ASSEMBLY

Abstract

Assembly (1), comprising a body (2) in turn comprising a surface (3) to be structurally reinforced and at least two tabs (4) having an extension each between a first and a second end (4a, 4b) along a line thereof away from the surface (3). The first end (4a) of the tab (4) is connected to the surface (3).

The assembly 1 comprises at least a first winding (5) of tape made of composite material having an extension around the body (2) so as to connect the two tabs (4).

Claims

1. An assembly (1) comprising: a body (2) in turn comprising a surface (3) to be structurally reinforced and at least two tabs (4) having an extension each between a first and a second end (4a, 4b) along a line thereof away from the surface (3); said first end (4a) being connected to the surface (3); at least a first winding (5) of tape made of composite material having an extension around the body (2) so as to connect said at least two tabs (4).

2. The assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein said at least a first winding (5) transits at least at the second end (4b) of the tabs (4).

3. The assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein said at least a first winding (5) externally wraps the tabs (5).

4. The assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein said body (2) comprises at least in part concrete or alkali activated material or geopolymers.

5. The assembly (1) according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of tabs (4) distributed along a circular trajectory, said at least a first winding (5) of tape being arranged so as to externally embrace all the tabs (4).

6. The assembly (1) according to claim 5, wherein said at least a first winding (5) contacts the tabs (4) only at or in proximity to the second ends (4b).

7. The assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein said at least a first winding (5) has an extension on a plane substantially parallel to the surface (3) to be reinforced.

8. The assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein said at least a first winding (5) of tape has an extension such as to wrap the tabs (4) and the surface (3) to be reinforced.

9. The assembly (1) according to claim 8, wherein said tabs (4) are at two opposite ends of the surface (3) to be reinforced.

10. The assembly (1) according to claim 8, comprising a strut (6) interposed between the two tabs (4) at the second ends (4b), said at least a first winding (5) also wrapping said strut (6).

11. The assembly (1) according to claim 8, wherein said at least a first winding (5) has an extension on a plane substantially orthogonal to the surface (3) to be reinforced.

12. The assembly (1) according to claim 8, comprising at least a second winding (7) of tape having an extension along a plane transversal to a plane on which said at least a first winding (5) extends.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0007] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the approximate and thus non-limiting description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of an assembly, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0008] FIG. 1 shows an implementation example (manhole) of a first embodiment of an assembly, according to the present invention, in a perspective view;

[0009] FIGS. 2-4 show three implementation examples (segmental bridge module, segmental bridge and floor joist), respectively, of a second embodiment, according to the present invention, in a perspective view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An assembly is indicated by the reference number 1 in the accompanying figures.

[0011] The assembly 1 comprises a body 2. The body 2 in turn comprises a surface 3 to be structurally reinforced. The surface 3 is subject to shear stresses during operation. In particular, the surface 3 is a flat surface. During operation the surface 3 is intended to face upwards. The stress that it receives is instead directed downwards.

[0012] In the preferred embodiment, the surface 3 is a surface of a slab. In particular, during operation the surface 3 is the upper surface of a slab.

[0013] Advantageously, the body 2 comprises at least in part concrete or alkali activated material or geopolymers. These materials are well known in the technical sector and therefore not described in further detail. In particular, alkali activated material means any binder system derived from the reaction of an alkali metal source (solid or in powder form) with a solid silicate powder.

[0014] The body 2 comprises at least two tabs 4. Each tab 4 has an extension between a first end 4a and a second end 4b along a line thereof away from the surface 3. The line away may be straight or curved or a combination of the two. Further, the lines away of the two tabs 4 may be parallel.

[0015] The first end 4a of each tab 4 is connected to the surface 3. Preferably, the tabs 4 are on the opposite side of the body 2 with respect to the surface 3.

[0016] In the preferred embodiment, the body 2 comprises a slab having the surface 3 and at least two tabs 4 connected to the slab extending away from the surface 3.

[0017] In the embodiment described and illustrated herein, the tabs 4 are connected to the surface 3 and extend away from it at perimeter areas of the surface 3.

[0018] Preferably, the body 2 (therefore the surface 3 and tabs 4) are made as a single piece.

[0019] The flat surface 3 subdivides the space into two half-spaces. The tabs 4 are all in the same half-space.

[0020] The assembly 1 comprises at least a first winding 5 of tape having an extension around the body 2 so as to connect at least the two tabs 4.

[0021] The tape is made of composite fibre-resin material. The tape comprises longitudinal fibres impregnated in a resin (there may be a resin matrix in which the fibres are embedded or one or more fibres wrapped by the resin).

[0022] In the preferred solution the fibre is a glass fibre or a carbon fibre or a basalt fibre. Suitably, it is inert to corrosion and chemical attacks so that the durability of the elements is greatly increased.

[0023] The resin, for example, can be a polyester, vinyl ester, epoxy, polyurethane resin.

[0024] The fibre thus comprises a plurality of filaments. Appropriately the filaments extend alongside each other. Preferably the filaments are not intertwined to define a warp and weft. The resin allows an optimal distribution of the load between the filaments. For example, the tape may have a width comprised between 3 and 10 centimetres.

