Perforated Polymer Walkway Panels for Water Runoff Mitigation

Solution Overview

Problem

Current paving materials for low traffic volume roads, such as asphalt and concrete, incur high maintenance costs due to damage and impermeability, while gravel or crushed stones are uneven and lose water permeability over time, and synthetic resin materials do not reduce costs effectively.

Innovation Solution

A polymeric walkway module with perforated upper and lower panels and spacers that allows surface water to permeate through, secured to a well-graded soil base with a cementitious layer, providing a sustainable and cost-effective solution for mitigating surface water runoff.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If asphalt or concrete is used for low traffic volume roads, then the road surface is smooth and durable, but maintenance costs increase due to periodic removal and replacement of damaged sections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroad surface durabilityVSAvoidmaintenance cost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The walkway is divided into modular panels that can be individually replaced without affecting the entire road surface. Each panel is a self-contained unit with interlocking features, allowing damaged sections to be removed and replaced efficiently, reducing maintenance costs while maintaining overall road integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from traditional asphalt/concrete materials to polymer-based composite panels with modified physical parameters including permeability, flexibility, and modular dimensions. These parameter changes enable the road to accommodate movement and reduce cracking while maintaining durability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If asphalt or concrete is used for low traffic volume roads, then the road surface is impermeable providing structural integrity, but surface water cannot permeate through increasing runoff

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroad surface integrityVSAvoidsurface water runoff

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The polymer panels incorporate a porous structure with controlled void spaces and permeable layers that allow surface water to infiltrate through the road surface into the underlying soil. This porous design maintains structural integrity while eliminating harmful runoff by enabling natural water absorption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite polymer materials combining hydrophobic and hydrophilic components, along with integrated drainage layers and geotextile filters, to create a multi-functional road surface that simultaneously provides structural strength and water permeability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If gravel or crushed stones are used for low traffic volume roads, then water permeability is provided, but the surface becomes uneven and loses permeability over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater permeabilityVSAvoidsurface uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The polymer panels incorporate a porous structure with controlled void spaces and permeable layers that allow surface water to infiltrate through the road surface into the underlying soil. This porous design maintains structural integrity while eliminating harmful runoff by enabling natural water absorption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite polymer materials combining hydrophobic and hydrophilic components, along with integrated drainage layers and geotextile filters, to create a multi-functional road surface that simultaneously provides structural strength and water permeability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Reliability

If synthetic resin materials are used for paving, then corrosion and abrasion resistance is improved, but manufacturing cost increases reducing cost-effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorrosion and abrasion resistanceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies polymer material parameters through additives, fillers, and compounding techniques to achieve the required corrosion and abrasion resistance at lower cost. By optimizing material composition and processing parameters, the patent reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining the reliability benefits of synthetic materials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 polymeric walkway module reduces maintenance costs, allows efficient water permeability, and can be installed quickly, offering a sustainable and recyclable option with reduced carbon and water footprints.

Implementation Method 1

Surface water permeates through the plurality of perforations and occupies the hollow space

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Data Source

PatentUS11306443B2Polymer panels for walkway and paving

Publication Date: 2022.04.19 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

Embodiments provide a polymeric walkway for mitigating surface water runoff and a method for constructing the same. A polymeric walkway module is secured to a pre-conditioned ground. The polymeric walkway module includes an upper panel, a lower panel, and a plurality of spacers. The upper panel includes a plurality of perforations. The plurality of spacers is positioned between the upper panel and the lower panel defining a hollow space. Surface water permeates through the plurality of perforations and occupies the hollow space during the surface water runoff.