Cone penetration device and cone penetration method
The cone penetration device uses controlled water drainage to penetrate and detect seabed properties, addressing inefficiencies and reaction force issues, ensuring accurate and cost-effective seabed material analysis.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TOYO CONSTR
- Filing Date
- 2022-09-14
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-23
AI Technical Summary
Conventional cone penetration methods for seabed ground investigation face inefficiencies, require large-scale equipment, disturb the ground surface, and struggle with insufficient reaction force suppression during cone rod penetration, especially in varying ground strengths.
A cone penetration device and method utilizing a cylindrical foundation frame with controlled water drainage to generate suction pressure, allowing the frame to penetrate into the seabed, and a cone rod to detect material properties while suppressing reaction forces with the weight of the frame and frictional resistance, adjusting penetration speed and direction for vertical alignment.
Efficient investigation of seabed material properties is achieved with minimal equipment and disturbance, suppressing reaction forces effectively regardless of ground strength, and enabling accurate, cost-effective data collection.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a cone penetration device and a cone penetration method for investigating physical properties such as the strength and pore water pressure of the seabed ground.
Background Art
[0002] Generally, in a cone penetration test on the seabed ground, it is necessary to penetrate a cone rod into the seabed ground. However, conventional penetration methods include a penetration method of the cone rod 13 by the SEP ship 51 equipped with a hydraulic device 50 as shown in FIG. 6, and a penetration method of the cone rod 13 from a boring machine 54 fixed to the seabed ground in advance by a plurality of anchors 53, 53 as shown in FIG. 7. Further, when the seabed ground is soft, a penetration method of the cone rod 13 by a plurality of divers 56, 56 as shown in FIG. 8 is adopted.
[0003] However, in the conventional cone penetration method, when the water depth is not very deep, the penetration method by the SEP ship 51 equipped with the hydraulic device 50 (see FIG. 6) requires very large-scale equipment and is very inefficient. Also, in the penetration method by the boring machine 64 fixed to the seabed ground with a plurality of anchors 53, 53 (see FIG. 7), prior preparation work such as the installation of the anchors 53, 53 is required. On the other hand, even when the self-weight of the boring machine 64 is used as a reaction force (a force that suppresses the reaction force against the penetration of the cone rod) without requiring the anchors 53, 53, etc., there is a possibility of disturbing the original ground surface due to the equipment weight of the boring machine 64, which is a problem. Furthermore, in the penetration method by a plurality of divers 56, 56 (see FIG. 8), since the self-weight of the divers 56, 56 in water is used as a reaction force, it can only be investigated on a considerably soft ground, and there are instabilities during penetration such as penetration depth, penetration speed, and inclined penetration.
[0004] Furthermore, Patent Document 1 discloses a pile driving device based on a suction bucket. More specifically, Patent Document 1 describes a suction bucket type monopile gripper construction mechanism comprising a suction bucket type monopile gripper body and a pile gripping mechanism, wherein a suction bucket is installed at the bottom of the suction bucket type monopile gripper body, a suction bucket base is installed above the suction bucket, the suction bucket base is attached above the suction bucket by bolts, a connecting bracket is installed between adjacent suction bucket bases, a pile is installed above the suction bucket base, the pile and the suction bucket base are connected by welding, a pile driving platform is installed on the suction bucket type monopile gripper body, the pile driving platform is installed near the top or bottom of the pile, a pile driving frame is installed at the top of the pile driving platform near the top of the pile, an adjustment rod mechanism is installed at the bottom and top of one side of the pile driving frame, and one end of the adjustment rod mechanism is fixedly connected to the pile driving frame. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]
[0005] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 3234544 (Publication) [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]
[0006] However, Patent Document 1, mentioned above, does not describe how to deal with situations where there is insufficient force to suppress the reaction force on the pile during pile driving. Therefore, it cannot resolve the problems with dealing with the force to suppress the reaction force to the cone rod penetration in the conventional methods described above: the penetration method using a SEP barge, the penetration method from an anchored boring machine, and the direct penetration method by a diver. Moreover, although the invention in Patent Document 1 proposes the extraction of the bucket foundation by vibration, it is necessary to provide a vibration supply device, etc., which raises concerns about increased costs.
