Wire Rope Reinforcement for Hollow Core Wall Units

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional structural reinforcement methods for hollow core wall units using rebar pose safety risks for construction workers, are time-consuming, and can result in improper installations that compromise the structural integrity of walls under lateral loads, such as those from wind or seismic forces.

Innovation Solution

The use of wire rope for continuous structural support within hollow core wall units, connected to a reinforced concrete footing, eliminates the need for protruding rebar, reduces worker injury risks, and allows for easier installation and inspection, with wire rope connectors and straightening tools ensuring continuous reinforcement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If rebar is used for structural reinforcement, then structural strength is improved, but worker safety deteriorates due to protruding rebar causing injuries

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidworker safety

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical form of the reinforcement element from rigid rebar to flexible wire rope. This parameter change allows the reinforcement to maintain structural strength while eliminating the protruding hazard that causes worker injuries. The wire rope can be contained within hollow cores and bond beams rather than extending outward.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces rigid rebar with flexible wire rope that can be routed through and contained within the hollow cores and bond beams of CMUs. This flexibility allows the reinforcement to achieve its structural purpose without creating protruding hazards to workers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Strength

If rebar is used for structural reinforcement, then structural strength is improved, but installation time increases due to lifting blocks over rebar

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the reinforcement from rigid rebar to flexible wire rope, which can be easily routed through hollow cores without requiring workers to lift blocks overhead. This parameter change dramatically reduces installation time while maintaining structural strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of lifting blocks over protruding rebar, the patent inverts the approach by routing the reinforcement through hollow spaces within the blocks themselves. This reversal of the installation sequence eliminates the time-consuming lifting operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Strength

If rebar is used for structural reinforcement, then structural strength is improved, but installation precision deteriorates due to improper rebar installation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidinstallation precision

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes from rigid rebar requiring precise positioning and bending to flexible wire rope that can be easily routed and secured within hollow cores. This parameter change makes installation more forgiving and less prone to improper installation while maintaining structural strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible wire rope can be routed through hollow cores and secured with wire rope chairs and connectors, providing a more forgiving installation process compared to rigid rebar that requires precise bending and positioning. This flexibility reduces installation errors while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Object-affected harmful factors

If wire rope is used for structural reinforcement, then worker safety is improved, but structural strength may deteriorate without proper connectors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworker safetyVSAvoidstructural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces wire rope chairs and connectors as intermediary elements that secure the wire rope within hollow cores and at junction points. These intermediaries ensure that the flexible wire rope maintains structural strength while remaining contained and safe for workers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite reinforcement system combining wire rope with grout filling in hollow cores. This composite approach ensures the wire rope maintains its structural strength while being contained within the masonry structure, eliminating safety hazards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS10760273B1Apparatus and methods for providing continuous structural support to footings and interconnected hollow core wall units

Publication Date: 2020.09.01 ALEXANDER INNOVATIONS LLC

AI summary

A system includes apparatus and methods for providing continuous structural support to footings and hollow core wall units. In operation, wire rope chairs, connectors, wedge pins, and a tensioner tool are used to interconnect wire rope within footings and hollow core wall units laid on the footings, allowing for continuous wire rope within selected units that when grouted, provide an interconnected reinforced structural wall that is safer to install than traditional methods, with other advantages.