Polymer Concrete Sandwich Segment with Foamed Plastic Core

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing building segment technologies, such as those using polymer concrete blocks, face challenges in achieving optimal thermal insulation and resource efficiency due to thermal bridges and high material usage, which necessitate oversized structures or additional insulation measures.

Innovation Solution

A building segment design featuring two side plates made of polymer concrete with a foamed plastic core element, allowing for efficient production, reduced material usage, and improved thermal insulation through a sandwich construction that eliminates thermal bridges, along with a tongue and groove connection system for easy assembly and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If polymer concrete blocks are used for building segments, then structural strength is achieved, but thermal bridges occur and material usage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidthermal insulation
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The building segment uses a composite construction with polymer concrete side plates providing structural strength and a foamed plastic core providing thermal insulation. This composite approach allows both strength and thermal insulation requirements to be met simultaneously without thermal bridges, as the foamed plastic core interrupts heat flow paths while the polymer concrete plates provide the necessary structural framework.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If polymer concrete blocks are used for building segments, then structural strength is achieved, but material consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidmaterial consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The building segment is segmented into distinct functional components: thin polymer concrete side plates for structural strength and a foamed plastic core for insulation and volume. This segmentation allows each material to be used only where needed, reducing overall polymer concrete consumption while maintaining structural integrity through the plate-core-plate configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If complex shapes with contours and recesses are used in polymer concrete panels, then functional requirements are met, but production time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional requirementsVSAvoidproduction time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The design segments complex functional requirements into the simple side plates and the modular foamed plastic core. The side plates maintain simple geometric forms that are easy to cast, while functional complexity is achieved through the assembly of multiple segments and the integration of the core element, which can be standardized and pre-formed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The foamed plastic core acts as an intermediary element that provides insulation and structural support between the side plates, enabling functional requirements to be met without complicating the side plate geometry. The core can be customized in shape and size to accommodate different functional needs while the side plates remain simple casting forms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 enhanced thermal insulation with a low U-value, reduced material consumption, and cost-effective production, enabling efficient and resource-friendly construction with improved static properties and ease of assembly.

Implementation Method 1

between which a core element made of a foamed plastic is arranged

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP3569788B1Segment for a building, method for the production thereof, corner segment for a building, method for the production thereof, building and method for the production thereof
Publication Date: 2021.06.09 POLYCARE RES TECH GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3569788B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3569788B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3569788B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Segment (1), in particular a wall segment, for a structure (18), wherein the segment comprises two side plates (2) made of polymer concrete, between which a core element (3) made of a foamed plastic is arranged, wherein the core element (3) is positively, materially and/or force-fit connected to the respective side plate (2) and has at least one through-opening (10) extending in the vertical direction (H). Furthermore, there is also a method for manufacturing the segment (1), a corner segment (15), a method for manufacturing the corner segment (15), a structure (18) and a method for manufacturing the structure (18).