Device and method for securing a civil engineering element to a civil engineering machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for securing a civil engineering element to a civil engineering machine, in particular a pile to be driven on a pile driver, comprising a lifting element (6), in particular a lifting chain, which is attached to the civil engineering machine at a first end and whose second end has a first connecting part that can be passed through a passage (91) of the civil engineering element (9), wherein a securing device (8), in particular at least one securing chain, is arranged, which is connected to the civil engineering element (9) at a first end and whose second end is attached to the civil engineering machine via an energy absorber (7), and wherein the length of the securing device (8) is selected such that it forms a loop when the lifting element (6) is intact. The invention further relates to a civil engineering method using such a device.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for securing a civil engineering element to a civil engineering machine, in particular a pile to be driven on a pile driving device, according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention further relates to a civil engineering method according to the preamble of claim 12.

[0002] Vibrators or rams are used to install civil engineering elements, such as pile drivers, sheet pile elements, or trench sheets. These are slidably mounted on a guide frame or mast. Arrangements are also known in which vibrators or rams are suspended from a rope, cable, or chain, or are attached directly to the boom of an excavator or crane. The civil engineering element to be installed is gripped by a clamp connected to the vibrator or ram and secured between the clamping jaws. DE 3 602 609 A1 describes a device for securing the civil engineering element, in which the element is secured by means of a stop chain that is guided through a through-hole or a securing eye at an upper end of the element. One end of the stop chain is attached to the ramming or vibratory device.The other, loose end is attached to the piling or vibratory hammer after being passed through the through-hole or securing eyelet. The anchor chain initially connects the underground construction element loosely to the piling or vibratory hammer.

[0003] The piling or vibratory rig can now be moved upwards along the mast, with the foundation element being pulled upwards by the stop chain, which also serves as a safety chain. The piling or vibratory rig can then be moved downwards along the mast until the upper end of the foundation element is positioned between the clamping jaws of the clamping jaws, where the element can be clamped in place by closing the jaws. The foundation element, thus secured in the clamping jaws, can then be driven or driven into the ground using the piling or vibratory rig.

[0004] If a foundation element is to be pulled out of the ground using a piling or vibratory hammer, the lifting chain must again be guided with its free end through the through-hole or securing eyelet of the foundation element and then attached to the piling or vibratory hammer with the free end to secure the foundation element. Subsequently, the upper end of the foundation element can again be clamped between the jaws of the clamping pliers and pulled out of the ground using the piling or vibratory hammer.

[0005] The lifting chain is used to lower the civil engineering element onto the ground. Furthermore, the lifting chain acts to a limited extent as a safety device in case the clamping jaws fail or the civil engineering element tears out, preventing an uncontrolled fall of the element after it has been released from the clamping jaws.

[0006] The use of a stop or safety chain to secure a ramming element to be driven into the ground with a ramming device is also described in US 5,332,047 as well as in EP 3 708 714 A1.

[0007] The previously known lifting chain serves to additionally secure the position of the civil engineering element. Furthermore, it connects the civil engineering element to the driving or vibratory equipment for erecting, lifting, and lowering it. Civil engineering elements such as sheet piles can, in practice, have a length of over 20 m and a weight of up to 7 tons. If the clamping jaws fail, but especially during unfavorable lifting or lowering operations, the lifting chain can fail, resulting in an uncontrolled toppling of the civil engineering element. Causes for the lifting chain failure can include a fastening toggle slipping out of the designated civil engineering element opening, a break in the chain, or even a tear in or out of the upper part of the civil engineering element, damaging the civil engineering element opening and causing the securing chain to detach from the civil engineering element.If the connection via the lifting chain fails, the uncontrolled tipping over of the underground structure is particularly critical, as there is a risk to the life of the rigger and the driver who are in the immediate danger zone.

[0008] The invention aims to remedy this problem. The invention is based on the objective of providing a device for securing a civil engineering element to a civil engineering machine, in particular a pile on a pile driver, thereby counteracting the danger of an uncontrolled toppling of the civil engineering element, especially a pile driver. According to the invention, this objective is achieved by a device with the features of the characterizing part of claim 1.