[0025] In the embodiment described and illustrated herein, the assembly 1 advantageously comprises a plurality of first windings 5 of tape. The various windings 5 of tape may also be partially overlapped with one another. A plurality of first windings of tape means both a single tape which forms a plurality of continuous windings, but also a plurality of tapes, each of which forms a single winding.

[0026] Preferably, the first winding 5 transits at least at the second end 4b of the tabs 4.

[0027] In particular, the first winding 5 externally wraps the tabs 4.

[0028] According to a first embodiment, illustrated by way of example as a manhole in FIG. 1, the assembly 1 comprises a plurality of tabs 4 distributed along a circular trajectory. A plurality of tabs means more than two tabs.

[0029] The first winding 5 is arranged so as to externally embrace all the tabs 4. Therefore, the first winding 5 also has a circular extension.

[0030] In particular, the first winding 5 contacts the tabs 4 only at or in proximity to the second ends 4b. Preferably, the first winding 5 contacts each tab 4 in a portion closer to the second end 4b than to the first end 4a.

[0031] In this embodiment, the first winding 5 extends on a plane substantially parallel to the surface 3. In particular, if the surface 3 is horizontal in the operating position, then the first winding 5 extends around the tabs 4 on a horizontal plane.

[0032] Preferably, the tabs 4 originate from a peripheral portion of the surface 3 and extend away from it outwards. In other words, the second end 4b is further from the centre of the surface 3 with respect to the first end 4a.

[0033] The first winding 5 externally wraps the tabs 4, compressing them inwards.

[0034] In particular, as the arrangement of the tabs, like that of the first winding 5, is circular, the first winding 5 compresses the tabs 4 along radial directions.

[0035] The compression on the tabs 4 is transformed into a preload bending moment on the surface 3, which opposes any operating stresses.

[0036] According to a second embodiment, illustrated in the implementation examples of a segmental bridge module, a segmental bridge and a floor joist respectively in FIGS. 2-4, the first winding 5 has an extension such as to wrap the tabs 4 and the surface 3.

[0037] Preferably, the tabs 4 are at two opposite ends of the surface 3. As the surface is flat, it is possible to identify a length and a width. For example, the length is chosen as the dimension connecting the two opposite ends in which the tabs 4 are located, whereas the width is the transverse dimension to the length. Therefore, the first winding 5 has an extension along the entire length of the surface 3.

[0038] The first winding 5 extends on a plane substantially orthogonal to the surface 3 to be reinforced. For example, if the surface 3 is horizontal in operation, the first winding 5 extends on a vertical plane.

[0039] Preferably, the assembly 1 comprises a strut 6 interposed between the second ends 4b of the tabs 4. The first winding 5 also wraps the strut 6. It is used to keep the tabs 4 in place and prevent them from bending inwards due to the compression of the first winding 5.

[0040] The strut 6 is interposed between the tabs 4 with clearance. The compacting takes place by the first winding 5 of tape subsequently wrapped around. In particular, the strut 6 is inserted leaving controlled clearance so that the bending moment on the inflected surface 3 is limited in its maximum entity.

[0041] In fact, once the strut-tab clearance has been recovered, the winding load does not create any further moment on the surface 3.

[0042] Preferably, the assembly 1 comprises at least a second winding 7 of tape having an extension along a transverse plane to the extension plane of the first winding 5. In particular, the extension takes place on a plane orthogonal to the first winding 5.

[0043] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the assembly 1 of the second embodiment may for example be a segmental bridge. In this case, the body 2 may comprise one or more bridge segments (or modules) 8. Each module 8 has a surface 3 to be reinforced and two tabs 4 at opposite sides of the surface 3.

[0044] When the body 2 consists of a single module 8, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the first winding 5 extends around the module 8 in the ways described above.

[0045] When the body 2 consists of more than one module 8, as illustrated in FIG. 3, these modules 8 are flanked in sequence (e.g. by placing the tabs 4 alongside one another). The surface 3 to be reinforced is defined by the assembly of the surfaces to be reinforced flanked by the individual modules 20 8. The first winding 5 extends around the total surface 3 to be reinforced and the two tabs 4 that are located on opposite sides of this total surface 3.

[0046] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the assembly 1 of the second embodiment may for example be a floor joist. The length of the surface 3 is much greater than the width. Despite this, like with the segmental bridge, the first winding 5 affects the surface 3 for the entire length.

[0047] In the second embodiment, the tabs 4 have holes for screws to assemble the body 2 onto other structures or between bodies 2 of different assemblies 1 (this also means mounting between modules 8). With the envisaged winding, the mechanical junction between various elements is enabled, exploiting the fact that the screws transfer the load generating tension mainly on the windings.

[0048] The subject matter of the present invention is a method for reinforcing a surface 3 of a body 2.

[0049] The body 2 comprises a surface 3 to be structurally reinforced. The surface 3 is subject to shear stresses during operation. In particular, the surface 3 is a flat surface and during operation is intended to face upwards. The stress that it receives is instead directed downwards.

