A device for positioning a steel pile for a pile drop test
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202611230276.8
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2026-08-14
- Publication Date
- 2026-11-03
AI Technical Summary
The lack of suitable experimental equipment in the existing technology makes it difficult to conduct pile dropping simulation experiments, especially when considering or not considering the influence of water factors, and thus cannot effectively guide the optimization of pile dropping parameters and pile tip structure of cutter suction dredgers.
A pile-dropping test device for positioning steel piles was designed, including components such as a protective cover box, a support base, a pressure sensor, a translational bracket, a lower sleeve, and an upper cage frame. It can simulate the pile-dropping process of steel piles under water and dry conditions. The lifting and dropping of the steel piles are achieved by a crane and a release device. The impact data is recorded by the pressure sensor, and the protective cover box prevents rock fragments from splashing.
It provides experimental data on steel pile dropping, guides the optimization of pile dropping parameters and pile tip structure, improves the construction stability of cutter suction dredgers, and meets the experimental requirements for both including and not including water-related factors.
Smart Images
Figure CN123027870A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention belongs to the technical field of ship experimental facilities, and particularly relates to a pile-dropping experimental device for positioning steel piles. Background Technology
[0002] Positioning steel piles are essential infrastructure components of cutter suction dredgers. Positioning steel piles are a primary construction method for cutter suction dredgers. In dredging projects using cutter suction dredgers, it is necessary to determine pile placement parameters and optimize pile tip structure based on the type of underwater rock. This ensures successful underwater pile placement in hard rock areas, improving the safety and stability of the cutter suction dredger's operations. By designing and implementing rock-penetration experiments with positioning steel piles, we can obtain information on pile penetration, such as the relationship between the number of pile drops and the penetration depth, the impact of the drop height on the rock, and the influence of pile tip type on the penetration depth. This experimental data can, in turn, provide guidance for determining pile placement parameters and selecting and optimizing pile tip structures in actual construction.
[0003] Typically, pile-dropping experiments can include the effect of water on the pile's movement, or they can exclude water as a contributing factor; the latter can be considered a simplified version of the pile-dropping experiment. Currently, there is no suitable experimental setup available, making it difficult to conduct pile-dropping simulation experiments. Therefore, custom design and development are needed to meet specific requirements. Summary of the Invention
[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a pile-dropping test device for positioning steel piles, which can conduct simulated pile-dropping experiments and has dual experimental modes that include water-related factors and do not include water-related factors.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a pile-dropping test device for positioning steel piles, comprising a protective cover box with a support base at the bottom of its interior, a drain valve installed at the bottom of its side wall, a support pad provided above the support base and a pressure sensor installed between the support base and the support pad, and a simulated rock block placed on the support pad; a translational support provided above the protective cover box, a longitudinal lower sleeve installed on the translational support, and a detachable upper cage frame installed at the top of the lower sleeve; further comprising a water sleeve with a water inlet that can be installed outside the upper cage frame and a connecting cover for transferring the lower end of the lower sleeve to the top of the protective cover box; further comprising a crane and a simulated steel pile, wherein the crane's lifting hook is connected to a lifting point located at the top of the simulated steel pile via a release hook.
[0006] Preferably, the simulated steel pile is a counterweight steel pile with a counterweight cavity inside its upper part. A top plate with holes is installed on the top of the counterweight cavity. The lifting point of the simulated steel pile is located at the center of the top plate. Counterweight steel balls are installed inside the counterweight cavity and can be inserted and removed through the holes in the top plate.
[0007] Preferably, a flange is provided at the top of the lower sleeve and a flange is provided at the bottom of the upper cage frame. The two flanges are connected together and a sealing gasket is provided between them.
[0008] Preferably, a flange is provided at the top of the upper cage frame, and sealing gaskets are installed on the flanges at the top and bottom of the upper cage frame. The water jacket is sleeved on the outside of the upper cage frame, and the sealing gaskets at the top and bottom make the interior form a water storage cavity.
[0009] Preferably, the connecting cover includes a conical cover body, with a connecting pipe at the top and a flange at the bottom. The lower end of the lower sleeve is inserted into the connecting pipe and a sealing gasket is provided between the two. A flange is provided at the top opening of the protective cover box. The flange of the connecting cover is connected to the flange of the protective cover box and a sealing gasket is provided between the two.
