Circular Knit Sheath for Reinforced Concrete Pile Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for constructing reinforced concrete piles in poor-quality subsoil, such as the cased bored pile technique, face challenges including high costs, logistical difficulties, safety risks, and inefficiencies due to the use of rigid pipes, which are expensive, difficult to transport, and prone to concrete leakage and poor concrete setting.
Innovation Solution
A sheath formed by a circular knit with helically positioned meshes, providing homogeneous elasticity and strength to handle hydrostatic pressure and adapt to subsoil shapes, while preventing concrete escape and ensuring proper water evacuation for concrete setting, using a fabric made from synthetic materials with specific interlacing patterns and yarn properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid pipe is used to contain hydrostatic pressure and serve as concrete formwork, then the structural strength is improved, but the transport difficulty and handling complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid pipes with a flexible geotextile sheath that can be easily transported and handled. The sheath is formed by folding a rectangular geotextile fabric and connecting opposite edges through stitching or welding, creating a flexible cylindrical structure that maintains adequate containment capability while dramatically improving transportability and ease of installation.
2Ease of operation
If a flexible geotextile sheath is used to facilitate transport and implementation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the strength to counter hydrostatic pressure deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The geotextile sheath is designed with appropriate thickness and material properties to withstand hydrostatic pressure while maintaining flexibility. The cylindrical configuration and proper sealing at edges provide sufficient structural integrity for the intended application depth and concrete weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheath is constructed by nesting the geotextile material into a cylindrical form, with reinforced edges and seams that provide structural support while maintaining the flexible nature of the material.
3Ease of manufacture
If a geotextile sheath with seams is used to replace rigid pipe, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the concrete containment capability deteriorates due to leakage at seams
Solution Approach 1:
The sheath is manufactured by connecting opposite edges of a rectangular geotextile fabric through stitching or welding, creating a seamless cylindrical structure. The connection method is selected to ensure adequate sealing performance while maintaining the flexibility and ease of manufacture of the geotextile material.
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 circular knit sheath effectively manages hydrostatic pressure, maintains concrete within the pile, and facilitates efficient concrete setting, reducing costs and logistical challenges while ensuring the structural integrity and stability of the reinforced concrete pile.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one circular knit has an elasticity allowing an elongation comprised between 10% and 400% of a flat diameter of said circular knit
Implementation Method 2
the at least one circular knit is permeable
Data Source
AI summary
A sheath for constructing a reinforced concrete pile, characterized in that the sheath is formed by at least one circular knit having a series of meshes helically positioned so as to form a pipe. A method for constructing a reinforced concrete pile includes excavating to form a well, inserting one end of a reinforcing rod in a sheath, positioning the sheath on an area of the rod and introducing the rod into the well, installing a tremie pipe inside the rod, and filling the well with concrete using the tremie pipe.