Disposable Formwork Spacer With Ventilation Pipes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing disposable formworks for constructing walls face issues with slow cement-based mortar setting and inadequate mechanical resistance, leading to prolonged construction times and suboptimal structural performance.
Innovation Solution
A spacer element for disposable formworks featuring pipes with lateral openings and through holes that allow air flow and liquid outflow, designed to couple panels and prevent heat bridges, enhancing ventilation and uniform setting of cement-based mortars.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional spacer elements are used in disposable formworks, then the formwork structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the mortar setting is slow and mechanical resistance is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer element incorporates pipes with multiple through-holes and lateral openings creating a porous structure that allows air and liquid flow. This porous configuration enables uniform mortar setting and improves mechanical resistance while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized pipe components
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it maintains panel spacing, provides ventilation through lateral openings, enables liquid drainage via through-holes, and creates uniform setting conditions for mortar. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by achieving enhanced performance without proportionally increasing complexity
2Loss of time
If traditional spacer elements without ventilation channels are used, then the formwork structure is simple, but the mortar setting time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer element incorporates pipes with through-holes and lateral openings that create pneumatic and hydraulic flow paths. Air can flow through the pipes to ventilate the mortar, and liquids can drain through the same pathways, significantly reducing setting time while using simple standardized pipe components
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe structure is segmented with multiple through-holes arranged along its length and lateral openings at specific positions. This segmentation creates multiple flow channels that distribute air and liquid flow uniformly throughout the formwork, accelerating mortar setting without requiring complex systems
3Productivity
If spacer elements with through holes and lateral openings are added to improve ventilation and drainage, then mortar setting is accelerated and mechanical resistance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer element is designed as a disposable component made from inexpensive materials like plastic pipes. The complexity introduced by adding ventilation and drainage features is justified by the single-use nature of the component, allowing optimized performance without concern for manufacturing complexity or cost reduction
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer element merges multiple functions into a single integrated component: panel spacing, air ventilation through lateral openings, liquid drainage through through-holes, and structural support. This merging achieves enhanced productivity while minimizing complexity by consolidating multiple separate systems into one unified element
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The spacer element significantly reduces mortar setting times and improves mechanical resistance by promoting uniform drying and setting through ventilation and liquid drainage, resulting in faster construction and enhanced structural performance.
Implementation Method 1
allow the flow of air from the outside of the formwork toward said inside part
Implementation Method 2
allow the outflow of liquids from said inside part toward the outside of the formwork
Implementation Method 3
promoting uniform drying and setting through ventilation and liquid drainage
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a spacer for a disposable formwork for the construction of a wall, with first and second panels. The spacer mutually couples the first and second panels at a certain distance one from the other. The spacer includes: a first connecting portion coupled, in use, with the first panel; a second connecting portion opposite the first and coupled, in use, with the second panel; and at least one pipe with at least one lateral opening communicating, in use, outside the formwork. In the pipe a through hole communicates, in use, with the formwork interior, allowing air passage from the outside towards the inside part and liquid outflow from inside towards the outside of the formwork. Also disclosed is a disposable formwork for the construction of a wall, including two panels and at least one such spacer, arranged between the two panels and coupling the two panels.