Curved Sheet Pile Support for Underground Conduit Excavation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for supporting underground conduits during excavation are time-consuming, expensive, and pose safety risks, especially when dealing with hazardous materials, as they often require disrupting the flow of materials and can expose cables to damage or electrical hazards.
Innovation Solution
The use of curved sheet piles that interfit and interlock to form a unitary structure beneath the conduit, providing support without damaging the conduit and allowing for continued use of the conduit for cable passage, while also maintaining electrical isolation and preventing subterranean material collapse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional support methods (jack hammering raceway tiles and encasing cables in concrete) are used, then the raceway is supported during excavation, but the process is time-consuming, expensive, and cables cannot be easily extracted or new cables pulled afterward
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is divided into modular components: curved sheet piles are installed in segments that can be individually positioned and interlocked. This segmentation allows for easier installation and future modification compared to monolithic concrete encasement, reducing overall project time while maintaining support reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Curved sheet piles serve as an intermediary support structure between the excavated soil and the raceway/conduit. This intermediate element provides the necessary support during construction while allowing future access to cables, unlike direct concrete encasement which permanently seals the cables.
2Strength
If metal pipes are used for transporting hazardous materials, then the pipes provide strength and durability, but they conduct electricity which creates safety hazards during excavation with heavy machinery
Solution Approach 1:
A non-conductive support structure (curved sheet piles) is introduced as an intermediary between the metal pipe and the excavation environment. This mediator prevents direct electrical contact between the conductive pipe and potential electrical discharge sources during excavation, eliminating the safety hazard while preserving the pipe's structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical conductivity property is extracted or removed from the support system by using non-conductive curved sheet piles instead of metal supports. This separation allows the metal pipe to maintain its strength while the support structure provides electrical isolation, resolving the safety hazard.
3Productivity
If excavation occurs around pipes carrying hazardous materials, then the pipes can remain in place for continuous material flow, but it is unsafe due to potential pipe bursting and ignition of materials
Solution Approach 1:
Curved sheet piles act as an intermediary protective structure during excavation around hazardous material pipes. This intermediate support system allows safe excavation to occur without direct contact between excavation equipment and the pipe, preventing pipe damage and material leakage while maintaining continuous flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved sheet piles are installed preliminarily before excavation begins, creating a protective barrier and support structure in advance. This preliminary action ensures that the pipe is protected during the excavation process, allowing safe removal of surrounding material while maintaining pipe integrity and continuous hazardous material flow.
Data Source
AI summary
A support system supports a pipe or conduit. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus, systems and methods include support beams extending across an excavated opening. For example, a pair of beams may be positioned to span the excavated opening with the opposing ends of the beams supported on the ground above the excavated opening. Support rods may be positioned to extend through and/or from the beams and into the excavated opening. In one exemplary embodiment, the support rods include a J-hook configured for receipt within an opening in pipe or conduit support members positioned beneath and supporting the pipe or conduit. In another exemplary embodiment, a pipe contacting support member is positioned beneath and contacting a pipe for supporting the pipe and fully excavating the pipe.