Barbed piles for soil reinforcement

Abstract

A barbed pile for soil reinforcement at a target location disclosed. The barbed pile may comprise an open-ended hollow pipe, a restriction plate, a plurality of perforations, and a plurality of wings. The open-ended hollow pipe may comprise an internal channel extending along a longitudinal axis of the barbed pile, between an open tip of the barbed pile and an open end thereof. The restriction plate may comprise at least one blocking plate, wherein a periphery of the at least one blocking plate is connected to the internal channel, the restriction plate is configured to divide the internal channel into two portions. The plurality of perforations disposed in a first portion. The plurality of wings arranged circumferentially around the external wall of the first portion.

Description

BARBED PILES FOR SOIL REINFORCEMENTCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority from IR Patent Application Ser. No. 140250140003004059, filed on September 5, 2023, entitled “THE PROCESS OF CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION OF BARBED STEEL PIPE PILES IN SOIL BEDS” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to methods and apparatuses for soil reinforcement, and more particularly to pipe piles and their installation methods used in construction of deep foundations.BACKGROUND

[0003] Pipe piles serve as essential foundation elements in various construction projects, particularly those conducting on multi-layered soil locations such as coastal and offshore areas. Conventional methods for installing these piles typically involve driving them into the soil using mechanical hammers, soil flushing for removing soils from the inside of the pipe pile, and concreting. Due to the adhesion and friction between the pipe pile and the surrounding soil during the driving process, resistance forces (caused by the interaction of the soil and the inner wall of the pipe) may exceed driving forces, leading to pile plugging.

[0004] Furthermore, when conventional pipe piles penetrate into the ground from a soft clay layer into a stiff clay layer, a significant length of the pipe pile may be filled with soft clay, while only a partial section is occupied by stiff clay. Consequently, continuing the driving process may lead to pile rebound which can result in a pile being driven into a shallower depth than intended, affecting the load-bearing capacity and overall stability of the structure. On theother hand, for injecting concrete into the pipe pile, discharging of soft clay which is remained inside the pipe pile is necessary. However, the process of soil flushing is often time-consuming and usually encounters difficulties in achieving a complete clean inner pipe wall. As a result, bonding between the concrete and the pipe wall in the next step won’t be strong enough.

[0005] Therefore, there is need for barbed pipe piles capable of increasing load-bearing capacity, while reducing pile settlement.SUMMARY

[0006] This summary is intended to provide an overview of the subject matter of one or more exemplary embodiments, and is not intended to identify essential elements or key elements of the subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to determine the scope of the claimed implementations. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. The proper scope of one or more exemplary embodiments may be ascertained from the claims set forth below in view of the detailed description below and the drawings.

[0007] According to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, an exemplary barbed pile for soil reinforcement at a target location is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the exemplary barbed pile may comprise an exemplary open-ended hollow pipe, an exemplary restriction plate, a plurality of exemplary perforations, and a plurality of exemplary wings. In an exemplary embodiment, the exemplary open-ended hollow pipe may comprise an exemplary internal channel extending along an exemplary longitudinal axis of the exemplary barbed pile, between an exemplary open tip of the exemplary barbed pile and an exemplary open end thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the exemplary open-ended hollow pipe is configured to be inserted into a ground at the target location.

[0008] In an exemplary embodiment, the exemplary restriction plate may comprise at least one exemplary blocking plate. In an exemplary embodiment, a periphery of the at least one exemplary blocking plate may be connected to the exemplary internal channel. In an exemplary embodiment, the periphery of the at least one exemplary blocking plate may comprise a complementary shape to a cross section of the exemplary internal channel. In an exemplary embodiment, the exemplary restriction plate may be configured to divide the exemplary internal channel into two exemplary portions. In an exemplary embodiment, two exemplary portions may comprise an exemplary first portion spanned between the exemplary restriction plate and the exemplary open tip, and an exemplary second portion spanned between the exemplary restriction plate and the exemplary open end.

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, the exemplary blocking plate may comprise at least one exemplary aperture configured to conduct the soil from the exemplary first portion to the exemplary second portion. In an exemplary embodiment, the exemplary restriction plate may further comprise a plurality of exemplary stiffener elements. In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of exemplary stiffener elements may connect an exemplary second- side surface of the exemplary blocking plate to the exemplary internal channel of the exemplary second portion, wherein the plurality of exemplary stiffeners may be configured to prevent buckling of the exemplary blocking plate.

[0010] In an exemplary embodiment, the exemplary restriction plate may comprise two exemplary blocking plates. In an exemplary embodiment, each respective blocking plate of two exemplary blocking plates may comprise an exemplary semi-elliptical shaped surface. In an exemplary embodiment, the exemplary semi-elliptical shaped surface may comprise an exemplary first edge being parallel to a minor axis of the exemplary semi-elliptical shaped surface. In an exemplary embodiment, the exemplary semi-elliptical shaped surface mayfurther comprise an exemplary curved edge. In an exemplary embodiment, the respective exemplary first edges of the respective two exemplary blocking plates may be connected to one another such that the respective exemplary curved edges of the respective two exemplary blocking plates is connected to the exemplary internal channel of the exemplary open-ended hollow pipe, sealing the exemplary second portion from the exemplary first portion.

[0011] In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of exemplary perforations may be disposed in the exemplary first portion, wherein each respective perforation of the plurality of exemplary perforations may define an exemplary passage between the exemplary internal channel of the exemplary first portion and the exemplary external wall thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, at least two perforations of the plurality of exemplary perforations may be rectangular and may be disposed in front of each other on opposite sides of the exemplary first portion.

[0012] In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of exemplary wings may be arranged circumferentially around the exemplary external wall of the exemplary first portion. In an exemplary embodiment, each respective wing of the plurality of exemplary wings may comprise at least one exemplary connection plate and at least one exemplary load-bearing plate. In an exemplary embodiment, at least one exemplary connection plate may comprise an exemplary first edge and an exemplary second edge. In an exemplary embodiment, the exemplary first edge may be connected to the exemplary external wall of the exemplary first portion. In an exemplary embodiment, at least one load-bearing plate may comprise an exemplary first face, wherein the exemplary first face may be connected to the exemplary second edge of the exemplary connection plate.

[0013] In an exemplary embodiment, at least one exemplary connection plate may comprise an exemplary triangular- shaped connection plate and an exemplary first face of atleast one exemplary load-bearing plate may be a rectangular- shaped face. In an exemplary embodiment, the exemplary triangular- shaped connection plate may be configured to connect the exemplary rectangular- shaped face to the exemplary external wall of the exemplary first portion such that an exemplary joining edge of the exemplary rectangular- shaped face is connected to the exemplary external wall of the exemplary first portion so the at least one exemplary load-bearing plate may be inclined with respect to the exemplary longitudinal axis.

[0014] In an exemplary embodiment, the exemplary barbed pile may further comprise a plurality of exemplary triangular- shaped auxiliary plates. In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of exemplary triangular- shaped auxiliary plates may be configured to connect adjacent wings of the plurality of exemplary wings together. In an exemplary embodiment, each respective exemplary triangular- shaped auxiliary plate of the plurality of exemplary triangularshaped auxiliary plates may comprise two exemplary lateral edges, wherein each respective exemplary lateral edge of the two exemplary lateral edges is connected to a respective exemplary lateral edge of the corresponding at least one exemplary load-bearing plate.

