Anchor Pile Mechanical Locking for Immediate Borehole Securement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ground anchors require significant curing time for settable materials to develop sufficient bond strength, leading to structural downtime, and mechanical anchors are less efficient and limited by ground conditions.
Innovation Solution
An onshore anchoring system using an anchor pile with protruding portions and locking media to create an annular gap, providing frictional resistance for immediate securement within a borehole without curing time, adaptable to various ground conditions and capable of supporting high loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If settable materials (grout, cement, resins) are used to secure ground anchors, then sufficient bond strength is achieved, but significant curing time (several days or weeks) is required resulting in structural downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical bonding mechanisms (settable materials requiring curing time) with a mechanical locking system. The anchor pile features protruding portions that create annular gaps, into which locking media are inserted to provide immediate mechanical interlocking and frictional resistance, eliminating the need for chemical curing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor pile is segmented with multiple protruding portions along its length, each creating separate annular gaps for locking media. This segmentation allows the locking force to be distributed at multiple levels within the borehole, providing both immediate mechanical strength and adaptability to various ground conditions without requiring uniform chemical bonding throughout.
2Loss of time
If mechanical anchors are used to secure structures, then immediate loading is possible without curing time, but efficiency is reduced and adaptability to various ground conditions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor pile design combines features of both chemical and mechanical anchoring systems. The protruding portions with annular gaps can accommodate different types of locking media (rock fragments, metal chunks, concrete pieces) depending on ground conditions, while also providing immediate mechanical loading capability. This multi-functional design allows the same anchor pile structure to adapt to various ground types (rock, soil, mixed conditions) without requiring different anchor designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows modification of key parameters including the number, size, and spacing of protruding portions, as well as the type and size of locking media used in each annular gap. These parameter changes enable optimization for different load requirements and ground conditions while maintaining the immediate mechanical locking advantage.
3Loss of time
If mechanical anchors are embedded into the ground, then immediate loading is possible, but embedding distance is limited to between 1.2 m and 5 m
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying solely on horizontal embedding distance to provide anchoring capacity, the patent utilizes the vertical dimension by creating multiple annular gaps at different depths within the borehole. The protruding portions are distributed along the length of the anchor pile, allowing locking media to be positioned at multiple vertical levels, thereby increasing effective embedding depth beyond conventional mechanical anchor limitations.
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
The system enables immediate operation with structures, supports high loads, and is adaptable to diverse ground conditions, reducing downtime and environmental impact while maintaining secure anchorage.
Implementation Method 1
the anchor pile is locked in position within the borehole on receipt of locking media within the annular gap as a result of sufficient frictional resistance arising from the abutment of the locking media with the bearing surface and adjacent load bearing soil layers of the borehole
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an anchoring system (1) comprising an anchor pile (2) configured to be embedded in a borehole (30) drilled in a ground surface. The anchor pile (2) comprises an elongate main body (3) having a longitudinal axis (L) and comprising an upper end (4) and a lower end (5). The cross section of the elongate main body (3) increases along a portion of the longitudinal axis (L) in the direction from the upper end (4) to the lower end (5) defining at least one bearing surface (7a, 7b) such that in use an annular gap (32) for receiving locking media is defined between the at least one bearing surface (7a, 7b) and the adjacent portions of the borehole (30). The anchor pile (2) is locked in position within the borehole (30) on receipt of locking media within the annular gap (32) and abutment of the loose material with the bearing surface (7a, 7b).