Deformable Body for Stress Measurement in Agglomerate Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring stresses in agglomerate structures, such as cementitious mixes, face challenges due to the viscoelastic nature of these materials, which leads to non-constant deformations and stress states, making it difficult to accurately measure stresses without interfering with the structure and causing potential safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that incorporates a deformable body with resilient behavior, capable of measuring three deformation orientations, which cancels out viscoelastic contributions and provides an undisturbed zone for accurate stress measurement, using materials with stable properties like stainless steel or ceramic, and includes deformation sensors to calculate stress proportional to these measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If deformation meters are used to measure deformations on the outer surface of agglomerate structures, then measurement capability is provided, but measurement precision deteriorates due to viscoelastic nature of the material causing non-constant deformations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a deformable body as an intermediary element between the agglomerate structure and the deformation meters. This deformable body has resilient behavior that is independent of the viscoelastic agglomerate material, allowing it to filter out viscoelastic effects and provide a stable reference for measurement. The deformation meters measure deformations of this deformable body rather than the agglomerate directly, eliminating the measurement precision problems caused by material viscoelasticity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the direct mechanical measurement system with a two-stage system involving the deformable body as a mediator. Instead of measuring deformations of the agglomerate structure directly (which are affected by viscoelasticity), the system measures deformations of the deformable body that has resilient, non-viscoelastic behavior, substituting the problematic mechanical measurement approach with a cleaner, more accurate system.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If dedicated detection systems are used for monitoring agglomerate structures, then specific measurement capability is provided, but device complexity increases due to need to account for viscoelastic behavior
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable body serves as a simplifying intermediary that eliminates the need for complex viscoelastic correction models and calculations. By measuring the deformable body's resilient deformations rather than the agglomerate's viscoelastic deformations, the system avoids the complexity of accounting for time-dependent material behavior, reducing detection system complexity while maintaining specific measurement capability.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If extensometers are glued to tetrahedral support structure, then deformation measurement is provided, but measurement precision deteriorates because measured deformations are affected by material viscosity
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable body acts as an intermediary that separates the measurement function from the viscoelastic material. The extensometers measure deformations of the deformable body (which has resilient, non-viscous behavior) rather than the agglomerate material (which has viscous, viscoelastic behavior). This eliminates the contamination of measurement data by material viscosity, improving precision while maintaining the ability to detect deformations.
4Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If flat jacks are inserted into cementitious structures, then stress measurement is provided, but reliability deteriorates due to need for demolition interventions and temporary insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable body is installed in advance within the agglomerate structure before the structure is completed or before stress measurement is needed. This preliminary installation allows the measurement system to be permanently integrated into the structure, eliminating the need for subsequent demolition interventions and ensuring long-term reliability of stress measurements without temporary or intrusive measurements.
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
Enables precise and reliable measurement of stresses within agglomerate structures, minimizing interference with the stress field and viscoelastic phenomena, allowing for long-term monitoring of safety conditions and detection of potentially dangerous variations.
Implementation Method 1
a deformable body (10) having resilient behaviour
Implementation Method 2
measuring three deformations (E1, E2, E3) oriented relative to one another
Data Source
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AI summary
Method and investigation device associated therewith, for measuring stresses in an agglomerate structure including a binder and a bonded substance, comprising the steps of providing, at one or more points on said structure, at least one investigation device (1) able to measure at least three deformations of said investigation device that are oriented relative to one another on three axes, detecting the corresponding at least three deformation measurements (El, E2, E3), and calculating a stress (SYY) that is proportional to a combination of said at least three deformation measurements (El, E2, E3) at the corresponding point.