[0015] In an exemplary embodiment, the exemplary barbed pile may further comprise a plurality of exemplary auxiliary plates. In an exemplary embodiment, each exemplary auxiliary plate of the plurality of exemplary auxiliary plates may comprise an exemplary sector of an exemplary ring-shaped plate. In an exemplary embodiment, each respective exemplary sector may be circumferentially connected to and distributed around the exemplary external wall of the exemplary first portion, wherein the respective exemplary triangular- shaped connection plate may comprise disposed between every two adjacent exemplary sectors such that the respective exemplary triangular-shaped connection plate fills a gap which exists between the two adjacent exemplary sectors.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, at least one exemplary connection plate may comprise an exemplary rectangular- shaped connection plate and an exemplary first face of at least one exemplary load-bearing plate may be a rectangular- shaped face. In an exemplary embodiment, the exemplary rectangular- shaped connection plate may be configured to connect the exemplary rectangular- shaped face to the exemplary external wall of the exemplary first portion such that the at least one exemplary load-bearing plate is parallel to the exemplary longitudinal axis.

[0017] In an exemplary embodiment, at least one exemplary connection plate may comprise an exemplary triangular- shaped connection plate and an exemplary first face of at least one load -bearing plate may be a trapezoidal- shaped face. In an exemplary embodiment, the exemplary triangular- shaped connection plate may be configured to connect the exemplary trapezoidal-shaped face to the exemplary external wall of the exemplary first portion such that either edge of two exemplary parallel edges of the exemplary trapezoidal- shaped face is connected to the exemplary external wall of the exemplary first portion so the at least one exemplary load-bearing plate is inclined with respect to the exemplary longitudinal axis.

[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, the exemplary barbed pile may further comprise a plurality of exemplary auxiliary plates, each pair of exemplary auxiliary plates of the plurality of exemplary auxiliary plates may be connected to a respective exemplary wing of the plurality of exemplary wings. In an exemplary embodiment, exemplary respective opposite surfaces of each pair of the exemplary auxiliary plates may be connected to respective two exemplary nonparallel edges of the exemplary trapezoidal- shaped face.

[0019] According to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, an exemplary method for soil reinforcement at a target location is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment the exemplary method may comprise generating an exemplary bore at the targetlocation by driving an exemplary barbed pile into a ground at the target location until the exemplary barbed pile penetrates to a desired depth level, inserting an exemplary reinforcement component into an exemplary second portion of the exemplary barbed pile, and filling the exemplary second portion of the exemplary barbed pile with an exemplary composite material.

[0020] In an exemplary embodiment, the exemplary method may further comprise conducting the soil from an exemplary first portion of the exemplary barbed pile to the exemplary second portion thereof by providing at least one exemplary aperture in an exemplary blocking plate of the exemplary barbed pile, and flushing the soil out of an exemplary internal channel of the exemplary second portion.

[0021] In an exemplary embodiment, the exemplary method may further comprise compacting the soil in the exemplary internal channel of the exemplary first portion by sealing the exemplary second portion from the exemplary first portion utilizing an exemplary restriction plate. In an exemplary embodiment, the exemplary method may further comprise discharging the soil from the exemplary internal channel of the exemplary first portion into an exemplary interface between the exemplary bore and the exemplary barbed pile at the exemplary first portion through a plurality of exemplary perforations, wherein at least two perforations of the plurality of exemplary perforations are rectangular and disposed in front of each other on opposite sides of the exemplary first portion.

[0022] This Summary may introduce a number of concepts in a simplified format; the concepts are further disclosed within the “Detailed Description” section. This Summary is not intended to configure essential / key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present disclosure, as to its structure, organization, use and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following drawings in which a presently preferred embodiment of the present disclosure will now be illustrated by way of example. It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure. Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described by way of example in association with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0024] FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary barbed pile, consistent with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0025] FIG. IB illustrates a detailed partial view of an exemplary barbed pile, consistent with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0026] FIG. 1C illustrates an exploded view of an exemplary restriction plate, consistent with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0027] FIG. ID illustrates a top view of an exemplary restriction plate along section A- A depicted in FIG. 1C, consistent with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0028] FIG. 2A illustrates a detailed partial view of another exemplary restriction plate, consistent with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0029] FIG. 2B illustrates a cross-sectional view of another exemplary restriction plate along section B-B depicted in FIG. 2A, consistent with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0030] FIG. 3A illustrates a detailed partial view of first exemplary arrangement of exemplary wings mounted on an exemplary barbed pile, consistent with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0031] FIG. 3B illustrates a detailed partial view of second exemplary arrangement of exemplary wings mounted on an exemplary barbed pile, consistent with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0032] FIG. 3C illustrates a side view of an exemplary first wing, consistent with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0033] FIG. 3D illustrates a front view of an exemplary first wing along section C-C depicted in FIG. 3C, consistent with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0034] FIG. 3E illustrates a front view of an exemplary first wing having supplementary gusset plates along section C-C depicted in FIG. 3C, consistent with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0035] FIG. 4A illustrates a detailed view of third exemplary arrangement of exemplary wings mounted on an exemplary barbed pile, consistent with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0036] FIG. 4B illustrates a cross-sectional view of third exemplary arrangement of exemplary wings in combination with exemplary auxiliary plates along section D-D depicted in FIG. 4A, consistent with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0037] FIG. 4C illustrates an exploded view of third exemplary arrangement of exemplary wings in combination with an exemplary auxiliary plate, consistent with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0038] FIG. 5A illustrates a detailed partial view of fourth exemplary arrangement of exemplary wings mounted on an exemplary barbed pile, consistent with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0039] FIG. 5B illustrates a detailed partial view of fifth exemplary arrangement of exemplary wings mounted on an exemplary barbed pile, consistent with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0040] FIG. 5C illustrates a side view of an exemplary second wing, consistent with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0041] FIG. 5D illustrates a cross-sectional view of the second wing along section E-E depicted in FIG. 5C, consistent with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0042] FIG. 5E illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary second wing having exemplary supplementary gusset plates, along section E-E depicted in FIG. 5C, consistent with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0043] FIG. 6A illustrates a detailed partial view of sixth exemplary arrangement of exemplary wings mounted on an exemplary barbed pile, consistent with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0044] FIG. 6B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the sixth exemplary arrangement of exemplary wings in combination with exemplary auxiliary plates along section F-F depicted in FIG. 6A, consistent with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0045] FIG. 6C illustrates an exploded view of sixth exemplary arrangement of an exemplary wing in combination with two exemplary auxiliary plates, consistent with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0046] FIG. 6D illustrates a front view of an exemplary third wing along section G-G depicted in FIG. 6B, consistent with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0047] FIG. 6E illustrates a side view of an exemplary auxiliary plate, consistent with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0048] FIG. 7 A illustrates a detailed partial view of seventh exemplary arrangement of exemplary wings mounted on an exemplary barbed pile, consistent with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0049] FIG. 7B illustrates an exploded view of the seventh exemplary arrangement, consistent with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0050] FIG. 8A illustrates a perspective view of eighth exemplary arrangement of exemplary wings, consistent with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0051] FIG. 8B illustrates a top view of the eighth exemplary arrangement of exemplary wings along section H-H depicted in FIG. 8A, consistent with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0052] FIG. 9A illustrates a schematic implementation of an exemplary soil reinforcement method at an exemplary target location by utilizing an exemplary barbed pile; and

[0053] FIG. 9B illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary soil reinforcement method at a target location, consistent with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth by way of examples to provide a thorough understanding of the relevant teachings related to the exemplary embodiments. However, it should be apparent that the present teachings may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and / or circuitry have been described at a relatively high-level, without detail, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present teachings.

[0055] The following detailed description is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the methods and devices disclosed in one or more exemplary embodimentsof the present disclosure. For purposes of explanation, specific nomenclature is set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that these specific details are not required to practice the disclosed exemplary embodiments. Descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments are provided only as representative examples. Various modifications to the exemplary implementations will be plain to one skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other implementations and applications without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the implementations shown, but is to be accorded the widest possible scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.

[0056] Soil reinforcement in an exemplary multi-layered soil locations such as coastal and offshore areas may encounter various challenges such as, pile plugging, pile rebound, pile settlement, etc. Disclosed herein is an exemplary apparatus and an exemplary method for soil reinforcement at a target location that is capable of overcoming aforementioned challenges.

