Patent ID: 6370833
Filing Date: 2002-04-16
Classification: E04C,F16F,Y10T

Abstract:
A structural beam having a cross-sectional profile, first portions of the profile being in compression and second portions of the profile being in tension due to a loading force, the beam comprising:a multiplicity of compressive structural elements disposed throughout the cross-sectional profile in the portions in compression, each compressive structural element comprising a first enclosure having first walls surrounding a first cavity, and a first non-compressible material disposed in the first cavity, wherein the first walls are shaped such that the compressive force due to the loading force tends to compress the compressive structural element by a first deflection causing an amplified second deflection of the first walls into the first non-compressible material, exerting a compressive force due to the second deflection against the first non-compressible material, resulting in a resistance to the first deflection and the loading force; and a multiplicity of tensile structural elements disposed throughout the cross-sectional profile in the portions in tension, each tensile element comprising a second enclosure having second walls surrounding a second cavity, and a second non-compressible material disposed in the second cavity, wherein the second walls are shaped such that the tensile force due to the loading force tends to elongate the tensile structural element by a third deflection causing an amplified fourth deflection of the second walls into the second non-compressible material, exerting a compressive force due to the fourth deflection against the second non-compressible material, resulting in a resistance to the third deflection and the loading force.