[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and aims to provide a cone penetration device and a cone penetration method that can appropriately suppress the reaction force to the penetration of a cone rod with a simple configuration, regardless of the strength of the ground, and can efficiently investigate the material properties of the ground. [Means for solving the problem]
[0008] As a means to solve the above problems, the invention relating to the cone penetration device of claim 1 is a cone penetration device for investigating the material properties of the seabed ground, comprising: a cylindrical foundation frame having a top surface that is penetrated into the seabed ground; a means for pouring water in and out from inside the foundation frame; and a penetration device connected to the foundation frame and having a cone rod that is penetrated into the seabed ground to detect information relating to the material properties of the ground. The system includes a control device for controlling the drainage flow rate per unit time from the foundation frame by the drainage means, and a plurality of the foundation frames, each of which is arranged such that the distance from the cone rod of the penetration device is approximately the same. It is characterized by the following: In the invention of claim 1, first, the foundation frame is allowed to sink to the bottom of the water, and its lower end is slightly penetrated into the seabed ground. Then, water is drained from inside the foundation frame by a water inlet / drainage means. This generates a pressure lower than the hydrostatic pressure (suction pressure) inside the foundation frame, and this suction pressure causes the foundation frame to penetrate further into the seabed ground. Subsequently, when the foundation frame has penetrated into the seabed ground to a predetermined depth, the water inlet / drainage means is stopped from draining water from inside the foundation frame. Next, the material properties of the ground can be investigated by penetrating the seabed ground with the cone rod of the penetration device. By utilizing the weight of the penetration device and the foundation frame, the frictional resistance between the foundation frame and the ground, and the suction pressure inside the foundation frame as forces to suppress the reaction force against the penetration of the cone rod of the penetration device, the reaction force against the penetration of the cone rod of the penetration device can be appropriately suppressed with a simple configuration, regardless of the strength of the ground, and the material properties of the ground can be investigated efficiently.
[0009] Claim 1 In this invention, the control device is used by the water supply and drainage means each By controlling the drainage flow rate per unit time from the foundation frame, each The penetration speed of the foundation frame can be adjusted. Furthermore, the control device controls the drainage flow rate per unit time from the foundation frame by the drainage means. do, Penetration of each foundation frame By adjusting the speed, Axial axis of the cone rod (Penetration direction) It can be adjusted so that it aligns with the vertical direction. This allows the cone rod of the penetration device to be driven in stably along the vertical direction, and the force that suppresses the reaction force against the penetration of the cone rod can be increased by the suction pressure within the multiple foundation frames.
[0011] Claim 2 The invention relating to a cone penetration method is a cone penetration method for investigating the material properties of a seabed ground, and includes: an initial frame penetration step in which the lower end of a cylindrical foundation frame having a top surface, to which a penetration device equipped with a cone rod is connected, is penetrated into the seabed ground; a frame installation step in which, after the initial frame penetration step, drainage is performed from inside the foundation frame to generate suction pressure inside the foundation frame, thereby penetrating the foundation frame to a predetermined depth; and a property detection step in which, after the frame installation step, the cone rod is penetrated into the seabed ground to detect information relating to the material properties of the ground. In the initial penetration step of the foundation frame, the multiple foundation frames are arranged so that they are approximately the same distance from the cone rod of the penetration device, and then the lower end of each foundation frame is driven into the seabed ground.It is characterized by the following: Claim 2 In this invention, in particular, each Drain the water from inside the foundation frame, each By generating suction pressure within the foundation frame, each By incorporating a frame installation step that allows the foundation frame to penetrate to a predetermined depth, the material properties of the ground can be efficiently investigated without requiring extensive work processes or preparations.
[0012] Claim 3 The invention relating to the method of penetrating a cone is, 2 In the invention described above, in the frame installation step, each By controlling the drainage flow rate per unit time from within the foundation frame, each This invention is characterized by its ability to adjust the penetration speed of the foundation frame. Claim 3 In this invention, each By controlling the drainage flow rate per unit time from the foundation frame, each The penetration speed of the foundation frame can be appropriately adjusted.
[0013] Claim 4 The invention relating to the method of penetrating a cone is, 2 In the invention described above, in the frame installation step, each By controlling the drainage flow rate per unit time from within the foundation frame, The cone rod of the aforementioned penetration device This method is characterized by adjusting the penetration direction so that it coincides with the vertical direction. Claim 4 In this invention, each By controlling the drainage flow rate per unit time from the foundation frame, Penetration direction of the cone rod It can be appropriately adjusted so that it aligns with the vertical direction.
[0014] Claim 5 The invention relating to the method of penetrating a cone is, 2In the invention described in [reference], after the characteristic detection step, it includes a pedestal floating step of floating the base pedestal by injecting water into the base pedestal. Claim 5 In the invention of [claim number], by the pedestal floating step, after investigating the material characteristics of the ground with the cone rod, the base pedestal can be quickly floated, and there is no need to equip new equipment for floating the base pedestal, the device has a simple structure, and the cost increase can be suppressed.