[0050] Advantageously, the body 2 comprises at least in part concrete or alkali activated material or geopolymers. These materials are well known in the technical sector and therefore not described in further detail. In particular, alkali activated material means any binder system derived from the reaction of an alkali metal source (solid or in powder form) with a solid silicate powder.

[0051] The body 2 comprises at least two tabs 4. Each tab 4 has an extension between a first end 4a and a second end 4b along a line thereof away from the surface 3. The line away may be straight or curved or a combination of the two. Further, the lines away of the two tabs 4 may be parallel.

[0052] The first end 4a of each tab 4 is connected to the surface 3. Preferably, the tabs 4 are on the opposite side of the body 2 with respect to the surface 3.

[0053] In the embodiment described and illustrated herein, the tabs 4 are connected to the surface 3 and extend away from it at perimeter areas of the surface 3.

[0054] Preferably, the body 2 (therefore the surface 3 and tabs 4) are made as a single piece.

[0055] The method comprises a step of wrapping the tape of composite fibre-resin material around the body 2 so as to connect the two tabs 4.

[0056] The tape is made of composite fibre-resin material. The tape comprises longitudinal fibres impregnated in a resin (there may be a resin matrix in which the fibres are embedded or one or more fibres wrapped by the resin).

[0057] In the preferred solution the fibre is a glass fibre or a carbon fibre or a basalt fibre. Suitably, it is inert to corrosion and chemical attacks so that the durability of the elements is greatly increased.

[0058] The resin, for example, can be a polyester, vinyl ester, epoxy, polyurethane resin.

[0059] The fibre thus comprises a plurality of filaments. Appropriately the filaments extend alongside each other. Preferably the filaments are not intertwined to define a warp and weft. The resin allows an optimal distribution of the load between the filaments. For example, the tape may have a width comprised between 3 and 10 centimetres.

[0060] According to a first embodiment of the method, the tape is wrapped so as to externally embrace all the tabs 4. In particular, the tape contacts the tabs 4 only at or in proximity to the second ends 4b. Preferably, the tape contacts each tab 4 in a portion closer to the second end 4b than to the first end 4a.

[0061] Preferably, the body 2 comprises a plurality of tabs 4 distributed along a circular trajectory. A plurality of tabs means more than two tabs. The tape extends circularly around the tabs 4.

[0062] In this embodiment, the tape is wrapped on a plane substantially parallel to the surface 3. In particular, if the surface 3 is horizontal in the operating position, then the tape extends around the tabs 4 on a horizontal plane.

[0063] Preferably, the tabs 4 originate from a peripheral portion of the surface 3 and extend away from it outwards. In other words, the second end 4b is further from the centre of the surface 3 with respect to the first end 4a.

[0064] The tape externally wraps the tabs 4, compressing them inwards. In particular, as the arrangement of the tabs, like that of the tape, is circular, the tabs 4 are compressed along radial directions. The compression on the tabs 4 is transformed into a preload bending moment on the surface 3, which opposes any operating stresses.

[0065] According to a second embodiment of the method, the tape is wrapped so as to wrap the surface 3 and the tabs 4.

[0066] Preferably, the tabs 4 are at two opposite ends of the surface 3. As the surface is flat, it is possible to identify a length and a width. For example, the length is chosen as the dimension connecting the two opposite ends in which the tabs 4 are located, whereas the width is the transverse dimension to the length. The tape crosses the surface 3 along the entire length. In other words, the tape extends on a plane substantially orthogonal to the surface to be reinforced. For example, if the surface 3 is horizontal in operation, the first winding 5 extends on a vertical plane.

[0067] Preferably, a strut 6 is interposed between the two second ends 4b of the tabs 4. The tape is also wrapped around the strut 6. Like the surface 3, the tape affects the entire length of the strut 6.

[0068] The strut 6 is interposed with clearance with the tabs 4. Only with the winding of the tape are the clearances reduced and the assembly defined by the body and the strut is compacted.

[0069] Preferably, the method comprises the step of creating at least a second winding of tape having an extension along a transverse plane to the extension plane of the first winding 5. In particular, the extension takes place on a plane orthogonal to the first winding 5.

[0070] The present invention achieves important advantages.

[0071] In particular, the first winding of tape wrapped around the tabs enables the surface to be reinforced.

[0072] In the first embodiment, the first winding only surrounds the tabs arranged in a circle. The compression of the tabs generates a bending moment at the surface, which increases resistance to the stresses to which it is subjected during operation.

[0073] In this embodiment, the first winding indirectly reinforces the surface, only acting on the tabs.

[0074] In the second embodiment, the first winding wraps the surface and the tabs.

[0075] The presence of the strut prevents the tabs bending inwards due to the compression of the first winding.

[0076] Furthermore, the fact that the body is made of material such as concrete, geopolymers or alkali activated material reduces the manufacturing costs.

[0077] The reinforcement using tape of a body made of these materials enables resistance to be obtained comparable to known solutions in which metallic material is used.

[0078] The invention as it is conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variants, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept characterised thereby. Further, all the details can be replaced with other technically equivalent elements. In practice, all the materials used, as well as the dimensions, can be any whatsoever, according to need.