Tapered Square Pipe Cofferdam Resisting Side Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cofferdam structures are insufficient in strength, require additional components like wales, struts, and center piles, are difficult to construct, and costly due to the need for extensive support systems, especially in deep excavations, and face challenges with deformation under side pressure.
Innovation Solution
A ring-shaped cofferdam and temporary pit excavation structure using tapered square pipes with trapezoidal cross-sections and an arch structure, where coupling protrusions and grooves allow for assembly without wales or center piles, and an anchor member provides stability, allowing for easy construction and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If sheet piles are used to construct a cofferdam, then the structure can be installed in water or ground, but the strength is insufficient and additional support components (wales, struts, center piles) are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the sheet pile itself: the sheet pile serves as both the retaining wall and the support structure. By integrating the wales, struts, and center piles functions into the sheet pile design, the patent eliminates the need for separate support components while maintaining structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite construction by combining steel sheets with internal reinforcement structures (ribs, angles, channels) to create a multi-functional sheet pile that provides both retention and support functions, eliminating the need for separate support components.
2Strength
If additional support components (wales, struts, center piles) are installed to increase strength, then the structure can resist side pressure, but the construction becomes more difficult and requires more time
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the support functions into the sheet pile itself, the patent eliminates the need for separate installation steps for wales, struts, and center piles, thereby accelerating construction while maintaining the ability to resist side pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheet pile is designed to be self-supporting through its integrated reinforcement structure, eliminating the need for external support components and reducing construction complexity and time.
3Stability of the object's composition
If additional support components are installed to prevent deformation, then the structure can resist side pressure, but the work space becomes insufficient and construction becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The support functions are merged into the sheet pile structure itself, eliminating the need for external support components that would occupy work space. The integrated design provides deformation resistance without interfering with internal construction activities.
4Strength
If sheet piles are installed in two rows with filler material to prevent wall deformation, then the walls can resist side pressure, but underwater work is required and ground-embedded supporting structures cannot be realistically installed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the retaining wall and support structure into a single integrated sheet pile system, eliminating the need for separate filler material installation and ground-embedded supporting structures, thereby making construction more feasible.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheet pile is designed as a self-supporting structure with integrated reinforcement, eliminating the need for external filler material and supporting structures, thereby simplifying construction and removing the requirement for underwater work.
5Ease of manufacture
If cylindrical piles are used to avoid filler material, then construction is easier, but the thickness is limited and strength is insufficient for areas with large side pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite construction by combining steel sheets with internal reinforcement structures (ribs, angles, channels) to create a multi-functional sheet pile that provides both retention and support functions, achieving both construction ease and sufficient strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheet pile incorporates localized reinforcement elements (ribs, angles, channels) at specific positions to provide enhanced strength where needed, allowing the structure to resist large side pressures while maintaining construction ease.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4(A)~4(B)
AI summary
The present invention relates to a cofferdam structure. A ring-shaped cofferdam and temporary pit excavation structure using tapered square pipes includes a plurality of tapered square pipes a trapezoidal cross-section, in which the plurality of tapered square pipes each have a coupling protrusion or a coupling groove formed in a longitudinal direction on a first side, the plurality of tapered square pipes each have a coupling protrusion or a coupling groove formed in the longitudinal direction on a second side, the plurality of tapered square pipes are assembled by coupling the coupling protrusions and the coupling grooves, a long side of two parallel sides of the trapezoid is disposed outside, and a short side is disposed inside.