Foundation Toe Jetting and Suction for Low-Resistance Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of larger structural foundations, such as monopiles and jacket piles, faces challenges with increased impact forces, friction resistance, and noise, which existing methods like electro-osmosis may not adequately address in all circumstances.
Innovation Solution
A foundation design with internal nozzles for fluid delivery and a pumping system to evacuate fluid from the cavity, reducing soil suspension pressure and friction, using high and low-pressure jets and controlled evacuation to minimize bearing resistance and noise during installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If larger foundations are installed using traditional pile driving methods, then the foundation size and load-bearing capacity increase, but the impact forces and noise generated during installation increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses high-pressure fluid jets (water or air) delivered through nozzles at the toe of the foundation to erode and remove soil particles. This hydraulic/pneumatic mechanism replaces traditional mechanical impact driving, significantly reducing noise and vibration while enabling installation of large-diameter foundations. The fluid jets create a suspended soil mixture that is evacuated through the foundation interior.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention substitutes the traditional mechanical pile driving system (hammer impacts) with a fluid-based erosion and suspension system. Instead of using repeated mechanical blows to drive the foundation, high-pressure fluids erode the soil at the toe and create a suspended mixture that reduces resistance to penetration, allowing the foundation to be installed with minimal mechanical impact.
2Strength
If the foundation is driven deeper into the soil, then the bearing resistance increases, but the forces required to overcome frictional resistance and soil compression also increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies fluid jets to the toe region before and during the penetration process to pre-erode the soil and create a suspended mixture. This preliminary action reduces the density and strength of the soil at the toe, decreasing the bearing resistance that would otherwise oppose foundation penetration. The suspended soil mixture maintains lower resistance throughout the installation process.
Solution Approach 2:
High-pressure fluid jets continuously erode soil particles at the toe and mix them with the fluid to create a suspended mixture. This hydraulic mechanism reduces the effective bearing resistance and frictional forces along the foundation surface, enabling deeper installation with reduced forces. The fluid suspension prevents soil compaction that would otherwise increase installation resistance.
3Ease of operation
If fluid is delivered to the displaced soil region to transport soil away, then installation resistance is reduced, but soil suspension pressure within the internal cavity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the suspended soil mixture from the internal cavity through evacuation systems (pumps or gravity-driven flow). By removing the soil-fluid mixture from the cavity, the system prevents excessive pressure buildup that would counteract the bearing failure mechanism at the toe. The extracted mixture is discharged away from the foundation, maintaining continuous installation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors and controls the balance between fluid injection rate and evacuation rate to maintain optimal soil suspension pressure. By regulating the evacuation system to match the fluid delivery rate, the system prevents excessive pressure buildup while ensuring continuous soil removal. This feedback control maintains steady installation conditions throughout the process.
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
Facilitates easier installation with reduced pile driving forces, minimized noise, and a more stable soil structure for the foundation, allowing for smaller hammers and less environmental disruption.
Implementation Method 1
one or more nozzles for directing a fluid to the displaced soil region during installation for transporting soil away from the displaced soil region
Implementation Method 2
a pumping system for evacuating fluid from the internal cavity during installation for reducing the soil suspension pressure within the displaced soil region
Implementation Method 3
the fluid also acts to reduce the friction at the interface between the soil and the foundation body
Data Source
AI summary
A foundation (1) for a structure. The foundation (1) has a body (2) for insertion into a soil in an insertion direction during installation. The body (2) has a toe (8) at its distal end. The toe (2) defines an aperture (11) into an internal cavity (15). Movement of the toe (2) through the soil displaces soil laterally into a displaced soil region within the internal cavity (15). One or more nozzles (10) are provided for directing a fluid to the displaced soil region during installation for transporting soil away from the displaced soil region. A pumping system (24) is also provided for evacuating fluid from the internal cavity (15) during installation for reducing the soil suspension pressure within the displaced soil region.