Reinforced Pylon Foundation via Grouted Vertical Trenches
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for reinforcing pylon foundations, such as using micro-piles, can be costly and inefficient, often ignoring the contribution of the existing superficial foundation and potentially weakening it during reinforcement, especially when dealing with increased loads or geometry discrepancies.
Innovation Solution
The method involves creating vertical trenches intersecting the foundation slab, filled with a hydraulic binder to form a resistant wall in the ground, which increases the volume of soil resisting uprooting forces while minimizing material input and avoiding foundation weakening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If micro-piles are installed to reinforce the foundation, then the anchoring strength is improved, but the foundation may be weakened during reinforcement operations and the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The foundation reinforces itself by utilizing its own concrete mass and the surrounding soil. The method creates a cavity within the existing foundation that is then filled with grout, allowing the foundation to strengthen itself without requiring external micro-piles that could potentially weaken it during installation
Solution Approach 2:
A portion of the foundation concrete is removed to create the cavity, but this discarded material is then recovered by filling the cavity with grout that binds the remaining foundation mass together, transforming the removal operation into a strengthening operation
2Strength
If micro-piles are used to take up all forces, then the load-bearing capacity is improved, but the contribution of the existing superficial foundation is ignored and overall efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The method merges the existing foundation mass with the newly injected grout to create a unified reinforced structure. The grout penetrates and bonds with the surrounding concrete, combining the strengths of both materials to resist pull-out forces together rather than relying solely on separate micro-piles
Solution Approach 2:
The grout injection serves multiple functions simultaneously: it fills the created cavity, bonds the remaining foundation segments together, strengthens the interface between the foundation and soil, and creates a distributed reinforcement system that utilizes the entire foundation mass
3Strength
If the trench extends beyond the slab contour, then the resistance volume is increased, but the material quantity and work complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement is applied locally at the critical interface between the foundation slab and the surrounding soil. The trench is positioned to intersect the slab and extend slightly beyond its contour, concentrating the grout injection where it is most needed to maximize resistance to tearing forces without unnecessary material expenditure
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 significantly enhances resistance to tearing forces with minimal external material and reduces the risk of foundation weakening during reinforcement, offering a cost-effective and efficient solution adaptable to various access conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the trench is filled with a material comprising at least in part a hydraulic binder to form in the ground a resistant wall mechanically connected to said slab
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~4
AI summary
The method involves forming vertical edge (24') in the ground, where the vertical edge has trace intersecting a part of horizontal slabs (14, 16), and a width lower than horizontal dimensions of the slabs. The height of the edge is higher than its width, and a part of the edge extends beyond a boundary of the slabs. The vertical edge is filled with a material having a hydraulic binder to form resistant walls (26, 28) in the ground, where the resistant wall is mechanically connected with the slabs. An independent claim is also included for a structure for reinforcing a foundation of a gate post.