Foundation Pile Creation via Radial Soil Compaction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for creating foundation piles are complex, expensive, and cause significant damage to existing buildings, with issues in soil consolidation and resin distribution leading to inefficient support and high costs.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the creation of a hole in the soil with radial soil compaction using fluid dilators and the use of high-density expanding resin, which adheres to the soil and minimizes infiltration, allowing for efficient and cost-effective pile creation with reduced foundation damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If traditional hole-making methods are used to create foundation piles, then the piles can be installed, but the process is complex and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity and cost-effectiveness of pile creationVSAvoidcomplexity of the pile creation process
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the need for complex traditional hole-making equipment and multi-step processes. By using a simple injection system that directly introduces expanding resin through pre-drilled small holes, the method removes the complexity of traditional piling equipment while achieving the same foundation support function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces complex mechanical hole-making and pile-installation systems with a chemical expansion system. Instead of using heavy machinery to drive piles or complex drilling equipment, the method uses chemically-expanding resin that solidifies in place, substituting mechanical complexity with a simpler chemical process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If large holes are made in existing building foundations to install piles, then the piles can be secured, but significant damage is caused to the foundations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecuring of pile to foundationVSAvoiddamage to existing foundations
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by using very small injection holes (much smaller than traditional pile holes) that are localized to specific points in the foundation. The expanding resin then distributes the load locally around these small injection points, achieving secure anchorage without the need for large damaging holes through the foundation structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a nested approach where small injection holes are created within the existing foundation, and the expanding resin nestles into the surrounding soil and foundation material. The resin expands to fill the space between the small injection hole and the surrounding structure, creating a nested bond that secures the pile without requiring large external holes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If expanding resin is injected through vertical holes under foundations, then soil consolidation is achieved, but the resin moves away from the target area due to non-homogenous soil composition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesoil consolidation effectivenessVSAvoidexcessive resin consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies preliminary action by first creating a confined cavity or chamber in the soil at the target consolidation area before injecting the expanding resin. This preliminary cavity creation confines the resin expansion to the desired location, preventing it from migrating away through non-homogenous soil layers, and ensures the resin consolidates the soil where needed rather than where least resistance exists.

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 method simplifies and economizes the creation of foundation piles, reduces damage to existing foundations, and ensures optimal resin usage, providing strong and efficient support with minimal environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

inserting into the hole 4 at least one fluid dilator 6 (pneumatic or hydraulic), which is made to expand radially by supplying it with a pressurised working fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid pressure expansion: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

its dilation causes radial compression in the soil 3 around the hole 4

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadial compression: Compression

Implementation Method 3

the use of high-density expanding resin, which adheres to the soil and minimizes infiltration

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP2209948B1Method for the creation of a foundation pile
Publication Date: 2015.07.15 MELOTTI CLAUDIO
  • EP2209948B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2209948B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2209948B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Method for the creation of a foundation pile (1), including the operational stages of making a hole (4) in the soil (3) with a development axis and its own cross section, compacting the ground (3) around the hole (4) by enlarging the cross section of the hole (4) itself, and pouring at least one solidifiable filler into the hole (4) and leaving the filler to cure to obtain a column structure defining the foundation pile (1). hi particular, the compacting stage occurs without the removal of material and includes the compression of the ground (3) in outgoing radial directions compared to the development axis of the hole (4).