[0009] The invention provides a device for securing a civil engineering element to a civil engineering machine, in particular a pile driving element to a pile driving device, thereby counteracting the danger of an uncontrolled toppling of the civil engineering element, especially a pile driving element. By arranging a securing device, preferably formed by a securing chain, which is connected at one end to the civil engineering element and whose other end is attached to the civil engineering machine via an energy absorber, and wherein the length of the securing device is selected such that it forms a loop when the lifting device is intact, an uncontrolled toppling of the civil engineering element is prevented even in the event of failure of the lifting device. The loop formed ensures that the securing device is unloaded when the lifting device is intact.In the event of a failure of the lifting device, the energy absorber absorbs and dissipates the falling energy of the underground structure, thereby reducing the forces acting on the safety device. The energy is dissipated by the energy absorber primarily through the conversion of the kinetic energy of the fall into frictional energy, deformation energy, and / or thermal energy. In the case of a pile driver or vibrator mounted on a piling rig, the energy absorber is attached to the pile driver or vibrator, or to a component rigidly connected to it, such as the piling rig carriage, via the safety device connected to it.

[0010] The safety device is preferably designed as a flexible safety element, for example in the form of a chain, a rope or a strap.

[0011] A fundamental concept of the present invention is to provide a safety device, independent of the lifting chain established in the prior art, which also functions as a safety chain. This safety device engages in the event of failure of the lifting device, in particular the lifting chain, and is designed to absorb as much of the kinetic energy generated by the (falling) movement of the underground construction element as possible. This task is performed by the energy absorber connected to the safety device.

[0012] In a further development of the invention, the energy absorber is formed by a crash absorber (also called a "crash damper"). These are dampers in which kinetic energy is converted into deformation energy, which is accompanied by at least partial irreversible deformation of the damper. Such crash absorbers, which enable high energy dissipation, are known in a wide variety of designs and are described, for example, in DE 4317738 A1.

[0013] Energy absorbers can also incorporate conical elements as springs with friction dampers. Potential (spring) energy can be stored in a spring. To prevent prolonged oscillation under load, the spring is combined with a strong damper. A friction damper is advantageous here because it operates almost independently of speed and can therefore provide a high reaction force even at low speeds. In a conical element, a conically shaped ring facing outwards engages with a larger, conically shaped ring facing inwards. When these are pulled together, the resulting kinematic energy is converted into heat energy and spring energy through the expansion of the rings. To increase the amount of energy absorbed and the braking distance, several pairs of rings can be arranged axially one behind the other. Furthermore, energy absorbers can also be designed as pure friction dampers.

[0014] In this embodiment of the invention, the energy absorber is designed to withstand tensile loads. This eliminates the need to redirect the absorbed kinematic energy to the safety device.

[0015] In a further embodiment of the invention, the safety device can also be designed as a rope with an integrated energy absorber. In this case, the rope has damping elements, for example elastomer elements, which absorb energy, as are known, for example, from the shipping industry. The rope itself can also have damping properties. Another possible embodiment is a kernmantle rope, similar to dynamic ropes (for example, according to DIN EN 892-2023-07) or semi-static ropes (for example, according to DIN EN 1891-1998-06), as are also known from fall protection systems.

[0016] In a further development of the invention, the energy absorber is connected to a tension member that is slidably mounted in a preferably linear guide on the construction machine and that has a second connecting device, wherein the locking device has a second connecting part at its first end that can be detachably connected to the second connecting device. This forms an energy absorber unit with a guided tension member that ensures a defined direction of force application to the energy absorber. This energy absorber unit is attached to the piling or vibrating device or – in the case of a piling or vibrating device movable along a piling post – to a component rigidly connected to it, for example, the piling post carriage connected to it, over which the piling or vibrating device can be moved along the piling post.The second connection allows the safety device to be connected to the ramming or vibrating device via the energy absorber unit, if required. This also makes replacing the safety device due to wear and tear easy.

