Suction pile anchor having initial piercing means

Abstract

A suction pile anchor having an initial piercing means, the suction pile anchor being provided for underwater structure, according to the present invention comprises: a suction pile; and an anchor which is detachably provided on the lower end of the suction pile, wherein the upper end region of the suction pile is provided with the initial piercing means for securing an initial piercing amount of the suction pile anchor in the underwater ground where the initial piercing amount is insufficient, by increasing the weight of the suction pile.

Description

Suction pile anchor with initial penetration means

[0001] The present invention relates to a suction pile anchor having an initial penetration means, and more particularly, to a suction pile anchor having an initial penetration means capable of securing a sufficient initial penetration amount when a suction pile anchor equipped with an embedded suction anchor (ESA) is installed in an underwater ground where the initial penetration amount is insufficient.

[0002] In general, a suction pile is a pile that is installed by penetrating the ground by the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the suction pile that occurs when a fluid such as water or air inside the pile is suctioned out. Suction piles can be applied not only to the seabed ground but also to the ground below the water surface where suction can be generated by using water pressure (suction) below hydrostatic pressure. Suction is generated by forcibly draining the water inside the foundation that has penetrated the ground surface by its own weight or by a pump. These suction piles are also called suction buckets and are used as the foundations of various marine structures and underwater structures, including the foundations of offshore wind turbines.

[0003] The suction pile is a hollow caisson, typically cylindrical (though not necessarily cylindrical) without a base, with a sealed top to facilitate suction. A brief overview of the installation method for this type of suction pile is as follows.

[0004] First, when a suction pile is installed on an underwater bottom (e.g., the seabed), its own weight causes the lower part of the suction pile to penetrate the underwater bottom to a certain depth. In this state, when a suction device, such as a submersible pump installed on the upper part of the suction pile, is used to drain the water inside the pile to the outside, the pressure inside the suction pile decreases, resulting in a pressure difference between the inside and outside of the suction pile. At this time, although the force in the suction pile is structurally balanced horizontally, a downward pressing force is generated in the vertical direction, and the suction pile is penetrated into the ground by this generated force.

[0005] The aforementioned submersible pump is installed on the upper part of the suction pile, while a work platform is provided on a barge or general vessel above the water. The work platform is equipped with a crane for installing the suction pile and position measuring equipment for measuring the underwater position. Accordingly, when the suction pile is positioned at an appropriate underwater location using the crane and the submersible pump is operated to discharge the water inside the suction pile, a pressure difference is generated between the underwater location and the inside of the suction pile, and the suction pile is driven into the ground by this pressure difference.

[0006] The construction principle of such suction piles is a previously known technology, such as the shallow water construction method of suction piles for offshore foundations disclosed in Korean Patent No. 10-1081401 (announcement date: November 8, 2011), which is a prior art document below. This prior art document relates to a shallow water construction method of suction piles for offshore foundations, which comprises installing an outer water tank in the form of an open-bottomed suction pile on the outside of the suction pile, placing a weight on the self-weight or top of the outer water tank to penetrate the seabed, and then filling the inside with water higher than the water level of the suction pile to satisfy the installation conditions of the suction pile, thereby enabling the installation of a stone-line pile even in shallow waters with a water depth lower than the height of the suction pile. However, this method is difficult to use if the suction pile is exposed high above the sea surface.

[0007] Meanwhile, another prior art document, Korean Patent No. 10-0459985 (publication date: December 4, 2004), discloses a suction pile anchor. This suction pile anchor is configured to install an anchor (ESA: embedded suction anchor) on the seabed by attaching it to the bottom of the suction pile via a hydraulic jack, driving it into the seabed, and installing the anchor in the seabed. By attaching the anchor to the bottom of the suction pile, driving it into the seabed, and then separating the anchor from the suction pile, not only is the installation of the anchor easy, but the construction work of excavating, burying the anchor, and then backfilling is also unnecessary, enabling anchor installation even in deep waters. Furthermore, since the suction pile and hydraulic jack are designed to be reusable, they have the advantage of being inexpensive.

[0008] However, these suction pile anchors had a problem in that initial penetration was difficult in ground such as sandy soil, causing many difficulties in anchor penetration work.

