Ball-Jointed Formwork for Cantilever Bridge Construction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing formwork arrangements for cantilever bridge construction are limited in versatility and cost-effectiveness, with issues related to material usage and safety due to reliance on roller bearings and traditional girder designs.

Innovation Solution

A formwork arrangement featuring a ball-jointed lower support system with a hollow box-profile carrier and self-locking plastic bearings, allowing for flexible positioning and reduced material usage, along with enhanced safety and adaptability to various bridge geometries.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If roller bearings are used to mount the formwork arrangement, then the formwork can be moved along the girders, but the system lacks versatility and safety on gradients

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveversatility of usabilityVSAvoidsafety on gradients

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of the bearing system from roller bearings to self-locking plastic bearings, which fundamentally alter the friction and locking characteristics. This enables the formwork to safely operate on gradients while maintaining versatility in positioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs self-locking plastic bearings that can be easily replaced if worn, rather than expensive and complex roller bearing systems. These plastic bearings provide sufficient functionality for the application while being cost-effective and safe on gradients

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Ease of manufacture

If traditional girder designs are used, then the formwork structure is simple, but material usage is high and costs are increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of girder designVSAvoidmaterial usage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite construction with hollow box-profile girders that combine structural efficiency with material savings. The hollow profile maintains strength while reducing material consumption compared to traditional solid girder designs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The formwork arrangement is divided into modular components including adjustable lower support arrangements and separable girder sections. This segmentation allows for optimized material usage in each component while maintaining overall structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If the lower support arrangement is rigidly fixed, then stability is maintained, but adaptability to various bridge geometries is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of lower girder arrangementVSAvoidadaptability to bridge geometries

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic adjustability to the lower support arrangement through height-adjustable suspensions and ball joints. This allows the structure to adapt to various bridge geometries while maintaining stability through the self-locking mechanism and controlled movement capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution enables a wide range of bridge cross-sections, reduces material costs, and ensures secure operation on gradients, improving both the adaptability and safety of the formwork system.

Implementation Method 1

the lower girder arrangement can be inclined to a certain extent with respect to the upper girder arrangement, which enables the realization of a particularly large bandwidth of bridge cross sections. In addition, the power can be transmitted by means of the ball joint without bending moments.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBall joint mechanism:

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSelf-locking friction: Friction

Implementation Method 3

A formwork arrangement featuring a ball-jointed lower support system with a hollow box-profile carrier and self-locking plastic bearings, allowing for flexible positioning and reduced material usage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHollow profile structural efficiency:

Implementation Method 4

The suspension of the lower beam arrangement can be used in particular to absorb the weight of the formwork during adjustment and/or the concrete load at the same time.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitational load bearing: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2191073B1Formwork configuration for the cantilever construction of bridges

Publication Date: 2011.02.09 DOKA INDUSTRIE GMBH

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AI summary

A formwork configuration (10) for the cantilever construction of bridges has at least one lower girder configuration (14), which is suspended on an upper girder configuration (12) and is supported on at least one suspension (16) via a ball joint.