EP2944726A1 - Improvements in or relating to methods and apparatus for use in forming piles - Google Patents
Improvements in or relating to methods and apparatus for use in forming piles Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2944726A1 EP2944726A1 EP15165040.5A EP15165040A EP2944726A1 EP 2944726 A1 EP2944726 A1 EP 2944726A1 EP 15165040 A EP15165040 A EP 15165040A EP 2944726 A1 EP2944726 A1 EP 2944726A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- hollow member
- auger
- ground
- helical flight
- hollow
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 12
- 238000005056 compaction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 24
- 244000273618 Sphenoclea zeylanica Species 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000010006 flight Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000011800 void material Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000002689 soil Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 7
- 230000035515 penetration Effects 0.000 description 5
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011065 in-situ storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000033001 locomotion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003014 reinforcing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011435 rock Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004576 sand Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000007480 spreading Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
- E02D7/00—Methods or apparatus for placing sheet pile bulkheads, piles, mouldpipes, or other moulds
- E02D7/28—Placing of hollow pipes or mould pipes by means arranged inside the piles or pipes
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
- E02D5/00—Bulkheads, piles, or other structural elements specially adapted to foundation engineering
- E02D5/22—Piles
- E02D5/34—Concrete or concrete-like piles cast in position ; Apparatus for making same
- E02D5/36—Concrete or concrete-like piles cast in position ; Apparatus for making same making without use of mouldpipes or other moulds
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
- E02D5/00—Bulkheads, piles, or other structural elements specially adapted to foundation engineering
- E02D5/22—Piles
- E02D5/56—Screw piles
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
- E02D7/00—Methods or apparatus for placing sheet pile bulkheads, piles, mouldpipes, or other moulds
- E02D7/02—Placing by driving
- E02D7/06—Power-driven drivers
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
- E02D7/00—Methods or apparatus for placing sheet pile bulkheads, piles, mouldpipes, or other moulds
- E02D7/22—Placing by screwing down
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
- E02D7/00—Methods or apparatus for placing sheet pile bulkheads, piles, mouldpipes, or other moulds
- E02D7/28—Placing of hollow pipes or mould pipes by means arranged inside the piles or pipes
- E02D7/30—Placing of hollow pipes or mould pipes by means arranged inside the piles or pipes by driving cores
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
- E02D5/00—Bulkheads, piles, or other structural elements specially adapted to foundation engineering
- E02D5/22—Piles
- E02D5/52—Piles composed of separable parts, e.g. telescopic tubes ; Piles composed of segments
Definitions
- piles in the ground for use in supporting buildings or other structures.
- Preformed piles may be driven into the ground by hammering or vibration.
- piles may be formed in situ by introducing a settable material into a cavity formed in the ground.
- Examples of the present invention provide pile forming apparatus comprising:
- the hollow member may be cylindrical.
- the hollow member may comprise a hollow tube, the or each external projection being formed at the outer surface of the tube.
- the or each helical flight may be coaxial with the tube.
- the or each helical flight may be continuous.
- the or each helical flight may be discontinuous.
- the auger and the hollow member may be rotatable, in use, about a common axis.
- the auger may have a flight of either hand relative to the helical flight of the hollow member.
- the auger may be axially movable relative to the hollow member to vary the length of projection of the auger beyond the mouth of the hollow member.
- the auger may have a hollow stem for introduction of settable material into the ground as the auger withdraws.
- the apparatus may further comprise independent rotary drive arrangements for the hollow member and for the auger.
- the drive arrangements may be operable to change the relative speeds of rotation of the auger and the hollow member.
- the auger may be removable from hollow member.
- Examples of the present invention also provide a method of forming a pile, in which:
- the rotation speed of the auger relative to the hollow member may be sufficient to prevent heave or overcompaction of soil arising from compaction of the ground by the advancing hollow member.
- the auger may be retracted into the hollow member, the rotation of the hollow member then being reversed to withdraw the hollow member.
- Settable material may be introduced into the void left by the withdrawing hollow member.
- the auger may have a hollow stem for introduction of settable material into the ground as the auger withdraws.
- Examples of the present invention further provide a pile formed by the method set out above.
