Reinforcing Equipment for Concrete Node Seismic Resistance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for reinforcing nodes of a not entirely confined type of reinforced concrete frames are invasive, costly, and disruptive to building occupants, as they require extensive external modifications and scaffolding, failing to effectively resist seismic stresses and leaving bars uncovered.

Innovation Solution

The equipment involves creating a prismatic recess in the node with a plate of similar shape and thickness, attached using screws, and covered with a concrete layer to enhance structural integrity and resistance to seismic forces, allowing for internal reinforcement without extensive external modifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If external reinforcement walls are added to resist seismic stresses, then structural reliability is improved, but device complexity and construction time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseismic resistanceVSAvoidconstruction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcement system is divided into modular components: steel bars inserted into drilled holes in the pillar, individual node plates welded to the bars, and separate concrete coating layers. This segmentation allows for simpler, more manageable installation compared to constructing entire external reinforcement walls, while still achieving the required seismic resistance through distributed reinforcement at critical nodes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcement structure uses a nested arrangement where steel bars are inserted into holes within the existing pillar, node plates are welded onto these bars, and then concrete coating is applied over the plates. This nested configuration integrates the reinforcement within the existing structure rather than adding external walls, reducing construction complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If scaffolding and formworks are used for external reinforcement, then structural reliability is improved, but loss of time and disruption to occupants increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural safetyVSAvoidconstruction duration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Holes are drilled into the pillar and steel bars are inserted beforehand, before the node plates are welded and concrete applied. This preliminary preparation of the reinforcement elements allows for more efficient construction sequencing, reducing the overall time required compared to building external walls with scaffolding and formworks, while ensuring structural safety through proper installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the essential reinforcement function from the complex external wall system, isolating the critical seismic resistance mechanism to drilled holes with inserted bars and node plates. This extraction eliminates the need for extensive scaffolding and formworks, significantly reducing construction time and disruption to occupants while maintaining the core structural safety function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Strength

If nodes are reinforced with additional structural systems, then strength is improved, but ease of manufacture decreases due to invasive procedures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenode strengthVSAvoidreinforcement ease
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of applying uniform external reinforcement to entire building walls, the invention applies reinforcement locally at critical nodes through drilled holes and welded plates. This localized approach achieves the necessary node strength enhancement while avoiding the complexity of extensive external wall modifications, making the reinforcement process easier to manufacture and install.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical system of external reinforcement walls requiring scaffolding and formworks with a simpler drilling, insertion, and welding process. This substitution of construction methods significantly improves ease of manufacture while achieving equivalent or superior node strength through direct reinforcement of the critical structural elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If concrete coating is applied over reinforcement plates, then protective function is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against corrosionVSAvoidplate positioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The node plates are designed with specific geometric parameters including rounded corners with radius R1 and straight edges with length L1, creating a standardized profile that facilitates accurate positioning. When concrete coating is applied over these precisely dimensioned plates, the protection against corrosion is enhanced while the manufacturing precision requirements are managed through the standardized plate design that allows for consistent placement and alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4321708A1Reinforcing equipment
Publication Date: 2024.02.14 BASILE DAVIDE
  • EP4321708A1 patent drawingFigure 1~9
  • EP4321708A1 patent drawingFigure 1bis
  • EP4321708A1 patent drawingFigure 2~4

AI summary

Equipment (1) for reinforcing a node (N) of a not entirely confined type of a reinforced concrete frame; the node (N) being arranged at the intersection of at least one beam (T1, T2, T3) and one pillar (P) reinforced longitudinally and being delimited externally by a first external face (FE) in which a substantially prismatic recess (R) is obtained delimited peripherally by a surface (S) that has a first perimeter (P1) having a given shape and at the bottom by a second internal face (FI); a plate (10) being peripherally delimited by a second perimeter (P2) having a geometrically similar shape to the first perimeter (P1) and having a given thickness; attachment means (20) being provided for connecting the plate (10) to the second face (FI) .