A device for monitoring scour depth of pile foundation in flood season

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of hydraulic engineering discloses a device for flood season pile foundation scouring depth monitoring, including a plurality of sensor device, each built -in sensor subassembly and wireless radio frequency module without external power supply, and all are pre -buried in the riverbed different depth near the pile foundation. When the riverbed is scoured and leads to sensor device exposure and floating overturn, sensor subassembly triggers radio frequency signal, sends to the center base station of bridge pier top through wireless radio frequency module, and then depth signal is transmitted to cloud platform real -time monitoring record by center base station through 4G network. The device through above -mentioned design, can trigger signal and complete data transmission record in time when the riverbed is scoured, effectively solve traditional equipment in complex hydrographic environment and depend on external power supply and lead easy to be damaged, difficult to deep monitoring and real -time insufficient etc. problem, improved the reliability, adaptability and real -time of monitoring, provide strong safeguard for bridge degree flood safety.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of water conservancy engineering technology, specifically to a device and method for monitoring the scour depth of pile foundations during the flood season. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, extreme weather events have occurred frequently around the world, making the safety of flood-control bridges increasingly prominent. Bridge collapses caused by pile foundation erosion during the flood season occur from time to time, seriously threatening the safety of transportation operations. Among them, railway bridges crossing rivers in the mountainous areas of southwest my country face particularly severe challenges: the floods in this region are characterized by high turbidity, high sediment content, many boulders, turbulent flow direction, high flow velocity, and deep water. Existing erosion monitoring equipment is difficult to adapt to such complex hydrological environments, or the wires are easily destroyed by the water flow, corroded and broken due to reliance on wired transmission, or the power supply is difficult in deep water and complex terrain due to the need for external power supply, or the sensor structure design cannot withstand the impact of silt and boulders. Moreover, most of the equipment is still in the research and exploration stage and lacks practical application verification, making it difficult to meet the engineering needs of flood season safety monitoring of bridges in mountainous areas.

[0003] While existing technologies offer some solutions for scour monitoring to address the aforementioned issues, they still suffer from significant drawbacks: First, traditional sensor installation relies on slope excavation or cofferdam construction, which, limited by complex terrain and deep water conditions around the pile foundation, makes it difficult to pre-embed deep soil and rock masses and thus cannot monitor the scour depth of riverbed incision. Second, most devices have not resolved the reliability issue of signal triggering. When flood impacts cause sensors to float or tilt, signal delays or false triggers can easily occur, and the stability of wireless transmission is insufficient, making it difficult to guarantee the effective transmission of real-time monitoring data. Third, there is a lack of low-power, high-protection designs suitable for complex mountainous environments. Sensors are easily damaged by water flow impacts or have insufficient battery life due to excessive power consumption, failing to meet the long-term monitoring needs during the flood season.

[0004] Therefore, developing a real-time monitoring device for the depth of pile foundation scour during the flood season that can adapt to the complex hydrological environment of the southwestern mountainous areas, requires no external power supply or wires, enables deep scour monitoring, and has reliable signal triggering and stable transmission has become a key technical requirement to ensure the safety of bridges in mountainous areas during the flood season. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a device and method for monitoring the scour depth of bridge piers during the flood season. By installing a sensor device in the riverbed, the scour depth of the riverbed near the bridge piers can be monitored in real time. When the riverbed is cut down by the water flow, the sensor device floats up and triggers a signal. The data is transmitted to the central base station via radio frequency. This method can monitor the scour of bridge piers in real time during the flood season, solving the problems of difficult installation, easily damaged power supply and wires, difficulty in deep monitoring, and unstable signal triggering and transmission caused by the complex hydrological environment of railway bridges crossing rivers in southwestern mountainous areas during the flood season.

[0006] This utility model is achieved through the following technical solution: A device for monitoring the scour depth of pile foundations during the flood season, comprising: The sensor device includes multiple sensors, each of which has a built-in sensor component and a wireless radio frequency module without an external power supply. All the sensor devices are pre-embedded at different depths in the riverbed near the pile foundation. When the riverbed is eroded, causing the sensor device to be exposed and float up and flip, the sensor component synchronously triggers a radio frequency signal, which is sent to the central base station installed on the top of the bridge pier via the wireless radio frequency module. The central base station then transmits the depth signal to the cloud platform for real-time monitoring and recording via the 4G network.

