Dome Formwork Crawl Space Structure With Integrated Reinforcement Beams

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional systems for constructing ventilated crawl spaces and elevated platforms face static issues due to inadequate coupling of upper floor slabs to bracing structures, unusual load conditions, and differential subsidences, necessitating complex and expensive on-site operations like chemical adhesive fixation of reinforcement bars.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing dome-shaped formwork elements connected via overlapping side edges with vertically arranged tubular elements, incorporating interconnection means to form a trellis-like structure, allowing for stable reinforcement with rebars and concrete casting to create a lattice structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If chemical adhesives are used to fix reinforcement bars to weak-mix concrete, then the static characteristics and reliability are improved, but the cost and complexity of on-site operations increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestatic characteristicsVSAvoidcomplexity of on-site operations
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The foundation is divided into modular blocks with integrated reinforcement channels. Each block contains pre-positioned reinforcement bars within molded channels, eliminating the need for complex on-site adhesive fixation operations while maintaining structural reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcement bars and channels are pre-positioned and pre-formed as integral parts of the foundation blocks during manufacturing. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex on-site operations to fix reinforcement bars to concrete using chemical adhesives.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional foundation blocks are used without integrated reinforcement channels, then the manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but the ability to provide stable reinforcement and resist differential subsidences is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidstable reinforcement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcement channels are merged with the foundation block structure itself, forming an integral composite element. This combination allows the foundation to provide stable reinforcement and resist differential subsidences while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular block construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The foundation blocks combine concrete with integrated reinforcement channels and pre-positioned reinforcement bars to create a composite structure that provides both structural integrity and stable reinforcement, eliminating the need for separate reinforcement fixation operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Device complexity

If the foundation structure does not include integrated reinforcement channels, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to couple upper floor slabs to bracing structures and resist horizontal forces is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidcoupling capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The foundation is segmented into modular blocks with integrated reinforcement channels that extend vertically to couple with upper floor slabs. This segmentation provides a systematic way to achieve strong coupling capability while keeping individual block complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcement channels extend in the vertical dimension from the foundation blocks upward through the floor slabs to bracing structures. This vertical dimensionality provides effective coupling and resistance to horizontal forces while maintaining relatively simple horizontal block geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP4675059A1System for forming ventilated crawl spaces or interspaces or elevated platforms composed by dome-shaped formwork elements supported on supporting tubes resting on a foundation or on a surface
Publication Date: 2026.01.07 DALIFORM GRP SRL
  • EP4675059A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4675059A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4675059A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system for forming ventilated crawl spaces or interspaces or elevated platforms (1) which comprise dome-shaped formwork elements (2) supported on supporting tubes (8); the ventilated crawl space or interspace or elevated platform (1) comprises first, second and third interconnection means (10, 27, 39), which communicate with the lower end of the supporting tubes (8), which are adapted to form a channeled receptacle (48), which rests on a foundation or surface (37), for reinforcements (49); the channeled receptacle (48) is adapted to receive a concrete casting to form a connecting beam between the supporting tubes (8).