Modular boom equipped with lightweight tunnel lining segment underwater automated repair pier construction method

Abstract

This invention describes a method for automated underwater repair of bridge piers using a modular boom equipped with lightweight structural segments. Addressing the high cost, difficulty, and low efficiency of repairing localized defects in underwater bridge piers, this method employs a modular boom that quickly connects to lightweight fiber optic segments to form an automated underwater work unit. Through obstacle-crossing devices, buoyancy control devices, linear push rods, inflatable sealing devices, grout delivery pipes (integrated into the umbilical cable), and rapid overlap and release devices on the modular boom, the work unit sequentially performs obstacle-crossing and sinking, top-pressure positioning, sealing of the cylindrical structure, pump-pressurized grouting above water, and detachment and recovery of the modular boom, achieving automated repair of localized defects in underwater piers. This method offers better economy, higher safety, and faster, more efficient repair compared to traditional manual construction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a construction method, and more particularly to an automated construction method for the rapid repair of underwater pier structures. Background Technology

[0002] Underwater pier structures, which are mainly the substructure of bridges, are prone to structural damage due to long-term exposure to harsh underwater environments such as turbid water, eddies, and rapids. In addition, they are susceptible to adverse effects such as natural disasters like earthquakes and floods, as well as collisions with ships and floating objects. This can lead to decreased durability and even compromise structural safety.

[0003] Investigations and research have revealed that underwater pier defects are mostly localized, including localized concrete spalling, honeycombing, cracking, exposed rebar, and hollowing. As service life increases, these localized defects will inevitably worsen. Therefore, repair and reinforcement measures to restore and improve structural performance are the best means to extend the service life of underwater piers and enhance their safety.

[0004] Currently, cofferdam construction or jacket methods are commonly used for repairing localized defects in underwater piers. Cofferdam construction is highly susceptible to environmental influences, with poor applicability, high costs, and low efficiency in deep water, rocky foundations, and confined waterway conditions. Jacket methods require underwater divers, which pose significant risks in turbid waters and fast-flowing currents, and are time-consuming and labor-intensive. Traditional methods can no longer meet the increasing demand for repairing and reinforcing localized defects in underwater piers. Therefore, the development of new, economical, safe, fast, and efficient technologies for underwater pier repair is imperative. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention describes a method for automated underwater repair of piers using a modular boom equipped with lightweight structural segments. The method employs a modular boom that quickly connects to lightweight fiber optic segments to form an automated underwater work unit. Through obstacle-crossing devices, buoyancy control devices, linear push rods, air-sealing devices, grout delivery pipes (integrated into the umbilical cable), and quick-connect / release devices on the modular boom, the work unit sequentially achieves functions such as obstacle crossing, sinking, top-pressure positioning, sealing of the cylindrical structure, surface pump-pressure grouting, and modular boom detachment and recovery, thus enabling automated repair of localized defects in underwater piers. The specific process includes the following steps:

[0006] S1. Construction of work unit: Relying on ships or work platforms, lightweight segment units are assembled into a cylindrical structure around the pier on the water. Then, the modular work arm is connected to the cylindrical structure to form a work unit. The modular work arm is connected to the water equipment through an umbilical cable.

[0007] S2, Obstacle Crossing and Sinking: The work unit sinks along the pier to the area to be repaired by using the obstacle crossing device and buoyancy control device mounted on the modular working arm.

[0008] S3, Top Pressure Positioning: The working unit is positioned and locked to the pier column by pushing the linear push rods mounted at both ends of the modular working arm;

[0009] S4. Cylinder structure sealing: By opening the air-filled sealing devices set at the upper and lower ends inside the cylinder structure, the upper and lower ends of the area enclosed by the cylinder structure and the pier are sealed. A connecting pipe is designed at the upper seal to ensure that the water in the enclosed area is connected to the external water.

[0010] S5. Water pump pressure grouting: The work unit is connected to the water pumping station through the grout delivery pipe to pump and inject filling material into the enclosed area. During the process, the buoyancy control device is adjusted to balance the weight of the filling material until the filling material overflows the connecting pipe.

[0011] S6. Modular working arm detachment and recovery: After the slurry has initially solidified, the modular working arm is detached from the cylinder structure and then recovered.

[0012] This invention overcomes the shortcomings of conventional underwater pier repair construction and has the following significant features:

[0013] (1) This invention relies on a modular working arm to carry lightweight tunnel segments for underwater construction operations. All materials and accessories used can work underwater. By cleverly designing functional modules such as obstacle crossing devices, buoyancy control devices, linear push rods, inflatable sealing devices, and quick-connection and release devices, it can realize automated underwater construction operations without human assistance throughout the entire process.

[0014] (2) The construction method described in this invention is economical, safe, widely applicable, fast and efficient. It does not require cofferdam construction or underwater operations by divers; it is suitable for deep water, turbid water, various foundation conditions, and areas with limited waterway space; the repair operation water depth is greater than 10 meters, the single repair height is greater than 1.2 meters, and the single operation time is less than 4 hours. Attached Figure Description

[0015] The accompanying drawings are intended only to illustrate and explain the present invention and do not limit the scope of the invention.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of the construction method for underwater automated repair of pier columns using a modular working arm equipped with lightweight tunnel segments, as per the present invention.

