Vegetated Integrated Formwork Wall for Urban Heat Mitigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Walls with integrated formwork in construction contribute to urban heat islands and pollution due to energy-intensive cement manufacturing and high CO2 emissions, affecting urban comfort and environmental health.

Innovation Solution

A wall with integrated green formwork featuring a culture substrate and holding means within its internal volume, incorporating thermal insulation and drainage, allows for vegetation growth, reducing heat islands and pollution through natural cooling and air purification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If factory-manufactured concrete walls with integrated formwork are used, then construction efficiency and structural integrity are improved, but energy consumption and CO2 emissions increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconstruction efficiencyVSAvoidCO2 emissions

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material composition parameter of the wall by incorporating a vegetated layer with culture substrate, living plants, and irrigation system into the concrete structure. This transforms the wall from a purely mineral-based material to a bio-integrated composite structure, fundamentally altering its environmental interaction parameters including carbon sequestration capability, evapotranspiration rate, and albedo effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The vegetated layer acts as an intermediary element between the concrete structure and the external environment. It mediates harmful effects by intercepting sunlight before it reaches the concrete surface, filtering pollutants from air and water, and reducing direct thermal absorption. The irrigation system and drainage layer serve as additional intermediary components that facilitate water management and root zone protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If traditional concrete walls are used, then structural strength and durability are ensured, but urban heat island effect is intensified

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidurban heat island effect

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes phase transition mechanisms through the vegetated layer's evapotranspiration process. Living plants absorb liquid water through their root systems and release it as water vapor through transpiration, while the irrigation system provides continuous liquid water supply. This liquid-to-vapor phase transition absorbs significant latent heat from the surrounding environment, actively cooling the wall surface and adjacent air, thereby counteracting the heat island effect while preserving concrete structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

3Productivity

If cement manufacturing is performed in factory, then wall production efficiency is improved, but energy consumption and environmental pollution increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewall production efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates the vegetated layer, culture substrate, and irrigation components into the wall structure during the factory manufacturing process itself, rather than adding them separately afterward. The holding means for the vegetated layer are pre-installed in the concrete matrix, and the culture substrate is pre-positioned before final curing. This preliminary integration reduces on-site construction time and energy requirements while maintaining production efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 effectively mitigates urban heat islands and pollution by utilizing green technology to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions, enhancing urban comfort and ecological impact.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotosynthesis: Photosynthesis

Implementation Method 2

allows for vegetation growth, reducing heat islands and pollution through natural cooling and air purification

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvapotranspiration: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP4223956B1Vegetated integrated formwork wall

Publication Date: 2024.06.12 IDSB INGENIERIE

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AI summary

The invention relates to a vegetated integrated formwork wall (1) comprising, on the one hand, a first skin (2), which is intended to be oriented in a first direction, and which has at least one primary through opening (20), on the other hand, a second skin (3), which is intended to be oriented in a second direction opposite to the first direction, which is parallel to the first skin (2), and which is positioned at a determined distance from the first skin (2) so as to define an internal volume (4), on the other hand, furthermore, connecting means (5) which are configured to connect the first skin (2) and the second skin (3).The said vegetated integrated formwork wall is characterized in that it comprises, on the one hand and at least within at least a part of said internal volume (4), a culture substrate (S) and, on the other hand, at least one primary support means (6), which complements said at least one primary through opening (20), and which is configured to support the culture substrate (S) at least within said at least a part of said internal volume (4).