COMPUTER-ASSISTED METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING AND VISUALISING FORCE FLOWS IN A SCAFFOLD

Abstract

The invention relates to a system and method for determining and visualizing force flows in a bar supporting structure (1), which is preferably in the form of scaffolding, comprising a plurality of ladder or strut elements (5a-5c) which extend vertically and are set up in a disputed manner relative to one another and which are detachably connected via scaffolding couplings (7) to strut elements (6a-6d) extending diagonally and/or horizontally transversely thereto, wherein at least a load-critical part of the support elements (5a-5c) and/or strut elements (6a-6d) and/or scaffold couplings (7) of the bar structure (1) are provided with load sensors (8a-8c) for detecting static operating load values, the measured values of which are analysed in real time by a downstream analysis unit (9) for evaluating current load situations.

Claims

1. System for determining and visualizing force flows in a bar supporting structure (1), which is preferably designed in the form of a scaffold, comprising a plurality of ladder or strut elements (5a-5c) which run vertically and are set up in an objectionable manner with respect to one another and which are detachably connected via scaffold couplings (7) to strut elements (6a-6d) which run diagonally and/or horizontally transversely with respect thereto, characterized in that at least a load-critical part of the support elements (5a-5c) and/or strut elements (6a-6d) and/or scaffold couplings (7) of the bar supporting structure (1) are provided with load sensors (8a-8c) for detecting static operating load values, the measured values of which are analysed in real time by a downstream analysis unit (9) for evaluating current load situations.

2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the load sensors (8a-8c) are designed as sensor elements for detecting normal forces (F.sub.N), transverse forces (F.sub.Q) and/or bending moments (M.sub.B) of column or strut elements (5a-5c; 6a-6d) in the beam structure (1).

3. System according to claim 2, characterized in that the load sensor (8c) provided for detecting normal forces (F.sub.N) is arranged integrated in the associated support element (5a; 5b; 5c) in such a way that the load sensor (8c) is placed between a lower and an upper part or at one of the ends of the support element (5a; 5b; 5c) in order to pick up compressive and tensile forces acting on the support element (5a; 5b; 5c).

4. System according to claim 2, characterized in that load sensors (8a-8c) are arranged integrated in the support or strut elements (5a-5c; 6a-6d).

5. System according to claim 2, characterized in that load sensors (8) for detecting bending moments (M.sub.B) are integrated in scaffold couplings (7).

6. System according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the event of an overload (Ü) of the bar supporting structure (1) determined by comparing the current load situation (A) with a predefined limit load situation (G), the analysis unit (9) outputs a warning message (W) to a responsible person (P) at the construction site via a communication channel.

7. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the analysis unit (9) is connected to a graphic monitor unit (10) for the central visualization of load situations of the bar supporting structure (1).

8. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the current load situation is monitored on site via a monitor unit of a mobile terminal (11) of the person in charge (P) arranged on the side of the construction site.

9. System according to claim 8, characterized in that the mobile terminal (11) is equipped with close-range detection means for locally reading out the measured value of a single load sensor (8a; 8b; 8c) which is equipped with optical or electronic identification means for this purpose.

10. System according to claim 1, characterized in that at least the analysis unit (9) is part of a central server device which is connected to the local load sensors (8a-8c) of the scaffold via at least one communication channel (12a-12c).

11. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the analysis unit (9) is connected to a memory unit (13) for storing learning data for supporting future planning of sensor arrangements in the same or similar bar structures (1).

12. System according to claim 1, characterized in that a planning unit (14) for planning the arrangement of load sensors (8a-8c) in a beam structure (1) is provided, which processes the dimensioning data of the static planning (15).

13. Computer-aided method for planning the arrangement of load sensors (8a-8c) in a beam structure (1) of a system according to any of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps: Providing (a) a structural design (15) of the bar supporting structure (1) to be erected as scaffolding, Identifying (b) load areas in the member structure (1) that are at risk of overload, Selecting (c) of load sensors (8a-8c) suitable for load detection on column elements (5a-5c) and/or strut elements (6a-6d) and/or scaffold couplers (7) in the identified load range, Positioning (d) of the selected load sensors (8a-8c) in the at least load-critical part of the bar structure (1).

14. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that a determining (e) of the data connection of the load sensors (8a-8c) positioned in a manner suitable for monitoring to the analysis unit (9) to be connected thereto is carried out.

15. Computer-assisted method for operational monitoring of a rod support structure (1) with load sensors (8a-8c) of a system according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 12 with regard to an overload, comprising the following steps: Continuous recording (f) of measurement data from the load sensors (8a-8c) in the beam structure (1) by the analysis unit (9), Evaluating (g) of the recorded measurement data with regard to overload situations of the bar structure (1) during operation.

16. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that, for extended load monitoring, the measurement data of the load sensors (8c) integrated in the support elements (5a-5c) or arranged thereon are evaluated in such a way that a presence and/or movement of persons located on the bar supporting structure (1) designed as scaffolding or a presence of additional objects there is determined.

17. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that, for extended load monitoring, the measurement data of the load sensors (8c) integrated in the support elements (5a-5c) or arranged thereon are evaluated to the effect that impermissibly positioned, in particular impermissibly inclined, support elements (5a-5c) are identified by means of a plausibility check.

18. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that the construction progress of a surface load carried by adjacent support elements (5a-5c) is determined by comparing the measurement data of load sensors (8c).

19. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that when an overload situation (h) occurs, a warning message is issued to the person in charge (P) at the construction site to avert danger.

20. Computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer-aided planning unit (14), cause it to execute the method/steps of the method according to claim 13.

21. Computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer-aided analysis unit (9), cause the unit to execute the method/steps of the method according to claim 15.

Description

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0037] Further measures improving the invention are shown in more detail below together with a description of a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the figures. It shows:

[0038] FIG. 1 a schematic perspective view of a scaffold for supporting formwork panels for concreting a building section,

[0039] FIG. 2 a perspective view of a part of the scaffold according to FIG. 1,

[0040] FIG. 3 a schematic representation of a system for determining and visualizing force flows in the beam structure representing the scaffold,

[0041] FIG. 4 a flow chart of a computer-aided method for planning the arrangement of load sensors in the beam structure, and

[0042] FIG. 5 a flow chart of the computer-aided process for monitoring the operation of the bar structure.

[0043] According to FIG. 1, a bar supporting structure 1 in the form of scaffolding is mounted on a building section 2. In this arrangement, the bar supporting structure 1 serves to support a formwork element 3a, which is combined with two further formwork elements 3b and 3c in order to concrete a wall section 4 of the building part 2.

[0044] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary part of the scaffold and thus of the beam structure 1. This comprises a total of three spaced-apart vertical support elements 5a to 5c, which are assembled with three horizontal strut elements 6a to 6c running transversely thereto and a strut element 6d running diagonally between the vertical support elements 5a and 5b for stabilization. The individual structural elements are detachably connected to one another by means of conventional scaffold couplings 7 (exemplary).

[0045] The depicted area of the bar framework 1 forms a load-critical part of the scaffold, which is provided with load sensors 8a to 8c (by way of example), each of which is arranged integrated in the scaffold elements. The individual load sensors 8a to 8c record the component stresses during use of the scaffold and forward them via an at least partially wireless communication channel to a remotely located central analysis unit 9 for evaluating current load situations of the scaffold.

[0046] According to FIG. 3, the system illustrated here in the form of a block diagram for determining and visualizing force flows in the bar structure 1 comprises the several load sensors 8a to 8c of the bar structure 1 indicated above.

[0047] The analysis unit 9 uses the measured values to determine the normal forces F.sub.N, the shear forces F.sub.Q and the bending moments M.sub.B in the bar structure 1, which represent the current load situation A of the scaffold. The current load situation A is compared with a predefined limit load situation G in order to determine an overload Ü of the bar structure 1 if the latter is exceeded. Such an overload Ü is then transmitted via a retransmission communication channel as a warning message W to a responsible person P at the construction site. This can be done, for example, by signaling on a mobile terminal 11 of the person in charge P via app or a messenger. This gives the person in charge P at the construction site the opportunity to react to the signaled overload Ü in an accident-preventing manner.

