Modular Elevator Shafts with Serrated Edges for Rapid Construction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elevator shaft construction in multistory buildings is time-consuming and expensive due to the need for repeated labor, formwork installation, and concrete curing, which often delays project schedules.
Innovation Solution
A modular elevator shaft construction method where pre-formed shaft segments, including lower and upper components with pockets and serrated edges, are assembled offsite and transported to the jobsite for rapid installation, allowing floor slabs to be formed around the shaft segments, eliminating on-site formwork and rebar cage assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional on-site elevator shaft construction methods are used with formwork and rebar cages, then the shaft can be constructed in place, but the construction process is time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The elevator shaft segments are pre-formed at a remote location before being transported to the jobsite. This preliminary action allows the shaft components to be manufactured in advance, eliminating the need for on-site formwork assembly and concrete curing, thereby significantly reducing construction time and improving productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The elevator shaft is divided into multiple pre-formed segments that can be independently manufactured and then assembled on-site. This segmentation allows parallel production of multiple shaft sections, reducing overall construction time while maintaining structural integrity through standardized connection details
2Productivity
If modular pre-formed shaft segments are used, then assembly is rapid and can occur before surrounding floors, but specialized connection details are required
Solution Approach 1:
Connection details such as pockets, recessed surfaces, and exposed surfaces are pre-formed as integral parts of the shaft segments during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation of connection features eliminates the need for complex on-site assembly operations, allowing rapid installation while maintaining standardized, repeatable connection procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs floor slabs as intermediary elements that connect adjacent shaft segments. The slabs are formed about the shaft segments and provide a monolithic connection that simplifies the joint details while ensuring structural continuity between segments and surrounding building elements
3Productivity
If shaft segments are formed at a remote location, then transportation and rapid on-site assembly are enabled, but logistics and coordination become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The elevator shaft is segmented into manageable sections that can be transported using standard construction equipment. This segmentation allows for efficient logistics planning and coordination, as each segment can be independently manufactured, transported, and installed, reducing the overall complexity of on-site operations
Solution Approach 2:
The shaft segments are designed with standardized dimensions, connection details, and reinforcement configurations that can be universally applied across multiple floors and building projects. This universality simplifies logistics by allowing repeated use of the same component designs, reducing the need for custom fabrication and simplifying inventory management
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are various construction techniques for erecting a multistory building with an elevator shaft. In accordance with the method, upper and lower shaft components are formed at an offsite facility. These shaft components are then joined together to form a segment of the larger elevator shaft. Once constructed, the segment is transported to a jobsite and erected. Once an individual segment is installed, a floor slab can be formed about the segment. Using pre-cast elevator segments simplifies and expedites the construction process. In one embodiment, each segment includes a serrated edge that facilitates a connection between the floor slab and the shaft segment. Rebar and reinforcing dowels can also be used to improve the connection. Associated shaft constructions are also disclosed.