Seawall Construction Waterproof Barrier Forms

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for repairing or replacing sections of seawalls require the construction of a temporary cofferdam, which significantly increases time and cost due to the need to shield the construction site from water.

Innovation Solution

The use of concrete forms with substantially waterproof barrier members to prevent water infiltration, allowing for the construction of seawall sections without the need for a cofferdam. The barrier members are positioned over the concrete forms to prevent water from entering the fill volume, ensuring the integrity of the concrete structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a temporary cofferdam is constructed to shield the construction site from water, then the seawall section can be built with water protection, but the construction time and cost increase substantially

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater protection of construction siteVSAvoidconstruction time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible waterproof membrane is applied directly to the exterior surface of the concrete form, creating a thin-film barrier that prevents water infiltration without requiring a bulky cofferdam structure. This resolves the contradiction by providing reliable water protection while minimizing the space and time required for construction setup.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The waterproofing function is extracted from the traditional cofferdam structure and applied directly to the concrete form surface. Instead of building a separate protective enclosure, the membrane is applied directly to the form, eliminating the need for additional shielding structures and reducing construction time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If a temporary cofferdam is constructed to shield the construction site from water, then the seawall section can be built with water protection, but the construction cost increases substantially

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater protection of construction siteVSAvoidconstruction structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible membrane provides a simple, single-layer waterproof barrier that is far less complex than constructing a temporary cofferdam. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliable water protection while significantly reducing structural complexity and associated costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The waterproofing function is separated from the complex cofferdam system and applied directly to the concrete form. This extraction simplifies the overall construction system by eliminating the need for additional shielding structures, supports, and assembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If water penetrates through the concrete form and infiltrates the fill volume, then the construction site is compromised, but using traditional forms without barriers allows water contact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconcrete form usabilityVSAvoidintegrity of concrete structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible membrane is applied directly to the concrete form surface, creating a waterproof barrier that prevents water infiltration while maintaining the simplicity and reusability of the form system. This resolves the contradiction by protecting concrete integrity without complicating form operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The waterproof membrane acts as an intermediary layer between the concrete form and the surrounding water. It mediates the interaction by blocking water penetration while allowing the form to maintain its structural function and ease of use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This method reduces construction time and costs by eliminating the need for a cofferdam, while maintaining the integrity of the seawall sections by preventing water infiltration during the construction process.

Implementation Method 1

one or more substantially-waterproof barrier members are provided to prevent water from entering the fill volume through the concrete form

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWaterproof barrier:

Data Source

PatentUS12338596B2Seawall construction using concrete forms

Publication Date: 2025.06.24 BEECH CONTRACTORS LLC

AI summary

A method for constructing a seawall section includes coupling an end of a substantially-waterproof barrier member to a footing. A concrete form is mounted to the footing such that a top end of the form is higher than an exposed upper surface of the footing. The concrete form defines at least part of a fill volume. Another end of the barrier member is coupled to the concrete form such that the barrier member extends over a side of the concrete form opposite the fill volume. Concrete is then poured into the fill volume and cured to form the seawall section. Prior to the curing, a body of water at the footing may be higher than the upper surface of the footing. However, the barrier member prevents water from entering the fill volume through the concrete form.