ITMI20100677A1 - ANCHORING STRUCTURE OF FLOATING WORKS, IN PARTICULAR DOCK AND / OR FLOATING PONCHES - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

Attached to a patent application for an INDUSTRIAL INVENTION PATENT entitled:

â € œSTRUCTURE FOR ANCHORING OF FLOATING WORKS, IN PARTICULAR PIERS AND / OR FLOATING BRIDGESâ €

The present invention relates to the anchoring of floating structures such as piers and / or floating piers, platforms, etc ...

In particular, the object of the invention finds particular application to anchor any float.

The application of the system can take place both in correspondence with natural or artificial lakes, and in correspondence with marine or oceanic and fluvial aquatic surfaces.

As is known, aquatic surfaces are generally affected by excursions which can also be of considerable size.

In fact, the tides, but also the excursions of the lake between minimum and maximum altitude (linked for example to periods of rain or drought) can reach several meters.

In this situation it is evident that floating works (which can be piers or piers or floating structures) must be able to adapt to these changes in altitude while remaining firmly anchored to the seabed.

Among the different types of anchors of known floating piers, one of the most widespread involves the preparation of one or more reinforced concrete filled poles emerging from the seabed in which they have been driven; these poles have at one top a hinging to a movable arm consisting of a metal structure capable of being able to oscillate with respect to the pillar thanks to the hinging around a horizontal axis,

The other end of the metal structure is bound to the floating work (firmly by means of chains), thus remaining bound to the seabed while being able to follow the variations in the level of the water thanks to the mobility of the metal rod.

The systems described above, while performing their intended tasks, have nevertheless presented some limitations and / or drawbacks.

First of all, the implementation of this type of anchoring is complex and burdensome.

In fact, it is also necessary to build submerged reinforced concrete structures that are suitably anchored.

Furthermore, the stresses and deformations that the variations in level impose on the structure are of considerable magnitude and not infrequently generate yielding or breakages, particularly of the metal arm.

Therefore, in the presence of this type of anchorage, it is necessary to carry out continuous monitoring and extremely accurate maintenance to avoid dangers for the safety of people and / or structures.

It should also be noted that the construction and installation of floating piers of this kind constitutes an enormous burden due to weights and dimensions.

In fact today these structures are set up on the ground and then moved, for example by special cranes, in the water.

It should be noted that the floating piers currently produced can assume weights of several tens of tons with lengths of tens and more meters.

Their handling by ships is complex but easier, while, vice versa, road transport is extremely complex.

However, road transport is now unavoidable where the floating structure is destined for a lake.

To obviate at least partially the aforementioned drawbacks, floating constructions have spread consisting of complete modules several meters long and of considerable weight that are assembled to equivalent modules in correspondence with the water mirror in such a way as to facilitate at least the transport operations .

However, the floating dock requires partial assembly on the ground and therefore special cranes suitable for placing it in the water.

In this situation, the main purpose of the present invention is to solve one or more of the drawbacks highlighted above.

One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide an anchoring system capable of simplifying the installation and maintenance operations of the same, while ensuring optimal behavior even in the presence of important variations in the level of the mirror. water.

A further objective is to create an anchoring system that tends to always bring the floating work back into position by opposing the wave motion and the force of the winds, also operating in an elastic manner: a breakwater element.

An auxiliary objective is to provide a type of anchoring that can be differentiated area by area, being able to vary the parameters and the forces exerted on the floating structure.

The aim is to create large floating works, limiting the problems of logistics and handling of the same.

In particular, an aim is to avoid both costly handling of the product by land or sea, and the onerous and costly operations of transferring the floating work from the ground into the aquatic environment while ensuring the feasibility of structures of weight and dimensions substantially similar to or greater than those currently in use.

Finally, a general objective of the invention is to allow the various works to be carried out with modest land, naval and underwater vehicles.

These and other objects which will become clearer in the course of the following description are substantially achieved by an anchoring structure in accordance with the attached claims.

Further characteristics and advantages will become more apparent from the detailed description of an exemplary and therefore non-limiting embodiment, in accordance with the accompanying figures in which:

figure 1 shows a schematic view of an anchoring structure according to a first embodiment;

Figure 2 shows the anchoring structure of Figure 1 in two different operating conditions at two different levels or heights of the aquatic surface;

- figure 3 shows a schematic view of a floating work according to a different shape from that of figures 1 and 2.

