L-Shaped Hollow-Core Slab Bearer for Fire-Resistant Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hollow-core slab bearers lack sufficient fire resistance, leading to potential structural weaknesses during fires.

Innovation Solution

A hollow-core slab bearer with an open L-shaped cross-section, featuring a reinforcement system that is fastened to end plates and embedded in concrete, ensuring that more than 50% of the reinforcement volume is protected from heat by being positioned away from the base plate, thereby enhancing fire resistance and preventing bending.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the reinforcement is positioned close to the base plate for structural efficiency, then the load-bearing capacity is improved, but the fire resistance deteriorates due to direct heat exposure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload-bearing capacityVSAvoidfire resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating different spatial zones for the reinforcement: the first reinforcement is positioned in the lower region closer to the base plate for optimal load-bearing, while the second reinforcement is positioned in the upper region for fire protection. Each reinforcement serves a specific local function, resolving the contradiction between strength and fire resistance through differentiated positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent resolves the contradiction by transitioning from a single-plane reinforcement arrangement to a three-dimensional arrangement with reinforcements at different vertical levels. The first reinforcement is placed at a first distance from the base plate, and the second reinforcement is placed at a second distance greater than the first, creating a vertical dimension that simultaneously achieves both load-bearing efficiency and fire protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the reinforcement is positioned away from the base plate for fire protection, then the fire resistance is improved, but the load-bearing capacity deteriorates due to increased distance from the load path

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire resistanceVSAvoidload-bearing capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the reinforcement function into two separate reinforcement elements positioned at different distances from the base plate. The first reinforcement handles the load-bearing function by being positioned closer to the base plate, while the second reinforcement handles the fire protection function by being positioned farther away. This segmentation allows both conflicting requirements to be satisfied simultaneously by different segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If more reinforcement is added to improve fire resistance, then the fire protection is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire resistanceVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing the second reinforcement to serve multiple functions: it provides fire protection by being positioned away from the base plate, and it also contributes to the overall structural integrity of the slab bearer. This multi-functionality allows fire resistance to be improved without proportionally increasing complexity, as the additional reinforcement serves both protective and structural roles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 significantly increases the fire resistance of the slab bearer by protecting the reinforcement from heat, maintaining structural integrity during fires, and preventing bending, thus improving overall fire safety.

Implementation Method 1

the reinforcement will be embedded in concrete. Said concrete will provide for fire protection for the reinforcement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP4663864A1Hollow-core slab bearer
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 PEIKKO GROUP
  • EP4663864A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4663864A1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4663864A1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

Presented is a hollow-core slab bearer for bearing an end of a hollow-core slab, which end borders on an opening or similar structural discontinuity. The hollow-core slab bearer comprises a profile (1) with an open L-shaped cross-section comprising a base plate (9) and a web plate (10), the profile (1) having a first end (2) and a second end (3), a first end plate (4) at the first end (2) of the profile (1), and a second end plate (5) at the second end (3) of the profile (1), and a reinforcement (8) between the first end plate (4) and the second end plate (5), which reinforcement (8) binds the first end plate (4) and the second end plate (5) together.