Modular Formwork Panels for Concrete Opening Construction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional formwork for creating openings in poured concrete walls is often single-use, inefficiently reused, and generates significant waste due to the need for custom dimensions, leading to excessive transportation and disposal issues.
Innovation Solution
A modular formwork system comprising main and complementary panels with adjustable dimensions and structures, including openwork faces and magnetic or prestressed assembly devices, allowing for easy assembly, positioning, and disassembly, facilitating reuse and reducing waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional monobloc formwork is manufactured for each specific opening dimension, then the formwork can be precisely fitted to the required opening size, but the formwork becomes single-use waste that must be removed and processed, generating significant transportation and disposal issues
Solution Approach 1:
The formwork device is divided into multiple detachable panels (main panels and additional panels) that can be separated and reused. Each panel is a discrete component that can be independently recovered and reassigned to different formwork assemblies, eliminating the need to discard entire monobloc formworks after a single use.
Solution Approach 2:
The formwork system transitions from a static monobloc structure to a dynamic, reconfigurable assembly. Panels can be detached, repositioned, and reassembled in different configurations to match various opening dimensions, allowing the same physical components to adapt to multiple applications throughout the construction project and beyond.
2Adaptability or versatility
If custom monobloc formwork is manufactured for each opening, then the formwork matches the specific opening dimensions, but as many specific formworks must be manufactured as there are openings of varying sizes, increasing manufacturing complexity and waste
Solution Approach 1:
A universal set of standardized panels serves multiple functions across different opening configurations. The same main panels and additional panels can be combined in various arrangements to create formwork for openings of different sizes and shapes, eliminating the need to manufacture custom monobloc formworks for each specific opening while maintaining precise dimensional adaptation.
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional formwork is used for openings of varying sizes, then each opening requires a specific formwork, but this generates a significant number of road transports as construction progresses and building plans are distributed
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the formwork into standardized panels, the system enables rapid reconfiguration on-site without requiring transportation of complete custom formworks for each opening. Panels can be locally assembled and disassembled, significantly reducing the need for road transports as construction progresses and plans are distributed.
4Strength
If monobloc formwork is used, then the formwork structure is simple and robust, but the formwork becomes bulky waste that must be removed and processed after use
Solution Approach 1:
The formwork is segmented into multiple panels connected by joining means, allowing the structure to maintain robustness during use while enabling complete disassembly after use. Each panel can be independently recovered and reused, transforming what would be bulky waste from monobloc formwork into reusable components that circulate through multiple construction projects.
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 modular formwork system enables efficient reuse, reduces waste, and simplifies the assembly and disassembly process, while maintaining the integrity of the concrete structure, allowing for the creation of openings of varying dimensions with minimal environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
The connecting elements comprise magnetic means
Implementation Method 2
each of the wedges comprises an elastic band connecting the two opposite faces of the wedge and arranged to be permanently taut
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention concerns a formwork device (100) for creating a space matched to the dimensions of an opening required in a poured concrete wall characterised in that it comprises: -at least one main panel (1), -at least one additional panel (2, 3), -shims (4), and -link elements (5) arranged to produce an assembly (10), in the same plane, of the at least one main panel (1), of the at least one additional panel (2, 3) and of the shims (4), this assembly (10) having an outer contour (11) comprising unperforated faces forming the skin of the formwork for the space. The device according to the invention is, in particular, intended for the creation of large-dimension openings in the field of building construction and civil engineering works.