- Fig 1 shows pile forming apparatus 10 comprising an auger 12 and a two-part hollow member indicated generally at 14.
- the hollow member 14 is open-ended at 16 and has an external projection 18 which forms a helical flight around the hollow member 14.
- the auger 12 is positioned within the hollow member 14, to extend through the mouth 16 of the hollow member 14.
- the auger 12 and the hollow member 14, are each rotatable.
- the auger 12 and the hollow member 14, are also rotatable relative to each other, during use.
- the auger 12 draws spoil into the hollow member 14, and the hollow member 14 advances into the ground by engagement of the helical flight 18 with the surrounding ground, as will be described.
- the auger 12 has a central shaft 20, which is hollow in this example.
- the auger 12 has a rotation axis 22, indicated by broken lines in Fig 1 .
- the central shaft 20 carries a helical flight 24, which terminates at a leading edge 26.
- the hollow central shaft 20 is open at the end illustrated. Fluent material such as concrete, screed or other cementitious material can be introduced into the central shaft 20 at (or above) ground level, to flow down the shaft 20 and out through the mouth 27.
- the open mouth 27 can be capped.
- rotation of the auger 12 can be used to break up the ground.
- the leading edge 26 breaks up the ground material, which can then be drawn into the hollow member by engagement with the helical flight 24.
- the hollow member 14 includes a hollow tube 28 forming a terminal part of the hollow member 14, and carrying the helical flight 18.
- the hollow tube 28 is a circular cylinder of slightly greater size than hollow member 14 to reduce friction on hollow member 14.
- the hollow tube 28 may be formed, for example, from a length of pipe of suitable dimensions.
- the tube 28 finishes at the mouth 16. During use, the tube 28 will be oriented with a generally vertical axis, with the mouth 16 at the lowermost end of the tube 28.
- the hollow member 14 also includes a hollow tube 30.
- the tube 30 is much longer than the tube 28 and carries no external flight in this example.
- the tube 30 is a circular cylinder of similar diameter to the tube 28.
- the tube 30 may be formed, for example, from a length of pipe of suitable dimensions.
- the tube 28 is secured to the tube 30 to align the tubes 28, 30 coaxially.
- the external helical flight 18 is provided by a helical projection around the outer surface of the tube 28.
- the helical flight 18 is coaxial with the cylindrical tube 28.
- the helical flight 18 is continuous in this example, but may alternatively be discontinuous.
- a single helical flight 18 is illustrated in this example, but there may be more than one helical flight formed around the outer surface of the tube 28.
- the illustrated helical flight 18 extends around slightly more than one turn of the helix, but could extend around further turns.
- the tube 28 is illustrated as being quite short (only a few pitch lengths of the helical flight 24 of the auger 12).
- the tube 30 is likely to be much longer than the tube 28, so that the hollow member 14 is also much longer than the tube 28.
- the auger 12 and the hollow member 14 are both sufficiently long to penetrate the ground to the depth required for the pile which is being constructed, leaving sufficient length above ground for the auger 12 and the tube 14 to be engaged by driving apparatus, as will be described.
- the auger 12 When the auger 12 and the hollow member 14 are being used, the auger 12 is positioned within the hollow member 14, as illustrated in Fig 1 .
- the tubes 28, 30 fit around the auger 12 like a sleeve. That is, the outer diameter of the helical flight 24 is no greater than the internal diameter of the tubes 28, 30. This allows the auger 12 to turn within the tubes 28, 30.
- the auger 12 and the tubes 28, 30 are coaxial at the axis 22.
- the auger 12 is shown extending through the mouth 16 of the tube 28. It can be seen from Fig 1 that in this example, the helical flight 24 of the auger 12 is opposite-handed relative to the helical flight 18 of the hollow member 14. That is, one of the flights 18, 24 will be a left-handed helix; the other of the flights 18, 24 will be a right-handed helix.
- the flights 18, 24 could be of the same hand.
- the auger 12 and the hollow member 14 are separately driven for rotation.
- a double rotary head pile driving rig may be used, providing one rotary head for driving the auger 12, and another rotary head for driving the hollow member 14.
- the auger 12 is free to turn within the tubes 28, 30, as noted above.
