Interlocking Foundation Panels for Even Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ground-covering support systems, such as interlocking panel bases, suffer from uneven load distribution, panel flexibility issues, and cumbersome installation processes, particularly when dealing with uneven surfaces and the need for manual labor.
Innovation Solution
A foundation panel system with resilient dovetail-type connections that allow flexible alignment and disconnection of panels, featuring male and female connection formations that enable even load distribution and easy installation, using a polymeric material with cells for improved structural strength and drainage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional interlocking panel bases with overlapping tabs are used, then panels can be connected to form a continuous floor base structure, but the interface between adjacent panels undergoes undesirable play or flex in use, reducing load communication and causing load concentrations
Solution Approach 1:
The panel connection system is segmented into distinct male and female connection formations with complementary geometries. The male formation includes a protruding element while the female formation includes a corresponding recess, creating discrete connection points that eliminate interfacial play while maintaining overall system flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection formations use asymmetric male-female geometry where the male protrusion fits into the female recess in a specific orientation. This asymmetric design prevents relative movement and flexing between panels while allowing for straightforward installation in the correct orientation.
2Ease of repair
If overlapping tab connection system is used, then panels can be joined together, but each panel can only be disconnected by moving it in lateral direction, requiring removal of surrounding panels to replace a damaged panel
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring lateral movement to disconnect panels, the system uses vertical insertion and extraction of the male-female connection formations. The male protrusion inserts vertically into the female recess during installation, and can be removed by vertical extraction, eliminating the need to disassemble surrounding panels.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system is designed so that the male formation can be extracted from the female formation independently, allowing a damaged panel to be removed and replaced without affecting the integrity or position of adjacent panels in the array.
3Stability of the object's composition
If panels are connected to form a single rigid sheet, then the system provides structural continuity, but the system becomes unwieldy to move and may cause localized stress concentrations on uneven surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system provides dynamic characteristics by allowing controlled movement and flexibility at the panel interfaces. The male-female connection formations can accommodate slight misalignments and surface irregularities while maintaining structural continuity, and the entire system can be easily disassembled and repositioned as needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A foundation system made up of panels for supporting a load bearing surface on underlying ground in use. Each foundation panel has a panel body having a peripheral edge, first and second opposing major surfaces spaced by a depth dimension of the panel body, and a plurality of internal walls upstanding in the depth dimension so as to define a plurality of cells within the panel. Each cell of the panel is open at one of the first and second major surface and closed at the other of the first and second major surfaces. Connection formations are provided at the peripheral edge of the panel body, where the connection formations comprise a neck portion and a head portion. The head portion is configured to engage with a corresponding connection formation of one or more adjacent panel in use to resist separation of the foundation panel from an adjacent panel in a direction within a plane of the first or second major surface. A support surface may be assembled using multiple foundation panels, each connected to an adjacent panel.