GB179689A - Improvements relating to the construction of concrete piles or columns - Google Patents

Abstract

179,689. Hiley, A. Feb. 17, 1921. Piles.-Concrete piles are constructed by means of a tube from which concrete is deposited and tamped and consolidated by vertical vibratory movements of the tube effected by a powerhammer. A tube B, Fig. 4, with a detachable shoe D and a protective tube F, is driven by a steam hammer or by a drop-weight suspended from a structure A. A steam or other hammer C, arranged to strike upwards on an anvil or casing, is then connected to the tube B by arms C' and suspended by springs C' from ropes C<5> passing over pulleys on the structure A to a winch. The tube is then filled with concrete through a shoot B<2>, and the hammer C started, giving a vibratory movement to the tube. Each upward blow of the hammer raises the tube and deposits a quantity of concrete in the hole, while the downward movement due to the weight of the tube tamps and consolidates the concrete. The lower end of the tube is provided with a ring B' to increase the tamping area. An upward pull on the tube is meanwhile maintained by the winch, and the tube gradually rises out of the hole, the shoe D being left at the bottom. The protective tube F is secured to the tube B when the latter has nearly completed its upward movement, and is withdrawn with it. Reinforcing- members may be placed in the tube B before filling in the concrete. Alternatively, the hole may be made by a driving-tube, which is additional to the tube B and which, when withdrawn, may leave a protective casing, between which and the tube B reinforcing-members maybe disposed. The casing and the tube are withdrawn simultaneously. In an alternative construction of the tube B, internal collars B<3>, Fig. 10, either continuous or interrupted, are provided of such form that the concrete can flow downwards during the upward stroke of the tube, but is forced downwards during the downward stroke. When it is desired to retain a charge of concrete in the tube while being lowered, a conical member B<4> is provided, which can be raised by a rod B<5> to act as a valve.