- Providing independent rotary drive to the auger 12 and to the hollow member 14 allows each of the auger 12 and the hollow member 14, to be rotated and also allows relative rotation between the auger 12 and the hollow member 14, by providing different rotation speeds or directions.
- the drive arrangements for the auger 12 and the hollow member 14, preferably also allow for relative axial movement of the auger 12 within the tubes 28, 30, so that the length of the auger 12 projecting through the mouth 16 can be controlled, or the tip of the auger 12 can be retracted into the tube 28.
- Fig 2 illustrates the initial condition.
- the tubular member 14 has been positioned above the ground 31 at the required position for the pile to be formed, and with the axis 22 substantially vertical.
- the auger 12 is positioned within the tubes 28, 30 and thus also has a substantially vertical rotation axis 22.
- the auger 12 is coupled to a suitable rotary drive head 32.
- the hollow member 14 is coupled to a suitable rotary drive head 34.
- the mouth 27 of the auger 12 is capped at 35.
- the head 32 now begins to turn the auger 12, and to advance it down into engagement with the ground 31.
- the auger 12 begins to penetrate down into the ground 31.
- the head 34 begins to turn the hollow member 14, and to advance it down into engagement with the ground 31.
- the helical flight 18 engages the ground 31 and pulls the hollow member 14, down into the ground 31 in an action reminiscent of a screw thread engaging a workpiece. This is in contrast with the action of the auger 12, which is an auger action causing material of the ground 31 to be disturbed, broken up and then pulled by the auger action up into the hollow member 14.
- Fig. 3 illustrates the position after some spoil has been drawn up into the hollow member 14, above ground level. This spoil is indicated by shading within the hollow member 14.
- the auger 12 When the stage of Fig. 4 has been reached, the auger 12 is retracted into the hollow member 14. The rotation of the hollow member 14 is then reversed to withdraw the hollow member (similar to the manner in which a screw is unscrewed from a workpiece). As the hollow member 14, and the auger 12 are simultaneously withdrawn, a settable material such as concrete, screed or other cementitious material is pumped down through the hollow shaft 20 of the auger. Initially, this creates a body of concrete under pressure below the auger 12, having flowed out through the mouth 27. The cap 35 is forced off the mouth 27 and left in the ground. Concrete 40 can flow out through the mouth 27 into the void below the withdrawing members 12, 14 including the helical void left by the flight 18.
- a settable material such as concrete, screed or other cementitious material
- a reinforcing cage 45 can then be introduced into the concrete 40 before it sets ( Fig. 6 ).
- any spoil 36 carried away as the hollow member 14 withdraws can be discharged from the hollow member 14 at ground level by back screwing the auger 12 within the hollow member 14 ( Fig. 7 ) leaving a pile of spoil 36 at the surface for spreading over the surface, or for removal.
- the penetration of the hollow member 14, including the helical flight 18, into the ground 31 can create compaction of the ground around the hollow member, as noted above.
- significant compaction would arise from the need to displace ground material which originally occupied the volume of the helical flight 18 and tubes 28, 30.
- the volume occupied by the tubes 28, 30 is significantly greater than the volume of the helical flight 18, as can readily be understood from Fig 1 .
- This compaction could be considerable, particularly to accommodate the tubes 28, 30, creating the potential risk of heave at the ground surface, indicated in Fig 6 by broken arrows 46.
- heave 46 could be created if two or more piles 42 were formed close together, in the absence of the expected benefits arising from the use of the auger 12.
- the ground may be compacted or densified by the penetration of the hollow member 14, to such an extent as to prevent further penetration by the hollow member 14.
- the amount of compaction which occurs in the ground 31 can be controlled by the operation of the auger 12. If the auger 12 is used in the manner described, some ground material can be withdrawn into the hollow member 14, using the auger action of the auger 12, thus reducing the degree of compaction required in the surrounding ground 31. For example, the whole of the material corresponding with the volume of the tubes 28, 30 could be drawn into the hollow member 14, by the auger 12, so that the only ground compaction required is to accommodate the helical flight 18. Alternatively, if the auger 12 is not used at all, the whole of the volume of the tubes 28, 30 must be accommodated by compaction of the surrounding ground 31.