[0010] Preferably, it also includes a pit, with the protective cover box located inside the pit; a ground frame is provided on the ground outside the pit, a ground track is installed on the ground frame along the length of the pit, a track block is installed on the ground track, and the bottom of the translational support is fixedly connected to the track block.
[0011] Preferably, it also includes a handheld remote control, which controls the translation and movement of the overhead crane's lifting equipment, the lifting and lowering of the hook, and the hooking and unhooking actions of the unhooking device.
[0012] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: The present invention provides a pile dropping test device for positioning steel piles. A vertical channel for simulating the dropping of steel piles is formed by constructing a lower sleeve and an upper cage frame. A crane and a release device are used to lift, move and release the simulated steel piles. A support base with a pressure sensor and a support plate are used to stably support the simulated rock block, and a protective cover box is used to prevent the splashing of broken rock blocks. The released simulated steel piles fall onto the simulated rock block and generate an impact. The pile dropping test is simulated by measuring and recording the impact pressure and observing and recording the state of the simulated rock block. The pile dropping test data is obtained. The aforementioned test data is used to provide guidance for the activities of formulating pile throwing parameters and selecting and optimizing pile tip structure in the actual steel pile positioning construction.
[0013] On the other hand, this pile dropping test device operates in an experimental mode that does not include the influence of water when the water jacket and connecting cover are not installed, and in an experimental mode that includes the influence of water when the water jacket and connecting cover are installed and water is injected inside. Therefore, this pile dropping test device has both experimental modes to meet the experimental requirements. Attached Figure Description
[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of the present invention;
[0015] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the main structure of the middle water casing, the upper cage frame and the lower sheath, and the simulated steel pile;
[0016] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the main structure of the lower and middle sheaths, connecting cover, protective cover box, simulated rock blocks, etc.
[0017] In the diagram: 1. Pit; 2. Ground frame; 3. Ground track; 4. Drain valve; 5. Protective cover box; 6. Pressure sensor; 7. Support base; 8. Support pad; 9. Simulated rock block; 10. Remote control; 11. Translational support; 12. Lower sleeve; 13. Water sleeve; 14. Water inlet; 15. Upper cage frame; 16. Simulated steel pile; 17. Unhooking device; 18. Overhead crane; 19. Counterweight chamber; 20. Counterweight steel balls; 21. Top plate; 22. Connecting cover. Detailed Implementation
[0018] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 The present invention provides a pile driving test device for positioning steel piles, including a protective cover box 5 with a support base 7 at the bottom of the interior, a drain valve 4 installed at the bottom of its side wall, a support pad 8 provided above the support base 7, and a pressure sensor 6 installed between the support base 7 and the support pad 8, and a simulated rock block 9 placed on the support pad 8.
[0019] The support base 7 and support plate 8 provide a stable support platform for the simulated rock block 9, allowing it to be placed stably on the platform. The pressure sensor 6 measures the impact force on the simulated rock block 9. The protective cover box 5 prevents broken rock fragments from splashing in all directions, thus improving the safety of the experiment. The drain valve 4 drains water from the protective cover box 5 to the outside of the box. The pressure sensor 6 can be connected to the experimental host computer via a wiring harness passing through the protective cover box 5. The experimental host computer is equipped with measurement and recording software. The impact pressure measured by the pressure sensor 6 is recorded by the software and the impact waveform is displayed on the software interface.
[0020] Typically, the simulated rock block 9 is precast using concrete in a precast mold, meaning it is a regularly shaped precast concrete block. To simulate underwater rocks of varying hardness, a series of simulated rock blocks 9 are prepared using concrete materials with different mix proportions. The uniaxial compressive strengths of the different simulated rock blocks 9 are 60 MPa, 50 MPa, 40 MPa, and 30 MPa, respectively. For specific experiments, the aforementioned simulated rock blocks 9 are selected for application. It is conceivable that, to limit the position of the simulated rock block 9 and prevent it from shifting under impact, a limiting mechanism can be set on the support plate 8. For example, the limiting mechanism could be four limiting baffles (front, back, left, and right), with the bottom of the simulated rock block 9 positioned between these limiting baffles when placed on the support plate 8.
