Sheet Piling Filler-Corner for Non-Standard Spans and Gender Changes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sheet piling technologies face challenges in constructing walls with non-standard spans, changing lock genders, and forming sharp corners without compromising structural integrity or allowing water migration, due to limitations in standard widths and interlocking mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A sheet piling filler-corner member with a main body panel featuring adjustable lock couplings and flanges, allowing for flexible span adjustments, gender changes, and corner formations without compromising structural integrity or causing water migration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If standard sheet piling widths are used, then manufacturing and installation are simplified, but walls with non-standard spans cannot be constructed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespan flexibilityVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filler-corner member is divided into distinct functional segments: a body portion for non-standard span filling, and integrated lock couplings for interconnection. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall system compatibility with standard sheet pilings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The filler-corner member serves multiple functions: it fills non-standard span gaps, creates sharp corners, changes lock gender (male-to-female or female-to-male), and maintains structural integrity. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components for each purpose, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If force is applied to expand or contract Z-shaped or C-shaped sheet piling width, then non-standard spans can be fitted, but cracking may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewidth adjustabilityVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The filler-corner member acts as an intermediary component between standard sheet pilings, providing the necessary width adjustment without requiring expansion or contraction of the standard pilings themselves. This mediator approach preserves the integrity of the standard pilings while achieving non-standard span requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If confronting locks of adjacent sheet piling panels are cut off and bolted together, then non-standard width assembly is formed, but water migration may occur through the joint

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustom width capabilityVSAvoidwater tightness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The filler-corner member includes self-contained male and female lock couplings that interlock with adjacent sheet pilings, creating a self-sealing joint that prevents water migration without requiring external sealing mechanisms or compromising the interlocking capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Shape

If flanges are cut off to form sharp corners, then corner formation is achieved, but structural strength is weakened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorner sharpnessVSAvoidoverall structure strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The filler-corner member merges the corner-forming function with the lock coupling function into a single integrated component. The lock couplings are positioned and oriented within the body portion to enable sharp corner formation while maintaining full interlocking capability, eliminating the need to cut off flanges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

5Shape

If attempts are made to form sharp corners with standard sheet pilings, then corner formation is attempted, but decoupling or unzipping of locks may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorner sharpnessVSAvoidcoupling integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The filler-corner member is pre-configured with lock couplings positioned and oriented to accommodate sharp corner geometry. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when the member is installed, the locks engage properly without requiring field adjustments or risking decoupling that would occur with post-installation corner formation attempts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20210164187A1Sheet piling filler-corner

Publication Date: 2021.06.03 CMI CO LTD

AI summary

A sheet piling filler-corner member includes one or more female couplings for engagement of male couplings of connected sheet pilings, and one or more male coupling members for engagement within female couplings of connected sheet pilings. Selective attachment of sheet pilings using the filler-corner member, and/or modification of the filler-corner member into different configurations allows the filler-corner member to universally function as a spacer or filler for adding length to a sheet piling assembly, as a corner coupling, or as a gender-change adapter between sheet pilings.