Method for verifying ground improvement structures in ground improvement construction methods
The method uses a reference frame, photography, and image analysis to accurately confirm the size and shape of ground improvement bodies, overcoming limitations of existing methods by providing detailed information.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- FUDO TETRA CORP
- Filing Date
- 2024-10-30
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-15
AI Technical Summary
Existing ground improvement methods, such as the sand compaction pile method, only allow for approximate confirmation of the size and shape of the ground improvement body, lacking detailed information.
A method involving the use of a reference frame, photography, image correction, and image analysis to create distortion-free images of the ground improvement body, allowing for accurate confirmation of size and shape.
Enables precise determination of the detailed size and external shape of the ground improvement body, facilitating a three-dimensional model for better understanding.
Smart Images
Figure 2026079112000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a ground improvement method for forming a ground improvement body in the ground, and a method for confirming a ground improvement body in a ground improvement method for confirming the size and outer shape of the ground improvement body formed in the ground.
Background Art
[0002] A ground improvement method for improving the ground is known, for example, a sand compaction pile method in which granular materials such as sand and crushed stones are discharged into the ground and then rammed back after discharge to form a ground improvement body with an enlarged diameter in the ground (Patent Document 1).
[0003] As shown in FIG. 1, the ground improvement device 1 used in this method includes a construction machine 3 with a mast 2 erected at the front, and a casing pipe 4 that can penetrate vertically into the ground along the erected mast 2. The construction machine 3 penetrates the casing pipe 4 into the ground or pulls it out from the ground. The casing pipe 4 is a cylindrical pipe, with its interior serving as a supply path 5 through which granular materials pass, and a discharge port 6 provided at its lower part to discharge the granular materials supplied from the upper end of the casing pipe 4 into the ground through the discharge port 6.
[0004] The ground improvement method (sand compaction pile method) penetrates the casing pipe 4 to a predetermined depth in the ground, pulls out the penetrated casing pipe 4 by a predetermined length, and discharges granular materials from the discharge port 6 of the casing pipe 4 into the ground. Subsequently, the casing pipe 4 is penetrated by a predetermined length to ram back the discharged granular materials. This discharge of the granular materials and the ramming back of the granular materials by the casing pipe 4 are sequentially repeated upward. Thereby, a ground improvement body T with an enlarged diameter can be formed in the ground, and the ground can be improved to be strong by this enlarged ground improvement body T.
[0005] Incidentally, in ground improvement methods, after creating a ground improvement body T in the ground, it is sometimes necessary to check whether the ground improvement body T is the planned size. For example, the area where the ground improvement body T has been created in the ground is excavated, and the diameter of the ground improvement body T is measured using a ruler R, as shown in Figure 2. The diameter of the ground improvement body T to be measured is measured on two axes: the horizontal axis (X axis) and the vertical axis (Y axis). By measuring the diameter of the ground improvement body T with a ruler R in this way, it is possible to check whether the ground improvement body T is the planned size.
[0006] However, when verifying whether the ground improvement body T, after being constructed using the ground improvement method, is the planned size, only the diameters of the horizontal and vertical axes of the ground improvement body T are measured. Therefore, while the approximate size of the ground improvement body T can be confirmed, there is a problem in that it is not possible to accurately confirm detailed information such as the precise size and external shape of the ground improvement body T. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]
[0007] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 2879314 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]
[0008] The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and its purpose is to provide a method for confirming a ground improvement body in a ground improvement method, which enables accurate confirmation of detailed information such as the detailed size and external shape of a ground improvement body created in the ground by a ground improvement method. [Means for solving the problem]
[0009] The present invention relates to a ground improvement method for creating a ground improvement body in the ground, and a method for confirming the size and external shape of the created ground improvement body, comprising: a preparation step of arranging a square or rectangular reference frame so as to surround the created ground improvement body; a photography step of photographing the created ground improvement body together with the reference frame arranged in the preparation step; an image correction step of correcting the images of the reference frame and the ground improvement body taken in the photography step into distortion-free images using a predetermined trapezoidal correction program; and a confirmation step of confirming the size and external shape of the ground improvement body, or both, using a predetermined image analysis program based on the image of the ground improvement body corrected to distortion-free images in the image correction step. [Effects of the Invention]
