Modular Pool Elements with Integrated Anchorage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for building swimming pools, tanks, and basins require large excavations and extensive soil movement, leading to high costs and space requirements, and necessitate enlarged bases for stability, limiting their installation flexibility and weight capacity.
Innovation Solution
A modular element system allowing for a light, hollow structure that can be installed partially or fully underground, above ground, or on terraces, using anchorage means to eliminate the need for enlarged bases and reduce excavation size, with integrated technical compartments for systems and accessories, and the ability to be easily assembled and adapted on-site.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional methods are used to build pools and tanks, then structural stability is achieved, but excavation size and soil movement increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The structure is divided into modular elements that can be assembled in various configurations. Each module contains integrated anchorage means, allowing the structure to achieve stability through distributed anchoring points rather than requiring a large enlarged base, thus reducing excavation volume while maintaining structural stability
Solution Approach 2:
The anchorage means are nested within the modular elements themselves, with anchorage components integrated into the module structure. This eliminates the need for separate enlarged bases, as the anchorage functionality is contained within the modular units, reducing the overall excavation requirement
2Stability of the object's composition
If enlarged bases are provided for stability, then structural stability against water and ground thrust is improved, but the minimum width of excavation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stability function is segmented into multiple discrete anchorage points distributed throughout the structure rather than concentrated in a large base area. Each modular element contains its own anchorage means, allowing stability to be achieved through vertical anchoring into the ground rather than horizontal spreading, thus reducing excavation width
Solution Approach 2:
The anchorage strategy transitions from horizontal spreading (enlarged base) to vertical anchoring (anchorage means extending into the ground). By utilizing the vertical dimension for stability rather than horizontal expansion, the excavation width is significantly reduced while maintaining structural stability against thrust forces
3Ease of manufacture
If large masses of soil are moved for excavation, then installation of structure and waterproofing is enabled, but costs and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The modular element design allows the structure to be installed in discrete units that can be maneuvered and positioned more easily than a single large structure. This segmentation reduces the volume of soil that needs to be excavated and moved, while still enabling complete structure installation through systematic assembly of modules
Solution Approach 2:
The modular structure provides flexibility in installation configuration, allowing adaptation to various site conditions without requiring uniform large-scale excavation. The dynamic assembly process enables optimization of excavation volume based on specific installation requirements, reducing overall soil movement while maintaining installation feasibility
4Volume of stationary object
If modular elements with anchorage means are used, then excavation size is reduced, but structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions (structural support, anchorage, modularity) are merged into a single integrated modular element design. The anchorage means are combined with the modular structure itself rather than being separate components, reducing overall system complexity despite the advanced functionality. This integration allows excavation size reduction without proportionally increasing complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention is a modular element (20) for making structures (S) of tanks, pools and basins (10, 11, 12, 13) in general, suited to be arranged in various manners and constrained to other modular elements (20) in such a way as to make up at least part of the structure (S) of the basin (10, 11, 12, 13). Said modular element (20) comprises a three-dimensional body provided with one or more internal channels (215) or compartments (211) suitable for the insertion of cables, ducts, anchorage means (8), tie rods (T1, T2), bars or other elements that are necessary to build at least part of the structure (S) of said basin (10, 11, 12, 13).