Reinforcement Device with Openings for Prefabricated Concrete

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing reinforcement devices for prefabricated components are costly to manufacture, require a large amount of steel, and can lead to nesting issues during concrete pouring due to full-surface designs, which results in incomplete filling and material flow blockages.

Innovation Solution

A reinforcement device with a V-shaped arrangement of longitudinal elements and zigzag-reinforced transverse elements, allowing for independent setup and insertion into free spaces within reinforcement mats, minimizing formwork concrete and preventing nesting by creating openings between transverse elements for complete concrete coverage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional full-surface reinforcement devices are used, then structural strength is provided, but nesting issues occur during concrete pouring and material flow is blocked

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidnesting and material flow blockage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The transverse elements are designed with openings instead of solid full-surface structures. These openings allow concrete to flow through during pouring, preventing nesting and blockage while the surrounding steel structure maintains structural strength. The porous/open design solves the contradiction between providing structural integrity and enabling material flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcement device is segmented into longitudinal elements and transverse elements with openings. This segmentation creates spaces within the structure that facilitate concrete flow while distributing structural loads. The segmented design prevents the nesting issues that occur with solid, continuous reinforcement surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If conventional reinforcement devices are used, then side walls are connected, but a large amount of formwork concrete is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveside wall connectionVSAvoidformwork concrete amount
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcement device is extracted from the traditional embedded-in-concrete design to a standalone structure that connects side walls through mechanical means. The longitudinal elements extend outward from the side walls, allowing connection without requiring large volumes of formwork concrete for integration. This extraction reduces the quantity of formwork concrete needed while maintaining connection strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Stability of the object's composition

If traditional reinforcement devices are used, then structural stability is provided, but manufacturing cost and steel usage are high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost and steel usage
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcement device uses composite construction with longitudinal elements made of steel for tensile strength and transverse elements with openings that may use alternative materials or reduced steel sections. This composite approach maintains structural stability while reducing overall steel consumption and manufacturing cost compared to traditional all-steel reinforcement devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of providing full steel reinforcement throughout the entire structure, the invention uses partial reinforcement with openings in transverse elements. This partial action approach provides sufficient structural stability for the application while significantly reducing steel usage and associated manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3103935B1Reinforcement device
Publication Date: 2022.02.23 AVI ALPENLANDISCHE VEREDELUNGS IND GES
  • EP3103935B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3103935B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3103935B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a reinforcement device (1) for prefabricated components, comprising several longitudinal elements (2), in particular longitudinal bars, and one or more transverse elements (3) which connect the longitudinal elements (2) to one another. According to the invention, the reinforcement device (1) can be independently erected on the ends (4, 5) of the longitudinal elements (2) and the transverse element(s) (3) defines at least one opening (6) in or between the transverse elements (3), wherein the longitudinal elements (2) can be inserted into spaces between one or more reinforcement elements for side parts of a prefabricated component. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing a prefabricated component with two spaced-apart concrete side walls.