Insulated Concrete Form Heat Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional concrete forms fail to retain the initial heat of hydration, leading to incomplete cement hydration and reduced strength due to environmental heat and moisture loss, which is environmentally detrimental and time-consuming, especially with high portland cement usage.

Innovation Solution

An insulated concrete form system that incorporates radiant heat reflective and insulating materials to retain heat within the concrete, allowing for faster and more complete hydration, potentially using reduced amounts of portland cement and incorporating recycled industrial waste materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional uninsulated forms are used for concrete curing, then the form structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but heat of hydration is lost to the environment resulting in incomplete cement hydration and reduced concrete strength

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconcrete strengthVSAvoidform structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The form structure combines plywood panels with integrated insulating material layers to create a composite form system that provides both structural support and thermal insulation, preventing heat loss while maintaining structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The form panels serve multiple functions: structural support, heat retention, and moisture protection, eliminating the need for separate insulation components and simplifying the overall form system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If conventional forms allow heat loss to environment, then the curing process takes longer and requires more portland cement, but using insulated forms increases form complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecuring speedVSAvoidform structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The insulating material is integrated directly into the form panel structure, merging the form and insulation into a single unified component that accelerates curing without requiring separate insulation installations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If high amounts of portland cement are used to compensate for heat loss, then concrete strength can be maintained, but environmental impact and CO2 emissions increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental impactVSAvoidconcrete strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The insulating form captures the naturally generated heat of hydration that would otherwise be lost, converting this thermal energy into a beneficial curing environment that reduces cement requirements and environmental impact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Reliability

If insulated forms are used to retain heat, then cement hydration is improved and strength increases, but the form structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydration completenessVSAvoidform structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The insulating form passively retains the heat generated by the cement hydration process itself, eliminating the need for external heating systems or complex active thermal control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Accelerates the hydration process, achieving stronger and more durable concrete with reduced portland cement usage, enhancing environmental sustainability and construction efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a layer of insulating material on the second primary surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

An insulated concrete form system that incorporates radiant heat reflective and insulating materials to retain heat within the concrete

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiant heat reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

The initial process of hydration is exothermic; it generates a considerable amount of energy called 'heat of hydration'

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectExothermic reaction: Exothermic Reaction

Data Source

PatentUS10385576B2Composite insulated plywood, insulated plywood concrete form and method of curing concrete using same

Publication Date: 2019.08.20 CIUPERCA ROMEO ILARIAN

AI summary

The invention comprises a concrete form. The concrete form comprises a first panel having a first primary surface for contacting plastic concrete and a second primary surface opposite the first surface; and a second panel having a first primary surface and a second primary surface opposite the first surface, the second panel being attached to the first panel so that the first primary surface of the second panel is adjacent the second primary surface of the first panel. The concrete form also comprises a layer of radiant heat reflective material and a layer of insulating material disposed between and covering the second primary surface of the first panel and first primary surface of the second panel. A method of using the concrete form is also disclosed.