[0057] In an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary barbed pile may comprise an exemplary open-ended hollow pipe inside which an exemplary restriction plate is attached. In an exemplary embodiment, the exemplary barbed pile may further comprise a plurality of exemplary perforations disposed on the exemplary first portion. In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of exemplary perforations may define exemplary passages between an exemplary internal channel of the open-ended hollow pipe and an exemplary external wall thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the exemplary barbed pile may further comprise a plurality of exemplary wings. In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of exemplary wings may comprise several arrangements of wings every one of which illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the exemplary barbed pile.

[0058] In an exemplary embodiment, the exemplary restriction plate may separate the exemplary open-ended hollow pipe into two exemplary portions, an exemplary first portion and an exemplary second portion. In an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary first portion may extend between an exemplary open tip of the exemplary barbed pile and the exemplary restriction plate. In an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary second portion may extend between the exemplary restriction plate and an exemplary open end of the exemplary barbed pile. In an exemplary embodiment, exemplary restriction plate may comprise an exemplary blocking plate.

[0059] In an exemplary embodiment, during piling, exemplary open tip of exemplary barbed pile may first be exposed to the ground at the target location. In an exemplary embodiment, when an exemplary top layer is mostly comprised of sands, exemplary blocking plate may comprise at least one aperture to conduct soil from first portion to second portion in order to prevent plugging and expel soil out of exemplary barbed pile. In an exemplary embodiment, when an exemplary top layer is mostly comprised of soft clay exemplary blocking plate may thoroughly seal second portion from first portion, conducting trapped soils inside exemplary internal channel of first portion, to discharge through exemplary perforations. Therefore, exemplary barbed pile may be capable of increasing load-bearing capacity, while reducing pile settlement.

[0060] Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view 100 of an exemplary barbed pile 101, and FIG. IB illustrates a detailed partial view 102 of an exemplary barbed pile 101, consistent with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In one or more exemplary embodiments, barbed pile 101 may be utilized for soil reinforcement at a target location. In one or more exemplary embodiments, barbed pile 101 may comprise an exemplary open-ended hollow pipe 108. In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. IB, open-endedhollow pipe 108 may comprise an exemplary external wall 108a and internal channel 108b extending along an exemplary longitudinal axis 110 of barbed pile 101, between an exemplary open tip 112 of barbed pile 101 and an exemplary open end 114 thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, open-ended hollow pipe 108 may be configured to be inserted into a ground at the target location.

[0061] In an exemplary embodiment, with further reference to FIG. 1A, barbed pile 101 may further comprise an exemplary restriction plate 116. In an exemplary embodiment, restriction plate 116 may divide internal channel 108b into two exemplary portions, first portion 118 and second portion 120. In an exemplary embodiment, first portion 118 may be spanned between restriction plate 116 and open tip 112. In an exemplary embodiment, second portion 120 may be spanned between restriction plate 116 and open end 114. In an exemplary embodiment, barbed pile 101 may further comprise a plurality of exemplary perforations (e.g., perforation 124) disposed in first portion 118. In an exemplary embodiment, barbed pile 101 may further comprise a plurality of exemplary wings 122 arranged circumferentially around external wall 108a of first portion 118.

[0062] In an exemplary embodiment, with further reference to FIG. IB, each respective perforation 124 of the plurality of exemplary perforations may define an exemplary passage between internal channel 108b of first portion 118 and external wall 108a thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, by inserting open tip 112 of barbed pile 101 into the ground, some soil enters internal channel 108b. In an exemplary embodiment, as barbed pile 101 proceeds into the ground, compression of soil inside internal channel 108b may force soil to discharge through the plurality of perforations (e.g., perforations 124, 1241, 1242).

[0063] In an exemplary embodiment, some perforations may be arranged successively with each other along longitudinal axis 110 in first portion 118, ensuring that there is a distanceof at least 1 meter between each successive perforation. In an exemplary embodiment, at least two perforations (e.g., perforations 124, 1241, 1242) of the plurality of perforations may be rectangular comprising an exemplary length 124a and an exemplary width 124b. In an exemplary embodiment, respective lengths of each respective perforation of the plurality of perforations may be disposed along longitudinal axis 110. In an exemplary embodiment, length 124a of perforation 124 may be disposed along longitudinal axis llO.In an exemplary embodiment, respective lengths of each respective perforation of the plurality of perforations may be in a range of 25 to 35 centimeters. In an exemplary embodiment, respective widths of each respective perforation of the plurality of perforations may be in a range of 4 to 5 centimeters. In an exemplary embodiment, at least two perforations (e.g., perforations 1241 and 1242) of the plurality of perforations may be disposed in front of each other on opposite sides of first portion 118.

[0064] FIG. 1C illustrates an exploded view 104 of an exemplary restriction plate 116, and FIG. ID illustrates a top view 106 of an exemplary restriction plate 116 along section A- A depicted in FIG. 1C, consistent with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, restriction plate 116 may comprise a plurality of stiffener elements 126 and at least one exemplary blocking plate 128. In an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary periphery 128a of blocking plate 128 may comprise a complementary shape to a cross section of internal channel 108b. In an exemplary embodiment, blocking plate 128 may comprise an exemplary circular- shaped periphery 128a which is complementary to an exemplary circular cross section of internal channel 108b. In an exemplary embodiment, periphery 128a of blocking plate 128 may be connected to internal channel 108b.

[0065] In an exemplary embodiment, with continued reference to FIGs. 1C-1D, restriction plate 116 may further comprise a plurality of exemplary stiffener elements (e.g.,stiffener element 126). In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of exemplary stiffeners may be configured to prevent buckling of blocking plate 128. In an exemplary embodiment, stiffener elements may connect an exemplary second- side surface 130 of blocking plate 128 to internal channel 108b of second portion 120. In an exemplary embodiment, at least one stiffener 126 may comprise an exemplary lateral edge 126a and an exemplary base edge 126b. In an exemplary embodiment, lateral edge 126a may be connected to internal channel 108b along longitudinal axis 110, and base edge 126b may be connected to second- side surface 130. In an exemplary embodiment, lateral edge 126a may be perpendicular to base edge 126b. In an exemplary embodiment, stiffener elements may be arranged radially and evenly around longitudinal axis 110 such that an exemplary angle a is defined between every two adjacent stiffener elements. In an exemplary embodiment, angle a may be substantially 90 degrees. In an exemplary embodiment, angle a may be substantially 45 degrees.

[0066] In an exemplary embodiment, blocking plate 128 may comprise at least one exemplary aperture (not shown in figures). In an exemplary embodiment, the exemplary aperture may be configured to conduct soil from first portion 118 to second portion 120.

[0067] FIG. 2A illustrates a detailed partial view 200 of another exemplary restriction plate 116a, and FIG. 2B illustrates a cross-sectional view 202 of another exemplary restriction plate 116a along section B-B depicted in FIG. 2A, consistent with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, restriction plate 116a may comprise two exemplary blocking plates 212a and 212b. In an exemplary embodiment, each respective blocking plate (i.e., blocking plate 212a and 212b) of two blocking plates may comprise a respective exemplary semi-elliptical shaped surface 214. In an exemplary embodiment, each respective semi-elliptical shaped surface (e.g., semi-elliptical shaped surface 214) may comprise a respective exemplary first edge (e.g., first edge 216) and a respective exemplarycurved edge (e.g., curved edge 220). In an exemplary embodiment, each respective first edge of two blocking plates may be parallel to an exemplary minor axis (e.g., minor axis 218) of corresponding semi-elliptical shaped surface (e.g., semi-elliptical shaped surface 214). In an exemplary embodiment respective first edges of the respective two blocking plates (e.g., blocking plates 212a and 212b) may be connected to one another such that respective curved edges of respective two blocking plates may be connected to internal channel 108b of open- ended hollow pipe 108. In an exemplary embodiment, restriction plate 116a may seal second portion 120 from first portion 118 such that soil inside internal channel 108b will remain in first portion 118 as barbed pile 101 is mounted into the ground.