[0048] For monitoring purposes, the central analysis unit 9 is connected to a graphical monitor unit integrated in the app of the mobile terminal 11 of the person responsible P for visualizing load situations of the bar supporting structure 1. In addition, the current load situation can also be centrally monitored visually via a further monitor unit 11 arranged in the area of the central analysis unit 9.

[0049] As a central component of a server device, the analysis unit 9 is connected via sensor-specific communication channels 12a to 12c to the local load sensors 8a to 8c of the scaffolding representing the bar structure 1 on the construction site.

[0050] Furthermore, the analysis unit 9 is connected to a memory unit 13 for storing learning data for supporting future planning of sensor arrangements in the same or similar bar structures 1′.

[0051] For this purpose, a planning unit 14 is provided as a further component of the central server device. The planning unit 14 is provided for planning the arrangement of the load sensors 8a to 8c in the beam structure 1, which thus creates the prerequisite for the subsequent realization and monitoring. In this respect, the planning to be carried out with the planning unit 14 must take place before the load monitoring. In this context, the planning unit 14 is also connected to the graphic monitor unit 10 for visualization of the installation planning and uses the dimensioning data resulting from the static planning 15 of the bar structure 1 to carry out the planning task.

[0052] FIG. 4 illustrates the computer-aided method for planning the arrangement of load sensors 8a to 8c in a beam structure 1 of the system described above. The following steps are carried out, the reference signs referring to the system representation according to FIG. 3:

[0053] Initially, it is necessary to provide a structural design 15 of the framework 1 to be erected as scaffolding. This is then used as the basis for identifying b load areas in the framework 1 that are at risk of overload, for example by load simulation. Based on this in turn, a selection c of suitable load sensors 8a to 8c is carried out, which are suitable for load detection on the relevant scaffold parts in the identified load area at risk of overload. Finally, the selected load sensors 8a to 8c are arranged by positioning D in the load area of the bar truss 1 at risk of overload in order to be able to measure the current load situation therein. Finally, a determination e of the data connection to the analysis unit 9 is to be carried out within the scope of the planning, which can take place, for example, by radio data transmission, mobile radio, WLAN via directed connection channels or at least partial use of the Internet. In the case of an analysis unit 9 located locally on the construction site, this can also be done by conventional wire connection.

[0054] FIG. 5 shows the essential sequence of steps of a subsequent operational monitoring of the bar structure 1 with the load sensors 8a to 8c, in which a continuous recording f of measurement data of the load sensors 8a to 8c in the bar structure 1 is carried out by the analysis unit 9. Subsequently, an evaluation g of the recorded measurement data is performed with respect to the load situation of the bar supporting structure 1 during operation in the manner discussed above. If it is detected that an overload situation h has occurred, a warning message is issued to the person in charge at the construction site to avert danger.

[0055] Both the planning procedure described above for the load sensor arrangement in the beam structure and the subsequent real operation monitoring procedure of the scaffolding based on this can be executed in each case as software, which is run on the respective planning unit 14 designed as computer units or the analysis unit 9 of the central server device or elsewhere.

[0056] The invention is not limited to the preferred embodiment described above. On the contrary, variations thereof are also conceivable, which are also covered by the scope of protection of the following claims. For example, it is also possible to install the planning unit and/or analysis unit separately from each other and locally on the construction site. Likewise, load sensors can also be designed differently, provided that they are suitable in principle for detecting load situations on a scaffold, for example in the form of an optical sensor system.

TABLE-US-00001 List of reference signs 1 Staff structure 2 Building section 3 Formwork elements 4 Wall section 5 Ladder or column elements 6 Strut elements 7 Scaffold coupling 8 Load sensor 9 Analysis unit 10 Monitor unit 11 Mobile terminal 12 Communication channel 13 Storage unit 14 Planning unit 15 Static planning F.sub.N Normal force F.sub.Q Shear force M.sub.B Bending moment A current load situation G predefined limit load situation Ü determined overload W warning message P responsible person on site