Single-Layer Waterbar Composition for Bonding Concrete Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing waterbars used for sealing concrete joints are costly to produce and require complex shapes with ribs or protrusions, making them difficult to store and transport in rolls.
Innovation Solution
A single-layer waterbar produced by extruding a highly filled polymeric composition that bonds directly to cementitious compositions without ribs or protrusions, allowing for simplified production and storage in rolls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If waterbars are provided with ribs or protrusions for bonding to concrete, then bonding reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the polymeric material to include reactive groups that can chemically bond with cementitious materials. This parameter change allows the waterbar to achieve reliable bonding through material chemistry rather than mechanical interlocking, thereby eliminating the need for complex ribbed or protruded shapes while maintaining bonding reliability.
2Reliability
If waterbars have complex shapes with ribs or protrusions, then bonding to concrete is improved, but ease of storage and transportation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the material parameters by incorporating reactive polymeric compositions that can bond directly to concrete surfaces. This parameter change enables the waterbar to maintain bonding reliability while adopting a simple, smooth, continuous profile that can be easily rolled, stored, and transported without the geometric complications of ribs or protrusions.
3Ease of manufacture
If waterbars use simple flat profiles, then ease of manufacture and storage is improved, but bonding reliability to concrete deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the polymeric material to include reactive functional groups capable of forming chemical bonds with cementitious materials. This parameter transformation allows simple flat profiles to achieve reliable bonding through chemical adhesion rather than mechanical interlocking, thereby simultaneously improving ease of manufacture and maintaining bonding reliability.
4Ease of manufacture
If waterbars are made with highly filled polymeric composition, then production cost is reduced, but material properties may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite polymeric composition that combines multiple materials with complementary properties. The highly filled polymeric composition includes a base polymer matrix reinforced with fillers and modified with reactive additives, creating a composite material that maintains adequate strength while reducing production costs through efficient material utilization and direct bonding capability.
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 single-layer waterbar reduces production costs and enables efficient storage and transportation by eliminating the need for complex shapes, while maintaining effective bonding to concrete structures.
Implementation Method 1
The top and bottom surfaces of the extruded profile are operative to bond to cementitious compositions casted against it
Data Source
AI summary
A method for producing a single-layer waterbar, use of a single-layer extruded profile as a waterbar, a method for sealing an internal or an external joint between two sections of concrete, and sealed construction; wherein the production method includes extruding a melt-processed starting composition through an extruder die to form an extruded profile, wherein the starting composition includes 35-75 wt.-% of at least one polymer and 25-65 wt.-% of at least one solid particulate filler.