Sealed Concrete Mat Connection via Open Side Sheet
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Solution Overview
Problem
In concrete construction, the connection between mats filled with liquid concrete often results in a joint that is prone to water penetration, leading to inferior surface quality or damage, especially when panels are extended over multiple work phases or steps.
Innovation Solution
A mat arrangement where the second mat has an open area in the connection zone, allowing liquid concrete to directly contact the side film of the first mat, forming a tight and potentially watertight connection, which can be enhanced with zippers, seams, or projections, and treated with concrete bonding agents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mats are sewn at their edges to extend panels, then productivity is improved by enabling panel extension beyond single-day production, but the joint tightness deteriorates due to gaps forming between individual panels that allow water penetration
Solution Approach 1:
The second mat is prepared in advance with an open area in its side sheet at the connection zone before concrete is poured. This preliminary configuration enables the liquid concrete to directly contact the first mat's side sheet when poured, creating a tight seal without requiring post-pouring modifications or complex stitching operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention removes the side sheet material from the connection area of the second mat to create an open area. This extraction allows direct contact between the liquid concrete and the first mat's side sheet, eliminating the need for stitching and preventing gap formation that would otherwise occur with conventional closed side sheets.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional stitching is used to connect mats, then ease of manufacture is improved by enabling simple edge connection, but the joint tightness deteriorates due to water penetration through the stitched joint
Solution Approach 1:
The side sheet material is removed from the connection area of the second mat to create an open area. This extraction eliminates the need for stitching operations entirely, as the open area allows direct concrete-to-concrete contact that inherently creates a tight seal without requiring additional connection components or operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Liquid concrete serves as an intermediary substance that fills the open area of the second mat and directly contacts the first mat's side sheet. This intermediary action creates a hydraulic seal that is more effective than mechanical stitching while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If mats are filled in multiple work phases, then adaptability is improved by allowing extended construction timelines, but the joint quality deteriorates due to potential water ingress through seams during the extended period
Solution Approach 1:
The open area is pre-configured in the second mat's side sheet before concrete pouring begins. This preliminary configuration ensures that when concrete is poured in subsequent work phases, the liquid concrete will automatically contact the first mat's side sheet through the open area, creating a tight seal regardless of the timing or duration of the work phases.
Solution Approach 2:
Liquid concrete acts as a self-healing intermediary that fills the open area and bonds the two mats together. This intermediary mechanism ensures joint tightness even when construction is extended over multiple work phases, as the concrete maintains its sealing function during and after the pouring process.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4a~4c
AI summary
The invention relates to a mat arrangement and a method for providing a tight connection between two mats, wherein the mats are specifically designed to receive liquid concrete. The mat arrangement (100) comprises a first mat (110) and a second mat (120), which are designed to receive liquid concrete. Each of the mats (110, 120) has a bottom sheet (112, 122), a top sheet (114, 124), and a side sheet (116, 126). Furthermore, the mat arrangement (100) has a connection area (140) between the first mat (110) and the second mat (120).The side sheet (126) of the second mat (120) has an open area (127) in the area of the connection area (140), so that the second mat (120) is designed to bring the liquid concrete into direct contact with a corresponding area (117) of the side sheet (116) of the first mat (110) when liquid concrete is absorbed into the second mat (120), so that a tight connection is provided between the first mat (110) and the second mat (120) in the area of the connection area (140).