Effect of the Invention
[0015] According to the cone penetration device and the cone penetration method according to the present invention, regardless of the strength of the ground, with a simple structure, the reaction force against the penetration of the cone rod can be appropriately suppressed, and the material characteristics of the ground can be efficiently investigated.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a cone penetration device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the base pedestal shown in FIG. 1. <00Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing a conventional method of inserting a cone rod using a diver. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Figures 1 to 5. The cone penetration device 1 according to this embodiment is for investigating material properties such as the strength and pore water pressure of the seabed ground. Referring to Figures 1 and 2 in detail, the cone penetration device 1 according to this embodiment comprises a cylindrical foundation frame 4 having a top surface portion 11 that is penetrated into the seabed ground, a water inlet and outlet means 5 for inlet and outlet water from inside the foundation frame 4, a penetration device 6 connected to the foundation frame 4 and having a cone rod 13 that is penetrated into the seabed ground to detect information related to the material properties of the ground, and a control device 7 that controls the water inlet and outlet means 5 for draining water from inside the foundation frame 4 per unit time.
[0018] Referring to Figure 2, the foundation frame 4 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a top surface 11 and an open bottom end. Referring to Figure 1, multiple foundation frames 4 are provided. In this embodiment, two foundation frames 4, 4 are provided. Three or more foundation frames 4 may be provided. The inside of the foundation frame 4 is in communication with the water inlet / drainage means 5. The water inlet / drainage means 5 consists of a water inlet / drainage pump. The water inlet / drainage means 5 is positioned on the top surface 11 of the foundation frame 4. The water inlet / drainage means 5 makes it possible to drain water from inside the foundation frame 4 while simultaneously supplying water to the foundation frame 4. In this embodiment, two water inlet / drainage means 5, 5 are provided, corresponding to each foundation frame 4, 4. Each water inlet / drainage means 5, 5 is electrically connected to a control device 7. The control device 7, in particular, controls the water inlet / drainage flow rate per unit time from inside the foundation frame 4, 4 by each water inlet / drainage means 5, 5.
[0019] The penetration device 6 comprises a cone rod 13 to be penetrated into the seabed ground, a rod support body 14 that supports the cone rod 13 so as to be movable along the axial direction, and a hydraulic pump 15 that extends the cone rod 13 from the rod support body 14 and penetrates it into the seabed ground. The rod support body 14 is supported by each of the two foundation frames 4, 4 between the two foundation frames 4, 4. As a result, the cone rod 13 is positioned approximately in the center between the two foundation frames 4, 4. If there are three or more foundation frames 4, it is preferable to support the cone rod 13 by each foundation frame 4 so that the distance from each foundation frame 4 to the cone rod 13 is approximately the same. The rod support body 14 comprises a cylinder section 18 that supports the cone rod 13 so as to be extendable and retractable by hydraulic pressure from the hydraulic pump 15, and a support body section 19 integrally connected to the lower end of the cylinder section 18.
[0020] The cone rod 13 is supported within the cylinder section 18 so as to be movable along the axial direction. The hydraulic pump 15 and the inside of the cylinder section 18 are in communication with each other. The support body section 19 of the rod support body 14 is connected to the top surfaces 11 of the two foundation frames 4, 4, respectively. As a result, the rod support body 14 can move up and down together with each foundation frame 4. In addition, by operating the hydraulic pump 15, the cone rod 13 moves up and down (extends and retracts) relative to the rod support body 14 (cylinder section 18). The cone rod 13 penetrates into the seabed ground to detect tip resistance (ground strength), circumferential friction, and pore water pressure from the ground, and it is possible to obtain a lot of information about the material properties of the ground from the detection results.
[0021] Next, a method for penetrating a cone using the cone penetration device 1 according to the embodiment described above will be explained. First, the initial penetration step of the support structure is performed. Referring to Figure 3, in this initial penetration step of the support structure, each foundation support structure 4, 4 is allowed to sink to the bottom of the water, and the lower end of each foundation support structure 4, 4 is allowed to penetrate slightly into the bottom ground. Next, the frame installation step is performed. Referring to Figures 3 and 4, in this frame installation step, water is drained from inside each foundation frame 4, 4 by the respective water inlet and outlet means 5, 5. As a result, a pressure lower than the hydrostatic pressure (suction pressure) is generated inside each foundation frame 4, 4. Consequently, each foundation frame 4, 4 is further penetrated into the seabed ground by the suction pressure from the state shown in Figure 3, and the rod support body 14 of the penetration device 6 also descends.
