Modular Formwork Ribs with Rounded Joints for Stress Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing formworks for concrete structures face issues with material cost, instability, high weight, and stress distribution, particularly due to the need for thick ribs and metallic traction plates that can damage the formwork.
Innovation Solution
A modular formwork design featuring ribs composed of two parallel walls with connecting plates, circular joints for improved stress distribution, and closing keys for secure panel alignment, reducing material usage and weight while enhancing rigidity and stress management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a high number of thick ribs are used to ensure sufficient resistance to deformation, then the rigidity and strength of the formwork is improved, but the amount of plastic material increases leading to higher production cost
Solution Approach 1:
The rib structure is segmented into multiple thin parallel walls instead of a single thick rib. This segmentation allows the formwork to achieve the required rigidity and strength through the combined effect of multiple slender elements, significantly reducing the total amount of plastic material needed while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-dimensional thick rib to a multi-dimensional array of thin parallel walls. By distributing the structural function across multiple dimensions and orientations, the formwork achieves equivalent or superior strength with reduced material volume
2Stability of the object's composition
If metallic traction plates are used to apply counterbalancing pressure on wood formwork panels, then the formwork stability is improved, but the panels may flex or be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter of the traction plate from metal to plastic, matching the material properties of the formwork panels. This parameter change eliminates the harmful effects of metal plates while maintaining the necessary mechanical function of applying counterbalancing pressure
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potential harm of rigid metal plates causing panel damage into a benefit by using flexible plastic plates that distribute stress uniformly. The material mismatch that would cause damage is transformed into a compatible stress-distributing interface
3Force
If iron traction plates are used on plastic formworks, then the counterbalancing pressure is applied, but the formwork ribs are damaged and stress is distributed only over a small area
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter of the traction plate from iron to plastic, matching the formwork material. This prevents rib damage while maintaining the counterbalancing pressure function
Solution Approach 2:
The plastic traction plate is designed with a larger surface area that distributes the counterbalancing pressure over a wider region of the formwork panel. This local quality improvement prevents stress concentration and rib damage while maintaining overall formwork stability
Data Source
AI summary
A re-usable modular formwork comprising at least one panel having edge ribs and transversal ribs, each of the ribs comprising two parallel walls perpendicular to the formwork panel and preferably perpendicular to the walls of the rib and to the panel. Said ribs are disposed along the perimeter of the panel and transversally to the panel. Other ribs of smaller height may be positioned diagonally within the square or rectangular areas delimited by the edge ribs and the transversal ribs. Where two or more main transversal ribs and/or edge ribs intersect, these ribs have rounded joints. Centrally in said rounded joints, there is an opening for introducing a containing rod. Other openings may be present on the edge ribs for inserting and locking closing keys.