[0017] Figures 2 to 9 This is a schematic diagram of the various processes involved in the construction of an underwater automated repair pier using a modular boom equipped with lightweight tunnel lining segments. Among them:

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a modular boom, with a partial enlarged view at point I showing the power supply line, air supply pipe, and slurry delivery pipe integrated into the umbilical cable;

[0019] Figure 3This is a schematic diagram of a cylindrical structure assembled from lightweight segment units;

[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a work unit formed by splicing a cylindrical structure and a modular working arm. The enlarged view at point II shows the specific connection method between the modular working arm and the lightweight tunnel segment.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the entire work unit overcoming obstacles and sinking.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the top pressure positioning, with a partial enlarged view at point III, showing the linear push rod positioned on the pier to be repaired by the top pressure positioning;

[0023] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the cylinder structure seal, with a partial enlarged view at point IV, showing the connecting pipe located at the upper air-filling sealing device;

[0024] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of water-based pump-pressure grouting;

[0025] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the modular working arm detaching and being retrieved.

[0026] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1-Modular working arm; 11-Quick-connect clamping module; 12-Obstacle crossing device; 13-Buoyancy control device; 14-Linear push rod; 2-Lightweight segment; 3-Pier to be repaired; 4-Cylinder structure; 41-Inflatable sealing device; 42-Connecting pipe; 5-Umbilical cable; 51-Slurry delivery pipe; 52-Air supply pipe; 53-Power supply line; 6-Aquatic equipment; 61-Aquatic pumping station; 62-Aquatic air supply equipment; 63-Aquatic power supply equipment; 7-Filling material. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figure 1-9 This application will be described in further detail.

[0028] This application discloses a method for automated underwater repair of piers using a modular boom equipped with lightweight tunnel segments. (Refer to...) Figure 1 The construction method process includes the following steps:

[0029] S1. Work Unit Setup: Refer to... Figures 2-4 The construction is carried out on water using ships or work platforms. Lightweight tunnel segments 2 are assembled around the pier 3 to be repaired to form a cylindrical structure 4. The lightweight tunnel segments 2 can be made of fiber-reinforced composite materials, aluminum alloy materials, etc., with a thickness of not less than 4mm. The diameter of the cylindrical structure 4 does not exceed 20% of the diameter of the pier 3 to be repaired, and the total weight does not exceed 100kg.

[0030] The modular working arm 1 is connected to the cylinder structure 4 to form a working unit. The specific connection method is as follows: Figure 4 As shown in the enlarged schematic diagram at point II, the quick-connect clamping module 11 uses a high-torque underwater servo motor to drive the clamping claws, ensuring a secure and non-detached connection with the lightweight segment 2. The modular working arm 1 is connected to the surface equipment 6 via an umbilical cable 5. Figure 2 As shown in the enlarged schematic diagram at point I, the umbilical cable 5 consists of a power supply line 53, an air supply pipe 52, and a slurry delivery pipe 51, which are respectively connected to... Figure 4 The shown water power supply equipment 63, water gas supply equipment 62, and water pumping station 61 are connected;

[0031] S2, Obstacle Crossing and Descent: Refer to Figure 5 The work unit overcomes obstacles and sinks below the water surface. It achieves this by using the obstacle-crossing device 12 and buoyancy control device 13 mounted on the modular work arm 1, allowing the work unit to overcome obstacles and sink to the repair area along the pier 3. The buoyancy control device 13 controls the inflation and deflation of the buoyancy structure via the umbilical cable 5, enabling unpowered floating and sinking. During the grouting stage, it adjusts the buoyancy to balance the weight of the grout.

[0032] S3, Top Pressure Positioning: Refer to Figure 6 By controlling the linear push rods 14 mounted at both ends of the modular working arm 1, the working unit is locked and positioned against the pier 3 to be repaired. The specific pressing positions of the linear push rods 14 are as follows: Figure 6 As shown in the enlarged schematic diagram of section III, its horizontal thrust is not less than 5KN and its displacement control accuracy is not less than 0.1mm;

[0033] S4. Cylinder structure sealing: Refer to... Figure 7 By opening the inflatable sealing devices 41 located at the upper and lower ends inside the cylindrical structure 4, the area enclosed by the cylindrical structure 4 and the pier 3 to be repaired is sealed. A connecting pipe 42 is designed at the upper inflatable sealing device 41 to ensure communication between the water in the enclosed area and the external water. The connecting pipe 42 can be made of a plastic pipe with a diameter of 10-20mm, and its specific location is as follows... Figure 7 A magnified view of a portion of point IV is shown below;

[0034] S5. Water-based pump pressure grouting: Refer to... Figures 7-8 The work unit and the water pumping station 61 are connected through the grouting pipe 51. The filling material 7 is pumped into the enclosed area. First, non-dispersible fast-hardening mortar is pumped to seal the bottom support. After initial setting, underwater non-dispersible mortar (or underwater curing epoxy resin, underwater non-dispersible concrete) is pumped. During this period, the buoyancy control device 13 is adjusted to balance the weight of the grout until the filling material 7 overflows from the connecting pipe 42.

