Self-reinforced opening

Abstract

A self-reinforced structural member is disclosed. The structural member includes a vertical web between a first horizontal flange and a second horizontal flange. The vertical web includes a self-reinforced opening formed from cut portions of the web.

1 . A self-reinforced structural member comprising:
 a vertical web between a first horizontal flange and a second horizontal flange, the vertical web including a self-reinforced opening.   
     
     
         2 . The structural member of  claim 1 , wherein at least one reinforcement flange is formed from a cut portion of the web to reinforce the self-reinforced opening. 
     
     
         3 . The structural member of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one reinforcement flange extends from a horizontal edge of the self-reinforced opening in a tangential direction with respect to the vertical web. 
     
     
         4 . The structural member of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one reinforcement flange extends from a horizontal edge of the self-reinforced opening in a vertical direction. 
     
     
         5 . The structural member of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one reinforcement flange extends from a vertical edge of the self-reinforced opening in a horizontal direction. 
     
     
         6 . A method to create a self-reinforced structural member, the method comprising:
 creating a first cut through a web of a structural member;   creating a second and third cut through the web of a structural member, the second and third cuts intersecting the first cut; and   bending a portion of the web between the first, second and third cuts to form a reinforcement flange.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 welding a portion of the reinforcement flange to the web.