US3134235A

US3134235A - Installation of piling

Info

Publication number: US3134235A
Application number: US50191A
Authority: US
Inventors: Leon B Parker; Arthur L Guy
Original assignee: Jersey Production Research Co
Current assignee: Jersey Production Research Co
Priority date: 1959-11-12
Filing date: 1960-08-17
Publication date: 1964-05-26
Anticipated expiration: 1981-05-26

Description

M y 1964 1.. B. PARKER ETAL 3, 3

INSTALLATION OF FILING Original Filed Nov. 12, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I.

|NVENTORS( ARTHUR L. GUY, LEON B- PARKER,

AT Y- y 1964 L. B. PARKER ETAL INSTALLATION OF FILING Original Filed Nov. 12, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 3.

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y 26, 11964 L. B. PARKER ETAL 3,134,235

INSTALLATION OF FILING Original Filed Nov. 12, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 I4 16 l '4 I5 29 1' INVENTORS. ARTHUR L. GUY, LEON B- PARKER,

TORNE May 26, 1 964 L. B. PARKER ETAL INSTALLATION 0F FILING Original Filed Nov. 12, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS.

- ARTHUR L. GUY,

BY LEON B PARKER 3,134,235 INSTALLATION OF PILING Leon B. Parker and Arthur L. Guy, Houston, Tex., as-

signors, by mesne assignments, to Jersey Production Research Company, Tulsa, Okla, a corporation of Delaware Original application Nov. 12, 1959, Ser. No. 852,303. Divided and this application Aug. 17, 1960, Ser. No.

Claims. or. 61-46) The present invention is directed to a method for installing a piling assembly adjacent a marine structure. Moreparticularly, the invention is concerned with the installation of auxiliary pilingrelative to a marine structure for bracing the structure. In its more specific aspects, the invention is concerned with a piling and strut assembly for strengthening a marine structure.

This application is a division of Serial No. 852,303, entitled Method and Apparatus for Installing Piling, filed November 12, 1959, for Leon B. Parker and Arthur L. Guy, Jr.

The present invention may be briefly described as a method for placing and installing auxiliary piling relative to a marine structure for bracing the structure in which a piling and strut assembly is employed. The strut of the assembly is hingedly connected to the piling adjacent one end with the strut assembly folded upwardly substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the piling in driving position. The piling of the assembly has releasably connected to it at one end a driving mandrel and the piling is then spudded and driven into the marine bottom until the one end is adjacent the marine bottom andthe freeend of the strut is above water level. The mandrel is released and removed and the strut is unfolded and connected at its free end to the structure. The assembly is located and oriented in plan relative to the structure and the orienting of the strut may be performed before, after, or during spudding the piling into the marine bottom.

. The invention also involves an assembly for strengthening a marine structure which comprises a piling having a ring arranged thereon adjacent one end. The ring may be fixedly arranged on the piling or it may be rotatably arranged on the piling. A strut is attached to the ring by a clevis means on one end of the strut and a pin means whereby the strut is hingeable and foldable to a position substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the piling, the free end of the strut being adapted for connection to the structure. The free end of the strut may be telescoped with one section movable relative to another section for connection to the structure or it may be formed into one member on connection to the structure.

Theclevis means on the strut is adapted to matingly receive a plate member which is attached to the ring, and the clevis means and the plate member are each provided with a port through which the pin means is arranged for hingedly attaching the strut to the ring. The clevis and plate member for matingly attaching the strut to the ring may be reversed; i.e., the clevis may be on thering and the plate member maybe on the strut. Likewise,

the clevis means may be adapted to receiving more than one plate on the mating part.

The piling is suitably tapered for lateral strength and for driving into marine bottom and the strut may alsoi be tapered on its free end. 3

The marine structure may suitably be a platform, tower, caisson, piling or other offshore marine structures suitable for supporting drilling offshore well production structures and the like but not lim'itedther'etol The marine structure. may suitably be supported by upright members on which means are arranged whichare vertically adjustable thereon. By attaching the free end of the strut to the vertically adjustable means, it is possible to adjust the arrangement of the bracing structure for best utilization of the present invention.

It is contemplated that the struts may be partially or completely filled with concrete to provide strength and weight for the structure, and it is further contemplated that the struts of the present invention may be provided with a sleeve or jacket adjacent water level for protection against corrosion. I

i In the present invention a pile-founded bracing system.

for marine structures is provided which is installed without the use of divers. The bracing system of the present astrut attachment.

ture. 3

Referring now to the drawings 'and particularly to FIGS.

