Patent Application
20100218708
1. Field of the Inventions
This application relates generally to devices, systems and methods for reinforcing columns, floor slabs, beams and other portions of a structure against blasts and other events that generate potentially damaging forces and moments.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various methods of reinforcing columns and other structural components against short or long-range blast events or other occurrences responsible for generating potentially damaging forces and moments are known. For example, structures can be reinforced with steel or other metal plates or other members. However, such reinforcing techniques, which are typically relatively complex and expensive, are not always reliable. Thus, there remains a need for a more reliable, efficient and cost-effective method of reinforcing columns, floor slabs, beams and/or other components of a structure using, among other things, fiber reinforced liners or sheets, carbon, glass and/or aramid reinforcing fibers, epoxy or other resins, dampening materials and/or other materials.
According to some embodiments, a method of reinforcing a structural member (e.g., a column, beam, wall, cable, etc.) against a blast and/or any other potentially damaging event or occurrence (e.g., hurricane, other storm event, high wind conditions, earthquake, other natural disaster, fires, terrorist attack, etc.) includes positioning an interior encompassing member (e.g., shell, jacket, other lining or member, etc.) around the structural member such that a first volume is defined between the interior encompassing member and the structural member. The method further includes depositing a first fill material (e.g., bendable concrete, ductile concrete, other types of concrete, grout, epoxy, sand, dirt, etc.) within the first volume to at least partially fill the first volume. In some embodiments, the method additionally comprises securing a force dampening material (e.g., polyurethane, silicone polymers, foam, other polymeric or elastomeric materials, viscoelastic materials or substances, gels, fluids, cushions, springs, air, or fluid filled members, etc.) at least partially around the interior encompassing member. In one embodiment, the force dampening material is configured to at least partially dissipate forces originating from a blast event.
In some embodiments, the interior shell, jacket or other encompassing member comprises a fiber reinforced polymer (e.g., CFRP, GFRP, resin-impregnated fiber bundles or roving, etc.), concrete, metal, alloy, paper or wood based products and/or the like. In several arrangements, the method further comprises placing at least one layer of fiber reinforced polymer around the interior encompassing member prior to securing the force dampening material around the interior encompassing member. In another embodiment, the at least one layer of fiber reinforced polymer comprises carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) or glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP). In other embodiments, the method further includes positioning a second shell, jacket or other encompassing member around the force dampening material, such that the force dampening material is located generally between the interior encompassing member and the second encompassing member.
According to several embodiments, the method of protecting a structural member further comprises placing at least one layer of metal (e.g., steel, iron, aluminum, etc.), alloy, polymer and/or any other material around the force dampening material. In some embodiments, such additional materials or members are provided as sheets, coatings, layer and/or the like. In another embodiment, the method further comprises reinforcing an adjacent foundation or slab with at least one layer of fiber reinforced polymer to provide progressive collapse resistance. In other embodiments, the method additionally includes placing at least one shape memory member (e.g., rod) along the inside or outside of the interior encompassing member to help encourage the structural member to return to its original orientation and position following a blast or other compromising or damaging event. In some embodiments, a shape memory rod extends, at least partially, along a length of the structural member.
According to several embodiments, the method additionally includes performing surface preparation on at least a portion of an exterior surface of the structural member prior to positioning the interior shell, jacket or other encompassing member around the structural member and/or before performing any other steps in preparation for protecting the structural member. In some embodiments, surface preparation includes cleaning, water or sand blasting, scouring, sanding, priming, coating, painting and/or the like. In some embodiments, the method additionally includes positioning a metal plate (e.g., steel or other metal angle) at an interface of the structural member and an adjacent foundation such that the metal plate is configured to couple to the structural member. In one embodiment, the metal plate is secured to a surface of the foundation and/or other adjacent surface using at least one anchor (e.g., bolt, epoxy anchor, resin, fiber reinforced anchor, etc.). In one embodiment, the surface of the foundation is generally perpendicular to said structural member. In such embodiments, the metal or other type of plate or reinforcement is configured to further protect said structural member during a blast event so that the structural member (e.g., column) remains structurally attached to the foundation. In some embodiments, the structural member comprises a column, beam, joist, floor, wall and/or the like.
According to several embodiments, a protection system for a structural member to at least partially shield said protection system from a blast or other force generating event or occurrence includes a first shell, jacket or covering configured for placement around the structural member, wherein a first void is defined between the first shell and the structural member. The system additionally includes one or more fill materials positioned within the first void to at least partially fill the first void. In some embodiments, the system additionally includes a second shell configured for placement around the first shell, wherein a second void is defined between the first and second shells, jackets or outer members. In some embodiments, the system additionally comprises at least one force dissipating material positioned within the second void, wherein the force dissipating material is configured to at least partially dissipate forces.
