Helical Pier Adjustable Pierhead Plates Soil Displacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional helical piers for foundation support and soil stabilization often result in significant soil displacement and high costs, and lack versatility in installation and adaptability to different soil conditions and structural requirements.
Innovation Solution
The use of adjustable annular upper and lower pierhead plates with threaded bolts and nuts, along with drive lug frames and set screws, allows for quick installation in various locations and soil conditions, enabling the creation of adjustable concrete pads for enhanced structural support and stability, and can be used with different drilling equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional helical piers are used for foundation support, then structural support is provided, but significant soil displacement occurs and costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The pier system is divided into multiple segments: the helical pier shaft with helices for soil engagement, removable drive lugs for installation, and adjustable pierhead plates for structural support. This segmentation allows the helices to provide support while the drive lugs are removed to eliminate displacement during installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The helical pier shaft is pre-formed with helices that are designed to minimize soil displacement during installation. The drive lugs are pre-attached for installation purposes only, then removed after the pier is installed, preventing the displacement that would occur with conventional driven piers.
2Strength
If conventional helical piers are used, then foundation support is achieved, but installation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drive lugs are made as separate removable components that can be easily attached and detached. This allows quick installation by simply attaching the drive lugs, installing the pier, then removing the lugs without complex welding or permanent attachment processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive lugs transition from a fixed state during installation to a removable state after installation. This dynamic configuration allows the system to be simple during installation (just attach and drive) then simple during service (remove lugs), eliminating time-consuming permanent attachment processes.
3Strength
If standard pierhead plates are used, then structural support is provided, but adaptability to different structural requirements is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The pierhead plates are designed to be adjustable in thickness and configuration. Multiple plates of different thicknesses can be stacked and combined to create the exact thickness and strength required for different structural applications, from light-duty to heavy-duty support requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable pierhead plate system serves multiple functions: providing structural support, creating different thicknesses for different loads, and accommodating various structural attachments. A single set of adjustable plates can adapt to diverse structural requirements rather than requiring different fixed plates for each application.
4Ease of manufacture
If fixed thickness pierhead plates are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability to different load requirements is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pierhead system uses multiple separate plates of standard thicknesses that can be stacked and combined. Each individual plate can be manufactured to a standard thickness, but by stacking different combinations (e.g., one plate, two plates, or plates of different thicknesses), any required total thickness can be achieved for different load requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The pierhead plate configuration is made adjustable rather than fixed. The system can be dynamically configured by selecting and stacking different plate combinations based on the specific load requirements, allowing the same manufactured plates to adapt to varying structural demands.
Data Source
AI summary
A helical pier for receipt in a ground surface and including an annular, adjustable, upper pierhead plate and an annular, adjustable, lower pierhead plate. The two plates include threaded bolts and nuts for securing the plates together in a spaced relationship. The upper and lower plates include a drive lug frame centered thereon. The pierhead plates are adapted for slidable receipt around a top portion of the helical pier. The helical pier includes spaced apart helice and spaced apart angular shaped drive lugs. The drive lugs are used for driving the helical pier into the ground surface. Also, the drive lug frames on the pierhead plates are received around selected drive lugs and secured thereto using set screws.