- end invention is suitably driven under water .adjacent to an oifshore drilling platform, for example, andtheir connected to the structure above water to provide structural integrity and to impart lateral strength. This is quite important in that wave forces encountered, for example in the Gulf of Mexico during a hurricane, are sometimes destructive to offshore drilling platforms. The present invention also provides for a complete preassembly of the bracing structures with the piles before installation and provides for the struts to remain affixed to the pile-while driving. The present invention also provides a bracing system which affords a minimum. projected area to wave forces. Y a

In the practice of the present invention, the piles are located exteriorly to the corners and sides of a rectangular platform. Each pile and strut assembly comprises a pile with one or more struts hingedly attached by pins at theirlower ends to plates which, in turn, are welded to the head of the pile or attached by pins to plates welded to a rotatable ringor rings. The rings in turn are affixed on the upper end of the pile but are prevented from mov- I ing along the pile by means of stop rings and other stop means. In the caseof pile and strut assemblies located externally to the corners of a structure, the strutson each pile are inclined ,to' intersect and connectto mainvertical members of the structure, the vertical members lying planes apart. The upper or" free end of the struts may suitably be'connected to the vertical members above I water by welding. The piles on each of the four corners are located in .plan such that the struts on thesame side of the platform cross over and pass'each other with clear.-

ance. The struts may either be uniform in size or tapered at one or both ends, but preferably. the free ends, while the piles may also be uniformin size or tapered toward the lower end.

The present invention will be further illustrated by reference to the drawing in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a pile driver located on a barge and in the process of driving a piling assembly; ,FIG. 3 is an elevational view of an elf-shore platform structure braced in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3; FIGS. 5 and 5a are views illustrating one modification of the attachment of the struts to the piling; A

p FIGS. 6 and 6a illustrate another modification ofarstrut attachment; 1

FIGS. 7 and 7a FIGS. 8, 9,-10 and ll illustrate various means 'for attaching the upper ends of thestruts to the platformstruc- 1 and 2, numeral 6 generally'designatesfa'pile driver as} reciprocating hammer 11. I

The assembly 6 is shown in the process of driving a piling assembly 12 which is connected into the lower end lot the driving mandrel 9'and held in place by a' frangible PatentedMay 26,. 1964 illustrate still another modification of.

pin 13. The assembly 12 is comprised of a piling 14 and struts 15 and 16. The piling assembly 12 is being driven into the bottom 17 of a marine location 18. The

struts

15 and 16 are connected to the piling 14 by a clevis 19 which matingly receives a plate 20 attached to piling 14. The plate 20 is provided with a strengthening flange 22. The

struts

15 and 16 are suitably lashed into position by suitable lines 23. The lashing or line 23 is secured to the driving mandrel 9 to maintain the

struts

15 and 16 in position for driving the piling 14 at the marine location 18 and to water bottom 17.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, piling such as 14 have been driven adjacent an offshore marine structure 25 until the upper ends 26 of the piling 14 are aligned adjacent the marine bottom 17, the

struts

15 and 16 being attached by way of reinforcing sleeve 28 to the vertical supporting members 27 which are driven into the marine bottom '17. The

struts

15 and 16 are suitably attached by welding directly to vertical supporting members 27 or by way of sleeves 28, which may. be slidably or fixedly arranged on the supporting means'27. Thefree ends of the

struts

15 and 16 are formed to be received matingly by the cylindrical surfaces of member 27 or the sleeves 28 and are suitably welded thereto; The

struts

15 and 16 are also provided-with jackets or sleeves 29 of corrosion-resistant material such as Monel for protection against corrosion since the sleeves are arranged above and below the water level 30 of the marine location 18. The struts may suitably be filled with concrete or other cementitious material and the like to provide mass to the structure and to provide the struts with greater resistance to damage resulting from both internally and externally applied forces such as stresses generated in the strut itself and from floating objects such as boats-and debris.

As shown in FIG. 3, the pilings 14 is suitably constructed of an upper section 31, which is of constant diameter, and a lower section 32, which is of reduced diameter, connected by a conical section 33. In short, the piling 14 may taper downwardly and may be ofiseveralsections of different diameter but may have its outer wall tapering continuously downwardly;

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 5A, the piling 14 has attached thereto by welding plate member 26 which is supported by flange supporting member 22, the

struts

15 and 16 being supplied with clevis 19 which matingly receives the plate 20. Cooperating bores are provided in the clevis 19 and plate 20, respectively, and adapted to receive a pin member which is inserted through the clevis member 19 and the plate 20 to hingedly connect the

struts

15 and 16 to the piling 14. The pin member 35 is retained in place by a key member 35a. It is to be noted that the piling 14 is internally strengthened adjacent the point of attachment of the

struts

15 and 16 by stiffening

plates

14a and 14b.

