U.S. patent application number 10/072796 was filed with the patent office on 2002-09-12 for moment resisting connection apparatus and method.
This patent application is currently assigned to Arcmatic Integrated Systems, Inc.. Invention is credited to Bock, Charles A., Bong, Willaim L..
Application Number | 20020124520 10/072796 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26753757 |
Filed Date | 2002-09-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020124520 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bock, Charles A. ; et
al. |
September 12, 2002 |
Moment resisting connection apparatus and method
Abstract
The present invention comprises a moment resisting connection
that comprises a column connection, a girder connection, and a
field weld that couples the column connection to the girder
connection. The column connection includes a column and a pair of
column side plates in which each column side plate is coupled to
the flanges of the column. The girder connection comprises a girder
and a pair of girder side plates in which each girder side plate is
operatively coupled to a doubler plate that is coupled to each
girder flange. Alternatively, each girder side plate is joined to
each girder flange. The field weld is performed by positioning the
girder connection so that it may be welded to the column
connection. The present invention also teaches a method comprising
the steps of welding each column side plate to the flanges of the
column. Additionally, the steps of fixedly coupling each girder
side plate to the flanges of the girder is described.
Inventors: |
Bock, Charles A.; (Suisun,
CA) ; Bong, Willaim L.; (Walnut Creek, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
VIRTUAL LEGAL
Attn: Michael A. Kerr
777 E. William St, Ste, 211
Carson City
NV
89701
US
|
Assignee: |
Arcmatic Integrated Systems,
Inc.
1667 Marine World Parkway
Vallejo
CA
|
Family ID: |
26753757 |
Appl. No.: |
10/072796 |
Filed: |
February 8, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60267926 |
Feb 8, 2001 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/655.1 ;
403/230 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 2001/2415 20130101;
E04B 2001/2445 20130101; E04B 1/2403 20130101; E04B 2001/2448
20130101; Y10T 403/46 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/655.1 ;
403/230 |
International
Class: |
E04H 012/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A moment resisting connection, comprising; a column connection
including, a column having two column flanges, and a pair of column
side plates, each of said pair of column side plates is joined to
each said column flange; a girder connection including, a girder
having two girder flanges, and a pair of girder side plates, each
of said pair of girder side plates is fixedly coupled to each said
girder flange; and a field weld that joins said column connection
to said girder connection.
2. The moment resisting connection of claim 1 wherein said fixedly
coupling of said pair of girder side plates to said girder flange
further comprises a doubler plate that is joined to one of said
girder flanges.
3. The moment resisting connection of claim 2 wherein one of said
girder side plates is joined to said doubler plate.
4. The moment resisting connection of claim 1 wherein said column
connection comprises at least one stiffener plate that is joined to
each of said column flanges.
5. The moment resisting connection of claim 1 wherein said girder
connection comprises at least one stiffener plate that is joined to
each of said girder flanges.
6. The moment resisting connection of claim 4 wherein said at least
one stiffener plate is joined to each of said column flanges with
an electroslag weld.
7. The moment resisting connection of claim 5 wherein said at least
one stiffener plate is joined to each of said girder flanges with
an electroslag weld.
8. The moment resisting connection of claim 1 wherein said field
weld is an electroslag weld.
9. A moment resisting connection, comprising; a column connection
including, a column having two column flanges, and a pair of column
side plates, each of said pair of column side plates is joined to
each said column flange; a girder connection including, a girder
having two girder flanges, two doubler plates wherein each doubler
pate is joined to one of said girder flanges, and a pair of girder
side plates, each of said pair of girder side plates is joined to
each said doubler plate; and a field weld that joins said column
connection to said girder connection.
10. The moment resisting connection of claim 9 wherein said column
connection comprises at least one stiffener plate that is joined to
each of said column flanges.
11. The moment resisting connection of claim 9 wherein said girder
connection comprises at least one stiffener plate that is joined to
each of said girder flanges.
12. The moment resisting connection of claim 10 wherein said at
least one stiffener plate is joined to each of said column flanges
with an electroslag weld.
13. The moment resisting connection of claim 11 wherein said at
least one stiffener plate is joined to each of said girder flanges
with an electroslag weld.
14. The moment resisting connection of claim 9 wherein said field
weld is an electroslag weld.
