Monolithic Concrete Tube Module for High-Rise Stacking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing building modules are limited in their ability to construct high-rise buildings with multiple floors due to static constraints, and they often lack the necessary quality of living and transportability.

Innovation Solution

A monolithic tubular building module made of concrete with varying concrete qualities in opposite walls for enhanced stability and acoustic insulation, allowing for the creation of up to five floors by stacking, and equipped with pre-installed components for easy operation and transport.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If building modules are constructed from separate panels or frame structures, then ease of manufacture and transportability are improved, but structural stability and suitability for high-rise construction deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges separate panels and frame structures into a monolithic tubular body made of concrete. This single integrated structure forms the floor, ceiling, and two side walls as one continuous element, eliminating the need for separate components and their connections, thereby achieving both high structural stability and ease of manufacture as a single预制 element

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses concrete as the primary material for the monolithic tubular body, leveraging its composite nature (cement, aggregates, water) to achieve both structural integrity and manufacturability. The concrete material provides the necessary strength and stability while allowing for pre-casting and transport

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Weight of moving object

If building modules are constructed from separate panels or frame structures, then transportability is improved, but ability to construct buildings with more than three floors deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovetransportabilityVSAvoidstrength for high-rise construction
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The monolithic tubular body combines floor, ceiling, and walls into one integrated structural element that maintains high strength-to-weight ratio. This unified structure can support multiple floors when stacked, enabling high-rise construction while remaining transportable as a single pre-fabricated unit

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the concrete mix design and tubular geometry to achieve specific density and strength parameters. By controlling the concrete composition and the tubular cross-section dimensions, the module achieves sufficient strength for multi-story construction while maintaining manageable weight for transport

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If conventional building modules are used, then basic housing requirements are met, but quality of living and acoustic insulation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequality of livingVSAvoidacoustic insulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The monolithic concrete structure provides inherent acoustic insulation properties due to the mass and density of concrete. The continuous concrete material across floor, ceiling, and walls creates effective sound barriers, improving acoustic insulation while maintaining quality of living with pre-installed fixtures and finishes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 solution provides high stability and quality of living, enabling the construction of multi-story buildings with improved sound insulation and climate regulation, while maintaining transportability and ease of setup, accommodating more people and supporting disaster relief efforts.

Implementation Method 1

Due to the horizontal manufacturing process of the pipe body and the weight of the concrete material used, it automatically follows that the lower pipe wall is subjected to higher hydrostatic pressure than the opposite upper pipe wall during production.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrostatic pressure: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

Unlike the metallic construction used in containers employed as building modules, the concrete material, due to its higher capacity for storing moisture and heat, improves the indoor climate within the building module.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat storage: Thermal Energy Storage

Implementation Method 3

if, for example, expanded clay is used, the expanded clay particles within the concrete material, due to its porosity, are in contact with the interior of the building module and can absorb or release humidity, thus regulating the climate.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 4

the absorption and subsequent evaporation of moisture also has a temperature-regulating effect

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP3498929B1High-rise building module and building constructed from same
Publication Date: 2022.03.16 CASAPOR GMBH
  • EP3498929B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3498929B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

In a building module (2) with a cuboid housing comprising a base (20), a ceiling (17), two side walls (9), and two end walls (14), and containing a door (15) and a window, the invention proposes that the housing has a monolithic tube body made of a concrete material, the four tube walls of which form the base (20), the ceiling (17), and the side walls (9), and that the door (15) and the window are arranged in the end walls (14). Furthermore, the invention proposes a building consisting of several such building modules (2). For the construction of the building, the building modules (2) can be freely erected without a structural connection.