Floating Module Joint Design for Monolithic Structural Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing modular floating structures face structural weaknesses due to the limited thickness of concrete used in joints, leading to reduced mechanical strength and increased risk of fatigue and leakage.
Innovation Solution
A modular floating structure design where two floating modules are joined using a hollow with a thickness equal to the module walls, ensuring total mechanical continuity and filling with concrete to enhance structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a cavity is made in the thickness of the wall to join floating modules, then the modules can be joined together, but the thickness of concrete in the hollow is only a fraction of the wall thickness, causing structural weakness
Solution Approach 1:
The invention moves the joint cavity from a two-dimensional planar connection to a three-dimensional volumetric connection by extending the cavity along the longitudinal axis of the floating module. This longitudinal extension creates a hollow that spans the entire wall thickness, allowing concrete to be cast through the full thickness and achieve complete mechanical continuity between modules, thereby resolving the structural weakness issue while maintaining modular construction benefits
2Strength
If the hollow is filled with concrete to ensure cohesion, then the joint strength is improved, but the fabrication cost and infrastructure requirements increase for monolithic structures
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the floating structure into separate modular units, each with standardized wall thicknesses and cavity configurations. This segmentation allows the concrete hollow to be cast within each module independently during fabrication, using standard infrastructure, and then the modules are assembled together at the destination site. This approach maintains the strength benefits of concrete-filled joints while avoiding the need for complex monolithic fabrication infrastructure
3Strength
If the cavity extends through the entire wall thickness, then total mechanical continuity is achieved, but the complexity of the floating module design increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the wall thickness dimension universal by designing the cavity to extend through the entire wall thickness of all floating modules. This standardized approach allows the same cavity configuration to be used across all modules regardless of their specific dimensions or positions in the overall structure. The multi-functionality of this design is that it simultaneously achieves mechanical continuity, provides structural strength, and simplifies fabrication by using a consistent geometry throughout the modular structure
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a floating module (1) comprising a plurality of walls (2) extending between a first longitudinal end (4) and a second longitudinal end (6), the floating module (1) comprising a first partition (8) and a second partition (10) connecting each wall (2) of the plurality of walls, defining an internal volume (12) of the floating module (1), characterized in that the floating module (1) comprises at least one extension (14) emerging from an external face (16) of the wall (2), the extension (14) extending longitudinally in projection from the first longitudinal end (4) or from the second longitudinal end (6), the extension (14) and the wall (2) being materially integral. The invention also relates to a method for joining a first floating module (3) and a second floating module (5).