Soil Load Transfer Plates for Slope Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for stabilizing slopes and embankments are often expensive and inefficient, particularly for shallow landslides and soil masses underlain by medium stiff soil layers, as they require large volumes of earthworks and costly materials like steel.
Innovation Solution
A soil load transfer system using elements with upper and lower plates, optimized for efficient load transfer from unstable to stable soil layers, reducing material usage and installation costs by using a configuration of load transfer sections with varying plate arrangements and materials like steel, concrete, or reinforced plastics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional retention structures and soil reinforcement methods are used to stabilize slopes, then slope stability is improved, but construction costs and material usage increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The load transfer element is divided into distinct segments: an upper portion with an upper plate for engaging unstable soil, a lower portion with a lower plate for engaging stable soil, and a connecting stem. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, transferring loads from unstable to stable soil while minimizing material usage compared to conventional bulk reinforcement structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The load transfer element acts as an intermediary structure between unstable upper soil and stable lower soil. The element mediates the load transfer process by capturing loads from the unstable soil through the upper plate, transmitting them through the stem, and distributing them to the stable soil through the lower plate, thereby stabilizing the slope without requiring extensive earthworks.
2Reliability
If long heavy piles are used to lock down the base of potential slides, then deep landslide mitigation is achieved, but installation costs and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The load transfer element is designed with local quality variations: the upper plate is optimized for engaging unstable soil, the lower plate for engaging stable soil, and the stem provides structural connection. This localized optimization allows the structure to achieve deep landslide mitigation functionality while using lighter materials and simpler installation methods compared to uniform long heavy piles.
3Reliability
If large volume earthworks are performed for slope stabilization, then slope stability is improved, but construction time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential stabilization function from extensive earthworks by using targeted load transfer elements. Instead of moving large volumes of soil, the system extracts and transfers only the necessary loads from unstable to stable soil through the load transfer elements, significantly reducing construction time and material removal while maintaining slope stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for and method of stabilizing slopes and embankments using one or more soil load transfer elements are disclosed. The present subject matter provides for an efficient method and apparatus for stabilizing shallow landslides and slope instabilities for failing and near-failing soil masses that are underlain by soil materials. The system may include a plurality of load transfer plates affixed to a pile or load transfer section in varying configurations. In one embodiment, one or more upper load transfer plates are preferably used to capture the downslope-moving soil mass and transfer the applied loads to the intermediary pile section. In another embodiment, a plurality of upper load transfer plates can be used to transfer applied loads to a lower pile section.