[0010] According to the present invention, by photographing a ground improvement body constructed in the ground, correcting the image of the ground improvement body to an image without distortion, and using a predetermined image analysis program based on this corrected image of the ground improvement body to confirm either the size or the external shape of the ground improvement body, or both, it is possible to accurately confirm detailed information about the detailed size and external shape of the ground improvement body constructed in the ground. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0011] [Figure 1] This is a side view of a ground improvement device used in ground improvement construction methods. [Figure 2] This is a diagram showing how to measure the diameter of a ground improvement body. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart illustrating the method for verifying the improved ground structure in the ground improvement method of the present invention. [Figure 4] This diagram shows the placement of the reference frame and markers on the outside of the ground improvement body during the preparation process. [Figure 5] This is an image of the ground improvement structure taken during the filming process. [Figure 6] This is an image of the ground improvement structure after it has been corrected to be distortion-free during the image correction process. [Figure 7] This image shows linear structures connecting adjacent markers during the verification process. [Figure 8] This is an image taken after trimming the outer edge of the linear body during the verification process. [Figure 9] This image shows only the outline of the ground improvement body, after the inside of the linear body has been trimmed during the verification process. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0012] One embodiment of the method for verifying the ground improvement body in the ground improvement method of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The method for confirming the ground improvement body in the ground improvement method according to this embodiment involves creating a ground improvement body T (also called a "compacted sand pile" in the sand compaction pile method) in the ground using a ground improvement method, such as the sand compaction pile method, then photographing the ground improvement body T created in the ground, correcting the image of the ground improvement body T, and accurately confirming detailed information such as the detailed size and external shape of the ground improvement body T based on this corrected image. When confirming the detailed size and external shape of the ground improvement body T, either the size or the external shape of the ground improvement body T, or both, are confirmed. In this embodiment, the ground improvement method is the sand compaction pile method, but it is not limited to this; solidification methods such as the deep mixing method, or other methods, may also be used.
[0013] As shown in Figure 3, the method for confirming the ground improvement body in the ground improvement method includes a preparation step (S1) in which a reference frame K is placed around the constructed ground improvement body T, a photography step (S2) in which the constructed ground improvement body T is photographed together with the reference frame placed in the preparation step, an image correction step (S3) in which the images of the reference frame and ground improvement body T taken in the photography step are corrected to be distortion-free, and a confirmation step (S4) in which the size and external shape of the ground improvement body T, or both, are confirmed using a predetermined image analysis program based on the image of the ground improvement body T corrected in the image correction step. Furthermore, in this method for confirming the ground improvement body in the ground improvement method, the work of correcting the image of the ground improvement body T in the image correction step (S3) to be distortion-free, and the work of confirming the size and external shape of the ground improvement body T, or both, using an image analysis program in the confirmation step (S4) are performed using a processing device such as a computer.
[0014] [Preparation process] Preparation step (S1) is the process of preparing the ground improvement body T by arranging reference frames K and the like around it. In the preparation step (S1), after creating a ground improvement body T in the ground using a ground improvement method, the ground surface is excavated so that the created ground improvement body T is exposed and the horizontal cross-section of the ground improvement body T is revealed. Next, as shown in Figure 4, a reference frame K is placed outside the exposed ground improvement body T so as to surround the ground improvement body T. At this time, the reference frame K is placed so as to be horizontal. This reference frame K is a square frame with four right angles at its four corners. Note that the reference frame K is a square frame, but it is not limited to this and may also be a rectangular frame. Also, the reference frame K in this case is a frame made of metal, resin, or wood, but it is not limited to these and may also be a square or rectangular figure drawn on the ground. Furthermore, the reference frame K may be one in which only the vertices (four corners) of a square or rectangle are marked, and the sides of the square or rectangle are omitted. In any case, as long as the vertices of the square or rectangle can be recognized in the image captured in the next shooting step (S2), it is acceptable.
[0015] Also, the reference frame K is made larger than the ground improvement body T in order to surround the ground improvement body T. For example, when the diameter of the ground improvement body T to be constructed is about 60 to 70 cm, one side length of the reference frame K (square frame) is set to 1 m, which is slightly larger than the ground improvement body T, so that the reference frame K is arranged to surround the ground improvement body T (the ground improvement body T fits inside the reference frame K). Note that the reference frame K is not limited to the above size, and its size is changed according to the size of the ground improvement body T to be constructed.
[0016] Also, in the preparation step (S1), a plurality of markers M are arranged along the outer periphery of the ground improvement body T (the boundary between the ground improvement body T and the surrounding ground) that appears after excavation. The arrangement of the plurality of markers M is performed when the outer periphery of the ground improvement body T is unclear, that is, when the outer periphery of the ground improvement body T is indistinct. When the outer periphery of the ground improvement body T is clear, it is not necessary to arrange the plurality of markers M. The marker M is preferably colored white or black. For example, when the ground improvement body T or the surrounding ground is a dark color (blackish color), the marker M is made white, and when the ground improvement body T or the surrounding ground is a light color (whitish color), the marker M is made black. That is, the color of the marker M is preferably the opposite color of the color of the ground improvement body T or the surrounding ground. Also, for the reference frame K, its color is preferably white or black (the opposite color of the color of the ground improvement body T or the surrounding ground) according to the color of the ground improvement body T or the surrounding ground, similar to the marker M.
