A dredging device for a steel pipe pile top and a method for dredging a steel pipe pile top

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of offshore steel pipe pile foundation construction, and particularly relates to a dredging device for the top of a steel pipe pile and a dredging method for the top of a steel pipe pile. The dredging device comprises a silt storage box, a cavity is arranged in the silt storage box, a movable opening for silt to enter and exit is arranged at the bottom of the cavity, a suspension assembly is detachably connected to the silt storage box and a replacement structure, so that the silt storage box is suspended below the replacement structure, an opening and closing lifting piece is connected to the movable opening at one end and is used to be connected to the movable opening at the other end, and the opening and closing lifting piece opens or closes the movable opening. The silt storage box which can be flexibly opened and closed is arranged at the bottom of the replacement structure, and through the alternate action of the suspension assembly and the opening and closing lifting assembly, the silt at the top of the steel pipe pile in the pile sinking process is grabbed and stored and recovered, the problem that the underwater steel pipe pile top dredging work relies on diving operation, the dredging cost is high and the risk is great is effectively solved, the construction process is reduced, and the foundation construction efficiency is effectively improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of offshore steel pipe pile foundation construction, specifically to a dredging device and method for the top of steel pipe piles. Background Technology

[0002] A pile foundation is a deep foundation consisting of piles and a pile cap connecting the pile tops, or a single pile foundation consisting of a column connected to the pile foundation. If the entire pile is embedded in the soil and the bottom of the pile cap is in contact with the soil, it is called a low-pile-cap pile foundation; if the upper part of the pile is exposed above the ground and the bottom of the pile cap is above the ground, it is called a high-pile-cap pile foundation. Building pile foundations are usually low-pile-cap pile foundations.

[0003] After pile foundation construction, the pile top elevation is mostly below ground level, followed by earthwork excavation and core concrete pouring. During this process, silt may enter the pile core hole. This is especially true for underwater steel pipe piles, where cleaning is particularly difficult. Therefore, to ensure the removal of silt from the pile foundation, it is necessary to study internal cleaning devices. In related technologies, the silt removal operation for offshore foundation steel pipe piles involves divers entering the pile after pile driving to flush out the silt using high-pressure water guns, followed by the extraction of the mud through pipes inserted into the pile from the sea surface. However, as the operating water depth increases, the cost, difficulty, and risks of diving operations increase significantly, and conventional silt removal techniques gradually become insufficient to meet construction requirements. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Among the relevant technologies, the dredging operation inside steel pipe piles is difficult, costly, and poses safety risks.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a dredging device for the top of a steel pipe pile, comprising: The sludge storage box has a cavity inside, and the bottom of the cavity has an open opening for the sludge to enter and exit. A suspension assembly for detachably connecting the sludge storage tank and the replacement structure, so that the sludge storage tank is suspended below the replacement structure; An opening and closing lifting member has one end connected to the movable opening and the other end connected to the movable opening, and the opening and closing lifting member opens or closes the movable opening; wherein, When the gap between the top surface of the sludge storage box and the top surface of the replacement structure is less than a preset distance, the opening and closing lifting component opens the movable opening; When the gap between the top surface of the sludge storage box and the top surface of the replacement structure is greater than a preset distance, the opening and closing lifting component closes the movable opening.

[0006] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, the opening and closing lifting member includes: Multiple jaws are provided at the movable opening, and the multiple jaws can be closed by closing the movable opening; A flexible transmission component, one end of which is connected to the jaws, and the other end of which is connected to the replacement structure; and the flexible transmission component is configured as follows: When the gap between the top surface of the sludge storage box and the top surface of the replacement structure is greater than a preset distance, the flexible transmission component is tensioned and drives multiple claws to perform a closing action to close the movable opening; When the gap between the top surface of the sludge storage box and the top surface of the replacement structure is less than a preset distance, the flexible transmission component enters a non-tensioned state, so that the multiple claws naturally open to maintain the open state of the movable opening.

[0007] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, the opening and closing lifting member further includes a claw limiting member disposed on the sludge storage box, and the claw limiting member is used to limit the range of motion of the claw.

[0008] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, the top of the sludge storage tank is provided with a top opening through which the flexible transmission member passes.

[0009] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, the suspension assembly includes: The upper buckle is used for mounting at the bottom of the replacement structure; A lower suspension buckle is located at the top of the sludge storage tank, and the lower suspension buckle is used to detachably connect to the upper suspension buckle.

[0010] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, the lower suspension buckle is provided with a rotating hook.

