Basalt Basket and Dowel and Method of Manufacture

Abstract

Basalt basket and dowel system to provide load transfer between adjoining slabs. The basket is designed as a placement jig to properly position dowels during the concrete placement phase of construction. Additionally to provide inherently tinsel and shear reinforcement to the edge of the concrete before during and after the contraction stress of curing concrete is relieved by scoring and to do so without the risk of rust spalling. The baskets and dowels are constructed from continuous basalt fibers admixed with an appropriate adhesive to produce the required strength and provide load predictions in a similar manner to steel calculations. The basalt basket is light weight and the configuration of its tendons interlaces provides sufficient space to allow concrete flow during placement and too prevent tinsel slippage within the cured concrete.

Description

PRIORITY APPLICATION AND RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]In accordance with 37 C.F.R. 1.76 a claim of priority is included in an Application Data Sheet filed concurrently herewith. Accordingly, the present invention claims priority date to, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 109,269 entitled “BASALT BASKET AND DOWEL AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE”, filed Jan. 29, 2015. This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 436,653, entitled “MATRIX BASALT REINFORCEMENT MEMBERS FOR PERVIOUS CEMENT”, filed Mar. 30, 2012. The contents of the above referenced applications are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates to concrete reinforcement, and more particularly, to a basket and dowel reinforcement members made from continuous basalt fibers for use in load transfer between adjoining slabs.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Due to constant expanding and contracting of concrete used in the formation of highways, joints are placed between...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a basalt basket for positioning of dowels to improve loading between adjoining concrete slabs. The basalt basket is made of a continuous basalt fiber material matrix configuration, which is an economical and sustainable alternative to steel dowel and basket construction. The basalt basket can securely hold dowels in alignment even if struck during the concrete pouring step. Compared to steel, which can rust and absorb or wick water into the concrete, the basalt basket system cannot do so, making it more durable and reliable.

Problems solved by technology

Misplaced or misaligned dowel bars can adversely affect the performance of the concrete.

Misaligned dowel bars can lock up the joints and prevent them from opening and closing freely resulting in spalling, faulting, pumping, corner breaks, blowups, and mid-panel cracking.

Because of the difficulties in determining the position of dowel bars in hardened concrete, misplaced dowel bars went largely undetected in the past, until it was too late and problems started to develop.

Most jointed concrete pavement failures can be attributed to failures at the joint, as opposed to inadequate structural capacity.

Because these joints are so numerous, their performance significantly impacts pavement performance.

As this happens, several of the adjoining contraction joints may open, effectively destroying their seals and aggregate interlock.

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