Facade Element Mounting Using Vertical Profile Slots
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for mounting facade elements on multi-storey buildings are inefficient, prone to damage, and weather-dependent, often requiring critical resources like tower cranes, which lead to increased costs and downtime due to the need for on-floor staging and complex installation processes.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses vertically aligned profiles with grooves to guide and support facade elements from the ground up, eliminating the need for on-floor staging and utilizing a tool to push elements into place without external crane assistance, allowing for simultaneous mounting of multiple elements across different horizontal positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If tower cranes are used to lift facade elements to the installation level, then facade elements can be transported to the working site, but waiting time for trucks and tower cranes generates waste time and substantial costs
Solution Approach 1:
Facade elements are pre-assembled on the ground level into complete columns before being lifted. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for sequential assembly during installation, allowing the entire column to be installed in one operation and eliminating waiting time for crane availability between individual element installations.
Solution Approach 2:
The facade is divided into modular column sections that can be pre-assembled on the ground and then lifted as complete units. This segmentation allows parallel preparation of multiple columns simultaneously, reducing overall installation time and minimizing crane waiting periods.
2Productivity
If facade elements are handled during mounting on the building, then installation can proceed, but facade elements may be damaged during handling
Solution Approach 1:
All assembly operations are completed on the ground level where elements can be handled safely and securely. The pre-assembled columns are then lifted as complete, stable units, eliminating the risk of damage that would occur if elements were being assembled and handled at height during installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground level serves as an intermediary workspace where facade elements can be assembled in a controlled environment with proper support and handling equipment. This intermediate preparation stage protects elements from damage that would occur during handling at installation height.
3Productivity
If facade elements are hoisted using tower cranes, then elements can be transported to the building, but there is a risk for elements to crash into earlier mounted elements or other parts of the building
Solution Approach 1:
Facade elements are pre-assembled into complete column units on the ground level. These pre-assembled columns have a compact, stable configuration that minimizes their footprint and reduces the risk of collision with the building or previously installed elements during the lifting operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of assembling elements sequentially from the inside outward during installation, the assembly process is inverted by completing all assembly operations on the ground before lifting. This reverses the traditional sequence and eliminates the space constraints and collision risks associated with assembly at height.
4Productivity
If facade elements are mounted in windy conditions, then installation can continue, but the process may lead to a standstill while awaiting calmer weather
Solution Approach 1:
All assembly operations are completed on the ground level where wind has minimal impact on stability and handling. The pre-assembled columns are then lifted as stable, complete units, allowing installation to proceed in windy conditions without the safety concerns that would require work stoppage.
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly process is moved to ground level where environmental conditions are more stable and controlled. This creates an equipotential working environment that is less susceptible to wind effects, allowing preparation to continue regardless of weather conditions at installation height.
5Ease of operation
If on-floor staging is used for facade element positioning, then elements can be staged on floors, but staged panels occupy space on each floor that must be left unobstructed by other trades
Solution Approach 1:
All positioning and assembly operations are completed on the ground level before lifting. The pre-assembled columns are then installed directly into their final positions, eliminating the need for intermediate staging areas on upper floors and freeing up valuable construction space for other trades.
Solution Approach 2:
The staging function is extracted from the upper floors and relocated to the ground level. By performing all preparation operations at ground level and lifting complete assemblies, the patent removes the need for floor-based staging infrastructure and the associated space occupation constraints.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for mounting facade elements (12,12b-c) on a multi-storey building by means of a profile system comprising a first type of vertical profile (1) having a first portion (2) which is arranged to be placed facing the building, a second portion (3), which is arranged to be placed facing away from the building and slots (4a-b) arranged between the first and second potion on each side of the vertical profile (1) and extending along the longitudinal axis of the profile; and a second type of vertical profile (14) arranged to support a first facade element (12c), and the second type of profile is provided with a groove (15) extending along the longitudinal axis of the profile and designed to receive and support an edge (13) of a second facade element (12). The method comprises: a) mounting two vertical profiles (1a-b) of the first type at a second floor of the building so that the slots (4a-b) are facing each other, and above profiles (1 c-d) of the first and second type previously mounted on a first floor, and so that the longitudinal axes of the profiles are aligned, b) transporting a facade element (12) in a vertical direction guided by the grooves of the second type of profiles mounted on the first floor until it reaches the vertical profiles mounted on the second floor, c) entering the facade element into the slots (4a-b) of the first type of vertical profiles mounted on the second floor, d) continuing transporting the facade element in the vertical direction guided by the slots (4a-b) of the first type of vertical profiles mounted on the second floor until it reaches a mounting position, e) moving the facade element to an inner part (5) of the slots (4a-b).and f) attaching the facade element to the building.