15. A method for generating a moment resisting connection,
comprising, generating a column connection having a column side
plate joined to each flange of a column; generating a girder
connection having a girder side plate configured to be fixedly
coupled to each flange of a girder; and performing a field weld
that joins said column connection and said girder connetion by
joining said girder side plate to said column side plate.
16. The method of claim 15 further comprising inserting a first
stiffener into said column connection before joining said column
side plate to said flange of said column.
17. The method claim 16 further comprising inserting a second
stiffener into said girder connection before joining said girder
side plate to said flange of said girder.
18. The method of claim 17 further comprising joining a doubler
plate to each said girder flange after having inserted said second
stiffener and then joining said girder side plate to said doubler
plate.
19. The method of claim 15 wherein said field weld is performed by
electroslag welding.
20. The method of claim 16 wherein said first stiffener is joined
to said column by electroslag welding.
Description
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application is a continuation-in-part of
provisional patent application 60/267,926 filed on Feb. 8, 2001 and
titled "A Moment Resisting Side Plate Weld".
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of Invention
[0003] The present invention is a moment resisting connection
apparatus and method. More particularly, the moment resisting
connection apparatus and method is simple to manufacture and
provides the structural integrity.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] The related art includes steel moment resisting frame beam
to column connections such as described by Houghton in U.S. Pat.
No. 5,660,017, hereinafter referred to as "the '017 patent". In the
'017 patent, Houghton teaches the use of a plate to connect the
vertical column with the horizontal beam. More particularly,
Houghton describes a steel moment resisting frame (SMRF) connection
that connects a vertical column to a horizontal beam. The SMRF
connection includes a primary trunk assembly comprised of two,
vertical, parallel plates which are welded to the vertical column
on opposing sides and which plates extend from the column along the
sides of a horizontal beam. A secondary branch assembly is
comprised of the horizontal beam and horizontal plates which are
welded to the flanges of the horizontal beam. Such plates are
welded also to the vertical parallel plates, thereby connecting the
column to the beam. Additionally, Houghton teaches the use of
flange cover plates that are welded to the flanges of the
horizontal beam. The vertical plates are then welded to the flange
cover plates of the horizontal beam.
[0006] In subsequent U.S. Pat. No. 6,138,427, hereinafter referred
to as "the '427 patent", Houghton modifies the use of the vertical
parallel plates to retrofits. Note, that Hougton also refers to the
vertical parallel plates as "gusset" plates or "gusset plate
technology". More particularly, Houghton adapts the gusset plate
concept to field retrofit applications having floors, walls and
roofs already in place and attached to the beams and columns. The
'427 describes the use of "angle irons" that are bolted to the web
of the horizontal beam. The angle irons are then welded to the
vertical or gusset plates.
[0007] Although the prior art Houghton patents teach an improved
SMRF connection, the Houghton patents include "gusset" technology
that is unnecessary and an inefficient. Additionally, the use of
Houghton gusset technology is expensive to fabricate. Furthermore,
the transportation costs for using the gusset technology are quite
high because the column welding to the beam must be transported to
the job site.
[0008] Therefore, there is a need for a cost effective SMRF
connection.
[0009] Additionally, there is a need for an SMRF connection that
can be easily transportable.
[0010] Furthermore, there is a need for a SMRF connection having
the structural integrity needed to increase lateral and vertical
stability.
[0011] Further still, there is the need for a SMRF connection that
results in lighter steel beams and columns being used because of
the strength of the column-to-beam connection.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0012] The present invention comprises a moment resisting
connection that comprises a column connection, a girder connection,
and a field weld that couples the column connection to the girder
connection. The column connection includes a column and a pair of
column side plates in which each column side plate is coupled to
the flanges of the column. The girder connection comprises a girder
and a pair of girder side plates in which each girder side plate is
operatively coupled to a doubler plate that is coupled to each
girder flange. Alternatively, each girder side plate is joined to
each girder flange. The field weld is performed by positioning the
girder connection so that it may be welded to the column
connection. The present invention also teaches a method comprising
the steps of welding each column side plate to the flanges of the
column. Additionally, the steps of fixedly coupling each girder
side plate to the flanges of the girder is described.
