Fluid-Jetted Foundation Installation with Depth-Based Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of larger foundations, such as monopiles and other structures, faces challenges due to increased impact forces and noise, as well as environmental and safety hazards, with existing methods like liquid excavation causing weak soil refilling and uncontrolled soil disturbance.
Innovation Solution
A method involving fluid jetting from nozzles at the foundation's toe to create a fluid suspension pressure that balances active earth pressure, using a controller to adjust pressure based on depth and soil characteristics, reducing frictional resistance and minimizing ground failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If high pressure nozzles are used to flood soil with jetted liquid for excavation, then space for foundation is created, but soil is removed in uncontrolled manner and excavated site is refilled with weaker reclaimed soil
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes soil from the region ahead of the foundation toe using jetted fluid, creating a cavity that reduces installation resistance. The fluid carries the excavated soil away from the critical zone, preventing it from refilling the space and maintaining the strength reduction effect throughout installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The jetted fluid acts as an intermediary medium that transports soil particles from the region ahead of the toe. By introducing this fluid mediator, the system achieves controlled soil removal without direct mechanical contact, allowing precise manipulation of soil conditions ahead of the foundation.
2Reliability
If foundation is driven deeper into soil, then bearing resistance increases, but forces required to displace soil at toe and overcome frictional resistance also increase
Solution Approach 1:
The jetted fluid performs preliminary action by removing soil from the region ahead of the toe before the foundation arrives. This pre-conditioning of the soil reduces the forces required during actual installation, as the foundation encounters less resistance from already-loosened and removed soil particles.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the traditional mechanical pile driving system with a fluid-based system. Instead of relying solely on high-impact mechanical forces to drive the foundation, jetted fluid is used to erode and remove soil, substituting mechanical impact with hydraulic action that requires less force.
3Strength
If larger foundations are installed, then load bearing capacity increases, but higher impact forces and noise are required, presenting environmental and safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces high-impact mechanical pile driving with a fluid jetting system. This substitution eliminates the need for repeated heavy hammer impacts, dramatically reducing noise levels and environmental hazards while still achieving installation of large foundations with high load-bearing capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses hydraulic jetting to install foundations, replacing traditional pneumatic or mechanical impact systems. The high-pressure fluid jets erode soil and facilitate foundation installation without the noisy mechanical impacts, enabling installation of larger foundations with reduced environmental impact.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional liquid excavation is used, then space is created for foundation, but soil structure is disturbed and refilled soil is inherently weaker
Solution Approach 1:
The jetted fluid selectively extracts soil from the region ahead of the toe, removing particles that would otherwise be compacted and disturbed by conventional methods. This extraction creates a cleaner cavity with less disturbance to the surrounding soil structure, maintaining better integrity of the remaining soil.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by concentrating the jetting action specifically in the region ahead of the toe, rather than broadly disturbing the entire excavation zone. This localized approach minimizes disturbance to surrounding soil structures while effectively creating installation space, preserving soil integrity in critical areas.
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
Reduces pile driving forces, allowing installation without impact hammers in some cases, minimizing noise and environmental impact, and maintaining soil integrity during installation.
Implementation Method 1
jetting fluid from a plurality of nozzles provided at a distal end region of the body for directing fluid distally into the soil ahead of the toe
Implementation Method 2
controlling the pump arrangement using a controller to vary the fluid suspension pressure adjacent the toe in a fluid communication channel between the proximal end of the internal cavity and the toe
Implementation Method 3
varying the quantity of fluid at a proximal end of the internal cavity using a pump arrangement
Implementation Method 4
the controller varies the fluid suspension pressure as the toe inserts deeper into the soil based on a target fluid suspension pressure as a function of toe depth
Data Source
AI summary
A method of installing a foundation (1) for a structure. The foundation body (2) has a toe (7) at its distal end which defines an aperture into an internal cavity (12) defined by an inner wall (8). Fluid is jetted from a plurality of nozzles (9) to direct fluid distally into the soil (5) ahead of the toe (7) during installation. A pump arrangement (13) controlled by a controller (16) is used to vary the quantity of fluid at a proximal end to thereby vary the fluid suspension pressure adjacent the toe (7) in a fluid communication channel (11) extending between the proximal end and the toe (7). The controller varies the fluid suspension pressure as the toe (7) inserts deeper into the soil (5) based on a target fluid suspension pressure as a function of toe depth.