[0021] Above the protective cover box 5 is a movable support 11, which can be moved horizontally. A longitudinal lower sleeve 12 is installed on the movable support 11, and a detachable upper cage frame 15 is installed on the top of the lower sleeve 12. The lower sleeve 12 is a straight metal tube with open top and bottom, and the interior of the upper cage frame 15 is also vertically connected. The lower sleeve 12 and the upper cage frame 15 together form a vertical pile-dropping channel. The movable support 11 can be moved horizontally, so the aforementioned pile-dropping channel can be moved to a different position as needed.
[0022] In this embodiment, a flange is provided at the top of the lower sleeve 12 and a flange is provided at the bottom of the upper cage frame 15. The two flanges are connected together and a sealing gasket is provided between them.
[0023] In this embodiment, a pit 1 is also included, and a protective cover box 5 is located inside the pit 1. A ground frame 2 is provided on the outside of the pit 1 on the ground. A ground track 3 is installed on the ground frame 2 along the length of the pit 1. Track blocks are installed on the ground track 3, and the bottom of the translational support 11 is fixedly connected to the track blocks. Furthermore, to prevent the translational support 11 from shifting arbitrarily, a locking mechanism can be provided between the track blocks and the ground track 3. For example, the locking mechanism can be a locking screw. A threaded hole is provided on the side of the track block, and the locking screw is located in the threaded hole. After the translational support 11 is in place, the locking screw is rotated so that its inner end is pressed against the side of the ground track 3 to achieve locking and fixation.
[0024] The effect of placing the protective cover box 5 inside the pit 1 and installing the ground frame 2 and ground track 3 on the ground is to reduce the overall height of the entire pile dropping test device, making it easier for the test personnel to operate.
[0025] In this way, the translational support 11, the lower sleeve 12, and the upper cage frame 15 can be moved left and right along the direction defined by the ground track 3. Thus, the translational support 11 can be moved away from the top of the protective cover box 5, which facilitates the operation of inserting the simulated rock block 9 into the cover box and removing the broken rock block. After the simulated rock block 9 has been inserted into the cover box, the translational support 11 is pushed back to its original position, so that the constructed pile-dropping channel is located directly above the center of the simulated rock block 9.
[0026] It also includes a water jacket 13 with a water inlet 14 that can be installed outside the upper cage frame 15, and a connecting cover 22 for connecting the lower end of the lower jacket 12 to the top of the protective cover box 5. The water jacket 13 and the connecting cover 22 together with the upper cage frame 15, the lower jacket 12 and the protective cover box 5 form a water storage cavity to support experimental modes that incorporate water-related factors.
[0027] In this embodiment, a flange is provided at the top of the upper cage frame 15, and sealing gaskets are installed on both the top and bottom flanges of the upper cage frame 15. The water jacket 13 is fitted over the outside of the upper cage frame 15, and the sealing gaskets at the top and bottom create a water storage cavity inside. In application, the water jacket 13 is directly fitted over the outside of the upper cage frame 15.
[0028] In this embodiment, the connecting cover 22 includes a conical cover body, a connecting pipe at the top of the cover body and a flange at the bottom, the lower end of the lower sleeve 12 is inserted into the connecting pipe and a sealing gasket is provided between the two, a flange is provided at the top opening of the protective cover box 5, the flange of the connecting cover 22 is connected to the flange of the protective cover box 5 and a sealing gasket is provided between the two.
[0029] After installing the water jacket 13 and connecting cover 22, water can be injected into the internal cavity through the water inlet 14. After completing a single experimental operation, the water inside can be drained by opening the drain valve 4.
[0030] It also includes a crane 18 and a simulated steel pile 16. The lifting hook of the crane 18 is connected to the lifting point located at the top of the simulated steel pile 16 via a release hook 17. The simulated steel pile 16 is made at a scale of 1:10 to the actual positioning steel pile of the ship. A series of simulated steel piles 16 should be prefabricated for backup according to different experimental needs. For example, the pile dropping experiment may include an experiment to verify the rock breaking effect of different types of pile tips. Therefore, a series of backup simulated steel piles 16 should have different types of pile tips, such as different pile tip shapes (cross-shaped pile tips, trapezoidal cone pile tips, serrated pile tips, etc.), different pile tip tapers, and different pile tip materials.