[0068] FIG. 3A illustrates a detailed partial view 300 of first exemplary arrangement of exemplary wings mounted on an exemplary barbed pile 101, FIG. 3B illustrates a detailed partial view 302 of second exemplary arrangement of exemplary wings mounted on an exemplary barbed pile 101, FIG. 3C illustrates a side view 304 of an exemplary first wing, and FIG. 3D illustrates a front view 306 of an exemplary first wing 312 along section C-C depicted in FIG. 3C, consistent with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, first exemplary arrangement of exemplary wings may comprise a plurality of wings 122 which are disposed in a row (i.e., each respective wing of first plurality of wings is substantially mounted at a same height from open tip 112). In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of wings 122 may comprise a plurality of exemplary first wings (e.g., first wing 312, as shown in FIG. 3A) or exemplary reinforced first wings (e.g., reinforced first wing 314, as shown in FIG. 3B) or a combination thereof (not shown), distributed circumferentially around external wall 108a of first portion 118.

[0069] In an exemplary embodiment, with further reference to FIGs. 3C-3D, each respective first wing (e.g., first wing 312) of the plurality of wings may comprise at least oneexemplary gusset or connection plate 316 and at least one exemplary load-bearing plate 318. In an exemplary embodiment, connection plate 316 may comprise an exemplary first edge 316a and an exemplary second edge 316b. In an exemplary embodiment, first edge 316a of connection plate 316 may be connected to external wall 108a of first portion 118 utilizing permanent or temporary fastening means such as weld, bolt, rivet, etc., or a combination thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, connection plate 316 may comprise an exemplary triangular- shaped connection plate, as shown in FIGs. 3A-3C.

[0070] In an exemplary embodiment, load-bearing plate 318 may comprise an exemplary first face 318a. In an exemplary embodiment, first face 318a may be connected to second edge 316b of connection plate 316 utilizing permanent or temporary fastening means such as weld, bolt, rivet, etc., or a combination thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, first face 3118a of load-bearing plate 318 may be an exemplary rectangular- shaped face, as shown in FIG. 3D. In an exemplary embodiment, triangular- shaped connection plate 316 may be configured to connect rectangular- shaped face 318a to external wall 108a of first portion 118 such that an exemplary joining edge 318b of rectangular- shaped face 318a is connected to external wall 108a of first portion 118 so load-bearing plate 318 is inclined with respect to longitudinal axis 110.

[0071] FIG. 3E illustrates a front view 308 of an exemplary first wing 312 having supplementary gusset plates (e.g., gusset plates 3161 and 3162) along section C-C depicted in FIG. 3C, consistent with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, reinforced first wings may be utilized for penetrating into ground in which soil is stiffer and / or denser. In an exemplary embodiment, each respective reinforced first wing 314 may comprise supplementary gusset plates 3161 and 3162 connected to rectangular- shaped face 318a, additional to connection plate 316, to withstand exemplary external forces and toprevent buckling of load-bearing plate 318 during piling process. In an exemplary embodiment, each respective supplementary gusset plates 3161 and 3162 may be attached along two respective exemplary lateral edges 318c and 318d of load-bearing plate 318. In an exemplary embodiment, connection plate 316 may be attached to the middle of rectangular- shaped face 318a, while supplementary gusset plates 3161 and 3162 may be disposed at a distance Di from connection plate 316. In an exemplary embodiment, similar to connection plate 316, respective supplementary gusset plates 3161 and 3162 may also comprise a respective exemplary triangular- shaped plate which is configured to connect rectangular- shaped face 318a to external wall 108a of first portion 118 such that an exemplary joining edge 318b of rectangular- shaped face 318a is connected to external wall 108a of first portion 118 so load-bearing plate 318 is inclined with respect to longitudinal axis 110. In an exemplary embodiment, each respective supplementary gusset plates 3161 and 3162, and connection plate 316 may be substantially similar to one another. In an exemplary embodiment, each respective supplementary gusset plates 3161 and 3162, and connection plate 316 may be attached to load-bearing plate 318 in a parallel arrangement.

[0072] FIG. 4A illustrates a detailed view 400 of third exemplary arrangement of exemplary wings mounted on an exemplary barbed pile, FIG. 4B illustrates a cross-sectional view 402 of third exemplary arrangement of exemplary wings in combination with exemplary auxiliary plates along section D-D depicted in FIG. 4A, and FIG. 4C illustrates an exploded view 404 of third exemplary arrangement of exemplary wings in combination with an exemplary auxiliary plate, consistent with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, barbed pile 101 may further comprise a plurality of exemplary triangular- shaped auxiliary plates (e.g., triangular- shaped auxiliary plate 412). In an exemplary embodiment, triangular- shaped auxiliary plates may be configured to connect adjacent wings(e.g., first wings 3121 and 3122) of the plurality of wings 122 together. In an exemplary embodiment, each triangular- shaped auxiliary plate (e.g., triangular- shaped auxiliary plate 412) may have a complementary periphery to an exemplary space existing between two adjacent wings (e.g., first wings 3121 and 3122) to which it is connected. In an exemplary embodiment, each respective first wings 3121 and 3122 may be similar to first wing 312 or reinforced first wing 314, shown in FIGs. 3A-3E.

[0073] In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4A, third arrangement which comprises the plurality of first wings (i.e., first wing 312 as shown in FIG. 3A) in combination with the plurality of triangular- shaped auxiliary plates (i.e., triangular- shaped auxiliary plate 412 as shown in FIGs. 4A-4C) may define an exemplary shape similar to an exemplary truncated-cone shape 414 which partially surrounds first portion 118 of barbed pile 101. In an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary lower base 416 of truncated-cone shape 414 may have smaller diameter with respect to an exemplary upper base 418 thereof. As a result, third arrangement may help easily penetration of barbed pile 101 into the ground and increasing load-bearing capacity, while reducing future settlements.

[0074] In an exemplary embodiment, with further reference to FIG. 4B, triangularshaped auxiliary plate 412 may be attached to adjacent first wings 3121 and 3122, wherein adjacent first wings 3121 and 3122 are connected to open-ended hollow pipe 108 through connection plates 316. In an exemplary embodiment, there is an angular distance of P between an exemplary wing (e.g., first wing 3121 or 3122) and neighboring triangular- shaped auxiliary plate (e.g., triangular- shaped auxiliary plate 412). In an exemplary embodiment, there is an angular distance equal to twice of P (i.e., 2P) between neighboring wings (e.g., first wing 3121 or 3122). In an exemplary embodiment, there is an angular distance equal to twice of P (i.e., 2P) between neighboring triangular- shaped auxiliary plates.

[0075] In an exemplary embodiment, with further reference to FIG. 4C, each respective triangular- shaped auxiliary plate 412 of the plurality of triangular- shaped auxiliary plates may comprise two exemplary lateral edges 412a and 412b. In an exemplary embodiment, each respective lateral edge (e.g., lateral edge 412a and 412b) of the two lateral edges may be connected to a respective lateral edge (e.g., lateral edge 3121a and 3122a, respectively) of the corresponding load-bearing plate (e.g., load-bearing plate 3121 and 3122, respectively) utilizing permanent or temporary fastening means such as weld, bolt, rivet, etc., or a combination thereof.

[0076] FIG. 5A illustrates a detailed partial view 500 of fourth exemplary arrangement of exemplary wings mounted on an exemplary barbed pile, consistent with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, fourth exemplary arrangement may comprise a plurality of exemplary second wings (e.g., second wing 512) which are circumferentially distributed around open-ended hollow pipe 108. In an exemplary embodiment, second wings may be arranged around first portion 118 of barbed pile 101. In an exemplary embodiment, second wings may be arranged around first portion 118 of barbed pile 101 at equal intervals.

