Hydraulic Jack Lifting Assembly for Concrete Slab Foundation Elevation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Concrete slab foundations poured on top of soil are prone to damage due to uneven soil moisture and movement, leading to buckling or cracking, as existing techniques like screw jacks and hydraulic jacks may not effectively address these issues.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the installation of a pier with a protruding extension, a lifting assembly with a lift sleeve and upward members, and a jack to lift the slab foundation above ground, where the lift sleeve is bonded to the concrete and secured to the pier extension, allowing for stable elevation and support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a concrete slab foundation is poured directly on top of soil, then construction is simple and cost-effective, but the foundation is prone to damage from soil movement and moisture changes
Solution Approach 1:
The pier system is installed in advance before the concrete slab is poured, creating a predetermined support structure that elevates the foundation above problematic soil conditions. The pier extension protrudes above ground level to provide a stable mounting point for the lifting assembly, preventing future soil movement damage while maintaining construction efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The pier acts as an intermediary element between the soil and the concrete slab foundation. It transfers loads from the foundation to deeper, more stable soil layers while isolating the foundation from surface-level moisture changes and soil movement, thereby improving reliability without complicating the construction process.
2Ease of operation
If screw jacks or hydraulic jacks are used to raise the foundation, then elevation can be achieved, but the lifting mechanism may not be securely bonded to the concrete
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting assembly integrates the jack mechanism with the pier extension and concrete slab into a unified system. The lift sleeve is positioned to engage both the pier extension and the concrete slab simultaneously, ensuring that lifting forces are distributed and that the entire assembly moves as one unit, thereby securing the bonding between lifting mechanism and concrete.
Solution Approach 2:
The pier extension is installed beforehand to provide a pre-positioned mounting structure for the lifting assembly. This preliminary action ensures proper alignment and secure attachment points before the lifting operation begins, preventing bonding failures during the elevation process.
3Productivity
If the lifting assembly is not securely attached to the pier extension, then lifting can be performed quickly, but the foundation may not be stable at the elevated position
Solution Approach 1:
The pier extension is pre-installed with external threading or attachment features that allow rapid securing of the lift sleeve. This preliminary preparation enables quick attachment during lifting while ensuring stable support at the elevated position, as the pre-formed attachment points eliminate time-consuming alignment and fastening operations.
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
This method provides a stable and durable solution by lifting the slab foundation above ground, preventing damage from soil movement and ensuring a secure bond between the lifting assembly and the concrete, thereby reducing the likelihood of cracking or buckling.
Implementation Method 1
a jack is positioned on an upper end of the pier extension, and lifting arms of the jack engage the lifting members. The operator actuates the jack to exert an upward force on the lifting assembly to lift the slab foundation above the ground
Implementation Method 2
The operator pours the slab foundation, bonding a portion of the lifting assembly in concrete
Implementation Method 3
The lift sleeve may be welded to the pier extension after the slab foundation has been lifted
Data Source
AI summary
A method for lifting and supporting above ground a concrete slab foundation employing hydraulic jacks includes installing piers in the ground, each with a pier extension protruding above ground. A lifting assembly is placed over each pier extension, the lifting assembly having a lift sleeve and upward extending lifting members. Then the slab foundation is poured, bonding a portion of the lifting assembly in concrete. After the slab foundation hardens, a jack is positioned on top of the pier extension, and lifting arms of the jack engage the lifting members. The jack is actuated to exert an upward force on the lifting assembly to lift the slab foundation above the ground. Then, the lift sleeve is rigidly secured to the pier extension, allowing the jack and lifting arms to be removed.