Precast Wall Panel Connection With Alignment Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
The process of erecting building structures using conventional prefabricated components is costly and cumbersome, requiring skilled labor and specialized machinery, and conventional connections for precast wall panels involve significant on-site manufacturing and wet work, which complicates the installation process.
Innovation Solution
A connection system for precast wall panels that includes an alignment element with an external thread for engaging with connection bodies, allowing for flexible positioning and the insertion of a sealing material, and a connecting bar with an external thread for enhanced strength, which simplifies installation and reduces the need for welding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional connections (bolted, welded, dowel/anchor bolt) are used to connect precast wall panels, then the connection strength is sufficient, but the installation process becomes cumbersome and requires skilled labor and specialized machinery
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into separate components: connection bodies embedded in panels, a connecting bar with alignment element, and fasteners. This segmentation allows components to be manufactured separately and assembled on-site without complex welding or specialized machinery, while maintaining connection strength through the integrated fastening system.
Solution Approach 2:
Connection bodies are pre-embedded in the precast wall panels during manufacturing. This preliminary action eliminates the need for on-site drilling, welding, or complex anchoring operations, significantly simplifying the installation process while ensuring proper positioning and connection strength.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional prefabricated components are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but on-site manufacturing and wet work are still required to erect the structure
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system extracts the complex on-site manufacturing and wet work operations from the erection process. The connection bodies are manufactured with the panels in the factory, and the connecting bars with fasteners are assembled on-site without requiring wet work, enabling faster erection speed while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system is designed to be self-aligning and self-securing through the alignment element and fastener mechanism. This eliminates the need for skilled labor and specialized machinery during erection, allowing standard workers to assemble the structure quickly using simple tools, thereby improving productivity without compromising ease of manufacture.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid connections are used to connect wall panels, then structural stability is improved, but tolerance for panel alignment and vibration is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system incorporates dynamic characteristics through the alignment element and fastener assembly, which allows for controlled movement and adjustment. The alignment channel permits lateral movement of the connecting bar, providing tolerance for panel alignment while the fasteners maintain structural stability by securing the panels in their final positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment element acts as an intermediary between the connection bodies and the fasteners. It provides a controlled interface that allows for alignment adjustments while transmitting forces to maintain structural stability. The alignment channel mediates between rigid connection requirements and alignment tolerance needs.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 3A
AI summary
The present invention relates to a connection for connecting adjoining precast wall panels. The connection comprises a connecting bar and first and second connection bodies, wherein each body is positioned within a respective precast wall panel such that when the precast wall panels are connected a cavity of the first connection body substantially aligns with a cavity of the second connection body. The connection further comprises first and second fasteners and an alignment element for aligning the cavities of the first and second connection bodies. The connection is configured such that when the connecting bar extends through the alignment element and into the cavities of the first and second connection bodies positioned within the respective precast wall panels, the first and second fasteners can engage with the respective external threads of the connecting bar to apply opposing forces to the connecting bar thereby connecting the adjoining wall panels.