Method and system for bracing pipes
A method and system for bracing pipe, conduit and ductwork, which includes a mounting plate attachable to an underside of a structural flooring member, an elongated support member attachable to an underside of the mounting plate, and at least one elongated channel member. The at least one elongated channel member attaches to a side of the elongated support member, wherein the at least one elongated channel, member is adapted to receive a fastener for attaching at least one conduit member to the elongated channel member.
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This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/954,128, filed on Dec. 11, 2007.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe invention generally relates to a method and system for bracing pipe and conduit, and more particularly to a method and system for bracing pipe and conduit, which significantly reduces the footprint of a typical pipe and conduit bracing system by use of an elongated support member and at least one elongated member adapted to receive a fastener or fasteners for attaching at least one pipe or conduit, member to the elongated channel member.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONPipe and conduit bracing is typically employed in buildings (e.g., hospitals, labs, offices, etc.) to support the weight of the pipes, conduits and their contents. Pipe and conduit bracing systems also prevent excessive lateral movement under earthquake loading. As shown in
One of the primary deficiencies with the traditional bracing method is the need for at least two components to achieve a bracing system for a single pipe. The labor involved in installing these bracing systems can be considerable since the attachments of the diagonal braces to the building structure above are often some horizontal distance away from the pipe itself. It can be appreciated that these bracing systems can also introduce conflict with other pipes, ducts, conduit, structural framing or partition walls. In addition, traditional pipe and conduit bracing systems can introduce significant congestion into crowded runs of pipes and conduit, thereby necessitating close coordination between designer and constructer during installation. Traditional pipe and conduit bracing systems can also present challenges for retrofit construction where access is tightly controlled because of the need to maintain clean environments, such as in hospitals or labs. For example, many plenum spaces present tall spaces that necessitate long distances between pipe or conduit location and brace to building structure connection. In those cases, a large clean environment must be established to execute the installation of the bracing system.
Accordingly, it is desirable to employ a method and system of bracing pipes, which significantly reduces the footprint of element connections, reduces the number of bracing elements, reduces installation time and provides a more robust design that can accommodate field changes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn accordance with one embodiment, a bracing assembly comprises: a mounting plate attachable to the underside of a structural member; an elongated support member attachable to the underside of the mounting plate, the elongated support member being substantially rectangular in cross-section; and at least one elongated channel member attachable to a side of the elongated support member, and wherein at least one elongated channel member is adapted to receive a fastener or fasteners for attaching at least one pipe or conduit member to the elongated channel member.
In accordance with another embodiment, a system for bracing pipes or conduit comprises: a plurality of bracing assemblies, each of the bracing assemblies comprising: a mounting plate attachable to the underside of a structural member; an elongated support member attachable to the underside of the mounting plate, the elongated support member being substantially rectangular in cross-section; and at least one elongated channel member attachable to at least one side of the elongated support member; and a fastener or fasteners for attaching pipes to the elongated channel member; and a plurality of pipes or conduit, and wherein each of the plurality of pipes and conduit is attached to at least one bracing assembly.
In accordance with a further embodiment, a method for bracing a plurality of pipes and conduit, the method comprises: attaching a pipe bracing assembly to the underside of a structural member, the pipe bracing assembly comprising: a mounting plate attachable to the underside of the structural member; an elongated support member attachable to the underside of the mounting plate, the elongated support member being substantially rectangular in cross-section; and at least one elongated channel member attachable to a side of the elongated support member, wherein at least one elongated channel member is adapted to receive a fastener or fasteners for attaching at least one pipe or conduit to the elongated channel member; and attaching at least one pipe or conduit to at least one elongated channel member.
It would be desirable to have a method and system of bracing pipes and conduit, which significantly reduces the footprint of a typical pipe and conduit bracing assembly, and provides a more robust design that can accommodate field changes. In accordance with one embodiment, the method and system provides a pipe and conduit bracing system in which several pipes and conduit can be attached to a single support member or assembly 10. Unlike traditional pipe and conduit bracing that typically requires three separate bracing elements for each individual pipe or conduit, in accordance with one embodiment, the method and system allows for the bracing of a plurality of pipes or conduit from a single support member or assembly 10. In addition, the pipe bracing assembly 10 can also support a plurality of pipes, conduits and/or ductwork against gravity loads and lateral forces imparted by an earthquake or similar motion.
As shown in
In accordance with one embodiment, the pipe bracing assembly 10 is essentially three separate units comprising the mounting plate 30, the elongated support member 50 and the elongated channel member 70. In accordance with one embodiment, each unit (i.e., the mounting plate 30, the elongated support member 50, and the elongated channel member 70) is pre-manufactured or pre-fabricated and delivered to the field for installation.
