Ground Pile Screw–Helix Design for Low-Torque Directional Driving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional helical piles are time-consuming due to soil resistance and deviation from the intended driving direction, while ground screws do not meet North American building requirements for resistance to angular displacement and subsidence.
Innovation Solution
A ground pile design featuring a body with a helical member and a screw member, both with equivalent pitches, allowing for efficient penetration and retention in the ground, and a pile head for structure attachment, with optional removable driving attachments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional helical piles are used, then resistance to lateral displacement is provided, but installation is time-consuming due to soil resistance and deviation from driving direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the helical blade (for lateral resistance) and the screw thread (for directional control and penetration) into a single integrated pile structure. The helical member provides resistance to lateral displacement while the screw member at the bottom provides directional control during installation, resolving the contradiction between reliability and productivity by merging the functions of both components.
2Productivity
If ground screws are used, then installation speed is improved, but resistance to angular displacement and subsidence does not meet building requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the ground screw concept with the helical pile by integrating both a screw thread (for fast installation) and a helical blade (for resistance to angular displacement and subsidence). This combination allows the pile to meet building requirements while maintaining fast installation speed.
3Reliability
If a single helical blade is used, then lateral resistance is provided, but directional control during installation deteriorates due to soil resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the helical blade (for lateral resistance) and the screw thread (for directional control) into a single integrated pile structure. The helical member provides resistance to lateral displacement while the screw member at the bottom provides directional control during installation, resolving the contradiction between reliability and productivity by merging the functions of both components.
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 design reduces torque and force required for installation, maintains directional accuracy, and provides resistance to vertical and angular movement, meeting building standards.
Implementation Method 1
a screw member secured to and abutting the bottom portion and extending radially therefrom
Implementation Method 2
a helical member secured to the middle portion and extending radially therefrom
Data Source
AI summary
A ground pile comprises a body having an upper portion configured to receive a pile head for securing at least a portion of a structure thereto, a middle portion having a helical member secured thereto and extending radially therefrom, and a bottom portion having at least one wall oriented inwardly and a screw member secured thereto, an outer diameter of the screw member being between 1/16 of an inch and a maximum radial distance of the wall of the middle portion from the longitudinal axis. The screw member and the helical member are separate and have substantially the same pitch. The ground pile requires less torque for being driven into the ground and displaces rocks, debris, and other obstacles easily, maintaining the driving direction.