Modular Underwater Concrete Plate Structure for Faster Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing underwater installation structures made of concrete polygonal flat plates are complex and time-consuming to install, especially for large installations due to the need for individual placement and constraining of plates.

Innovation Solution

The structure is composed of modular components, including first and second modules, where first modules form a central core and are positioned on the seabed, with second modules attached to them, allowing for easier assembly by combining pre-assembled flat plates of regular octagonal shape with various hole configurations, and optionally using stiffening rods for support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If structures are made by assembling a plurality of flat plates with polygonal shape made of concrete, then structural integrity and functionality are improved, but installation complexity and time increase for large structures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The structure is divided into multiple flat plates with polygonal shapes that can be manufactured separately and then assembled together. Each plate can be produced independently with standardised connection elements, allowing parallel manufacturing and simplified assembly operations while maintaining overall structural integrity through the interlocking design of the plates

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Connection elements are pre-embedded in the flat plates during manufacturing, so that when the plates arrive at the installation site, they are ready for immediate assembly without requiring additional on-site preparation. This preliminary embedding of connection elements significantly reduces installation time and complexity for large structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If structures are made by assembling a plurality of flat plates with polygonal shape made of concrete, then structural integrity and functionality are improved, but installation time increases due to individual placement and constraining of plates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The structure is divided into multiple flat plates with polygonal shapes that can be manufactured separately and then assembled together. Each plate can be produced independently with standardised connection elements, allowing parallel manufacturing and simplified assembly operations while maintaining overall structural integrity through the interlocking design of the plates

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Connection elements are pre-embedded in the flat plates during manufacturing, so that when the plates arrive at the installation site, they are ready for immediate assembly without requiring additional on-site preparation. This preliminary embedding of connection elements significantly reduces installation time and complexity for large structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4170094B1Underwater installation structure
Publication Date: 2026.01.21 TECHNO BLUE SRL
  • EP4170094B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4170094B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP4170094B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

An underwater installation structure comprising a plurality of flat plates (2) connected to each other, wherein the flat plates (2) have a polygonal shape and are mainly constituted of concrete. The structure (1) comprises one or more first modules (5) and one or more second modules (6) connected to and different from each other. Each second module (6) comprises one or more flat plates (2), whilst each first module (5) comprises a polyhedral structure (7) defined by four or more flat plates (2) connected to each other. In particular, each first module (5) comprises six flat plates (2) connected to each other and positioned in such a way that each flat plate (2) defines part of a different face of a cube.