Articulated Block Mat with U-Shaped Void for Pier Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing articulated concrete mats (ACM) for erosion control struggle to be installed around vertical protrusions like piers and trees without requiring extensive grouting, which is labor-intensive and costly.
Innovation Solution
A specialized mat with a U-shaped void in one edge allows for installation around piers, where the edge of a second mat can be placed to encircle the pier, reducing the need for grouting and enabling efficient placement around multiple piers with conventional blocks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional rectangular mats are used for erosion control, then the mats can be easily manufactured and transported, but they cannot be efficiently installed around vertical protrusions like piers without extensive grouting
Solution Approach 1:
The mat is segmented into modular blocks that can be independently positioned and connected. This allows the mat to be configured in different shapes including U-shaped configurations that can wrap around vertical protrusions like piers, eliminating the need for extensive grouting while maintaining structural integrity through block-to-block connections
Solution Approach 2:
The mat structure is made dynamic and adaptable through its modular block design, allowing it to change configuration from a standard rectangular shape to a U-shaped or customized configuration that accommodates vertical protrusions. This dynamic reconfigurability enables efficient installation around piers without requiring complex pre-formed structures
2Reliability
If conventional mats require extensive grouting to install around piers, then complete coverage can be achieved, but labor and material costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The mat blocks are pre-configured with connection mechanisms and positioning features that enable direct assembly around piers without requiring grouting. The blocks are designed to interlock and secure to each other and to the pier surface through mechanical means prepared in advance, eliminating the need for time-consuming grouting operations while ensuring reliable erosion control
Solution Approach 2:
The grouting process is extracted and eliminated from the installation procedure. Instead of using grout to secure the mat around piers, the design uses self-contained mechanical connection systems between blocks and to the pier surface, removing the harmful or time-consuming grouting step while maintaining secure attachment and erosion control effectiveness
3Adaptability or versatility
If the mat width is standardized for transport, then logistics are simplified, but the mat cannot accommodate varying on-site installation requirements around different pier configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The mat is divided into standardized modular blocks that can be manufactured using uniform processes, ensuring ease of production and transport. These standardized blocks can then be assembled in different configurations including U-shapes and custom arrangements to accommodate various pier sizes and site requirements, providing both manufacturing simplicity and on-site adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The standardized blocks serve multiple functions: they can be arranged in straight lines for conventional coverage, configured in U-shapes around piers, or assembled in custom patterns for complex site requirements. This universal block design maintains manufacturing standardization while enabling versatile adaptation to different installation scenarios without requiring custom-manufactured components
Data Source
AI summary
A pier mat of erosion control blocks for abating erosion around piers of a wharf. A mat of blocks is arranged so as to have a linear end edge and a vacant space formed in an opposite end edge thereof, where the vacant space is for surrounding at least a part of a pier. A linear end edge of another similar pier mat is installed so as to abut the end edge of the first mat having the vacant space, thereby fully surrounding the pier. A method of installing a pier mat of erosion control blocks is also disclosed.