Foldable FRP Rebar Cage Connectors for Compact Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reinforcing concrete structures with rebar cages is time-consuming and costly due to the need for assembly at the site, and existing rebar cages are not collapsible or foldable for efficient transportation, leading to high space inefficiency and potential tie breakage during folding.
Innovation Solution
Pre-assembled rebar cages using fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) rebar with pivotable connectors that allow folding and unfolding, enabling efficient transportation and assembly at the construction site.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If rebar cages are made collapsible or foldable for transportation, then space requirements during transport are reduced, but the connectors must be strong enough to maintain structural integrity during folding and unfolding operations
Solution Approach 1:
The connectors are designed with pivotal connections that allow dynamic movement between folded and unfolded states. The pivotable connectors enable the rebar cage to transition between compact transportation configuration and expanded structural configuration while maintaining connectivity throughout the transformation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector design accommodates parameter changes in the rebar cage configuration. By using pivotable connections with appropriate hinge axes and radii of curvature, the system can adapt to different spatial arrangements (folded vs. unfolded) while maintaining structural integrity through controlled geometric transformation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If traditional twist ties or wires are used to hold rebar intersections together, then the rebar cage can be assembled, but the ties may break during folding due to steel rebar weight or limit movement to prevent full collapse
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable connectors provide dynamic stability, allowing the rebar cage to fold and unfold while maintaining intersection integrity. The pivotal connections are designed to permit controlled movement along specific axes while preventing separation of the rebar members during transportation and assembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivotable connectors serve as intermediary elements between the rebar members. These connectors act as mediators that transmit and distribute forces during folding and unfolding operations, preventing direct stress concentration that would cause tie breakage while enabling the necessary movement for collapse and expansion.
3Loss of time
If rebar cages are pre-assembled and shipped to project sites, then assembly time at the site is reduced, but the cost increases due to high open space within reinforcement systems
Solution Approach 1:
The rebar cage is designed as a segmented, collapsible structure that can be compacted into a small volume for transportation. The pivotal connectors enable the structure to be divided into compact sections during transport while allowing full assembly at the construction site, effectively separating transportation requirements from assembly requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic collapse capability allows the rebar cage to transition from an expanded assembly configuration to a compact transportation configuration. This dynamic transformation enables efficient use of transportation space while maintaining the ability to assemble the full structure at the project site, eliminating the need for large open spaces during shipping.
Data Source
AI summary
Method for connecting rebar intersections of a foldable FRP rebar cage to allow folding and unfolding of the cage to facilitate transportation one or more rebar cages.