Embeddable Seepage Module for Ring Shear Apparatus Soil Erosion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current experimental equipment lacks the capability to detect and evaluate the effect of seepage on the interface strength between the soil and the suction anchor's wall, which is crucial for the uplift capacity of suction anchors in deep-sea installations.
Innovation Solution
A seepage module is developed to be embedded into a ring shear apparatus, featuring a porous annular cylinder, seepage pressure regulation system, and sensors to simulate and monitor the shear behavior and soil erosion caused by seepage, allowing for precise control and measurement of seepage pressure and flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a seepage module is embedded into the ring shear apparatus to study seepage-shear coupling effects, then the ability to detect and evaluate seepage effects on interface strength is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seepage module is nested within the ring shear apparatus, with the porous annular cylinder positioned inside the shear box. This nesting approach allows the seepage testing functionality to be integrated into the existing ring shear apparatus without requiring a completely separate experimental system, thereby improving detection capability while limiting the increase in overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The ring shear apparatus is designed to perform multiple functions: it can conduct conventional interface shear strength tests and also accommodate the seepage module for seepage-shear coupling experiments. The porous annular cylinder and associated components enable the same apparatus to study both shear behavior and seepage effects, making the device universal and reducing the need for separate specialized equipment
2Adaptability or versatility
If porous materials are used for the inner wall of the shear box to enable seepage, then the ability to simulate soil seepage is improved, but the structural integrity and sealing capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The inner wall of the shear box is made porous only in the specific region where seepage simulation is required, while other portions of the shear box maintain their sealing integrity. This localized porosity allows the system to simulate soil seepage effects in the test zone while preserving the overall sealing capability needed to maintain controlled experimental conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The porous annular cylinder acts as an intermediary component between the water supply system and the soil sample. It controls and regulates the seepage flow through its porous structure while the surrounding sealed shear box maintains the necessary pressure differential and sealing conditions, thus resolving the conflict between enabling seepage and maintaining structural integrity
3Adaptability or versatility
If fine particles are allowed to be taken away during seepage, then the ability to simulate real soil erosion is improved, but the soil structure and interface strength deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates monitoring capabilities that detect changes in interface strength and soil structure during the seepage experiment. By providing feedback on the erosion process and its impact on interface strength, the system allows researchers to observe the deterioration of soil structure while maintaining control over the experimental conditions, enabling accurate simulation of soil erosion effects
Solution Approach 2:
The experiment is designed to preliminarily simulate soil erosion conditions before conducting the shear strength tests. The seepage module is activated first to create erosion and reduce interface strength, and then the shear box is used to measure the resulting strength characteristics. This preliminary action approach allows the system to simulate real soil erosion scenarios while maintaining the ability to measure the impact on interface strength
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
Enables real-time monitoring and analysis of soil seepage-shear coupling effects, providing design guidance for suction bucket foundations by quantifying interface strength changes and soil erosion, thus enhancing the understanding and installation of suction anchor systems.
Implementation Method 1
the inner wall and an outer wall of the upper shear box are made from a porous material
Implementation Method 2
a water pressure sensor, an electromagnetic flow meter and the first valve are located to on the water intake pipeline to realize a precise double control of a soil seepage pressure and water flow
Implementation Method 3
a water pressure sensor, an electromagnetic flow meter and the first valve are located to on the water intake pipeline to realize a precise double control of a soil seepage pressure and water flow
Implementation Method 4
the pore pressure sensor is located at the outer wall of the upper shear box to monitor the pore pressure of soil
Implementation Method 5
the second valve, the sedimentation tank and the filter screen are located on the water discharge pipeline to collect fine soil particles under pressure seepage
Implementation Method 6
the top plate, the bottom late, the inner wall of the upper shear box and the inner wall of the lower shear box form a sealed internal pressure cavity
Implementation Method 7
the annular cylinder, the outer wall of the upper shear box and an outer wall of the lower shear box form a sealed external pressure cavity
Data Source
AI summary
An embeddable seepage module capable of being embedded into an interface ring shear apparatus is disclosed, wherein: the seepage module includes an annular cylinder, a seepage pressure regulation system, a top plate and a bottom plate; the interface ring shear apparatus includes an upper shear box and a lower shear box; the annular cylinder, the top plate, the bottom plate, the upper shear box and the lower shear box form an internal pressure cavity and an external pressure cavity; the internal pressure cavity is able to realize the precise double control of the soil seepage pressure and water flow through the seepage pressure regulation system; the external pressure cavity is able to collect fine soil particles under pressure seepage. In the case of soil seepage-shear coupling, the seepage module is assembled firstly for seepage, and after completing the seepage, the external pressure cavity is removed for ring shear tests.