[0017] In an embodiment of the invention, the locking device is guided through a passage arranged for this purpose in the underground structural element and has a stop plate at its first end, the width of which is greater than the width of the passage against which the stop plate rests, with the stop plate preferably completely covering the passage. This enables a simple connection of the locking device to the underground structural element by passing it through the passage and subsequently connecting it to the energy absorber, with the stop plate preferably resting against the underground structural element completely covering the passage.

[0018] In a further embodiment of the invention, a clamping element is arranged on the stop plate, which can be clamped into the opening of a structural element. This allows the stop plate to be fixed in the opening of a structural element even when the safety device is not loaded. For example, the clamping element can be formed by an elastomer plug or by at least two clamping tongues extending towards the safety device.

[0019] The invention further comprises a civil engineering machine for driving and / or extracting a pile into or out of the ground, in which a device of one of the aforementioned types is arranged. Preferably, a clamping jaw is arranged for gripping a pile.

[0020] In a further development of the invention, the underground construction machine is a pile driving device comprising a pile driving unit that can be moved along a piling mast via a carriage. An energy absorber is arranged on the pile driving unit or the carriage, and this absorber has a second connecting device to which the second connecting part of the second flexible locking element is detachably connected. This allows a second locking element to be connected to the pile driving or vibration device via the energy absorber unit as needed. Replacing the second locking element due to wear is also easily accomplished in this way.

[0021] In one embodiment of the invention, the energy absorber is connected to a pull piece that is slidable in a linear guide arranged on the construction machine, with the second connecting device being arranged on the pull piece. This forms an energy absorber unit with a guided pull piece, which ensures a direction of force application to the energy absorber defined by the linear guide. The locking device can be easily connected to the pull piece via the connecting device as needed.

[0022] It is advantageous to arrange multiple energy absorbers and safety devices. This is particularly helpful when several underground structural elements need to be accommodated. For example, driving double profiles is a common application.

[0023] The invention further aims to provide a civil engineering method, in particular using a device of the type mentioned above, which counteracts the danger of an uncontrolled toppling of a civil engineering element, especially a pile driver. According to the invention, this objective is achieved by a civil engineering method with the features of the characterizing part of claim 12.

[0024] The invention provides a civil engineering method, particularly using a device of the type mentioned above, which counteracts the danger of an uncontrolled toppling of a civil engineering element, especially a pile driver. By connecting the first end of the safety device, preferably a safety chain, to the civil engineering element and attaching its second end to the construction machine via an energy absorber, and by selecting the length of the safety device such that it forms a loop when the lifting gear is intact, an uncontrolled toppling of the civil engineering element is prevented even in the event of failure of the lifting gear, for example, a lifting chain. The loop formed ensures that the safety device is unloaded when the lifting gear is intact.The energy absorber ensures that, in the event of a failure of the lifting device, the falling energy of the underground structure is absorbed and dissipated, thereby reducing the forces acting on the safety device.

[0025] In a further development of the invention, the energy absorber attached to the underground construction machine has a pull piece with a second connecting device, and the securing device has a second connecting part at its second end, wherein the second connecting part is detachably connected to the second connecting device of the pull piece. This results in simple attachment of the securing device to the underground construction machine.

[0026] Other embodiments and configurations of the invention are specified in the remaining dependent claims. An exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and is described in detail below. The drawings show: Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a pile driving device with a stop chain and a safety device for a picked-up pile element during the lifting process; Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of the pile driving device made of Figure 1 In case of failure of the lifting chain; Fig. 3 the schematic representation of the ramming device made of Figure 1 with ramming element in a suspended position (pile at low height); Fig. 4 the schematic representation of the ramming device made of Figure 1 In case of failure of the lifting chain a) when the pile is placed on the ground (safety device unloaded); b) when the pile is tipped over (safety device under load); Fig. 5 the schematic representation of the pile driving device made of Figure 1 with ramming element in a suspended position (height pile); Fig. 6 the schematic representation of the ramming device made of Figure 5 in case of failure of the lifting chain; Fig. 7 the schematic representation of the piling device of the piling apparatus made of Figure 1with safety device; Fig. 8 shows a schematic representation of the piling device of a piling rig with a safety device in a further embodiment; Fig. 9 shows a schematic representation of the piling device of the piling rig made of Figure 3 with safety device; Fig. 10 shows a detailed view of the safety device. Figure 9 with energy absorber; Fig. 11 shows the energy absorber made of Figure 10 a) in the unloaded state; b) in the partially loaded state; c) in the fully loaded state; Fig. 12 shows the energy absorber in a further embodiment a) in the unloaded state; b) in the fully loaded state; Fig. 13 shows an energy absorber in a third embodiment; and Fig. 14 shows a safety device with an integrated energy absorber a) in the unloaded state; b) in the fully loaded state.

