Stone Wall Fastening Assembly for Lateral Load Dry Stacking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dry-stacking systems for constructing outer walls with stones require large, space-consuming fastening elements made of plastic that are not suitable for absorbing lateral forces and require numerous assembly operations, leading to inefficient and time-consuming construction.
Innovation Solution
The system uses fastening elements made of high-tensile strength plastic, such as glass fibre-reinforced polyarylamide, with cutting edges and resilient tongues for secure engagement, allowing for simplified assembly and effective force absorption, and incorporates metal brackets for added stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional plastic fastening elements are used, then the assembly process is simple, but the fastening element cannot absorb lateral forces and requires large dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining metal (for strength and lateral force absorption) with plastic components (for simplicity and corrosion resistance). The metal core or reinforcement within the fastening element provides the necessary tensile strength to absorb lateral forces, while the plastic outer structure maintains ease of assembly and resistance to corrosion.
2Strength
If traditional fastening elements are used, then the coupling piece is made of plastic, but it is not suitable for absorbing lateral forces on outer walls
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from pure plastic to composite materials by incorporating metal elements (such as steel cores or reinforcements) within the plastic fastening element. This composite structure achieves the high tensile strength (250-500 MPa) required for absorbing lateral forces while maintaining the ease of manufacturing associated with plastic components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from standard plastic to high-strength plastic or composite materials with specific tensile strength characteristics. This parameter change enables the fastening element to withstand lateral forces while maintaining dimensional constraints and manufacturing feasibility.
3Productivity
If traditional dry-stacking systems are used, then the fastening element can be manufactured, but connecting it to the mounting requires many operations making assembly time long
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the fastening element with the coupling mechanism into a single integrated component. This eliminates the need for separate coupling pieces and multiple assembly operations, allowing the fastening element to be directly inserted and locked into the mounting element in one action, thereby significantly reducing assembly time and improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening element incorporates self-locking features that automatically engage with the mounting element without requiring additional tools or auxiliary means. The integrated design enables the component to secure itself during assembly, eliminating manual adjustment steps and reducing the overall assembly time.
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 system reduces assembly time, minimizes material usage, and ensures stable, durable construction with enhanced resistance to lateral forces, while allowing for easy disassembly without additional tools.
Implementation Method 1
The plastic material is preferably glass fibre-reinforced polyarylamide, wherein the glass fibre content amounts to 30% to 50%. This material is highly creep-resistant, but still has some flexibility.
Implementation Method 2
When producing large numbers of complex fastening elements, plastic offers more possibilities than for instance steel. Additionally, plastic cannot corrode. In order however to absorb the lateral forces on an outer wall the selected plastic material must have a tensile strength higher than 250N/mm2.
Implementation Method 3
The tongues comprise one or more cutting edges for cutting into the stone in the groove. The cutting edges prevent the fastening elements from being able to move in the longitudinal direction of the stones.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1E
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
The invention relates to a dry-stacking system for constructing an outer wall with stones, comprising: - a number of elongate mounting elements with a substantially C-shaped cross-section, which are configured for mounting on a surface, parallel to and at a distance from each other; - a series of stackable stones configured to be stacked parallel to the surface, wherein the stones are each provided with at least one groove which extends parallel to the surface in stacked state of the stones; and - a number of fastening elements, wherein the fastening elements are provided with a T-shaped coupling piece for coupling in the C-shaped cross-section of a mounting element and are provided with one or more tongues for engagement in one or more of the grooves provided in the stones, wherein each fastening element has a free position, wherein the main plane of the T-shaped coupling piece is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the elongate mounting elements, so that the T-shaped coupling piece can be inserted into the C-shaped cross-section, and has a locking position, wherein the main plane of the T-shaped coupling piece is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the elongate mounting elements, so that the T-shaped coupling piece forms a form-fitting connection with the C-shaped cross-section of a mounting element wherein the fastening element is manufactured from a plastic material selected from a series of plastic materials with a tensile strength higher than 250N/mm2 and wherein the one or more tongues comprise cutting edges for cutting into the stone in the groove.