[0007] In this scheme, multiple sensor devices with built-in sensor components and wireless radio frequency modules that are embedded at different depths in the riverbed are set up. Combined with a central base station installed on the top of the bridge pier and 4G network transmission to the cloud platform, the exposure, floating and flipping of the sensor devices can trigger signals in a timely manner when the riverbed is scourted, and data transmission and monitoring records can be completed. This effectively solves the problems of traditional monitoring equipment relying on external power supply and easy damage to wires in complex hydrological environments, difficulty in achieving deep monitoring and insufficient real-time performance. It improves the reliability, adaptability and real-time performance of pile foundation scour depth monitoring during the flood season, and provides strong protection for the safety of bridges during the flood season.

[0008] Furthermore, the adjacent sensor devices are connected in series by suspension ropes, which ensures that each sensor device maintains a relatively fixed positional relationship during pre-embedding and use, avoiding misalignment or confusion between sensor devices due to water flow impact or riverbed changes. At the same time, this series connection method facilitates unified lowering, installation and positioning operations in engineering geological boreholes, improving construction efficiency.

[0009] Furthermore, the sensor device also includes a housing, and the sensor assembly includes a depth sensor and an angle sensor; The outer shell has a flat, disc-shaped structure, which not only adapts to the shape of engineering geological boreholes, facilitating precise placement and installation within the borehole and reducing construction difficulty, but also features a top-heavy, bottom-light layout inside the shell. This ensures that the sensor device can reliably float and flip when the riverbed is eroded, thereby accurately triggering the depth and angle sensors. The outer shell is equipped with a fixed protective structure, and both the depth and angle sensors are built into the shell, effectively resisting the impact of silt and boulders in the water flow, protecting the internal sensor components from damage, extending the service life of the equipment, and further improving the stable operation capability of the entire monitoring device and the reliability of monitoring data in complex flood season hydrological environments.

[0010] Furthermore, the top of the housing is provided with an ear plate that connects to the suspension rope, which facilitates the series installation and positioning of the sensor devices through the suspension rope, ensuring the convenience and stability of the installation process. The bottom of the housing is provided with a counterweight to provide gravity for the suspension rope, so that the series sensor devices hang naturally during pre-embedding, ensuring that all sensor components are located on the same vertical line, thereby accurately corresponding to different preset depths and avoiding deviations in monitoring data due to positional offset.

[0011] Furthermore, when the riverbed is eroded, causing the sensor device to be exposed and float up at an angle ≥90°, the sensor component synchronously triggers a radio frequency signal. This accurately identifies the effective displacement caused by the riverbed erosion, avoiding false triggering caused by slight disturbances in the water flow or local loosening of sediment. This ensures the reliability and accuracy of the signal triggering. At the same time, the setting of this angle threshold, combined with the "top-heavy, bottom-light" layout of the outer shell, allows the signal transmission to be initiated only when the sensor device undergoes a significant positional change due to erosion. This ensures effective monitoring of the actual erosion depth and reduces interference from invalid signals to the transmission system and cloud platform.

[0012] Furthermore, the outer shell is made of a lightweight, waterproof, and wear-resistant material.

[0013] Furthermore, the wireless radio frequency module has a built-in long-life lithium battery.

[0014] Furthermore, the fixed protective structure is a component made of highly elastic polyurethane material, and its surface is provided with wear-resistant protrusions.

[0015] Furthermore, the suspension rope is a component made of nylon or steel wire rope.

