Widened Pile Base via Blasting Agent Detonation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pile foundation technologies face challenges in effectively widening the pile base and improving the soil around it without using additional mechanical elements, particularly in weak soils, where the bearing capacity of piles needs enhancement.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the placement of a blasting agent at the pile base, followed by detonation to create a cavern which is then filled with structural concrete, utilizing the shock wave to expand the pile base and consolidate the surrounding soil, thereby enhancing the pile's bearing capacity and soil compaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional mechanical methods are used to widen the pile base, then the pile base can be expanded, but the process becomes complex and costly with additional mechanical elements required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebearing capacity of pileVSAvoidcomplexity of widening process
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical widening systems with a chemical explosion system. A charge is placed in the pile base and detonated to create a cavern, eliminating the need for mechanical excavation equipment and complex widening mechanisms while achieving the same bearing capacity enhancement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and energy parameters of the soil through controlled explosion. The detonation creates a shock wave that fractures and redistributes soil particles, transforming the soil structure and creating a widened base cavity that is then filled with concrete to enhance bearing capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If mechanical elements are used to improve soil around the pile base, then soil compaction can be achieved, but additional equipment and complexity are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesoil improvement around baseVSAvoidcomplexity of soil improvement process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical soil compaction equipment with the explosion-induced shock wave. The detonation creates radial compression waves that compact the surrounding soil in-situ, eliminating the need for separate mechanical compaction devices and procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the soil improvement function with the base widening operation. The same explosion charge that creates the widened base cavity simultaneously compacts the surrounding soil through shock wave propagation, merging two separate operations into one integrated process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Strength

If traditional pile foundation methods are used on weak soil, then construction can proceed, but the bearing capacity is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebearing capacity of pileVSAvoidsimplicity of construction method
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces gradual mechanical soil improvement methods with a single controlled explosion event. This achieves rapid bearing capacity enhancement on weak soil through immediate soil fracturing, compaction, and cavern creation, followed by concrete filling, simplifying the construction process while ensuring adequate strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This method simplifies the process, reduces costs, and increases the pile's bearing capacity by dynamically shaping the pile tip according to soil flexibility, achieving a wider pile base and improved soil compaction at a greater distance from the pile base.

Implementation Method 1

The shock wave and the expanding post-explosion gases, affecting the ground, widen the hole in the base of the pile being formed, creating a cavern

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectShock wave: Shock Wave

Implementation Method 2

a blasting agent is placed with a fuse... the blasting medium is fired

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDetonation: Detonation

Implementation Method 3

The shock wave and the expanding post-explosion gases, affecting the ground, widen the hole in the base of the pile being formed, creating a cavern

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas expansion:

Implementation Method 4

the cavern, which is gravitationally filled with structural concrete

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP4206405A1Method of forming a widened pile base
Publication Date: 2023.07.05 POLITECHNIKA GDANSKA
  • EP4206405A1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP4206405A1 patent drawingFigure 5~8
  • EP4206405A1 patent drawingFigure 9~12

AI summary

The application relates to a method of forming a widened pile base, wherein at the bottom of a hole (1) a blasting agent (2) is installed in the calculated amount so as to obtain, after its detonation, a cavern below a pile base widening the hole in the ground, preferably from 1 kg to 2.5 kg, wherein the blasting agent (2) is mining explosives. The blasting agent (2) is connected to a blasting wire (3) brought outside the hole (1), and in the next stage, structural concrete is fed into the hole (1) in the amount calculated for the load power and soil parameters, so that it fills not less than half of the hole (1) and that the blasting agent is covered, after which detonation is carried out by firing the blasting agent (2), during which the impact of the shock wave caused by detonation affects the ground and the post-explosion gases are expanded, forming a cavern constituting the extension of the hole in the ground around the base of the pile . Then, the entire cavern is filled by gravity with structural concrete.