The mounting plate 30 is preferably a rectangular steel plate of varying size and thickness. Although the mounting plate 30 is preferably comprised of a steel or steel-like material, it can be appreciated that other suitable materials can be used including shape memory alloys (Ni—Ti, Cu—Al—Zn etc.), carbon fiber reinforced materials, heavy-duty advanced plastics and resins, and/or other metal alloys. In accordance with one embodiment, the mounting plate 30 is bolted to an underside of a structural floor or a structural flooring member 110 (FIG. 5) with a plurality of bolts or anchors 32. In accordance with one embodiment, a high strength bolt 32 can be used to attach the mounting plate 30 to the underside of the structural flooring member 110. The high strength bolt 32 is preferably a single bolt having a diameter of about ½ inch (0.5 inches) to about 1 and ½ inches (1.5 inches) and more preferably a single ¾-inch (0.75 inch) diameter bolt. The structural flooring member 110 can be a metal deck with a concrete topping, a concrete flat slab, a concrete waffle slab, or a concrete beam. In an alternative embodiment, the mounting plate 30 can be welded or bolted using brackets and other constructions to a lower or bottom flange of a steel beam.
In accordance with one embodiment, the elongated support member 50 can be attached to the mounting plate 30 via a sheath or sheathing member 40. The mounting plate is welded to an upper portion of the sheath or sheathing member (i.e., a square steel tube) 40. The sheath or sheathing member 40 is preferably about 2 to 24 inches in length and more preferably about eight (8) inches long with at least one opening or hole 42 in one of the sides 44 of the sheathe or sheathing member 40. The elongated support member 50 has at least one hole 52 in one of the sides 54 of the elongated support member 50 near an upper portion 56 thereof, which matches the at least one hole 42 in the sheath or sheathing member 40. In accordance with one embodiment, the hole 52 in the elongated support member 50 is field drilled using the hole 42 in the sheath or sheathing member 40. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a single bolt 46 is used to attach or fix the sheath or sheathing member 40 and the elongated support member 50 to one another. However, it can be appreciated that both the sheath or sheathing member 40 and the elongated support member 50 can have more than one hole 42, 52, such that the sheath or sheathing member 40 and the elongated support member 50 can be attached or fixed to one another with a plurality of bolts 46.
The elongated support member 50 preferably has a substantially rectangular cross-section and is more preferably a square steel tube of varying length and dimension. In accordance with one embodiment, the elongated support member 50 can be about 2 to 8 feet long and about 2 to 12 inches in width and more preferably about 4 to 6 feet long and about 3 to 5 inches in width. Although the elongated support member 50 and elongated channel member 70 are preferably comprised of a steel or steel-like material, it can be appreciated that other suitable materials can include shape memory alloys (Ni—Ti, Cu—Al—Zn etc.), carbon fiber reinforced materials, heavy-duty advanced plastics and resins, and/or other metal alloys.
The elongated channel member 70 can be a UNISTRUT®, or similar product, which is a continuous channel, typically made of cold-rolled steel, that has a substantially U-shaped cross-section and is often used to attach and brace pipes. In accordance with one embodiment, the elongated channel member 70 has a substantially U-shaped cross-section and a vertical channel extending along the length thereof. The elongated channel member 70 preferably extends from about 12 inches from a top portion 56 of the elongated support member 50 to a bottom portion 58 of the elongated support member 50. The elongated channel member 70 can be welded to the elongated support member 50, or alternatively fixed or attached to the elongated support member 50 via any suitable fastener such as an anchor, a bolt or a clamp.
In a preferred embodiment, as shown in
As shown in
In accordance with one embodiment, the mounting plate 30 is preferably a rectangular plate (
It can be appreciated that one advantage of the bracing assembly 10 as shown in
It can be appreciated that in traditional bracing systems, acceptable locations for the vertical and two diagonal braces required for each pipe (and/or conduit) and obstructions if they exist, must be moved or the braces redesigned. It can be appreciated that such obstructions can cause considerable delay and increase costs. Accordingly, as a result of the efficiency of the bracing assembly 10, the bracing assembly 10 can save on both cost of materials and labor costs.
In addition, another advantage of the bracing assembly 10 as shown is the small footprint required for installation. It can be appreciated that the bracing assembly 10 can be installed with minimal intrusion above the ceiling space. In accordance with one embodiment, only a small area (approximately two feet square) directly above the systems to be braced is needed for access.
In traditional pipe bracing the diagonal members typically extend at a 45-degree angle from the pipe, up to the structural floor member. Therefore, if the pipe is five feet below the floor, the brace attachment to the floor might be five feet away from the pipe. This will typically require a much larger area of ceiling to be disturbed for access.