[0031] Considering that the weight of the simulated steel pile 16 is an important experimental variable, and the experiment involves verifying the rock-breaking effect of steel piles of different weights, in this embodiment, the simulated steel pile 16 is a counterweight steel pile, which can be made to have different weights by adding counterweights. Figure 2 As shown, a counterweight cavity 19 is provided inside the upper part of the simulated steel pile 16, and a top plate 21 with holes is installed on the top of the counterweight cavity 19. The lifting point of the simulated steel pile 16 is located at the center of the top plate 21. Counterweight steel balls 20 are provided inside the counterweight cavity 19 and can be inserted and removed through the holes on the top plate 21. By inserting different numbers of counterweight steel balls 20, the weight of the simulated steel pile 16 can be set.
[0032] It also includes a handheld remote control 10, which controls the translation and movement of the lifting device 18, the lifting and lowering of the hook, and the hooking and unhooking actions of the unhooking device 17. The remote control 10 can be wired or wireless. The unhooking device 17 is an electrically controlled unhooking device with a motor-driven telescopic locking pin inside. The lifting point of the simulated steel pile 16 is a lifting ring. When hooking, the lifting ring extends into the cavity at the bottom of the unhooking device 17. The motor is operated by the remote control 10 to make the locking pin pass through the lifting ring. When unhooking, the motor is operated by the remote control 10 to make the locking pin disengage from the lifting ring. Under its own weight, the simulated steel pile 16 is unhooked and separated from the unhooking device 17 and enters the pile dropping channel.
[0033] Experimental procedure:
[0034] 1. Experimental types that do not include water factors
[0035] This mode does not include the water jacket 13 and the connecting cover 22. First, move the translational support 11 to another location so that the top of the protective cover box 5 is not obstructed. Place the simulated rock block 9 on the support pad 8. Then, move the translational support 11 back to its original position and lock it in place. At this time, the pile dropping channel should be located directly above the center of the simulated rock block 9.
[0036] Release the crane wire rope of the overhead crane 18, so that the unhooking device 17 engages with the top lifting point of the simulated steel pile 16 to be tested. Then the crane rewinds the wire rope, and the simulated steel pile 16 is lifted to a high position. By moving the position of the crane on the crossbeam of the overhead crane 18, the simulated steel pile 16 is moved to the top of the pile dropping channel. Release the wire rope appropriately so that the lower end of the simulated steel pile 16, that is, the pile tip, is initially located inside the top opening of the upper cage frame 15. The simulated steel pile 16 should not contact the upper cage frame 15, that is, the simulated steel pile 16 should be well suspended at the upper end of the pile dropping channel.
[0037] The remote controller 10 controls the unhooking device 17 to generate an unhooking action. Under its own gravity, the simulated steel pile 16 falls along the pile dropping channel and finally hits the simulated rock block 9, producing an impact on the simulated rock block 9. The simulated rock block 9 may produce effects such as unbroken, surface impact grooves, impact splitting, and impact penetration.
[0038] The impact data during the aforementioned pile driving experiment were sent to the host computer and recorded and displayed by the software. The post-experimental state of the simulated steel pile 16 and the simulated rock block 9 were obtained through on-site observation and recording to form supporting data for subsequent analysis.
[0039] 2. Experimental types that incorporate water factors
[0040] This mode includes the addition of a water jacket 13 and a connecting cover 22. First, move the translational support 11 to another location so that the top of the protective cover box 5 is not obstructed. Place the simulated rock block 9 on the support pad 8, then move the translational support 11 back to its original position and lock it in place. At this point, the pile-dropping channel should be located directly above the center of the simulated rock block 9. Then, install the water jacket 13 and the connecting cover 22 to form an internal water storage chamber. Inject water into the chamber through the water inlet 14. The water volume should reach the interior of the upper cage frame 15, and after the simulated steel pile 16 is dropped, no water should overflow from the top of the pile-dropping channel.
[0041] Release the crane wire rope of the overhead crane 18, so that the unhooking device 17 engages with the top lifting point of the simulated steel pile 16 to be tested. Then the crane rewinds the wire rope, and the simulated steel pile 16 is lifted to a high position. By moving the position of the crane on the crossbeam of the overhead crane 18, the simulated steel pile 16 is moved to the top of the pile dropping channel. Release the wire rope appropriately so that the lower end of the simulated steel pile 16, that is, the pile tip, is initially located inside the top opening of the upper cage frame 15. The simulated steel pile 16 should not contact the upper cage frame 15, that is, the simulated steel pile 16 should be well suspended at the upper end of the pile dropping channel.
