Circle-Segment Wall Elements in Combination Walls
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing demand for combination walls, particularly sheet piles, exceeds the capacity of existing manufacturing plants, necessitating a solution that reduces reliance on sheet piles for ground support and sealing.
Innovation Solution
Implementing circle-segment-shaped wall elements with a curved cross-section between tubular piles, which provide structural support and sealing while being more cost-effective and available in larger quantities, using existing tubular piles or metal sheets, and featuring interlocking profiles for secure connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If sheet piles are used to seal sections between tubular piles, then sealing function is achieved, but manufacturing capacity is insufficient to meet increasing demand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by using circle-segment-shaped wall elements with curved cross-sections instead of traditional flat sheet piles. This curved geometry allows the wall elements to be formed from tubular piles through cutting and bending operations, utilizing existing tubular pile inventory and standard pipe bending capabilities to produce sealing elements that meet demand without requiring new sheet pile manufacturing capacity.
2Strength
If traditional sheet piles are used, then sealing is provided, but structural stiffness is insufficient compared to curved elements
Solution Approach 1:
The curved cross-section of the circle-segment-shaped wall elements inherently provides greater structural stiffness compared to flat sheet piles. The curvature resists bending forces more effectively, improving the load-bearing capacity of the combination wall. This stiffness advantage is achieved through the geometric form itself, which can be produced using standard tubular pile bending operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The tubular piles are segmented by cutting them into sections, and these segments are then formed into curved wall elements. This segmentation allows the structural advantages of curved geometry to be achieved while using existing tubular pile inventory, rather than manufacturing entirely new sheet pile components.
3Strength
If circle-segment-shaped wall elements are used, then structural stiffness is enhanced, but connection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system merges the tubular pile segments with circle-segment-shaped wall elements through interlocking profiles. The profiles are integrated into both components, creating a unified connection system that accommodates the curved geometry of the wall elements while maintaining structural integrity. This merging approach manages the complexity by combining multiple functions into integrated components.
Data Source
AI summary
A combination wall (10) for supporting the ground comprises at least two tubular piles (12) adapted to be rammed at least part way into the ground and a wall element (14) inserted between two respective adjacent tubular piles (12). The wall element (14) is provided with interlocks (22) that are used to engage the wall element (14) with interlock profiles (18) that are provided on the tubular piles (12). The wall element (14), when hung between the tubular piles (12), is designed as a segment of a circle with an at least approximately circle-segment-shaped cross-section.