Pre-cast Sluice Gate Frame with Extended Base Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for constructing sluice gates are time-consuming and prone to poor quality due to weather conditions affecting cement hardening, and the foundation is susceptible to water undermining, requiring extensive site preparation and long construction times.
Innovation Solution
A pre-fabricated water control sluice gate system using a pre-cast reinforced concrete frame with extended base panels and reinforcement, along with lifting anchors and air/water channels to prevent undermining and facilitate easy installation and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the frame/foundation is cast directly at the application site, then the sluice gate can be constructed in place, but the construction time is long and the quality is affected by weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is divided into multiple pre-cast segments that can be manufactured separately in a controlled environment and then assembled on-site. This segmentation allows parallel production of multiple segments, significantly reducing overall construction time while maintaining quality through controlled manufacturing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame segments are pre-cast in advance in a controlled factory environment where weather conditions do not affect the curing process. This preliminary action eliminates weather-related delays and quality variations, allowing the segments to be ready for immediate assembly when the site is prepared.
2Ease of manufacture
If cement is used for casting the frame/foundation, then the structure can be formed in place, but the cement hardening is affected by weather conditions resulting in poor quality
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is segmented into multiple pre-cast units that are manufactured in controlled factory conditions. This segmentation allows each segment to be cured under controlled temperature and humidity conditions, ensuring consistent high quality regardless of external weather conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
A controlled factory environment acts as an intermediary between the cement mixing process and the final installation. This intermediary environment shields the cement hardening process from adverse weather conditions, ensuring reliable and consistent quality.
3Reliability
If the base panel is extended beyond the side panels, then water undermining is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base panel is pre-designed and pre-cast with extended dimensions that go beyond the side panels. This preliminary design decision, made during the manufacturing phase, provides anti-undermining protection without adding complexity during on-site assembly, as the extended base is already integrated into the pre-cast unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The extended base panel functionality is merged with the frame structure itself rather than being a separate protective element. The base panel serves dual purposes: supporting the frame and preventing water undermining, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If reinforcement is extended beyond the side and base panels, then the structure can be built into other reinforced concrete structures, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The extended reinforcement bars serve multiple functions: they provide structural strengthening within the pre-cast unit and enable integration with existing or future reinforced concrete structures. This multi-functionality is achieved through a single design feature that benefits both the unit itself and its integration capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement extension is incorporated during the pre-casting process rather than being added later on-site. This preliminary action simplifies on-site installation and integration work, as the reinforcement is already positioned and ready for connection, despite requiring more complex pre-casting operations.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
The present invention relates a pre-fabricated water control sluice gate system comprising a first frame, a lifting anchor or coupler adapted for receiving a lifting anchor, one or more sluice gate members, and an actuator adapted for moving the sluice gate members.