Horizontal Soil Parameter Measurement for Continuous Soft Soil Profiling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring soil parameters in soft soil fields are limited by their inability to perform lateral and long-distance continuous measurements, leading to inaccuracies and increased costs in engineering projects, particularly in underwater construction and submarine pipeline design.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a towing apparatus equipped with soil strength measuring devices, strain softening relationship sensors, and friction plates that move horizontally to collect continuous data on soil strength, strain softening, and interface friction parameters, allowing for the determination of essential soil parameters like shear strength, strain softening, and friction coefficients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional vertical single penetration or cyclic penetration test methods are used to obtain soil parameters at a single target point, then measurement accuracy at that point is improved, but the ability to reflect lateral change of soil parameters across large-scale fields deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the measurement system into multiple independent measuring devices arranged horizontally, with each device capable of measuring soil parameters at its specific location. This segmentation allows simultaneous multi-point measurement across the field, capturing lateral variations while maintaining measurement precision at each point.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from traditional vertical single-point measurement to horizontal multi-point measurement by arranging measuring devices in the horizontal dimension. This dimensional change enables the system to capture soil parameter variations across the field laterally, not just at a single target point.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple vertical drilling points are formed to obtain lateral change of soil parameters, then lateral measurement coverage is improved, but engineering cost and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple measurement functions into a single horizontal towing apparatus that can simultaneously measure soil parameters at multiple locations while moving. This combining of functions eliminates the need for separate vertical drilling operations at multiple points, significantly reducing time consumption and engineering cost while maintaining lateral measurement coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a dynamic horizontal towing apparatus that moves continuously through the soil field, enabling real-time measurement of soil parameters along the towing path. This dynamic approach replaces static multiple vertical drilling operations, improving measurement efficiency and reducing project duration.
3Loss of information
If traditional gravity sampling or drill hole sampling followed by laboratory tests is used to obtain soil parameters, then detailed soil parameter analysis is improved, but soil disturbance during sampling and laboratory test limitations cause measurement accuracy to deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables the soil field itself to provide measurement data directly through in-situ testing, eliminating the need to extract and transport soil samples to laboratories. The measuring devices perform tests directly in the field, allowing the soil to 'serve itself' by providing its own mechanical properties without disturbance, thereby maintaining measurement precision while avoiding information loss.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a lateral and continuous measurement method for soil parameters in a soft soil field. The method mainly comprises the following measurement steps: arranging soil strength measuring apparatuses at the front end of a towing apparatus; arranging soil strain softening relationship measuring apparatuses at the bottom end of the towing apparatus; and measuring interface friction parameters between the soil and a structure. The towing apparatus actively or passively moves in a soft soil layer to ensure that the towing apparatus partially penetrates into the to-be-measured soil layer during movement; and the penetration depth of the towing apparatus is controlled by adjusting counterweight above the towing apparatus and a towing angle.