According to some embodiments, the fill material comprises a ductile concrete, a bendable concrete, another type of concrete, a grout, an epoxy, sand, dirt, gel, slurry, other types of setting and/or fill materials and/or the like. In some arrangements, the force dampening material comprises one or more of the following: polyurethane material, silicone polymers, foam, viscoelastic damper, other polymeric or elastomeric materials, springs, air or other fluid gaps, gels, cushions, other resilient material and/or any other material or substance configured to generally dissipate a force or moment. In some embodiments, the first shell and/or the second shell comprise a generally circular shape (e.g., rounded, elliptical, oval, etc.), a generally polygonal shape (e.g., square, rectangular, triangular, hexagonal, octagonal, other polygonal, etc.), irregular shape and/or the like. In one embodiment, the system further includes at least one layer of fiber reinforced polymer around the first shell, wherein the additional layer generally provides additional reinforcement to said system, aesthetic appeal and/or the like. In some embodiments, the fiber reinforced polymer comprises carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP), glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) and/or the like. In other embodiments, the system further comprises at least one layer of steel or other metal around the second shell. In some embodiments, the system comprises one or more memory shape rods and/or other materials. In yet other embodiments, the system comprises one or more fire retardant materials, sensors (e.g., temperature, pressure, impact, etc.) and/or one or more other features or devices.
According to some embodiments, a method of reinforcing a structural member comprises positioning a shell around the structural member, placing a force dampening material around an exterior of the shell and securing the force dampening material around the shell. In certain arrangements, the method further includes at least partially filling a space defined between the structural member and the shell with a filler material. In some embodiments, the filler material comprises a bendable concrete, a ductile concrete, a grout, an epoxy, combinations thereof and/or the like. In one embodiment, the shell comprises a fiber reinforced polymer (e.g., carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) aramid fibers, epoxy, other resins, etc.). In alternative embodiments, the method additionally includes placing one or more layers of fiber reinforced polymer around the shell prior to placing a force dampening material around an exterior of the shell. In some embodiments, the layer of fiber reinforced polymer comprises CFRP, GFRP or any other type of fiber reinforced polymer.
In other embodiments, securing the force dampening material around the shell comprises positioning a second shell around the force dampening material. In one arrangement, securing the force dampening material around the shell comprises positioning at least one layer of fiber reinforced polymer around the force dampening material. According to some arrangements, the layer of fiber reinforced polymer comprises CFRP, GFRP or any other fiber reinforced polymer. In other embodiments, the method additionally includes placing at least one layer of aramid and/or steel (e.g., 16 gauge steel, other light gauge steel, etc.) around an exterior of the force dampening material. In other arrangements, the force dampening material comprises a foam (e.g., high density foam), a viscoelastic damper, an air gap, a spring and/or other dampening materials or items. In one embodiment, the method additionally includes reinforcing an adjacent slab with at least one upper and/or lower layers of fiber reinforced polymer to provide progressive collapse resistance.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present inventions are described with reference to drawings of certain preferred embodiments, which are intended to illustrate, but not to limit, the present inventions. The drawings include seventeen (17) figures. It is to be understood that the attached drawings are for the purpose of illustrating concepts of the present inventions and may not be to scale.
and
As illustrated in
With continued reference to
The shell, jacket or other encompassing member 30 that is configured to generally surround a column or other structural member being protected can comprise any shape, such as, for example, square, other rectangular, triangular, octagonal, other polygonal, circular, oval, irregular and/or the like.
In some embodiments, the shell or jacket 30 includes two or more portions that are configured to mate or otherwise attach to each other. For instance, in one embodiment, the shell includes two hemispherical portions that can be coupled to each other in order to surround a structural member using adhesives, fasteners, welds, hot melt connections and/or any other attachment method or device. In another embodiment, the shell, jacket or other encompassing member 30 includes a single portion with a longitudinal slit or other opening that allows a user to place it around a column or other member. To facilitate placement of the shell or jacket around a target structural member, the shell or jacket can comprise one or more flexible or other resilient materials that permit the slit or other opening to be selectively widened during installation. In yet other embodiments, the shell or jacket is rigid or semi-rigid, and generally not resilient. In another embodiment, the shell or jacket comprises a continuous sheet of plastic and/or other flexible material that can be bent into a desired shape such that it generally surrounds a structural member when properly installed.
