Timber Pile Reinforcement via Polymer Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Timber piles used in infrastructure support, such as bridges and railways, are prone to degradation due to rot and stress, requiring lengthy and costly repair processes that disrupt transportation services.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a timber pile support system with a sleeve and a cured polymer permeated between the pile and the sleeve, utilizing a two-component silica-urea polymer like DE NEEF Organosol 550 DT, which is injected into the pile through holes to reinforce it, allowing for in-place repairs without shutting down the structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional timber pile repair methods are used, then the structural integrity can be restored, but the structure must be shut down for extended periods and the repair process is complicated and slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the timber pile by injecting polymer resin that chemically bonds with the wood fibers, transforming the material properties to achieve both structural restoration and rapid repair without extended shutdowns
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure by combining timber with polymer resin, forming a timber-polymer composite pile that maintains structural integrity while enabling faster repair processes compared to traditional wooden pile replacement methods
2Reliability
If traditional timber pile repair methods are used, then the structural integrity can be restored, but the repair process is complicated and requires extensive shutdown procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex multi-step traditional repair process and replaces it with a single integrated polymer injection process, removing unnecessary steps while maintaining structural restoration effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent simplifies the repair process by changing the state of the repair material from solid wood pieces requiring mechanical assembly to liquid polymer resin that can be injected and will chemically bond, reducing procedural complexity
3Strength
If polymer resin is injected into the timber pile, then the compressive strength and resilience are enhanced, but the injection process requires precise control to ensure proper permeation and curing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the porous structure of timber to allow polymer resin permeation, where the natural grain and cellular structure of the wood provide pathways for the resin to penetrate and bond with the wood fibers throughout the pile structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls the injection process by managing parameters such as resin viscosity, injection pressure, and curing conditions to ensure optimal permeation into the timber pore structure while achieving the desired strength enhancement
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 method effectively reinforces timber piles, enhancing their compressive strength and resilience, enabling them to withstand higher loads and reducing the need for structure shutdowns during repairs, as demonstrated by successful testing under cyclic loading conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The viscosity of the polymer resin is low enough to allow the resin to permeate into the defects of the damaged timber pile, reinforcing the pile throughout its cross section
Implementation Method 2
a cured polymer disposed between the sheath and the pile and permeated into the pile
Data Source
AI summary
A support having a timber pile. The support has a sheath positioned about the pile and in spaced relation to the pile to define a gap between the sheath and the pile. The support has a cured polymer disposed between the sheath and the pile and permeated into the pile. A method for reinforcing a structure. A method for building a support for a structure.