[0077] FIG. 5B illustrates a detailed partial view 502 of fifth exemplary arrangement of exemplary wings mounted on an exemplary barbed pile, consistent with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, fifth exemplary arrangement may comprise a plurality of exemplary reinforced second wings (e.g., reinforced second wing 514) which are circumferentially distributed around open-ended hollow pipe 108. In an exemplary embodiment, reinforced second wings may be arranged around first portion 118 of barbed pile 101. In an exemplary embodiment, reinforced second wings may be arranged around first portion 118 of barbed pile 101 at equal intervals.

[0078] FIG. 5C illustrates a side view 504 of an exemplary second wing 512, and FIG. 5D illustrates a cross-sectional view 506 of the second wing along section E-E depicted in FIG. 5C, consistent with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, each respective second wing (e.g., second wing 512) may comprise at least one exemplary connection plate 516 and at least one exemplary load-bearing plate 518. In an exemplary embodiment, connection plate 516 may be configured to connect load-bearing plate 518 to open-ended hollow pipe 108. In an exemplary embodiment, connection plate 516 may comprise an exemplary rectangular- shaped connection plate, as shown in FIG. 5C, comprising an exemplary first edge 516a and an exemplary second edge 516b. In an exemplary embodiment, load-bearing plate 518 may comprise an exemplary first face, wherein the exemplary first face may be an exemplary rectangular- shaped face 518a, and exemplary two lateral edges 518b and 518c.

[0079] In an exemplary embodiment, with further reference to FIGs. 5C-5D, rectangular- shaped connection plate of connection plate 516 may be configured to connect rectangular- shaped face 518a to open-ended hollow pipe 108 or to external wall 108a of first portion 118 such that load-bearing plate 518 is parallel to longitudinal axis 110. In an exemplary embodiment, first edge 516a may be connected to open-ended hollow pipe 108 and second edge 516b may be connected to rectangular- shaped face 518a. In an exemplary embodiment, first edge 516a may be connected to external wall 108a of first portion 118 and second edge 516b may be connected to rectangular- shaped face 518a.

[0080] FIG. 5E illustrates a cross-sectional view 508 of an exemplary second wing 512 having exemplary supplementary gusset plates, along section E-E depicted in FIG. 5C, consistent with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, reinforced second wings may be utilized for penetrating into ground in which soilis stiffer and / or denser. In an exemplary embodiment, each respective reinforced second wing 514 may comprise supplementary gusset plates 5161 and 5162 connected to rectangular- shaped face 518a, additional to connection plate 516, to withstand exemplary external forces and to prevent buckling of lateral edges 518b and 518c of load-bearing plate 518, during piling process. In an exemplary embodiment, each respective supplementary gusset plates 5161 and 5162 may be attached along two respective exemplary lateral edges 518c and 518d of loadbearing plate 518. In an exemplary embodiment, connection plate 516 may be attached to the middle of rectangular- shaped face 518a, while supplementary gusset plates 5161 and 5162 may be disposed at a distance D2 from connection plate 516. In an exemplary embodiment, similar to connection plate 516, respective supplementary gusset plates 5161 and 5162 may also comprise a respective exemplary rectangular- shaped plate which is configured to connect rectangular- shaped face 518a to external wall 108a of first portion 118 through respective first edges 5161a and 5162a. In an exemplary embodiment, each respective supplementary gusset plates 5161 and 5162, and connection plate 516 may be substantially similar to one another. In an exemplary embodiment, each respective supplementary gusset plates 5161 and 5162, and connection plate 516 may be attached to load-bearing plate 518 in a parallel arrangement. In an exemplary embodiment, supplementary gusset plates 5161 and 5162, additional to connection plate 516, may be capable of inserting shear forces to obstacles (e.g., stiff lumps, hard veins, clods, clumps, etc., of soil) in the ground at the target location for dealing with said obstacles. As a result, fourth and fifth arrangement may help easily penetration of barbed pile 101 into the ground and increasing load-bearing capacity, while reducing future settlements.

[0081] FIG. 6A illustrates a detailed partial view 600 of sixth exemplary arrangement of exemplary wings mounted on an exemplary barbed pile 101, and FIG. 6B illustrates a crosssectional view 602 of the sixth exemplary arrangement of exemplary wings in combinationwith exemplary auxiliary plates along section F-F depicted in FIG. 6A, consistent with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, barbed pile 101 may further comprise a plurality of exemplary auxiliary plates (e.g., auxiliary plate 614). In an exemplary embodiment, sixth exemplary arrangement may comprise a plurality of exemplary third wings (e.g., third wing 612) and a plurality of exemplary auxiliary plates (e.g., auxiliary plate 614) which are circumferentially distributed around open-ended hollow pipe 108. In an exemplary embodiment, third wings in combination with auxiliary plates may be arranged around first portion 118 of barbed pile 101. In an exemplary embodiment, third wings in combination with auxiliary plates may be arranged around first portion 118 of barbed pile 101 at equal intervals. In an exemplary embodiment, with continued reference to FIGs. 6A-6B, in sixth arrangement, every third wing (e.g., third wing 612) may be connected to two auxiliary plates 6141 and 6142. In an exemplary embodiment, between two successive auxiliary plates, there is either a third wing or nothing.

[0082] FIG. 6C illustrates an exploded view 604 of sixth exemplary arrangement of an exemplary wing in combination with two exemplary auxiliary plates, consistent with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, third wing 612 may comprise at least one exemplary connection plate and at least one exemplary load-bearing plate 616. In an exemplary embodiment, connection plate in sixth arrangement may comprise a triangular- shaped connection plate connecting load-bearing plate 616 to open-ended hollow pipe 108 or to external wall 108a of first portion 118. In an exemplary embodiment, the exemplary triangular- shaped connection plate utilized in sixth arrangement may be similar to triangular- shaped connection plate 316 shown in FIG. 3C. In an exemplary embodiment, loadbearing plate 616 may comprise an exemplary first face 616a.

[0083] In an exemplary embodiment, with continued reference to FIG. 6C, an exemplary cross-sectional view 612a of third wing 612 is illustrated. In an exemplary embodiment, first face 616a may comprise two non-parallel edges 616c and 616d. In an exemplary embodiment, in sixth arrangement, each pair of auxiliary plates (e.g., auxiliary plates 6141 and 6142) may be connected to a respective wing (e.g., third wing 612) of the plurality of wings, wherein respective opposite surfaces of each pair of the auxiliary plates (e.g., opposite surfaces 6141a and 6142a, respectively) may be connected to respective two non-parallel edges (e.g., two nonparallel edges 616d and 616c, respectively) of trapezoidal-shaped face 616. For example, edge 616c of trapezoidal- shaped face 616 may be connected to surface 6142a of auxiliary plate 6142 and edge 616d of trapezoidal- shaped face 616 may be connected to surface 6141a of auxiliary plate 6141.

[0084] FIG. 6D illustrates a front view 606 of an exemplary third wing along section G- G depicted in FIG. 6B, consistent with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, the first face 616a of load-bearing plate 616 may be an exemplary trapezoidal-shaped face, wherein triangular- shaped connection plate 316 may be configured to connect trapezoidal- shaped face 616a to external wall 108a of first portion 118 such that either edge of two parallel edges 616b and 616e of the trapezoidal- shaped face is connected to external wall 108a of first portion 118 so load-bearing plate 616 may be inclined with respect to longitudinal axis 110 (in sixth arrangement shown in FIGs. 6A-6D, edge 616b may be connected to external wall 108a of first portion 118).

