Waterproof Elevator Pit Floor Drainage Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elevator pits are prone to water seepage due to porous cement floors, leading to degradation and structural damage, with existing solutions like electric pumps failing during power outages and waterproof coatings ineffective against hydronic pressure.
Innovation Solution
A method involving trenching the elevator pit bottom to create a channel with a perforated conduit angled towards a drainage pit, covered with gravel and waterproof cement, to direct and prevent water accumulation, ensuring effective water removal and protection from hydronic pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If electric pumps are used to remove water from the elevator pit, then water removal capability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to susceptibility to power outages and failure
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage system is designed to function automatically using gravity and hydrostatic pressure without requiring external power sources. The perforated conduit embedded in the gravel layer allows water to flow passively from the cement floor through the drainage layer to the sump pit, eliminating dependence on electric pumps and ensuring continuous operation during power outages
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the electric pump-based mechanical water removal system with a passive gravity-driven drainage system. By substituting active mechanical pumping with passive gravitational flow through the perforated conduit and gravel layer, the system achieves both water removal capability and operational reliability without power requirements
2Object-affected harmful factors
If waterproof coating is applied to the elevator shaft walls and floor, then water entry prevention is improved, but effectiveness deteriorates under hydronic pressure from surrounding ground water
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of attempting to block water at the surface level with waterproof coatings, the invention extracts and removes water from beneath the cement floor through the perforated conduit system. By taking out the water source before it can exert pressure on the waterproof coating, the system maintains coating integrity and effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage system is installed beneath the cement floor during construction, performing the water removal function in advance before water accumulation can create problematic hydronic pressure. The gravel layer and perforated conduit are positioned to intercept water at its source, preventing pressure buildup that would compromise waterproof coatings
3Ease of manufacture
If cement floor is used for the elevator pit, then ease of construction is improved, but water resistance deteriorates due to porous nature allowing continuous seepage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention maintains the porous cement floor for ease of construction while introducing a localized drainage system with gravel and perforated conduit at the bottom layer. This creates different functional zones: the cement floor remains permeable for water infiltration, while the underlying gravel and conduit provide targeted water removal, combining construction simplicity with effective water management
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the porous nature of the cement floor as a feature rather than a defect. The porous cement allows water to infiltrate and reach the gravel drainage layer, where it is captured and removed through the perforated conduit. This transforms the cement's porosity from a water resistance weakness into a water collection advantage
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 effectively prevents water accumulation and degradation, maintaining the integrity and longevity of elevator systems and building structures by ensuring efficient water drainage and protection from hydronic pressure.
Implementation Method 1
a channel having a first end positioned at an area susceptible to water accumulation within the elevator pit and a second end terminating into a drainage pit
Implementation Method 2
protection from hydronic pressure
Data Source
AI summary
An elevator pit having a waterproof cement floor and method for installing the same. The elevator pit includes a jack casing and a drainage pit installed within the elevator pit. A trench is formed in exposed ground surface and defines a channel having a first end positioned at an area that is susceptible to water accumulation within the elevator pit and a second end terminating at the drainage pit. A perforated conduit extends within the channel with an end terminating at the drainage pit. A layer of gravel is disposed over the exposed ground surface and trench at a predetermined height to cover the perforated conduit. A layer of waterproof cement is provided over the ground surface at a predetermined height to cover the gravel, channel and perforated conduit to form the waterproof cement floor which extends across an entire periphery of the elevator pit.