[0013] The above description sets forth, rather broadly, the more
important features of the present invention so that the detailed
description of the preferred embodiment that follows may be better
understood and contributions of the present invention to the art
may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional
features of the invention that will be described below and will
form the subject matter of claims. In this respect, before
explaining at least one preferred embodiment of the invention in
detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in
its application to the details of the construction and to the
arrangement of the components set forth in the following
description or as illustrated in the drawings. The invention is
capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out
in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology
and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description
and should not be regarded as limiting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown in
the accompanying drawings wherein:
[0015] FIG. 1 shows two slots being cut in a web of a column.
[0016] FIG. 2 shows the insertion of two stiffeners into the
slots.
[0017] FIG. 3 shows two stiffeners being welded to the web of the
column.
[0018] FIG. 4 shows the stiffeners being welded to flanges of the
column.
[0019] FIG. 5 shows the welding of a column side plate to the
column.
[0020] FIG. 6 shows a doubler plate being welded to flanges of a
girder.
[0021] FIG. 7 shows two girder side plates being welded to the
doubler plates.
[0022] FIG. 8 shows the field positioning of the girder and
column.
[0023] FIG. 9 shows the field welding of the girder connection and
column connection.
[0024] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the method for manufacturing the
moment resisting connection described in FIG. 1 through FIG. 9.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0025] In the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which
form a part of this application. The drawings show, by way of
illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be
practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be
utilized and structural changes may be made with out departing from
the scope of the present invention.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a column that is being
prepared as a column connection. The column connection 10 is
manufactured by first cutting two slots 12a and 12b in the web 14
of the column 16. The two slots 12a and 12b are adapted to receive
stiffeners 18a and 18b. By way of example and not of limitation,
each slot 12 and 12b is 3/4" wider than the width of the stiffener
18a and 18b. Additionally, a 30-degree bevel is cut on either side
of the stiffener.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 2 there is shown the insertion of two
stiffeners 18a and 18b into the slots of the column connection 10.
Each stiffener plate 18a or 18b is inserted in the respective slot
so that 1/2 of the stiffener plate is below the web 14 and 1/2 of
the stiffener plate is above the web 14. By way of example and not
of limitation, the width of the stiffener will be 1.5" narrower
than the inside dimension of the column flanges, thereby providing
enough room to generate a 0.75" weld gap on either side of the
stiffener. Preferably, the 0.75" weld gap forms a weld cavity for
electroslag welding. Preferably, the electroslag system that is
used is the VertaSlag system manufactured by Arcmatic Integrated
Systems. The issued U.S. Pat. 6,297,472 and patent application
09/804,686 titled "A Modular Welding System" teaches the underlying
principles of electroslag welding and is hereby incorporated by
reference.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 3 there is shown the two stiffeners 18a
and 18b being joined to the web 14 of the column 16. During the
welding process, two back-up bars are placed under the web 14 and
on each side of the stiffener to hold a backup flux for the
multipass flux cored arc welds. This backup flux eliminates the
need for back gouging. A multipass flux cored arc weld 22 is then
made on either side of the stiffener.
[0029] At FIG. 4 there is shown the stiffeners 18a and 18b being
welded to flanges 24a and 24b of the column 16. Preferably, the
VertaSlag welding system described above is used to make four
electroslag welds 26 that join the flanges 24a and 24b to the
column 16. After the electroslag welds 26 have been completed, then
the electroslag welds are cleaned on the top and bottom. A 0.75"
inch slot 28 is then cut into each flange at the location where the
electroslag weld 26 was completed. The slot 28 provides room for
the guide tube used in the subsequent electroslag welds described
below in FIG. 5.
[0030] At FIG. 5 there is shown the welding of a column side plate
to the column 16. The column 16 described in FIG. 4 is rotated 90
degrees to receive the column side plates 30a and 30b. One face of
the weld cavity is defined by each stiffener 18 and the column
flange 24. The other face of the weld cavity is defined by the
column side plate 30. The third face of the weld cavity is defined
by steel backup shoes 32 that are placed along the inside surface
of each stiffener. The fourth face of the weld cavity is defined by
copper cooled shoes that are used in the electroslag system that is
incorporated by reference.
[0031] During electroslag welding, a sump (not shown) is welded to
the bottom of the weld cavity and run-off tabs (not shown) are
welded to the top of the weld cavity. A guide tube (not shown) is
inserted into the weld cavity and an electroslag weld is completed
to join the sides of the stiffeners 18a and 18b and the flanges 24
to the column side plates 30a and 30b.
