Segmented Pressure Pipe Anchor for Temporary Ground Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pressure pipe anchors for temporary construction measures pose challenges in easy assembly and minimal disruption during subsequent construction work, as they either require complex assembly or leave large, disruptive remnants in the subsoil due to their design.

Innovation Solution

Designing pressure pipes with predetermined breaking points along their longitudinal axis, such as reduced pipe wall thickness or perforations, to facilitate easy destruction and minimize disruption while maintaining force absorption capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pressure pipes are designed as solid rigid bodies for stable force absorption, then anchor stability is improved, but assembly complexity and installation time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanchor stabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure pipe is segmented into a first pressure pipe section and a second pressure pipe section that can be separately assembled and then connected together. This segmentation allows for easier handling and installation while maintaining the structural integrity needed for force absorption. The anchor body is divided into modular components including pressure pipe sections, connection elements, and anchor feet that can be assembled sequentially.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The anchor tension member is nested within the pressure pipe, which itself is nested within the borehole. The connection element is inserted through the first pressure pipe section into the second pressure pipe section. This nested arrangement allows compact assembly while maintaining the required structural strength for anchor stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If pressure pipes are designed as large solid structures for force absorption, then anchor stability is improved, but disruption to subsequent construction work increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanchor stabilityVSAvoidconstruction disruption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure pipe is divided into multiple separable sections that can be easily removed and fragmented after the anchor tension member is extracted. The connection element allows for clean separation of the pressure pipe sections, reducing large solid remnants in the subsoil that could disrupt subsequent construction activities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure pipe sections are designed as temporary structures that serve their function during anchor installation and tensioning, then can be discarded or removed after the anchor tension member is extracted. The modular design facilitates easy removal and fragmentation of these temporary components to minimize long-term disruption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Strength

If pressure pipes are made with uniform wall thickness for structural integrity, then force absorption capacity is improved, but ease of destruction after use deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce absorption capacityVSAvoidease of destruction
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure pipe features localized wall thickness variations with thickest sections at the ends for maximum force absorption capacity, and thinner intermediate sections that are easier to break apart after use. This non-uniform wall thickness distribution optimizes both structural integrity during service and ease of destruction after extraction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The wall thickness parameter of the pressure pipe is varied along its length to achieve different mechanical properties in different zones. The end sections maintain high thickness for strength, while intermediate sections have reduced thickness to facilitate easy breaking and removal after the anchor fulfills its temporary purpose.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2372026B1Tension cable and ground anchor composed with it
Publication Date: 2015.11.11 DYWIDAG-SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL GMBH
  • EP2372026B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2372026B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2372026B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The pipe (20) has an anchoring tendon (3) inserted into a borehole (2) in an underground (7) and anchored with an anchor foot (19) in a borehole base (18). An anchor head construction (11) clamps the anchoring tendon to an air-sided end of the borehole. The anchoring tendon is surrounded in a region before the anchor foot, where the pressure pipe is provided in force-fit connection with a borehole wall by a grouted body (22). A predetermined breaking point extends along longitudinal direction (4) of the pressure pipe that is made of brittle material, cast iron, glass, ceramics or concrete.