According to several embodiments, once the shell or jacket 30 has been properly positioned around a column or other structural member 10, one or more materials, items and/or the like can be positioned within an interior space 24 defined by the shell 30. In some arrangements, the interior space 24 is partially or completely filled with one or more materials 20, such as, for example, bendable concrete, ductile concrete, any other type of concrete, grout and/or epoxy, other setting or flowable materials, combinations thereof and/or the like.
Thus, as depicted in
According to some embodiments, one or more layers 40 of fiber reinforced polymer (e.g., CFRP, GFRP, etc.) and/or other reinforcement layers are placed around the outside of the inner jacket or shell 30. These layers 40 can be provided as sheets, strips, splayed or spread roving or bundles and/or in any other form, as desired or required. Regardless of their exact composition, configuration, orientation and/or other details, such reinforcement 40 can advantageously provide a desired or required level of strengthening to the shell 30, the column 10 (or other member being protected) and/or the entire reinforcement system. In some embodiments, one or more reinforcement layers 40 or coatings are positioned along the outside of the shell 30 or other protective enclosure using resin-impregnated and splayed fiber roving or bundle. Additional disclosure regarding such embodiments is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/709,388, filed Feb. 19, 2010, the entirety to which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
With continued reference to the embodiment illustrated in
As discussed herein with reference to the interior shell, the second, outer shell or jacket 60 can comprise one or more materials, such as, for example, carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP), glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP), aramid reinforcing fibers, other reinforcing polymers or materials, epoxies, other resins, grouts, cementitious materials, steel or other metals, wood or paper-based materials and/or any other material. In some embodiments, the shell 60 comprises a pre-fabricated jacket, such as, for example, the Tyfo® PR and/or the like. In other arrangements, however, the shell 60 can be formed into a desired shape after it has been delivered to the jobsite, thereby permitting its shape to be customized according to the size, shape and/or other characteristics of the column (or other structural member), interior shell or jacket and/or any other items around which it will be placed.
In some embodiments, the space 54 between the interior of the secondary (or exterior) shell or jacket 60 and the interior shell or jacket 30 is filled with one or more materials or items. The materials and/or items 50 placed within the space 54 along an interior of the second shell or jacket 60 can be configured to generally absorb and/or dampen the forces and moments resulting from a blast event (e.g., short-range, long-range, etc.), a seismic event, high wind conditions, an impacting event, a terrorist attack and/or any other natural or manmade occurrence. For example, such impact absorbing materials or components can include, without limitation, high density foam, other types of foams or other polymeric materials, bendable concrete, other types of concrete, other materials with favorable dampening properties, viscoelastic dampers, other resilient materials or items, an air gap, springs and/or the like. Such materials and/or other items can partially or completely occupy the space 54 between the interior and secondary shells or jackets 30, 60, as desired or required for a particular application or use. In any of the embodiments illustrated and/or described herein, one or more fire retardant materials can be included within the interior of a shell or other encompassing member 30, 60, either in lieu of or in addition to other fill materials and/or impact absorbing materials or items. Thus, the protection system can help protect a column 10 or other structural member against fire, heat and/or the like.
As discussed with reference to the interior shell or jacket 30 above, one or more other layers can be selectively placed along the outside of the secondary shell 60 to provide certain structural and/or aesthetic characteristics, as desired or required for a particular application or use. For example, as illustrated in
As illustrated in
In other embodiments, more or fewer layers or components can be used to protect a column or other structural component against a blast event or other potentially damaging occurrence (e.g., seismic event, tornado, hurricane, other high wind situation, etc.). Alternatively, the various layers or components can be arranged or oriented differently than shown in
In some embodiments, one or more other features or devices can be included to a reinforcing system. For example, a reinforcement system can comprise one or more sensors (e.g., pressure, force or other impact sensors, vibration sensors, strain sensors, temperature sensors, etc.) within one or more of the items or layers that surround a column or other structural member being protected. These sensors can help determine whether and/or to what extent a structural member has been undermined by a blast event or other potentially damaging occurrence or event. In other embodiments, the interior shell or jacket 30, the secondary (exterior) shell or jacket and/or any other portion of the system can include a port, nozzle, inlet or other opening through which fill material can be injected. For example, one or both of the shells or jackets 30, 60 provided in the protection system of
Alternative embodiments of a reinforcement/protection system for a column and/or any other structural member 4B-4F are illustrated in
With reference to the embodiment illustrated in
As depicted in
By way of example, another reinforcement/protection system 100 for a column 110 or other structural member is illustrated in
As shown in
As discussed herein with reference to
With continued reference to the embodiment depicted in
With continued reference to
In any of the embodiments illustrated and/or described herein, including, but not limited to, those depicted in
As shown in
Another embodiment of a system for protecting a column 210 or other structural member against a blast or other potentially damaging event or occurrence is illustrated in
With reference to
Further, one or more exterior layers 270 or components can be positioned generally around the absorbing or dampening materials. In certain embodiments, such layers include CFRP, GFRP, other fiber-reinforced polymers, layers of steel or other metals or alloys, wood or paper based materials, coatings and/or the like. These layers and/or other components 270 can be provided as sheets, strips, splayed roving or bundles and/or in any other form, as desired or required. According to some reinforcing designs, such fiber reinforced layers 270 and/or other exterior layers generally serve a sacrificial role for a particular type of blast event or other occurrence.
