Grouted Sleeve Coupler Splice for Precast Concrete Piles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing splicing methods for precast concrete piles face challenges such as corrosion in marine environments, complex and time-consuming epoxy dowel splicing, and high labor and cost requirements, necessitating a durable, labor-friendly, and economical alternative.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of grouted sleeve couplers with debonded sleeve couplers and dowels, combined with a fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) jacket, provides a simpler, faster, and more durable connection method that is resistant to corrosion and requires fewer modifications, allowing for rapid pile driving and improved structural performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If welded splices are used to connect precast concrete piles, then the connection strength is improved, but the system becomes unsuitable for corrosive marine environments due to corrosion causing premature failure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the vulnerable welded connection from the system and replaces it with a grouted sleeve coupler system that physically separates the connection mechanism from direct exposure to corrosive marine environments, while maintaining the required connection strength through grout-bonded reinforcement bars
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite material construction by combining grout, steel reinforcement bars, and concrete in the sleeve coupler system, creating a composite structure that provides both the necessary mechanical strength and corrosion resistance for marine environments, eliminating the need for vulnerable welded steel connections
2Reliability
If epoxy dowel splicing is used to connect precast concrete piles, then the connection durability is improved, but the installation time increases significantly as the crane is required for a long period
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the splicing operation into separate, parallelizable steps: the grouted sleeve couplers are prepared in advance at the precast plant, and the actual field installation involves only positioning and grouting operations that can be completed quickly, eliminating the time-consuming continuous crane operation required by epoxy dowel splicing
Solution Approach 2:
The invention performs preliminary preparation of the grouted sleeve couplers at the precast plant before delivery to the construction site, including casting the couplers with reinforcement bars and applying grout, so that field installation requires only assembly and final grouting, dramatically reducing on-site installation time while maintaining connection durability
3Productivity
If mechanical or wedge splices are used to connect precast concrete piles, then the installation speed is improved, but the fabrication complexity and labor requirements increase dramatically
Solution Approach 1:
The grouted sleeve coupler system is designed to be self-aligning and self-assembling, where the reinforcement bars naturally guide the alignment of pile segments and the grout automatically fills and bonds the connection, eliminating the need for complex alignment mechanisms and skilled manual fabrication operations
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses simple, inexpensive grouted sleeve couplers that can be mass-produced at the precast plant using standard concrete casting techniques, replacing complex mechanical or wedge splice systems that require precision fabrication and specialized components, thereby reducing both fabrication complexity and labor requirements
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
This method enhances the durability and structural performance of spliced piles, particularly in corrosive environments, while reducing installation time and costs, and allows for the use of fewer materials, making it a more economical and efficient splicing solution.
Implementation Method 1
The sleeve coupler is disposed within a respective coupler bore and configured and adapted to receive a dowel and an auxiliary bar, and to bond the dowel and the auxiliary bar together with a grout
Data Source
AI summary
The subject invention pertains to a completely new pile splicing system called Grouted Sleeve Coupler Splice (GSCS) for Precast Concrete Piles (PCPs) as an innovative alternative splicing method for connecting driven PCP segments. The provided splicing method is applicable for preplanned situations and provides a durable, labor-friendly, rapid, and economical foundation construction method. In this system, to improve the structural performance, the entire sleeve coupler and a portion of the dowels are partially debonded in short lengths from surrounding concrete. This connection system is novel in conjunction with PCPs and for connecting separate precast pile segments. The provided system offers a completely unique and new method of connecting and splicing PCP segments and other prismatic prefabricated piles.