With reference to the figures cited with 1, an anchoring structure has been indicated as a whole in accordance with an advantageous embodiment.

As can be seen in figures 1 and 2, the floating structure can be of the standard type consisting of a plurality of modules suitably bound together before being launched into the water.

In an advantageous embodiment, the floating structure can vice versa be constituted by a plurality of modules 101 each defining an external shell 102 having an internal cavity 103.

In particular, the shell 102 has a base wall 109, intended to be placed below in conditions of use of the module and therefore immersed in water, with a thickness greater than that of the side walls 110 which emerge vertically from the base itself.

In particular, the ratio between the thicknesses is linked to the dimensions of the module and is suitably selectable in such a way as to position the center of gravity in the desired point of each of the modules.

Inside the cavity 103 there are one or more filling bodies 104 made of light material, such as expanded material (polystyrene, polyurethane, foam concrete, etc.).

In an alternative embodiment (not shown) the module could be constituted by a closed box-like body containing inside even only air.

Again as shown in figure 3, a plurality of modules 101 are positioned side by side in such a way as to define a sector 105 of a floating work (or the definitive floating work itself).

Note that in the schematic figure 3 a space has been left between one module and the next which in reality is not actually present simply to highlight the presence of this plurality of elements.

In correspondence with an upper area 1 Ola of the modules emerging from the water, the presence of a continuous slab 107 is noted which has a longitudinal development substantially equal to the development of the sector 105 of the floating structure and the presence also of a predetermined number of continuous beams 108 also of longitudinal development substantially equal to the development of sector 105 of the floating structure.

Figure 3 illustrates the presence of a continuous slab 107 accompanied by two beams 108 made integrally with the slab.

However, note that the number of beams 108 and the dimensions / thicknesses of both the slab and the beams, as well as the relative positioning of the latter, can be decided according to the project requirements.

In particular, the slab and the beams are made of reinforced concrete, with an upper finish in colored concrete, resin or wood.

In addition, there may be suitable coatings of the side walls 110 of each of the modules consisting for example of wood, stone or ceramic in order to give a more pleasant external appearance to the work.

Again from the examination of Figure 3, it is then noted the presence of a predetermined number of joining brackets 111 which constrain each of the subsequent modules in correspondence with a lower area 101b of each of the modules, and in particular externally to the side walls 110.

Optionally there may be a bracket on the left side and a bracket on the right side of the two consecutive modules to join the latter in a stable manner.

It should also be noted that the brackets 111 can be used temporarily to join the modules during the construction phase of the work (as better clarified below) and therefore be removed or, vice versa, also remain as a better guarantee of the structure of the work. itself after construction.

Obviously, other equivalent systems for joining subsequent modules may be adopted.

Premised the structural description of the floating work carried out above, the method for its construction, in particular for the construction of floating pier sectors consisting of a series of modules of desired dimensions, involves the following phases:

First of all, a predetermined quantity of modules 101 is realized as previously described.

Where the modules 101 were made up of box-like structures already containing air or other light material, there is no step to insert the filling bodies.

If, on the other hand, these modules are of the type illustrated, the filling body 104 (or a plurality of filling bodies 104 according to requirements) is inserted into the cavity 103.

In particular, these bodies will be made of light material, such as foam material (polystyrene, polyurethane, foam concrete).

Each of the modules is then launched into the water and positioned side by side in order to define at least one sector 105 of the floating structure.

The modules in water are then temporarily joined, for example by means of the aforementioned joining brackets 111.

In this situation, with the modules 101 in water joined together to define the sector 105, a construction iron reinforcement is assembled and then a casting of reinforcing material 106 is made in correspondence with an upper area 101a modules emerging from the water in order to indissolubly join the modules 101 together.

The casting is made of concrete, for example in cement or resin, and particularly carried out in continuous progression passing from one module 101 to the next.

