in the (−X)YZ direction of the grid structure; the oblique web member 510 may also be understood as the web member in the (−X)(−Y)Z direction of the grid structure; the oblique web member 511 may also be understood as the web member in the X(−Y)Z direction of the grid structure. The upper limb plate 512 may also be understood as the connection node body limb plate in the positive direction of X axis in XY plane of the grid structure; the upper limb plate 513 may also be understood as the connection node body limb plate in the negative direction of X axis in XY plane of the grid structure; the upper limb plate 514 may also be understood as the connection node body limb plate in the positive direction of Y axis in XY plane of the grid structure; the upper limb plate 515 may also be understood as the connection node body limb plate in the negative direction of Y axis in XY plane of the grid structure; the oblique limb plate 516 may also be understood as the connection node body limb plate at YZ plane side of the grid structure; the oblique limb plate 517 may also be understood as the connection node body limb plate at (−Y)Z plane side of the grid structure; and the similar situations can by determined by analogy.
In cases where a square pyramid grid structure drains water using two slopes, the left and right limb plate of the connection node body located at the roof ridge are inclined downwards towards the drainage slopes.
The connection node body of the aluminum alloy grid structure disclosed in this invention, either implanted plate type or implanted rod type, or the type involving the use of a combination of implanted plate and implanted rod, can ensure that the members meeting at a connection node in X, Y and Z direction (both positive and negative) can be installed in proper places flexibly and sufficient spaces are available for the use of bolts or riveting bolts to fasten them, thereby avoiding the adverse effects from any included angles and the sizes of the cross section of the members meeting at the connection node. In this way, the axis of centroids of cross sections of the individual members meeting at the connection node can intersect at a point thereby resulting in the formation of a concurrent force system. Moreover, the connection between the individual members and the connection node body can be fastened independently without interference between each other. The connection node body of the aluminum alloy grid structure in this invention is configured in such a manner that the force transmission path of the members, bolts and connection node body is definite, and the nature of the working internal forces of the individual stressed members of the grid structure (tension, compression or shear) is readily apparent, making it possible for a regular mechanical mode to be presented for structural analysis. As long as the professionals design the members, connection node body and bolts by following the relevant civil engineering codes, the individual stressed members of the grid structure can meet the requirements in terms of structure, strength and rigidity, the connection node and the members can function cooperatively and the entire structure system can function reliably and safely.
Referring to
The application of the connection node body in this embodiment can be appreciated by referring to the structure illustrated in
Referring to
The application of the connection node body in this embodiment can be appreciated by referring to the structure illustrated in
People skilled in this field may proceed with a variety of modifications and replacements based on the disclosures and suggestions of the invention as described without departing from the characteristics thereof. Nevertheless, although such modifications and replacements are not fully disclosed in the above descriptions, they have substantially been covered in the following claims as appended.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2011 1 0088373 | Apr 2011 | CN | national |
2011 1 0098178 | Apr 2011 | CN | national |
2011 1 0112365 | May 2011 | CN | national |
2011 1 0129530 | May 2011 | CN | national |
2011 1 0164626 | Jun 2011 | CN | national |
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Number | Date | Country |
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200780039151.5 | Mar 2007 | CN |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20120255255 A1 | Oct 2012 | US |