In any of the embodiments discussed and/or illustrated herein, or equivalents thereof, the reinforcing methods can be used on any type structural member, including, but not limited to, members comprising steel, other metals or alloys, concrete (e.g., reinforced or unreinforced), wood, masonry, steel encased member, field-fabricated or prefabricated members and/or the like. As discussed and illustrated with reference to other embodiments herein, the various shells, jacket or other encompassing members used in a blast protection system can comprise any shape (e.g., circular, oval, rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal, irregular, etc.), size and/or configuration, as desired or required by a particular design, application or use.
Further, according to certain arrangements, the shells 30, 60, 130, 230 are countersunk to protect the structural connections associated with the column or other structural member. In other embodiments, fiber reinforced anchors, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,207,149, can be connected to or otherwise used in conjunction with the various blast reinforcement layers and designs discussed herein. The various anchors and other systems disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,207,149 are hereby incorporated by reference herein. In addition, the blast protection systems disclosed herein, or equivalents thereof, can be used in conjunction with any other type of anchor and/or other reinforcement system.
Additional structural integrity to a structure can be provided by utilizing a progressive collapse resistance design, either in conjunction with or in lieu of the reinforced columns disclosed herein. For example, as illustrated in the embodiment of
As discussed with reference to the various embodiments herein, columns and/or other structural members included in a particular structure or other engineered system or environment can be configured to withstand the impact, forces, moments, heat and/or other elements that are associated with a particular blasts and/or other damaging occurrence or event (e.g., earthquakes, high wind conditions, etc.). However, in certain embodiments, such columns or other structural members can be compromised in non-direct or other ways. In other words, although a column or other structural member can be generally shielded and protected by the direct impacting forces generated by a blast, such a column or other structural member can fail because of its connection to an adjacent slab, member or other adjacent surface.
By way of example,
However, as illustrated in the embodiment of
Accordingly, in several embodiments, the connection between the column 410 and adjacent portions of the slab L, U, foundation (or other surfaces or components to which the column 410 is attached) can be reinforced. In
Accordingly, as illustrated in
In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, or equivalents thereof, a reinforcement system can comprise one or more shape memory materials or members. Such shape memory materials can help provide a desired level of flexibility, bendability and/or other movement to a column of other structural member during a blast or other potentially damaging event or occurrence. The use of shape memory components and/or materials can help ensure that integrity of the structural member is maintained since such components or materials are configured to return to an equilibrium position after the impact, forces, moments and/or other results of a blast or other event have been dissipated.
One embodiment of a protection system 500 for a column 510 or other member incorporating such shape memory members or materials is illustrated in the cross-sectional view of
The systems, apparatuses, devices and/or other articles disclosed herein may be formed through any suitable means. The various methods and techniques described above provide a number of ways to carry out the inventions. Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarily all objectives or advantages described may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment described herein. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the methods may be performed in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objectives or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.
Furthermore, the skilled artisan will recognize the interchangeability of various features from different embodiments disclosed herein. Similarly, the various features and steps discussed above, as well as other known equivalents for each such feature or step, can be mixed and matched by one of ordinary skill in this art to perform methods in accordance with principles described herein. Additionally, the methods which are described and illustrated herein are not limited to the exact sequence of acts described, nor are they necessarily limited to the practice of all of the acts set forth. Other sequences of events or acts, or less than all of the events, or simultaneous occurrence of the events, may be utilized in practicing the embodiments of the invention.
Although the inventions have been disclosed in the context of certain embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the inventions extend beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. Accordingly, it is not intended that the inventions be limited, except as by the appended claims.
This application claims the priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/156,461, filed Feb. 27, 2009, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61156461 | Feb 2009 | US |
