Honeycomb Corner Beams for Shear Resistance in Construction Blocks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing building block connections in retaining walls suffer from low resistance to horizontal stresses due to uneven support distribution and suboptimal notch positioning, leading to potential tilting and displacement of superimposed blocks.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a building block design featuring beams that cross the block from lower to upper faces, forming notches at cell corner zones, which serve as mechanical reinforcement elements, enhancing resistance to shear forces and distributing stress more evenly across the block's surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional notches are used for connecting superimposed blocks, then the connection structure is simple, but the resistance to horizontal thrust and shear forces is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional notches (1D linear features) to beams (3D volumetric elements) that extend through the block thickness. These beams create a three-dimensional interlocking mechanism between superimposed blocks, significantly increasing the surface area and volume of contact regions, thereby enhancing resistance to horizontal thrust and shear forces while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite structural elements where beams integrate multiple functions: structural reinforcement, connection formation, and stress distribution. The beams act as composite features combining the properties of load-bearing structural elements with connection-forming geometric features, achieving high strength-to-complexity ratio.
2Stability of the object's composition
If notches are positioned at traditional locations, then the connection is easy to manufacture, but the support distribution is uneven and positioning is inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning beams specifically at corner zones of cells where structural reinforcement is most needed. This localized placement optimizes stress distribution at critical points while maintaining ease of manufacture, as the beams follow the natural cell geometry rather than requiring complex custom positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system is segmented into multiple beams distributed at different corner zones rather than using a single large notch. This segmentation creates multiple discrete support points that collectively provide even stress distribution and precise positioning, while each individual beam remains simple to manufacture.
3Stress or pressure
If small notches are used for connection, then the block design is simple, but the support surface area is insufficient leading to uneven stress distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent increases the effective support surface area by transitioning from 1D notches to 3D beams that extend through the block thickness. This dimensional change creates volumetric contact regions that distribute stresses more uniformly across the connection interface, while the beams naturally follow cell corner geometries keeping the structure simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The beams serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide structural reinforcement at corner zones, create connection surfaces for superimposed blocks, and distribute stresses uniformly. This multi-functionality achieves improved stress distribution without proportionally increasing structural complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a construction block and a wall made up of at least two such superimposed blocks. The construction block (1) is characterized in that it comprises a beam (11) with at least one honeycomb corner area, the beam (11) passing through the block (1) from its lower face toward its upper face and extending, in a first direction of its cross-section, over part of a longitudinal wall (3, 6) and, in a second direction of its cross-section, over a part of a transverse wall (4, 12), the at least one notch (5) being formed by one end of the beam (11). Application in the construction field, in particular for a wall-type structure.