Brick Building Modules With Segmented Ring Beams for Structural Continuity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing modular building technologies lack sufficient modular functionality and quality for constructing high-quality, multi-story buildings, particularly in brick construction, with inadequate prefabrication capabilities and stability under external loads.

Innovation Solution

A construction module for a modular building comprising a concrete floor slab with suspension elements, four pairs of brick walls, and a modular ring beam connecting the walls, designed as a multi-piece structure with interconnected longitudinal and transverse elements, allowing for prefabrication and lifting using suspension elements, and incorporating features like insulating elements and waterproof concrete to enhance stability and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If modular building modules are designed with sufficient prefabrication capability, then construction speed and quality are improved, but structural stability under external loads deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstruction speedVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The building module is segmented into distinct prefabricated components (floor slab with suspension elements, brick walls, ring beam) that can be manufactured separately and assembled on-site. This segmentation enables high-quality prefabrication while maintaining structural integrity through designed connection interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the floor slab and suspension elements into a single integrated prefabricated unit, combining lifting functionality with structural support. This merging ensures that the prefabricated module maintains both construction efficiency and structural stability when assembled.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If modular building modules are designed for easy lifting and assembly, then on-site construction complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision and quality deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveon-site assembly easeVSAvoidprefabrication quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The suspension elements are pre-installed and integrated into the floor slab during manufacturing, before the module reaches the construction site. This preliminary action ensures that lifting points are precisely positioned and structurally integrated, maintaining both manufacturing precision and ease of on-site assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The floor slab serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, incorporates suspension elements for lifting, and serves as a base for wall assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying on-site assembly while maintaining high manufacturing standards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Stability of the object's composition

If traditional concrete ring beams are used to connect walls, then structural continuity is improved, but modular prefabrication capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural continuityVSAvoidprefabrication capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The ring beam is segmented into multiple separate elements rather than being a single continuous pour. These individual beam elements can be manufactured as discrete prefabricated components and assembled on-site, maintaining structural continuity while enabling modular prefabrication and improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Volume of moving object

If modular building modules are designed for multi-story construction, then building height and functionality are improved, but stability under external loads deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebuilding heightVSAvoidresistance to external loads
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The suspension elements are pre-installed in the floor slabs during manufacturing, creating ready-to-connect lifting and connection points. This preliminary action ensures that when modules are stacked for multi-story construction, the connection points are precisely positioned to distribute external loads effectively, maintaining strength while enabling vertical expansion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The floor slab and suspension elements are merged into a single integrated component, ensuring that the lifting and connection functionality is structurally integrated with the floor support system. This integration ensures that multi-story assemblies maintain structural integrity and resistance to external loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4617442A1Building construction module for a modular building, modular dwelling unit and modular building
Publication Date: 2025.09.17 WMM INNOVATION AG
  • EP4617442A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4617442A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4617442A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a building construction module (100) for a modular building (200), in particular a brick building (200a), wherein the building construction module (100) comprises the following: a concrete floor slab (110) with suspension elements (111); and four pairs of opposite walls (120) made of bricks (121), which are arranged on the concrete floor slab (110) and extend vertically upwards from the concrete floor slab (110), wherein the building construction module (100) comprises a ring beam (130) which is arranged on an upper region (123) of the four walls (120) and connects the four walls (120), in particular continuously, and wherein the building construction module (100) with the four walls (120) and the ring beam (130) is designed to be liftable on the suspension elements (111).The concrete ring beam (130) is modularly constructed in several pieces from four interconnected and assembled parts, wherein the parts are designed as two longitudinal elements (131) and two transverse elements (132). Furthermore, the invention relates to a modular living unit (210, 220, 230) for a modular building (200) and a modular building (200).