Wall Lifting via Pressurized Fluid Injection and Supplemental Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Structures such as foundation walls often settle below their desired level, necessitating effective methods for lifting and maintaining them at a specific height, with existing techniques being inadequate in efficiency and effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
Injections of pressurized fluid beneath the foundation wall, combined with a supplemental lifting force mechanism, to lift the wall vertically and fill voids created during the process, using materials like grout, polyurethane foam, or pressurized air mixed with sand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If pressurized fluid is injected beneath the wall to lift it, then the wall can be raised to the desired height, but the force required to lift the entire wall may be insufficient or impractical
Solution Approach 1:
A supplemental lifting force mechanism is attached to the wall to apply an upward force that counteracts the weight of the wall. This reduces the net force that the injected fluid must provide to lift the wall, making the lifting process more efficient and practical.
Solution Approach 2:
The supplemental lifting force mechanism acts as an intermediary between the wall and the injected fluid. It provides additional lifting force that works together with the fluid pressure, enabling the system to overcome the wall's weight more effectively than fluid injection alone.
2Reliability
If the wall is lifted vertically, then it returns to the desired level, but voids are created underneath the wall that can cause resettlement
Solution Approach 1:
The void filling process is performed concurrently with or immediately following the lifting operation. By preparing to fill voids as the wall is lifted, the system prevents vacuum formation and ensures that spaces beneath the wall are promptly filled with grout or foam, eliminating the risk of future resettlement.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting operation and void filling operation are combined into a single integrated process. The injected fluid serves dual purposes: providing lifting force to raise the wall and filling voids underneath to prevent resettlement, thereby achieving both objectives simultaneously.
3Productivity
If existing lifting techniques are used, then some lifting capability is achieved, but they are inadequate in efficiency and effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines multiple lifting mechanisms (fluid injection and supplemental lifting force mechanism) into a universal solution that can handle various wall lifting scenarios. This multi-functional approach improves both efficiency by reducing the workload on any single mechanism and effectiveness by ensuring reliable lifting even in challenging conditions.
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
Efficiently lifts and maintains structures at the desired height, preventing resettlement by filling voids with suitable materials, thereby ensuring stability and longevity.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid that is under pressure is injected beneath the base of the wall. The pressure of the injected fluid acts against the base of the wall to lift the wall vertically
Implementation Method 2
The injected fluid can be any material(s) suitable for lifting the wall and filling in spaces or voids underneath the wall when the wall is lifted
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of lifting structures such as a wall of a building. A fluid that is under pressure is injected beneath the base of the wall. The pressure of the injected fluid acts against the base of the wall to lift the wall vertically. In some embodiments, a supplemental lifting force mechanism can be attached to the wall to apply a supplemental lifting force to the wall that acts together with the lifting force applied by the injected fluid. The supplemental lifting force “lightens” the wall, reducing the amount of lifting force required to be applied to the wall by the injected fluid.