[0027] The driving device selected as an exemplary embodiment comprises a carrier unit 1 with a mast 2 on which a work tool carriage 3 is movably arranged. The carriage 3 accommodates a driving device 4, to which a hydraulically actuated clamping jaw 5 is attached. A driving element 9, in this case a sheet pile, can be firmly clamped between the clamping jaws 51 of the driving device 4. In this exemplary embodiment, the driving device 4 is designed in the usual manner as a vibrator with rotatingly driven unbalanced masses, as described in EP 2 085 149 A1. For inserting a driving element 9 into the clamping jaw 5, extension pieces 52 with obliquely outwardly directed insertion flanks 53 are arranged on the clamping jaws 51. Together, these flanks form a V-shaped insertion slot. On the outer side of each of the two extension pieces 52, opposite the insertion flank 53, a coupling insert 54 is arranged.

[0028] A lifting device 6 in the form of a lifting chain is attached to the first end of one of the attachment pieces 52. The lifting device 6 is provided at its second, free end with a coupling element, in this case in the form of an insert plate 61, which can be inserted into the two coupling slots 54 of the attachment pieces 52 and thus be detachably secured in a form-fitting manner. Figure 7 The insert plates 61 of the stop chain are received by the coupling insert 54 of the same first attachment piece 52, to which they are attached with their first end.

[0029] An energy absorber 7 is arranged on the pile driver 4, which in the exemplary embodiment is aligned parallel to one of the central longitudinal axes running between the clamping jaws 51 of the clamping pliers 5. In the exemplary embodiment, the energy absorber 7 is formed by a crash absorber, as described in Figure 11The crash absorber is designed as an absorber insert 70, with a sleeve part 701 having a diameter-reduced section 702 and a mounting tab 703 on its side opposite the diameter-reduced section 702. The sleeve part 701 accommodates a piston 705, which is connected to a piston rod 704 guided in the diameter-reduced section 702 and provided with a connecting bore 706 for connection to the connecting chain 71. When a tensile load is applied to the piston rod 704, the piston 705 is pulled through the diameter-reduced section 702, causing it to be plastically deformed by converting kinetic energy into deformation energy.

[0030] The absorber insert 70 of the energy absorber 7 is connected via a connecting chain 71 to a pull piece 72, which is guided linearly in a guide 74 attached to the pile driver 4 on a common central axis with the energy absorber 7. As in Figure 10 As shown, the connecting chain 71 is guided here. This ensures that the energy absorber 7 is fully subjected to tensile stress. (In another embodiment, a connecting rod 75 can also be arranged instead of a connecting chain, as shown in Figure 8(as shown.) The pull piece 72 has a second connecting device 73 to which the second connecting part 81 of a safety device 8, designed in the form of a safety chain, is detachably attached. In the exemplary embodiment, the second connecting device 73 is formed by a mushroom-head receptacle, and the second connecting part 81 is a mushroom-head piece attached to the safety device 8, which can be inserted into the mushroom-head receptacle and thus detachably connected to it in a form-fitting manner. At its end facing away from the second connecting part 81, a stop plate 82 is attached to the safety device 8, which in the exemplary embodiment is designed in the form of a circular metal plate.

[0031] The second connecting element 73 of the pull piece 72 and the second connecting part 81 of the safety device 8 can, of course, also have other corresponding configurations. For example, the second connecting element 73 of the pull piece 72 can also be designed in the form of an eyelet into which a second connecting part 81 of the safety device 8, designed in the form of a hook, preferably a carabiner hook, can be hooked. Furthermore, the second connecting element 73 of the pull piece 72 and the second connecting part 81 of the safety device 8 can both be designed as eyelets or as a plate provided with a bore, wherein a connecting bolt or a connecting screw can be passed through the eyelets or the bores for detachable fastening.

