Unitized Precast Grillage Foundation for Transmission Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing galvanized steel grillage foundations in the electrical transmission industry face corrosion challenges, long delivery lead times, and high labor costs due to site assembly, leading to unreliable and inefficient support for structures like electrical transmission lines.
Innovation Solution
A unitized precast grillage foundation made of Ultra High Performance Fiber Reinforced Cementitious Compositions with High Performance Sulfate Resistant concrete, featuring a grid of concrete beams, angled beam-columns, and a telescopic system for adjustable connection, eliminating site assembly and providing corrosion resistance and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If galvanized steel grillage foundations are used, then structural support is provided, but corrosion resistance deteriorates and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses Ultra High Performance Fiber Reinforced Cementitious Compositions (UHPC) as a composite material that combines concrete with fiber reinforcement to create a corrosion-resistant alternative to galvanized steel. This composite material provides both structural support and corrosion protection, eliminating the harmful corrosion effect while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters from traditional steel to UHPC concrete, transforming the fundamental properties of the foundation material. This parameter change results in a material that is inherently resistant to corrosion while maintaining or improving structural performance, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and corrosion resistance.
2Productivity
If galvanized steel beams are shipped and assembled on site, then structural support is achieved, but delivery lead time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-mixing and pre-forming the UHPC foundation elements in controlled manufacturing environments before delivery to the site. This allows the concrete to be prepared in advance with precise dimensional control, eliminating the need for on-site mixing and assembly operations, thereby reducing delivery lead time and increasing productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The foundation is segmented into precast elements that can be manufactured independently and then assembled. This segmentation allows for parallel production and delivery, reducing the overall lead time while maintaining construction speed. The precast elements are designed to be easily assembled on-site, bridging the gap between manufacturing efficiency and construction speed.
3Ease of manufacture
If separate steel pieces are shipped for assembly, then material flexibility is provided, but labor costs increase and ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple manufacturing operations into a single precast process, combining formwork, reinforcement placement, and concrete pouring into one integrated operation. This merging eliminates the need for separate assembly steps and reduces labor requirements, as the entire foundation element is manufactured as a single unit rather than assembling separate steel pieces.
4Adaptability or versatility
If design is not matched with real soil requirements, then planning flexibility is maintained, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses preliminary action by conducting soil investigations and finalizing design parameters before the construction window opens. The UHPC mix design and foundation dimensions are optimized in advance based on soil requirements, allowing the project to proceed efficiently within the limited construction timeline without needing to adapt materials during the constrained construction period.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a unitized precast grillage foundation for supporting a structure comprising: a plurality of anchoring elements defining a grid for resting on an underlying surface; a base connected on the grid, the base comprising at least a first footing and a second footing spaced apart and at least one connecting member between and connected to the at least first footing and the second footing; and a beam-column projecting upwardly from the base, and a method of making same.