- the degree of compaction created within the ground 31 can be controlled by controlling the amount of material withdrawn by the auger 12. It is desirable not to create unnecessary spoil at the surface (which may need to be transported away for disposal), but it is also desirable not to create so much compaction that the hollow member 14 cannot penetrate the ground, or there is a risk of creating heave 46. Accordingly, a compromise is likely to be required, in which the minimum amount of spoil is withdrawn in order to achieve a required pile performance without creating heave or too much compaction.
- Withdrawing spoil by means of the auger 12 may also assist in ground conditions which are initially very hard (incompressible), loosening the ground to allow penetration of the helical flight 18 and hollow member 14. If dense, incompressible material (such as sand) is encountered by the flight 18 and hollow member 14, further penetration may be prevented due to being unable to sufficiently compress the ground to accommodate the volume of the flight 18 and hollow member 14.
- the auger 12 can be used to break up and/or remove some of the hard ground material, thus reducing the amount of compaction required for the helical flight 18 and hollow member 14 to advance further.
- the auger 12 can be provided with a cutting edge or other arrangement to allow the auger 12 to break and remove rock, debris or other obstacles.
- the auger 12 has been described as having a hollow stem to allow for concrete material to be introduced.
- a solid stem could be used, if an alternative arrangement is provided for concrete to flow, such as a passage through the body of the hollow member 14.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Paleontology (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Placing Or Removing Of Piles Or Sheet Piles, Or Accessories Thereof (AREA)
- Earth Drilling (AREA)
- Investigation Of Foundation Soil And Reinforcement Of Foundation Soil By Compacting Or Drainage (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- Various techniques have been proposed for forming piles in the ground for use in supporting buildings or other structures. Preformed piles may be driven into the ground by hammering or vibration. Alternatively, piles may be formed in situ by introducing a settable material into a cavity formed in the ground. These techniques may present various drawbacks when used in particular ground conditions, or when piles are closely spaced, or for various other reasons. For example, excessive disturbance of the surrounding ground may lead to problems such as heave.
- Examples of the present invention provide pile forming apparatus comprising:
- an auger;
- a hollow member which is open-ended and which has one or more external projections which form at least one helical flight;
- wherein, in use, the auger is positioned within the hollow member to extend through the mouth of the hollow member,
- the auger and the hollow member each being rotatable, during use, to cause the auger to draw spoil into the hollow member and to cause the hollow member to advance into the ground by engagement of the helical flight with the surrounding ground.
- The hollow member may be cylindrical. The hollow member may comprise a hollow tube, the or each external projection being formed at the outer surface of the tube. The or each helical flight may be coaxial with the tube. The or each helical flight may be continuous. The or each helical flight may be discontinuous.
- The auger and the hollow member may be rotatable, in use, about a common axis. The auger may have a flight of either hand relative to the helical flight of the hollow member. The auger may be axially movable relative to the hollow member to vary the length of projection of the auger beyond the mouth of the hollow member.
- The auger may have a hollow stem for introduction of settable material into the ground as the auger withdraws.
- The apparatus may further comprise independent rotary drive arrangements for the hollow member and for the auger. The drive arrangements may be operable to change the relative speeds of rotation of the auger and the hollow member. The auger may be removable from hollow member.
- Examples of the present invention also provide a method of forming a pile, in which:
- pile forming apparatus as defined above is used to penetrate the ground by:
- rotating the hollow member to draw the hollow member into the ground by engagement of the helical flight or flights and the surrounding ground, and
- rotating the auger to remove spoil from ahead of the hollow member.
- The rotation speed of the auger relative to the hollow member may be sufficient to prevent heave or overcompaction of soil arising from compaction of the ground by the advancing hollow member. The auger may be retracted into the hollow member, the rotation of the hollow member then being reversed to withdraw the hollow member. Settable material may be introduced into the void left by the withdrawing hollow member. The auger may have a hollow stem for introduction of settable material into the ground as the auger withdraws.
- Examples of the present invention further provide a pile formed by the method set out above.
