Set of anchor reinforcement and means for the installation thereof in the ground

Abstract

A set of anchor reinforcement (10) and means (20) for installation thereof in the ground is disclosed in which the anchor reinforcement (10) comprises of a rod (1) and at least one load transfer element (2) that is fixed to the rod (1). The installation means (20) comprises a tubular element (3) having a diameter such as to allow it to contain at least in part the anchor reinforcement (10), and a pointed end (4) that is situated in front of the rod (1) in its insertion direction into the ground and has a diameter greater than the diameter of the tubular element (3). The pointed end (4) is able to favor the advancement of the anchoring reinforcement (10) in its pressure or impact insertion, as well as to prevent the introduction of soil into the tubular element (3).

Description

[0001] The present invention concerns a set of anchor reinforcement and means for its installation in the ground.

[0002] Whenever loads have to be transferred to the ground, a hole is generally made in the ground and a reinforcement, consisting of bars, strands, tubes, is inserted into the hole, which is then solidified with the ground or with the surrounding environment thanks to the subsequent introduction of a binder, such as a cement mixture or a resin. Once the binder has matured, it will then be possible to apply the load.

[0003] Anchoring efficiency is conditioned by the contact surface between the binder and a resistant part, which can be, in addition to the ground, an anthropic element or a rock. The larger the contact surface, the greater the possibility of transferring the loads.

[0004] There are already fastening devices that involve the use of thread-like elements or needles fixed at an angle to a stem.

[0005] CN201826872U describes an anchor rod, in particular for supporting surrounding weak rock in a tunnel. The anchor rod comprises an anchor main body and a plurality of hangnails arranged alternately on the two sides of the anchor main body. The hangnails on the same side are arranged parallel and the internal angles formed between the axes of the reinforcement points and the axis of the anchor main body are constant.

[0006] According to the cited document, it is envisaged that a hole is made in the ground and a pneumatic device is used to push the anchor rod into the hole. Cement mortar is then introduced. The anchor main body is embedded in the surrounding rock and becomes one with it. When the internal stress of the surrounding rock changes and a relative displacement tends to occur between it and the anchor rod, the hangnails will act in opposite direction, improving the grip between the anchor rod and the surrounding rock.

[0007] CN210288374U discloses an anchor rod similar to that described in the preceding document, comprising an elongated member and at least one set of umbrella-shaped tips welded to the elongated member. As in CN201826872U, it is necessary to introduce cement mortar into a insertion hole of the anchor rod to obtain grip of the anchor rod with the surrounding soil.

[0008] It should be understood that the tips create resistance to the advancement of the anchor rod into the soil during its installation.

[0009] The cited documents provide an anchor rod that functions by adding cement mortar to embed the anchor rod in the surrounding soil.

[0010] CN106567384 and CN109252525 disclose a set of anchor armature and means for its installation in the soil according to the preamble of the independent claim attached hereto.

[0011] A main object of the present invention is to provide a system for anchoring in the ground, subject to compression or even traction, having a high mechanical anchoring efficiency that allows for the transfer of loads immediately after installation.

[0012] An object of the present invention is to provide an anchoring device that does not necessarily require the use of a cement mortar, a resin or other to embed the anchoring device in the surrounding rock.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide an anchoring device that is inactive during its insertion and that begins to perform its anchoring function when it has reached the chosen position inside the hole previously created for its installation.

[0014] Consequently, a further object of the invention is to make the installation of the anchoring device independent of the nature of the surrounding ground. By way of example, another object of the invention is to create a micropile or even a tie rod without using an external distribution plate, so as to eliminate unaesthetic aspects of such use.

[0015] The objects as indicated are achieved by a set of anchor reinforcement and means for its installation in the ground, the anchor reinforcement comprising a rod and at least one load transfer element that is fixed to the rod and able to transfer the load into the ground, the means for installing the anchor reinforcement in the ground comprising a tubular element having a diameter such as to allow it to contain at least in part the anchor reinforcement, wherein the means for installing the anchor reinforcement into the ground further comprises a pointed end that is situated in front of the rod in its insertion direction into the ground and has a diameter greater than the diameter of the tubular element, the pointed end being able to favour the advancement of the anchor reinforcement in its pressure or impact insertion, as well as to prevent the introduction of soil into the tubular element.

[0016] The advantages of the invention are clear.

[0017] The possibility of being able to immediately absorb and transfer loads makes the anchor reinforcement of the invention particularly suitable for extremely urgent interventions, i.e. when the danger is imminent, because, for example, there are movements of the ground or structures in progress that must be eliminated as soon as possible. In such circumstances, in fact, the anchor reinforcement can be used not only because it increases the capacity to transfer loads, compared to traditional anchoring, but because it allows them to be transferred immediately, i.e. without waiting for the time necessary for the preparation, introduction and maturation of the cement moltar, which is not necessary for the activation of the anchoring of the invention.