[0016] Furthermore, the central base station is fixed to the top of the bridge pier by a bracket, and the bracket is equipped with a wireless data receiving station facing the pre-buried area of ​​the sensor device and a solar panel facing south.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, this utility model has the following advantages and beneficial effects: 1. This utility model adopts the method of pre-embedded sensor device in engineering geological drilling, which eliminates the need for large-scale excavation or cofferdam construction around the pile foundation. It can adapt to complex terrain and deep water areas, and has little disturbance to the bridge pier pile foundation. It solves the problem that slope excavation is not allowed near the existing bridge pile foundation. At the same time, it realizes full-depth monitoring from the riverbed surface to the deep rock and soil through pre-embedding at different depths, breaking through the limitation of traditional equipment that is difficult to monitor deep scour. 2. The sensor device of this utility model adopts a flat disc-shaped shell that is compatible with engineering geological boreholes. The "top-heavy, bottom-light" layout ensures reliable floating and flipping during scouring. Combined with the external fixed protective structure, it can resist the impact of mud, sand and boulders. It is suitable for the complex hydrological environment of high turbidity and high flow velocity in the flood season in the southwestern mountainous areas. The absence of external power supply and wireless radio frequency transmission design avoids problems such as wire corrosion and power interruption, thus improving the durability and stability of the equipment. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the embodiments of the present invention and form part of this application, do not constitute a limitation thereof. In the drawings: Figure 1 Elevation view of the riverbed section; Figure 2 for Figure 1 The cross-sectional view marked AA in the middle; Figure 3 This is a structural diagram of the sensor assembly of this utility model; Figure 4 Elevation drawing of the bridge; Figure 5 for Figure 4 Enlarged view of the image marked A.

[0019] The attached diagram shows the markings and corresponding component names: 1-Riverbed, 2-Sensor device, 3-Suspension rope, 4-Sensor assembly, 5-Counterweight, 6-Main beam, 7-Pier, 8-Central base station. Detailed Implementation

[0020] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the embodiments and accompanying drawings. The illustrative embodiments and descriptions of this utility model are only used to explain this utility model and are not intended to limit this utility model.

[0021] Example 1 This embodiment 1 provides a device for monitoring the scour depth of pile foundations during the flood season, such as... Figures 1-2As shown, the system includes sensor devices 2, which are the core monitoring units. Multiple sensor devices 2 are pre-embedded in the riverbed 1 near the pile foundation at different depth gradients. Each sensor device 2 includes a housing, a built-in sensor assembly 4, and a wireless radio frequency module without an external power supply. Specifically, the housing adopts a flat, disc-shaped structure with a diameter adapted to the diameter of the engineering geological borehole. The housing material is a lightweight, waterproof, and wear-resistant material (such as 316 stainless steel), which facilitates precise placement and installation within the borehole and resists long-term underwater immersion and silt erosion. Simultaneously, the flat structure reduces resistance during water flow impact, preventing water flow disturbance. To prevent non-scour displacement caused by water flow, the housing adopts a "top-heavy, bottom-light" design. The top area integrates a high-density counterweight (such as a lead block), while the bottom area is a lightweight cavity. This ensures that when the riverbed is scourted, the sensor device can reliably float and flip due to the shift in the center of gravity, providing a structural basis for signal triggering. The sensor components, including depth and angle sensors, are built into the housing. The two form a dual-sensing complementary mechanism. When the riverbed is scourted, causing the sensor device to be exposed and float and flip at an angle ≥90°, the sensor component 4 synchronously triggers an radio frequency signal, avoiding false triggering of a single sensor due to slight disturbances in the water flow.

[0022] Similarly, the aforementioned wireless radio frequency module is integrated inside the housing, adopts a low-power design and has no external wires, and has a built-in long-lasting lithium battery (single-charge ≥12 months). It is used to send the signal triggered by the sensor component 4 (including sensor number, pre-embedded coordinates, elevation and other information) to the central base station 8 in the form of radio frequency signal, so as to realize cableless data transmission and solve the problem of traditional wired transmission being prone to breakage and corrosion in water flow.

[0023] In this embodiment, to avoid deviations in monitoring data due to the positional shift of sensor device 2, such as... Figure 3 As shown, multiple sensor devices 2 are connected in series by suspension ropes 3 and pre-buried in the riverbed 1 at different depths (gradient 0.5-2m) through engineering geological boreholes. The bottom of the outer shell is counterweighted to ensure its vertical positioning. When the riverbed 1 is eroded and cut down during the flood season, the sensor devices 2 at the corresponding depth are exposed to the water flow. Due to the "top-heavy and bottom-light" structure, they float up and flip over. When the flip angle is ≥90°, the sensor components trigger signals synchronously, which are sent to the central base station 8 via the wireless radio frequency module. The central base station 8 receives the signals through the wireless data receiving station and forwards them to the cloud platform through the 4G network module, ultimately realizing real-time monitoring and early warning of erosion depth.

