GB2609422A

GB2609422A - Modular pile assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2609422A
Application number: GB2110943.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sandhu Harpreet; D Emanuel John
Original assignee: Urban Mass Ltd
Current assignee: Urban Mass Ltd
Priority date: 2021-07-29
Filing date: 2021-07-29
Publication date: 2023-02-08
Also published as: GB202110943D0

Abstract

A modular pile assembly comprising: a pile socket 100 configured to be anchored below ground level 10; and a pile column 200 configured to be received in the pile socket and to extend at least as long as the pile socket; wherein the pile column and the pile socket are each configured to facilitate release of the pile column from the pile socket. A method of installing a pile where the socket is ground level is also claimed. The modular pile may have an engagement device 210, 220 corresponding with an engagement device 140 on the socket, the engagement may be a thread, the column may be reversibly deployable,

Description

Modular pile assembly

Technical Field

The disclosure relates to the field of piles for transferring loads into the ground.

Background

Piles may be cast-in-situ or prefabricated and driven into the ground with a pile driver. Both cast-in-situ piles and prefabricated piles are generally not possible to remove. If the pile is no longer in use, normally it will be abandoned.

A pile may terminate at or close to ground level to allow a column or other load to be attached to it. Alternatively, a pile may extend above ground level to support a load, such as a bridge member or column.

Summary of the disclosure

Against this background, there is provided a modular pile assembly as set out in claim 1.

In this way, the pile column may be removed from the pile socket for reuse. Also, it is possible to separate in time the task of installing the pile socket from the task of installing the pile column. For example, in the case of infrastructure requiring a large number of supporting structures, such as an elevated track, it is possible to install the pile sockets gradually in a way that is least disruptive to the public realm and then to install all of the pile columns in quick succession at a later time, again minimising disruption to the public realm.

In a further aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method of installing a pile assembly as set out in claim 11.

In a further aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an elevated railway as set out in claim 13.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 shows a pile socket in accordance with the present disclosure inserted into a hole in the ground; Figure 2 shows the arrangement of Figure 1 wherein concrete has been added to surround the pile socket; Figure 3 shows a pile socket installed in the ground with concrete and having a rough external surface and a smooth internal surface; Figure 4 shows a pile socket installed in the ground with concrete, the pile socket having external fins; Figure 5 shows a pile socket installed in the ground with concrete, the pile socket having an external thread; Figure 6 shows a pile socket installed in the ground with concrete, the pile socket having an external thread and an internal thread; Figure 7 shows the arrangement of Figure 2 with a pile column being inserted into the pile socket; Figure 8 shows the same arrangement as Figure 7 but the pile column further comprises an engagement device that is reversibly deployable to engage with the pile socket and thereby prevent removal of the pile column from the pile socket and resist rotation within it; Figure 9 shows the arrangement of Figure 8 with the pile column fully inserted in the pile socket and the deployable engagement device in the deployed configuration; Figure 10 shows the arrangement of Figure 6 with a pile column having an external thread configured to cooperate with the internal thread of the pile socket being inserted into the pile socket; -2 - -3 -Figure 11 shows the pile socket of Figure 2 with a pile column fully inserted, the pile column being of a length so as to terminate at substantially ground level; and Figure 12 shows the pile socket of Figure 2 with a pile column fully inserted, the pile column being of a length so as to extend above ground level.

Detailed description

Figure 1 shows a piece of ground 10 in which a hole 20 has been made. The hole 20 may be produced with an auger or dug or made in any other suitable way. Figure 1 also shows a pile socket 100 in accordance with the present disclosure inserted into the hole 20. The hole 20 has a diameter that is larger than the external diameter of the pile socket 100. In this way, an annular cavity 30 is provided between the outside of the pile socket 100 and the walls of the hole 20.

In the embodiment of Figure 1, the pile socket 100 is shown as being cylindrical. Other shapes of pile socket may be used and fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

Figure 2 shows the same pile socket 100 as Figure 1 inserted into the hole 20 in the ground 10 and now the annular cavity 30 as well as space between the bottom of the pile socket 100 and the bottom of the hole 20 is filled with concrete 40 in order to anchor the pile socket firmly in the hole 20. Alternatives to concrete 40 may be deployed.

