Fiber-Reinforced Retention Composition for Moving Hardscape Edges

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Solution Overview

Problem

Outdoor hardscape structures like paver patios and walkways are prone to damage and structural failure due to ground shifting, settling, and heaving caused by inclement weather and temperature fluctuations, leading to issues such as paver separation and sub-base degradation.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising cement, sand, gravel, silica fume, and fiber, mixed with water, is applied to create a retention structure that abuts to hardscape surfaces without adhering, providing a flexible and durable edging solution that resists water penetration and ground fluctuations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional adhesive mortars are used to secure hardscape edges, then the hardscape appears stable and fixed, but the structure becomes vulnerable to ground shifting and cannot accommodate natural ground fluctuations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidflexibility to ground movement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The composition is designed to be flexible rather than rigid, allowing it to dynamically adapt to ground shifting and heaving. The fiber-reinforced concrete mixture can bend and move with the ground while maintaining structural integrity, resolving the contradiction between stability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the retention structure by using a flexible concrete composition with specific fiber content and mix ratios. This transforms the material from a rigid, brittle state to a flexible, ductile state that can accommodate ground movement while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If rigid concrete edging is used to prevent moisture ingress, then water penetration is blocked, but the structure cracks and fails under ground heave and freezing conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture resistanceVSAvoiddurability under thermal and mechanical stress

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the principle of flexible structures by incorporating fibers into the concrete mixture, creating a flexible shell-like retention structure that can bend without cracking. This flexible structure maintains moisture resistance while accommodating ground movement and thermal expansion, preventing the cracking that would otherwise occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The fiber reinforcement acts as beforehand cushioning, providing internal flexibility and crack prevention capabilities before ground heave or freezing occurs. The fibers create a network that absorbs and distributes stress, preventing catastrophic failure when environmental stresses occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Productivity

If plastic or metal edging materials are used to retain pavers, then installation is simple and quick, but the structures fail quickly due to brittleness and inability to withstand ground movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation speedVSAvoidservice life

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials by combining cement, sand, gravel, and fibers to create a fiber-reinforced concrete mixture. This composite material maintains the ease of application of traditional mortars while dramatically improving durability and flexibility, allowing it to withstand ground movement and last significantly longer than plastic or metal alternatives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Reliability

If adhesive mortars are used to secure hardscape, then the hardscape appears firmly fixed, but removal and repair become difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefirmness of attachmentVSAvoidremoval difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional approach by using a flexible, non-adhesive composition that abuts the hardscape rather than bonding to it. This provides firm retention through friction and flexibility while allowing easy removal and repair, resolving the contradiction between firm attachment and ease of repair.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS12410098B1Composition and structures created therewith

Publication Date: 2025.09.09 PERMA EDGE IND LLC

AI summary

According to aspects of the present disclosure, a composition is disclosed, which can be utilized to construct a retention structure, e.g., for use with hardscape such as pavers, tile, stone, and other building materials. The composition is a mixture of a cement component (e.g., Portland cement), a sand component, a gravel component, a silica fume component, and fiber component, the above components mixed in varying ratios. When the cement component, sand component, gravel component, silica fume component, and fiber component are mixed in an effective amount, combined with a water component, and applied against a hardscape, the composition, once cured, defines a retention structure that abuts to, but is not adhered to the hardscape.