Building Lifting via Post-Tensioned Mat and Segmented Piles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for raising buildings, such as those in Patent IT1303956B and WO2006016277A1, can cause severe stress on the building structure during the lifting phase, particularly in large or unusual structural situations, requiring significant consolidation work.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the construction of a reinforcing mat made of post-tensioned reinforced concrete, with foundation piles driven into the ground and connected to a pile-driving device, followed by a lifting device to raise the building, ensuring structural continuity and distributing loads effectively to minimize stress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a building is raised using conventional methods (driving piles individually into the ground before lifting), then the building can be raised above flood level or to increase height, but the building structure undergoes severe stress requiring major consolidation work

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrity during liftingVSAvoidsevere stress on building structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by constructing a reinforcing mat of post-tensioned concrete before the lifting operation. This mat is prepared in advance to provide structural support and load distribution during the subsequent pile driving and lifting phases, preventing severe stress on the building structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by creating a reinforcing mat made of post-tensioned reinforced concrete. This composite structure combines concrete with steel reinforcement and post-tensioning elements to achieve high structural strength and load-bearing capacity, enabling the building to withstand lifting stresses without major consolidation work.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If piles are driven individually into the ground before lifting, then the foundation is established, but the building structure is subjected to severe stress during the lifting phase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefoundation stabilityVSAvoidsevere stress on building structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcing mat is constructed in advance before pile driving begins. This preliminary action ensures that the mat is in place to distribute loads and provide structural continuity throughout the lifting operation, preventing severe stress on the building while maintaining foundation stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the foundation system into multiple components: the reinforcing mat, individual piles, and connecting elements. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the mat provides overall structural support and load distribution, while individual piles provide localized foundation stability, together preventing severe stress on the building.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a reinforcing mat of post-tensioned concrete is constructed before lifting, then stress on the building structure is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestress on building structureVSAvoidfoundation structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The post-tensioned reinforced concrete mat uses composite materials to achieve high structural efficiency. The combination of concrete, steel reinforcement, and post-tensioning elements creates a unified structure that reduces stress on the building while the modular nature of the composite system helps manage construction complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcing mat serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural continuity, distributes loads from the building, anchors the piles, and resists stresses during lifting. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby managing device complexity while effectively reducing stress on the building structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 method reduces stress on the building structure during lifting, allowing for safer and more efficient raising of buildings, especially large ones, by distributing loads and using post-tensioned concrete to maintain structural integrity.

Implementation Method 1

distributing loads effectively to minimize stress

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLoad distribution:

Implementation Method 2

a reinforcing mat made of post-tensioned reinforced concrete

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPost-tensioning:

Implementation Method 3

foundation piles driven into the ground and connected to a pile-driving device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact force: Impact Force

Implementation Method 4

a lifting device to raise the building

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP2021549B1Method of raising a building
Publication Date: 2016.08.17 SOLES TECH SOCIETA COOPERATIVA
  • EP2021549B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2021549B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2021549B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method of raising a building (1) with respect to the ground (2); the method including the steps of : forming a mat (7) having a number of through holes (12); inserting a foundation pile (9) through each hole (12); fitting each foundation pile (9) with a lifting device (11); exerting thrust on the foundation piles (9) by means of the lifting devices (11) to raise the building (1) with respect to the ground (2); and fixing each foundation pile (9) axially to the mat (7) once the building is raised; the lifting devices (11) are divided into three equivalent, symmetrical, independent work groups; and the lifting devices (11) of one work group at a time are activated simultaneously, so that the building (1) is raised isostatically, by simultaneously activating the lifting devices (11) of one work group at a time, while the lifting devices (11) of the other two work groups are left idle.