Heat-Insulating Toothed Component for Concrete Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Load-bearing concrete components in building construction face issues with thermal expansion differences leading to shear forces and potential cracking at bonded joints, which affect both the appearance and structural integrity of buildings, and existing thermal insulation methods are insufficient in reducing heat conduction and managing these forces effectively.
Innovation Solution
A heat-insulating toothed component with trough elements made from elastomeric materials is introduced, which absorbs shear forces through elastic deformation and reduces heat conduction by distributing pressure forces along the composite joint, allowing for improved thermal separation and force transmission between concrete components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If continuous reinforcement is used to connect the floor slab to the load-bearing concrete element, then sufficient positive connection is achieved, but thermal bridges are created increasing energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The connection is divided into multiple discrete tooth elements distributed along the bond joint, replacing continuous reinforcement. Each tooth provides localized force transmission while the gaps between teeth create thermal breaks, eliminating the thermal bridge effect of continuous steel reinforcement.
Solution Approach 2:
The tooth elements act as intermediary structures between the concrete components, providing mechanical connection through shear force transfer while being made of thermally insulating materials that prevent heat conduction, thus mediating between structural connection requirements and thermal insulation needs.
2Loss of energy
If externally applied thermal insulation is used on the floor slab, then heat conduction is reduced, but the reduction is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal insulation approach is extended from the horizontal dimension (externally applied insulation on the floor slab surface) to the vertical dimension (integration of insulation within the bond joint connection itself). This internal placement of insulation at the critical heat transmission path between basement and floor slab provides more effective thermal separation.
3Strength
If a lightweight concrete thermal insulation element with projections is used, then force transmission is improved, but the high E-modulus material can lead to cracking in adjacent concrete components
Solution Approach 1:
The material parameter (E-modulus) is changed from high (lightweight concrete) to low (elastomeric material). This parameter change allows the tooth elements to deform elastically under load, absorbing stresses that would otherwise be transmitted to the adjacent concrete components and cause cracking, while still providing adequate force transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The tooth elements are made from elastomeric material that exhibits flexible, rubber-like behavior. This flexibility allows the teeth to deform and accommodate differential movement between concrete components without transmitting excessive stresses that would cause cracking, while maintaining effective mechanical connection.
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 solution effectively mitigates shear forces and thermal expansion issues, reducing the likelihood of cracking and enhancing the structural integrity while minimizing heat conduction between concrete components, thus improving both the aesthetic and structural aspects of buildings.
Implementation Method 1
The wall of the trough elements is formed from a first elastomer... these shear forces can be absorbed, at least partially or even completely, by deformation of the first elastomer and thus of the wall
Implementation Method 2
The base body is at least partially made of a heat-insulating material and therefore reduces heat conduction between the concrete components when the interlocking component is installed
Implementation Method 3
Shear forces arise from a temperature difference between the vertically oriented concrete element and the floor slab, and the associated differential thermal expansion of the adjacent concrete elements at the bond joint
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A thermally insulating interlocking component (1) is proposed for force transmission between two load-bearing concrete components, in particular a vertical building wall (15) and a floor slab (16) above or below, wherein the interlocking component (1) has a plurality of trough elements (5, 6, 7, 8, 9) to be laid individually or in composite groups between the concrete components, which are at least partially made of a thermally insulating material. The trough elements (5, 6, 7, 8, 9) each have a trough bottom (51, 61, 71, 81, 91), a trough opening (52, 62, 72, 82, 92) opposite the trough bottom (51, 61, 71, 81, 91) and a wall (53, 63, 73, 83, 93) extending laterally from the trough bottom (51, 61, 71, 81, 91) to the trough opening (52, 62, 72, 82, 92).The toothed component (1) also has a base body (2) that recesses the trough openings, with a first contact side (3) and a second contact side (4) opposite the first contact side (3), and the trough elements (5, 6, 7, 8, 9) form projecting projections opposite the first contact side (3). The wall (53, 63, 73, 83, 93) of the trough elements (5, 6, 7, 8, 9) is formed from a first elastomer, so that the trough elements act as elastomer bearings between the concrete components.