Segmented Concrete Attenuating Element for Wave Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing attenuating elements for wave and sound attenuation, such as those used in dykes and sound barriers, are complex, costly, and difficult to install, with prior solutions being heavy, unsuitable for hand installation, and lacking flexibility in shape adaptation and interaction with underlying structures.
Innovation Solution
The attenuating element consists of separate head, neck, and base parts with a smaller cross-sectional area neck part facilitating fluid communication and disruption of wave flow, allowing for efficient attenuation and easy installation, with the ability to be produced in large quantities at low cost using simple moulds and press techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If highly complex elements with apertures are used to disrupt water flow and increase attenuation, then wave attenuation effectiveness is improved, but production costs and structural complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The attenuating element is divided into distinct functional segments: a base part for stability, a head part for water intake, and a neck part for flow disruption. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently while maintaining overall effectiveness, reducing manufacturing complexity compared to monolithic complex designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The element incorporates aperture structures that function as porous features, allowing controlled water passage while disrupting flow patterns. These apertures are integrated into the segmented structure, enabling effective attenuation without requiring overly complex solid geometries.
2Reliability
If heavy attenuating elements are used to achieve effective wave attenuation, then attenuation performance is improved, but ease of installation and handling deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the attenuating element into standardized base and head parts that can be assembled, the design enables modular installation. This segmentation allows for lighter individual components that are easier to handle and install while maintaining overall structural effectiveness through proper assembly configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The element design incorporates adaptive features that allow it to respond dynamically to wave forces. The neck part's constrained geometry enables flexible water flow adaptation without requiring excessive structural mass, reducing weight while maintaining attenuation performance.
3Manufacturing precision
If complex moulds are used to produce attenuating elements with intricate shapes, then manufacturing precision and shape complexity are improved, but productivity and production cost deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The attenuating element is designed as an assembly of simpler base parts and head parts rather than a single complex monolithic structure. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured using simpler, faster moulding processes while achieving the required geometric precision through controlled assembly of the segmented components.
Solution Approach 2:
The base part and head part are designed to combine through standardized interfaces that ensure proper alignment and geometric accuracy. This merging approach achieves the precision of complex single-piece designs while benefiting from the manufacturing efficiency of multiple simpler components produced in parallel.
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 configuration achieves effective wave and sound attenuation while allowing controlled water flow and preventing damage to underlying structures, enabling the production of lightweight, adaptable, and cost-effective attenuating systems for various applications.
Implementation Method 1
the head part is in fluid communication with the neck part, as a result of which the movement path of the medium to be attenuated is disturbed due to the fact that a part of, for example, a wave against a dyke disappears into the neck part via the head part
Implementation Method 2
a series of attenuating elements can be placed on a filter layer or gravel layer of a dyke. Such a filter layer allows the water to move and also makes it possible to provide the removal of water
Data Source
AI summary
Attenuating element consisting of a head part, neck part and base part. The neck part is narrower compared to the head part and neck parts of adjacent attenuating elements form a continuous channel. Via the head parts, this channel is connected so that the cross-sectional area of the head parts is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the base parts. In this way, a water-control structure, sound-attenuating wall and the like can be provided. Such attenuating elements can be produced in a very simple manner by dividing them vertically and producing each of the vertical parts from concrete in a mould.