Concrete Floor Reinforcement Integration for Hopper Height Preservation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing concrete floor construction methods with collaborating trays and hoppers require significant reinforcement, which reduces available space and is poorly suited for renovation or transformation work in existing buildings, as they necessitate architectural constraints and reduce the usable height.
Innovation Solution
Integration of reinforcement means into the thickness of the concrete floor, using longitudinal crosspieces and headers that are part of a laminated structure, allowing for the creation of hoppers without obstructing the space beneath the floor, utilizing metal sheets and self-drilling screws for assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional reinforcement means (joists and beams) are used under the floor to create hoppers, then the hopper structure is supported, but the useful height under the floor is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement means are moved from the space underneath the floor (vertical dimension) to the thickness of the concrete floor itself (horizontal dimension). The longitudinal crosspieces and headers are integrated into the concrete slab, distributing reinforcement across the floor thickness rather than concentrating it below, thereby preserving useful height while maintaining structural support for hoppers.
2Strength
If walls are built around the hopper as support means, then the hopper is supported, but architectural constraints are imposed
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement is divided into discrete modular components (longitudinal crosspieces and headers) that can be independently positioned and configured within the concrete floor. This segmentation allows flexible arrangement to accommodate different hopper locations and building layouts without requiring continuous wall structures, thereby enhancing architectural adaptability while providing necessary support.
3Stability of the object's composition
If significant reinforcement means are used to create hoppers, then the hopper structure is stable, but the available space in the premises is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement means (longitudinal crosspieces and headers) are merged with the concrete floor structure itself, becoming an integral part of the slab rather than separate elements occupying additional space. This integration allows the reinforcement to provide hopper stability while occupying only the necessary thickness of the floor, maximizing the available space in the premises underneath.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~6
AI summary
The floor (1) has a concrete slab (10) and a case constituted of set of adjacent ribbed pantiles (4, 4`) adhered to the slab, where the floor is placed on two transversal end supports (2). The supports comprise a rectangular shaft (3) and a reinforcement unit (5) associated to the shaft. The reinforcement unit is integrated in the thickness of the floor and delimits a side of the shaft. The reinforcement unit has transversal joists (7) supported on longitudinal cross pieces (6). Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a kit for realizing a shaft in a concrete floor (2) a method for realizing a concrete floor.