Flexible Cable Reinforcement for Disaster-Resistant Cast Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for securing and reinforcing structures, such as buildings and safe rooms, are costly and labor-intensive, particularly when dealing with disaster-resistant construction, as they require temporary forms, concrete blocks, and labor-intensive installation of steel rebar, which are inadequate for resisting high upward and impact loads.
Innovation Solution
The use of flexible cable loops to secure and reinforce structures by embedding tubes in the concrete foundation and looping cables through the framework, providing superior resistance to catastrophic failure and distributing forces effectively across the structure, eliminating the need for conventional steel rebar and temporary forms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If steel rebar and temporary forms are used for reinforcing structures, then structural strength is improved, but construction cost and labor intensity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from rigid steel rebar to flexible cable, and changes the structural parameter from temporary forms to permanent concrete-embedded tubes. This allows the same reinforcing function to be achieved with simpler, less labor-intensive materials while maintaining or improving structural strength through the flexible cable's ability to distribute loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the temporary formwork requirement entirely from the construction process. By embedding the cable path tubes directly into the permanent concrete structure during initial construction, the need for separate temporary forms is eliminated, reducing both material cost and labor intensity.
2Strength
If conventional rigid rods are used for reinforcing concrete, then tensile strength is provided, but the system is vulnerable to catastrophic failure from impact loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the reinforcing element from rigid (steel rebar) to flexible (cable). This flexibility allows the cable to absorb and distribute impact forces dynamically, preventing the brittle catastrophic failure that occurs with rigid rods under sudden impact loads, while still providing the necessary tensile strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic behavior to the reinforcing system through the flexible cable. Unlike static rigid rods, the flexible cable can dynamically adjust its load distribution in response to impact forces, allowing the structure to better absorb and dissipate energy from sudden loads without catastrophic failure.
3Force
If J-bolts are used to connect wood frame walls to concrete foundation, then ordinary lateral forces are resisted, but upward disaster loads exceed the capacity of these bolts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional connection system where the flexible cable embedded in the concrete foundation serves multiple purposes: it provides lateral force resistance like traditional anchors, but also provides superior upward load capacity through its flexibility and distribution of forces along its length, rather than at a single bolt point.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible cable acts as an intermediary between the wood frame wall and the concrete foundation. Instead of relying on the limited capacity of J-bolts through the wood, the cable is embedded in the concrete and distributes forces across a larger area and volume of the foundation, significantly increasing both lateral and upward load capacity.
4Strength
If steel rebar is installed to secure structures to foundation, then connection strength is provided, but the installation process is labor-intensive and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by installing the cable path tubes into the concrete foundation during the initial concrete pouring process, before any cable installation is required. This preliminary placement of the cable pathway eliminates the need for later drilling, anchoring, and cable installation work, dramatically improving installation efficiency while maintaining connection strength.
Data Source
AI summary
The disaster-resistant structure secured to a body of cast material comprises at least one flexible cable to resist high loads, debris impact and other hazards that occur due to high winds, tornadoes, earthquakes, or other severe storms. The structure is secured to the body of cast material by at least one flexible cable passing through. At least one hollow tube imbedded into the body of cast material. The flexible cable is looped around the structure in a substantially vertical plane, passed through the tube, traveling inside the walls and ceiling. The ends of the flexible cable are connected using any conventional means for connecting cable ends. The structure is also secured by at least one other flexible cable that is looped around the room structure in a substantially horizontal plane located within the walls and secured using any conventional means for connecting cables.In the preferred embodiment, the walls are also secured together by at least one other flexible cable that is looped around the room in a substantially horizontal plane and secured to the structure's framing. The ends of the horizontally looped flexible cable are secured to the structure's framing such as the door framing with a connector, hook, or other means of securing the end of a cable to a framing member. The at least one horizontally looped flexible cable is located within the walls. The vertically looped and horizontally looped flexible cables form a network of cables around the structure, located within the walls of the structure. In the preferred embodiment, the network of flexible cables may be encased in a cast material placed into the wall cavities and above the ceiling panel.