Strand with Integrated Grout Passage for Prestressing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing prestressing methods require multiple components and complex construction processes to inject grout into concrete structures, leading to high construction costs and difficulties in coupling communication tubes with buried pipes.

Innovation Solution

A strand with a metal pipe-shaped member and surrounding metal wires that serves as both a passage for grout injection and discharge, eliminating the need for separate communication tubes and simplifying the construction process by allowing the strand itself to facilitate grout flow and reduce component count.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If separate communication tubes are prepared and welded to the buried pipe for grout injection, then grout can be injected into the bore hole, but the number of components increases and construction becomes troublesome

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of grout injectionVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the grout injection function directly into the strand structure by forming communication holes through the anchor head and anchor plate that communicate with the bore hole. This eliminates the need for separate communication tubes and their welding connections, reducing the number of components while maintaining grout injection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The anchor head and anchor plate are designed to serve multiple functions: they provide structural support for the strand tensioning system and simultaneously form communication passages for grout injection. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated communication tubes, simplifying the overall system.

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

2Ease of manufacture

If communication tubes are prepared and welded to the buried pipe, then grout injection is enabled, but construction cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of grout injectionVSAvoidconstruction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication function is merged into the existing anchor components (anchor head and anchor plate) rather than being provided by separate tubes. This reduces the number of components that need to be manufactured, transported, and installed, thereby reducing construction costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The communication tube component is extracted/eliminated from the system entirely. Instead of adding separate tubes for grout communication, the patent uses the existing anchor components to provide this function, reducing material costs and construction expenses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of manufacture

If multiple separate components are used for grout injection, then grout can be injected, but the construction process becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of grout injectionVSAvoidconstruction process simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The grout injection pathway is integrated into the strand assembly through communication holes formed in the anchor head and anchor plate. This eliminates the need to handle and connect separate communication tubes during construction, simplifying the construction process and reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This solution reduces construction complexity and costs by integrating the grout injection and discharge functions within the strand, enabling easier and more efficient grout filling in concrete structures without the need for additional communication tubes.

Implementation Method 1

arranging metal wires in a manner such as to surround the pipe-shaped member in the strand... the strand could be gripped by the wedge without squashing the pipe-shaped member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical support:

Implementation Method 2

the pipe-shaped member of the strand itself can serve as a passage that allows communication between the interior and exterior of a bore hole

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow through passage:

Data Source

PatentEP2119846B1strand
Publication Date: 2020.07.08 SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP2119846B1 patent drawingFigure 1(A)~1(B)
  • EP2119846B1 patent drawingFigure 2(A)~2(E)
  • EP2119846B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided a strand that can reduce the trouble in constructing an object to which compression force is applied by the strand and that can keep the construction cost down. A strand 1 is placed in a bore hole provided in a wall or roof surface, and is gripped by a wedge in a tensioned state so as to apply a tensile force to the wall or roof surface. The strand 1 of the present invention includes a pipe-shaped member (corrugated tube 11) made of metal, and a plurality of metal wires 12 arranged on the outer periphery of the corrugated tube 11. The metal wires 12 are arranged to surround the corrugated tube 11 on the cross section of the corrugated tube 11.