[0032] To pick up a ramming element 9 from the ground, the coupling elements 61 of the lifting device 6 are first detached from the coupling insert 54 of the first attachment piece 52 of the clamping jaw 5, passed through a first opening 91 in the ramming element 9, and detachably connected to the coupling insert 54 of the second attachment piece 52. The lifting device 6 is now guided through the first opening 91 of the ramming element 9, thus connecting it to the ramming device 4. Furthermore, the safety device 8, designed here as a safety chain, is guided with its second connecting part 81 through a second opening 92 provided for this purpose in the ramming element 9, until the stop plate 82 on the ramming element 9 rests against the second opening 92, covering it. The safety device 8 is then detachably connected with its second connecting part 81 to the second connecting device 73 of the pull piece 72.It is also possible, in principle, to route the lifting device 6 and the safety device 8 through a single passage of the pile driver. However, since this poses a risk of mutual interference between the lifting device 6 and the safety device 8, this is not preferable.

[0033] The pile driver 4 is then moved upwards along the mast 2 via the work carriage 3, thereby raising the pile element with its end facing the lifting device 6. The safety device 8, designed as a safety chain, is long enough to form a loop (see figure). Fig.1 ).

[0034] If the lifting device 6 fails while the ramming element 9 is still on the ground with its end opposite the first guide 91, the ramming element tips over until the safety device 8 is tensioned. The kinetic energy of the falling ramming element 9 is then transferred via the safety device 8 through the linearly guided pull piece 72 to the energy absorber 7, which dissipates this energy and converts it into deformation and heat energy to such an extent that the safety device 8 can absorb the remaining energy. The ramming element is thus securely held by the safety device 8 (see Figure 8). Fig. 2 ).

[0035] Does the lifting device 6 fail if the ramming element 9 no longer has contact with the ground and is suspended vertically at a low height, i.e. at a distance from the ground that is less than the length of the safety device 8, below the ramming device 4 (cf. Figure 3), so the ramming element first falls vertically to the ground (cf. Fig. 4 ) and subsequently tips to the side until the safety device 8 is tensioned. In this scenario, a large part of the kinetic energy of the fall is already absorbed by the ground.

[0036] If the lifting device 6 fails when the ramming element 9 no longer has contact with the ground and is suspended vertically at a great height, i.e. at a distance from the ground that is greater than the length of the safety device, below the ramming device 4 (cf. Figure 5 ), the pile driver falls vertically until the safety device 8 is tensioned. In this scenario, the entire kinetic energy of the fall must be absorbed.

[0037] To cover all three scenarios described above, the energy absorber must be dimensioned to absorb the kinetic energy of the fall generated in the last scenario. This kinetic energy can be considerable, depending on the weight of the pile being driven. It may therefore be advantageous to limit the maximum lifting height and to dimension the safety device 8 such that, in the event of failure of the lifting sling 6, the pile driver 9, which has already been lifted from the ground, will only strike the ground vertically before the safety device 8 is tensioned. In this way, a large portion of the kinetic energy of the fall is absorbed by the ground, which is why the energy absorber must be dimensioned accordingly smaller.

[0038] In Figure 12An absorber insert 70' is shown in a further embodiment. Here, the sleeve part 701' is hollow and cylindrical and accommodates a disc spring assembly 707 through which a piston rod 704' is guided. The piston rod 704' is connected at its end to a cylindrical piston 705', which is guided in the sleeve part 701' and rests on the disc spring assembly 707. When a tensile load is applied to the piston rod 704', the disc spring assembly 707 is reversibly deformed by the piston 705, converting kinetic energy into deformation and frictional energy.

