Blockout Assembly Integrating Hanger Members for Conduit Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blockout members for concrete structural members, such as Double-T panels, face challenges in sealing openings for conduit support, leading to concrete leakage and requiring additional drilling for mounting devices, which complicates the construction process.
Innovation Solution
A blockout apparatus with integrally formed hanger members and a wedge nut system that allows for secure conduit support without disrupting the concrete structure, preventing leakage and eliminating the need for additional drilling by allowing the wedge nut to be installed before or after the blockout apparatus is set in the concrete form.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate hanger members are inserted into blockout members to support conduits, then conduit support capability is improved, but concrete leakage occurs around the hanger members into the blockout cavity
Solution Approach 1:
The hanger members are integrally formed with the blockout member as a single molded unit. The hanger members extend from the top surface through the wall of the blockout member, eliminating separate insertion steps and preventing concrete leakage around interfaces between separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The hanger members are pre-formed as part of the blockout member during the molding process, before the blockout member is installed in the concrete form. This preliminary integration ensures no gaps exist for concrete leakage when the blockout member is placed in position.
2Strength
If mounting devices are drilled into concrete panels to support conduits, then conduit support stability is improved, but the concrete structure is disrupted and additional drilling is required
Solution Approach 1:
The hanger members are pre-formed as part of the blockout member during the molding process, before the blockout member is installed in the concrete form. This preliminary integration ensures no gaps exist for concrete leakage when the blockout member is placed in position.
3Adaptability or versatility
If blockout members are used to create openings for conduits, then conduit passage through structural members is enabled, but sealing the opening becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The hanger members are integrally formed with the blockout member as a single molded unit. The hanger members extend from the top surface through the wall of the blockout member, eliminating separate insertion steps and preventing concrete leakage around interfaces between separate components.
Data Source
AI summary
A blockout apparatus, for use in creating passageways through prefabricated concrete structural members, has at least one hanger members integrally molded with the blockout apparatus as a dome projecting above the body of the blockout member that can be used to support conduits inserted through the passageway. A wedge nut can be inserted into the hanger members and twisted to lock the wedge nut in place. The wedge nut can be installed before the blockout apparatus is positioned within the concrete form for the manufacture of the prefabricated concrete structural member, or after the concrete structural member has been formed. Typical usage of the blockout apparatus is to create passageways through the T-Beam of Double-T panels so that conduits can pass through the void corresponding to the blockout apparatus. Mounting devices that support the conduits can be engaged with the wedge nut and provide support for one or multiple conduits.