[0022] Furthermore, during the frame installation step, the control device 7 can control the drainage flow rate per unit time from within each foundation frame 4 by each drainage means 5. By controlling the drainage flow rate per unit time from within each foundation frame 4 by each drainage means 5, the control device 7 can adjust the penetration speed of each foundation frame 4. This allows the top surface 11 of the foundation frame 4 to be quietly set on the original ground surface without disturbing it.
[0023] Furthermore, the control device 7 controls the drainage flow rate per unit time from each foundation frame 4 by each water supply and drainage means 5, 5, thereby adjusting the penetration direction of each foundation frame 4, 4, and consequently the axial direction of the cone rod 13 of the penetration device 6, to coincide with the vertical direction. This allows for the acquisition of the material properties of the ground detected by the cone rod 13 with high accuracy. In addition, the control device 7 can also be used to make the drainage flow rate per unit time from one foundation frame 4 by one water supply and drainage means 5 different from the drainage flow rate per unit time from the other foundation frame 4 by the other water supply and drainage means 5, so that the axial direction of the cone rod 13 of the penetration device 6 coincides with the vertical direction.
[0024] Next, once each foundation frame 4, 4 has penetrated into the seabed to a predetermined depth, a characteristic detection step is performed. Referring to Figure 4, in this characteristic detection step, once each foundation frame 4, 4 has penetrated into the seabed to a predetermined depth, first, a signal from the control device 7 stops the drainage from each foundation frame 4, 4 by the respective inlet / outlet means 5, 5. Subsequently, the hydraulic pump 15 of the penetration device 6 is activated, and the cone rod 13 extends from the rod support body 14 and penetrates into the seabed. At this time, the force that suppresses the reaction force against the penetration of the cone rod 13 of the penetration device 6 is the weight of the rod support body 14 and each foundation frame 4, 4, the frictional resistance between each foundation frame 4, 4 and the ground, and the suction pressure inside each foundation frame 4, 4.
[0025] Furthermore, when the cone rod 13 is penetrated into the seabed ground, it is not necessary to drain water from each foundation frame 4, 4 using the respective water inlet and outlet means 5, 5. However, if the force to suppress the reaction force against the penetration of the cone rod 13 is insufficient, causing the cone rod 13 to become unable to penetrate and the rod support body 14 of the penetration device 6 to rise, the water inlet and outlet means 5, 5 may be used to drain water from each foundation frame 4, 4 to add suction pressure within each foundation frame 4, 4. In this characteristic detection step, as the cone rod 13 of the penetration device 6 penetrates into the seabed ground, the tip of the cone rod 13 detects the tip resistance from the ground (ground strength), circumferential friction, and pore water pressure, and a great deal of information regarding the material properties of the ground is obtained from the detection results. After the material properties of the ground are investigated by the cone rod 13 of the penetration device 6, the hydraulic pump 15 of the penetration device 6 is activated, and the cone rod 13 is withdrawn from the submarine ground and returned to its initial position within the rod support body 14.
[0026] Next, the frame floating step is performed. Referring to Figure 5, in this frame floating step, water is poured into each foundation frame 4, 4 by the respective water supply and drainage means 5, 5. As a result, a water pressure higher than the hydrostatic pressure is generated inside each foundation frame 4, 4, causing each foundation frame 4, 4 to quickly float up together with the rod support body 14 to reach its initial position.
[0027] The cone penetration device 1 according to the embodiment described above comprises a plurality of cylindrical foundation frames 4, 4 having a top surface 11 that are penetrated into the seabed ground, water inlet and outlet means 5, 5 for inlet and outlet water from inside each foundation frame 4, 4, and a penetration device 6 connected to each foundation frame 4, 4 and having a cone rod 13 that penetrates into the seabed ground to detect information related to the material properties of the ground. Regardless of the strength of the ground, the suction pressure inside each foundation frame 4, 4, i.e., the reaction force to the penetration of the cone rod 13 of the penetration device 6 can be appropriately suppressed by the simple configuration, and the material properties of the ground can be efficiently investigated. Furthermore, after investigating the material properties of the ground with the cone rod 13 of the penetration device 6, the foundation frames 4, 4 can be quickly floated up by inlet and outlet water from each foundation frame 4, 4 using the water inlet and outlet means 5, 5, eliminating the need for additional equipment to float the foundation frames 4, 4 and further simplifying the entire device.
