Pile Installation Method for Wind Turbines

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Solution Overview

Problem

The installation of piles in cohesionless soils using vibration methods often results in soil loosening and liquefaction, leading to diminished lateral pile bearing capacities.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the use of a vibration device to drive a pile into the soil, followed by compacting the surrounding soil material through mechanical means or altering its particle size distribution, either by using a collar for mechanical compaction or injecting a fluid with filler to refine the grain structure, thereby increasing the lateral pile bearing capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If vibration driving method is used to install pile in cohesionless soil, then pile installation efficiency is improved, but soil loosening and liquefaction occurs leading to diminished lateral pile bearing capacity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepile installation efficiencyVSAvoidlateral pile bearing capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by compacting the soil in the region where the pile will be installed before driving the pile. This pre-compaction prevents soil loosening and liquefaction during vibration driving, thereby maintaining lateral pile bearing capacity while still achieving efficient installation. The compaction is performed in advance in the anticipated pile installation zone to create favorable soil conditions beforehand.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by creating a compaction zone with specific properties (higher density and stiffness) localized around the future pile installation region. This localized soil improvement ensures that the lateral bearing capacity is enhanced precisely where needed - in the soil surrounding the pile - without requiring global soil treatment. The compaction zone is formed with controlled dimensions and properties tailored to the specific installation requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Length of moving object

If vibration driving is applied to achieve deep pile installation, then installation depth is improved, but soil loosening in adjoining regions increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepile installation depthVSAvoidsoil loosening and liquefaction

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-compacting the soil in the region where the pile will be installed before driving the pile. This pre-compaction prevents soil loosening and liquefaction during vibration driving, thereby maintaining lateral pile bearing capacity while still achieving efficient installation. The compaction is performed in advance in the anticipated pile installation zone to create favorable soil conditions beforehand.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by compacting the soil before pile installation to counteract the loosening effect that will occur during vibration driving. This pre-applied compaction creates a resistant zone that opposes the detrimental loosening forces generated during pile installation, thereby preventing soil liquefaction and maintaining bearing capacity throughout the installation process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Strength

If collar is driven into soil for mechanical compaction, then lateral pile bearing capacity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelateral pile bearing capacityVSAvoidcompaction device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing the collar to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a compaction tool during installation and as a permanent structural component of the pile system. The collar is integrated into the pile structure itself, eliminating the need for separate compaction devices. This multi-functional design reduces overall device complexity while achieving the desired compaction effect for enhancing lateral bearing capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 approach enhances the lateral pile bearing capacity by creating a compacted soil zone around the pile, effectively addressing the issues of soil loosening and liquefaction, and can be applied to both onshore and offshore wind turbine installations.

Implementation Method 1

driving the pile into the soil using a vibration device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

mechanically compacting the soil material by driving a collar surrounding the lateral surface of the pile

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical compaction: Compression

Implementation Method 3

changing the particle size distribution of the soil material by injecting a fluid mixed with a filler

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid injection with filler: Fluid Spray

Data Source

PatentUS11441288B2Pile and method of installing

Publication Date: 2022.09.13 INNOGY SE

AI summary

A method for installing a pile, in particular a monopile for a wind turbine, in a soil, comprising the method steps: —driving the pile into the soil using a vibration device; and—compacting soil material surrounding a lateral surface of the pile.