FRP Shell System for Encapsulating Piles Below Ground

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for reinforcing corroded or deteriorated structural piles and columns below the earth's surface are costly and inefficient, often requiring excavation, which can be difficult or impractical in some sites.

Innovation Solution

A novel fiber-reinforced polymer shell system with an auger attachment, comprising a jacket and an auger annulus, allows for the encapsulation of structural piles below the earth's surface by forming a shell column that can be bored into the ground using a fiber-reinforced polymer wrap and cementitious composition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If excavation is performed to install reinforcing structures below the earth's surface, then the reinforcing structure can be installed below ground, but the cost and complexity of the project increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereinforcing structure installationVSAvoidexcavation process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of excavating the ground to install the reinforcing structure from above, the invention inverts the approach by installing the structure from below. The auger annulus is driven into the ground first, then the jacket is assembled around the pile from the bottom up, eliminating the need for excavation and allowing installation through the ground rather than requiring removal of ground material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The auger annulus serves dual functions: it drives itself into the ground using its blades to cut and displace soil, and simultaneously provides the structural framework for assembling the jacket. The system is self-installing, requiring no external excavation equipment or complex positioning mechanisms, as the auger's own rotational driving action positions the entire reinforcing structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If excavation is performed to extend reinforcing structure below earth's surface, then below-ground reinforcement is achieved, but time and resource efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebelow-ground reinforcementVSAvoidinstallation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention reverses the conventional installation sequence by driving the auger annulus into the ground first and then assembling the jacket from below. This inversion eliminates time-consuming excavation operations and allows continuous installation progress, significantly improving productivity while achieving the same below-ground reinforcement reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The auger annulus autonomously drives itself into the ground using its cutting blades, requiring no separate excavation equipment or manual digging operations. This self-installing capability eliminates multiple operation steps (excavation, positioning, installation) into a single integrated process, dramatically improving installation efficiency and reducing project timeline.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If excavation is performed at difficult sites to install reinforcing structures, then below-ground reinforcement can be installed, but the operation becomes practically impossible or extremely difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebelow-ground reinforcement installationVSAvoidinstallation process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the installation approach to work from below rather than requiring access from above, the invention makes reinforcement feasible at sites where excavation would be impossible or extremely difficult. The auger can be driven into confined or inaccessible locations, and the jacket assembled from the bottom up, bypassing the need for surface access that difficult sites typically lack.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The self-driving auger annulus requires no external excavation equipment, crane positioning, or complex support structures during installation. It autonomously penetrates the ground and provides its own positioning framework, making the operation feasible in difficult sites where heavy equipment access is restricted or where ground conditions would make traditional excavation prohibitively complex.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10344441B2Fiber-reinforced polymer shell systems and methods for encapsulating piles with concrete columns extending below the earth's surface

Publication Date: 2019.07.09 WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY

AI summary

Generally, the disclosed technology regards a novel auger annulus adjoinable to a shell useful in encapsulating structural piles to below the earth's surface. The disclosed technology further regards a jacket and auger annulus system useful in encapsulating structural piles. Also provided is a method of positioning a first fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) circular-cylindrical shell at and about the exposed base of a structural pile, thereby encapsulating the pile to below the earth's surface using a jacket and auger annulus.