Blast Reinforcement Using Composite Shells and Dampening Materials
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for reinforcing structural members against blasts and other damaging events are often complex, expensive, and unreliable, necessitating a more efficient and cost-effective solution.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the positioning of an interior encompassing member around a structural member, followed by the deposition of a fill material and securing of a force-dampening material, which may include fiber-reinforced polymers and metal layers, to dissipate forces and provide progressive collapse resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If steel or metal plates are used to reinforce structural members against blasts, then strength and blast resistance are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining fiber-reinforced polymer layers with concrete fill and force dampening materials to create a multi-layered protective system. This composite structure provides enhanced blast resistance while avoiding the need for heavy steel plates, thereby reducing structural complexity while maintaining or improving strength characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters from traditional metal/steel to fiber-reinforced polymers and force dampening materials. This parameter change allows the system to achieve equivalent or superior blast resistance through a different material regime that is inherently less complex and more adaptable to structural members.
2Strength
If steel or metal plates are used to reinforce structural members against blasts, then strength and blast resistance are improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The use of fiber-reinforced polymer composites replaces expensive metal plates with a cost-effective composite material system. The layered structure of fiber-reinforced polymers combined with concrete and force dampening materials provides comparable blast resistance at reduced material and installation costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs thin fiber-reinforced polymer layers and force dampening films that provide adequate blast protection without the weight and cost of thick metal plates. These flexible, thin-layer solutions reduce both material quantity and associated costs while maintaining protective functionality.
3Reliability
If traditional reinforcing techniques are used, then some level of protection is achieved, but reliability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-material composite system combines fiber-reinforced polymers, concrete, and force dampening materials to create a redundant protective system. This composite approach enhances reliability through material diversity and functional redundancy, where each layer contributes to overall system performance and failure of one component does not compromise the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The force dampening material is positioned between the concrete and the structural member to provide beforehand cushioning. This pre-positioned energy-absorbing layer ensures that blast forces are attenuated before reaching the structural member, enhancing reliability by preventing direct force transmission regardless of the intensity of the blast event.
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
This approach enhances the structural member's ability to withstand blasts and other events by effectively dissipating forces and maintaining structural integrity, while being more efficient and cost-effective than traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
securing a force dampening material (e.g., polyurethane, silicone polymers, foam, other polymeric or elastomeric materials, viscoelastic materials or substances, gels, fluids, cushions, springs, air, or fluid filled members, etc.) at least partially around the interior encompassing member. In one embodiment, the force dampening material is configured to at least partially dissipate forces originating from a blast event.
Implementation Method 2
force dampening material (e.g., polyurethane, silicone polymers, foam, other polymeric or elastomeric materials, viscoelastic materials or substances, gels, fluids, cushions, springs, air, or fluid filled members, etc.)
Implementation Method 3
the interior shell, jacket or other encompassing member comprises a fiber reinforced polymer (e.g., CFRP, GFRP, resin-impregnated fiber bundles or roving, etc.)
Implementation Method 4
placing at least one layer of fiber reinforced polymer around the interior encompassing member prior to securing the force dampening material around the interior encompassing member. In another embodiment, the at least one layer of fiber reinforced polymer comprises carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) or glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP).
Implementation Method 5
depositing a first fill material (e.g., bendable concrete, ductile concrete, other types of concrete, grout, epoxy, sand, dirt, etc.) within the first volume to at least partially fill the first volume.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of reinforcing a structural member comprises positioning a shell around the structural member, placing a force dampening material around an exterior of the shell and securing the force dampening material around the shell. In certain arrangements, the method further includes at least partially filling a space defined between the structural member and the shell with a filler material. In some embodiments, the filler material comprises a concrete, a grout, an epoxy, combinations thereof and/or the like. In one embodiment, the shell comprises a fiber reinforced polymer (e.g., CFRP, GFRP, aramid fibers, epoxy, other resins, etc.). In alternative embodiments, the methods additionally includes placing one or more layers of fiber reinforced polymer around the shell prior to placing a force dampening material around an exterior of the shell. In some embodiments, the layer of fiber reinforced polymer comprises CFRP, GFRP or any other type of fiber reinforced polymer.