Large-Volume Sluice Gate Pier Cavities for Thermal Crack Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for controlling cracks in large-volume sluice gates, particularly in the piers, are inadequate in preventing cracks after construction, leading to structural integrity and durability issues due to thermal stress and temperature changes, despite using low-heat cement or cooling water pipes.
Innovation Solution
A structure and method involving the formation of cavities in the pier filled with tough materials like rubberized concrete or acrylic latex-rubber composite mortar to absorb stress, combined with a construction method using a cavity-forming device for efficient filling, ensuring the stress is below the concrete's ultimate tensile strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cooling water pipes are installed in the pier to control thermal stress, then crack generation is reduced, but temperature difference between concrete and pipe wall causes early cracking at pipe wall positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the cooling water pipe from the pier structure entirely. Instead of installing pipes within the concrete, the invention extracts the cooling function and replaces it with a stress-absorbing layer at the connection interface between the pier and sluice floor. This eliminates the source of temperature gradient damage while maintaining crack control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a stress-absorbing layer as an intermediary element between the pier and sluice floor. This layer acts as a mediator that absorbs thermal stresses and prevents crack propagation at the connection interface, without requiring direct thermal contact through cooling pipes that would create harmful temperature gradients.
2Reliability
If reinforcement bars are used to control cracks, then crack width is limited, but stress in reinforcement bars is very small before cracking and only increases significantly after cracks form
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by installing a stress-absorbing layer before the concrete structure is completed. This layer is pre-positioned at the connection interface to proactively absorb thermal stresses and prevent crack formation, rather than relying on reinforcement bars that only respond passively after cracks have already occurred.
Solution Approach 2:
The stress-absorbing layer serves as a cushioning element that is installed beforehand to absorb and dissipate thermal stresses before they can cause cracking. This prior cushioning prevents the concrete from experiencing the full extent of thermal stress, thereby preventing crack formation rather than merely limiting crack width after the fact.
3Temperature
If low-heat or moderate-heat cement is used during construction, then hydration heat is reduced, but crack control after construction is not effectively addressed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the crack control function into two distinct parts: (1) using low-heat or moderate-heat cement to control hydration heat during construction, and (2) installing a separate stress-absorbing layer at the pier-sluice floor connection to address post-construction thermal stress. This segmentation allows each measure to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining low-heat cement concrete with a stress-absorbing layer made of specialized materials at the connection interface. This composite approach integrates the heat-control benefits of low-heat cement with the stress-absorption capabilities of the specialized layer, providing comprehensive crack control that addresses both construction-phase and post-construction thermal stress issues.
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
Effectively controls crack generation by absorbing thermal stress, improving durability and safety, while being cost-effective and time-efficient, maintaining structural integrity without voids or additional complexity.
Implementation Method 1
the tough material is configured for stress absorption
Implementation Method 2
arranging cooling water pipes for water cooling in a pouring process
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a structure for controlling crack generation in a large-volume sluice gate and a construction method therefor. The structure includes: a sluice floor and a pier, the sluice floor and the pier are formed by a process of pouring concrete, and the pier is disposed above the sluice floor; at least one cavity, defined in the pier, the at least one cavity is reserved in the process of pouring the concrete, and the at least one cavity serves as a self-restraint stress hole; and a tough material, the tough material is configured for stress absorption, the tough material is filled in the at least one cavity, and the tough material is integrated with an inner wall of the at least one cavity. The construction method includes: performing construction preparation; performing foundation treatment; performing construction of the sluice floor; and performing construction of the pier.