[0009] To solve these problems, the suction piles were driven using a pile driver, which could be somewhat resolved, but there were problems such as environmental pollution during the driving process.

[0010] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a suction pile anchor having an initial penetration means capable of securing a sufficient initial penetration amount without driving when installing a suction pile anchor equipped with a built-in anchor in an underwater ground where the initial penetration amount is insufficient.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a means for facilitating initial penetration and extraction when constructing a suction anchor for an underwater structure.

[0012] The above object is achieved by a suction pile anchor having an initial penetration means, characterized in that, in accordance with the present invention, a suction pile; and an anchor detachably provided at the lower end of the suction pile, an initial penetration means is provided in the upper region of the suction pile to increase the weight of the suction pile to secure an initial penetration amount of the suction pile anchor in an underwater ground where the initial penetration amount is insufficient.

[0013] The initial penetration means may be formed of a cylindrical or polygonal case having a filling space formed therein and provided at the top of the suction pile; and a weight filled in the filling space to increase the weight of the suction pile.

[0014] The above-mentioned filling space may be composed of a pump installation space formed in the center for installing a suction pump; and a plurality of partition spaces each divided by partition walls arranged radially based on the pump installation space.

[0015] In the case where the above anchor is equipped with a pad eye and a mooring chain, in order to prevent an eccentric load from being applied to the suction pile, among the weights filled in each of the divided spaces, the weight of the weight filled in the divided space located in the opposite direction of the pad eye and the mooring chain may be configured to be greater than the weights of the other divided spaces, or the weight of the weight filled in the divided space in the same direction as the pad eye and the mooring chain may be configured to be less than the weights of the other divided spaces.

[0016] The above suction pile or the case may be provided with at least one vibration generator to generate vibration when the suction pile is driven in or pulled out, so that the suction pile is driven in or pulled out while a momentary ground disturbance occurs in the ground.

[0017] In each of the above-mentioned partition spaces of the above-mentioned case, a discharge hole may be formed to discharge water that flows in when the above-mentioned suction pile is lifted.

[0018] On the bottom surface of the above case, a plurality of joining holes can be perforated radially from the center so that the above suction piles of various diameters can be applied and joined.

[0019] On the upper outer surface of the above suction pile, a joining bracket having fastening holes corresponding to the joining holes may be provided with a reinforcing patch.

[0020] On the upper outer surface of the above suction pile, a plurality of connecting brackets having fastening holes corresponding to the connecting holes may be radially provided with the reinforcing patch.

[0021] According to the present invention, since an initial penetration means is provided in the upper region of a suction pile, it is possible to provide an effect of securing a sufficient initial penetration amount without driving a built-in suction anchor into an underwater ground where the initial penetration amount is insufficient.

[0022] In addition, by equipping the suction pile or case with a vibration generator, when the suction pile is driven in or pulled out, the ground is momentarily disturbed by vibration, thereby providing an effect that facilitates the drive in and pull out of the suction pile.

[0023] In addition, since a number of joint holes are formed radially on the bottom surface of the case of the initial penetration means, it is possible to provide the effect of allowing the initial penetration means to be applied to suction piles of various sizes (diameters).

[0024] FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing a suction pile anchor having an initial penetration means according to the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a suction pile anchor having the initial penetration means shown in Figure 1.

[0026] Figures 3 (a) and (b) are schematic plan views illustrating a case of the initial penetration means illustrated in Figure 1.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a schematic bottom perspective view illustrating another embodiment of the joining bracket illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0028] Fig. 5 is a schematic front view showing a state in which a vibration generator is installed in the suction pile illustrated in Fig. 1.

[0029] Figures 6 (a) and (b) are schematic diagrams showing the state of use of a suction pile anchor having the initial penetration means shown in Figure 1.

