Movable Slab Foundation With Rotating Support Sleeve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Concrete slab foundations built on soil are prone to damage due to uneven soil moisture and movement, leading to buckling or cracking.
Innovation Solution
A movable slab foundation system featuring vertically oriented support members with geometrically complementary sleeves that allow axial movement and rotation, enabling the foundation to be raised above the ground, thus isolating it from soil instability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a concrete slab foundation is built directly on soil, then construction is simple and cost-effective, but the foundation is vulnerable to damage from soil movement and moisture changes
Solution Approach 1:
The foundation system is segmented into distinct components: support members (piles), support sleeves (encasements), and the slab foundation itself. This segmentation allows the support members to be independently installed in the soil while the slab is poured around them, enabling the foundation to be raised above problematic soil conditions while maintaining construction efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The support sleeve acts as an intermediary element between the support member and the slab foundation. It provides a geometrically complementary opening that guides and constrains the support member while allowing the slab to encase and protect it, thereby transferring loads while accommodating soil movement.
2Reliability
If the foundation is raised above ground using support members and sleeves, then protection from soil movement is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support member and support sleeve are merged into a unified assembly where the sleeve encases the member with a geometrically complementary fit. This merging simplifies the overall structure by eliminating the need for separate connection mechanisms, while still providing the necessary support and protection functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member is nested within the support sleeve, creating a compact hierarchical structure. The sleeve provides external protection and load distribution while the inner member provides primary support, maximizing structural efficiency while minimizing material usage and complexity.
3Reliability
If support sleeves are used to encase support members, then protection and stability are improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support sleeve features a geometrically complementary opening that is asymmetrically shaped to match the specific cross-section of the support member. This asymmetric design provides precise guidance and constraint during installation while maintaining ease of manufacture through standard fabrication processes for both components.
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of the system for forming a movable slab foundation as comprised by the present invention has a slab foundation, at least one substantially vertical support member, at least one support surface, and at least one support sleeve. The at least one support sleeve surrounds the at least one support member and is encased within the slab foundation and is capable of movement axially along the axis of the at least one support member. The at least one vertical support member is capable of rotation relative to the at least one support sleeve to restrict the movement of the at least one support sleeve downward relative to the at least one vertical support member, thereby maintaining the height of the at least One support sleeve and the slab foundation relative to the at least one support surface.