- Examples of the present invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
Fig 1 is a perspective view illustrating pile forming apparatus according to one example of the present invention; and -
Figs 2 to 7 are highly diagrammatic illustrations of the apparatus ofFig 1 being used for forming a ground pile. -
Fig 1 showspile forming apparatus 10 comprising anauger 12 and a two-part hollow member indicated generally at 14. Thehollow member 14 is open-ended at 16 and has anexternal projection 18 which forms a helical flight around thehollow member 14. In use, as shown, theauger 12 is positioned within thehollow member 14, to extend through themouth 16 of thehollow member 14. Theauger 12 and thehollow member 14, are each rotatable. Theauger 12 and thehollow member 14, are also rotatable relative to each other, during use. In use, theauger 12 draws spoil into thehollow member 14, and thehollow member 14 advances into the ground by engagement of thehelical flight 18 with the surrounding ground, as will be described. - In more detail, the
auger 12 has acentral shaft 20, which is hollow in this example. Theauger 12 has arotation axis 22, indicated by broken lines inFig 1 . Thecentral shaft 20 carries ahelical flight 24, which terminates at a leadingedge 26. The hollowcentral shaft 20 is open at the end illustrated. Fluent material such as concrete, screed or other cementitious material can be introduced into thecentral shaft 20 at (or above) ground level, to flow down theshaft 20 and out through themouth 27. Theopen mouth 27 can be capped. - In use, rotation of the
auger 12 can be used to break up the ground. The leadingedge 26 breaks up the ground material, which can then be drawn into the hollow member by engagement with thehelical flight 24. - The
hollow member 14 includes ahollow tube 28 forming a terminal part of thehollow member 14, and carrying thehelical flight 18. In this example, thehollow tube 28 is a circular cylinder of slightly greater size thanhollow member 14 to reduce friction onhollow member 14. Thehollow tube 28 may be formed, for example, from a length of pipe of suitable dimensions. Thetube 28 finishes at themouth 16. During use, thetube 28 will be oriented with a generally vertical axis, with themouth 16 at the lowermost end of thetube 28. - The
hollow member 14 also includes ahollow tube 30. Thetube 30 is much longer than thetube 28 and carries no external flight in this example. Thetube 30 is a circular cylinder of similar diameter to thetube 28. Thetube 30 may be formed, for example, from a length of pipe of suitable dimensions. - The
tube 28 is secured to thetube 30 to align thetubes - In the example illustrated, the external
helical flight 18 is provided by a helical projection around the outer surface of thetube 28. Thehelical flight 18 is coaxial with thecylindrical tube 28. Thehelical flight 18 is continuous in this example, but may alternatively be discontinuous. A singlehelical flight 18 is illustrated in this example, but there may be more than one helical flight formed around the outer surface of thetube 28. The illustratedhelical flight 18 extends around slightly more than one turn of the helix, but could extend around further turns. - The
tube 28 is illustrated as being quite short (only a few pitch lengths of thehelical flight 24 of the auger 12). Thetube 30 is likely to be much longer than thetube 28, so that thehollow member 14 is also much longer than thetube 28. Desirably, theauger 12 and thehollow member 14 are both sufficiently long to penetrate the ground to the depth required for the pile which is being constructed, leaving sufficient length above ground for theauger 12 and thetube 14 to be engaged by driving apparatus, as will be described. - When the
auger 12 and thehollow member 14 are being used, theauger 12 is positioned within thehollow member 14, as illustrated inFig 1 . Thetubes auger 12 like a sleeve. That is, the outer diameter of thehelical flight 24 is no greater than the internal diameter of thetubes auger 12 to turn within thetubes auger 12 and thetubes axis 22. InFig 1 , theauger 12 is shown extending through themouth 16 of thetube 28. It can be seen fromFig 1 that in this example, thehelical flight 24 of theauger 12 is opposite-handed relative to thehelical flight 18 of thehollow member 14. That is, one of theflights flights flights - When the apparatus is in use, as will be described, the
auger 12 and thehollow member 14 are separately driven for rotation. For example, a double rotary head pile driving rig may be used, providing one rotary head for driving theauger 12, and another rotary head for driving thehollow member 14. Theauger 12 is free to turn within thetubes auger 12 and to thehollow member 14 allows each of theauger 12 and thehollow member 14, to be rotated and also allows relative rotation between theauger 12 and thehollow member 14, by providing different rotation speeds or directions. - The drive arrangements for the