[0030] *Explanation of symbols for major parts of the drawing*

[0031] 10: Suction pile anchor 20: Suction pile

[0032] 22: Combination bracket 22A: Fastener

[0033] 22B: Reinforcement Patch 30: Anchor

[0034] 32: Chain 33: Flange

[0035] 34: Pad Eye 40: Initial penetration means

[0036] 42: Case 42A: Filled space

[0037] 42A-1: Pump installation space 42A-2: Bulkhead

[0038] 42A-3,42A-3A,42A-3B: Split space 42C: Joint space

[0039] 44,44A,44B: Heavy objects 46: Drainage holes

[0040] 50: Stone pump 60: Vibration generator

[0041] The present invention relates to a suction pile anchor for an underwater structure, comprising: a suction pile; and an anchor detachably provided at the lower end of the suction pile, wherein the suction pile comprises an initial penetration means for increasing the weight of the suction pile to secure an initial penetration amount of the suction pile anchor in an underwater ground where the initial penetration amount is insufficient. Accordingly, a sufficient initial penetration amount can be secured without driving a built-in suction anchor into an underwater ground where the initial penetration amount is insufficient. In addition, a vibration generator is provided in the suction pile or the case, so that when the suction pile is driven in or pulled out, the ground is momentarily disturbed by vibration, thereby facilitating the driving and pulling out of the suction pile. In addition, a plurality of connecting holes are formed radially on the lower surface of the case of the initial penetration means, so that the initial penetration means can be applied to suction piles of various sizes (diameters).

[0042] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. However, in describing the present invention, descriptions of functions or configurations already known will be omitted to clarify the gist of the present invention.

[0043]

[0044] Among the attached drawings, FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view illustrating a suction pile anchor having an initial penetration means according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view illustrating a suction pile anchor having an initial penetration means illustrated in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 (a) and (b) are schematic plan views illustrating a case of the initial penetration means illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0045] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, a suction pile anchor (10) having an initial penetration means according to the present invention includes a suction pile (20) and an anchor (30) detachably provided at the lower end of the suction pile (20). In addition, an initial penetration means (40) is provided at the upper region of the suction pile (20) to increase the weight of the suction pile (20) and secure an initial penetration amount of the suction pile anchor (10) in an underwater ground where the initial penetration amount is insufficient.

[0046]

[0047] Let me explain this in more detail.

[0048] The suction pile (20) is intended to penetrate the underwater bottom, has an empty hollow interior, and has a predetermined length and diameter.

[0049] A suction pump (50) is installed at the top of the suction pile (20). The suction pump (50) discharges water that has entered the interior of the suction pile (20) to lower its internal pressure and allow the suction pile (20) to penetrate into the ground.

[0050] In this embodiment, the suction pump (50) is described as being installed on the top of the suction pile (20), but it is not limited thereto, and the suction pump (50) may be located on a work vessel or barge, and the suction pump (50) and the suction hole of the suction pile (20) may be connected with a hose to discharge water inside the suction pile (20).

[0051]

[0052] On the upper outer surface of the suction pile (20), a donut-shaped coupling bracket (22) having fastening holes (22A) corresponding to the fastening holes (42C) formed in the case (42) of the initial penetration means (40) to be described later, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, is provided with a reinforcing patch (22B). Each of the triangular-shaped reinforcing patches (22B) is welded to the bottom surface of the coupling bracket (22) and the outer surface of the suction pile (20) to firmly support the coupling bracket (22). The aforementioned fastening holes (22A) are arranged in numbers and positions that match the coupling holes (42C). The coupling bracket (22) is detachably coupled to the case (42) by bolts.

[0053] Meanwhile, as shown in Fig. 4 among the attached drawings, the coupling bracket (22) according to another embodiment is the same as the above-described embodiment except that it is divided into multiple pieces. That is, each of the multiple coupling brackets (22) having fastening holes (22A) corresponding to the coupling holes (42C) is provided with a reinforcing patch (22B) and is coupled to the outer surface of the suction pile (20) and the bottom surface of the case (42). In this case, the reinforcing patch (22B) and a part of the coupling bracket (22) can be welded to the outer surface of the suction pile (20) and coupled.

[0054] In this way, by providing a joining bracket (22) on the top of the suction pile (20), the case (42) can be more firmly joined to the suction pile (20).

[0055] The anchor (30) is configured to be coupled or separated from the lower portion of the suction pile (20) by a hydraulic jack (not shown), and is separated from the suction pile (20) after penetrating into the underwater ground by the suction pile (20). Since the structure in which the anchor (30) is coupled or separated from the suction pile (20) by the hydraulic jack is well known, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0056] On the outer surface of the anchor (30), a number of flanges (33) are formed to protrude to improve the supporting force when penetrating the underwater ground, and on one side of the outer surface, a pad eye (34) to which a mooring chain (32) is connected is provided.