In accordance with another embodiment, a computerized database that records all bracing assemblies 10 used in a specific building application can be implemented. The database can contain a list of each bracing assembly 10, its size and capacity to resist gravity and earthquake forces, and the number, weight and location of each pipe or conduit attached to it. The database can also contain information on the seismicity of the building site. The function of the database would be to track how much of the capacity of each bracing assembly 10 is being utilized by the pipes or conduit that are currently attached to it, and also to assist the contractor and its engineer in both determining whether or not new pipes can be safely attached to an existing bracing assemblies 10 and how to select new bracing assemblies 10 where new pipe or conduit runs are being placed. In accordance with one embodiment, the database can be accessible to contractors and engineers either on a desktop computer or on a field computer such as a laptop, tablet personal computer or PDA (personal digital assistant).
Traditional bracing consists of vertical rods that support pipes or conduit for gravity loads combined with diagonal bracing to resist lateral forces. As shown in
Alternatively, as shown in
It can be appreciated that using engineering analysis it is a simple matter to confirm that the elements of a traditional bracing system combined act as a truss, in which each component acts only in tension or compression—that is, axially—but not in bending. This generally allows for elements to be smaller and more efficient than if they resisted not only axial loads but flexural loads as well.
It can be appreciated that the bracing assemblies 10 as shown in
It will be understood that the foregoing description is of the preferred embodiments, and is, therefore, merely representative of the article and methods of manufacturing the same. It can be appreciated that many variations and modifications of the different embodiments in light of the above teachings will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the articles and methods as set forth in the attached claims.
Claims
1. A bracing assembly comprising:
- a mounting plate attachable to an underside of a structural flooring member;
- an elongated support member attachable to an underside of the mounting plate, the elongated support member being substantially rectangular in cross-section; and
- at least one elongated channel member attachable to a side of the elongated support member, and wherein the at least one elongated channel member is adapted to receive a fastener for attaching at least one pipe or conduit member to the elongated channel member.
2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one elongated channel member is welded to the elongated support member.
3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the mounting plate is a rectangular steel plate.
4. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a sheathing member, the sheathing member being substantially rectangular in cross-section and adapted to attach the elongated support member to the mounting plate.
5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the elongated support member is inserted inside the sheathing member, and wherein the support member and the sheathing member are coupled with a fastener.
6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the mounting plate is bolted to the underside of the structural flooring member.
7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the structural flooring member is a metal deck with a concrete topping, a concrete flat slab, a concrete waffle slab or a concrete beam.
8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the mounting plate is welded or fastened to a bottom flange of a steel beam.
9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the elongated support member has a length of about 2 to 8 feet and a width of about 2 to 12 inches.
10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the channel members extend from an upper portion of the elongated support member to a bottom portion of the elongated support member.
11. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of colored bands along the elongated support member, wherein the colored bands provide guidance for installation of the pipe and conduit members along the elongated support member.
12. A system for bracing pipes comprising:
- a plurality of bracing assemblies, each of the bracing assemblies comprising:
- a mounting plate attachable to an underside of a structural flooring member;
- an elongated support member attachable to an underside of the mounting plate, the elongated support member being substantially rectangular in cross-section; and
- at least one elongated channel member attachable to at least one side of the elongated support member; and
- a fastener for attaching pipes to the elongated channel member; and
- a plurality of pipes and/or conduit, and wherein each of the plurality of pipes and/or conduit is attached to at least one bracing assembly.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein each of the bracing assemblies further includes a sheathing member, the sheathing member being substantially rectangular in cross-section and adapted to attach the elongated support member to the mounting plate.
14. The system of claim 12, wherein each of the bracing assemblies further includes a plurality of colored bands along the elongated support member, wherein the colored bands provide guidance for installation of the at least one pipe or conduit along the elongated support member.
15. The system of claim 12, wherein the plurality of pipes includes pipes, ductwork anchor conduits.
16. A method for bracing a plurality of pipes and conduit, the method comprising: attaching a bracing assembly to an underside of a structural flooring member, the bracing assembly comprising:
- a mounting plate attachable to the underside of the structural flooring member;
- an elongated support member attachable to an underside of the mounting plate, the elongated support member being substantially rectangular in cross-section; and
- at least one elongated channel member attachable to a side of the elongated support member, wherein the at least one elongated channel member is adapted to receive a fastener for attaching at least one pipe or conduit member to the elongated channel member; and
- attaching at least one pipe or conduit with a fastener to the at least one elongated channel member.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising welding a sheathing member to the mounting plate and attaching the elongated support member to the sheathing plate.
18. The method of claim 16, further comprising a plurality of colored bands along the elongated support member, wherein the colored bands provide guidance for installation of the at least one pipe or conduit along the elongated support member.
19. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least one conduit includes a plurality of pipes, ductwork and/or conduits.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 16, 2010
Publication Date: Jun 16, 2011
Applicant: CERTUS CONSULTING, INC. (Oakland, CA)
Inventors: Kevin S. Moore (Pleasant Hill, CA), Evan M. Reis (Menlo Park, CA)
Application Number: 12/928,721
International Classification: F16L 3/12 (20060101); F16L 3/08 (20060101); B23P 11/00 (20060101);