Extruded Pylon Anchoring Strip for Marine Uplift Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing structures near large bodies of water face structural integrity issues due to pylons being lifted or shifted by natural forces, with no effective solutions to prevent dislodgment from their installed positions.
Innovation Solution
A pylon anchoring system comprising an extruded thermoplastic polymer strip with upper and lower fastening surfaces and anchor elements that wrap around the pylon, providing resistance against external forces by engaging with the ground surface, such as sand, to prevent upheaval or shifting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional pylon installation methods are used, then installation simplicity is maintained, but the pylon is vulnerable to being lifted or shifted by natural forces
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring strip is installed on the pylon before the pylon is set in the ground, allowing the anchor elements to be positioned in advance to engage with the ground surface. This preliminary action ensures that when natural forces act on the pylon, the anchor elements are already in place to provide resistance against lifting or shifting.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchoring strip adds a new dimensional element by wrapping around the pylon and extending anchor elements into the ground surface. This creates a three-dimensional anchoring system that resists uplift forces from multiple directions, transforming the simple vertical pylon installation into a multi-directionally secured structure.
2Strength
If anchor elements are added to the anchoring strip, then resistance to external forces is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring strip is formed as a composite structure combining the strip body with integrated anchor elements, all extruded from thermoplastic polymer material. This composite design allows the anchor elements to provide enhanced strength and counteracting force while being manufactured as a single integrated component through the extrusion process.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor elements are formed by modifying the extrusion parameters of the thermoplastic polymer material. By changing parameters such as extrusion pressure, temperature, and die design, the anchor elements with specific geometries (triangular profile, fins at angles, or horizontal fins) are created directly during the extrusion process, avoiding post-manufacturing assembly steps.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the anchoring strip is wrapped around the pylon, then positional stability is improved, but installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring strip is designed as a flexible thin film that can be easily wrapped around the pylon. This flexible design allows the strip to conform to the pylon's circumference and be secured with fasteners, providing positional stability while maintaining relatively simple and quick installation compared to rigid anchoring systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchoring system uses discrete fasteners placed at specific intervals around the pylon to secure the anchoring strip. This segmentation of the fastening process allows for efficient installation, where fasteners are installed through pre-formed holes in the strip at regular spacing, rather than requiring continuous welding or complex fastening mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a pylon anchoring system in the form of an extruded strip that may be wrapped around, and affixed to, a pylon or post such that the pylon anchoring system is positioned beneath a sand line when the pylon or post is installed and set. Advantageously, when the post or pylon is installed such that the pylon anchoring strip is positioned beneath sand (or some other ground surface), a plurality of anchor elements on the system generate a counteracting force to any external force that might cause the pylon to shift from a set position.