[0057] The initial penetration means (40) is intended to increase the weight so that the vertical load of the suction pile (20) increases, thereby securing the initial penetration amount of the suction pile anchor (10) in the underwater ground where the initial penetration amount is insufficient.

[0058] The initial penetration means (40) is composed of a cylindrical or polygonal case (42) provided at the top of the suction pile (20) with a filling space (42A) formed therein, and a weight (44) filled in the filling space (42A) to increase the weight of the suction pile (20).

[0059] The weight (44) is made of a chain made of concrete or iron, but is not limited thereto and various materials or weights can be applied.

[0060] The filling space (42A) of the case (42) is composed of a pump installation space (42A-1) formed by a central bulkhead in the center so that a suction pump (50) is installed, and a plurality of partition spaces (42A-3) each divided by partition walls (42A-2) arranged radially based on the pump installation space (42A-1).

[0061] In each partition space (42A-3), a discharge hole (46) is formed to discharge water that flows in when lifting the suction pile (20). The discharge hole (46) may be formed as one or as multiple.

[0062] The filling space (42A) may be configured in a form that does not include a partition wall (42A-2). However, in order to cope with the case where the weight (44) filled in the filling space (42A) needs to be adjusted, i.e., weight adjustment is required, such as making one side heavier, a plurality of partition walls (42A-3) are formed through the partition walls (42A-2).

[0063] Let me explain in more detail.

[0064] As shown in (a) and (b) of FIG. 3, in the case where the pad eye (34) and mooring chain (32) are provided on the anchor (30), in order to prevent an eccentric load from being applied to the suction pile (20), among the weights (44) filled in each divided space (42A-3), the weight of the weight (44A) filled in the divided space (42A-3A) located in the opposite direction of the pad eye (34) and mooring chain (32) is configured to be greater than the weights (44) in the other divided spaces (42A-3).

[0065] As another alternative, the weight of the weight (44B) filled in the divided space (42A-3B) formed in the same direction as the pad eye (34) and the mooring chain (32) can be configured to be smaller than the weight (44) of the other divided space (42A-3).

[0066] In this way, by adjusting the weight of the weight (44, 44A, 44B) filled in each divided space (42A-3, 42A-3A, 42A-3B) in consideration of the weight of the pad eye (34) and mooring chain (32) provided on the anchor (30), it is possible to prevent an eccentric load from being applied to the suction pile (20) by the pad eye (34) and mooring chain (32).

[0067] Meanwhile, suction piles (20) of various diameters are applied to the bottom of the case (42).

[0068] A plurality of connecting holes (42C) are drilled radially from the center so that they can be connected. Each connecting hole (42C) is arranged in a single row or two rows from the center of the pump installation space (42A-1) and is arranged radially with the pump installation space (42A-1) as the center.

[0069] In this way, by forming a plurality of joining holes (42C) on the bottom surface of the case (42), it can be used by joining to suction piles (20) of various diameters.

[0070]

[0071] Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the suction pile (20) may be equipped with at least one vibration generator (60) to generate vibrations when the suction pile (20) is driven in or pulled out, thereby allowing the suction pile (20) to be driven in or pulled out while causing a momentary ground disturbance. This vibration generator (60) may also be installed in the case (42).

[0072] In this way, since the suction pile (20) is equipped with a vibration generator (60), when the vibration generator (60) is operated during the penetration of the suction pile (20), the underwater ground can be momentarily disturbed by the vibration of the vibration generator (60), so that penetration can be easily achieved. Of course, the same effect can be obtained during the extraction operation.

[0073]

[0074] The operation of the present invention configured as described above will be described.

[0075] Among the attached drawings, as shown in (a) of FIG. 6, when the case (42) of the initial penetration means (40) filled with a weight (44) is connected to the upper region of the suction pile (20) equipped with an anchor (30), and the suction pump (50) is built into the inside of the case (42), and the suction pile (20) is settled on the underwater bottom, the suction pile (20) is initially penetrated into the underwater ground by the weight of the initial penetration means (40) as shown in (b) of FIG. 6.

