Concrete Curing Blanket With Perforated Vapor Barrier
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing concrete curing blankets do not effectively maintain hydration of concrete surfaces for extended periods, particularly on large or angled structures, due to limitations in water retention and evaporation prevention.
Innovation Solution
A concrete curing blanket comprising a laminated absorbent sheet with a wicking layer, super absorbent materials, and a tissue layer, bonded to a vapor barrier with perforations, designed to efficiently retain water and prevent evaporation, allowing for superior hydration and durability of concrete.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a conventional curing blanket with airlaid layer is used, then the blanket can provide basic vapor barrier function, but the water retention and evaporation prevention capabilities are insufficient for extended curing periods
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbent sheet is divided into three functional layers: a wicking layer for water distribution, a super absorbent polymer layer for water retention, and a tissue layer for vapor barrier function. This segmentation allows each layer to specialize in a specific water management function, collectively providing extended hydration maintenance without excessive evaporation loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines multiple materials with different properties: cellulose or synthetic fibers for wicking, super absorbent polymers for water storage, and polyethylene or similar materials for vapor barrier. This composite structure integrates the advantages of each material to achieve both water retention and evaporation prevention simultaneously.
2Loss of energy
If the vapor barrier is made completely impermeable, then evaporation prevention is maximized, but the blanket cannot be effectively soaked during installation or re-wetted during curing
Solution Approach 1:
The vapor barrier layer contains localized perforations distributed across its surface. These perforations create local openings that allow water penetration during soaking and re-wetting operations, while the majority of the vapor barrier remains impermeable to prevent evaporation. This local quality variation resolves the contradiction between evaporation prevention and ease of wetting.
3Duration of action of moving object
If a thick absorbent layer is used to increase water holding capacity, then hydration duration is extended, but the blanket becomes difficult to spread and apply over large concrete areas
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbent sheet is segmented into multiple thin layers rather than one thick layer. This segmentation reduces the overall thickness and improves flexibility and ease of spreading, while the combination of wicking layer, super absorbent polymer layer, and tissue layer maintains high water holding capacity through the cumulative effect of all layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite structure uses materials with different water management properties in a thin configuration. The super absorbent polymers provide high water holding capacity by weight, allowing the blanket to be thin and easy to spread while still achieving extended hydration duration through efficient water retention per unit volume.
4Ease of manufacture
If simple materials are used to reduce manufacturing cost, then the blanket is inexpensive to produce, but the wicking and water retention capabilities are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite of relatively simple and inexpensive materials: cellulose or common synthetic fibers for the wicking layer, commercially available super absorbent polymers for water retention, and standard polyethylene for the vapor barrier. The composite structure achieves superior overall performance through the synergistic combination of these materials rather than relying on a single expensive material.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the absorbent sheet into three layers with distinct functions, each layer can use simpler, more cost-effective materials optimized for its specific purpose. This segmentation allows the use of inexpensive materials individually while achieving reliable wicking and water retention performance through their combined action.
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
The solution provides enhanced water retention and hydration capabilities, ensuring increased strength and durability of concrete by maintaining optimal moisture levels for extended periods, even on large or vertically oriented structures, while being inexpensive and easy to use.
Implementation Method 1
an absorbent sheet that includes a wicking layer, a super absorbent material, and a tissue layer
Implementation Method 2
super absorbent material
Implementation Method 3
super absorbent material
Implementation Method 4
A vapor barrier is bonded to the tissue layer of the absorbent sheet to inhibit evaporation from the concrete curing blanket
Data Source
AI summary
A concrete curing blanket includes an absorbent sheet having a wicking layer, super absorbent materials, and a tissue layer, which are laminated together to form the absorbent sheet. The absorbent sheet is sized for being spread over a curing concrete slab. A vapor barrier is bonded to the tissue layer of the absorbent sheet to inhibit evaporation from the concrete curing blanket, and includes a plurality of perforations.