Discarded Asphalt Shingles as Fill and Moisture Barrier

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Solution Overview

Problem

The disposal of discarded asphalt shingles in landfills is problematic due to their long degradation time and structural integrity issues, while expansive clay soils cause instability in construction sites, necessitating a cost-effective alternative for fill material and moisture barrier solutions.

Innovation Solution

Discarded asphalt shingles are repurposed as fill material and structural members by forming them into building blocks, which are used to replace traditional fill materials and create moisture barriers in land surface construction, including foundations, roadways, and embankments, addressing both disposal and stability concerns.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If discarded asphalt shingles are disposed of in landfills, then landfill waste volume increases, but the structural integrity and long degradation time of shingles cause environmental harm and resource waste

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelandfill waste volumeVSAvoidenvironmental harm from shingle degradation

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent recovers discarded asphalt shingles from waste streams and repurposes them as fill material in construction applications. The shingles are placed in excavations to form fill regions that provide structural support for buildings and surfaces, transforming a harmful waste product into a useful construction material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful environmental factor of shingle waste into a beneficial construction material. The same structural integrity and durability that make shingles problematic in landfills are utilized as advantages when used as fill material, providing long-lasting support while preventing landfill disposal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Stability of the object's composition

If traditional select fill material is used to replace expansive clay soils, then construction stability is improved, but material cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconstruction stabilityVSAvoidmaterial cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses discarded asphalt shingles, a low-cost waste material, as a substitute for expensive select fill material. The shingles provide adequate stability for construction purposes without the high cost of traditional engineered fill materials, achieving cost-effective construction stabilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Stability of the object's composition

If chemical stabilizers are used to treat expansive soils, then soil expansion is controlled, but environmental contamination and construction complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoil expansion controlVSAvoidenvironmental contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the problematic expansive clay soil from the construction site and replaces it with discarded asphalt shingles as fill material. This physical removal and replacement approach avoids the need for chemical stabilizers, eliminating environmental contamination risks while providing stable construction support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Loss of substance

If discarded asphalt shingles are used as fill material, then landfill waste is reduced and construction cost is decreased, but the long-term degradation and structural integrity over time may be concerned

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelandfill waste reductionVSAvoidlong-term structural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses discarded asphalt shingles as a partial replacement for traditional fill material in construction applications. The shingles provide adequate stability and support for construction purposes without requiring complete long-term permanence, achieving sufficient durability for the intended application while reducing waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS20240254718A1Systems and Methods for Using Discarded Asphalt Shingles (DAS) for Fill Replacement and for Structural Members in Building and Surface Constructions

Publication Date: 2024.08.01 SHINGLE WASTE SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

Systems and methods are provided for repurposing discarded asphalt shingles as fill material or structural members in building and land surface constructions. Discarded asphalt shingles (DAS) are placed beneath building foundation slabs and parking lots in overlapping patterns to replace a measured amount of removed soil to serve as fill material. Building block system (BBS) units or repurposed asphalt blocks (RAB), may be produced to facilitate handling and transport of the DAS materials to the construction site. DAS can be utilized beneath parking lots by layering the shingles in overlapping patterns to create a moisture barrier from water intrusion from above or below. Repurposed asphalt materials may further be used in the construction of other types of embankments and ground surface constructions to provide both vertical and horizontal support.