[0017] 〔Photographing step〕 The photographing step (S2) is a step of photographing the ground improvement body T constructed in the ground. In the photographing step (S2), the ground improvement body T that appears on the surface is photographed with a photographing device, for example, a camera. In the photographing, together with the ground improvement body T, the reference frame K and the plurality of markers M arranged outside the ground improvement body T in the previous preparation step (S1) are also photographed. This photographing is performed by an operator using a photographing device. The image of the ground improvement body T photographed here shows the constructed ground improvement body T (cross-section), the reference frame K, and the plurality of markers M as shown in FIG. 5.
[0018] 〔Image correction step〕 The image correction process (S3) is a process of correcting the image of the ground improvement body T that was captured in the shooting process (S2). In the image correction process (S3), the images of the reference frame K, multiple markers M, and ground improvement body T captured in the previous shooting process (S2) are corrected to be distortion-free images. Image correction is performed by using a predetermined trapezoidal correction program to correct the trapezoidal distortion using a processing device such as a computer. This trapezoidal correction program is a commonly used trapezoidal correction program. Trapezoidal correction is necessary because when capturing images of the reference frame K, multiple markers M, and ground improvement body T, it is difficult to capture them from a vertical direction (directly above), and they inevitably end up being captured from an oblique direction. Therefore, the images of the reference frame K, multiple markers M, and ground improvement body T captured from such an oblique direction (shown in Figure 5) are corrected to be distortion-free images as viewed from a vertical direction, as shown in Figure 6.
[0019] Next, we will explain how to perform trapezoidal correction using a predetermined trapezoidal correction program. When images are captured from an oblique angle, the square reference frame K appears as a trapezoid instead of a square. Therefore, a predetermined trapezoidal correction program is used to check the positions of the four corners of the reference frame K in the captured image. The program calculates that these corner positions should be the same as the positions of the four corners of a square, meaning that since the aspect ratio of a square reference frame K is 1:1, the aspect ratio of the reference frame K in the captured image should also be 1:1. This corrects the trapezoidal reference frame K to a square reference frame K. At the same time, images of the ground improvement structure T and other elements are also corrected to be distortion-free. In other words, the images of the reference frame K, multiple markers M, and ground improvement structure T, which were captured from an oblique angle in the shooting process (S2), are corrected to be distortion-free images as viewed from a vertical direction.
[0020] [Confirmation process] The verification process (S4) is a process in which the size and / or external shape of the ground improvement body T are confirmed based on the image of the ground improvement body T corrected in the image correction process (S3). In the verification step (S4), the image of the distortion-free ground improvement body T, which was corrected in the previous image correction step (S3), is analyzed by a processing device such as a computer using a predetermined image analysis program. This image analysis program may be a program that is generally used to analyze images, or it may be a program that has been specially developed to analyze images.
[0021] This section describes the analysis of images of a ground improvement structure T using an image analysis program. In the image, multiple markers M are placed along the outer perimeter of the ground improvement body T. By connecting adjacent markers M with lines, and then connecting all markers M with lines, the outline L of the ground improvement body T is drawn. Specifically, as shown in Figure 7, a linear body L1 is drawn connecting adjacent markers M in the image. Next, as shown in Figure 8, the area outside the linear body L1 connecting the markers M is cropped (image deleted). Furthermore, the area inside the linear body L1 connecting the markers M is also cropped (image deleted). Next, the outline L of the ground improvement body T is drawn based on the linear body L1 remaining in the image. As a result, as shown in Figure 9, only the outline L of the ground improvement body T is drawn in the image. Furthermore, the tasks of drawing linear bodies L1 connecting adjacent markers M in the image, trimming the outer and inner parts of the linear bodies L1 connecting the markers M, and drawing the outline L of the ground improvement body T based on the linear bodies L1 may be performed manually by an operator using a predetermined program, or they may be performed automatically by a computer or the like.
[0022] Next, based on the image in which the outline L of the ground improvement body T is drawn, a predetermined image analysis program is used to determine all the coordinates (position information) of the outline L of the ground improvement body T within the image using a processing device such as a computer. Note that determining these coordinates is impossible without knowing the overall size (scale) of the image; however, the overall size (scale) of the image can be determined by a pre-determined reference frame K that appears within the image. Therefore, the coordinates of the outline L of the ground improvement body T within the image can be determined. From these determined coordinates of the outline L of the ground improvement body T within the image, the size of the ground improvement body T, i.e., its diameter, can be determined. Here, since all the coordinates of the outline L of the ground improvement body T within the image have been determined, the diameter can be determined not only along the horizontal axis (X-axis) and vertical axis (Y-axis), but also in various other directions. Furthermore, the area of the ground improvement body T can also be determined, as well as its external shape. In this way, the size and external shape of the ground improvement body T can be confirmed. In other words, it is possible to accurately confirm detailed information such as the exact size and external shape of the ground improvement body T.
