Modular U-Profile Formwork Seal for Construction Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for sealing construction joints between concrete components are complex to produce and transport due to integrated sealing panels, limiting the number of formwork panels that can be cast simultaneously and increasing production costs.
Innovation Solution
A modular device using two U-profiles connected by brackets to hold formwork panels at a fixed distance, allowing for flexible sealing with various sealing systems, such as sealing plates or injection hoses, which can be easily attached and detached, reducing the need for bulky shuttering panels and minimizing the number of required parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sealing plates are firmly cast into shuttering panels, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is divided into separate components: the shuttering panel and the sealing plate are independent elements that can be assembled together rather than being cast as one piece. This segmentation allows for simpler manufacturing of individual components while maintaining sealing effectiveness through proper assembly and connection mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing plates are pre-assembled with connection elements (such as U-profiles and brackets) before being installed on the shuttering panels. This preliminary assembly ensures proper sealing configuration is achieved before installation, maintaining sealing reliability while simplifying the overall manufacturing process by separating casting and assembly operations.
2Reliability
If integrated sealing panels are used, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but production efficiency decreases due to complex mold requirements
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the sealing function into independent sealing plates that can be assembled onto standard shuttering panels, the mold design becomes simpler and can produce basic panels without integrated sealing cavities. This increases the number of panels that can be cast simultaneously in one mold, improving production efficiency while maintaining sealing effectiveness through the separate sealing plate components.
3Reliability
If bulky shuttering panels with integrated sealing plates are produced, then sealing reliability is improved, but transportation cost and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is segmented into separate components that can be transported independently. The shuttering panels can be transported in their standard form, while the sealing plates and connection elements can be transported separately and assembled on-site. This reduces the weight and bulk of individual transport items compared to transporting fully integrated sealed panels.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection elements (U-profiles and brackets) are designed to be universal components that can accommodate different sealing plate configurations and shuttering panel types. This universality allows for standardized transportation of connection elements that can be adapted to various applications, reducing the need to transport custom-integrated assemblies for each specific case.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The device has a seal (7) sealing a gap against water serves, and attaching two stop end plates (5, 6) to the gap with a mutual distance, such that the seal is provided to both sides of the stop end plates and is mounted against an adjacent concrete at a displacement area between the stop end plates. U-profiles (1, 2) are arranged in opposite direction to each other for receiving and attaching the stop end plate. The U-profiles are connected with each other by a retainer (3), where the seal is mounted between the U-profiles.