[0024] The outer casing features two symmetrically arranged ear plates on its top, with through holes for threading suspension ropes 3, enabling the series connection of multiple sensor devices 2. A counterweight (≥500g) is fixed to the bottom of the casing to ensure the series-connected sensor devices 2 hang naturally during pre-embedding, placing all sensor components 4 on the same vertical line and guaranteeing accurate alignment of each depth monitoring point. Furthermore, the outer casing is encased in a removable impact-resistant protective sleeve (made of high-elasticity polyurethane), ≥10mm thick, with wear-resistant protrusions on the surface to withstand direct impacts from mud, sand, and boulders in water flows with a velocity ≥5m / s, protecting the internal components from damage.

[0025] Example 2 Based on the device for monitoring the scour depth of pile foundations during the flood season provided in Embodiment 1, this embodiment provides a method for monitoring the scour depth of pile foundations during the flood season. This method achieves full-cycle monitoring of the scour depth of the riverbed around the pile foundation through steps such as engineering geological drilling and pre-embedding, sensor debugging, gradient layout, signal triggering and transmission, data monitoring and early warning response. It is suitable for flood season safety monitoring in complex hydrological environments such as railway bridges crossing rivers in the southwestern mountainous areas.

[0026] The specific monitoring steps are as follows: Step 1: Conduct engineering geological drilling near the pile foundation. The drilling depth should cover the riverbed surface to the deep soil and rock mass. Specifically, conduct engineering geological drilling within 3 to 5 meters outside the pile foundation axis (avoid disturbing the pile foundation). The borehole diameter should be slightly larger than the diameter of the sensor device shell. The drilling depth should cover the riverbed surface to the deep stable soil and rock mass (depth ≥ 1.5 times the pile foundation burial depth) to ensure that the maximum possible scour depth can be monitored.

[0027] Step 2: Install ear plates, counterweights 5, and suspension ropes 3 on sensor device 2, and debug sensor assembly 4 and wireless RF module. Specifically, thread a single-line double-strand suspension rope 3 through the ear plate on the top of the shell of each sensor device 2, install counterweights 5 at the bottom (the weight is adjusted according to the drilling depth to ensure vertical linearity after series connection), and wrap the outside with a shockproof protective sleeve (thickness ≥10mm); activate sensor assembly 4 using dedicated testing equipment to simulate a scenario with an upward flip angle ≥90° to verify whether the dual sensing mechanism synchronously triggers the RF signal, and at the same time test the signal transmission distance of the wireless RF module (ensuring ≥500m) and battery voltage (must meet ≥12 months of battery life). Step 3: Measure the borehole depth using a measuring rope. Lower sensor device 2 vertically to the preset depth at the center of the borehole. After verifying the position, record its number, coordinates, and elevation. Specifically, measure the borehole depth using a measuring rope (accuracy ≤ ±2cm) to determine the first pre-buried position (0.5m from the bottom of the hole). Lower the series of sensor devices (arranged at preset depth gradients of 0.5 to 2m intervals) vertically until the first sensor device 2 reaches the designated position. Then, confirm the coordinates and elevation of sensor device 2 a second time using the measuring rope, and record the device number, pre-buried depth, and corresponding riverbed elevation. Step 4: Fill the borehole with gravel and soil to the next pre-buried position, and repeat Step 3 to distribute the sensor devices to the riverbed surface in a gradient of 0.5 to 2m. Specifically, fill the borehole with gravel and soil with the same density as the original soil layer of riverbed 1 to the next pre-buried position (interval of 0.5 to 2m), compact it, and repeat the above steps until all sensor devices 2 are placed at different depths from the bottom of the hole to the riverbed surface, with the uppermost device flush with the riverbed surface. Step 5: When the floodwaters erode the riverbed during the flood season, the sensor device at the corresponding depth is exposed and floats up and flips ≥90°, triggering the dual sensing mechanism to send a radio frequency signal containing its own position information. Specifically, when the floodwaters erode the riverbed 1, when the silt at a certain depth is eroded, the sensor device 2 at the corresponding position is exposed and floats up with the water flow. Due to the "top-heavy, bottom-light" structure, it flips. When the angle sensor detects that the flip is ≥90°, it triggers the wireless radio frequency module to send a signal (including the device number and the pre-buried elevation). The wireless radio frequency module sends the signal to the wireless data receiving station of the central base station 8. The receiving station forwards the data to the cloud platform in real time through the 4G network module. In addition, such as Figures 4-5 As shown, the central base station 8 is fixed to the side of the main beam 6 on the top of the pier 7 by an L-shaped stainless steel bracket (≥10m from the riverbed), ensuring that the wireless data receiving station faces the pre-buried area of ​​the sensor device, and the solar panel faces south (tilt angle 45°) to maximize sunlight. The power supply module of the central base station 8 is connected, and the cloud platform monitoring system is connected through the 4G network module to upload the base station location information 8 and the correspondence table of the sensor device 2 number and the pre-buried depth. Step 6: After receiving the signal, the cloud platform matches the pre-buried depth of sensor device 2 according to its number, calculates the current scour depth in combination with the initial elevation of the riverbed, and generates a curve of scour depth changing over time. The calculation results are compared with the preset threshold (determined through static analysis of the bridge structure, with a safety reserve coefficient ≤ 1.2). If the threshold is exceeded, an alarm message (including scour depth, location coordinates, and emergency suggestions) is immediately sent to the user terminal via SMS and email.