[0035] S6, Modular boom detachment and retraction: Refer to... Figure 9After the slurry has initially solidified, the modular working arm 1 detaches from the cylinder structure 4 and floats to the water surface for recovery.

[0036] The above description is merely an illustrative embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Any equivalent changes and modifications made by those skilled in the art without departing from the concept and principles of the present invention should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A modular working arm (1) equipped with lightweight tunnel lining segments (2) for underwater automated repair of pier construction, characterized in that, The process includes the following steps: S1. Construction of work unit: Based on the ship or work platform, light pipe segments (2) are assembled around the pier to be repaired (3) on the water to form a cylindrical structure (4). The modular work arm (1) and the cylindrical structure (4) are then connected to the work unit through the quick-connect clamping module (11). The modular work arm is connected to the water equipment (6) through the umbilical cable (5). S2, Obstacle crossing and sinking: The work unit sinks along the pier (3) to be repaired by crossing the obstacle through the obstacle crossing device (12) and the buoyancy control device (13) mounted on the modular work arm (1) to the area to be repaired. S3, Top pressure positioning: By advancing the linear push rods (14) mounted at both ends of the modular working arm (1), the working unit is locked and positioned with the pier (3) to be repaired; S4. Cylinder structure sealing: By opening the air-filled sealing device (41) set at both ends inside the cylinder structure (4), the upper and lower ends of the area enclosed by the cylinder structure (4) and the pier (3) to be repaired are sealed. A connecting pipe (42) is designed at the upper sealing point to ensure that the water in the enclosed area is connected to the external water. S5, Water pump grouting: The work unit is connected to the water pumping station (61) through the grout delivery pipe (51) to pump and inject filling material (7) into the enclosed area. During this period, the weight of the filling material is balanced by adjusting the buoyancy control device (13) until the filling material overflows the connecting pipe (42). S6. Modular working arm detachment and recovery: After the slurry has initially solidified, the modular working arm (1) is detached from the cylinder structure (4) and then recovered.

2. The method for automated underwater repair of piers using a modular working arm (1) equipped with lightweight tunnel segments (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The modular working arm (1) mainly includes a quick-connect clamping module (11), an obstacle-crossing device (12), a buoyancy control device (13), and a linear push rod (14) located on the working arm. Through the above functional modules, the quick connection and release with the cylindrical structure (4), the control of the working unit to cross obstacles, sink, and top pressure positioning are realized respectively.

3. The method for automated underwater repair of piers using a modular working arm (1) equipped with lightweight tunnel segments (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lightweight pipe segment (2) is made of materials including fiber-reinforced composite materials and aluminum alloy materials. The thickness of the pipe segment is not less than 4mm. The diameter of the cylindrical structure (4) is greater than the diameter of the pier (3) to be repaired, but not more than 20% of the diameter of the pier (3) to be repaired. The total weight does not exceed 100kg.

4. The method for automated underwater repair of piers using a modular working arm (1) equipped with lightweight tunnel segments (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The construction method requires no underwater manual assistance throughout the entire process, and realizes automatic underwater repair by relying on modular working arm (1) and lightweight pipe segment (2). The repair operation water depth is greater than 10 meters, the height of the pier (3) to be repaired in a single operation is greater than 1.2 meters, and the single operation time is less than 4 hours.

5. The method for underwater automated repair of piers using a modular working arm (1) equipped with lightweight tunnel segments (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The umbilical cable (5) consists of a slurry delivery pipe (51), an air supply pipe (52), and a power supply line (53), which are respectively connected to the water pump station (61), the water air supply equipment (62), and the water power supply equipment (63).

6. The method for automated underwater repair of piers using a modular working arm (1) equipped with lightweight tunnel segments (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The buoyancy control device (13) is implemented by an inflatable buoyancy structure. The umbilical cable (5) connected to the working arm (1) controls the inflation and deflation of the buoyancy structure to achieve unpowered floating and sinking. During the grouting stage, the buoyancy is adjusted to balance the self-weight of the grouting slurry.

7. The method for automated underwater repair of piers using a modular working arm (1) equipped with lightweight tunnel segments (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The linear push rod (14) is located at the upper and lower ends of the modular working arm. By extending the push rod to apply thrust to the surface of the pier (3) to be repaired, the working unit is locked and positioned. Its horizontal thrust is not less than 5KN and the displacement control accuracy is not less than 0.1mm.

8. The method for automated underwater repair of piers using a modular working arm (1) equipped with lightweight tunnel segments (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting pipe (42) is located at the upper inflatable sealing device (41) and is made of a plastic pipe with a diameter of 10-20 mm.

9. The method for automated underwater repair of piers using a modular working arm (1) equipped with lightweight tunnel segments (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The filling material (7) includes underwater non-dispersible mortar, underwater non-dispersible concrete, and underwater curing resin.

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