Modular Ground-Reinforcing Grid With Flexing Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ground-reinforcing grids often compromise on rigidity to achieve flexibility, resulting in inadequate performance in reinforcing various types of ground, especially under suboptimal conditions such as soft ground or areas with subsidence.
Innovation Solution
A modular ground-reinforcing grid design featuring cells connected by rib members that provide rigidity and limited flexibility through cell flexing, allowing the grid to accommodate uneven loads without compromising structural integrity, using polyethylene copolymer materials and integral spikes for stabilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the ground-reinforcing grid is designed to be more flexible to accommodate loads on suboptimal ground, then the grid can adapt to soft ground and subsidence, but the rigidity required for effective ground reinforcement is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The grid is divided into multiple modular units, each comprising a plurality of cells. This segmentation allows each module to independently flex and accommodate local ground variations while the overall grid structure maintains its reinforcement function through the interconnected modular units
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the grid structure have different properties: the cells are designed with flexibility to accommodate loads and ground variations, while the rib members connecting the cells provide the necessary rigidity. This local differentiation of properties allows the grid to simultaneously achieve both flexibility and rigidity
2Reliability
If sophisticated designs are used to meet increasing expectations of protection, then better performance is achieved, but the basic rigidity of the ground-reinforcing grid is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The grid employs a modular design where protection performance is achieved through the collective action of multiple modular units rather than relying on a single complex structure. Each simple modular unit contributes to the overall reliability, allowing sophisticated protection performance while maintaining basic rigidity at the component level
Solution Approach 2:
The grid combines different structural elements (cells and rib members) with complementary properties into a composite structure. The cells provide flexibility and load accommodation, while the rib members provide rigidity, creating a composite system that achieves both sophisticated protection performance and basic rigidity
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 grid effectively reinforces ground surfaces by maintaining rigidity while accommodating uneven loads and environmental changes, preventing displacement and damage, and promoting sustainable vegetation growth.
Implementation Method 1
The flexibility is provided by flexing of the cells and not flexing of the rib members whereby the flexibility is a limited flexibility that does not adversely affect the rigidity of the ground-reinforcing grid
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are ground-reinforcing grids comprising a plurality of modular units, wherein each modular unit comprises: a plurality of cells, rib members connecting the cells together such that the cells are spaced apart from each other by the rib members, and connector means for connecting the modular units together, wherein the cells are configured to flex more than the rib members; wherein each modular unit has sufficient rigidity to enable the ground-reinforcing grid to provide ground reinforcement; and wherein each modular unit has sufficient flexibility provided by the flexing of the plurality of the cells to enable the ground-reinforcing grid to flex and accommodate loads without adversely affecting the rigidity of the ground-reinforcing grid.