Concrete Joint Apparatus with Indented Divider Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Forming joints in concrete floors on upper floors of buildings poses challenges due to the need for frequent interruptions in pouring concrete and the occurrence of cracks, as existing methods require timber partitions and do not effectively manage contraction and expansion issues.
Innovation Solution
A leave-in-place apparatus with an adjustable elongate divider plate and top component, made of metal, which allows for continuous pouring without timber partitions and incorporates features like folds, flanges, and apertures to securely embed into the concrete, ensuring a tied joint that locks the floor together while accommodating different floor heights and surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If timber partitions are used to stop concrete during pouring, then the concrete can be stopped part way along the floor, but the timber must be removed the next day and the process is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces reusable timber partitions with a disposable plastic sheet system. The plastic sheet is laid over the concrete to stop pouring, then removed and discarded after the concrete sets. This eliminates the need to store, maintain, and reuse timber partitions, allowing continuous pouring operations without time loss for partition removal and replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameter from wood to plastic, which fundamentally alters the lifecycle and reusability characteristics. Plastic sheets can be easily laid down and removed without the structural constraints of timber, enabling faster setup and teardown for continuous pouring operations.
2Strength
If concrete is poured on upper deck surfaces with corrugated steel sheets or precast concrete sheets, then the concrete grips the entire surface, but this causes very small cracks throughout the floor rather than controlled joints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the plastic sheet from the concrete surface after pouring, creating a deliberate separation plane. This removal action prevents the concrete from gripping the entire upper deck surface, allowing controlled joint formation instead of distributed micro-cracks throughout the floor structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The plastic sheet acts as an intermediary layer between the concrete and the upper deck surface. During pouring, it prevents concrete adhesion to the corrugated steel or precast concrete sheets. After removal, it leaves a clean separation that facilitates controlled joint formation without the harmful effect of widespread cracking.
3Productivity
If the plastic sheet is removed after concrete sets, then the concrete can be poured continuously, but the sheet must be handled and disposed of
Solution Approach 1:
The plastic sheet is designed as a disposable, low-cost item that is easily handled and discarded. Its simplicity in design and material makes it far easier to manage than reusable timber partitions, which require storage, maintenance, and complex handling procedures. The disposable nature eliminates long-term management complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of plastic material provides a composite solution that combines flexibility for easy handling with sufficient strength to stop concrete during pouring. The material properties of plastic sheets allow for simple manipulation and disposal while maintaining their function as effective pouring stops.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus (1) for forming a joint in a concrete floor on an upper floor of a building, the apparatus comprising: an elongate divider plate (2) for dividing first and second volumes of concrete in use on first and second sides of the apparatus (1); and an elongate top section (3A, 3B or 3C) co-operable with the divider plate (2) to extend a height of the divider plate (2) in use; wherein the divider plate (2) has a bottom region which comprises one or more indentations for engaging an undulating surface.