Thermal Isolation Connection Component for Building Sections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for connecting load-bearing building parts, such as columns and external walls to a ceiling or floor slab, often create thermal bridges due to the need for continuous reinforcement, which is costly, visually unappealing, and reduces available space, especially in underground car parks.
Innovation Solution
A heat-insulating connection component with pressure elements made of castable hardening material, such as high-strength concrete, and an outer casing of steel or fiber-reinforced composite material, which reduces the cross-sectional area of the pressure elements and increases load-bearing capacity, allowing for efficient transfer of loads while minimizing thermal conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If continuous reinforcement is used to monolithically connect floor slab to load-bearing columns and external walls, then load-bearing connection is achieved, but thermal bridges are created that are difficult to eliminate
Solution Approach 1:
The connection component divides the continuous reinforcement into discrete pressure elements (e.g., individual concrete cores or steel tubes) embedded in the insulating base body. This segmentation maintains load-bearing capacity while creating thermal breaks between the basement ceiling and upper building parts, eliminating the thermal bridge effect of continuous monolithic connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating base body acts as an intermediary material between the load-bearing concrete elements. It provides a thermal break while still enabling mechanical load transfer through the embedded pressure elements, thus mediating between the conflicting requirements of thermal insulation and structural connection.
2Loss of energy
If thermal insulation is applied from the outside on basement side, then thermal insulation is achieved, but the load-bearing parts still create thermal bridges
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal insulation problem is addressed at the source by integrating the insulating base body with pressure elements directly into the connection component between basement ceiling and upper floors. This preliminary action prevents thermal bridge formation at the connection point, making subsequent external insulation more effective and reliable.
3Loss of energy
If upper section of load-bearing concrete pillars is encased in thermal insulation, then thermal insulation is achieved, but parking space is reduced and visual appeal is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of encasing the entire upper section of pillars in insulation, the solution segments the insulation to only the connection components (insulating base bodies) at specific connection points. This localized approach provides necessary thermal insulation while preserving maximum parking space and maintaining visual appeal of the pillar surfaces.
4Loss of energy
If pressure elements have reduced cross-sectional area to minimize thermal conductivity, then thermal insulation is improved, but load-bearing capacity requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure elements use composite construction combining different materials with complementary properties. For example, concrete cores provide compressive strength while steel tube casings provide tensile strength and confinement. This composite approach allows reduced cross-sectional area for thermal insulation while maintaining or enhancing load-bearing capacity through the synergistic combination of materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution changes material parameters by using high-strength concrete or steel-reinforced composite materials in the pressure elements. This allows the cross-sectional area to be reduced for thermal insulation purposes while the increased material strength compensates for the reduced area, maintaining the required load-bearing capacity.
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 enhances the load-bearing capacity and reliability of the connection while maintaining thermal insulation, reducing thermal conductivity and enabling a more efficient and cost-effective connection method that avoids the drawbacks of traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
the pressure element is at least partially made of a castable, hardening material, in particular concrete
Implementation Method 2
a heat-insulating base body with two opposing contact surfaces for connection to the building parts
Data Source
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AI summary
In a connecting component for the load-bearing, vertical connection of building parts, comprising a thermally insulating base body (1) which has two opposing contact surfaces (1a, 1b) for connection to the building parts, and comprising at least one pressure element (2) inserted into the thermally insulating base body and penetrating it substantially from one contact surface to the other, it is provided that the pressure element is at least partially made of a castable, hardening material, in particular concrete, and has at least a section of an outer covering made of a tensile-strength material, in particular steel or a fiber-reinforced composite material.