Porous Ceramic Interlocking Block for Heat Island Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional interlocking blocks are heavy and have construction site restrictions due to high density, and existing solutions for addressing heat island phenomena are not entirely effective in extreme heat conditions.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight interlocking block is developed using a granulated product of porous ceramic as an aggregate, combined with cement, with specific bending strength, water retention capability, and bulk specific gravity, allowing for excellent water retention, water lifting, and transpiration properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional interlocking blocks are made with high density to maintain strength, then bending strength is improved, but weight and construction difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses porous ceramic granules as aggregate in the interlocking block. These porous granules provide sufficient structural strength while reducing the overall density and weight of the block, resolving the contradiction between strength and weight by introducing a material with internal voids that maintains mechanical integrity without adding mass
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system combining porous ceramic granules with cement matrix. This composite structure leverages the strength properties of the ceramic framework while the cement binds the components together, achieving adequate bending strength with reduced weight compared to conventional solid concrete blocks
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional interlocking blocks are made with high density, then structural integrity is improved, but water permeability and water retention decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The porous ceramic granules contain numerous internal pores and voids that can store water. These pores allow the block to absorb and retain rainwater while the interconnected pore structure enables water permeability, simultaneously achieving water retention and permeability without compromising structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating regions of different density within the block. The porous ceramic granules provide localized water storage zones, while the cement matrix provides structural continuity. This spatial differentiation allows the block to have both high water retention in pore regions and sufficient structural integrity in the overall composition
3Strength
If conventional interlocking blocks are made with high density, then strength is improved, but transpiration capability and heat island mitigation decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The porous structure of the ceramic granules provides channels for water transpiration from the block interior to the surface. As water evaporates through these pores, it consumes heat and lowers the surface temperature, thereby mitigating the heat island effect while maintaining sufficient structural strength through the ceramic framework
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of water from liquid to vapor through evaporation and transpiration processes. This phase change absorbs latent heat from the block and surrounding environment, providing a cooling effect that counteracts the heat island phenomenon while the porous structure facilitates the necessary mass transfer
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 alleviates construction site restrictions and provides an effective countermeasure to the heat island phenomenon even in extreme heat, with improved water retention and transpiration capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a water retention capability of 0.20 g/cm3 or more
Implementation Method 2
an excellent ability to suction up water (water lifting properties), and an excellent ability to allow the transpiration of internal water (transpiration properties)
Data Source
AI summary
An interlocking block which alleviates construction site restrictions, and provides an excellent countermeasure to the heat island phenomenon even in extreme heat. The present invention relates to an interlocking block having a granulated product of a porous ceramic and a cement, and having a bending strength of 3.0 MPa or greater, a water retention capability of 0.20 g/cm3 or greater, and a bulk specific gravity of 1.7 g/cm3 or less. The porous ceramic is preferably obtained by firing a mixture containing at least one material selected from the group consisting of a slag, an organic sludge, diatomaceous earth and borosilicate glass, and a clay. It is more preferable that the mixture contains a slag, an organic sludge and a clay.