Ceramic Slab with Settlement Parts for Roof Ventilation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flat roof coverings face issues with thermal insulation protection, mechanical strength, and maintenance due to high loads and susceptibility to wind and sun damage, with current solutions either being expensive or difficult to repair without damaging the waterproofing membrane.
Innovation Solution
The use of ceramic slabs with integrated settlement parts and a moldable design that reduces weight and allows for easy handling and installation, providing mechanical strength and ventilation while eliminating the need for additional supports and reducing the load on the roof.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If thermal insulation is laid over the waterproofing membrane (inverted roofing), then thermal insulation performance is improved, but the insulation becomes damaged due to direct sun incidence and wind action
Solution Approach 1:
A protective coating layer is applied over the thermal insulation material to act as an intermediary shield against direct sun incidence and environmental damage. This coating protects the insulation while allowing the inverted roofing configuration to maintain its thermal performance advantages.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution combines thermal insulation material with a protective coating material to create a composite structure. This composite maintains the thermal insulation properties while adding resistance to UV radiation, wind damage, and other environmental factors.
2Ease of operation
If a thin screed or continuous concrete slab is used as finishing, then cleaning ease and resistance to spontaneous vegetation are improved, but the overload on the roof exceeds 100 kg/m2 and damages the waterproof sheeting
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses lightweight, replaceable protective elements that can be easily removed and replaced without damaging the underlying waterproofing system. These elements provide the necessary protection and surface functionality while minimizing permanent load on the roof structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution changes the density and composition parameters of the protective layer, transitioning from heavy concrete (density ~2400 kg/m3) to lighter materials or structures that provide equivalent protective functionality with significantly reduced weight, keeping the overload well below the 100 kg/m2 threshold.
3Use of energy by stationary object
If prefabricated concrete slabs are laid over supports, then thermal insulation performance is improved through air-lock and shadowing, but the cost increases due to spacing parts and labor
Solution Approach 1:
The protective coating and thermal insulation system are merged into an integrated solution where the coating serves both protective and insulating functions, eliminating the need for separate support structures and spacing parts. This reduces construction complexity while maintaining thermal performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex support system and spacing parts are extracted from the design, replacing them with a simplified direct-application coating system that achieves the same thermal protection through material properties rather than structural complexity.
4Ease of manufacture
If a gravel layer is used as finishing, then cost is reduced and ease of execution is improved, but cleaning becomes difficult and spontaneous vegetation appears frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the surface parameters from rough, irregular gravel surfaces to smooth, continuous coated surfaces. This maintains the ease of execution during application while dramatically improving cleaning ease and preventing vegetation growth through the seamless surface.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5a~5c
AI summary
This invention relates to a ceramic slab (1) for flat roof coverings, which is intended to be directly applied over the thermal insulating layer. The ceramic slab is essentially characterized in that it comprises a flat upper surface (2) which has a polygonal configuration and a lower surface (3) which comprises reinforcing ribs (4) and settlement parts or supports (5), said elements ensuring the load distribution over the roof covering and a separation from the insulating layer providing an air-lock for the purposes of ventilation and shadowing.