Single-Hole Deep Air Compression Drainage for Soft Soil Consolidation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for deep soft soil foundation drainage consolidation are inefficient and costly, leading to prolonged consolidation times and excessive post-construction settlement, especially for structures built on large soil layers with low permeability.
Innovation Solution
A single-hole depth air compression drainage device comprising an air diffusion cavity and a water drainage cavity, connected to an air compression pipe and water drainage pipe, respectively, is used to accelerate drainage consolidation by applying air pressure to drive groundwater out of the soil, with the air diffusion cavity located below the water drainage cavity to enhance permeability and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If natural drainage consolidation is used for deep soft soil foundation, then the method is simple and low cost, but the drainage consolidation time is extremely long (decades or hundreds of years) and post-construction settlement is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-installing the air compression drainage device in the deep soft soil foundation before construction. The air compression pipe and water drainage pipe are buried in the foundation beforehand, creating a ready-to-operate drainage system that can immediately accelerate consolidation when activated, rather than relying on natural slow drainage processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes pneumatics and hydraulics by using air compression to generate pressure gradients that drive water flow through the soil. The air compression pipe introduces compressed air into the deep soft soil, creating a pressure gradient that forces groundwater to flow rapidly through the water drainage pipe to the surface, dramatically accelerating the drainage consolidation process compared to natural gravity-driven drainage
2Reliability
If surcharge pre-loading or vacuum pre-loading methods are used, then drainage consolidation effect is good for shallow soft soils, but the effect is poor for deep soft soils and engineering costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the drainage system into distinct functional components: the air compression pipe for generating pressure, the water drainage pipe for removing water, and the bearing plate for distributing load. This segmented design allows each component to be optimized for its specific function and facilitates easier installation and operation compared to complex integrated pre-loading systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing compressed air as a mediator substance that transfers energy to the groundwater. The air compression pipe acts as an intermediary device that converts mechanical energy from the compressor into pressure energy in the air, which then drives water flow through the drainage pipe, providing a more effective and simpler mechanism than direct mechanical pre-loading methods
3Loss of time
If deep groundwater drainage is achieved, then consolidation time is shortened and settlement is reduced, but the device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nested doll principle byburying the air compression pipe and water drainage pipe concentrically or in close proximity within the same deep hole. The air compression pipe is positioned inside or alongside the water drainage pipe, creating a compact nested arrangement that reduces the overall installation footprint and simplifies the drilling and backfilling processes while achieving deep groundwater drainage
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 device shortens drainage consolidation time, reduces post-construction settlement, and achieves efficient deep soil consolidation for bearing piles with low energy consumption, adapting to different depth and area requirements.
Implementation Method 1
applying air pressure to drive groundwater out of the soil
Implementation Method 2
drive groundwater to flow along a maximum pressure gradient direction
Implementation Method 3
the water drainage cavity body has water permeability and can prevent soil body from entering the cavity
Implementation Method 4
groundwater seeping into the water drainage cavity body flows out of the ground surface through the water drainage pipe
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a soft soil foundation single-hole depth air compression drainage device and working method thereof, comprising an air compression pipe and a water drainage pipe. A water drainage cavity body and an air diffusion cavity body are buried respectively in a soft soil foundation, and the air diffusion cavity body is located below the water drainage cavity body. Connecting to the air diffusion cavity body, the air compression pipe protrudes out of ground surface along a vertical direction of the soft soil foundation and communicates with an inflation pump; connecting to the water drainage cavity body, one end of the water drainage pipe protrudes to the bottom of the water drainage cavity body, and the other end protrudes out of the ground surface, thus achieving deep drainage and a drainage consolidation time of the deep soft soil foundation is shortened.