Aerosol Injection for Soft Soil Foundation Consolidation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The drainage consolidation heap preloading method for soft soil foundations is limited by low permeability, shallow effective processing depth, long construction periods, significant post-construction settlement, and difficulty in repairing drainage facilities.

Innovation Solution

The method involves creating a drainage channel, bed course, and protective casing, followed by injecting an aerosol solution, such as polyacrylamide-based aerosol, under high pressure to increase permeability and strength of the soil, forming a horizontal drainage channel and accelerating consolidation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If drainage consolidation heap preloading method is used, then soil consolidation is accelerated, but the effective processing depth is limited and construction period is extended

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconsolidation speedVSAvoidprocessing depth
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs aerosol injection technology to deliver treatment agents deep into the soil foundation through pressurized gas-liquid mixture injection. This pneumatic-hydraulic approach enables deep soil penetration and effective treatment at greater depths, resolving the contradiction between consolidation speed and processing depth by enabling simultaneous acceleration of consolidation and extension of treatment depth through the aerosol delivery system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state of the treatment agent from liquid to aerosol (gas-liquid mixture), which improves penetration capability and distribution efficiency in the soil. This parameter change enables the treatment to reach deeper layers while maintaining effective concentration, thus achieving both accelerated consolidation and extended processing depth

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If traditional drainage consolidation method is used, then construction is simplified, but construction period is significantly extended

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstruction simplicityVSAvoidconstruction period
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The aerosol injection method replaces complex multi-stage construction procedures with a streamlined pressurized injection process. The gas-liquid aerosol system enables rapid delivery of treatment agents through pre-drilled holes, significantly reducing construction time while maintaining ease of implementation through standardized injection equipment and procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements continuous aerosol injection throughout the treatment period, maintaining constant action on the soil foundation. This continuous treatment approach accelerates consolidation progress without requiring multiple construction phases, thereby reducing overall construction period while keeping the process simple and manageable

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Speed

If heap preloading is applied, then consolidation is accelerated, but post-construction settlement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconsolidation speedVSAvoidpost-construction settlement
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the soil through aerosol injection, including moisture content, density, and permeability. These parameter changes improve soil structure and reduce compressibility, enabling accelerated consolidation while minimizing future settlement. The aerosol treatment modifies soil properties to achieve both rapid initial consolidation and long-term stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite aerosol formulations containing multiple active ingredients that work synergistically to improve soil properties. The composite treatment approach addresses multiple soil characteristics simultaneously, achieving rapid consolidation while enhancing long-term stability and reducing post-construction settlement through combined chemical and physical effects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enhances soil permeability and strength, deepens processing depth, reduces construction time, and minimizes post-construction settlement, while being environmentally friendly and cost-effective.

Implementation Method 1

forming the aerosol by the aerosol solution in the aerosol generator under high pressure, introducing the aerosol into the injection pipe under pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAerosol formation: Aerosol

Implementation Method 2

injecting the aerosol to the soft soil foundation to be processed under high pressure by the injection pipe

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

the permeability coefficient of softer soil is extremely low, the order of magnitude is 10 -7 cm/s

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Data Source

PatentEP3564444B1Method employing aerosol to perform disturbance processing on soft soil foundation
Publication Date: 2022.01.05 WU HUIMING
  • EP3564444B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3564444B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3564444B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Provided is a method employing an aerosol to perform disturbance processing on a soft soil foundation. After a drain (1), a bed course (2), a gutter (3), and a protective casing or a punched channel (4) have been arranged, an injection pipe (8) is inserted into the protective casing or the punched channel (4) to atomize a liquid or solid aerosol material in an aerosol generator (7) so as to form an aerosol, and high pressure injection is performed to inject the same into a soil mass.