[0028] The specific embodiments described above further illustrate the purpose, technical solution, and beneficial effects of this utility model. It should be understood that the above description is only a specific embodiment of this utility model and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the scope of protection of this utility model.

Claims

1. A device for monitoring the scour depth of pile foundations during the flood season, characterized in that, include: Sensor device (2), multiple sensor devices (2) are provided, each sensor device (2) has a built-in sensor component (4) and a wireless radio frequency module without external power supply, and all sensor devices (2) are pre-embedded at different depths in the riverbed (1) near the pile foundation. When the riverbed is eroded, causing the sensor device (2) to be exposed and float up and flip, the sensor component (4) synchronously triggers a radio frequency signal, which is sent to the central base station (8) installed on the top of the bridge pier (7) via a wireless radio frequency module. The central base station (8) transmits the depth signal to the cloud platform for real-time monitoring and recording via a 4G network.

2. The device for monitoring the scour depth of pile foundations during the flood season according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adjacent sensor devices (2) are connected in series via suspension ropes (3).

3. The device for monitoring the scour depth of pile foundations during the flood season according to claim 2, characterized in that, The sensor device (2) also includes a housing, and the sensor assembly (4) includes a depth sensor and an angle sensor; The outer shell has a flat, disc-shaped structure, and the interior of the outer shell has a "top-heavy, bottom-light" layout. The outer shell is equipped with a fixed protective structure, and the depth sensor and the angle sensor are both built into the interior of the outer shell.

4. The device for monitoring the scour depth of pile foundations during the flood season according to claim 3, characterized in that, The top of the housing is provided with an ear plate connected to the suspension rope (3), and the bottom of the housing is provided with a counterweight (5) to provide gravity for the suspension rope (3). When the sensor device (2) is placed, all sensor components (4) are located on the same vertical line.

5. The device for monitoring the scour depth of pile foundations during the flood season according to claim 4, characterized in that, When the riverbed is eroded, causing the sensor device to be exposed and float up with a flip angle ≥90°, the sensor assembly (4) synchronously triggers a radio frequency signal.

6. The device for monitoring the depth of pile foundation scour during the flood season according to claim 3, characterized in that, The outer shell is a component made of lightweight, waterproof, and wear-resistant material.

7. The device for monitoring the depth of pile foundation scour during the flood season according to claim 1, characterized in that, The wireless radio frequency module has a built-in long-life lithium battery.

8. The device for monitoring the scour depth of pile foundations during the flood season according to claim 3, characterized in that, The fixed protective structure is a component made of highly elastic polyurethane material, and its surface is provided with wear-resistant protrusions.

9. The device for monitoring the scour depth of pile foundations during the flood season according to claim 2, characterized in that, The suspension rope (3) is a component made of nylon or steel wire rope.

10. The device for monitoring the scour depth of pile foundations during the flood season according to claim 1, characterized in that, The central base station (8) is fixed to the top of the bridge pier (7) by a bracket. The bracket is equipped with a wireless data receiving station facing the pre-buried area of ​​the sensor device (2) and a solar panel facing south.

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