Modular Drainage Unit with Interlocking Arches for Soil Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing underground water management systems face challenges in ease of assembly, flexibility in design, and support for tree root growth and water drainage, as they often hinder root expansion and water flow due to their unitary construction and compacted structures.
Innovation Solution
A modular unit with a polyhedral prism structure incorporating internal U-shaped support members arranged at angular offsets, allowing for interlocking panels and flexible assembly, which supports loads while allowing for unhindered water and root passage, and can be easily assembled from a minimal set of components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If unitary construction modules are used for underground water management, then structural strength and load-bearing capacity are improved, but ease of assembly and design flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The module is divided into multiple separable components including panels, internal support members, and connection elements that can be assembled together. This segmentation allows for easier handling and assembly while maintaining structural integrity through the interlocking connection system between components.
2Strength
If unitary construction modules are used for underground water management, then structural strength and load-bearing capacity are improved, but flexibility in design deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The modular construction with separable panels and support members enables different configurations and arrangements to be created, providing design flexibility while maintaining structural strength through standardized connection mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The standardized panels and connection elements can be used in various configurations to create different module types and arrangements, allowing the same basic components to serve multiple design purposes and applications.
3Strength
If compacted rock and soil mix is used to support pavements, then load-bearing capacity is improved, but tree root growth and water drainage deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The module creates different local environments within its structure - compacted zones for load-bearing support and uncompacted void spaces for root growth and water drainage. This local differentiation allows the same structure to simultaneously provide structural support and biological/water management functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The module nests multiple functional zones within its structure - uncompacted soil voids are nested within the overall module structure that provides external load-bearing support, allowing tree roots and water drainage pathways to exist within the protected and supported environment.
4Ease of operation
If modular units with internal support members are used, then ease of assembly is improved, but structural strength may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The internal support members are pre-formed with connection elements that align with the panels, allowing for straightforward assembly while ensuring proper structural positioning and load distribution before the module is placed into service.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal support members are integrated with the panel structure through connection elements, merging the support function with the structural framework to create a unified load-bearing system that is both easy to assemble and structurally strong.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a modular unit or module (20) for use in an underground water management system. The modular unit or module (20) comprises a prism structure being a polyhedron enclosing a pair of internal members (6, 6′). The internal members (6, 6′) comprise a first member (6) comprising a first arch (9), and a second member (6′) comprising a second arch (9′) located at an angle to and being arranged inverted with respect to the first arch (9). The invention also provides a modular system (100) for use in underground water management, the modular system (100) comprising a plurality of the modules or modular units (20, 20′).