Modular Permanent Formwork Panel With Bolted Splice Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing formwork systems face limitations in shipping large panels, require labor-intensive assembly and disassembly, and are unsuitable for diverse structural designs, particularly in projects with increased clear spans or cantilever sections.
Innovation Solution
Modular permanent formwork panels with steel members encapsulated in glass reinforced plastic (GRP) that can be easily assembled and disassembled, featuring planar and non-planar sections for versatile construction, and connected through bolted splice regions for enhanced structural integrity and load-bearing capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If larger panel sizes are used to accommodate increased clear span or cantilever sections, then the structural capability is improved, but the ease of transportation deteriorates due to shipping container size limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The formwork panel is divided into multiple modular sections that can be assembled together to achieve the required clear span or cantilever dimensions. Each individual section fits within standard shipping container dimensions, while multiple sections can be combined on-site to create larger structural spans, thus resolving the contradiction between transportation ease and structural capability.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional formwork systems are used, then the assembly process is simple, but the productivity deteriorates due to labor-intensive assembly and disassembly operations
Solution Approach 1:
The formwork panels are pre-assembled into modular sections at the manufacturing site before being shipped to the construction location. This preliminary assembly reduces on-site labor requirements and accelerates the construction process, as the panels arrive ready-to-install in compact, containerizable units that can be quickly assembled on-site.
3Strength
If steel members are exposed without encapsulation, then the structural strength is maintained, but the reliability deteriorates due to reduced longevity and corrosion susceptibility
Solution Approach 1:
The formwork panel combines steel members for structural strength with glass reinforced plastic (GRP) encapsulation for corrosion protection. The GRP layer acts as a protective barrier that prevents direct exposure of the steel to environmental factors, thereby maintaining structural strength while significantly improving longevity and reliability in harsh construction environments.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
There is disclosed a modular permanent formwork panel comprising a first formwork section and a second formwork section, wherein each of the first and second formwork sections comprise a plurality of steel members, each formwork section comprising a first encapsulated portion wherein the plurality of steel members are encapsulated and a second exposed portion wherein the plurality of steel members are exposed, and wherein the first and second formwork section are coupled together in a splice region through a fixing of the steel members of their respective splice portions to one another.