Composite Floor Connecting Elements Play-Free Reinforcement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing composite floors face insufficient strength and rigidity due to inadequate connection between the wood and concrete layers, leading to poor absorption of compressive loads and increased deflection under load.
Innovation Solution
The reinforcement elements are directly connected to the connecting elements without play, and a connecting element is inserted into a groove between adjacent wooden elements, allowing for the transmission of shear forces through both connecting and reinforcement elements, treating the composite deck as a homogeneous beam with minimal deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If connecting elements are used to connect wooden elements to concrete layer, then the composite floor can be assembled, but the connection is insufficient leading to poor strength and rigidity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite connection system combining connecting elements (metal or wood) with reinforcement elements (steel rebar) to create a hybrid connection mechanism. The connecting elements provide initial mechanical attachment while the reinforcement elements embedded in concrete provide continuous tensile and shear resistance, creating a composite fastening system that leverages the advantages of both discrete and distributed connection methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting elements are installed on the wooden elements before the concrete layer is poured. This preliminary action ensures proper positioning and alignment of the connection system, allowing the reinforcement elements to be subsequently placed and embedded in the concrete with precise spatial relationships, ensuring optimal force transmission paths are established before the concrete hardens.
2Ease of manufacture
If wood layer is used as permanent formwork, then production is simplified, but the wood cannot adequately absorb compressive loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite floor system combining wood and concrete layers with mechanical connections. The wood layer serves its dual function as permanent formwork and structural tensile element, while the concrete layer provides compressive strength. The connecting elements and reinforcement elements create a composite action that allows each material to perform optimally within its strength characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting elements act as intermediaries between the wood layer and concrete layer, transferring forces and creating mechanical interlock. These intermediaries enable the two dissimilar materials to work together as a unified structural system, allowing the wood to remain in tension while the concrete carries compression, with efficient force transfer at the interface.
3Ease of operation
If indirect connection via concrete layer is used, then relative movement can occur, but significant shearing forces are not transmitted leading to reduced strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two connection mechanisms into a unified system: the connecting elements provide point-to-point mechanical attachment while the reinforcement elements provide continuous distributed connection through the concrete. This merging creates a hybrid connection system that maintains the ability to accommodate minimal deformation while ensuring significant shear force transmission through both discrete and continuous connection paths.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for producing composite floors, in which timber elements (1) are placed directly next to one another on supports and connected to one another, and a composite floor is produced by applying a concrete layer (4). A low flexure is achieved according to the invention in that the connecting elements (2) are fastened to the timber elements (1) and then reinforcing elements (3) are placed on the connecting elements (3), wherein the reinforcing elements (2) are connected to the connecting elements (2) in a play-free manner.