Modular Sock Anchor Assembly for Transportable Masonry Reinforcement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sock anchor systems for reinforcing and repairing masonry, concrete, and brick structures face challenges in manufacturability and transportation due to their fixed long lengths, which can lead to increased costs, waiting times, and reduced efficiency in filling cavities with cementitious material.
Innovation Solution
A portable sock anchor unit comprising a central metal spine with laterally extending openings and an outer fabric sleeve, along with elongated reinforcing members and compatible fastening members, allowing for the assembly of multiple units to create a system of desired length, facilitating easier transportation and on-site assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If sock anchor systems are manufactured as fixed long lengths, then structural reinforcement capability is achieved, but manufacturability and transportation become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The sock anchor system is divided into multiple individual sock anchor units, each of manageable length (e.g., 250mm, 500mm, 750mm, 1000mm). These segmented units can be manufactured separately and then joined together on-site using compatible fastening members, resolving the contradiction between achieving long structural reinforcement and maintaining ease of manufacture/transportation.
2Length of moving object
If sock anchor units are made as short lengths, then transportation and handling are improved, but the ability to reinforce long structures is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple short sock anchor units are joined together end-to-end using compatible fastening members (threaded connections, welded joints, or mechanical couplings) to create an extended anchor system of the required length. This merging approach maintains the transportability advantages of short units while achieving the reinforcement capability needed for long structures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If custom-length sock anchors are manufactured, then customer requirements are met, but waiting times and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Standard sock anchor units are pre-manufactured in common lengths and kept in inventory for immediate shipment. On-site, these pre-fabricated units are quickly assembled to the specific length required by cutting or joining, eliminating the need to wait for custom manufacturing while still achieving the required customization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses standardized modular units that can be combined in different quantities to achieve various total lengths. This segmentation allows customers to receive standard inventory items immediately and assemble the required configuration on-site, avoiding custom manufacturing wait times while maintaining versatility.
4Quantity of substance
If cementitious material is pumped into long anchor units, then complete cavity filling is achieved, but pumping efficiency and pressure distribution are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor system is segmented into multiple shorter units with internal channels or voids that allow cementitious material to be pumped through each section sequentially. This segmentation improves pumping efficiency by reducing the length of each pumping segment, ensuring better pressure distribution and complete filling of cavities within each unit while maintaining overall system integrity.
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
This solution improves handling and transportation efficiency, reduces manufacturing costs, ensures complete cavity filling, and enhances the mechanical strength of the anchor system by allowing shorter units to be easily combined on-site, reducing waiting times and ensuring robust anchoring.
Implementation Method 1
The sock material is flexible and porous such that the sock deforms to the shape and form of the cavity to provide mechanical and chemical bonding of the anchor device to the internal surface of the cavity
Implementation Method 2
The cementitious grout is typically pumped into the anchor via a plastic tube such that the volume occupied by the sock is filled to expand the sock to fill the cavity surrounding the rigid bar or rod
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
A sock anchor unit (10) comprises an inner longitudinal hollow spine (12), an outer fabric sleeve (14) arranged to envelop the outside surface of the inner hollow spine (12) such that a gap is defined between the outside surface of the inner hollow spine (12) and an inner surface of the outer fabric sleeve (14) and a plurality of elongated reinforcing members (22), wherein each elongated reinforcing member (22) extends longitudinally within the gap. The inner hollow spine (12) comprises at least one substantially laterally extending opening from inside to outside of the inner hollow spine (12). The opening allows cementitious fluid which is pumped into the anchor unit to fill the gap between the hollow spine (12) and outer fabric sleeve. A fastening member (28, 32) is provided on each end of the sock anchor unit (10). Both fastening members (28, 32) are compatible with each other and each fastening member (28, 32) is configured such that a trailing end of a first sock anchor unit (10) is attachable to a leading end of a second sock anchor unit (10) thereby facilitating creating a multiple piece sock anchor system of a desired length.