Arcuate Concrete Form with Perpendicular Frame Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for forming arcuate sections of concrete are labor-intensive and difficult to achieve aesthetically pleasing results, limiting the creation of curved designs to straight sections due to the complexity of using thin materials like plywood or plastic.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising convex and concave forms with fixed or adjustable arches, where frame elements are attached perpendicularly to the arch ends, allowing for easy alignment and secure attachment to the ground, enabling the formation of consistent radii and complementary arches with minimal labor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If thin materials like plywood or plastic are used to form arches in concrete, then the ability to create curved shapes is achieved, but the process becomes labor-intensive and difficult to achieve aesthetically pleasing results
Solution Approach 1:
The form system is divided into modular components including straight form sections and pre-formed arch sections with standardized radii. These segments can be easily assembled and disassembled, allowing workers to create curved concrete shapes without the labor-intensive process of bending thin materials on-site. The modular nature maintains versatility while significantly reducing operational difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The arch sections are pre-formed with precise radii and geometries before being brought to the construction site. This preliminary fabrication of curved elements eliminates the need for workers to manually bend and shape thin materials during installation, thereby reducing labor intensity while preserving the ability to create aesthetically pleasing curved shapes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If thin materials are used to form arches, then curved shapes can be created, but achieving adequate aesthetic results is difficult even for skilled artisans
Solution Approach 1:
The form system separates the curved arch elements from straight sections, with each segment pre-formed to precise specifications. This segmentation allows for factory-controlled fabrication of arch sections with consistent, accurate radii, ensuring high aesthetic quality while maintaining the versatility to create various curved shapes through proper assembly of these precision segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides multiple arch sections with different predetermined radii (e.g., 6-inch, 12-inch, 18-inch radii) that can be selected based on design requirements. This parameter variation allows artisans to achieve diverse curved shapes with consistent precision, maintaining aesthetic quality across different design configurations without requiring manual shaping skills.
3Manufacturing precision
If complementary radii are to be formed, then matching arches can be created, but the process becomes excessively labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The form system uses modular arch sections with standardized radii that can be replicated and assembled in pairs or sets. For example, multiple 12-inch radius arch sections can be easily matched and positioned to create symmetrical or complementary curved shapes. This modular approach maintains high precision in matching arches while dramatically reducing the labor required compared to traditional methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The same standardized arch sections can be used to create multiple different curved shapes and configurations by varying the assembly pattern and combination of segments. A single type of arch section with a specific radius can serve multiple design purposes, reducing the need for custom fabrication while maintaining precision and reducing overall labor requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A fixed form suitable for use in framing concrete with arches is described as is an adjustable form and a system for forming concrete. The fixed form has an arch with a fixed radius terminating at arch ends. At least one frame element is attached to the arch wherein the frame element terminates at an arch end at a frame face and the frame face is perpendicular to a tangent of the arch at the arch end. The adjustable form has an adjustable radius.