[0032] The column connection 10 is completed by the steps described
in FIG. 1 through FIG. 5. Preferably, the column connection 10 is
performed in a welding fabrication environment so that the
electroslag welds may be performed efficiently. It shall be
appreciated by those skilled in the art having the benefit of this
disclosure that the preparation of the column connection 10 is
substantially more efficient when compared to methods that require
extensive fillet welds and the use of structural bolts.
[0033] Before joining the column connection to the girder
connection, the girder connection must also be prepared. Referring
to FIG. 6 there is shown the joining of a doubler plate 40 to the
flanges 42 of a girder 44 for the girder connection 46.
Additionally, there is shown a stiffener 47 that is preferably
welded using the electroslag system that is incorporated by
reference. As shown in FIG. 6, the four corners of the of flanges
42 are beveled for the length of the doubler plate 40.
Subsequently, four groove welds are then used to weld the doubler
plates 40 to the girder 44. Preferably, these welds are performed
with the "Gantry" welder described in patent application Ser. No.
09/872,357 and titled "High Deposition Submerged Arc Welding
System" which is hereby incorporated by reference. By using the
Gantry weld time can be on the order of minutes rather than hours.
Alternatively, if the Gantry is not used to make the groove welds,
then conventional fillet welds can be made with the Gantry or
manually. In yet another embodiment, the doubler plate 40 may be
removed and the girder slide plates is joined directly to the
flange 42 of girder 44.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 7 there is shown two girder side plates
48a and 48b being welded to the doubler plates 40 with either
partial-penetration welds or with full penetration welds. As
described above, the Gantry is preferably used in this application
to join both sides of the doubler plate 40 to the girder side
plates 48a and 48b at the same time and in one single pass. Using
the Gantry weld time can be reduced to minutes.
[0035] The girder connection is completed once the steps described
in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are completed. Preferably, the girder
connection is completed in a welding fabrication facility. The
girder connection includes a pair of girder side plates that are
joined to a doubler plate which is joined to the flange of the
girder. Additionally, a stiffener is welded to the girder 40. In an
alternative embodiment, the girder side plate is joined directly to
the flange of the girder.
[0036] The column connection is then joined to the girder
connection. Referring to FIG. 8 there is shown the field
positioning of the girder connection 46 and the column connection
10 for field welding. During the process of conducting the field
welding, the girder having girder connection 46 is lowered into
position and bolted to the column connection 10 with a temporary
connection (not shown). The temporary connection must hold the
girder in position so that a minimum 0.75" gap is maintained
between the column side plate 30a and girder side plate 48a. Sumps
(not shown) are then welded to the bottom of the column side plates
30a and girder side plate 48a and run-off tabs (not shown) are
welded to the top.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 9 there is shown the joining of the girder
connection and column connection. Preferably, one electroslag field
weld is performed to join the column side plate 30a and the girder
side plate 48a and an additional field weld is performed to join
the column side plate 30b (not shown) and the girder side plate 48a
(not shown). The electroslag field welds use a pair of copper shoes
to help define the weld cavity for the electroslag welding.
Additionally, the copper shoes are beveled so that the molten weld
puddle makes a fillet weld on the inside of the weld cavity as the
weld is being made. The weld process simultaneously joins the
column side plate 30 and the column flange 24 with the girder side
plate 48. After the two welds that join the column side plate 30
and the girder side plate 48 are completed, the sumps and run-off
tabs are cut off and the field welds are completed.
[0038] Referring to FIG. 10 there is shown a flowchart of the
method for manufacturing the moment resisting connection of the
present invention. The flow chart provides a summary of the steps
that were performed from FIG. 1 through FIG. 9.
[0039] The method 100 for manufacturing the moment resisting
connection of the present invention includes the first step of
performing the column plate welding 102 which is defined by the
process boundary conditions that include process blocks 104 though
112. At process block 104, the two slots 12a and 12b in the web 14
of the column 16 are cut. The two slots 12a and 12b are adapted to
receive stiffeners 18a and 18b as described in FIG. 1. The method
then proceeds to block 106.
