Floating Counteracting Elements for Landslide Stabilization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ground consolidation and containment structures for landslides are inefficient due to uncertainty in stabilization, high design complexities, increased construction costs, invasive environmental impact, and long execution times, particularly in complex hydrogeologic conditions, and require large equipment and excavations.
Innovation Solution
A flexible consolidation and containment structure using independent reinforcing elements with bulky counteracting elements that float in the unstable ground, allowing energy dissipation to mitigate landslide movement without retaining walls, enabling easy installation, modification, and adaptation to changing conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If static containment structures with high safety coefficients are constructed, then the stability against landslide movement is improved, but the dimensions and construction costs of the structure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static containment structures into dynamic systems where reinforcing elements can move and adapt within the landslide mass. The bulky counteracting elements float freely to counteract thrust forces, allowing the structure to respond dynamically to changing landslide conditions rather than resisting statically, thereby reducing required dimensions and costs while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental parameter of containment from rigid static resistance to flexible dynamic counteraction. By using floating bulky elements that can change position and orientation, the structure adapts to varying landslide thrust forces, eliminating the need for high safety coefficients in traditional static designs and reducing overall structural dimensions.
2Reliability
If traditional containment structures with retaining walls are constructed, then the mitigation of landslide movement is achieved, but the environmental impact and construction complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the retaining wall component from traditional containment structures and replaces it with floating bulky counteracting elements embedded directly in the landslide mass. This eliminates the need for external retaining walls and extensive excavations, reducing environmental disruption while maintaining landslide mitigation capability through the synergistic action of reinforcing elements and floating counteracting masses.
Solution Approach 2:
The bulky counteracting elements are designed to float freely within the landslide mass, allowing them to self-position and self-adjust to counteract thrust forces dynamically. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex external retaining wall systems and extensive construction equipment, reducing both environmental impact and construction complexity.
3Reliability
If large equipment and excavations are used for containment structures, then the construction of bulky counteracting elements is achieved, but the construction costs and execution time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the containment function into multiple independent reinforcing elements, each with its own floating bulky counteracting element. This modular approach allows for simpler, faster installation using smaller equipment compared to monolithic retaining wall structures. Each segment can be installed independently, accelerating construction speed and reducing overall project cost while maintaining adequate containment capability.
4Reliability
If rigid containment structures are constructed, then the stabilization is achieved, but the adaptability to changing hydrogeologic conditions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic stabilization system where reinforcing elements and floating bulky counteracting elements can move and reposition themselves in response to changing hydrogeologic conditions. This dynamic adaptability allows the structure to maintain stabilization effectiveness under varying soil moisture, pore pressure, and landslide mass conditions, unlike rigid static structures that cannot adapt to changing environmental parameters.
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 structure effectively mitigates landslide movement with reduced environmental impact, lower costs, and quicker installation, allowing for flexible configuration and adaptation, and can be modified post-installation to improve resistance and adapt to changing conditions.
Implementation Method 1
bulky counteracting elements (2) housed and floating in the unstable ground
Implementation Method 2
constrained to an anchoring element (3) fixed to the underlying stable ground
Implementation Method 3
constrained to an anchoring element (3) fixed to the underlying stable ground
Implementation Method 4
constrained to an anchoring element (3) fixed to the underlying stable ground
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The invention is a consolidation and containment structure (60, 65, 70, 75) for unstable ground (F), comprising a plurality of reinforcing elements (1; 20; 30; 40; 50), all independent of each other, each one of which comprises a bulky counteracting element (2) buried in the unstable ground (F) and constrained to an anchoring element (3) fixed in the stable ground (T) underlying the unstable ground (F), in order to allow the bulky counteracting element (2) to float in the unstable ground (F). Each anchoring element (3) has a mainly longitudinal development and comprises a first end (3a) fixed in the stable ground (T) and a second end (3b) constrained to the bulky counteracting element (2).