Folded Anchor Rail Joint Armor for Concrete Slab Load Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing edge protection systems for concrete flooring components are expensive, prone to incorrect installation, and fail to adequately prevent movement of one concrete panel relative to a neighboring panel, especially when subjected to materials handling equipment with small hard wheels carrying high loads.
Innovation Solution
A joint edge protection apparatus with anchorage parts and plates shaped to facilitate abutment and movement, featuring a fully bridged gap that prevents debris entry and supports load transfer, utilizing angled lacer bars and brackets for secure anchorage, and an intersection module with a cover plate for continuous joint lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing edge protection systems are used to protect concrete flooring component edges, then some protection is provided, but they are relatively expensive, may be over-engineered, may be subject to incorrect installation, and may not adequately prevent movement of one concrete panel relative to a neighbouring panel
Solution Approach 1:
The joint edge protection apparatus is divided into separate anchorage parts (first and second anchorage parts) that can be independently installed into each concrete component, with plates (first and second plates) that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows for simpler, more reliable installation while maintaining effective protection against panel movement.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using complex overhead or surface-mounted protection systems, the invention inverts the approach by embedding simple anchorage parts directly into the concrete components during pouring, with plates that abut at the joint. This inverted anchorage approach simplifies the overall system while improving reliability.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional joint systems are used without adequate load transfer mechanisms, then installation is simpler, but they fail to protect concrete edges from spelling caused by materials handling equipment with small hard wheels carrying high loads
Solution Approach 1:
The anchorage parts are designed with specific geometric parameters (angled configurations, surface areas) that optimize the transfer of high loads from materials handling equipment into the concrete components. The plates are shaped with specific abutment surfaces that distribute loads effectively, providing edge protection while maintaining installation simplicity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If gap between joint components is not properly managed, then movement accommodation is easier, but debris can enter the joint and cause damage
Solution Approach 1:
The abutment surfaces of the plates are shaped with curved or angled geometries that facilitate smooth abutment between the first and second plates as concrete components move relative to each other. This curved surface design accommodates movement while the overlapping configuration prevents debris from entering the joint gap.
Data Source
AI summary
An armoured joint for protecting an edge of a first component formed of settable material and an edge of a second component formed of settable material at a joint, wherein the apparatus includes a first anchorage part for anchoring within the first component and a second anchorage part for anchoring within the second component, a first plate coupled to the first anchorage part, a second plate coupled to the second anchorage part, the first plate defining a first abutment surface, the second plate defining a second abutment surface, wherein the first abutment surface and the second abutment surface are shaped to facilitate abutment of at least a portion of the second abutment surface against the first abutment surface, and wherein the second anchorage part is adapted to be movable relative to the first anchorage part from an abutting configuration in which at least a portion of the second abutment surface is in abutment with the first abutment surface to a spaced configuration in which the second abutment surface is spaced relative to the first abutment surface, wherein the first anchorage part includes an elongated angled anchorage lacer bar, the elongated angled anchorage lacer bar being supported by a series of spaced ribs and the rail being tilted out of the plane of the ribs.