Continuous Seaming Bands Anchor Waterproofing Liners to Concrete Curbs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic structures with loose material embankments face water infiltration and erosion due to discontinuous anchoring systems for waterproofing membranes, which are prone to failure under external forces and lack effective drainage solutions.
Innovation Solution
A method and system using continuous seaming bands of synthetic material anchored to concrete curbs, providing a firm and continuous anchorage for waterproofing liners on sloped or horizontal walls of hydraulic structures, allowing for drainage of seeped water by gravity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If discontinuous anchor strips are used to anchor waterproofing membranes, then the anchoring system is simpler and easier to install, but the reliability of anchorage deteriorates under external forces such as wind suction and water pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous anchoring system is segmented into discrete concrete curbs positioned at intervals along the slope. Each curb acts as an independent anchoring unit that holds a section of the waterproofing membrane, allowing the system to maintain reliability while simplifying installation compared to a fully continuous system.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchoring system transitions from a two-dimensional continuous sheet to a three-dimensional structure with concrete curbs protruding from the slope. This vertical dimension provides mechanical interlocking capability and creates drainage spaces, simultaneously improving reliability and enabling water drainage functionality.
2Strength
If mechanical anchor systems are used to fix waterproofing membranes to concrete walls, then the anchorage is more secure, but the system becomes more complex and difficult to install
Solution Approach 1:
Concrete curbs serve as intermediary elements between the slope structure and the waterproofing membrane. These curbs simplify the anchoring process by providing pre-formed mechanical anchors that require no additional fastening operations, eliminating the complexity of installing separate mechanical anchors while maintaining strong attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The concrete curbs are designed to self-anchor into the slope during construction, requiring no additional anchoring operations. The waterproofing membrane simply needs to be wrapped around and secured to the curbs, making the system self-sufficient and reducing installation complexity while maintaining anchorage strength.
3Stability of the object's composition
If continuous anchoring is provided for the waterproofing liner, then the anchorage stability is improved, but the drainage of seeped water between the liner and laying surface is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring system is segmented into discrete concrete curbs rather than a continuous barrier. This segmentation creates vertical gaps between curbs that allow seeped water to drain downward by gravity while the curbs themselves maintain horizontal anchorage stability of the waterproofing membrane.
Solution Approach 2:
The concrete curbs provide localized anchorage points with different functional qualities: the front face provides mechanical anchorage for membrane stability, while the rear space between curbs provides drainage pathways. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between stability and drainage.
4Ease of operation
If anchor strips are simply retained by frictional forces in loose material, then the installation is easier, but the anchoring reliability deteriorates under strong external forces
Solution Approach 1:
Concrete curbs act as intermediary anchoring elements that transfer loads from the waterproofing membrane to the compacted slope structure. This intermediary mechanism provides reliable anchorage under strong external forces while maintaining installation simplicity, as the curbs are integrated into the construction process rather than requiring separate anchoring operations.
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 solution ensures a stable and secure anchorage of waterproofing liners, reducing the risk of tearing and breakage while enabling efficient water drainage, thus preventing structural damage and maintaining the integrity of hydraulic structures.
Implementation Method 1
the liner is anchored to a plurality of concrete curbs which extend along the slope of the embankment
Implementation Method 2
allowing at the same time a drainage, by gravity, of the water seeped from the body of the hydraulic structure
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
A method and a system for anchoring a waterproofing liner (13) of thermoplastic material to a longitudinally extending wall (12) of a hydraulic structure (10) of compacted loose material. The waterproofing liner (13) is seamed to a plurality of continuous anchor bands (14) of thermoplastic material, laterally spaced apart from one another, vertically extending in a traverse direction of the wall (12), from an upper to a lower position of the hydraulic structure (10); each continuous anchor band (14) consists of a plurality of axially aligned and partially superimposed modular strips (14''), seamed together and fixed to concrete curbs (15), defining a surface for laying down the waterproofing liner (13), in which the curbs (15) longitudinally and/or transversely extend to the wall (12) of the hydraulic structure (10).