Sheet Pile Lock Sealing with Swellable Compound
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sheet pile walls are not waterproof due to clearance in the sheet pile locks, leading to inefficiencies in sealing and potential damage to the sealing compound during assembly, which compromises the moisture-tightness of the connection.
Innovation Solution
A swellable sealing compound is used, housed in a recess within the first coupling element, which only comes into contact with the second coupling element after moisture penetration, preventing damage and ensuring a secure, moisture-tight seal. This can be achieved through extrusion or coextrusion processes, where the sealant is integrated during the sheet pile production, and electrical conductors monitor the seal's integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sealant is injected into the gap in the lock after assembly, then the watertightness is significantly increased, but the process is time-consuming and difficult to monitor
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing compound is pre-installed in a recess of the first coupling element before the sheet piles are assembled. This preliminary placement allows the sealing material to be positioned correctly in advance, eliminating the need for time-consuming post-assembly injection and monitoring processes.
2Reliability
If sealing compound is inserted before connecting sheet piles, then the connection can be sealed, but the friction during driving damages or moves the sealing compound, compromising tightness
Solution Approach 1:
The recess in the first coupling element provides a protected space that cushions the sealing compound from the harmful friction forces generated during the driving process. This protective structure prevents the sealant from being damaged or displaced by the mechanical friction between coupling elements.
3Reliability
If the sealing compound is placed in direct contact with the second coupling element, then sealing is achieved, but the unswollen sealant cannot provide adequate seal during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing compound undergoes a parameter change by swelling when it contacts moisture after assembly. This transformation allows the sealant to expand and fill the sealing gap effectively, providing a reliable moisture barrier that forms after the mechanical assembly is complete, ensuring both ease of assembly and effective sealing.
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
The solution ensures a reliable, moisture-tight sheet pile wall by preventing damage to the sealing compound during assembly and allowing for easy monitoring of the seal's integrity, ensuring the connection remains watertight and functional.
Implementation Method 1
the swelling compound (3) is held securely in the recess (4) of the first coupling element (21) and is capable of swelling under moisture
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
According to the invention, in a sheet pile (1) for forming a moisture-tight sheet pile wall, a sealing compound (3) is provided in the first coupling element (21) for sealing the sheet pile lock (2) against moisture, wherein the sealing compound (3) is capable of swelling under moisture;In the first coupling element (21) a recess (4) extending along the first coupling element is provided for receiving the sealant (3), the recess (4) is filled with the swellable sealant (3) such that the unswelled sealant (3A) comes into contact with the second locking element (1A) when the sheet pile lock is locked, such that the sheet pile lock (2) is not sealed against moisture, and preferably the unswelled sealant (3) cannot come into contact with the second locking element (1A) when the sheet pile lock is locked, and the swelled sealant (3A) comes into contact with the second locking element (1A) when the sheet pile lock is locked, such that the sheet pile lock (2) is sealed against moisture.