[0076] That is, when the suction pile (20) is installed in underwater ground such as sandy soil where initial penetration is difficult, the suction pile (20) is penetrated into the ground by the vertical load applied by the weight of the initial penetration means (40).

[0077] When the anchor (30) and part of the suction pile (20) are initially driven into the ground through the aforementioned process, the suction pump (50) is operated to further drive the suction pile (20), thereby making it possible to easily drive the suction pile (20) into underwater ground such as sandy soil where initial penetration is difficult.

[0078] As described above, when a suction pile (20) equipped with an anchor (30) at the bottom is driven into underwater ground such as sandy soil where it is difficult to secure an initial penetration amount, by providing an initial penetration means (40) equipped with a weight (44) in the upper region of the suction pile (20), it is possible to secure a sufficient initial penetration amount of the suction pile anchor (10) even in underwater ground such as sandy soil where it is difficult to secure an initial penetration amount. Therefore, the suction pile anchor (10) can be easily driven into underwater ground where it is difficult to secure an initial penetration amount.

[0079] The suction pile anchor having an initial penetration means according to the present invention is provided with an initial penetration means for increasing the weight of the suction pile in the upper region of the suction pile of the suction pile anchor for an underwater structure to secure an initial penetration amount of the suction pile anchor in an underwater ground where the initial penetration amount is insufficient, so that a sufficient initial penetration amount can be secured without driving a built-in suction anchor into the underwater ground where the initial penetration amount is insufficient. Therefore, the suction pile anchor having an initial penetration means according to the present invention is an invention having industrial applicability because it can secure an initial penetration amount of the suction anchor when driving the suction pile anchor into an underwater ground where the initial penetration amount is insufficient.

Claims

1. A suction pile anchor for an underwater structure, including a suction pile; and an anchor detachably provided at the bottom of the suction pile, The upper region of the suction pile is characterized in that an initial penetration means is provided to increase the weight of the suction pile to secure the initial penetration amount of the suction pile anchor in an underwater ground where the initial penetration amount is insufficient. Suction pile anchor with initial penetration means.

2. In paragraph 1, The above initial penetration means is, A cylindrical or polygonal case having a filling space formed inside and provided at the top of the suction pile; and Characterized in that it is made of a weight material to fill the above filling space and increase the weight of the suction pile. Suction pile anchor with initial penetration means.

3. In paragraph 2, The above filling space is, A pump installation space formed in the center for installing a suction pump; and characterized by being composed of a plurality of partition spaces each divided by partition walls arranged radially based on the pump installation space. Suction pile anchor with initial penetration means.

4. In paragraph 3, In the case where the above anchor is equipped with a pad eye and a mooring chain, in order to prevent an eccentric load from being applied to the suction pile, among the weights filled in each of the divided spaces, the weight of the weight filled in the divided space located in the opposite direction of the pad eye and the mooring chain is configured to be greater than the weights of the other divided spaces, or the weight of the weight filled in the divided space in the same direction as the pad eye and the mooring chain is configured to be smaller than the weights of the other divided spaces. Suction pile anchor with initial penetration means.

5. In paragraph 2, In the above suction file or case, It is characterized in that at least one vibration generator is provided to cause vibration when the suction pile is driven in or pulled out, so that the suction pile is driven in or pulled out while a momentary ground disturbance occurs in the ground. Suction pile anchor with initial penetration means 6. In paragraph 2, In each of the above partition spaces of the above case, It is characterized in that each discharge hole is formed to discharge water that flows in when lifting the suction pile. Suction pile anchor with initial penetration means.

7. In paragraph 2, On the bottom of the above case, It is characterized in that a plurality of joining holes are radially perforated based on the center so that the above suction piles of various diameters can be applied and joined. Suction pile anchor with initial penetration means.

8. In paragraph 7, On the upper outer surface of the above suction pile, A joint bracket having fastening holes corresponding to the above joint holes is characterized in that it is provided with a reinforcing patch. Suction pile anchor with initial penetration means.

9. In paragraph 7, On the upper outer surface of the above suction pile, A plurality of joint brackets having fastening holes corresponding to the above joint holes are provided radially with the reinforcing patch, characterized in that Suction pile anchor with initial penetration means.

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