Buried Pipe Lifting for Precise In Situ Sag Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for repairing underground utilities, such as sewer pipes, fail to effectively address sags or dips without excavation, leading to debris accumulation and water infiltration, and lack precision in raising below-grade utilities regardless of soil type.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for in situ relocation of underground utilities using lifting members and extensible brackets that insert into the ground alongside the utility, allowing for precise staged movement and lifting without excavation, utilizing hydraulic rams and hydro-excavation to create voids for grout placement and stabilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If compaction grouting or expanding foam is used to lift underground utilities, then the utility can be raised to some extent, but the achievable lift is limited by soil type, age of pipeline and amount of settlement
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting process is divided into multiple staged increments, with the utility being lifted in controlled stages rather than a single action. This allows precise control over the lifting amount and enables adaptation to different soil conditions by adjusting the number and size of lifting stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting system uses adjustable lifting members and extensible brackets that can be dynamically positioned and extended to different depths and lengths. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt to various soil types, pipeline ages, and settlement amounts while achieving precise lifting control.
2Reliability
If in situ lining with gelatinous grout is used to eliminate water infiltration, then water infiltration is reduced, but the grout is not dimensionally stable and requires later replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The utility is lifted to the correct elevation and position before backfilling and grouting operations. This preliminary positioning ensures that the utility is properly supported and aligned, allowing for more stable and durable grout placement that doesn't require frequent replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting members and extensible brackets serve as intermediary devices that enable precise utility relocation without requiring extensive excavation or destabilizing the surrounding soil structure, thereby creating more stable conditions for permanent grout placement.
3Strength
If expanding foam or cementitious grout is injected to level pipe sections, then pipe sections can be reinforced, but foam or grout can migrate into pipe joints causing occlusion
Solution Approach 1:
The utility is lifted and properly positioned before grout or foam injection. This preliminary action ensures that pipe joints are correctly aligned and sealed, preventing migration of filling material into joints that would cause blockages.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional approach of injecting expanding materials to lift pipes with a mechanical lifting system. This substitution eliminates the risk of foam or grout migration into pipe joints while still achieving pipe reinforcement through controlled lifting and subsequent stable grout placement.
4Stability of the object's composition
If helical piers and brackets are installed to support utilities, then further settlement is prevented, but the utility cannot be lifted to original elevation
Solution Approach 1:
The support system uses multiple adjustable lifting members distributed along the utility rather than fixed helical piers. This segmentation allows each lifting member to be independently adjusted to achieve precise elevation control while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces static helical piers with dynamic, adjustable lifting members and extensible brackets that can be positioned and extended to achieve precise elevation adjustments. This dynamic system allows the utility to be lifted to its original elevation while preventing future settlement through controlled stabilization.
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
Enables the precise elimination of pipe sags and stabilization of underground utilities, allowing for accurate realignment and lift without excavation, minimizing stress on the utility and ensuring uniform flow, while accommodating various soil conditions.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing hydraulic rams and hydro-excavation to create voids for grout placement and stabilization
Implementation Method 2
utilizing hydraulic rams and hydro-excavation to create voids for grout placement and stabilization
Implementation Method 3
inserting material beneath the underground utility thereby supporting the underground utility at the predetermined position
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for in situ relocation of an underground utility including the steps of inserting, extending, raising and continuing to raise. The inserting step is carried out by the inserting of at least one lifting member down into the ground alongside the underground utility. The extending step extends a lifting bracket from the at least one lifting member. The raising step raises the lifting member causing the lifting bracket to engage a portion of the underground utility. The continuing step continues to raise the lifting member until the underground utility reaches a predetermined position.