Multi-axial Geogrid with Floating Hexagon Apertures
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing integral geogrids struggle to effectively engage with, confine, and stabilize a variety of aggregate sizes and qualities, limiting their performance and environmental sustainability in civil infrastructure applications.
Innovation Solution
A monolayer multi-axial geogrid with a repeating floating hexagon within a hexagon pattern, featuring ribs of varying widths and depths, different aperture shapes and sizes, and continuous linear strands for enhanced load distribution and stiffness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional integral geogrids with uniform aperture patterns are used, then manufacturing is simple and cost-effective, but the ability to engage with and stabilize varying aggregate sizes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The geogrid aperture pattern is segmented into multiple zones with different aperture sizes and shapes. The pattern includes a first plurality of apertures with a first size and a second plurality of apertures with a second size, allowing different aggregate sizes to be engaged by appropriately sized apertures. This segmentation enables the geogrid to stabilize varying aggregate qualities while maintaining manufacturability through a repeating pattern.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the geogrid are designed with locally optimized aperture characteristics. The pattern varies aperture dimensions and orientations in different zones to match local aggregate size requirements. This local quality approach allows the geogrid to adapt to varying aggregate conditions across different areas of the reinforced structure.
2Strength
If geogrids with higher strand orientation are used, then strand tensile strength is improved, but junction strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The geogrid employs asymmetric aperture patterns where the orientation and dimensions of apertures vary by location. This asymmetry allows strands to be highly oriented in directions where tensile strength is critical, while junction geometries are simultaneously optimized for strength through varied aperture configurations. The asymmetric pattern ensures that no single orientation dominates, balancing strand and junction performance.
3Strength
If geogrids are designed for maximum stiffness, then load distribution improves, but adaptability to different aggregate conditions decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The geogrid pattern is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously. The repeating pattern of varied aperture sizes and orientations provides both stiffness for load distribution and adaptability to different aggregate conditions. Each aperture configuration serves dual purposes: maintaining structural rigidity while accommodating specific aggregate size ranges, making the geogrid universally applicable to various aggregate qualities.
Data Source
AI summary
A monolayer multi-axial integral geogrid suitable for stabilizing aggregate includes a plurality of interconnected oriented strands and partially oriented junctions forming a repeating pattern of outer hexagons having an array of openings therein. Oriented ribs extending inwardly from each of said outer hexagons support and surround a smaller inner hexagon having oriented strands thus forming a plurality of trapezoidal openings and a single hexagonal opening. The oriented strands and partially oriented junctions of the outer hexagons form a plurality of linear strong axis strands that extend continuously throughout the entirety of the geogrid and form additional triangular openings. The geogrid thus includes three different repeating geometric shapes. The inner hexagons preferably also can move up and down, out of the plane of the geogrid. The multi-axial integral geogrid thus provides a geometry that can better engage with, confine and stabilize a greater variety and quality of aggregates.