Composite Construction Frame for Architectural Openings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current construction methods for architectural openings in buildings often result in poor insulation and air/water tightness due to oversized openings, requiring multiple craftsmen and resulting in increased costs and quality issues, with existing polymeric mounting frames being unsuitable for solid construction and cavity walls, and lacking design freedom.
Innovation Solution
A construction frame made from particulate reinforced polymeric material with upstanding and horizontally extending posts, providing high structural bearing properties, improved insulation, and easy installation, featuring through holes and connectors for anchoring, and a moisture/vapor barrier seal, allowing for precise definition of architectural openings and reducing the need for additional insulation tapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If timber frames are used to define architectural openings during construction, then the opening can be defined and window frames can be installed, but water and air tightness and insulation properties are poor requiring additional sealing tapes and flashings
Solution Approach 1:
The frame uses a composite structure combining a polymeric mounting frame with integrated insulation material (such as PU foam) and sealing elements. This composite approach provides simultaneous structural support, thermal insulation, and weather sealing in a single integrated component, eliminating the need for separate sealing tapes and flashings while maintaining water and air tightness.
2Reliability
If polymeric mounting frames are used to define architectural openings, then insulation and water tightness are improved, but the frames are subject to high forces from wind load and pressure differences reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The frame combines polymeric material with reinforcement elements (such as metal inserts or composite reinforcement) to create a hybrid structure that maintains the insulation and sealing benefits of polymeric materials while adding the structural strength needed to withstand wind loads and pressure differences.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame design applies different material properties to different regions: the portions requiring high strength (such as anchor points and load-bearing sections) use reinforced materials, while other portions maintain the insulating polymeric material. This localized differentiation optimizes both strength and insulation performance.
3Ease of operation
If oversized openings are made in the building carcass to fit window frames, then window installation is simplified, but the remaining opening requires filling with PU foam resulting in poor insulation properties
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting frame is installed during construction works before the building envelope is completed, defining the architectural opening with precise dimensions that match the intended window or door size. This preliminary action eliminates the need for oversized openings and subsequent filling with insulation foam, as the frame itself provides the precise fit required for optimal insulation performance.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple craftsmen are used for erecting walls with traditional methods, then various functions (masonry, carpentry, roofing) can be performed, but costs increase and time management becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting frame serves multiple functions simultaneously: it defines the architectural opening, provides structural support for windows and doors, ensures water and air tightness, and provides thermal insulation. This multi-functionality consolidates tasks that traditionally required multiple specialized craftsmen into a single integrated solution, improving construction efficiency and time management.
Data Source
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AI summary
A construction frame comprising elongated frame members defining a central aperture, each frame member having an L- or T-shaped cross section with a base wall having a surface facing the central aperture and an opposed surface from which a second wall protrudes, characterised in that said frame members are manufactured in a fibre reinforced polymeric material or metal and or a combination of metal and fibre reinforced polymeric material, at least one of said frame members having a maximum longitudinal deflection ratio of 1/250 and preferably 1/500 when a load of 1k N/m directed perpendicular on said frame member and parallel to the plane of the central aperture is applied thereon.