Formwork Corner Connectors for Concrete Slab Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing floor slab formwork systems require complex and time-consuming milling of recesses for edge panel elements into bottom panel elements, making on-site assembly complicated and prone to errors, and often insufficient to hold the weight of poured concrete without additional support.
Innovation Solution
Screwing floor-side panel elements to edge-side panel elements using corner connector elements, which absorb pressure and maintain edge panel elements in position, allowing for flexible adjustment and reduced waste, with insulating material dowels and corner connector elements made of plastic or corrosion-resistant metal for enhanced durability and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If milling recesses for edge panel elements into bottom panel elements is performed to create form-fitting connections, then the connection strength between floor-side and edge-side panel elements is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into separate components: bottom panel elements, edge panel elements, and corner connector elements. Instead of milling recesses into the bottom panels, the corner connectors are separate pieces that attach to the edges of bottom panels and connect to edge panels, eliminating complex milling operations while maintaining connection strength.
Solution Approach 2:
Corner connector elements serve as intermediary components between bottom panel elements and edge panel elements. These connectors provide the form-fitting connection functionality without requiring complex milling of the main panel elements, simplifying manufacturing while ensuring adequate connection strength.
2Manufacturing precision
If milling recesses for edge panel elements is performed in advance, then the connection precision between panel elements is improved, but the production time and logistics complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The corner connector elements are pre-fabricated with integrated connection features, but the actual connection between bottom and edge panels is performed on-site through simple attachment operations. This eliminates the need for advance milling of large panel elements while maintaining precision through the pre-fabricated connector geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of milling unique recesses into each bottom panel element based on building plans, standardized corner connector elements are used that can be replicated and assembled in different configurations. This copying approach maintains connection precision while eliminating time-consuming custom milling operations.
3Ease of operation
If adhesive connection alone is used to join floor-side and edge-side panel elements, then the ease of assembly is improved, but the connection strength becomes insufficient to hold the weight of poured concrete
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system merges adhesive bonding with mechanical form-fitting connections through corner connectors. The corner connectors provide physical interlocking between bottom and edge panels, while adhesive is applied to enhance the bond. This combination maintains ease of assembly while providing sufficient connection strength to support poured concrete.
Data Source
AI summary
The base plate formwork (2) has bottom-sided and edge-sided panel elements (4,6) made of heat-insulating material, which are connected with each other. The bottom-sided panel elements are bolted with the edge-sided panel elements and the edge-sided panel elements forming the corners are bolted with each other through corner connection elements (8). The panel elements are made of extruded polystyrene. The corner connection element is made of plastic or corrosion-resistant metal.