Flared Pier Bracket Assembly Reduces Installation Friction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing starter pier systems face challenges in reducing friction during installation, which affects the efficiency and stability of supporting structures like building foundations, as they lack effective mechanisms to minimize ground resistance.
Innovation Solution
A starter pier with a flared first end and a reinforcing member is used, where the flared end is swaged to have a larger internal diameter and the reinforcing member is inserted and coupled to reduce friction by creating an annular space, allowing easier passage of push piers and reducing soil resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a standard pier is used without a flared end, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but the friction during installation is higher and the load distribution is less effective
Solution Approach 1:
The flared end is formed on the pier during manufacturing, creating a pre-configured friction-reducing geometry that will function during installation. This preliminary structural modification allows the pier to automatically create an annular space with the ground, reducing friction before the pier is even installed
Solution Approach 2:
The geometry of the pier end is changed from a standard cylindrical shape to a flared shape with increased diameter. This parameter change in the pier's physical dimensions creates a wedge effect that separates the pier from the surrounding ground, reducing contact area and friction during installation
2Reliability
If a flared end with reinforcing member is used, then friction during installation is reduced and load distribution is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pier assembly combines multiple materials and components: the steel pier shaft, the flared end geometry, and the reinforcing member (which may be a different steel alloy or treatment). This composite construction provides enhanced strength and stability at the critical flared end region where stresses are concentrated
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcing member is placed specifically at the flared end of the pier, where the structural demands are highest. This localized reinforcement provides additional strength and stability precisely where needed, rather than uniformly throughout the entire pier length, optimizing the strength-to-complexity ratio
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the flared end is swaged to increase internal diameter, then the reinforcing member fits better and friction is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The swaging process is performed during manufacturing to pre-form the flared end geometry and embed the reinforcing member. This preliminary action ensures that the friction-reducing geometry is already in place before installation, and the dimensional tolerances are established during controlled manufacturing rather than during field installation
Data Source
AI summary
A starter pier for a pier bracket assembly that is used support a structure (e.g., a foundation of a building, or the like). The starter pier has a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion. The first end may be a flared first end that is swaged using a die. A reinforcing member may be inserted into the flared first end to provide support for the flared first end of the starter pier. The reinforcing member may be operatively coupled to the flared first end of the starter pier by compressing the flared first end around the reinforcing member using a mold. Additionally, or alternatively, the reinforcing member may be press-fit into the starter pier, connectors may be used, or the like to operatively couple the flared first end to the reinforcing member.