Self-lifting Concrete Form with Movable Wall for Rebar Clearance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing concrete formwork systems face challenges in allowing the direct vertical movement of concrete formwork over reinforcing steel protrusions, which obstructs the progress of vertical walls and requires expensive dowel bar substitutes or labor-intensive methods, hindering efficient construction and reuse of formwork.

Innovation Solution

A self-raising concrete form apparatus with movable forming walls and a retractable platform that accommodates protruding reinforcing steel, allowing for horizontal movement and vertical raising without interference, enabling easy stripping and reuse of formwork.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional concrete formwork is used with protruding reinforcing steel, then the reinforcing steel can be poured into the intersecting concrete slab, but the formwork cannot move vertically directly due to obstruction from the reinforcing steel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevertical movement of formworkVSAvoidobstruction from reinforcing steel

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The formwork system is divided into multiple segments including a first formwork portion and a second formwork portion that can move independently. The second formwork portion can be selectively positioned to accommodate protruding reinforcing steel while the first formwork portion maintains the form, allowing vertical movement without obstruction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The formwork system incorporates dynamic components including a movable second formwork portion that can be selectively positioned, and a platform that can be raised and lowered. This dynamic configuration allows the formwork to adapt to the presence of protruding reinforcing steel and continue vertical movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If expensive dowel bar substitutes are placed to replace protruding reinforcing steel, then the formwork can move vertically, but the construction cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevertical movement of formworkVSAvoidconstruction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes the protruding reinforcing steel from the path of the formwork by lowering the platform and positioning the second formwork portion below the steel. This allows the original reinforcing steel to remain in place and serve its structural purpose while enabling formwork movement without expensive substitutes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The formwork system uses its own components (movable second formwork portion and adjustable platform) to accommodate and work around the protruding reinforcing steel, eliminating the need for external expensive dowel bar substitutes. The system serves itself by providing the necessary accommodation mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If the formwork is designed to accommodate protruding reinforcing steel, then the formwork can be reused multiple times, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveformwork reuse capabilityVSAvoidformwork structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The formwork employs dynamic elements such as the movable second formwork portion on rollers and the adjustable platform that can be raised and lowered. These dynamic components enable the formwork to accommodate protruding reinforcing steel and be reused multiple times, with the complexity managed through standardized mechanical elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The formwork system is designed with multi-functional components that can accommodate both situations with and without protruding reinforcing steel. The movable second formwork portion and adjustable platform serve multiple purposes: accommodating steel, maintaining form integrity, and enabling vertical movement, thereby justifying the added complexity through enhanced versatility and reuse capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10961726B2Self-lifting concrete form adapted to accommodate horizontal reinforcing steel

Publication Date: 2021.03.30 FORMING CONCEPTS INC

AI summary

A forming system includes a frame and two forming walls. The two forming walls are positioned at a distance from each other to define a first vertical wall course. One forming wall is supported by the frame such that the one forming wall can be translated toward or away from the respective other forming wall. The frame can be raised to raise the two forming walls to be positioned to pour a second vertical course on top of the first vertical course. The translation of the one forming wall allows for the pouring of the first vertical course with horizontally extending rebar that extends through the one forming wall outside of the first vertical wall course, to tie in to a subsequently poured floor slab. The translation permits the vertical raising of the one forming wall, without striking the extending rebar, to pour the second vertical course on the first vertical course. A worker's platform is provided that is supported by the frame and vertically movable by raising the frame. The worker's platform is located below the one forming wall on a side of the one forming wall opposite the respective other forming wall and is retractable to also clear the extending rebar during raising of the frame.