[0011] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one embodiment, the top of the sludge storage tank is provided with a contact pad, which is used to correspond to the position of the replacement structure.

[0012] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a method for dredging the top of a steel pipe pile using the dredging device described in any of the above claims, characterized in that it includes: The opening and closing lifting component is connected to the replacement structure, and the sludge storage box is suspended below the replacement structure by the suspension assembly, so that the gap between the top surface of the sludge storage box and the top surface of the replacement structure is less than a preset distance. The replacement structure is driven to assist the steel pipe pile in driving the pile and the connection between the suspension component and the replacement structure is released, so that the silt storage box enters the top of the steel pipe pile and is inserted into the soil layer. The drive mechanism rises, causing the opening and closing lifting component to first close the movable opening of the sludge storage box and then drive the sludge storage box away from the top of the steel pipe pile.

[0013] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one embodiment, releasing the connection between the suspension assembly and the replacement structure includes: Rotate the lower suspension latch of the suspension assembly to disengage the lower suspension latch from the upper suspension latch.

[0014] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one embodiment, after releasing the connection between the suspension assembly and the replacement structure and driving the replacement structure to rise, the method further includes: The replacement structure and the sludge storage box are placed in the dredging operation area and connected by a suspension assembly. The replacement structure and the sludge storage box are lifted synchronously until the movable opening of the sludge storage box is opened to discharge the sludge inside its cavity into the dredging operation area.

[0015] The beneficial effects of the technical solutions provided in this application include: This application addresses the issue that traditional deep-water steel pipe pile construction relies on a replacement structure for underwater pile driving. By arranging a silt storage box that can be flexibly opened and closed at the bottom of the replacement structure, and through the alternating action of the suspension component and the opening and closing lifting component, the silt on the top of the steel pipe pile during the pile driving process can be grabbed, stored, and recovered. This effectively solves the problem of underwater steel pipe pile top silt removal work relying on diving operations, which is costly and risky. At the same time, it reduces construction procedures and effectively improves the efficiency of foundation construction. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the dredging device in the embodiments of this application; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the dredging method in step S2 of the embodiments of this application; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the dredging method in step S3 of the embodiments of this application; Figure 4 This is a construction diagram of the dredging method in step S4 of the embodiments of this application; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the dredging method in this application embodiment after the active opening is closed in step S4. Figure 6 This is a construction diagram of the dredging box after it is detached from the steel pipe pile in an embodiment of this application.

[0018] In the diagram: 1. Silt storage box; 11. Cavity; 12. Movable opening; 13. Contact pad; 2. Suspension assembly; 21. Upper suspension buckle; 22. Lower suspension buckle; 3. Replacement structure; 31. Lifting node; 4. Opening and closing lifting component; 41. Claw; 42. Flexible transmission component; 43. Claw limiting component; 5. Steel pipe pile; 6. Soil layer; 7. Piling hammer; 8. Lifting tool. Detailed Implementation

[0019] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0020] Among the relevant technologies, the dredging operation inside steel pipe piles is difficult, costly, and poses safety risks.

[0021] Firstly, such as Figure 1 As shown, this application provides a dredging device for the top of a steel pipe pile, which includes: a dredging box 1, a suspension assembly 2, and an opening and closing lifting component 4; wherein, A sludge storage tank 1 has a cavity 11 inside, and the bottom of the cavity 11 has a movable opening 12 for sludge to enter and exit; a suspension assembly 2 is used to detachably connect the sludge storage tank 1 and the replacement structure 3, so that the sludge storage tank 1 is suspended below the replacement structure 3; an opening and closing lifting member 4 is connected at one end to the movable opening 12 and at the other end, and the opening and closing lifting member 4 opens or closes the movable opening 12; wherein... When the gap between the top surface of the sludge storage box 1 and the top surface of the replacement structure 3 is less than a preset distance, the opening and closing lifting component 4 opens the movable opening 12. When the gap between the top surface of the sludge storage box 1 and the top surface of the replacement structure 3 is greater than a preset distance, the opening and closing lifting member 4 closes the movable opening 12.

[0022] Understandably, during the dredging process of this application, the silt storage box 1, with the movable opening 12 open, is first inserted into the top of the steel pipe pile 5 (i.e., the soil layer 6 below the seabed) along with the replacement structure 3. At this time, the silt storage box 1 collects the silt at the top of the pile during insertion. Then, the connection of the suspension component 2 is released, and the silt storage box 1 is raised to increase the distance between the silt storage box 1 and the replacement structure 3, until the opening and closing lifting component 4 first closes the movable opening 12, and then the silt storage box 1 is lifted until it leaves the top of the steel pipe pile 5.