With reference to Figure 3, an exterior surface of the pile socket 100 may be provided with a rough finish 110 in order to bind more effectively with the concrete and resist rotation of the pile socket within the hole 20.

With reference to Figure 4, the pile socket 100 may comprise one or more exterior fins 120 that project radially outwardly from the exterior surface of the pile socket 100. Such exterior fins 120 may again provide the functionality of anchoring the pile socket 100 more effectively within the concrete 40 and resisting rotation of the pile socket 100 relative to the hole 20. -4 -

Referring to Figure 5, the pile socket 100 may comprise an exterior thread 130 in the exterior surface of the pile socket 100. Again this may serve the purpose of improving anchoring of the pile socket with the concrete and resisting rotation of the pile socket 100 within the hole 20.

As shown in Figure 6, the interior surface of the pile socket 100 may also comprise an interior thread 140.

Figure 7 shows a pile column 200 in the process of being inserted into the pile socket 100 of the Figure 2 embodiment by movement of the pile column 200 in the direction marked A. The pile column 200 may have an exterior shape and dimension that substantially matches the interior shape and dimension of the pile socket 100 such that the pile column 200 may be inserted coaxially into the pile socket 100. The insertion may provide for a substantially intimate fit between the pile socket 100 and the pile column 200. This fit may prevent radial movement of the pile column 200 relative to the pile socket 100.

As shown in Figure 8, the pile column 200 may comprise an engagement device 210 that is reversibly deployable to engage with the pile socket 100 and thereby prevent removal of the pile column 200 from the pile socket 100. Since in the scenario of Figure 8 the pile column 200 is part way through being inserted into the pile socket 100, the engagement device 210 is in the non-engaged configuration whereby it does not extend beyond the radial extent of the body of the pile column 200. Figure 9 shows the arrangement of Figure 8 but with the pile column 200 fully inserted into the pile socket 100 and the engagement device 210 deployed such that it extends beyond the radial extent of the body of the pile column 200. In this way, in the deployed configuration the engagement device prevents removal and/or rotation of the pile column 200 relative to the pile socket 100.

Figure 10 shows the embodiment of Figure 6 with a corresponding pile column 200 part way through being inserted into the pile socket. An external surface of the pile column 200 comprises an exterior thread 220 configured to cooperate with the interior thread 140 of the pile socket 100. In this way, the pile column 200 is inserted by rotational movement (direction B) of the pile column 200 relative to the pile socket 100 in order to achieve axial movement (direction A) down into the pile socket 100. -5 -

Figure 11 shows the pile socket of Figure 2 with a pile column 200 fully inserted into the pile socket 100. In this embodiment, the pile column 200 is the same length as the pile socket 100 such that the pile socket 100 and the pile column 200 both terminate at substantially ground level.

By contrast, in Figure 12, there is shown the pile socket of Figure 2 with a pile column 200 fully inserted. In this scenario, the pile column 200 is longer than the pile socket 100 such that, when fully inserted, the pile column 200 protrudes above ground level.

What follows is a description of the method of installing a pile assembly in accordance with

the present disclosure.

First, a hole is prepared in the ground of sufficient dimensions to accommodate a pile socket in accordance with the present disclosure. The hole may be produced by drilling such as with an auger or by digging or in any other appropriate fashion.

Next, a pile socket 100 is inserted into the hole such that the top of the pile socket 100 is approximately flush with ground level. This is shown in Figure 1.

Subsequently, concrete 40 or some other similar material having similar function is poured into the annular space and any space beneath the pile socket 100 such that, when cured, the concrete effectively anchors the pile socket 100 in the hole 20.

Next, a pile column 200 may be inserted into the pile socket 100 until the pile column 200 is fully received into the pile socket 100.

