Lightweight Concrete Beam With Embedded Truss And Plastic Shell
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing building beams with concrete heels are excessively heavy, making them difficult to handle manually, and alternative lightweight solutions, such as wooden or foam heels, compromise on stability, fire resistance, and manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A beam design featuring a lightweight concrete heel encased in a polypropylene or PVC shell, with a metal lattice structure that is welded and partially embedded in the heel, allowing for secure attachment and improved longevity, and a plastic sole and cover that facilitate easy trellis suspension and concrete pouring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a concrete heel is used in the beam, then the beam achieves satisfactory mechanical characteristics and stability, but the weight becomes excessive (14-15 kg per meter), making manual handling difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines lightweight concrete (with density 800-1200 kg/m³) and plastic materials (polypropylene or PVC shell) to create a composite beam structure. This composite approach maintains the mechanical strength and stability of concrete while significantly reducing the overall weight to 7-8 kg per meter, enabling manual handling without compromising structural integrity.
2Weight of moving object
If wood is used for the heel to reduce weight, then the beam becomes lighter and easier to handle, but the wood is putrescible and sensitive to termites, compromising longevity and stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the density parameter of the concrete material by using lightweight concrete with density 800-1200 kg/m³ instead of traditional concrete. This parameter change reduces weight while maintaining the non-putrescible and termite-resistant properties of concrete, thereby preserving reliability and longevity.
3Weight of moving object
If foam material is used for the heel to reduce weight, then the beam becomes lighter, but fire resistance is compromised, requiring additional protective ceiling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using lightweight concrete specifically in the heel portion where weight reduction is needed, while maintaining the plastic shell covering that provides fire protection. This localized material selection achieves weight reduction without compromising fire resistance, eliminating the need for additional protective ceiling.
4Weight of moving object
If lightweight concrete is used for the heel, then the beam weight is reduced, but the concrete degrades over time, causing degradation of the trellis and whole beam
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by encasing the lightweight concrete heel in a protective plastic shell made of polypropylene or PVC. This shell acts as a protective barrier that prevents external aggressions from reaching the lightweight concrete, thereby preventing degradation of the concrete and the embedded trellis over time, ensuring long-term durability.
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 achieves a lightweight beam that is easier to handle manually, maintains stability and fire resistance, and reduces manufacturing costs by using lightweight concrete and plastic components, ensuring durability and efficient construction.
Implementation Method 1
a shell of polypropylene or polychloride of vinyl, this shell covering and adhering to at least one of the sides of the heel
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The beam (1) has a heel and a trellis (2) extended along a longitudinal direction (AL), where the trellis is formed of rectilinear upper and lower steel bars (4, 6, 7) that are connected together by U or V-shaped welded steel bars. A plastic shell covers a surface other than an upper surface of the heel and is adhered to the surface, where the shell is constituted of a case (18) that is provided with lateral openings (51, 52) and is fitted on a trough/rail shaped plastic sole plate (3). The heel is casted with a lightweight concrete e.g. aggregate based concrete.