Prefabricated Balcony Ribs for Rainwater Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prefabricated balconies face challenges in meeting rainwater runoff and accessibility standards due to their high weight, which increases construction costs and reduces usable space, and existing solutions either compromise on height or require complex reinforcement.
Innovation Solution
A prefabricated balcony design featuring composite material reinforcements, integrated rainwater drainage, thermal insulation, and ultra-high performance fiber-reinforced concrete, which reduces weight and material usage while maintaining structural integrity and compliance with accessibility standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional solid material with metal reinforcements is used for prefabricated balconies, then structural strength is ensured, but weight increases significantly limiting slenderness and increasing lifting costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a concrete plate with integrated fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforcements and wooden ribs, replacing traditional heavy metal reinforcements. This composite structure maintains structural strength while significantly reducing the overall weight of the balcony, enabling longer spans and reduced lifting costs.
2Ease of operation
If the upper surface of the balcony plate is positioned at the level of the slab upper surface to ensure accessibility, then accessibility standards are met, but rainwater runoff standards cannot be satisfied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by introducing a vertical dimension solution - wooden ribs that project upward from the balcony plate surface. These ribs create a three-dimensional structure where the plate surface remains level for accessibility, while the projecting ribs form channels that guide rainwater runoff away from the balcony, satisfying both accessibility and rainwater runoff standards simultaneously.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a gutter is added near the fixed end to satisfy rainwater runoff standards, then rainwater flow is improved, but usable height and span are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the rainwater drainage function with the structural support elements by integrating wooden ribs that serve dual purposes: providing structural support for the balcony plate and simultaneously forming rainwater channels through their projecting configuration. This eliminates the need for separate gutters that would reduce usable height and span.
4Reliability
If dense and complex reinforcement is provided to meet rainwater and accessibility standards without gutters, then standards are satisfied, but production is complicated and weight increases reducing span
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials (concrete plate with integrated FRP reinforcements and wooden ribs) to simplify the reinforcement system. The wooden ribs provide both structural support and rainwater channeling functions, while the FRP reinforcements embedded in the concrete plate provide necessary tensile strength without the complexity of traditional dense metal reinforcement networks, reducing both weight and production complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a prefabricated balcony (1), at least partly made of a hydraulic material, having a free end (2) and a fixed end (3), opposite the free end (2) and intended to be positioned at least close to a facade of a building (C), this prefabricated balcony (1) comprising at least one platform (4) having two long sides (40; 40'). This balcony (1) is characterized in that it comprises: - at least two ribs (5), each, on the one hand, having a free end (51) and, on the other hand, extending between the free end (2) and the fixed end (3) of the balcony (1) and projecting out of one (40) of said long sides (40; 40') of said platform (1); - receiving means (6) for receiving a floor (P), these receiving means (6) being arranged so that at the free end (51) of the ribs (5) there is associated at least one such receiving means (6).