Threaded Erection Anchor for Precast Concrete Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lift anchors for precast concrete components are not economical to manufacture and do not effectively accommodate both solid concrete panels and panels with insulation layers, nor do they seamlessly integrate with tensioning bars.
Innovation Solution
A lift anchor with a steel or metal head and threaded legs that distribute stress along their length, allowing concrete to flow and set around the anchor, providing increased load-bearing capacity and compatibility with various reinforcement materials, including insulation layers and tensioning bars.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional lift anchors are used for precast concrete components, then lifting capability is provided, but manufacturing cost increases and compatibility with insulation layers is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the anchor legs by adding external threading along their length. This threading modifies the stress distribution pattern from concentrated to distributed, allowing the anchor to achieve enhanced pull-out capacity and concrete bonding without requiring additional materials or complex structures, thereby maintaining manufacturing economy while improving performance
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor legs are segmented through external threading into multiple threaded sections along their length. This segmentation creates multiple interaction points with the concrete, distributing the lifting load across different zones of the concrete matrix and improving overall anchor reliability without adding complexity to the manufacturing process
2Adaptability or versatility
If anchors are designed for solid concrete panels, then lifting strength is achieved, but adaptability to panels with insulation layers is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The externally threaded anchor design creates a universal solution that functions effectively in both solid concrete panels and panels with insulation layers. The threading provides mechanical interlocking in solid concrete while the distributed stress pattern accommodates the reduced bonding strength of insulation materials, allowing the same anchor design to serve multiple panel types without compromising load-bearing capacity
3Strength
If stress is concentrated at one location on the anchor leg, then manufacturing is simpler, but load-bearing capacity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies external threading to change the stress distribution parameter from concentrated to distributed along the anchor leg length. This parameter change enhances load-bearing capacity by engaging more concrete volume in the load transfer mechanism, while the threading can be applied using standard machining processes that add minimal structural complexity
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 anchor enhances the load-bearing capacity and pull-out strength, ensuring secure lifting and positioning of precast concrete components, particularly thin sections, while being economical to manufacture and adaptable to different panel configurations.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the legs is provided with a series of threads along the lower end of its length. The threads are defined by a crest, representing the outermost distance from the center of the leg, also referred to as the major diameter, and a root or trough, representing the innermost distance from the center of the leg, also referred to as the minor diameter. The distance between the crest and the trough of a threaded section is referred to herein as the height of the thread. The distance between adjacent crests is the pitch.
Implementation Method 2
The pitch, height of the threads and angle of the sides of the threads relative to the axis of the legs are selected to allow the concrete to flow into the gaps between the crests of the threads, thereby maximizing the strength of the material surrounding the anchor.
Data Source
AI summary
An erection anchor is provided having a head and first and second legs affixed to opposite sides of the head, whereby the first and second legs each have a threaded lower section extending downward, away from the head. The erection anchor may be embedded in a precast concrete panel, such as a multilayer panel having an insulation core layer sandwiched between concrete layers. The erection anchor may be embedded in the multilayer panel with the head exposed and the first and second legs each embedded in a concrete layer on opposite sides of the insulation layer.