Hexagonal Elastomer Load Plates for Concrete Slab Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional concrete pavement formation techniques face issues with short and flexible forms requiring excessive staking, field chamfering time, inadequate form height leading to concrete leakage, and misaligned dowels causing slab failure and uneven surfaces. Additionally, existing load transfer methods are labor-intensive and costly, with dowels only allowing movement along their longitudinal axis, leading to uneven wear and potential cracking.
Innovation Solution
The use of pre-slotted, stiff, infinitely long, pre-chamferred forms with partially coated load plates, specifically hexagonal plates with elastomer coatings, to ensure true height and alignment, reduce load concentration, and enhance movement between slabs, while minimizing material usage and promoting efficient load transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If short and flexible forms are used for concrete pavement formation, then the forms are easier to handle and position, but excessive staking is required and field chamfering time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The forms are pre-chamferred at the factory before delivery to the construction site. This preliminary action eliminates the need for field chamfering, reducing labor time and improving efficiency while maintaining the ease of handling short, flexible forms during installation
2Ease of manufacture
If forms of inadequate height are used, then the forms are easier to transport and install, but concrete leakage occurs at the bottom
Solution Approach 1:
Forms with true, adequate height are manufactured in advance at the factory. This ensures proper form height is maintained during installation, preventing concrete leakage at the bottom while keeping the forms easy to transport and install as complete units
3Adaptability or versatility
If misaligned dowels are used for load transfer between slabs, then the dowels allow slab movement, but slab failure and uneven surfaces occur
Solution Approach 1:
A hexagonal load plate with elastomer coatings is introduced as an intermediary between adjacent slabs. The load plate provides a stable, geometrically precise interface that ensures proper alignment and load distribution, preventing slab failure while maintaining necessary movement capability through the elastomer material properties
4Ease of operation
If conventional dowels are used for load transfer, then the dowels allow longitudinal movement, but load concentration causes uneven wear and cracking
Solution Approach 1:
The hexagonal shape of the load plate provides asymmetric geometry that distributes loads more effectively across multiple contact points with the slabs. This asymmetric design prevents stress concentration at single points, reducing wear and cracking while maintaining longitudinal movement capability through the elastomer coating
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
This approach reduces labor and material costs, minimizes concrete leakage, enhances slab alignment and movement, and improves load transfer efficiency, leading to a more durable and aesthetically pleasing pavement surface with reduced risk of cracking and uneven wear.
Implementation Method 1
hexagonal plates with elastomer coatings, to ensure true height and alignment, reduce load concentration, and enhance movement between slabs
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment configured according to principles of the invention includes a plate defining a hexagon having a base parallel with joint between concrete slabs. Another embodiment includes a hexagon-shaped plate having a first portion and a second portion, and a form having a slot configured to closely receive the second portion.