Concrete Sheet Pile With Composite Reinforcement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing concrete sheet piles face challenges in durability and impermeability, especially in aggressive environments like ports and riverbanks, requiring improved resistance to chemical and physical degradation and a stable, impermeable connection method.

Innovation Solution

The use of composite reinforcement materials, such as glass fibre-reinforced polymer materials, embedded in high-strength concrete sheet piles with interlocking terminal elements made from polymer materials, forming a continuous and impermeable wall by connecting adjacent piles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If metal reinforcement is used in concrete sheet piles, then mechanical strength is improved, but resistance to chemical and physical degradation in wet environments deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidresistance to chemical and physical degradation
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional metal reinforcement with composite materials consisting of polymer matrices (such as vinyl ester resin) reinforced with glass fibres. This composite reinforcement maintains the necessary mechanical strength while providing superior resistance to chemical and physical degradation in wet and salty environments, eliminating the corrosion problems associated with metal reinforcement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If sheet piles are connected to form a continuous wall, then impermeability is improved, but connection stability and sealing performance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveimpermeabilityVSAvoidconnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs an interlocking connection system where terminal elements at the ends of sheet piles feature nested geometric shapes (such as trapezoidal profiles) that fit together. This nesting arrangement ensures stable mechanical connection while maintaining water tightness, as the interlocking geometry prevents separation and eliminates gaps between adjacent piles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If composite reinforcement materials are used, then resistance to chemical degradation is improved, but production complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to chemical degradationVSAvoidproduction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes vinyl ester resin as the polymer matrix, which has specific chemical parameters that enable efficient processing. The resin's viscosity, curing characteristics, and glass fibre compatibility are optimized to allow standard manufacturing processes, thereby reducing production complexity despite using advanced composite materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Strength

If high-strength concrete is used, then mechanical resistance is improved, but impermeability and durability in aggressive environments deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical resistanceVSAvoidimpermeability and durability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines high-strength concrete (classes C70/85 or C80/95) with composite reinforcement made of vinyl ester resin and glass fibres. This combination creates a synergistic effect where the concrete provides compressive strength while the composite reinforcement provides tensile strength and corrosion resistance, together achieving both mechanical resistance and durability in aggressive environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 provides enhanced resistance to chemical and physical degradation, mechanical deformations, and allows for the creation of a stable, impermeable vertical wall, improving durability and installation efficiency without mechanical stress or vibration-induced issues.

Implementation Method 1

a reinforcement (1) produced from a composite material, in particular a polymer material, comprising fibres

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectComposite materials: Composite Materials

Implementation Method 2

The sheet pile further comprises a terminal element (6) produced from a polymer material... comprising a connection element (7) embedded in the concrete casting (2) and an engagement element (8) connected to the connection element (7)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical interlocking: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP3551807B1Concrete sheet pile
Publication Date: 2020.07.29 PEDROCCO LUCIO
  • EP3551807B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3551807B1 patent drawingFigure 2~6

AI summary

A sheet pile of concrete comprising a reinforcement (1) which is produced from composite material comprising fibres and a concrete casting (2) which extends between a first lateral end (3) thereof and an opposite second lateral end (4) thereof, the reinforcement (1) being embedded in the concrete casting (2). The sheet pile further comprises a terminal element (6) which is produced from a polymer material and which comprises a connection element (7) which is embedded in the concrete casting (2) and an engagement element (8) of the sheet pile (100) which is connected to the connection element (7). The connection element (7) and the engagement element (8) extend along a longitudinal axis (X) of the sheet pile, in which the engagement element (8) has a practically "C"-shaped cross-section and projects from the first lateral end (3) of the concrete casting (2). The second lateral end (4) of the concrete casting (2) comprises a concrete joint (9) which extends longitudinally along the longitudinal axis (X) and which is shaped so as to be connected in an interlocking manner to the engagement element (8) of a second sheet pile.