Composite Wall Tie With Discontinuous Helical Ribs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional metal casting form ties used in composite wall structures conduct thermal energy, reducing the insulating properties of the walls, and existing solutions for thermally insulating ties are either costly or compromise structural strength.
Innovation Solution
The development of ties with an elongate shaft featuring a penetrating segment, an impact segment, and a mesial segment, including discontinuous helical ribs that allow for both axial pushing and screwing, enabling secure connection of concrete layers while minimizing interference with insulating materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal casting form ties are used to structurally bridge concrete layers, then structural strength is improved, but thermal insulation is worsened due to thermal conduction through the metal ties
Solution Approach 1:
The tie combines a metal shaft (for structural strength) with a thermally insulating coating layer (for thermal insulation). This composite structure allows the tie to simultaneously provide mechanical connection between concrete layers while minimizing thermal conduction through the insulating coating.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating coating is applied selectively to the portions of the metal shaft that contact or approach the insulating material between concrete layers. This localized insulation strategy targets the specific areas where thermal bridging occurs, reducing overall thermal energy loss while maintaining structural integrity.
2Loss of energy
If insulating material is used between concrete layers, then thermal insulation is improved, but structural stability is worsened due to potential collapse or separation of concrete layers
Solution Approach 1:
The tie uses a composite structure with a metal shaft embedded in both concrete layers and an insulating coating on the portion contacting the insulating material. This ensures structural stability through the strong metal connection while maintaining thermal insulation through the coating.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating coating acts as an intermediary between the metal shaft and the insulating material, allowing the metal to provide structural connection while the coating prevents direct thermal contact between the metal and insulating material, thus reducing thermal bridging.
3Ease of operation
If conventional metal ties are used, then ease of installation is improved, but thermal insulation performance is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The tie combines a metal shaft (for structural strength and ease of installation) with a thermally insulating coating layer. The metal shaft can be easily installed using conventional tying methods while the coating reduces thermal conduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating coating is applied selectively to specific portions of the metal shaft, particularly those areas that would otherwise create thermal bridges with the insulating material. This localized approach maintains ease of installation while improving thermal performance.
Data Source
AI summary
Ties, and related methods, for use in making insulating composite wall structures including first and second structural layers comprising a hardenable material and an insulating layer having a high thermal resistance disposed between the structural layers. The tie includes features that allow it to readily be either axially pushed through the insulating layer (e.g., by hand), or screwed through the insulating layer, (e.g., using a powered tool such as a drill). Thus, a tie of a single configuration is provided which is suitable for both methods of installation. The tie may include discontinuous helical ribs including limited prominence so as to not interfere with the ability to axially push the tie into the insulating layer by hand, yet, the ribs are prominent enough to catch the insulating layer as the tie is drilled in, helping it to “screw” into the insulating layer.