Jackable Foundation Torque Suppression via Orthogonal Guides
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing jackable building foundations face challenges in maintaining a level platform under uneven and variable lifting forces, which can lead to jamming during the raising and lowering process, especially in the context of storm surges and flood conditions.
Innovation Solution
A steel beam support frame platform with hydraulic jacks and cuboidal column guides featuring orthogonal I-beams and rollers, combined with a remote control system using wireless communication components, to manage torque and ensure even movement and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a jackable foundation is raised and lowered with flood water level, then protection from flood damage is improved, but the platform may become uneven and jam under variable lifting forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric positioning of I-beams and rollers at each corner of the platform, where adjacent corners have orthogonal orientations. This asymmetric arrangement creates complementary mechanical constraints that collectively maintain platform levelness while allowing vertical movement, resolving the contradiction between flood protection reliability and platform stability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If hydraulic jacks are used to raise the platform, then adaptability to flood levels is improved, but torque from uneven jacking causes jamming
Solution Approach 1:
The orthogonal arrangement of I-beams and rollers at adjacent corners creates asymmetric mechanical constraints that actively counteract torques generated by uneven hydraulic jacking. This asymmetric design allows the platform to adapt to varying flood levels while preventing jamming through complementary geometric relationships.
Solution Approach 2:
The column guides with orthogonally oriented rollers are pre-configured to provide counteracting forces against potential torque-induced jamming. The guides are designed in advance to resist the harmful effects of uneven lifting forces before they can cause jamming, enabling smooth operation across the full range of flood level adaptations.
3Stability of the object's composition
If column guides with rollers are used, then vertical movement is constrained, but torque from uneven jacking causes jamming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric, orthogonally oriented I-beams and rollers at each corner, where adjacent corners have perpendicular arrangements. This asymmetric configuration creates complementary constraints that maintain vertical movement control while collectively counteracting torques that would otherwise cause jamming during uneven lifting operations.
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 solution effectively suppresses torque-induced jamming and allows for precise, level adjustments of the foundation platform, protecting buildings from flood damage by ensuring stable and controlled vertical movement in response to changing flood levels.
Implementation Method 1
one or more hydraulic jacks are attached
Implementation Method 2
two rollers supported on horizontal axes
Data Source
AI summary
A jackable building foundation includes a steel beam support frame platform to which one or more hydraulic jacks are attached. Vertical movement of the platform in response to jacking is constrained by cuboidal column guides at the four corners. Each of the column guides comprises two tiers of square roller frames, within each of which is an I-beam engaged between the flanges on either side by two rollers supported on horizontal axes. The orientations of the I-beams and rollers alternate orthogonally at each corner of the platform, so that torques generated by uneven jacking are suppressed and do not result in jamming of the platform as it rises.