[0023] It is worth noting that this application, taking into account the characteristics of traditional deep-water steel pipe pile construction that requires the use of a replacement structure for underwater pile driving, arranges a silt storage box that can be flexibly opened and closed at the bottom of the replacement structure. Through the alternating action of the suspension component and the opening and closing lifting component, the silt on the top of the steel pipe pile during the pile driving process is grabbed, stored and recycled. This effectively solves the problem of underwater steel pipe pile top silt removal work relying on diving operations, which is costly and risky. At the same time, it reduces construction procedures and effectively improves the efficiency of foundation construction.

[0024] In some preferred embodiments, the opening and closing lifting member 4 includes: a plurality of claws 41 and a flexible transmission member 42; wherein, A jaw clamp 41 is disposed at the movable opening 12, and multiple jaw clamps 41 can close the movable opening 12 by closing them together; a flexible transmission member 42, one end of which is connected to the jaw clamp 41, and the other end of which is used to connect to the replacement structure 3; and the flexible transmission member 42 is configured as follows: When the gap between the top surface of the sludge storage box 1 and the top surface of the replacement structure 3 is greater than the preset distance, the flexible transmission component 42 is tensioned and drives the multiple claws 41 to perform a closing action to close the movable opening 12. When the gap between the top surface of the sludge storage box 1 and the top surface of the replacement structure 3 is less than a preset distance, the flexible transmission component 42 enters a non-tensioned state, so that the multiple claws 41 naturally open to maintain the open state of the movable opening 12.

[0025] It is worth noting that one end of the flexible transmission component 42 is connected to the end of the jaw clamp 41, and the other end is connected to the lifting node 31 of the replacement structure 3. When the sludge storage box 1 is suspended below the replacement structure 3 by the suspension assembly 2, the gap between the top surface of the sludge storage box 1 and the top surface of the replacement structure 3 is less than a preset distance. At this time, the flexible transmission component 42 is not under force and is in a non-tensioned state, while the jaw clamp 41 hangs down naturally under the action of gravity, thereby opening the movable opening 12.

[0026] Specifically, the flexible transmission component 42 includes a lifting cable.

[0027] In some alternative embodiments, the opening and closing lifting member 4 further includes a claw limiting member 43, which is disposed on the sludge storage box 1, and the claw limiting member 43 is used to limit the range of motion of the claw 41.

[0028] Understandably, the claw clamp limiting component 43 allows the claw clamp 41 to stop moving after closing the movable opening 12, and instead, the claw clamp 41 and the sludge storage box 1 are lifted synchronously under the action of the flexible transmission component 42.

[0029] Furthermore, the top of the sludge storage box 1 and the claw clamp limiting member 43 are both provided with top openings for the flexible transmission member 42 to pass through.

[0030] In some specific embodiments, the suspension assembly 2 includes: an upper suspension buckle 21 and a lower suspension buckle 22; wherein, The upper suspension buckle 21 is used to be installed at the bottom of the replacement structure 3; the lower suspension buckle 22 is located at the top of the sludge storage box 1, and the lower suspension buckle 22 is used to be detachably connected to the upper suspension buckle 21.

[0031] Preferably, the lower suspension buckle 22 is a rotatable hook, and the upper suspension buckle 21 is a cantilevered fixed hook structure.

[0032] It is understandable that when the upper suspension buckle 21 moves downward relative to the lower suspension buckle 22, the lower suspension buckle 22 will rotate downward under its own weight, and the connection between the two will be broken.

[0033] Furthermore, the top of the sludge storage box 1 is provided with a contact pad 13, which is used to correspond to the position of the replacement structure 3.

[0034] Understandably, the contact pad 13 is used to abut against the replacement structure 3, and the replacement structure 3 is used to press the contact pad 13 so that the silt storage box 1 is inserted into the top of the steel pipe pile 5.

[0035] Secondly, this application provides a method for dredging the top of a steel pipe pile using the aforementioned dredging device, which includes the following steps: Step S1: The sludge storage box 1 is suspended below the replacement structure 3 by the suspension component 2, so that the gap between the top surface of the sludge storage box 1 and the top surface of the replacement structure 3 is less than a preset distance.

[0036] Step S2: Connect the opening and closing lifting component 4 to the replacement structure 3.

[0037] Specifically, the flexible transmission component 42 is connected to the lifting node 31 of the replacement structure 3.