auger 12 and thehollow member 14, preferably also allow for relative axial movement of theauger 12 within thetubes auger 12 projecting through themouth 16 can be controlled, or the tip of theauger 12 can be retracted into thetube 28. - The apparatus described above and illustrated in
Fig 1 can be used in the formation of ground piles in the manner illustrated in the remaining drawings. These remaining drawings are highly diagrammatic in the interests of clarity. -
Fig 2 illustrates the initial condition. Thetubular member 14 has been positioned above theground 31 at the required position for the pile to be formed, and with theaxis 22 substantially vertical. Theauger 12 is positioned within thetubes vertical rotation axis 22. Theauger 12 is coupled to a suitablerotary drive head 32. Thehollow member 14 is coupled to a suitablerotary drive head 34. Themouth 27 of theauger 12 is capped at 35. - The
head 32 now begins to turn theauger 12, and to advance it down into engagement with theground 31. Theauger 12 begins to penetrate down into theground 31. - Once the
auger 12 has advanced by a suitable distance through themouth 16, which may be up to 2m, for example, thehead 34 begins to turn thehollow member 14, and to advance it down into engagement with theground 31. As thehollow member 14 turns, thehelical flight 18 engages theground 31 and pulls thehollow member 14, down into theground 31 in an action reminiscent of a screw thread engaging a workpiece. This is in contrast with the action of theauger 12, which is an auger action causing material of theground 31 to be disturbed, broken up and then pulled by the auger action up into thehollow member 14. Thus, thehollow member 14 draws itself into the ground by engagement of thehelical flight 18 with the surrounding ground, whereas theauger 12 draws spoil from ahead of thehollow member 14 up into thehollow member 14, by virtue of the rotation of theauger 12 and the projection of theauger 12 through themouth 16.Fig. 3 illustrates the position after some spoil has been drawn up into thehollow member 14, above ground level. This spoil is indicated by shading within thehollow member 14. - The operation continues with the
auger 12drawing spoil 36 into thehollow member 14, and thehollow member 14 advancing down into theground 31 by the screw action just described, until the position is reached in which thehollow member 14 has reached the required depth for the pile being formed. This is illustrated inFig 4 . At this point, thehelical flight 18 will have cut into the surroundingground 31, which may cause some compression of theground 31. However, spoil will have been drawn into thetubes auger 12, which relieves the pressure created in the ground by thehollow member 14. Thus, compaction which may occur around thehollow member 14 is reduced and controlled by the auger operation, as will be described below. - When the stage of
Fig. 4 has been reached, theauger 12 is retracted into thehollow member 14. The rotation of thehollow member 14 is then reversed to withdraw the hollow member (similar to the manner in which a screw is unscrewed from a workpiece). As thehollow member 14, and theauger 12 are simultaneously withdrawn, a settable material such as concrete, screed or other cementitious material is pumped down through thehollow shaft 20 of the auger. Initially, this creates a body of concrete under pressure below theauger 12, having flowed out through themouth 27. Thecap 35 is forced off themouth 27 and left in the ground.Concrete 40 can flow out through themouth 27 into the void below the withdrawingmembers flight 18. Any spoil within thehollow member 14, is held by theauger 12 and thus withdrawn with it. Eventually, the position ofFig 5 is reached, in which thehollow member 14 and theauger 12 have been withdrawn to the surface, and settable material to form apile 42 has been left in the ground, having a central portion which corresponds in size with thetube 28, and ahelical flight 44 around thepile 42, providing additional grip with theground 31. - A reinforcing
cage 45 can then be introduced into the concrete 40 before it sets (Fig. 6 ). - Finally, any
spoil 36 carried away as thehollow member 14 withdraws can be discharged from thehollow member 14 at ground level by back screwing theauger 12 within the hollow member 14 (Fig. 7 ) leaving a pile ofspoil 36 at the surface for spreading over the surface, or for removal. - The penetration of the
hollow member 14, including thehelical flight 18, into theground 31 can create compaction of the ground around the hollow member, as noted above. In the absence of the action of theauger 12, significant compaction would arise from the need to displace ground material which originally occupied the volume of thehelical flight 18 andtubes tubes helical flight 18, as can readily be understood fromFig 1 . This compaction could be considerable, particularly to accommodate thetubes Fig 6 bybroken arrows 46. In particular, heave 46 could be created if two ormore piles 42 were formed close together, in the absence of the expected benefits arising from the use of theauger 12. Alternatively, or in addition, the ground may be compacted or densified by the penetration of thehollow member 14, to such an extent as to prevent further penetration by thehollow member 14. - In the examples described, the amount of compaction which occurs in the
