Soil Consolidation Rod with Segmented Accelerant Dosing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Soil consolidation and impermeabilization methods face challenges in soils with significant run-off due to moving groundwater, where the cement mixture can be washed away or solidify too quickly, blocking drilling rods.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a drilling rod with separate dispensers for a cement grout and an accelerating fluid, such as sodium silicate, is used to create columnar volumes under controlled pressure, with the cement grout and accelerator mixing in the soil to form a consolidated and impermeable structure, while varying the accelerator's concentration to prevent premature solidification and ensure smooth extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a consolidation accelerant is added to the cement mixture in a common tank, then the consolidation speed is improved, but the risk of premature solidification blocking the drilling rod increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the accelerant dosing into separate stages: an initial dose is provided at the start of injection to begin consolidation, and a second supplemental dose is provided during rod extraction. This segmentation prevents premature solidification during injection while ensuring adequate consolidation speed during extraction, resolving the contradiction between consolidation speed and rod extraction reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing the first portion of accelerant before the main cement injection begins, allowing consolidation to start in advance. Additionally, the second portion of accelerant is provided during extraction to maintain consolidation speed throughout the process, preventing blockage while ensuring reliable rod extraction.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the accelerant quantity is increased to prevent run-off in soils with moving groundwater, then the impermeabilisation effect is improved, but the cement mixture solidifies too quickly blocking the drilling rod
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic accelerant dosing where the injection rate and quantity are adjusted during the process. The first portion of accelerant is dosed at a controlled rate during injection, and the second portion is added during extraction based on real-time conditions. This dynamic adjustment prevents both run-off in groundwater-prone soils and premature solidification that would block the rod.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of accelerant concentration over time and position. The accelerant is injected at different concentrations and rates during different phases of the process (injection vs. extraction), and at different depths along the rod. This parameter variation optimizes run-off resistance while maintaining ease of rod extraction.
3Manufacturing precision
If separate dispensers for cement grout and accelerating fluid are used, then the consolidation process control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the dispensing functions by providing both cement grout and accelerating fluid through the same drilling rod system, with dispensers positioned at different locations along the rod. This integration maintains precise control over the consolidation process while avoiding the complexity of entirely separate dispensing systems, as both materials are delivered through a single unified tool.
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 enhances soil consolidation speed, reduces run-off, and minimizes the risk of rod blockage, creating a stable impermeable barrier by optimizing the consolidation process and maintaining rod extraction efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid operating material for consolidation and/or impermeabilisation; advantageously the material operates by disintegrating and mixing with the soil to form a columnar volume
Implementation Method 2
The fluid accelerating material by reacting with the fluid material facilitates the start of the curing and therefore the consolidation and/or impermeabilisation of the soil with which the material is going to be mixed
Implementation Method 3
The step of dispensing the fluid operating material into the perforation occurs by spraying the fluid material at more than 350 bar (preferably between 400 and 450 bar); this jet exerts an erosive action on the surrounding soil
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A method for soil consolidation and/or impermeabilisation, comprising the steps of: i) making a perforation (4) in the soil be means of a drilling rod (2); ii) dispensing under pressure in the perforation (4), by means of said drilling rod (2): - a fluid operating material (31) for consolidation and/or impermeabilisation; and - a fluid accelerating material (32) for accelerating the consolidation and/or impermeabilisation; iii) performing an extraction of the rod (2) from said perforation (4); the step of dispensing in the perforation (4) by means of said drilling rod (2) the fluid operating material (31) and the fluid accelerating material (32) occurring during the step of performing said extraction and generating a columnar volume of consolidation and/or impermeabilisation of the soil. The step of dispensing in the perforation (4) a fluid operating material (31) and a fluid accelerating material (32) comprises the step of feeding a first and a second dispenser (21, 22) formed on said rod (2) respectively with the fluid operating material (31) and the fluid accelerating material (32); the step of feeding the first and the second dispenser (21, 22) occurring while keeping the fluid operating material (31) and the fluid accelerating material (32) separate. A system for soil consolidation and/or impermeabilisation is also disclosed.