[0038] It is understandable that, such as Figure 2 As shown, at this time, since the gap between the top surface of the sludge storage box 1 and the top surface of the replacement structure 3 is less than the preset distance, the claw 41 is in a natural state of vertical hanging down, and the movable opening 12 is in the open state.

[0039] Step S3: Drive the replacement structure 3 to assist the steel pipe pile 5 in driving the pile, so that the silt storage box 1 enters the top of the steel pipe pile 5 and is inserted into the soil layer 6.

[0040] Specifically, step S3 includes: In step S3a, the silt storage box 1 is inserted into the top of the steel pipe pile 5 along with the replacement structure 3. As the depth of the steel pipe pile 5 increases, the claw 41 gradually sinks into the mud surface. After a certain thickness, the silt storage box 1 gradually stops sinking due to the resistance of the silt. At this time, as the depth of the steel pipe pile 5 further increases, the distance between the bottom surface of the replacement structure 3 and the top surface of the silt storage box 1 begins to decrease.

[0041] It is understandable that, such as Figure 3 As shown, when the top of the steel pipe pile 5 is driven to near the seabed, the claw 41 begins to insert into the seabed silt. Under the resistance of the silt, the silt storage box 1 gradually stops on the silt layer.

[0042] Step S3b: Unlatch the suspension assembly 2, and finally replace the contact pad 13 between the structure 3 and the top of the silt storage box 1, so that the silt storage box 1 is further driven into the seabed along with the pile driving process.

[0043] Step S3b specifically includes: rotating the lower suspension buckle 22 of the suspension assembly 2 to disengage the lower suspension buckle 22 from the upper suspension buckle 21.

[0044] It is worth noting that the lower suspension buckle 22 will automatically rotate to a position away from the upper suspension buckle 21 when not subjected to external force. Therefore, when the sludge collection tank 1 moves closer to the replacement structure 3, causing its contact pad 13 to contact the replacement structure 3, the rotating hook of the lower suspension buckle 22 no longer bears the weight of the sludge collection tank 1, and thus disengages from the upper suspension buckle 21. This achieves automatic failure of the suspension assembly 2.

[0045] Step S4: Drive the replacement structure 3 to rise, so that the opening and closing lifting member 4 first closes the movable opening 12 of the sludge storage box 1 and then drives the sludge storage box 1 away from the top of the steel pipe pile 5.

[0046] Specifically, after the pile driving is completed, the suspension component 2 has been unlocked and disabled in step S3b, and the replacement structure 3 is recovered to drive the silt storage box 1 filled with silt away from the steel pipe pile 5.

[0047] It is understandable that, such as Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, with the retraction of the replacement structure 3, the flexible transmission component 42 gradually tightens, driving the claw 41 to rotate upwards and close until the claw 41 is tightly against the claw limiting component 43, reaching its maximum rotation angle. This completely closes the movable opening 12 at the bottom of the sludge storage box 1, retaining the sludge from the pile top inside the sludge storage box 1. At this point, the claw 41 can no longer rotate. Figure 6 As shown, as the replacement structure 3 continues to rise, the flexible transmission component 42, guided by the steel cable, drives the silt storage box 1 to rise together out of the pile top.

[0048] Step S5: Using the lifting device 8, lift the silt storage box 1 and the replacement structure 3 together to the dredging operation area for silt removal.

[0049] The above step S5 specifically includes: Step S5a: Place the replacement structure 3 and the sludge storage box 1 in the dredging operation area, and connect the replacement structure 3 and the sludge storage box 1 through the suspension assembly 2; Step S5b: The lifting device 8 drives the replacement structure 3 and the sludge storage box 1 to be lifted synchronously until the movable opening 12 of the sludge storage box 1 opens to discharge the sludge in its cavity 11 into the dredging operation area. Understandably, when the suspension assembly 2 is reconnected, lifting the replacement structure 3 again will cause the replacement structure 3 and the sludge storage box 1 to rise as a whole. At this time, the flexible transmission component 42 no longer provides pulling force to the claw 41. The claw 41 gradually opens under its own weight and the action of the sludge, and the sludge in the box is poured out, completing the cleaning of the sludge storage box 1.

[0050] In summary, this invention discloses an underwater steel pipe pile top dredging device. This structure addresses the characteristic of traditional deep-water steel pipe pile construction that relies on a replacement structure for underwater pile driving. By arranging the dredging device at the bottom of the replacement structure and through the alternating action of the suspension device and the lifting device, the device achieves the grabbing, storage, and recycling of silt from the top of the steel pipe pile during the pile driving process. This effectively solves the problems of underwater steel pipe pile top dredging work relying on diving operations, resulting in high dredging costs and risks. At the same time, it reduces construction procedures and effectively improves the efficiency of foundation construction.

