Caisson Clamp Beam Structure to Reduce Diaphragming
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamp assemblies for vibratory devices fail to effectively transmit driving forces to caissons with larger diameters, leading to diaphragming and undesirable lateral vibration of caisson walls, which can cause damage and stress adjacent structures, especially in hard soil conditions.
Innovation Solution
A clamp structure comprising a primary beam structure with first, second, and third primary beams, a secondary beam, and a plurality of clamp assemblies, where the secondary beam is operatively connected to the primary beams and supports the clamp assemblies, allowing for a more rigid and even distribution of static and vibratory loads to the caisson, thereby reducing diaphragming and enhancing driving efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a conventional clamp assembly with a single beam is used to connect the vibratory device to the caisson, then the device complexity is low, but the vibratory forces cause the caisson walls to vibrate or diaphragm, especially under hard soil conditions with larger diameter caissons
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp assembly is divided into multiple independent clamp units (first clamp unit, second clamp unit, third clamp unit) distributed around the caisson circumference. Each clamp unit independently engages the caisson wall, preventing collective diaphragming while maintaining structural simplicity through modular repetition of standardized components.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple localized clamp units are positioned at different circumferential locations around the caisson rather than using a single centralized beam. This distributes the clamping force locally across multiple contact points, preventing concentrated stress that causes diaphragming while maintaining overall structural efficiency.
2Strength
If the wall thickness of the caisson is increased to resist diaphragming, then the caisson rigidity increases and can be more easily driven into the earth, but the caisson cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp assembly acts as a counterbalancing support structure that compensates for the insufficient rigidity of thin-walled caissons. By providing external mechanical support and distributing vibratory forces across multiple clamp units, the system counteracts the tendency of thin walls to diaphragm, enabling the use of cost-effective thin-walled caissons.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp assembly serves as an intermediary between the vibratory device and the thin-walled caisson. It mediates the force transmission by distributing loads across multiple contact points and preventing direct concentration of vibratory forces on the caisson walls, thereby protecting thin-walled structures from damage.
3Device complexity
If vibratory forces are transmitted through a single-point clamp assembly, then the device complexity is low, but the vibratory forces are transmitted laterally by the caisson walls into the adjacent soil, causing stress to adjacent structures
Solution Approach 1:
The force transmission path is segmented into multiple independent clamp units positioned around the caisson circumference. This segmentation distributes the vibratory forces vertically through multiple contact points rather than allowing lateral transmission through a single-point connection, reducing harmful effects on adjacent structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp units are positioned asymmetrically around the caisson circumference rather than at a single symmetric point. This asymmetric distribution of clamp units creates multiple force transmission paths that redirect vibratory forces vertically into the ground rather than laterally into adjacent structures.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for attaching a caisson to a device for inserting and/or extracting the caisson. The apparatus comprises three beams. A first beam is relatively long and is normally connected to a vibratory device such that its longitudinal axis is orthogonal to the lengthwise axis of the vibratory device. The second and third beams are relatively short and are connected to the vibratory device such their longitudinal axes are parallel to the lengthwise axis of the vibratory device. Four clamp assemblies are mounted on the beams to fix the beams onto the caisson. A flange on the first beam may be widened at at least a middle portion thereof to stiffen the beam and allow the beam to be securely connected to the vibratory device. The first beam may also be used with its longitudinal axis parallel to the lengthwise axis of the vibratory device.