In other words, the structure made up of the modules in succession provisionally joined is bound together and made of one piece by means of the aforementioned concrete casting which is generally carried out in a rather rapid time in such a way as to define in a single operation a slab 107 placed above the modules and a predetermined number of beams 108 (at least one and in general at least two) which extend longitudinally along the development of the modules themselves.

It should be noted that advantageously both the slab 107 and the beams 108 will extend longitudinally substantially along the entire development of the sector 105 of the floating structure or along the entire development of the floating structure itself. However this does not necessarily happen, as depending on the project needs it will be possible to create slabs and / or beams that extend over two or more modules only in such a way as to constrain the desired modules to each other and refer to project widths for each individual. case.

In this regard, combinations of geometry, dimensions, thicknesses of slabs and beams will be possible without departing from the inventive concept of the present method.

The construction of the slab and the beams in separate phases may also be envisaged, joining them in one piece or not, always depending on the construction requirements.

It should be noted that the anchoring structure described below can be applied to any of the embodiments illustrated or described above. The anchoring structure 1 first of all provides for the presence of a plurality of first anchoring elements 3 having a first end 3a bound directly to the sea or lake bed.

In particular, each anchoring element 3 is defined by an elongated body 8 capable of exerting a reaction substantially only to the pulling stresses. In other words, the elongated body 8 is defined by a cable, a chain, a rope or similar compliant element.

In particular, the first extremity 3 a will be held in correspondence with the seabed by suitable ballasts or it can also be held by means of the creation of dedicated rigid works, bound or emerging from the seabed where the project needs require it.

At the opposite ends 3b of the first element 3 there is at least one buoy 9 of such dimensions as to generate a sufficient upward thrust such as to place the first element 3 in tension and to position it substantially along a direction of vertical development.

Obviously, there may also be two or more buoys of the appropriate size depending on the draft to be imparted to the aforementioned elongated body 8.

The buoys can be filled with air, gas or in any case expanded materials and are held by the aforementioned first anchoring element 3 underwater at a certain predetermined depth.

In general, the buoys are substantially at the same depth with respect to the free surface (L) of the water.

This means that, taking into account the irregularities of the seabed, the first anchoring elements 3 will generally have different lengths such as to compensate for the different depth at which their first extremity 3 a is anchored.

The first anchoring elements 3 put under tension by the buoys 9 are however movable, at least by rotation, with respect to the first extremity 3 a constrained to the seabed.

In general, considering that the buoy 9 will substantially keep the elongated element 8 in a tense condition, the force of the currents, the wave motion and / or the winds indirectly acting on the water and generating currents, will generate forces on the direct buoys also transversely to the vertical direction involving a movement of the second end 3b of the aforementioned anchoring elements 3 along a spherical surface with a center corresponding to the first end 3a anchored to the seabed.

The presence of at least one second anchoring element 4 is also noted, which is able to connect the aforementioned plurality of first anchoring elements 3 to each other, particularly in correspondence with respective engagement areas 6.

In light of the above, also the engagement zones 6 can approach / move away from the respective first ends 3 a up to the maximum distance D1, D2, D3 coinciding with the length of the elongated body 8.

Obviously the engagement areas 6 of the first anchoring elements 3 will move mainly by rotation around a substantially horizontal axis passing through the respective first end 3 a constrained to the seabed.

Returning to observing Figure 1, it can be seen how the second anchoring element 4 develops and connects the first anchoring elements 3 to each other along a longitudinal direction 10 and in general substantially perpendicular to the direction of development 11 of the first anchoring elements 3. Advantageously, although not necessarily, the second anchoring element 4 binds the first anchoring elements 3 to each other at the respective second end 3b of the same in a position substantially close to that where the aforementioned buoys 9 are constrained. anchorage 4, although it can be constituted by a bar or other rigid element, is advantageously made by means of an elongated body 12 capable of exerting a reaction substantially only to the pulling stresses as it is constituted by a cable, a chain, a rope or similar compliant element exactly as in the case of the first anchoring elements 3.

The second anchoring element 4 will be arranged substantially horizontally, being at the same depth.

Returning to observing the figures, it is therefore possible to note the presence of a predetermined number of anchoring elements 5 constrained to the aforementioned second anchoring element 4 and in turn connected to the floating structure 2.

