Crack Inducer Core Plate for Concrete Wall Cracking Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods fail to effectively control cracking in vertically extending concrete structures such as walls, piers, and beams, which is crucial to prevent unsightly cracks and water intrusion.
Innovation Solution
A crack inducer arrangement featuring an elongated, rigid core plate and a resilient water-stop member, with cross-plates connected to the core, is used to induce controlled cracks in concrete. The core plate is designed to extend inwardly between the outer surfaces, and the water-stop member includes projections to prevent calcium effervescence from reaching the cracks, while the cross-plates help in anchoring the core to reinforcing bars.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cracking control methods are used, then surface cracks are prevented, but internal stress relief is inadequate and unsightly cracks still occur on exposed surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by installing a crack inducer plate assembly before concrete cracking occurs. The assembly includes a core plate positioned within the concrete volume and a water-stop member with overhanging projections that extend toward the surface. This pre-positioned structure guides crack propagation internally along the core plate while the water-stop member's projections intercept and redirect potential surface cracks, preventing unsightly cracking on exposed surfaces while maintaining structural integrity.
2Manufacturing precision
If a core plate is used to induce controlled cracks, then crack propagation is controlled within the volume, but calcium effervescence can still reach the cracks and compromise the water barrier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the water-stop member with overhanging projections as an intermediary element between the core plate and the concrete surface. The projections extend over the core plate and create a physical barrier that intercepts calcium effervescence (milkiness) as it rises through the concrete. This intermediary structure prevents calcium deposits from reaching the crack plane at the core plate, maintaining the water barrier's effectiveness while allowing controlled crack propagation along the core plate within the concrete volume.
3Manufacturing precision
If the core plate extends close to the surface, then crack control is effective, but the structure becomes vulnerable to water intrusion and calcium effervescence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent solves the contradiction by adding a dimensional element - the water-stop member with overhanging projections extends in a third dimension (toward the surface) from the core plate. This creates a protective overhang that shields the crack-prone area near the surface from water intrusion and calcium effervescence. The core plate maintains its position for effective crack control, while the water-stop member's projections provide the additional protective dimension without interfering with the crack induction mechanism.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution effectively controls the propagation of cracks within the concrete volume, ensuring that induced cracks do not reach the surface and preventing water intrusion, thereby addressing the challenge of unsightly cracks in vertically extending concrete structures.
Implementation Method 1
the water-stop member includes a solid portion extending beyond the plate portion and having a tapered edge spaced from the plate portion... the projections contributing to a clotting of calcium effervescence from the concrete volume near the water-stop member to avoid calcium effervescence from reaching a crack induced by the plate portion
Data Source
AI summary
A crack inducer controls propagation of cracks in set concrete containing reinforcing bars. The crack inducer has an elongated, rigid core that is relatively narrow in a direction that is parallel to outer surfaces of the concrete. The core has a core width in a first plane that intersects the outer surfaces of the volume, that is at least 20% of the concrete volume width so that a crack in the volume of concrete is induced to propagate from the core and along the first plane. A plurality of spaced cross-plates are connected to the core and a water-stop may be included around part of the core.