[0023] In this process, a linear line L1 is drawn connecting markers M placed around the outer perimeter of the ground improvement body T. From this line, the outline L of the ground improvement body T is drawn, and the size and external shape of the ground improvement body T are confirmed from this outline L. However, if the outline L of the ground improvement body T can be recognized using only the multiple markers M placed around the outer perimeter of the ground improvement body T, the linear line L1 connecting the markers M may be omitted, and the size and external shape of the ground improvement body T may be confirmed by the processing device using the coordinates (position information) of the multiple markers M in the image.
[0024] Furthermore, in the preparation step (S1), if the outer perimeter of the ground improvement body T (the boundary between the ground improvement body T and the surrounding ground) is clear, multiple markers M are not placed. The analysis of the image of the ground improvement body T in the confirmation step (S4) at this time will be explained. The outline L of the ground improvement body T is directly drawn along the outer perimeter of the ground improvement body T that is clearly visible in the image. After drawing this outline L of the ground improvement body T, the image is cropped to show only the outer and inner parts of the outline L of the ground improvement body T. As a result, only the outline L of the ground improvement body T is drawn in the image.
[0025] Next, based on an image showing only the outline L of the ground improvement body T, a predetermined image analysis program is used, as described above, to determine all the coordinates (position information) of the outline L of the ground improvement body T within the image using a processing device such as a computer. From these coordinates of the outline L of the ground improvement body T within the image, the diameter of the ground improvement body T, the area of the ground improvement body T, and the external shape of the ground improvement body T can be determined. In this way, the size and external shape of the ground improvement body T, or both, can be confirmed. In other words, detailed information about the precise size and external shape of the ground improvement body T can be accurately confirmed.
[0026] As described above, according to this embodiment, by photographing the ground improvement body T constructed in the ground, correcting the image of the photographed ground improvement body T to an image without distortion (trapezoidal correction), and using a predetermined image analysis program based on this corrected image of the ground improvement body T to confirm either the size and / or external shape of the ground improvement body T, it is possible to accurately confirm detailed information about the detailed size and external shape of the ground improvement body T constructed in the ground.
[0027] Furthermore, the process of confirming the size and external shape of the ground improvement body T is not performed at just one location in the depth direction (vertical direction) of the ground improvement body T, but rather at multiple locations every tens of centimeters in the depth direction. This allows for a detailed confirmation of the ground improvement body T constructed in the ground. As a result, a three-dimensional model (a representation of its three-dimensional shape) of the ground improvement body T can be created, making it easier for workers to understand the shape of the constructed ground improvement body T. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0028] 1...Ground improvement device, 2...Mast, 3...Construction machine, 4...Casing pipe, 5...Supply channel, 6...Discharge port.
Claims
1. A method for confirming a ground improvement body in a ground improvement method that involves creating a ground improvement body in the ground, and confirming the size and external shape of the created ground improvement body, A preparatory step involves arranging a square or rectangular reference frame to surround the prepared ground improvement body, The process involves photographing the ground improvement body constructed together with the reference frame that was placed in the preparation stage, and The image correction process involves correcting the images of the reference frame and the ground improvement body captured in the shooting process into distortion-free images using a predetermined trapezoidal correction program. A verification step is performed using a predetermined image analysis program to confirm either the size or the external shape of the ground improvement body, or both, based on the image of the ground improvement body that has been corrected to an image free of distortion in the image correction process. A method for confirming a ground improvement body in a ground improvement construction method, characterized by having [a certain feature].
2. In the method for confirming the ground improvement body in the ground improvement method described in claim 1, In the preparation process, multiple markers are placed along the outer perimeter of the prepared ground improvement body, A method for verifying ground improvement structures in a ground improvement construction method, in which the size and / or external shape of the ground improvement structure are confirmed by using multiple markers placed along the outer perimeter of the ground improvement structure in the image during the verification process.
3. In the method for confirming the ground improvement body in the ground improvement method described in claim 2, A method for verifying ground improvement structures in a ground improvement construction method, in which, during the verification process, multiple markers placed along the outer perimeter of the ground improvement structure in the image are connected by lines to draw the outline of the ground improvement structure, and either the size or the external shape of the ground improvement structure, or both, are confirmed from the drawn outline.