Cementitious Backing for Masonry Slip Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The connection between masonry slips and steel backing boards can weaken over time, leading to safety concerns, particularly when masonry slips are part of a soffit, and the use of certain epoxy resins for bonding emits toxic fumes, posing risks in the event of a fire, necessitating a reduction or replacement of these adhesives.
Innovation Solution
A support arrangement using a cementitious or composite backing member that is non-combustible and easier to drill than steel, allowing for mechanical fixation of masonry slips without relying heavily on toxic epoxy resins, featuring a backing member formed from materials like calcium-silicate fibre cement or mineral particle board, and a supporting structure with spaced apart support members for reduced mass and easier installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If epoxy resins are used to bond masonry slips to steel backing boards, then the connection strength is improved, but toxic fumes are emitted when burnt
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameter of the adhesive from epoxy resin to polymer-modified cementitious adhesive, which eliminates toxic fume emission while maintaining bonding strength through chemical modification of the cement matrix
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive epoxy resins with more economical polymer-modified cementitious adhesives that achieve sufficient bonding strength for the application, reducing both cost and harmful emissions
2Strength
If steel backing boards are used to support masonry slips, then the structural strength is improved, but drilling difficulty and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces pure steel backing boards with composite materials such as fibre-reinforced cement boards or aluminium-composite panels that provide sufficient structural strength while being easier to drill and mechanically fix
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes expensive steel backing boards with more economical composite alternatives that achieve the required structural performance at lower cost and with easier fabrication
3Reliability
If mechanical fixation with multiple bolts is used to secure masonry slips, then the connection reliability is improved, but the installation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a reduced number of mechanical fixations combined with polymer-modified cementitious adhesive, achieving sufficient connection reliability without the need for excessive mechanical fasteners, thereby reducing installation time
Data Source
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AI summary
A support arrangement for supporting covering elements on a soffit and/or a fascia of a building. The support arrangement has a backing member that is operable to receive covering elements and is formed at least partially from non-metallic material. The support arrangement further has an attachment means for attaching the support arrangement to a building or building component such that it forms a part of the building. The support arrangement is non-flammable and can easily receive fixings to fix covering elements thereto. Covering elements can be fixed to the support arrangement and then the arrangement can be attached to a building or building component such that the covering elements form a part of the soffit or fascia of the building.