Modular Precast Concrete Rainwater Channel Drain
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current rainwater drainage systems in urban areas face limitations due to reliance on stabilized landfills for protection, repetitive and flawed performance with small elements, difficulty in assembly and leveling, and compromised performance due to element weight, which restricts their use on city streets and rural areas, and requires pumping stations.
Innovation Solution
A precast channel system using modular, isostatic preformed concrete elements with variable lengths, designed for surface installation, allowing traffic and paving, and featuring an ideal hydraulic section for laminar flow, self-cleaning, and low maintenance, comprising cradle guides, bottom, walls, and covers that form a static and sealed system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If small elements (1.0 to 1.5 m linear length) are used for rainwater collection systems, then the systems can be installed in various locations, but the performance process becomes repetitive and flawed, and assembly becomes extremely difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The channel is divided into modular segments that can be assembled together to form continuous drainage structures. Each segment is a self-contained unit with standardized connection interfaces, allowing flexible configuration for different project requirements while simplifying the assembly process through modularization.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from traditional small-element linear assembly to a system that utilizes spatial arrangement of modular segments in multiple dimensions. The channel segments can be configured in various arrangements (parallel, series, branching) to create complex drainage networks while maintaining ease of assembly through standardized connections.
2Strength
If heavy elements are used for rainwater collection systems, then the systems have sufficient strength and stability, but the weight makes them difficult to launch and level, and horizontal offset assembly becomes extremely difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The heavy channel structure is segmented into lighter modular units that can be individually handled and assembled. Each segment maintains sufficient structural strength through optimized cross-sectional design and reinforcement placement, while the modular nature reduces the weight burden during installation and leveling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The channel segments are pre-formed and pre-reinforced in controlled manufacturing environments before delivery to the construction site. This preliminary action ensures that each segment achieves the required structural strength and geometric precision, eliminating the need for heavy equipment and complex procedures during on-site assembly and leveling.
3Stability of the object's composition
If reliance on stabilized landfills is used for protection, then the collection systems have protection and stability, but the systems are compromised and limited by levels, and require pumping stations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the dependency on stabilized landfills from the collection system design. Instead of relying on engineered earth structures for protection and stability, the channel system uses its own modular concrete segments with integrated reinforcement and connection mechanisms to achieve stability independently, removing the need for external landfill support structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static, landfill-dependent stability to dynamic, self-adjusting stability through the modular segment design. The standardized connection interfaces and geometric configuration allow the channel segments to adapt to various installation conditions and maintain stability without requiring stabilized landfills or complex support structures.
4Adaptability or versatility
If conventional small elements are used for rainwater drainage, then the systems can be installed in urban areas, but the performance process becomes repetitive and flawed, and construction speed is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The channel system uses standardized modular segments that can be rapidly assembled using predetermined connection methods. This segmentation allows for faster construction compared to traditional small-element assembly, as each segment is a complete functional unit that can be installed and connected efficiently, maintaining urban installation capability while significantly improving construction speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The channel segments are pre-formed, pre-reinforced, and pre-assembled in controlled manufacturing environments before delivery to the construction site. This preliminary action eliminates time-consuming on-site fabrication and reinforcement work, allowing for rapid installation in urban areas while maintaining the required performance standards.
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 system provides increased flow capacity by 20%, reduces maintenance costs, and allows flexible project sizing, enabling efficient rainwater drainage on city streets and rural areas without stabilized landfills, with improved construction speed and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
Depending gravity and the characteristics of the elements actually used, rainwater collection systems are compromised and limited by levels, creating the need for using pumping stations
Implementation Method 2
featuring an ideal hydraulic section for laminar flow, self-cleaning, and low maintenance
Data Source
AI summary
A channel (1) is disclosed for use in the field of basic sanitary services, more specifically to a pre-moulded channel for rainwater draining systems, developed to satisfy the surface drainage needs of hydrographic basins and urban areas of growing density. The disclosed channel (1) does not require a stabilized ground, can operate at the surface of roads, allowing traffic to circulate and the road section used to be paved, can use modules of variable lengths, and can even serve, when already in use, as a street surface. The channel (1) comprises four basic pre-moulded modular elements made of reinforced concrete or pre-stressed concrete, i.e.: guide cradle (2), bottom (3), walls (4) and (5) and cover (6), of variable dimensions depending on the projected collecting system.