Elastic Anchoring of Plaster Layers via Helical Springs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ancient building ceilings with plaster layers are prone to cracking and detachment due to external vibrations and thermo-hygrometric changes, leading to safety issues and damage to decorations, and existing consolidating resin solutions often irreversibly damage frescoes and disrupt humidity balance.
Innovation Solution
An anchoring elastic system featuring helical tubular springs that anchor the plaster layer to the support structure, providing mechanical reinforcement and controlled humidity expulsion through strategically placed holes and fastening materials, while minimizing impact on frescoes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If consolidating liquid resin is poured onto the plaster layer to strengthen anchorage, then the resin penetrates the slits and impregnates the plaster and laths, but the resin may completely cross the plaster layer and accidentally impregnate the fresco, causing irreversible deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces intermediate laths that divide the original large slits into smaller sub-slits. This segmentation prevents the resin from forming continuous pathways through the plaster layer to the fresco, while still maintaining anchorage function through the distributed smaller openings.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate laths act as intermediary elements between the original laths and the plaster layer. They control and limit the penetration of resin, serving as a barrier that prevents direct contact between consolidating resin and the fresco while still allowing mechanical anchorage through the segmented slits.
2Reliability
If consolidating resin is applied to impregnate the plaster layer, then the resin forms a film that covers the plaster and laths, but this film reduces transpiration and dehumidification, causing progressive oxidation of the fresco and humidity barrier formation
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the slits with intermediate laths, the resin forms multiple small isolated pockets rather than continuous films. This segmentation maintains breathability and transpiration pathways while still providing consolidation, preventing humidity accumulation and oxidation.
3Reliability
If the resin application penetrates crumbled portions of ribs to form partial waterproofing, then the ribs are protected, but the humidity present in the ceiling concentrates in the laths, causing high size variation and greater erosion of the ribs
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate laths create segmented compartments that distribute humidity throughout the structure rather than concentrating it in specific areas. This prevents localized swelling and erosion of the original laths while still protecting the ribs through controlled resin penetration.
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 effectively prevents plaster detachment, allows for easy restoration, and promotes drying of the plaster layer, reducing the risk of further damage and maintaining the integrity of frescoes.
Implementation Method 1
comprised elastic organs, in particular helical tubular springs, which are designed to flexibly strengthen the anchorage
Implementation Method 2
promotes drying of the plaster layer
Implementation Method 3
controlled humidity expulsion through strategically placed holes
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
Anchoring elastic system (1) to strengthen the anchorage of a plaster layer (300) to a plaster-holding structure (200). The system (1) comprises a plurality of springs (3) (5), each of which is formed by a first portion (3a) (5a) and a second portion (3b) (5b), which extends projecting from said first portion (3a) (5a) along a longitudinal axis (A); a plurality of holes (4), which are formed at least partially on said top surface (300a) of the plaster layer (300) and extend along axes approximately parallel and spaced apart from one another; and wherein the second portion (3b) (5b) of each said spring (3) (5) is fitted in a respective hole (4) so that the respective first portion (3a) (5a) is arranged with its own base resting on the top surface (200b) of the support structure (200); the second portion (3b) (5b) of the spring (3) (5) is rigidly integral with the inner wall of the hole (4) by way of a fixing means (M) arranged in the hole 4 itself.