Water-Soluble Admixture Sheet for Formwork
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Solution Overview
Problem
The correct use of chemical admixtures in concrete is challenging due to the risk of uneven application, mess, and contamination when using accelerators and surface treatments, particularly when pouring at height or applying to formwork surfaces, which can result in poor finishes and safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A sheet made from a water-soluble material with sealed pockets containing pre-measured admixtures is attached to formwork, allowing for targeted and even distribution as it dissolves in the concrete, eliminating the need for manual application and ensuring precise dosage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If accelerators and surface admixtures are applied manually to formwork or concrete surface, then the concrete setting rate or surface characteristics can be modified, but the application is messy, hazardous, and results in uneven coverage and poor finish
Solution Approach 1:
The admixture is divided into discrete pre-weighed portions contained in separate water-soluble bags. Each bag contains a specific amount of admixture that will be released at a controlled location on the formwork, ensuring uniform distribution without manual spreading or risk of uneven application.
Solution Approach 2:
The admixture is pre-packaged in water-soluble bags with the correct dosage before the concrete pouring operation. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for manual measurement and application during the pouring process, ensuring consistent and accurate admixture distribution.
2Reliability
If pre-weighed bags of admixture are used, then the chances of error or spillage are reduced, but the bags require water-soluble materials that must dissolve at the correct time
Solution Approach 1:
The bag material is designed with specific water-solubility parameters that allow it to dissolve at the desired time. By controlling the chemical composition and thickness of the water-soluble material, the system achieves reliable dosage delivery without requiring complex release mechanisms or additional components.
3Ease of manufacture
If surface admixtures are sprayed or painted onto formwork, then admixture can be applied before concrete pouring, but the process is potentially hazardous and messy with risk of uneven application
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses disposable water-soluble bags that are attached to the formwork and then dissolve during concrete pouring. This eliminates the need for spraying or painting equipment and operations, removing safety hazards associated with spray operations while ensuring clean, controlled admixture release.
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 method provides a mess-free, hazard-free, and precise delivery of admixtures, ensuring consistent concrete characteristics and reducing the risk of contamination, while allowing for customizable patterns and textures on the concrete surface.
Implementation Method 1
a sheet made from a water-soluble material with sealed pockets containing pre-measured admixtures is attached to formwork, allowing for targeted and even distribution as it dissolves in the concrete
Data Source
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AI summary
A sheet (100) of water-soluble material such as polyvinyl alcohol comprises a plurality of individual, sealed pockets (110), each pocket containing concrete admixture. The sheet is cut to size and attached to the interior of a formwork structure (200) with, for example, PVA glue. After concrete is poured into the formwork, covering the sheet (100), the sheet dissolves, releasing the admixture onto the surface of the concrete as it sets. In another arrangement, a sealed container (300) formed from a water-soluble material such as polyvinyl alcohol contains concrete admixture. The external wall of the container has a plurality of regions (320) where a thickness of the wall is reduced. The container is attached interior walls of a formwork structure (200) or to reinforcing bars inside a formwork structure. After concrete is poured into the formwork, submerging the container, the container dissolves, with the thinner regions dissolving sooner, releasing the admixture into the concrete.