ground 31 can be controlled by the operation of theauger 12. If theauger 12 is used in the manner described, some ground material can be withdrawn into thehollow member 14, using the auger action of theauger 12, thus reducing the degree of compaction required in the surroundingground 31. For example, the whole of the material corresponding with the volume of thetubes hollow member 14, by theauger 12, so that the only ground compaction required is to accommodate thehelical flight 18. Alternatively, if theauger 12 is not used at all, the whole of the volume of thetubes ground 31. In many practical situations, it may be desirable to withdraw some ground material by using theauger 12, but it may not be necessary to withdraw all of the ground material corresponding with the volume of thetubes auger 12 and thehollow member 14, as they advance into the ground. - Consequently, the degree of compaction created within the
ground 31 can be controlled by controlling the amount of material withdrawn by theauger 12. It is desirable not to create unnecessary spoil at the surface (which may need to be transported away for disposal), but it is also desirable not to create so much compaction that thehollow member 14 cannot penetrate the ground, or there is a risk of creatingheave 46. Accordingly, a compromise is likely to be required, in which the minimum amount of spoil is withdrawn in order to achieve a required pile performance without creating heave or too much compaction. - Withdrawing spoil by means of the
auger 12 may also assist in ground conditions which are initially very hard (incompressible), loosening the ground to allow penetration of thehelical flight 18 andhollow member 14. If dense, incompressible material (such as sand) is encountered by theflight 18 andhollow member 14, further penetration may be prevented due to being unable to sufficiently compress the ground to accommodate the volume of theflight 18 andhollow member 14. However, theauger 12 can be used to break up and/or remove some of the hard ground material, thus reducing the amount of compaction required for thehelical flight 18 andhollow member 14 to advance further. Theauger 12 can be provided with a cutting edge or other arrangement to allow theauger 12 to break and remove rock, debris or other obstacles. - Many variations and modifications can be made to the apparatus described above, without departing from the scope of the present invention.
- In particular, many different shapes, sizes, relative shapes and relative sizes of components could be used. Alternative arrangements for turning and advancing the
auger 12 and thehollow member 14 could be envisaged. Theauger 12 has been described as having a hollow stem to allow for concrete material to be introduced. Alternatively, a solid stem could be used, if an alternative arrangement is provided for concrete to flow, such as a passage through the body of thehollow member 14. - Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.
Claims (20)
- Pile forming apparatus comprising:an auger;a hollow member which is open-ended and which has one or more external projections which form at least one helical flight;wherein, in use, the auger is positioned within the hollow member to extend through the mouth of the hollow member,the auger and the hollow member each being rotatable, during use, to cause the auger to draw spoil into the hollow member and to cause the hollow member to advance into the ground by engagement of the helical flight with the surrounding ground.
- Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hollow member is cylindrical.
- Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the hollow member comprises a hollow tube, the or each external projection being formed at the outer surface of the tube.
- Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the or each helical flight is coaxial with the tube.
- Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each helical flight is continuous.
- Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the or each helical flight is discontinuous.
- Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the auger and the hollow member are rotatable, in use, about a common axis.
- Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the auger has a flight of the same hand as the helical flight of the hollow member.
- Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the auger has a flight of the opposite hand to the helical flight of the hollow member.
- Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the auger is axially movable relative to the hollow member to vary the length of projection of the auger beyond the mouth of the hollow member.
- Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the auger has a hollow stem for introduction of settable material into the ground as the auger withdraws.
- Apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising independent rotary drive arrangements for the hollow member and for the auger.
- Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the drive arrangements are operable to change the relative speeds of rotation of the auger and the hollow member.
- Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the auger is removable from hollow member.
- A method of forming a pile, in which:pile forming apparatus as defined in any of claims 1 to 14 is used to penetrate the ground by:rotating the hollow member to draw the hollow member into the ground by engagement of the helical flight or flights and the surrounding ground, androtating the auger to remove spoil from ahead of the hollow member.
- A method according to claim 15, wherein the rotation speed of the auger relative to the hollow member is sufficient to prevent heave or overcompaction of soil arising from compaction of the ground by the advancing hollow member.
- A method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the auger is retracted into the hollow member, the rotation of the hollow member then being reversed to withdraw the hollow member.
- A method according to claim 17, wherein settable material is introduced into the void left by the withdrawing hollow member.
- A method according to claim 18, wherein the auger has a hollow stem for introduction of settable material into the ground as the auger withdraws.
- A pile formed by the method of any of claims 15 to 19.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB1407579.0A GB2525630A (en) | 2014-04-30 | 2014-04-30 | Improvements in or relating to methods and apparatus for use in forming piles |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2944726A1 true EP2944726A1 (en) | 2015-11-18 |
EP2944726B1 EP2944726B1 (en) | 2016-12-21 |
Family
ID=50972089
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP15165040.5A Active EP2944726B1 (en) | 2014-04-30 | 2015-04-24 | Improvements in or relating to methods and apparatus for use in forming piles |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP2944726B1 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2618912T3 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2525630A (en) |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5219246A (en) * | 1988-08-29 | 1993-06-15 | Catawa Pty. Ltd. | Drills for piles and soil stabilization, and drilling method |
WO1995018892A1 (en) * | 1994-01-06 | 1995-07-13 | Roxbury Limited | Improvements in or relating to apparatus for use in forming piles |
JP2005220594A (en) * | 2004-02-05 | 2005-08-18 | Nippon Beesu Kk | Pile construction method and equipment therefor |
Family Cites Families (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS5071107A (en) * | 1973-10-27 | 1975-06-12 | ||
DE3211471A1 (en) * | 1982-03-29 | 1983-10-06 | Klaus Dipl Ing Jourdan | Method of relieving the drill-head mounting when sinking a drill pipe, as well as a device for carrying out the method |
FR2806110B1 (en) * | 2000-03-10 | 2002-12-27 | Cie Du Sol | EXCAVATION APPARATUS FOR MAKING MOLD PILES |
FR2831206B1 (en) * | 2001-10-24 | 2004-01-30 | Cie Du Sol | DRILLING AND DELIVERY TOOL |
JP2005048590A (en) * | 2004-11-17 | 2005-02-24 | Jfe Steel Kk | Work execution method for screwed pile and screwed pile used therefor |
BE1018097A3 (en) * | 2008-04-16 | 2010-05-04 | Noterman Putboringen | DRILLING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A FOUNDATION POLE AND IMPROVED FOUNDATION POLE WITH SCREW SHAPE. |
WO2011056162A2 (en) * | 2009-08-19 | 2011-05-12 | Leonardo Mohamed | A multifunctional screw drill and reaming device |
-
2014
- 2014-04-30 GB GB1407579.0A patent/GB2525630A/en not_active Withdrawn
-
2015
- 2015-04-24 ES ES15165040.5T patent/ES2618912T3/en active Active
- 2015-04-24 EP EP15165040.5A patent/EP2944726B1/en active Active
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5219246A (en) * | 1988-08-29 | 1993-06-15 | Catawa Pty. Ltd. | Drills for piles and soil stabilization, and drilling method |
WO1995018892A1 (en) * | 1994-01-06 | 1995-07-13 | Roxbury Limited | Improvements in or relating to apparatus for use in forming piles |
JP2005220594A (en) * | 2004-02-05 | 2005-08-18 | Nippon Beesu Kk | Pile construction method and equipment therefor |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP2944726B1 (en) | 2016-12-21 |
GB2525630A (en) | 2015-11-04 |
ES2618912T3 (en) | 2017-06-22 |
GB201407579D0 (en) | 2014-06-11 |
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