Rupture element in concrete structures

Abstract

The invention relates to a rupture element, which is located in concrete structures and the rupture element comprises a sheet material with edges that are bent at an angle so that they produce a tenon-shape. The rupture element, if necessary, is waterproof and produces slightly weakened cracks in the predefined location of concrete.

Claims

1. A rupture element configured to produce controlled cracks in a predefined location of a concrete structures, comprising a sheet of sheet material, and two L-shaped sheet elements, each having a first and a second leg in a right angle, wherein the first leg of each sheet element is welded onto an opposite side of the sheet such that the right angles of the sheet elements face each other and ends of the first legs point to opposite directions, and the second legs of each of the sheet elements have a bottom-, a middle- and an end-section, wherein the bottom and the end sections of the second legs point perpendicularly away from the sheet and the middle sections in each sheet element are bent to same direction parallel to the first leg such that an equal angle is formed in each sheet element between the bottom section and the middle section and between the middle section and the end section.

2. The rupture element according to claim 1, wherein the angle is from 1 to 179 degrees.

3. The rupture element according to claim 2, wherein the angle is from 20 to 25 degrees.

4. The rupture element according to claim 2, wherein the angle is from 40 to 50 degrees.

5. The rupture element according to claim 3, wherein the angle is a 22-degree angle.

6. The rupture element according to claim 4, wherein the angle is a 45-degree angle.

7. The rupture element according to claim 1, wherein the sheet of sheet material and the sheet element are of sheet metal.

8. The rupture element according to claim 7, wherein the sheet of sheet material and the sheet element are of sheet steel.

9. The rupture element according to claim 1, wherein the sheet of sheet material is coated with a watertight bonding material.

10. The rupture element according to claim 9, wherein the water-tight bonding material of the sheet of sheet material is a mineral or artificial or organic material/binder.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the rupture element of sheet material, where the sides are bent at 22.5 degree angle,

(2) FIG. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of the rupture element of sheet material, where the sides are bent at 45 degree angle.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

(3) The rupture element comprises sheet 1 of sheet material, where sheet elements 2 with right angle profile and edges (borders) 3 are welded centrally on both sides of sheet 1. The edges 3 are bent at an angle from 1 to 179 degrees, forming a tenon-shaped cross-section to the crack created and thereby retaining the strength properties of the concrete structure. The preferable angle is 20 to 25 degrees, most preferably 22 degrees or 40 to 50 degrees, most preferably 45 degrees. The sheet (1) of the sheet material and the element (2) with right angle profile are preferably produced from sheet metal, specifically from sheet steel.

(4) The rupture element is installed to the surface to be cast prior to casting the concrete surface, followed by uninterrupted casting of the concrete structure or slab (floor, ceiling, wall) of any size. The sheet elements 2 of the rupture element create joints in the concrete structure, determining the areas, where cracks will be forming in the concrete. The elements 2 folded at an angle provide the crack with a tenon-shaped cross-section, which will retain the strength of the concrete structure. The rupture element is installed in the center of the concrete structure, between reinforcements. The rupture element creates immediately controlled cracks in the concrete. The rupture elements are mechanically joined together by means of screws for sheet metal or special clamps.

(5) When the rupture element is used underground or otherwise in a structure exposed to water, a special watertight bonding material 4 is applied on one or both sides of the rupture element sheet 1, to bond with the concrete around and thereby prevent penetration of water between the rupture element sheet 1 and concrete, and ensuring thereby the waterproofness (water-tightness) of the created crack. The bonding material can be a material/binder produced from a mineral or organic (e.g. bitumen) or artificial material/substance. Tests have shown that in hardened concrete the material is watertight at up to 2.5 bar.

(6) If the rupture element is used on the ground or in places where it is not exposed to water (e.g. ceilings, walls above ground) then it is not necessary to cover the rupture element sheet 1 with the bonding material 4.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

(7) the rupture element creates joints in concrete structures (cast concrete) in a controlled manner and determines the positions where cracks will occur in the concrete, whereas waterproofness (water-tightness) of the element and its joints is ensured as needed, whereas it has only a minor weakening effect on the cross-section of the concrete; using the rupture element as a joint allows casting large concrete structures (or surfaces, e.g. the whole floor or ceiling or wall) all at once; time-saving in concrete work and later preserving of the quality of the concrete structure as well as savings gained from the use of reinforcements in the concrete work are substantial.