Seismic Support Bracket:
A seismic support bracket is a type of structural support firmly connected to a building's main structure, designed to withstand seismic forces. It effectively reduces earthquake-induced damage to mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems and equipment, thereby lowering the risk of secondary disasters. The following provides a detailed analysis of its advantages and features:
Typical Features of Seismic Support Brackets:
- Scientifically Engineered Mechanical Design
- Multi-Directional Seismic Support: Typically composed of longitudinal and transverse diagonal braces (some configurations require dual-direction bracing), forming a triangular stable structure that can resist loads from various seismic directions (such as vibrations along the X, Y, and Z axes).
- Professional Structural Validation: Seismic performance must be verified using structural analysis software (e.g., Midas, SAP2000) to ensure bracket spacing, node bearing capacity, and material strength comply with code requirements.
- Modular and Flexible Installation
- Standardized Components: Mainly composed of anchoring elements (such as expansion bolts, chemical anchors), reinforced hangers, seismic connection components (like C-channel steel, seismic hinges), and seismic diagonal braces. All components are prefabricated in factories for modular on-site assembly.
- Adaptability to Complex Environments: The bracket system can be flexibly adjusted based on pipeline direction (horizontal or vertical), pipe diameter, and installation height. Common types include single-pipe seismic brackets, gantry-type multi-pipe seismic brackets, and equipment seismic brackets.
- Superior Material and Corrosion Resistance
- High-Strength Materials: Core components are made of Q235B or higher-grade steel, with hot-dip galvanizing (coating thickness ≥65μm) or stainless steel finishes to meet fire and corrosion resistance standards. Suitable for humid or corrosive environments (e.g., underground parking garages, chemical workshops).
- Fire Resistance: Compliant with building fire protection codes, ensuring the brackets maintain structural integrity during the early stages of a fire to support emergency systems.
- Reliable Connection to Structural Framework
- Diverse Anchoring Methods: Anchors are selected based on the building structure type (concrete, steel, or masonry). For example, chemical anchors or expansion bolts are commonly used in concrete, while welding or bolted connections are applied in steel structures.
- Pull-Out and Shear Resistance: Anchors must pass pull-out testing to ensure that connection points remain secure under seismic loads and do not loosen or fail.
- Integration with Integrated Support Brackets
- Integrated Design: Often used in conjunction with integrated support brackets to form a "comprehensive seismic support system" that meets both load-bearing and seismic requirements, reducing the number of brackets needed and optimizing spatial layout.
- Enhanced by BIM Technology: BIM modeling enables early planning of bracket positions, avoiding pipeline clashes, ensuring installation accuracy, and improving construction efficiency.
Application Scenarios and Regulatory Requirements:
- Mandatory Application Scenarios
* Domestic water supply and fire protection pipes with a diameter ≥ DN65
* Ventilation and air-conditioning ducts with a rectangular cross-sectional area ≥ 0.38 m² or circular diameter ≥ 0.7 m
* Electrical conduits with an internal diameter ≥ 60 mm and cable trays, ladders, or trunking systems with a load ≥ 8 kN/m
- Key Facilities: Hospitals, schools, shopping malls, airports, subways, data centers, industrial plants, and other densely populated or critical infrastructure projects
- Design and Installation Standards
* For horizontal pipelines: seismic bracket spacing for water pipes and cable trays must be ≤ 4 m; for air ducts, ≤ 6 m
* For vertical pipelines: spacing must be ≤ 6 m (to be adjusted according to seismic fortification intensity and pipeline loads)
*Seismic brackets must be installed within 0.6 m of pipeline bends, and the bracket spacing before and after the bend must be reduced in accordance with regulatory standards
Conclusion:
Seismic support brackets, through scientifically engineered mechanical design, modular installation, and reliable structural connections, have become a key technology in modern seismic mitigation for buildings. Their core value lies not only in regulatory compliance but in fundamentally reducing the risk of earthquake damage to MEP systems, safeguarding lives, and ensuring the stable operation of critical infrastructure. In building MEP engineering, seismic brackets have evolved from an "optional accessory" to an "essential facility," especially in high seismic intensity areas and important buildings where their importance continues to grow.