[0040] At block 106, the two stiffeners 18a and 18b are inserted
into the slots of the column connection 10. By way of example and
not of limitation, the width of the stiffener will be 1.5" narrower
than the inside dimension of the column flanges, thereby providing
enough room to generate a 0.75" weld gap on either side of the
stiffener. As described in FIG. 2 above, the 0.75" weld gap forms a
weld cavity for electroslag welding. The method then proceeds to
process block 108.
[0041] At block 108, the two stiffeners 18a and 18b are joined to
the web 14 of the column 16. During the welding process, two
back-up bars are placed under the web 14 and on each side of the
stiffener to hold a backup flux for the multipass flux cored arc
welds. This backup flux eliminates the need for back gouging. A
multipass flux cored arc weld 22 is then made on either side of the
stiffener. The method then proceeds to process block 110.
[0042] At block 110 the stiffeners 18a and 18b are welded to
flanges 24a and 24b of the column 16 using the VertaSlag welding
system described above. After the electroslag welds 26 have been
completed, then the electroslag welds are cleaned on the top and
bottom. A 0.75" inch slot 28 is then cut into each flange at the
location where the electroslag weld 26 was completed. The slot 28
provides room for the guide tube used in the electroslag welds
described below in process block 112.
[0043] At block 112 the welding of a column side plate to the
column 16 is performed. The column 16 described in block 110 is
rotated 90 degrees to receive the column side plates 30a and 30b. A
guide tube is inserted into the weld cavity and an electroslag weld
is completed to join the sides of the stiffeners 18a and 18b and
the flanges 24 to the column side plates 30a and 30b.
[0044] The process of generating the column connection 102 is
completed by following the steps described in process blocks 104
through 112. Preferably, the method for generating the column
connection 10 is performed in a welding fabrication environment. It
shall be appreciated by those skilled in the art having the benefit
of this disclosure that the present method for making a column
connection does not require extensive fillet welds and the use of
structural bolts.
[0045] The process of generating the girder connection 114 includes
the process block 116 and 118. At block 116 the doubler plate 40 is
joined to the flanges 42 of a girder 44 for the girder connection
46. Preferably, a stiffener 47 has already been welded to the
girder 44 before the doubler plate is joined to the flanges 42. It
is also preferable that the doubler plate 40 be joined to flanges
42 using the Gantry. Alternatively, if the Gantry is not used to
make groove welds, then conventional fillet welds can be made with
the Gantry or manually. In yet another embodiment, the doubler
plate 40 may be removed and the girder slide plates are joined
directly to the flange 42 of girder 44. The method then procceds to
process block 118.
[0046] At process block 118, the two girder side plates 48a and 48b
are joined to the doubler plates 40 with either partial-penetration
welds or with full penetration welds. As described above, the
Gantry may also be used in this application to join both sides of
the doubler plate 40 to the girder side plates 48a and 48b at the
same time and in one single pass.
[0047] To achieve manufacturing efficiencies, the girder connection
described in blocks 116 and 118 is conducted in a welding
fabrication facility. The girder connection includes a pair of
girder side plates that are joined to a doubler plate which is
joined to the flange of the girder. Additionally, a stiffener is
welded to the girder 40. In an alternative embodiment, the girder
side plate is joined directly to flange of the girder.
[0048] During the field welding step described by the blocks within
boundary condition 120, the column connection 10 is then joined to
the girder connection. At block 122 the girder connection 46 and
the column connection 10 are positioned for field welding. During
the process of conducting the field welding, the girder having
girder connection 46 is lowered into position and bolted to the
column connection 10 with a temporary connection (not shown) that
provides a minimum of a 0.75" gap between the column side plate 30a
and girder side plate 48a. The method then proceeds to block
124.
[0049] At block 124, the girder connection and column connection
are joined using an electroslage field weld. The electroslag field
welds use a pair of copper shoes to define the weld cavity for the
electroslag welding. The weld process simultaneously joins the
column side plate 30 and the column flange 24 with the girder side
plate 48. After the two welds that join the column side plate 30
and the girder side plate 48 are finished the field welds are
completed.
[0050] Although the description above contains many specifications,
these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the
invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the
presently preferred embodiments of this invention. The
specification, for instance, makes reference to bonus prizes.
However, the present invention is not intended to be limited to
bonus prizes. Rather it is intended that the present invention can
be used independently as a stand-alone game. Thus, the scope of the
invention should be determined by the appended claims and their
legal equivalents rather than by the examples given.
* * * * *