Reinforced Geotextile Grid for Buried Network Protection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing protection and warning solutions for buried networks in civil engineering lack sufficient mechanical strength and cohesion to effectively resist construction machinery attacks while maintaining visibility and deformation capabilities for warning purposes.

Innovation Solution

A reinforced geotextile grid with parallel reinforcing strands or cables of varying widths and materials, integrated sensors, and a specific weaving pattern using high tenacity yarns, along with a colored coating for enhanced visibility and durability, to provide both protection and warning functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If warning meshes are made deformable to rise to the surface for warning purposes, then warning capability is improved, but mechanical strength deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewarning capabilityVSAvoidmechanical strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines high tenacity polyethylene fibers with polypropylene or polyester binder fibers to create a composite geotextile grid. The high tenacity polyethylene strands provide exceptional mechanical strength and resistance to construction machinery attacks, while the binder fibers maintain grid integrity and allow controlled deformation for warning purposes. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by enabling both high strength and deformability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If protection plates are made rigid to block construction machinery attacks, then protection capability is improved, but ability to rise to surface for warning deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection capabilityVSAvoidwarning capability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible geotextile grid structure instead of rigid protection plates. The grid's flexible nature allows it to deform and rise to the surface when subjected to construction machinery attacks, providing visual warning while still offering protection. The high tenacity fibers ensure the grid can withstand the attack forces while maintaining its ability to deform and signal danger.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Strength

If geo-grids use high tenacity fibers for reinforcement, then mechanical strength is improved, but cohesion between fibers deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidcohesion

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses polypropylene or polyester binder fibers as intermediary elements that connect and bind the high tenacity polyethylene reinforcement strands. These binder fibers provide adequate cohesion and binding between the high-strength strands, ensuring the grid maintains its structural integrity and fiber-to-fiber cohesion while allowing the high tenacity strands to provide the necessary mechanical strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2880211B1High-strength grid with reinforced bonding for buried networks or devices

Publication Date: 2016.04.06 MDB TEXINOV SA

Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4

AI summary

This high-strength geotextile grid comprises reinforcement fibres combined into parallel cords forming strips (101,103,105) oriented in at least two directions, said strips being separated by minimum intervals of 1 millimetre, said strips having homogeneous or different widths extending between 1 and 20 centimetres. Furthermore, strips having large widths (106) greater than 6 centimetres are provided at least on the edges of the grid.