[0051] In the description of this application, it should be noted that the terms "upper," "lower," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application. Unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installed," "connected," and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication between two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in this application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0052] It should be noted that in this application, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0053] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, enabling those skilled in the art to understand or implement this application. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this application. Therefore, this application is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features claimed herein.

Claims

1. A dredging device for the top of a steel pipe pile, characterized in that, include: The silt storage box (1) has a cavity (11) inside, and the bottom of the cavity (11) has an movable opening (12) for silt to enter and exit. A suspension assembly (2) is used to detachably connect the sludge storage tank (1) and the replacement structure (3) so that the sludge storage tank (1) is suspended below the replacement structure (3); An opening and closing lifting member (4) has one end connected to the replacement structure (3) and the other end connected to the movable opening (12), and the opening and closing lifting member (4) opens or closes the movable opening (12); wherein, When the gap between the top surface of the sludge storage box (1) and the bottom surface of the replacement structure (3) is less than the preset distance, the opening and closing lifting component (4) opens the movable opening (12). When the gap between the top surface of the sludge storage box (1) and the bottom surface of the replacement structure (3) is greater than the preset distance, the opening and closing lifting member (4) closes the movable opening (12). The opening and closing lifting component (4) includes: multiple claws (41) and a flexible transmission component (42). The claws (41) are located at the movable opening (12). The multiple claws (41) can close the movable opening (12) by closing. One end of the flexible transmission component (42) is connected to the claws (41), and the other end is connected to the replacement structure (3). The flexible transmission element (42) is configured as follows: When the gap between the top surface of the sludge storage box (1) and the bottom surface of the replacement structure (3) is greater than the preset distance, the flexible transmission component (42) is tensioned and drives multiple claws (41) to perform a closing action to close the movable opening (12). When the gap between the top surface of the sludge storage box (1) and the bottom surface of the replacement structure (3) is less than a preset distance, the flexible transmission component (42) enters a non-tensioned state so that the multiple claws (41) naturally open to maintain the open state of the movable opening (12).

2. The dredging device for the top of steel pipe piles as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The opening and closing lifting component (4) further includes a claw limiting component (43), which is disposed on the sludge storage box (1), and the claw limiting component (43) is used to limit the range of motion of the claw (41).

3. The dredging device for the top of steel pipe piles as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The top of the sludge storage box (1) is provided with a top opening for the flexible transmission component (42) to pass through.

4. The dredging device for the top of steel pipe piles as described in claim 1, characterized in that... The suspension assembly (2) includes: The upper buckle (21) is suspended and installed at the bottom of the replacement structure (3); The lower suspension buckle (22) is located on the top of the sludge storage box (1), and the lower suspension buckle (22) is detachably connected to the upper suspension buckle (21).

5. The dredging device for the top of steel pipe piles as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The lower suspension buckle (22) is equipped with a rotating hook.

6. The dredging device for the top of steel pipe piles as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The top of the sludge storage box (1) is provided with a contact pad (13), and the contact pad (13) corresponds to the position of the replacement structure (3).

7. A method for dredging the top of a steel pipe pile using the dredging device for the top of the steel pipe pile as described in claim 1, characterized in that, include: Connect the opening and closing lifting component (4) to the replacement structure (3), and at the same time suspend the sludge storage box (1) below the replacement structure (3) through the suspension component (2) so that the gap between the top surface of the sludge storage box (1) and the bottom surface of the replacement structure (3) is less than the preset distance. Drive the replacement structure (3) to assist the steel pipe pile (5) in driving the pile and disconnect the connection between the suspension component (2) and the replacement structure (3) so that the silt storage box (1) enters the top of the steel pipe pile (5) and is inserted into the soil layer (6); The drive replacement structure (3) rises so that the opening and closing lifting member (4) first closes the movable opening (12) of the silt storage box (1) and then drives the silt storage box (1) away from the top of the steel pipe pile (5).

8. The method for clearing silt from the top of steel pipe piles as described in claim 7, characterized in that, After the connection between the suspension assembly (2) and the replacement structure (3) is released and the replacement structure (3) is driven to rise, the following steps are also included: The replacement structure (3) and the sludge storage box (1) are placed in the dredging operation area and connected by the suspension assembly (2). The replacement structure (3) and the sludge storage box (1) are driven to lift synchronously until the movable opening (12) of the sludge storage box (1) is opened to discharge the sludge in its cavity (11) into the dredging operation area.

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