Double-Sealed Waterproofing Panel Connections for Irregular Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing waterproofing systems for hydraulic structures face challenges in maintaining sealing integrity on irregular surfaces, requiring time-consuming preparation and are prone to deformation due to settlement or seismic movements, leading to water leakage.
Innovation Solution
A double-sealed connection system using a central flexible connection band with elongated locking elements and modular compression plates connected by flexible hinges, ensuring adaptability and sealing on any surface type, including irregular surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If long rigid metal profiles are used for anchoring waterproofing panels, then the panels can be fastened to the hydraulic work surface, but the system cannot adapt to irregular surfaces and undergoes deformation due to settlement movements
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into multiple modular components: individual connection elements with teeth that can be independently positioned, a flexible intermediate layer that segments the force transmission, and separate sealing elements. This segmentation allows each component to adapt locally to surface irregularities while maintaining overall structural integrity during settlement movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system incorporates dynamic elements including the flexible intermediate layer that can deform elastically to accommodate surface variations, and the toothed connection elements that can adjust their engagement depth. This dynamic behavior allows the system to adapt to irregular surfaces and absorb deformation from settlement movements without losing waterproofing integrity.
2Ease of operation
If waterproofing zips are used to join panels, then installation is simplified and panels can bear hydraulic load, but the connection fails on irregular surfaces due to transversal strains in the zip
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible intermediate layer is introduced between the rigid toothed connection elements and the waterproofing panels. This intermediary layer absorbs the mismatch between the rigid zip structure and the irregular panel surfaces, preventing transversal strains that would compromise the sealing while maintaining the ease of operation benefits of zip-style connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses flexible sealing elements and thin film-like connection components that can conform to irregular surfaces. These flexible elements replace the rigid, continuous structure of traditional zips with adaptable, formable components that maintain sealing integrity while allowing easy installation.
3Ease of manufacture
If cement mortar support is applied to create a regular surface, then long rigid metal profiles can be laid properly, but the preparation process becomes time-consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is designed to self-adapt to the existing irregular surface through its modular, flexible components. The toothed elements can engage at varying depths and the flexible intermediate layer conforms to surface variations, eliminating the need for external surface preparation activities such as cement mortar application.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the engagement parameters of the connection elements to match the local surface conditions. The tooth depth, spacing, and orientation can be adjusted to accommodate irregularities, allowing proper installation without time-consuming surface regularization while maintaining structural effectiveness.
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 system provides reliable sealing on various surfaces, including irregular ones, and withstands deformation, maintaining waterproofing integrity despite structural movements, with faster installation times.
Implementation Method 1
a central flexible connection band between contiguous waterproofing panels, made of waterproofing and elastically flexible or deformable material
Implementation Method 2
an upper elongated locking element that can be superimposed on the bottom elongated locking element, and an intermediate sealing gasket, wherein the upper and bottom elongated locking elements and the sealing gaskets extend along the longitudinal edges of the central connection band
Data Source
AI summary
A system for the double-sealed connection of waterproofing panels for lining surfaces of hydraulic works, such as dams, canals, water basins and the like. The system includes a central connection band, made of elastically flexible material and resistant to stress and perforation, whose longitudinal edges are superimposed to the longitudinal edges of continuous waterproofing panels; the system further includes a bottom locking element, an upper locking element superimposable to the previous one, and at least an intermediate sealing gasket, which extend along longitudinal edges of the connection band superimposed to the longitudinal edges of contiguous waterproofing panels; the bottom locking element and the upper locking element include a plurality of axially aligned rectangular compression plates connected by flexible hinges to allow the locking elements to freely adapt against planar and/or irregular surfaces of the surface of the specific hydraulic work to be waterproofed.