Modular Anchoring Section for Foundation Force Transfer

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current foundation structures for large civil works like bridges and wind turbines require extensive on-site design and construction, leading to high costs due to the lack of standardized solutions, especially for smaller structures like wind turbine towers and bridges.

Innovation Solution

A standardized anchoring section comprising an inner and outer shell with side members that connect to form a strong box structure, allowing for the assembly of multiple sections to create a cohesive foundation, facilitating force transfer and enabling easy connection and tensioning of cables, with features like extended side members and apertures for reinforcement and access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional in-situ foundation structures are designed and constructed for each specific structure, then the foundation can be optimized for that particular application, but the design and construction costs increase substantially and standardized solutions cannot be used

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefoundation design optimizationVSAvoiddesign and construction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The foundation is divided into modular anchoring sections that can be manufactured separately and assembled on-site. Each section includes an inner shell, outer shell, and side members that connect to form a standardized box structure, allowing the foundation to be configured for different applications by varying the number and arrangement of sections rather than redesigning the entire foundation for each structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The standardized anchoring section design serves multiple functions and applications through its modular nature. The same basic section configuration can be used for wind turbine towers, bridges, and other civil works by adjusting the number of sections and their arrangement, eliminating the need for custom-designed foundations for each specific structure while maintaining optimization for the particular application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If standardized anchoring sections are used, then construction costs decrease and standardized solutions can be applied, but the ability to optimize for specific structural requirements is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestandardization levelVSAvoidstructural optimization capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The foundation is segmented into standardized anchoring sections that can be manufactured off-site and assembled on-site. The modular design allows the same standardized section to be used across different applications, with the specific structural requirements being met by varying the number of sections, their arrangement, and configuration rather than requiring custom-designed foundations for each structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular anchoring section design provides flexibility in configuration and arrangement to adapt to different structural requirements. The standardized sections can be dynamically arranged in various patterns and numbers to optimize for specific applications such as wind turbines or bridges, maintaining both standardization and optimization capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If extensive on-site design and construction work is performed, then the foundation can be tailored to specific requirements, but the construction time and labor requirements increase substantially

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecustomization capabilityVSAvoidconstruction time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The anchoring sections are designed and manufactured in advance as standardized modular components. This preliminary action allows for quality control and optimization during manufacturing rather than on-site construction, while the standardized design enables rapid assembly on-site. The sections are prepared with connection means and configured to meet specific requirements before delivery to the construction site, significantly reducing on-site design and construction time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

By segmenting the foundation into standardized anchoring sections that can be manufactured separately and assembled on-site, the construction process is divided into manufacturing phase and assembly phase. This segmentation allows extensive design optimization and quality control to occur during manufacturing while on-site assembly remains rapid and straightforward, reducing overall construction time compared to traditional in-situ construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Strength

If traditional concrete foundations are used, then the foundation provides stable force transfer, but the connection and cable tensioning process becomes complex and difficult to access for maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce transfer capabilityVSAvoidcable access and tensioning
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The foundation is segmented into modular anchoring sections with integrated cable management features. Each section includes apertures and connection means that facilitate cable installation and tensioning. The modular design allows cables to be accessed and tensioned at the section level rather than requiring access to deep concrete foundations, making maintenance and adjustment easier while maintaining stable force transfer through the standardized box structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The anchoring section acts as an intermediary structure between the ground and the cables or structural elements. It provides a standardized interface with connection means and apertures that simplify cable tensioning and maintenance. The side members and connection means serve as intermediary elements that facilitate the connection process and allow for easy access during maintenance, eliminating the need to drill into or access deep concrete foundations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3401445B1Anchoring section for a foundation structure
Publication Date: 2020.08.19 VINDWIND APS
  • EP3401445B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3401445B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP3401445B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

An anchoring section for a foundation, which anchoring section comprises an inner shell and an outer shell arranged substantially parallel at a mutual distance, each shell having longitudinal side edges and in use upper and lower edges, and first and second side members, said side members having longitudinal side edges and in use upper and lower edges, where said side members are connected to said longitudinal side edges of the inner and outer shells, such that the inner and outer shells and the first and second side members delimits a volume, and where an anchoring member is provided in said volume between the inner and outer shells and first and second side members, and where the side members comprises means for connecting to a similar anchoring section.