[0042] The release device 17 is controlled by remote controller 10 to release the hook. Under its own weight, the simulated steel pile 16 falls along the pile dropping channel and finally strikes the simulated rock block 9, causing an impact on the simulated rock block 9. The simulated rock block 9 may exhibit effects such as unbroken, surface impact grooves, impact splitting, and impact penetration. The drain valve 4 is opened to completely drain the internal water. Then, the connection between the connecting cover 22 and the protective cover box 5 is disassembled, and the connecting cover 22 is moved up a certain height (while maintaining its connection with the lower sleeve 12) to facilitate observation and recording of the post-experimental state of the simulated rock block 9 and the pile tip.
[0043] The impact data during the aforementioned pile driving experiment were sent to the host computer and recorded and displayed by the software. The post-experimental state of the simulated steel pile 16 and the simulated rock block 9 were obtained through on-site observation and recording to form supporting data for subsequent analysis.
[0044] After completing a single experiment, the crane's wire rope is lowered until the release device 17 engages with the lifting point at the top of the simulated steel pile 16. The simulated steel pile 16 is then lifted to a high position, moved, and lowered to the ground. The translational support 11 is moved away from the protective enclosure 5, and the broken rock fragments inside the enclosure are removed. Preparation is made for the next experimental operation.
Claims
1. A pile-dropping test device for positioning steel piles, characterized in that: The protective cover box (5) includes an internal bottom support base (7), a drain valve (4) is installed at the bottom of its side wall, a support pad (8) is provided above the support base (7), and a pressure sensor (6) is installed between the support base (7) and the support pad (8). A simulated rock block (9) is placed on the support pad (8). A translational bracket (11) that can be moved horizontally is provided above the protective cover box (5), and a longitudinal lower sleeve (12) is installed on the translational bracket (11). The lower sleeve (12) is equipped with a detachable upper cage frame (15) at the top; it also includes a water sleeve (13) with a water inlet (14) that can be installed outside the upper cage frame (15) and a connecting cover (22) for transferring the lower end of the lower sleeve (12) to the top of the protective cover box (5); it also includes a crane (18) and a simulated steel pile (16), the lifting hook of the crane (18) being connected to the lifting point located at the top of the simulated steel pile (16) via a release hook (17).
2. The pile-dropping test device for positioning steel piles according to claim 1, characterized in that: The simulated steel pile (16) is a counterweight steel pile with a counterweight cavity (19) inside its upper part. A top plate (21) with holes is installed on the top of the counterweight cavity (19). The lifting point of the simulated steel pile (16) is located at the center of the top plate (21). Counterweight steel balls (20) are installed inside the counterweight cavity (19) and can be inserted and removed through the holes on the top plate (21).
3. The pile-dropping test device for positioning steel piles according to claim 2, characterized in that: A flange is provided at the top of the lower sleeve (12) and a flange is provided at the bottom of the upper cage frame (15). The two flanges are connected together and a sealing gasket is provided between them.
4. The pile-dropping test device for positioning steel piles according to claim 3, characterized in that: A flange is provided at the top of the upper cage frame (15). Sealing gaskets are installed on the flanges at the top and bottom of the upper cage frame (15). The water jacket (13) is fitted on the outside of the upper cage frame (15). The sealing gaskets at the top and bottom make the interior form a water storage cavity.
5. The pile-dropping test device for positioning steel piles according to claim 4, characterized in that: The connecting cover (22) includes a conical cover body, with a connecting pipe at the top and a flange at the bottom. The lower end of the lower sleeve (12) is inserted into the connecting pipe and a sealing gasket is provided between the two. A flange is provided at the top opening of the protective cover box (5). The flange of the connecting cover (22) is connected to the flange of the protective cover box (5) and a sealing gasket is provided between the two.
6. The pile-dropping test device for positioning steel piles according to claim 5, characterized in that: It also includes a pit (1), a protective cover box (5) located inside the pit (1); a ground frame (2) is provided on the ground outside the pit (1), a ground track (3) is installed on the ground frame (2) along the length of the pit (1), a track block is installed on the ground track (3), and the bottom of the translational support (11) is fixedly connected to the track block.
7. The pile-dropping test device for positioning steel piles according to claim 6, characterized in that: It also includes a handheld remote control (10), which controls the translation of the lifting device of the crane (18), the lifting and lowering of the hook, and the hooking and unhooking actions of the unhooker (17).