Offset Wavelike Joint Former for Concrete Spalling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing joint former apparatuses for concrete elements are expensive and not readily recyclable, and they fail to effectively prevent spalling and damage at joints, especially under heavy equipment traffic.
Innovation Solution
A joint former apparatus with an upper and lower wavelike configuration, where the lower wall is longitudinally offset relative to the upper wall, forming a corrosion-free, modular, and recyclable system that uses plastic material to create dowel-like protrusions for vertical load transfer and allows for lateral movement, reducing spalling and enabling easy assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional edge protection systems are used for concrete panels, then damage and spalling at joints are prevented, but the system becomes expensive and not readily recyclable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from traditional steel or rigid materials to plastic material, and changes the geometric parameter from flat configurations to wavelike configurations with longitudinal offsets. This creates a cost-effective, recyclable joint former apparatus that maintains reliability in preventing spalling and damage at joints through its durable plastic construction and interlocking wavelike geometry
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs plastic material as a composite alternative to traditional steel construction, creating a joint former apparatus that is both economically advantageous and environmentally recyclable while maintaining the structural integrity needed to prevent joint damage and spalling under heavy equipment traffic
2Reliability
If conventional joint former apparatus are used, then joints between panels are formed, but they fail to effectively prevent spalling and damage under heavy equipment traffic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies wavelike configurations to both the upper and lower walls of the joint former apparatus, with the lower wall's wavelike configuration being longitudinally offset relative to the upper wall. This curved, wavelike geometry distributes loads more effectively across the joint, preventing spalling under heavy equipment traffic while maintaining a relatively simple single-piece structural form
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces asymmetry through the longitudinal offset between the upper and lower wavelike configurations, creating an interlocking geometry that effectively transfers vertical loads and prevents spalling. This asymmetric design achieves high reliability without requiring complex multi-component structures
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid joint former structures are used, then structural stability is maintained, but lateral movement and contraction are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic joint former structure where the wavelike configurations with longitudinal offsets allow controlled lateral movement and contraction while maintaining vertical load transfer. The plastic material and wavelike geometry enable the structure to adapt to thermal expansion, contraction, and settlement without compromising structural stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs plastic material in wavelike configurations that provide flexibility for lateral movement and contraction while maintaining structural integrity. The thin-walled plastic construction allows the joint former to accommodate dimensional changes in the concrete panels without losing stability or load-bearing capacity
Data Source
AI summary
A joint former apparatus for forming a joint between concrete elements, the joint former apparatus including an upper wall and a lower wall below the upper wall, wherein the upper wall forms a wavelike configuration, the lower wall forms a wavelike configuration, and wherein the wavelike configuration of the lower wall is longitudinally offset relative to the wavelike configuration of the upper wall.