FRP Building Panels with Integrated Footer Anchoring
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for lightweight structural building panels that can replace concrete in construction, providing strength to bear compressive and lateral loads, while being impermeable to water and securely anchored to foundations to withstand severe wind conditions.
Innovation Solution
Fiber-reinforced polymeric (FRP) building panels with a layered structure comprising an outer and inner fiber-reinforced polymeric layer, polymeric foam, and studs, integrated with a footer system that includes spaced footer components and anchors to secure the foundation wall to the underlying concrete, enhancing strength and water resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional concrete is used for building walls and foundations, then strength and load-bearing capacity are achieved, but weight and construction cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite materials to replace traditional concrete. The FRP panels consist of polymer matrices reinforced with fibers, providing high strength-to-weight ratio. This composite material achieves the necessary load-bearing capacity while significantly reducing the weight compared to concrete walls.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters from dense concrete to lightweight FRP composites. By adjusting the fiber orientation, polymer matrix composition, and panel thickness, the panels are engineered to meet specific strength requirements while maintaining minimal weight. The draft angle parameter is also optimized to enhance structural performance.
2Reliability
If building panels are designed with complex anchored footer systems, then resistance to severe wind conditions improves, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the footer system directly with the FRP wall panels, creating a unified structure. The panels are designed with built-in anchoring features that connect to the footer, eliminating the need for separate, complex anchoring systems. This merging of components simplifies the overall structure while maintaining wind resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The footer system is pre-integrated into the panel design during manufacturing. Anchoring features are built into the panels before installation, allowing for straightforward assembly on-site. This preliminary preparation reduces construction complexity and ensures proper wind resistance without requiring complex field assembly procedures.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If building panels require complete impermeability to water at joints, then water resistance improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible sealing membranes or gaskets at the joints between FRP panels. These flexible seals can accommodate minor variations in panel dimensions and joint alignment, providing effective water protection without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances. The flexibility of the sealing film allows it to conform to slight irregularities in the joint geometry.
Data Source
AI summary
Light weight fiber-reinforced polymeric (FRP) structural building panels and panel assemblies, sized and configured for construction of wall structures. Fiber schedule and orientation in the panels provide enhanced properties of strength of a panel/wall per unit dimension relative to FRP layer thickness and/or mass of the panel/wall per unit dimension. Panel profiles as molded having draft angles, and molds to make such profiles, enhance panel fabrication.