[0085] FIG. 6E illustrates a side view 608 of an exemplary auxiliary plate 6141, consistent with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, auxiliary plate 6141 may be an exemplary irregular pentagon plate comprising a pair of parallel edges 608a and 608b, and an exemplary third edge 608c which defines anobtuse exterior angle e with either one of the parallel edges 608a and 608b with which third edge 608c has an exemplary common vertex 618 (i.e., third edge 608c defines an obtuse exterior angle e with edge 608b). In an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary edge of parallel edges 608a and 608b which doesn’t have any common vertex with third edge 608c is connected to open-ended hollow pipe 108 or external wall 108a of first portion 118 (i.e., edge 608a of parallel edges 608a and 608b which doesn’t have any common vertex with third edge 608c is connected to open-ended hollow pipe 108 or external wall 108a of first portion 118).

[0086] FIG. 7A illustrates a detailed partial view 700 of seventh exemplary arrangement of exemplary wings mounted on an exemplary barbed pile 101, FIG. 7B illustrates an exploded view 702 of the seventh exemplary arrangement, consistent with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, barbed pile 101 may further comprising a plurality of exemplary auxiliary plates 712, each auxiliary plate (e.g., auxiliary plate 7121 and 7122) of the plurality of auxiliary plates 712 may comprise an exemplary sector of an exemplary ring-shaped plate extending between an exemplary inner edge (e.g., inner edge 7121a and 7122a) and an exemplary outer edge (e.g., outer edge 7121b and 7122b), as shown in FIG. 7B. In an exemplary embodiment, each respective sector may be circumferentially connected to and distributed around open-ended hollow pipe 108 or external wall 108a of first portion 118.

[0087] In an exemplary embodiment, auxiliary plates 712 may be mutually similar to one another. In an exemplary embodiment, auxiliary plates 712 may be configured to connect adjacent wings (e.g., wings 3123 and 3124) of the plurality of wings 122 together. In an exemplary embodiment each respective inner edge (e.g., inner edge 7121a and 7122a) of respective auxiliary plates (e.g., auxiliary plate 7121 and 7122) may have similar degree of curvature with one another. In an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary degree of curvatureof each respective inner edge (e.g., inner edge 7121a and 7122a) may be equal to an exemplary degree of curvature of external wall 108a at respective interface between each respective inner edge and external wall 108a. In an exemplary embodiment, between every two neighboring auxiliary plates (e.g., auxiliary plates 7121 and 7122), there is an exemplary gap 716.

[0088] In an exemplary embodiment, in seventh arrangement, a plurality of external stiffeners 714 may be utilized to prevent buckling of auxiliary plates 712 during piling process. In an exemplary embodiment, external stiffeners 714 may be arranged radially and at equal intervals around open-ended hollow pipe 108 or external wall 108a of first portion 118. In an exemplary embodiment, external stiffeners (e.g., external stiffeners 7141 and 7142) may be similar to stiffener elements (e.g., stiffener element 126) shown in FIG. 1C. In an exemplary embodiment, each external stiffener (e.g., external stiffeners 7141) may comprise an exemplary lateral edge (e.g., lateral edge 7141a) and an exemplary base edge (e.g., base edge 7141b), wherein respective lateral edge (e.g., lateral edge 7141a) may be connected to open-ended hollow pipe 108, while respective base edge (e.g., base edge 7141b) may be connected to an auxiliary plate of the plurality of auxiliary plates 712.

[0089] In an exemplary embodiment, each respective wings (e.g., wing 3123 and 3124) utilized in seventh arrangement may be similar to first wing 312 or reinforced first wing 314 shown in FIGs. 3A-3E. In an exemplary embodiment, each respective wings (e.g., wing 3123 and 3124) utilized in seventh arrangement may be similar to third wing 612 shown in FIGs. 6A-6D. In an exemplary embodiment, in seventh arrangement, the plurality of wings 122 may be attached to open-ended hollow pipe 108 through a plurality of connection plates. In an exemplary embodiment, triangular- shaped connection plates similar to triangular- shaped connection plate 316 (shown in FIG. 3C) may be utilized in seventh arrangement. In an exemplary embodiment, respective triangular- shaped connection plates of respective wings(e.g., wing 3123 and 3124) may be disposed between every two adjacent sectors (e.g., auxiliary plate 7121 and 7122) such that the respective triangular- shaped connection plate fills an exemplary gap (e.g., gap 716) existing between the two adjacent sectors.

[0090] FIG. 8A illustrates a perspective view 800 of eighth exemplary arrangement of exemplary wings, and FIG. 8B illustrates a top view 802 of the eighth exemplary arrangement of exemplary wings along section H-H depicted in FIG. 8A, consistent with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, eighth arrangement of exemplary wings may comprise a first plurality of wings 812 which are disposed in an exemplary first row and a second plurality of wings 814 disposed in an exemplary second row. In an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary row may be defined as corresponding locations where each respective wing of a plurality of wings is substantially mounted at a same height from open tip. In an exemplary embodiment, first plurality of wings 812 may comprise exemplary wings 8121-8124, wherein there is an exemplary angular distance pi between every two adjacent wings. In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8B, angular distance pi may be equal to 90 degrees. In an exemplary embodiment, second plurality of wings 814 may comprise exemplary wings 8141-8144, wherein there is an exemplary angular distance p2 between every two adjacent wings. In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8B, angular distance p2 may be equal to 90 degrees. In an exemplary embodiment, each respective wings of first plurality of wings 812 may define an angular distance ps with corresponding wings of second plurality of wings 814.

[0091] FIG. 9A illustrates a schematic implementation of an exemplary soil reinforcement method 900 at an exemplary target location by utilizing an exemplary barbed pile, and FIG. 9B illustrates a flowchart 902 of an exemplary soil reinforcement method 900 at a target location, consistent with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In anexemplary embodiment, method 900 may comprise: inserting barbed pile 101 at an exemplary target location 904 (step 912a); generating a bore 903 at target location 904 by driving barbed pile 101 into the ground at target location 904 utilizing an exemplary vibratory hammer 924, until barbed pile 101 reaches an exemplary interface 910 between two exemplary soil layers 906 and 908 (step 916a); proceeding to generate bore 903 by driving barbed pile 101 into the ground at target location 904 utilizing an exemplary impact hammer 926, until barbed pile 101 penetrates to a desired depth level (step 916b); inserting an exemplary reinforcement component 928 into second portion 120 of barbed pile 101 (step 918a); and filling second portion 120 of barbed pile 101 with a composite material 932 (step 920a).

[0092] In an exemplary embodiment, the ground at target location 904 may comprise various soil layers, wherein each layer may have different characteristics. In an exemplary embodiment, the ground at target location 904 may comprise an exemplary top layer 906 and an exemplary bottom layer 908. In an exemplary embodiment, soil layers along coastline or sea or ocean beds may often comprise of sand and clay. In an exemplary embodiment, top layer 906 of the ground may comprise at least one of dense sand, loose sand, stiff clay, and soft clay. In an exemplary embodiment, bottom layer 908 of the ground may mostly comprise of stiff clay or dense sand. In an exemplary embodiment, barbed pile 101 may be utilized to be inserted into the grounds, wherein top layer 906 mostly comprises of soft clay.

[0093] In an exemplary embodiment, step 912a in FIG. 9A may correspond to step 912 of method 900 in FIG. 9B. In an exemplary embodiment, steps 916a and 916b in FIG. 9A may correspond to step 916 of method 900 in FIG. 9B. In an exemplary embodiment, step 918a in FIG. 9A may correspond to step 918 of method 900 in FIG. 9B. In an exemplary embodiment, step 920a in FIG.9A may correspond to step 920 of method 900 in FIG. 9B.

[0094] In an exemplary embodiment, with further reference to FIGs. 9A-9B, step 912 may comprise inserting barbed pile 101 at target location 904. In an exemplary embodiment, in order to implement step 912 of method 900, various geotechnical investigations may be conducted to determine physical and mechanical characteristics (such as, strength, density, permeability, etc.) of soil layers at target location 904. In an exemplary embodiment, it should be appreciated that various properties of barbed pile 101 such as physical and mechanical properties may depend on physical and mechanical characteristics of soil layers. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, based on the fact that whether top layer 906 at target location 904 is mostly comprised of sand or soft clay, an exemplary blocking plate (e.g., blocking plate 128) may or may not comprise exemplary apertures. In an exemplary embodiment, barbed pile 101 may be manufactured according to characteristics of soil layers of target location 904. In an exemplary embodiment, barbed pile 101 may be inserted at target location 904 utilizing conventional piling rigs.