The third anchoring elements 5 also comprise an elongated body 14 capable of exerting a reaction substantially only to the pulling stresses since it is defined by a cable, a chain, a rope or similar compliant element able to resist the imposed pulling stresses and to house in an aquatic environment (possibly saline) resisting environmental aggressions over time, therefore equipped with adequate chemical and metal protections for electrolytic phenomena.

The third anchoring element 5 can be directly or indirectly connected to the floating structure 2 and in general will have a terminal 13 for connection to the appropriate eyebolts or hooks positioned on the floating structure (pier or jetty and structure).

Optionally, this constraint will be placed in correspondence with a lower area 2b of the floating structure in such a way that all the aforementioned anchoring elements 3, 4, 5 are substantially submerged.

In particular, the first and second anchoring elements, as well as the buoys 9 will all be below the free level of the water, while the third anchoring element 5 will possibly have a small terminal portion in correspondence with the eyebolt of the emerging floating work.

Then note how the floating work 2 has a prevalent longitudinal development direction 15 which divides the water mirror into two semi-spaces to the left and right of the work.

The aforementioned plurality of first anchoring elements 3, the second anchoring element 4, the predetermined number of third anchoring elements 5 will be positioned and constrained as described above at least in correspondence with one of the two half-spaces, it being understood that the another half-space may include a suitable and corresponding constraint system as shown in Figures 1 and 2 or even completely different constraint systems. In particular in figures 1 and 2 the constraint system represented in the further semi-space has been indicated with the same numerical references.

It is understood that the structure is exactly the same as that previously described.

Note, however, how the third anchoring element 5 passes substantially below the floating structure starting from a semi-space and binding itself to the floating structure itself and in correspondence with the opposite semi-space; in other words, the third anchoring element 5 crosses transversally the floating structure up to the constraint point which is on the opposite side with respect to that in which the constraint system itself develops.

When the aforementioned constraint systems are present both in the left half-space and in the right half-space (as in figure 1), the third anchoring elements 5 cross each other, engaging the floating work 2 in correspondence with the respective semi-space opposite to.

Given what has been described above in structural terms, the behavior of the anchoring structure in the presence of bathymetric variations, waves or the like behaves as shown in figure 2.

In particular, figure 2 shows a first situation at a lower level of the water mirror and a second situation or operating condition in correspondence with a raised bathymetric level.

As it is possible to note, in the first configuration, the buoys 9 retain the first anchoring elements 3 substantially in a vertical position and the third anchoring elements 5 are subjected to a pull such as to maintain a certain distance between the tie terminal 13 at the € ™ floating structure and the constraint area 16 to the second anchoring element 4.

In the operational configuration of raising the water level, it is noted how a force with a horizontal component is generated on the buoys which involves a displacement of the second end 3b along an arc with a center at the first end 3 a and a radius equal to the length of the body 8.

Correspondingly, the distance between the constraint terminal 13 and the constraint area 16 can vary by compensating and elastically balancing the rising of the floating structure.

It is evident that the second constraint element 4 confers stability to the anchoring structure avoiding movements of the other anchoring elements that could lead to misalignments of the floating structure or to generate forces that could damage the structure.

The invention achieves important advantages.

First of all, an elastic anchoring of the floating structure is made as the buoys, through the third anchoring elements 5, following the rotational movement towards the floating structure, oppose the wave motion and the force of the wind, tending to always return perpendicular to the bottom.

The anchoring structure allows lake excursions (between minimum and maximum altitude) or tide of considerable size.

Differentiated anchoring of the structure is allowed area by area as it is possible to vary the pull of the third anchoring elements 5 as desired.

It is also possible to vary the recall force generated by the buoys by increasing or decreasing their upward thrust.

Finally, it is allowed to carry out the various works with naval and underwater vehicles of lower cost than those used today for similar works.