[0039] In Figure 13A third embodiment of an absorber insert 70" is shown. Here, the sleeve part 701" is again hollow and cylindrical and accommodates a piston rod 704". The piston rod 704" is hollow and has a piston 705" at its end, which is designed in the form of a circumferential collar. A friction spring 708 is incorporated into the sleeve part 701" and the piston rod 704". When a tensile load is applied to the piston rod 704", the friction spring 708 is compressed by the piston 705" and irreversibly deformed, converting kinetic energy into deformation and friction energy.

[0040] In Figure 14A safety device 8' with an integrated energy absorber 70‴ is shown. The safety device 8' is designed as a safety chain, wherein a tension spring 83 is attached between two chain links such that a loop is formed in the unloaded state of the safety chain. When a tensile load is applied to the safety device 8', the tension spring 83 is tensioned by converting kinetic energy into deformation energy until the safety chain is tensioned.

Claims

1. Device for securing a civil engineering element to a civil engineering machine, in particular a pile to be driven on a pile driving device, comprising a lifting device (6), in particular a lifting chain, which is attached to the civil engineering machine at a first end and whose second end has a first connecting part which can be passed through a passage (91) of the civil engineering element (9), characterized by the fact that a safety device (8), in particular at least one safety chain, is arranged which is connected at a first end to the underground construction element (9) and whose second end is attached to the underground construction machine via an energy absorber (7), wherein the length of the safety device (8) is selected such that it forms a loop when the lifting device (6) is intact.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the energy absorber (7) is formed by a crash absorber 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact thatthe energy absorber (7) is designed as a friction damper.

4. Device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the energy absorber (7) is designed as a spring with friction damper, preferably as a ring spring.

5. Device according to one of the aforementioned claims, characterized by the fact that the energy absorber (7) is designed to withstand tensile loads.

6. Device according to one of the aforementioned claims, characterized by the fact that the energy absorber (7) is connected to a pull piece (72) which is displaceable in a preferably linear guide (74) arranged on the construction machine and which has a second connecting device (73), wherein the locking device (8) has a second connecting part (81) at its first end which can be detachably connected to the second connecting device (73).

7. Device according to one of the aforementioned claims, characterized by the fact thatthe safety device (8) is guided through a passage (92) arranged for this purpose on the underground element and has a stop plate (82) at its first end, the width of which is greater than the width of the passage (92) against which the stop plate rests, wherein the stop plate (82) preferably completely covers the passage (92).

8. Civil engineering machine, in particular a pile driving device for driving and / or pulling a pile into or out of the ground, characterized by the fact that a device according to one of the aforementioned claims is arranged.

9. Civil engineering machine according to claim 8, characterized by the fact that this is a ramming device which has a ramming device (4) which can be moved along a runner (2) via a carriage (3), wherein an energy absorber (7) is arranged on the ramming device (4) or the carriage (3), which has a second connecting device (73) with which the second connecting part (81) of the safety device (8) is detachably connected.

10. Civil engineering machine according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that the energy absorber (7) is connected to a pull piece (72) which is displaceable in a preferably linear guide (74) arranged on the construction machine, wherein the second connecting device (73) is arranged on the pull piece.

11. Civil engineering machine according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized by the fact that a clamping jaw (5) is arranged for clamping a pile material (9).

12. Civil engineering method, in particular using a device according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a civil engineering element is attached to a civil engineering machine, in particular a pile (9) to a pile driving device, by means of a lifting device (6), in particular a lifting chain, wherein a first end of the lifting device (6) is attached to the civil engineering machine and a second end is provided with a first connecting part which is guided through a passage (91) of the civil engineering element (9) and is detachably connected to a first connecting device of the civil engineering machine to secure the position of the civil engineering element (9), characterized by the fact that a safety device (8) is connected at its first end to the civil engineering element (9) and at its second end is attached to the construction machine via an energy absorber (7), wherein the length of the safety device (8) is selected such that it forms a loop when the lifting device (6) is intact.

13. Underground construction method according to claim 12, characterized by the fact that the energy absorber (7) attached to the underground construction machine has a pull piece (72) with a second connecting device (73) and the safety device (8) has a second connecting part (82) at its second end, wherein the second connecting part (82) is detachably connected to the second connecting device (73) of the pull piece.

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