[0095] In an exemplary embodiment, step 916 may comprise generating bore 903 at target location 904 by driving barbed pile 101 into the ground at target location 904 utilizing an exemplary vibratory hammer 924, until barbed pile 101 reaches an exemplary interface 910 between two exemplary soil layers 906 and 908 (step 916a); and proceeding to generate bore 903 by driving barbed pile 101 into the ground at target location 904 utilizing an exemplary impact hammer 926, until barbed pile 101 penetrates to a desired depth level (step 916b). In an exemplary embodiment, in order to implement step 916 of method 900, barbed pile 101 in step 916a may be driven into top layer 906 by utilizing vibratory hammer 924. In an exemplary embodiment, by driving barbed pile 101 into top layer 906, some soils may be forced into internal channel 108b of first portion 118. In an exemplary embodiment, as barbed pile 101 is driven deeply into top layer 906, soils in internal channel 108b of first portion 118 may becompressed or compacted because of restriction plate 116. In an exemplary embodiment, when top layer 906 is mostly comprised of soft soils such as soft clay, restriction plate 116 may seal first portion 118 from second portion 120 by at least one blocking plate 128 or two semielliptical shaped plates 212a and 212b. In an exemplary embodiment, compressed soils may be discharged from internal channel 108b of first portion 118 into an exemplary interface (not labeled) between bore 903 and barbed pile 101 at first portion 118, through perforations (e.g., perforation 124, 1241, 1242), preventing plugging of soft or loose soils in internal channel 108b of first portion 118 and allowing barbed pile 101 to penetrate deeply into the ground. It should be appreciated that discharging of soils into the interface between bore 903 and barbed pile 101 may increase load-carrying capacity and decrease future settlements.

[0096] In an exemplary embodiment, when barbed pile reaches interface 910, forces exerted on barbed pile by vibratory hammer 924 may not be enough to drive barbed pile 101 deeper into bottom layer 908, because bottom layer 908 may often comprise stiff clay soils. In an exemplary embodiment, vibratory hammer 924 may be changed with impact hammer 926 in order to force barbed pile 101 to penetrate into bottom layer 908. In an exemplary embodiment, it should be appreciated that as barbed pile 101 is driven into bottom layer 908, soils of top layer 906 remained in internal channel 108b of first portion 118 may be discharged through perforations (e.g., perforation 124, 1241, 1242, etc.), because of the pressure of bottom layer soils’ intrusion. In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of wings 122 of barbed pile 101 may penetrate into bottom layer 908, fixing barbed pile 101 at target location 904, increasing load-carrying capacity and preventing barbed pile’s movements or settlements.

[0097] In an exemplary embodiment, when top layer 906 is mostly comprised of loose or dense soils such as sand, step 916 may comprise conducting soils entered in internal channel108b of first portion 118 from first portion 118 to second portion 120 by providing at least oneaperture (not labeled in figures) in blocking plate 128, wherein blocking plate 128 comprises a complementary shape to a cross-section of internal channel 108b of open-ended hollow pipe 108. In an exemplary embodiment, step 916 may further comprise flushing soils out of internal channel 108b of second portion 120, in order to prepare second portion 120 for next steps of method 900.

[0098] In an exemplary embodiment, step 918 may comprise inserting reinforcement component 928 into second portion 120 of barbed pile 101. In an exemplary embodiment, in order to implement step 918 of method 900, reinforcement component 928 may be mounted in internal channel 108b of second portion 120. In an exemplary embodiment, reinforcement component 928 may comprise a plurality of exemplary rebars encompassed by an exemplary spiral reinforcement or an exemplary reinforcement cage.

[0099] In an exemplary embodiment, step 920 may comprise filling second portion 120 of barbed pile 101 with a composite material 932. In an exemplary embodiment, in order to implement step 920 of method 900, composite material 932 such as concrete, grout, etc., is injected into internal channel 108b of second portion 120 by utilizing an exemplary pipe and hopper or an exemplary tremie pipe 930. In an exemplary embodiment, tremie pipe 930 may inject composite material 932 over restriction plate 116 in internal channel 108b of second portion 120. In an exemplary embodiment, when composite material 932 in barbed pile 101 is solidified, a plurality of barbed piles, such as barbed pile 101, will be prepared for use as an exemplary foundation for construction.[000100] While the foregoing has described what are considered to be the best mode and / or other examples, it is understood that various modifications may be made therein and that the subject matter disclosed herein may be implemented in various forms and examples, and that the teachings may be applied in numerous applications, only some of which have beendescribed herein. It is intended by the following claims to claim any and all applications, modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the present teachings.[000101] Unless otherwise stated, all measurements, values, ratings, positions, magnitudes, sizes, and other specifications that are set forth in this specification, including in the claims that follow, are approximate, not exact. They are intended to have a reasonable range that is consistent with the functions to which they relate and with what is customary in the art to which they pertain.[000102] The scope of protection is limited solely by the claims that now follow. That scope is intended and should be interpreted to be as broad as is consistent with the ordinary meaning of the language that is used in the claims when interpreted in light of this specification and the prosecution history that follows and to encompass all structural and functional equivalents. Notwithstanding, none of the claims are intended to embrace subject matter that fails to satisfy the requirement of Sections 101, 102, or 103 of the Patent Act, nor should they be interpreted in such a way. Any unintended embracement of such subject matter is hereby disclaimed.[000103] Except as stated immediately above, nothing that has been stated or illustrated is intended or should be interpreted to cause a dedication of any component, step, feature, object, benefit, advantage, or equivalent to the public, regardless of whether it is or is not recited in the claims.[000104] It will be understood that the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions with respect to their corresponding respective areas of inquiry and study except where specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein. Relational terms such as first and second and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. An element proceeded by“a” or “an” does not, without further constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.[000105] It will be understood that the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions with respect to their corresponding respective areas of inquiry and study, except where specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein. Relational terms such as “first” and “second” and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions.[000106] The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it may be seen that various features are grouped together in various implementations. This is for purposes of streamlining the disclosure, and is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed implementations require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed implementation. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.[000107] While various implementations have been described, the description is intended to be exemplary, rather than limiting and it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more implementations and implementations are possible that are within the scope of the implementations. Although many possible combinations of features are shown in the accompanying figures and discussed in this detailed description, many other combinations of the disclosed features are possible. Any feature of any implementation may be used incombination with or substituted for any other feature or element in any other implementation unless specifically restricted. Therefore, it will be understood that any of the features shown and / or discussed in the present disclosure may be implemented together in any suitable combination. Accordingly, the implementations are not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents. Also, various modifications and changes may be made within the scope of the attached claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A barbed pile for soil reinforcement at a target location, the barbed pile comprising: an open-ended hollow pipe comprising an internal channel extending along a longitudinal axis of the barbed pile, between an open tip of the barbed pile and an open end thereof, the open- ended hollow pipe configured to be inserted into a ground at the target location; a restriction plate comprising at least one blocking plate, wherein a periphery of the at least one blocking plate is connected to the internal channel and comprises a complementary shape to a cross section of the internal channel, the restriction plate is configured to divide the internal channel into two portions, the two portions comprising: a first portion spanned between the restriction plate and the open tip; and a second portion spanned between the restriction plate and the open end; a plurality of perforations disposed in the first portion, wherein each respective perforation of the plurality of perforations defines a passage between the internal channel of the first portion and the external wall thereof; and a plurality of wings arranged circumferentially around the external wall of the first portion, each respective wing of the plurality of wings comprising: at least one connection plate comprising a first edge and a second edge, wherein the first edge is connected to the external wall of the first portion; at least one load-bearing plate comprising a first face, the first face connected to the second edge of the connection plate.