Where appropriate, the pile column 200 may need to be rotated in order to engage and move down within the pile socket 100, as per the embodiment shown in Figure 10. Where appropriate, (see, for example, the embodiment of Figure 9) an engagement device 210 may be deployed once the pile column 200 is located within the pile socket 100 at the appropriate depth. In this way, the pile column 200 may be prevented from being removed or rotated. -6 -

Industrial Applicability

The modular pile assembly of the present disclosure may be particularly applicable to use in the build environment and in the context where whatever is to be supported by the pile assembly may warrant relocation at any point after initial installation.

One such example may be an elevated light rail network, that may be implemented in a modular fashion to allow straightforward relocation and/or expansion.

Further flexibility is provided by the fact that the pile column 200 can be removed and replaced with a substitute pile column 200 perhaps having a different height or providing different functionality, in order to contribute to the flexible nature afforded by such a modular approach.

As such, the present disclosure assists in seeking to meet the widespread desire both to speed up the provision and to minimise the impact of large infrastructure projects, whilst also providing improvements towards a more circular economy. -7 -

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A modular pile assembly comprising: a pile socket configured to be anchored below ground level; and a pile column configured to be received in the pile socket and to extend at least as long as the pile socket; wherein the pile column and the pile socket are each configured to facilitate release of the pile column from the pile socket.
2. The modular pile assembly of claim 1 wherein the pile column comprises a pile column engagement device configured to engage with the pile socket.
3. The modular pile assembly of claim 2 wherein the pile socket comprises a pile socket engagement device configured to engage with the pile column.
4. The modular pile assembly of claim 3 wherein the pile column engagement device comprises an external thread and the pile socket engagement device comprises an internal thread configured to cooperate with the external thread.
5. The modular pile assembly of claim 2 wherein the pile column engagement device comprises: a non-engaged configuration in which the pile column is movable axially relative to the pile socket and an engaged configuration; and an engaged configuration in which axial movement of the pile column relative to the pile socket is restricted; wherein the pile column engagement device is reversibly deployable between the non-engaged configuration and the engaged configuration.
6. The modular pile assembly of claim 5 wherein the pile column engagement device comprises a radially movable member such that: in the non-engaged configuration the pile column engagement device is enclosed within an external diameter of a body of the pile column; and in the engaged configuration the pile column engagement device extends beyond an external diameter of the body of the pile column.
7. The modular pile assembly of any preceding claim wherein the pile socket comprises one or more external fins that protrude radially thereby to resist rotation of the pile socket relative to surrounding ground.
8. The modular pile assembly comprising a locking portion configured to engage the pile socket with surrounding ground at ground level so as to resist rotation of the pile socket relative to the ground.
9. The modular pile assembly of any preceding claim wherein the pile column is substantially the same length as the pile socket such that on installation of the pile column in the pile socket the pile column substantially co-terminates with the pile socket.
10. The modular pile assembly of any of claims 1 to 8 wherein the pile column is longer than the pile socket such that on installation of the pile column in the pile socket the pile column protrudes beyond the pile socket.
11. A method of installing a pile assembly, the pile assembly comprising a pile socket and a pile column, the method comprising: installing the pile socket in the ground such that a top of the pile socket is substantially flush with ground level; installing the pile column in the pile socket.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the pile column comprises a pile column engagement device having a non-engaged configuration and an engaged configuration, 25 wherein: in the non-engaged configuration the pile column engagement device is enclosed within an external diameter of a body of the pile column; and in the engaged configuration the pile column engagement device extends beyond an external diameter of the body of the pile column, wherein the step of installing the pile column in the pile socket involves installing the pile column with the pile column engagement device in the non-engaged configuration; and wherein the method further comprises: after the step of installing the pile column in the pile socket, changing the pile column engagement device from the non-engaged configuration to the engaged configuration.
13. An elevated railway comprising: a plurality of the modular pile assembly of any of claims 1 to 10; and a railway track supported between adjacent pile columns of adjacent modular pile assemblies of the plurality of modular pile assemblies.
14. The elevated railway of claim 13 wherein the railway track is fastened directly to the pile column of each adjacent module pile assembly.