Sandwich Panel Wall Fireproofing with Heat Isolation Layer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sandwich panel constructions with steel plates and stone wool fail to maintain fire shielding integrity when exposed to high temperatures due to the degradation of the glue, leading to reduced stiffness and potential collapse under weight, especially at the fastener points where cracks develop.

Innovation Solution

A heat isolation layer, such as ceramic wool, is applied over the fasteners and surrounding areas of the sandwich panel to delay heating and crack development, thereby extending the time before the wall fails without increasing steel plate thickness, even when loaded with significant weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If the steel plates are made thinner to reduce weight, then the weight carrying capacity decreases, but fire safety requirements require minimum thickness to prevent collapse under weight during fire

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight of steel platesVSAvoidfire safety integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A heat isolation layer is introduced as an intermediary substance between the fire exposure and the fastener points on the steel plates. This layer mediates the thermal transfer, protecting the critical fastener areas from rapid heating while allowing the use of thinner steel plates that would otherwise collapse under weight during fire exposure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of uniformly thickening the entire steel plate structure, the heat isolation layer is applied locally at the fastener points and surrounding areas. This localized protection provides the necessary thermal resistance where it is most critical for maintaining structural integrity during fire, while keeping the overall plate thickness minimal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If the steel plate thickness is increased to maintain fire shielding under weight, then the weight carrying capacity improves, but the overall weight of the wall increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire shielding capabilityVSAvoidoverall wall weight
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The heat isolation layer provides targeted thermal protection at the fastener points rather than requiring uniform thickness increase across the entire steel plate. This localized approach maintains fire shielding capability where structurally critical while keeping the overall wall weight low through minimal material addition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The wall construction becomes a composite system combining thin steel plates with heat isolation material (such as ceramic wool or mineral wool) applied at strategic locations. This composite approach leverages the high strength-to-weight ratio of thin steel while compensating for its thermal vulnerability through the insulating layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Stability of the object's composition

If the glue is used to attach stone wool to metal plates, then the sandwich panel achieves high stiffness against bending, but the glue loses its function at high temperatures causing stiffness loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestiffness against bendingVSAvoidduration of stiffness maintenance during fire
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The heat isolation layer acts as a thermal mediator that protects the glue-stone wool-metal plate interface from rapid temperature rise. By shielding this critical bonding zone, the layer allows the adhesive to maintain its function longer during fire exposure, preserving the sandwich panel's bending stiffness for an extended period.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The heat isolation layer provides beforehand cushioning against thermal shock to the vulnerable glue joints. By absorbing and delaying heat transfer to the adhesive layers, it cushions the bonding system against temperature-induced failure, maintaining structural integrity longer during fire events.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 heat isolation layer effectively prolongs the fire shielding capability of the sandwich panel by reducing heat flow to the fastener points, allowing the wall to maintain structural integrity and weight-bearing capacity during fires, even when exposed to temperatures up to 1100 degrees Celsius.

Implementation Method 1

A heat isolation layer, such as ceramic wool, is applied over the fasteners and surrounding areas of the sandwich panel to delay heating and crack development

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP3784843B1Building construction with a sandwich panel wall and method of fire proofing such a building construction
Publication Date: 2024.03.20 INTERDAM HLDG BV
  • EP3784843B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3784843B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3784843B1 patent drawingFigure 2c~2d

AI summary

A building construction has a wall that comprises a sandwich panel, comprising a pair of parallel metal plates, forming opposite surfaces of the wall, and fiber material between said metal plates, glued to said metal plates. In the building construction, the sandwich panel hangs from a beam on fasteners that extend through said beam and the sandwich panel. A heat isolation layer is provided on at least one side of the sandwich panel, over the fasteners and over an area of the panel surrounding the fasteners on that side of the panel. This increases the time before the sandwich panel fails at the points where it hangs on the fasteners, preventing that fire safety is compromised when weights of objects are suspended on the sandwich panel.