[0018] The possibility of creating load transfer systems without the use of binders is particularly advantageous not only for economic and environmental reasons, but also when interventions must be carried out in restricted spaces, such as in historic centres and / or not carried out directly from the ground level, where it is therefore complicated to transport and position binding materials such as cement, aggregate, resins and others, and specific equipment such as mixers, compressors and others, with consequent removal of waste materials and scrap. In the absence of binder injections, further benefits are obtained if the intervention is carried out in the presence of tunnels, ducts, voids in general in the ground, adjacent to the intervention area: these voids could fill with binder, not allowing the filling of the hole and therefore the creation of the tie rod; in this case, damages can occur, for example a sewer pipe can be blocked, and execution times and quantities of binder may be required that cannot be defined when planning the intervention. The fact that the anchor reinforcement of the invention does not require the use of cement mortar or other binder is therefore a great advantage.

[0019] Further features and advantages of the invention will be more clearly apparent from the description of a set of anchor reinforcement and means for the installation thereof in the ground, illustrated by way of indicative and nonlimiting example in the attached drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view of said set according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the anchor reinforcement alongside the means for its installation; Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross-section view of the anchor reinforcement of Figure 2 combined with the means for its installation; and Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of the anchor reinforcement installed in the ground and of the installation means used.

[0020] Initially, reference is made to figures 1 and 2 which are respectively a side view of a set of anchor reinforcement and means for its installation in the ground according to the present invention and a side view of the anchor reinforcement alongside the means for its installation.

[0021] The anchor reinforcement, generally indicated as 10, comprises a rod 1, and a load transfer element 2 for transferring the load into the ground, which is configured so as to be able to be fixed to the rod 1 in the required number.

[0022] Each load transfer element 2 comprises a sleeve 5, fixed to the rod 1, and a plurality of slats 6 in one piece with the sleeve 5. The plurality of slats 6 are arranged like umbrella ribs facing in the direction in which the load must be transferred into the ground.

[0023] The means 20 for installing the anchor reinforcement 10 comprises a tubular element 3 and, advantageously, a pointed end 4. The tubular element 3 or counter-tube has a diameter such as to allow it to surround the anchor reinforcement 10 and contain it at least in part, since, as will be evident later, the length of the tubular element 3 may be less than that of the rod 1 of the anchor reinforcement 10. This is shown in figure 3 which is a longitudinal cross-section view of the anchor reinforcement in figure 2 combined with the installation means 20.

[0024] The pointed end 4 has a diameter greater than the diameter of the tubular element 3 and is able to facilitate the advancement of the anchor reinforcement 10 in its pressure or impact insertion, in the event that a hole is not provided for the insertion of the anchor reinforcement 10. The pointed end 4 also serves to prevent the introduction of soil into the tubular element 3 when the latter surrounds the anchor reinforcement 10, and the assembly is inserted into the ground. It should be evident that the plurality of slats 6 of each load transfer element 2 must have an elasticity such that each last 60 is arranged substantially coaxial with the rod 1 when the tubular element 3 is around the anchor reinforcement 10, and expands radially when the tubular element 3 is removed from the anchor reinforcement 10.

[0025] Reference is made also to figure 4 which is a schematic perspective view of the anchor reinforcement 10 installed in the ground and of the installation means 20 used. The ground is schematized in a parallelepiped designated as T, inside which a hole indicated as F has been drilled. Thanks to the method of installing the anchor reinforcement 10 in the ground T according to the invention, a first step of creating the hole F in the ground T can be carried out. Subsequently, the tubular element 3 is arranged around the anchor reinforcement 10 until it reaches the position shown in figure 3. Then, the set of anchor reinforcement 10 and installation means 20 is inserted into the hole F created in the ground T. The slats 60 of each load transfer element 2 face the direction in which the load must be transferred to the ground T. In the case shown in figure 4, it is clear that the load is transmitted, for example, by a pole (not shown) connected to the anchor reinforcement 10. When the set has reached the desired depth, the tubular element 3 is removed from the hole F; the slats 60 of each load transfer element 2, thanks to their elasticity, following the removal of the tubular element 2, open radially from the initially closed position, i.e. adhering to the rod 1. This creates a resistant anchoring mechanism. The anchor reinforcement 10 can also be used with the slats 60 arranged in the opposite direction, i.e. oriented towards the external surface S or ground level in the event that a tie rod needs to be created.

[0026] The slats 60 can be made of steel, even stainless steel to increase their durability. For example, a harmonic steel can be chosen which has the property of having a shape memory. However, composite materials and more can also be chosen.

[0027] The slats 60 can be obtained quickly from a tube whose length depends on the type of application, from a few centimetres to tens of centimetres, with the aid of longitudinal cuts, performed with laser or plasma technology. The number of slats is variable, for example from eight to fifteen depending on the drilling diameter. The shape of each slat is flat, with dimensions of a few millimetres in thickness and a width of at least half a centimetre to obtain a contact surface with the ground of sufficient size to transmit the required anchoring force.

[0028] The load transfer element 2 formed by the slats 60 is fixed to the rod 1 at the design level, even on multiple levels, by means of the threaded or welded sleeves 5.

[0029] The hole F preferably has a maximum diameter of 250 mm.

