Twisted Reinforcing Threads in Geocell Strips

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing geocells with non-twisted reinforcing threads are prone to sliding off under shear stresses, reducing their strength and reliability, especially at stretch and shear loads.

Innovation Solution

The geocell is constructed using flexible polymeric strips with twisted fibrous reinforcing threads, arranged in a staggered order and integrated with drainage apertures, where the threads are pressed into the sheet material during calendering to enhance adhesion, and the method involves extruding polymeric material, laying and embedding reinforcing threads, and forming a three-dimensional cell structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If non-twisted reinforcing threads are used in geocell strips, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but the threads slide off under shear stresses leading to reduced strength and reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of manufacturing processVSAvoidreliability of holding reinforcing elements

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcing threads are given a twisted configuration instead of being straight. This curvature/twist creates mechanical interlocking with the polymeric strips, preventing sliding under shear stresses while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through the calendering process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The geocell combines polymeric strips with twisted fibrous reinforcing threads to create a composite structure. The twisted configuration of the threads within the polymeric matrix provides both structural reinforcement and resistance to sliding, achieving enhanced reliability without excessive manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If reinforcing threads are not pressed into the sheet material during calendering, then the manufacturing process is faster, but the adhesion between threads and strips is insufficient reducing tensile strength

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of manufacturing processVSAvoidtensile strength at stretch and shear loads

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcing threads are laid onto the sheet material before calendering, and the calendering process itself performs the pressing function. This preliminary positioning combined with the thermal-mechanical calendering process ensures adequate adhesion without requiring separate pressing operations, maintaining productivity while achieving sufficient bond strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Strength

If twisted fibrous reinforcing threads are used, then tensile strength and indentation resistance are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetensile strength and indentation resistanceVSAvoidcomplexity of reinforcing thread configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The twisting of the reinforcing threads is controlled within specific parameters (5-20 twists per centimeter). This parameter control optimizes the balance between tensile strength improvement and structural complexity, ensuring adequate performance without excessive complication in the thread configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 configuration ensures reliable holding of reinforcing elements and significantly improves tensile strength and indentation resistance of the geocell at stretch and shear loads, enhancing the structural integrity of reinforced bases.

Implementation Method 1

calendering the sheet material with heating to a temperature ranging from 120 to 200° C. for the purpose of ensuring pressing said reinforcing threads into the sheet material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

said reinforcing threads consist of at least two fibrous elements twisted along the whole length thereof... ensures reliable holding thereof in the strips

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS12116745B2Reinforced geocell and a method for producing the same

Publication Date: 2024.10.15 AZARKH MIKHAIL

AI summary

A reinforced geocell is made of flexible polymeric strips arranged in rows and interconnected in a staggered order lengthwise to form a three-dimensional cell structure when stretched in the direction normal to surfaces of the strips. The strips are provided with drainage apertures and are reinforced in a longitudinal direction with reinforcing threads having at least two fibrous elements twisted along full lengths thereof. A method for producing a geocell includes extruding a polymeric material for producing a sheet material, laying out twisted reinforcing threads onto the sheet material, calendaring the sheet material when heated to 120 to 200° C. to press reinforcing threads into the sheet material, cutting a reinforced sheet material into sheets, perforating the sheets for producing drainage apertures, cutting the sheets into strips, and interconnecting the strips in a staggered order to form a three-dimensional cell structure.