Deep Slurry Mixing for Steel Plate Cylinder Piling

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Solution Overview

Problem

The construction of large-diameter steel plate cylinders in uneven seabed soil with hardpan layers faces challenges such as uneven force distribution, structural deformation, and low operational efficiency due to the hardpan layer, which can lead to slow piling and inaccurate positioning, especially in thick sand layers where insufficient piling force halts the process.

Innovation Solution

A Deep Slurry Mixing (DSM) method involving disturbing the hardpan layer with a mechanical device, injecting clay slurry, mixing it with the natural foundation using a stirring device, and embedding the foundation structure into the improved soil to reduce penetration resistance and enhance driveability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If direct piling of steel plate cylinder is performed on hardpan layer, then piling speed is maintained, but uneven force distribution and structural deformation occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepiling speedVSAvoidforce distribution uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing soil softening treatment before piling. The mechanical device penetrates the hardpan layer in advance and mixes it with clay slurry to create a softer foundation layer, which eliminates uneven force distribution during subsequent piling operations while maintaining efficient piling speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Force

If mechanical device penetrates hardpan layer for softening treatment, then penetration resistance is reduced, but operation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepenetration resistanceVSAvoidoperation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated mechanical device that combines penetration, slurry injection, and mixing capabilities. This unified approach reduces operation complexity compared to using separate equipment for each function, while effectively reducing penetration resistance through the combined softening treatment process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Force

If clay slurry is injected into hardpan layer, then soil softening effect is achieved, but construction time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoil softening effectVSAvoidconstruction time

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous useful action by performing penetration, slurry injection, and mixing operations simultaneously in a continuous process. The mechanical device penetrates the hardpan layer while injecting clay slurry and mixing in real-time, eliminating idle time between operations and reducing overall construction time while maintaining effective soil softening

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Productivity

If piling is performed without hardpan layer treatment, then operation efficiency is maintained, but positioning accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation efficiencyVSAvoidpositioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by creating a uniform softened foundation layer before piling operations. This pre-treatment eliminates hardpan layer irregularities that cause positioning errors, enabling accurate positioning while maintaining high operation efficiency through the streamlined continuous processing method

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 DSM method softens the hardpan layer, increases pore ratio, reduces frictional resistance, and improves the uniformity of the soil texture, allowing for more efficient and accurate piling of large-diameter steel plate cylinders or similar structures without geological limitations, expanding their range of application.

Implementation Method 1

mixing the clay slurry in the step (2) with the hardpan layer of the natural foundation by a stirring device to form an improved foundation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical mixing:

Implementation Method 2

embedding the foundation structure into the improved foundation in the step (3) by a vibration equipment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS10781567B2Foundation treatment method for piling foundation structure by penetrating hardpan layer

Publication Date: 2020.09.22 CCCC FIRST HARBOR ENGINEERING CO LTD

AI summary

A foundation treatment method for piling a foundation structure by penetrating a hardpan layer, i.e., a Deep Slurry Mixing method, comprising following steps: disturbing, by a mechanical device, a location where the foundation structure is to be piled, so that the mechanical device penetrates the hardpan layer of a natural foundation; then injecting clay slurry into the hardpan layer of the natural foundation by a pumping device, an improved foundation is formed after mixing; and piling the foundation structure. The method can change soil property of the original natural foundation, break the hardpan layer, reduce piling resistance of the steel plate cylinder or similar foundation structure, reduce uneven force during the piling process and improve driveability.