Cellular Soil Reinforcing Device with Vertical Draining for Liquefaction Mitigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current solutions for mitigating soil liquefaction, such as soil compaction and vertical draining, are not universally accepted or effective in providing sufficient shear strength and load-bearing capacity, especially for heavy structures in seismic zones, and lack a comprehensive, cost-effective approach to prevent lateral spreading and control settlements across various soil types.

Innovation Solution

A soil reinforcing device comprising a cell mesh with vertically extending cells and draining devices, where the cells form a honeycomb structure with linking columns and exterior stone columns, enhancing soil densification and shear strength, and the draining devices extend deeper than the cells to reduce liquefaction and increase bearing capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If vertical draining elements are installed in the ground to prevent pore water pressure rise, then liquefaction risk is limited, but long-term efficiency is doubtful and heavy structures cannot be supported

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquefaction mitigation reliabilityVSAvoidload bearing capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines vertical draining elements with a cellular confining structure into an integrated system. The draining elements address pore water pressure while the cellular structure provides mechanical confinement and load-bearing capacity, resolving the contradiction between liquefaction mitigation and heavy structure support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite system combining draining materials (for pore water management) with cellular confining materials (for mechanical strength and confinement). This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of drainage function and structural support capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If soil compaction is performed to densify soil and enable load structure to withstand liquefaction, then load bearing capacity improves, but the method is not adapted to certain soil types and loads

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload bearing capacityVSAvoidsoil type adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cellular draining structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides drainage, mechanical confinement, load distribution, and soil stabilization. This multi-functionality makes the solution adaptable to various soil types and load conditions without requiring soil-specific compaction methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Strength

If vertical inclusions made of high shear strength material are installed to resist shear stresses, then shear strength increases, but the mechanism is not fully accepted by the engineering andscientific community

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshear strengthVSAvoidmechanism acceptance

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cellular structure with draining elements creates a self-confining system where the drainage process itself generates soil densification and strength improvement. The system uses the pore water pressure reduction mechanism to automatically enhance its own mechanical properties, providing a self-verifying mechanism that addresses community skepticism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If a comprehensive solution is developed to tackle liquefaction across various soil types, then versatility improves, but cost-effectiveness may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoil type versatilityVSAvoidcost-effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cellular structure is divided into modular cells that can be systematically arranged to cover large areas. This segmentation allows standardized construction procedures and material usage, reducing overall costs while maintaining versatility across different soil types and project scales.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 significantly reduces soil liquefaction and enhances the load-bearing capacity of structures during earthquakes, providing a cost-effective and comprehensive method to prevent lateral spreading and control settlements, suitable for various soil types and heavy loads.

Implementation Method 1

Installing vertical inclusions (columns, panel) in the ground made of material with a higher shear strength (stone, grout, concrete, soil mixed with a binder for instance which can resist the shear stresses generated during an earthquake

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPore water pressure reduction: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

The inventors have found that some draining devices can also generate a densification of the soil within the cells, which enhances the capacity of the cells to reduce the settlement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSoil densification: Compression

Implementation Method 3

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShear strength: Shear Stress

Data Source

PatentUS10577771B2Ground reinforcing device

Publication Date: 2020.03.03 SOLETANCHE FREYSSINET SAS

AI summary

A soil reinforcing device for reinforcing a ground supporting a load structure, wherein said soil reinforcing device comprises a first assembly comprising:a plurality of cells extending vertically and forming a cell mesh;a plurality of draining devices extending vertically and located in said cells.