Prefabricated Rectangular Pile Transitions for Lifting Damage Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Prefabricated concrete variable cross-section piles are prone to damage during lifting due to high tensile stress, leading to cracks and scrapping, which affects their uplift resistance and bearing performance.

Innovation Solution

The design of the concrete variable cross-section prefabricated rectangular pile features lateral transition surfaces with edges deviating from the vertical direction, enhancing compressive strength and reducing tensile force, along with convex portions for improved side friction resistance and bending strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If variable cross-section piles are used to improve uplift resistance and bearing performance, then the bearing capacity is improved, but the intermediate segment becomes prone to damage during lifting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebearing capacityVSAvoiddamage resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the geometric parameters of the transition zone by introducing convex portions that protrude from the lateral surface. This modifies the stress distribution pattern, transforming the stress concentration from a harmful effect to a beneficial one that redirects tensile forces away from the vulnerable intermediate segment, thereby preventing cracks while maintaining the variable cross-section bearing capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces asymmetric convex portions on the lateral transition surfaces that break the symmetry of the stress distribution. These convex portions are strategically positioned to create asymmetric stress paths that favor compressive force transmission while diverting tensile forces, thus protecting the intermediate segment from lifting-induced damage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional straight piles are used, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the uplift resistance and bearing performance are inferior

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoiduplift resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by introducing convex portions only at the critical transition zones between large and small sections, rather than changing the entire pile geometry. This localized modification maintains the simplicity of manufacturing for the majority of the pile length while providing enhanced uplift resistance and bearing capacity at the critical variable cross-section regions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If the lateral transition surfaces are designed with edges deviating from vertical direction, then the compressive strength is enhanced and tensile force is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompressive strengthVSAvoidedge alignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs curved lateral transition surfaces with convex portions instead of sharp angular edges. This curvature design naturally distributes stresses more evenly and reduces stress concentration at specific points, achieving enhanced compressive strength and reduced tensile forces while being more tolerant to manufacturing variations compared to precise angular edge alignment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP4026950B1Concrete variable cross-section prefabricated rectangular pile
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 ZHOU ZHAODI
  • EP4026950B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4026950B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP4026950B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

A concrete variable cross-section prefabricated square pile, comprising pile bodies of large cross-section sections and small cross-section sections alternately arranged along a longitudinal direction. Lateral transition surfaces are formed between side surfaces of the large cross-section sections and adjacent small cross-section sections; at least part of the lateral transition surfaces have a front edge and/or a rear edge that are offset from a vertical direction in a lateral projection, and a vertical projection of an intersection line between the lateral transition surface and a first horizontal plane is located outside a vertical projection of an intersection line between the lateral transition surface and a second horizontal plane; the first horizontal plane is a horizontal plane located above in any two horizontal planes, and the second horizontal plane is a horizontal plane located below in any two horizontal planes; one or both side surfaces of the small cross-section section are perpendicular to the bottom surface of the small cross-section section or are laterally inclined by a set angle. According to the prefabricated pile, the phenomenon that the middle section is easy to damage can be avoided, the breakage rate of the variable cross-section prefabricated square pile is reduced, and the product quality of the variable cross-section prefabricated square pile is more stable and reliable.