2. The barbed pile of claim 1, wherein the blocking plate comprises at least one aperture configured to conduct the soil from the first portion to the second portion.

3. The barbed pile of claim 1, wherein the restriction plate further comprises a plurality of stiffener elements connecting a second- side surface of the blocking plate to the internal channel of thesecond portion, wherein the plurality of stiffeners is configured to prevent buckling of the blocking plate.

4. The barbed pile of claim 1, wherein the restriction plate comprises two blocking plates, each respective blocking plate of the two blocking plates comprises a respective semi-elliptical shaped surface, each respective semi-elliptical shaped surface comprising: a respective first edge being parallel to a minor axis of the semi-elliptical shaped surface; and a respective curved edge, wherein the respective first edges of the respective two blocking plates are connected to one another such that the respective curved edges of the respective two blocking plates is connected to the internal channel of the open-ended hollow pipe sealing the second portion from the first portion.

5. The barbed pile of claim 1, wherein at least two perforations of the plurality of perforations are rectangular and disposed in front of each other on opposite sides of the first portion.

6. The barbed pile of claim 1, wherein the at least one connection plate comprises a triangularshaped connection plate and the first face of the at least one load-bearing plate is a rectangularshaped face, the triangular- shaped connection plate is configured to connect the rectangularshaped face to the external wall of the first portion such that a joining edge of the rectangularshaped face is connected to the external wall of the first portion so the at least one load-bearing plate is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis.

7. The barbed pile of claim 6 further comprising a plurality of triangular- shaped auxiliary plates configured to connect adjacent wings of the plurality of wings together, each respective triangularshaped auxiliary plate of the plurality of triangular- shaped auxiliary plates comprising two lateral edges, wherein each respective lateral edge of the two lateral edges is connected to a respective lateral edge of the corresponding at least one load-bearing plate.

8. The barbed pile of claim 6 further comprising a plurality of auxiliary plates, each auxiliary plate of the plurality of auxiliary plates comprising a sector of a ring-shaped plate, wherein each respective sector is circumferentially connected to and distributed around the external wall of the first portion, wherein the respective triangular- shaped connection plate is disposed between every two adjacent sectors such that the respective triangular- shaped connection plate fills a gap which exists between the two adjacent sectors.

9. The barbed pile of claim 1, wherein the at least one connection plate comprises a rectangularshaped connection plate and the first face of the at least one load-bearing plate is a rectangularshaped face, the rectangular- shaped connection plate is configured to connect the rectangularshaped face to the external wall of the first portion such that the at least one load-bearing plate is parallel to the longitudinal axis.

10. The barbed pile of claim 1, wherein the at least one connection plate comprises a triangularshaped connection plate and the first face of the at least one load-bearing plate is a trapezoidalshaped face, wherein the triangular- shaped connection plate is configured to connect the trapezoidal- shaped face to the external wall of the first portion such that either edge of two parallel edges of the trapezoidal- shaped face is connected to the external wall of the first portion so the at least one load-bearing plate is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis.

11. The barbed pile of claim 10 further comprising a plurality of auxiliary plates, each pair of the auxiliary plates of the plurality of auxiliary plates connected to a respective wing of the plurality of wings, wherein respective opposite surfaces of each pair of the auxiliary plates are connected to respective two non-parallel edges of the trapezoidal-shaped face.

12. A method for soil reinforcement at a target location, the method comprising: generating a bore at the target location by driving a barbed pile into a ground at the target location until the barbed pile penetrates to a desired depth level, the barbed pile comprising:an open-ended hollow pipe comprising an internal channel extending along a longitudinal axis of the barbed pile, between an open tip of the barbed pile and an open end thereof, the open-ended hollow pipe configured to be inserted into a ground at the target location; a restriction plate comprising at least one blocking plate, wherein a periphery of the at least one blocking plate is connected to the internal channel and comprises a complementary shape to a cross section of the internal channel, the restriction plate is configured to divide the internal channel into two portions, the two portions comprising: a first portion spanned between the restriction plate and the open tip; and a second portion spanned between the restriction plate and the open end; a plurality of perforations disposed in the first portion, wherein each respective perforation of the plurality of perforations defines a passage between the internal channel of the first portion and the external wall thereof; and a plurality of wings arranged circumferentially around the external wall of the first portion, each respective wing of the plurality of wings comprising: at least one connection plate comprising a first edge and a second edge, wherein the first edge is connected to the external wall of the first portion; at least one load-bearing plate comprising a first face, the first face connected to the second edge of the connection plate; inserting a reinforcement component into the second portion of the barbed pile; and filling the second portion of the barbed pile with a composite material.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising: conducting the soil from the first portion to the second portion by providing at least one aperture in the blocking plate, wherein the blocking plate comprises a complementary shape to a cross-section of the internal channel of the open-ended hollow pipe; andflushing the soil out of the internal channel of the second portion.

14. The method of claim 12 further comprising compacting the soil in the internal channel of the first portion by sealing the second portion from the first portion utilizing the restriction plate, wherein the restriction plate comprises two blocking plates, each respective blocking plate of the two blocking plates comprises a semi-elliptical shaped surface, the semi-elliptical shaped surface comprising: a first edge being parallel to a minor axis of the semi-elliptical shaped surface; and a curved edge, wherein the respective first edges of the respective two blocking plates are connected to one another such that the respective curved edges of the respective two blocking plates is connected to the internal channel of the open-ended hollow pipe.

15. The method of claim 12 further comprising discharging the soil from the internal channel of the first portion into an interface between the bore and the barbed pile at the first portion through the plurality of perforations, wherein at least two perforations of the plurality of perforations are rectangular and disposed in front of each other on opposite sides of the first portion.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one connection plate comprises a triangularshaped connection plate and the first face of the at least one load-bearing plate is a rectangularshaped face, the triangular-shaped connection plate is configured to connect the rectangularshaped face to the external wall of the first portion such that a joining edge of the rectangularshaped face is connected to the external wall of the first portion so the at least one load-bearing plate is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the barbed pile further comprising a plurality of triangularshaped auxiliary plates configured to connect adjacent wings of the plurality of wings together, each respective triangular- shaped auxiliary plate of the plurality of triangular- shaped auxiliaryplates comprising two lateral edges, wherein each respective lateral edge of the two lateral edges is connected to a respective lateral edge of the corresponding at least one load-bearing plate.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the barbed pile further comprising a plurality of auxiliary plates, each auxiliary plate of the plurality of auxiliary plates comprising a sector of a ring-shaped plate, wherein each respective sector is circumferentially connected to and distributed around the external wall of the first portion, wherein the respective triangular- shaped connection plate is disposed between every two adjacent sectors such that the respective triangular- shaped connection plate fills a gap which exists between the two adjacent sectors.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one connection plate comprises a rectangularshaped connection plate and the first face of the at least one load-bearing plate is a rectangularshaped face, the rectangular-shaped connection plate is configured to connect the rectangularshaped face to the external wall of the first portion such that the at least one load-bearing plate is parallel to the longitudinal axis.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the barbed pile further comprising a plurality of auxiliary plates, each pair of the auxiliary plates of the plurality of auxiliary plates connected to a respective wing of the plurality of wings, wherein: the at least one connection plate comprises a triangular-shaped connection plate; the first face of the at least one load-bearing plate is a trapezoidal- shaped face, the triangular- shaped connection plate is configured to connect the trapezoidal-shaped face to the external wall of the first portion such that either edge of two parallel edges of the trapezoidalshaped face is connected to the external wall of the first portion so the at least one load-bearing plate is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis; and respective opposite surfaces of each pair of the auxiliary plates are connected to respective two non-parallel edges of the trapezoidal-shaped face.

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