[0028] Furthermore, the cone penetration device 1 according to this embodiment is equipped with a control device 7 that controls the drainage flow rate per unit time from each foundation frame 4, 4 by each drainage means 5, 5, so that the penetration speed of each foundation frame 4, 4 can be adjusted. As a result, the top surface 11 of the foundation frame 4, 4 can be quietly set into the ground without disturbing the original ground surface. In addition, since the control device 7 is equipped with a control device 7 that controls the drainage flow rate per unit time from each foundation frame 4, 4 by each drainage means 5, 5, the penetration direction of each foundation frame 4, 4, and consequently the axial direction of the cone rod 13, can be adjusted to coincide with the vertical direction. As a result, the material properties of the ground detected by the cone rod 13 can be obtained with high accuracy.
[0029] Furthermore, in the cone penetration device 1 according to this embodiment, the cone rod 13 of the penetration device 6 is positioned in the center between two foundation frames 4, 4, and the rod support body 14 of the penetration device 6 is supported by the two foundation frames 4, 4. If there are three or more foundation frames 4, the cone rod 13 is supported by each foundation frame 4 so that the distance from each foundation frame 4 to the cone rod 13 is approximately the same. This allows the cone rod 13 of the penetration device 6 to be stably penetrated into the seabed ground along the vertical direction, and the force that suppresses the reaction force against the penetration of the cone rod 13 of the penetration device 6 can be increased by the suction pressure within the multiple foundation frames 4, 4.
[0030] Furthermore, the cone penetration method according to this embodiment includes a frame installation step in which water is drained from within each foundation frame 4, 4 to generate suction pressure within each foundation frame 4, 4, thereby penetrating each foundation frame 4, 4 to a predetermined depth. This eliminates the need for large-scale work processes or preparations, and allows for efficient investigation of the material properties of the seabed ground without complicated work procedures.
[0031] Furthermore, the cone penetration method according to this embodiment includes a base floating step in which water is poured into each base frame 4, 4 to lift each base frame 4, 4. After investigating the material properties of the ground with the cone rod 13, each base frame 4, 4 can be quickly lifted. As a result, there is no need to install new equipment to lift each base frame 4, 4, thus suppressing cost increases, and moreover, there is no complicated work involved in lifting each base frame 4, 4, making the work extremely easy. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0032] 1 Cone penetration device, 4 Foundation frame, 5 Water supply and drainage means, 6 Penetration device, 7 Control device, 13 Cone rod
Claims
1. A cone penetration device for investigating the material properties of the seabed, A cylindrical foundation frame with a top surface that penetrates into the seabed ground, A means for pouring water in and out from within the foundation frame, A penetration device having a cone rod connected to the aforementioned foundation frame, which penetrates into the seabed ground to detect information relating to the material properties of the ground, The system includes a control device that controls the drainage flow rate per unit time from the foundation frame by the aforementioned drainage means, A cone penetration device is characterized in that a plurality of the foundation frames, each including the water inlet and outlet means, are provided, and each foundation frame is arranged such that the distance from the cone rod of the penetration device is approximately the same.
2. A cone penetration method for investigating the material properties of the seabed, An initial foundation penetration step for a cylindrical foundation frame having a top surface, to which a penetration device equipped with a cone rod is connected, penetrates the bottom ground of the frame, After the initial penetration step of the support structure, a support structure installation step is performed in which drainage is performed from within the foundation support structure to generate suction pressure within the foundation support structure, thereby penetrating the foundation support structure to a predetermined depth. The step of installing the support structure includes a characteristic detection step in which the cone rod is driven into the seabed ground to detect information relating to the material properties of the ground, The cone penetration method is characterized in that, in the initial penetration step of the support structure, a plurality of the foundation support structures are arranged so that the distance from the cone rod of the penetration device is approximately the same, and then the lower end of each foundation support structure is driven into the seabed ground.
3. The cone penetration method according to claim 2, characterized in that the penetration speed of each foundation frame is adjusted by controlling the drainage flow rate per unit time from within each foundation frame in the frame installation step.
4. The cone penetration method according to claim 2, characterized in that in the frame installation step, the drainage flow rate per unit time from within each of the foundation frames is controlled to adjust the penetration direction of the cone rod of the penetration device to coincide with the vertical direction.
5. After the characteristic detection step, The cone penetration method according to claim 2, characterized in that it includes a frame floating step of floating the foundation frame by pouring water into the foundation frame.