The floating works created (modules) as described can be installed directly in the water, reducing, if not eliminating, all the logistical problems related to the land or sea transport of large and heavy products.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS 1. Anchoring structure for floating structures comprising: - at least one floating work (2); And - a plurality of first anchoring elements (3) having a first end (3a) bound, directly or indirectly, to the seabed, characterized by the fact that it also includes: at least a second anchoring element (4) adapted to connect together plurality of first anchoring elements (3) in correspondence with respective engagement areas (6); And - a predetermined number of third anchoring elements (5) bound to the second anchoring element (4) and connected to the floating structure (2). 2. Structure according to the preceding claim, in which the impregnation areas (6) of the first anchoring elements (3) are movable, at least by rotation, with respect to the respective first end (3A), in particular around a substantially horizontal axis, the engagement zones (6) being able to possibly approach the respective first extremities (3 a) and move away from them up to a respective maximum distance e (DI, D2, D3). 3. Structure according to any one of the preceding claims, in which each first anchoring element (3) comprises an elongated body (8) adapted to exert a substantially reaction to the pulling stresses, said elongated body (8) being particularly a cable, a chain , a rope or the like, the structure further comprising at least one buoy (9) for each anchoring element (3) adapted to keep the elongated body (8) in tension, said buoys (9) being in particular substantially at the same depth with respect to the free surface (L) of the water. Structure according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said second anchoring element (4) develops and connects the first anchoring elements (3) to each other according to a transversal direction (10), substantially orthogonal, to the direction of development ( 11) of the first anchoring elements (3), optionally the second anchoring element (4) connecting the first anchoring elements (3) in correspondence with respective second ends (3b) opposite to the first, in greater detail the buoys (9) being constrained at said second ends (3b). 5. Anchoring structure according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the second anchoring element (4) comprises an elongated body (12) adapted to exert a reaction substantially only to the pulling stresses, said elongated body (12) being particularly a cable, chain, rope or similar. Structure according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the third anchoring element (5) comprises an elongated body (14) adapted to exert a reaction substantially only to the pulling stresses, said elongated body (14) being particularly a hollow, a chain, a rope or similar, connected at the ends also possibly with the aid of elastic elements, such as springs. 7. Structure according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the third anchoring element (5) has a terminal (13) for constraint to the floating work (2), said terminal (13) being positioned in a lower area (2b) of the floating structure, in particular the third anchoring element (5) being mainly immersed in the water and crossing the floating structure (2) in the direction of its width. 8. Structure according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the floating work (2) has a prevailing direction of development (15) which divides the water mirror into two semi-spaces to the left and right of the work , the plurality of first anchoring elements (3), the second anchoring element (4) and the predetermined number of third anchoring elements (5) being arranged substantially submerged in a left or right half-space of the work, in particular the anchoring structure further comprising a further plurality of first anchoring elements (3) having a first end (3 a) bound directly or indirectly to the seabed and at least one further second anchoring element (4) able to connect said plurality of further first anchoring elements (3) and a predetermined number of further third anchoring elements (5) bound to the further second anchoring element (4) and connected to the gall work (2) also possibly with the aid of elastic elements, such as springs, in detail said further plurality of first anchoring elements (3), said further second anchoring element (4) and said predetermined number of further third anchoring elements anchor (5) being, arranged in the opposite left or right half-space. Structure according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the plurality of first anchoring elements (3) and the predetermined number of third anchoring elements (5) are compliant and flexible, defining a mobile anchoring structure, in particular the areas of engagement (6) by rotating with respect to the first end (3 a) and a constraint area (16) of the third anchoring elements (5) placed in correspondence with the floating structure moving away / approaching the second anchoring element (4). 10. Anchoring structure for floating structures comprising: - at least one floating work (2); And - a plurality of first anchoring elements (3) having a first end (3a) bound, directly or indirectly, to the seabed, each first anchoring element (3) comprising an elongated body (8) compliant and flexible able to exert a reaction substantially to pull stresses only; at least one buoy (9) for each anchoring element (3) able to keep the elongated body (8) in tension; - at least a second anchoring element (4) adapted to connect said plurality of first anchoring elements (3) to each other; And a predetermined number of third anchoring elements (5) bound to the second anchoring element (4) and connected to the floating structure (2) also possibly with the aid of elastic elements, such as springs, called third anchoring elements ( 5) comprising an elongated body (14) yielding and flexible able to exert a reaction substantially only to the pulling stresses, the engagement zones (6) rotating with respect to the first end (3 a) and a constraint zone of the third anchoring elements (5) to the floating work (2) moving away from / to the second anchoring element (4).