Building Lifting via Hydraulic Jacks and Guide Tubes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for raising building structures, such as those in Patent IT1303956B and WO2006016277A1, face challenges with severe stress on large or irregularly structured buildings due to unpredictable sliding friction between foundation piles and guide tubes, leading to potential damage and instability during the lifting process.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a reinforcing mat of post-tensioned reinforced concrete with metal post-tensioning cables, distributed foundation piles, and a controlled lifting system using hydraulic jacks and symmetric work groups to minimize stress and friction, ensuring gradual and isostatic lifting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If foundation piles are driven into the ground and building structure is raised using known methods, then the building can be lifted to the desired height, but severe sliding friction occurs between the foundation pile shaft and guide tube, causing unpredictable stress and potential damage to the structure
Solution Approach 1:
A guide tube is introduced as an intermediary component between the foundation pile shaft and the building structure. The guide tube is fixed to the building structure and extends downward to receive the foundation pile shaft, allowing controlled relative movement while minimizing direct friction contact. This intermediary element protects the foundation pile shaft from severe sliding friction during the lifting operation.
2Reliability
If the building structure is raised using static thrust methods, then the structure can be lifted, but severe stress is imposed on the building structure requiring major consolidation work
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting method transitions from purely static thrust to a dynamic process where the building structure is first tilted at a controlled angle using hydraulic jacks, then gradually raised to the vertical position. This dynamic approach allows stress to be distributed and controlled throughout the lifting process, reducing peak stresses and eliminating the need for major consolidation work.
3Stress or pressure
If three equal symmetrical work groups are used for isostatic lifting, then stress on the building structure is reduced, but accurate determination of the barycentre is required which is difficult for historic or irregular buildings
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting system accepts and accommodates asymmetric configurations of hydraulic jacks and foundation piles rather than requiring symmetric three-group arrangements. The method allows jacks to be positioned at various locations around the building perimeter, with the control system adjusting individual jack operations to achieve balanced lifting without needing precise barycentre determination or symmetric geometry.
4Reliability
If foundation piles are driven individually before lifting, then each pile can be properly installed, but the lifting process becomes time-consuming and the structure remains vulnerable to friction damage
Solution Approach 1:
Foundation piles are driven into the ground at all intended locations before the lifting operation begins, and the guide tubes are pre-installed and fixed to the building structure. This preliminary preparation ensures that during the actual lifting process, the foundation pile shafts can immediately engage with the pre-positioned guide tubes, eliminating delays during lifting and preventing friction damage from uncontrolled movement.
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 solution effectively reduces mechanical stress on the building structure during lifting, prevents damage from sliding friction, and allows for precise control of the lift, ensuring structural integrity and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a static thrust is applied between the foundation piles and the building structure by means of lifting devices, in turn comprising hydraulic jacks
Implementation Method 2
severe sliding friction may occur between the shaft of the foundation pile and the guide tube when raising the building structure
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of raising a building structure (1) with respect to the ground (2); the method including the steps of : forming a mat (7) having a number of through holes (12), each surrounded by a number of upward- projecting ties (16); inserting a foundation pile (9) through each hole (12); attaching to each foundation pile (9) a lifting device (11), which on one side rests on the top end of the foundation pile (9), and on the other side is secured to the corresponding ties (16) which act as reaction members; exerting thrust on the foundation piles (9) by means of the lifting devices (11) to lift the building structure (1) with respect to the ground (2); dividing lift of the building structure (1) into a succession of lift steps; establishing a predetermined lift value for each lift step; and, at each lift step, operating each lifting device (11) to expand the lifting device (11) by exactly the predetermined lift step value.