[0030] The positioning of the slats 60, at the various levels of the anchor reinforcement 10, as well as their number, type of material and thickness, is defined in the design, based on the load that is intended to be transferred. The opening of the slats must be oriented, in the micropiles, towards the bottom of the hole, if elements subject to compression are created, or on the opposite side, if the load to be transferred is tensile.

[0031] The part of the slats positioned towards the surface of the hole, not protruding from it, will act as a distribution plate that is not visible, thus eliminating negative aesthetic aspects. This is particularly useful in areas of particular landscape interest or when it is necessary to intervene on historical structures or structures having architectural value.

[0032] The anchor reinforcement of the invention can allow the creation of mechanical fastenings between various surfaces and materials, performing the same work as, for example, current expansion nails, with dimensions that can be variable, even very small, depending on the thicknesses to be connected and the loads to be transferred.

[0033] The anchor reinforcement of the invention can also function as a geothermal tip, i.e. both to anchor the geothermal probes to the ground, without the risk of them accidentally slipping out of the ground during the creation of the probes, and to increase the heat exchange.

[0034] In summary, after what has been described and illustrated, the methods of use of the anchoring and / or load transfer system are clear, which can be the following: 1. Execution of the hole F using normal drilling systems or tie rod with disposable drilling tip; 2. Fixing, at the design heights, the load transfer elements 2 on the rod 1 of the anchor reinforcement 10, intended for a micropile or a tie rod by means of threaded coupling or welding; 3. Positioning in the hole F created of the set formed by the anchor reinforcement 10 and the installation means 20 to be removed once the design depth has been reached; 4. Activation of the anchoring thanks to the elasticity of the slats 60 that open to penetrate the ground; 5. Installation of an external distribution plate where necessary.

[0035] The anchoring system described in the case of installation in hard ground or material, such as, for example but not limited to, rock, anthropic elements such as concrete, steel, masonry, etc., allows an efficient anchoring to be made since, during deformation, the slats adapt to the hard material, also exerting a beneficial compressive force on the set, following and adapting to the resistance of a contrast medium; vice versa, in the case of non-hard anchoring sites such as non-densified soils, silts, clays, loose tuffs, etc., the slats can wedge into it or deform it, creating regular and defined geometric shapes.

[0036] In both cases, a substantial increase in the anchoring surface is obtained which allows for the transfer of loads to a greater extent than traditional systems, allowing the system of the invention to apply much greater loads in both compression and traction, with the same geometry: this allows, with the same load, to reduce the anchoring lengths and therefore create short elements, a fundamental aspect if the intervention is conditioned by geometric limitations of the site, for example in the presence of an adjacent infrastructure or a nearby property, which would not allow the use of traditional technologies.

[0037] The anchoring system according to the invention can also be used to increase the contact surface between a foundation micropile and the ground; in this way, it will be possible to transfer the loads to larger surfaces and therefore have, with the same diameter and length of the foundation septum, more performing systems.

[0038] More than one system can be arranged along the entire pile, micropile, tie rod, anchor nail, etc. until the design requirements are met.

[0039] It should be remembered that the system can be reproduced with different dimensions.

[0040] The anchoring system according to the invention allows for effective and instant anchoring since, being a mechanical anchor, it can be used immediately, as soon as it is installed, without having to wait for any filling mixtures to set.

[0041] As regards the materials, these can be made indifferently of iron, steel, composite materials, fibres, plastics, etc.

[0042] A connection between the anchor reinforcement according to the invention and the traditional part of the micropile or tie rod, or nail, can be obtained in various ways including welding, gluing, mechanical fixing, threading, interlocking, etc.

[0043] The dimensions are not binding for the proper functioning of the described mechanism and can therefore be defined on a case-by-case basis based on use, design, construction and commercial needs.

Claims

1. A set of anchor reinforcement (10) and installation means (20) for its installation in the ground, the anchor reinforcement (10) comprising a rod (1) and at least one load transfer element (2) that is fixed to the rod (1) and able to transfer the load into the ground, the installation means (20) comprising a tubular element (3) having a diameter such as to allow it to contain at least in part the anchor reinforcement (10), the set being characterized in that the installation means (20) further comprises a pointed end (4) that is situated in front of the rod (1) in its insertion direction into the ground and has a diameter greater than the diameter of the tubular element (3), the pointed end (4) being able to favor the advancement of the anchoring reinforcement (10) in its pressure or impact insertion, as well as to prevent the introduction of soil into the tubular element (3).

2. The set according to claim 1, wherein each load transfer element (2) comprises a sleeve (5), fixed to the rod (1), and a plurality (6) of slats in one piece with the sleeve (5), the plurality (6) of slats being slats (60) arranged like umbrella ribs facing in the direction in which the load is to be transferred into the ground.

3. The set according to claim 2, wherein the slats (60) have such an elasticity as to be arranged substantially coaxial to the rod (1) when the tubular element (3) is around the anchor reinforcement (10) and expand radially when the tubular element (3) is withdrawn from the anchor reinforcement (10).

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