Tine Array Ground Improvement Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for improving soil strength and stiffness, such as deep dynamic compaction and aggregate column installations, are either costly, induce damaging vibrations, or are limited to specific soil conditions and depths, failing to effectively address the need for rapid cohesionless, cohesive, and semi-cohesive soil reinforcement without inducing vibrations.
Innovation Solution
A device with vertically extending tines and a top plate, featuring a length-to-spacing ratio greater than two, is driven into the ground to displace soil downward and radially outward, creating cavities that can be filled with flowable media, allowing for deep soil improvement without the need for continuous filling and minimizing vibration impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If deep dynamic compaction is used to improve soil strength, then soil densification is achieved, but large damaging waves are induced that can harm structures
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the soil improvement process into multiple discrete treatment zones using an array of individually driven tines or probes spaced apart from each other. Each tine creates a separate treatment zone, allowing controlled soil densification in multiple locations simultaneously without requiring a single large impact that would generate damaging waves. This segmentation of the treatment approach enables soil strength improvement while avoiding the harmful wave effects of conventional deep dynamic compaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the conventional mechanical system of dropping heavy weights from height to create compression waves with a different mechanical approach: driving tines or probes into the soil to create cavities and displacement zones through controlled mechanical insertion. This substitution of the mechanical mechanism avoids the wave generation problem inherent in impact-based methods while still achieving soil densification and strength improvement.
2Strength
If aggregate columns are installed to reinforce soft soil layers, then soil strength is improved, but the method is limited to specific soil conditions and depths
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a universal soil improvement system where the same basic tine or probe device can be adapted to treat various soil types (cohesionless, cohesive, semi-cohesive) and depth ranges by adjusting parameters such as tine length, spacing, and driving methodology. The system can function as both a cavity-creating device for aggregate column installation and as a direct soil densification tool, providing multi-functionality that enhances adaptability across different soil conditions and project requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables adaptation to different soil conditions and depths by changing key parameters of the treatment device and process: adjusting tine length to match treatment depth requirements, modifying the spacing between tines to account for different soil densities, and varying the driving methodology based on soil type. This parameter adjustment capability allows the same basic system to effectively treat a wide range of soil conditions without requiring completely different approaches.
3Strength
If conventional earthwork methods are used to excavate and replace soft soils, then soil improvement is achieved, but costly dewatering or shoring is required to stabilize the excavation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary soil densification and cavity creation at the treatment locations before any excavation or replacement work begins. By pre-treating the soil through controlled tine insertion and cavity formation, the ground conditions are improved in advance, which simplifies subsequent construction activities and reduces or eliminates the need for complex dewatering or shoring systems that would otherwise be required to stabilize deep excavations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts or removes the need for expensive and complex dewatering and shoring systems by alternatively treating the soil in situ through tine-based cavity creation and densification. Instead of excavating large volumes of soft soil that would require such support systems, the method works with the existing ground conditions, creating localized treatment zones that improve soil strength without requiring extensive excavation support infrastructure.
4Productivity
If multiple holes are treated simultaneously to increase productivity, then treatment depth is limited to very shallow depths, but deeper treatment requires sequential processing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the treatment array into multiple independently operable tines or probes that can be driven to different depths simultaneously. This segmentation allows multiple treatment zones to be created at once, each extending to the required depth, thereby maintaining high productivity while achieving deep treatment. The independent operation of each tine enables parallel processing at different depths without requiring sequential treatment of individual locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-point treatment approach to a multi-point spatial array that operates in multiple dimensions simultaneously. By arranging tines or probes in a spaced-apart array that can be driven to depth while maintaining horizontal separation, the system achieves both deep treatment and high productivity through parallel operation. This dimensional arrangement allows multiple treatment zones to be created at once, eliminating the trade-off between simultaneous treatment and treatment depth.
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 solution achieves significant soil densification and strength enhancement to depths greater than the tine length, with measurable improvements in Cone Penetration Test (CPT) tip resistances, demonstrating efficient and vibration-minimized soil reinforcement across various soil types.
Implementation Method 1
a top plate having a first surface configured for having a driving device attached thereto to provide impact thereon
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for ground improvement includes a device having a plurality of tines extending downwardly from a top plate in a manner to achieve displacement of ground material downward and radially outward. The tines may include ridges spaced vertically along an outer surface of the tines. The tines may also be in the form of opposing plates. The device is mechanically driven into the ground to achieve predetermined depths of penetration by the tines/plates. The device is retracted and driven repeatedly to achieve densification. Optionally, voids made by the device can be filled with a flowable media.