In FIGS. 6 and 6A, a preferred form or embodiment ing member 22 is likewise attached to ring 21. By virtue' of the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 6A, orienting of the piling 14, before or during 'spudding, may not be required. However, it may be desirable to orient the piling-14 rela tive'to the'structure 25 so that the

struts

15 and 16 are properly positioned and related thereto. I

ReferringftoFIGS. 7 and 7A, rings 21 and 21" are rotatably'provided' on piling 14 and maintained'thereon with stop rings or collars 21a and 21]). In this embodiment, the str'iit' 15 'is hingedly attached to ring 21' while thestrut 16 is hingedlyattached to ring 21". Also, in thisemobdiment, the clevis 19 and plate 20 are reversed, a clevis 19 being attached to each of the rings 21' and 21" and strengthened with flange supporting member 22. The plate member 20 is attached to struts 15 or 16 and the plate member 20 and clevis 19 are provided with cooperating bores to receive pin member 35 which is held in place by key member 35a. It is to be emphasized that the clevis 19 and plate 20 may be used on either member, or in effect, clevises may be used on both members to provide additional strength at the point of hinged attachment.

In the several embodiments of FIGS. 5, 5A, 6, 6A, and 7 and 7A, strengthening plates 14a and 1422 are provided. Plate 14a is located adjacent the pin 31 and plate 14b is adjacent the supporting flange member 22.

Referring now to FIG. 8, the

strut

15 or 16 may be attached to the structure 25 as described hereinafter. In this embodiment, the tapered Weldrnent member 36 with matingly formed end 37 is oriented, inclined and welded to member 28, arranged on'the supporting member 27 such as to be in alignment with the strut 15 or 16in final position. The

strut

15 or 16 is then unfolded or moved and its free end 36' cut away such as by a cutting torch to provide for rotation into alignment with the free end of member 36. A joining or splice member 36" is then fitted into the space between

members

36 and 36 and the abutting ends of members 36 and 36' welded to splice member 36" to form an

integral strut

15 or 16 braced and joined to structure 25. A Monel sleeve or jacket 29 is then placed about the upper end of the strut as shown.

Referring now to FIG. 9, which illustrates a preferred embodiment, the

strut

15 or 16 is provided with a jacket 29 of Monel metal to protect the

strut

15 or 16 from corrosion. Arranged in the upper end of the

strut

15 or 16 is a telescopic member 3% which is movable relative to the

strut

15 or 16 with the telescopic member 38 being formed at its free end 39 to receive matingly the sleeve 28, which may be vertically adjustable on the supporting member 27. After the

strut

15 or 16 has been adjusted for attachment to the supporting member 27, the telescopic member 38 may be welded at points 40 to the

struts

15 or 16 and'the free end 39, in turn, welded to the sleeve 28 supporting member 27. that the points 46 provided a large surface for welding attachment by virtue of the toothed-shaped edge. It is contemplated that a saw-toothed or scalloped pattern may also be used.

FIGS IO and 11 illustrate various patterns of the welding points 46 which may be formed in the upper end of the

struts

15 and 16 where they are connected to the telescopic member 38.

It is to be noted that the supporting members 27 are provided with sleeves or jackets 41 likewise constructed of Monel metal for protection of the structure against corrosion in the area above and below the water level 30.

The present invention is of considerable importance and utility in that it is possible to provide increased strength to existing marine structures or to reinforce newly constructed marine equipment. For example, it sometimes is desirable to drill additional wells from an offshore platform such as 25; but because of inadequate lateral strength, this cannot be done although adequate floor area for drilling such wells might be available. Also, the structure might not be sufficiently strong to withstand increased hurricane forces, including wind and water action, which are encountered in the Gulf of Mexico. The presentinvention'provides a method and means for strengthening 'an existing structure or providing any structure with additional strength.

In the practice of the present invention, the, apparatus such as illustrated inthe drawing, including a pile and strut assembly, is fabricated on shore with the two struts folded and lashed together alongside the pile in the final upward direction. The'asse'mbly is accurately locatedin plan With relationtoa corner of the platform or structure and is spudded into the ground. .Previous to lifting It is to be noted -the pile and strut assembly 12 from a barge 8, shown in FIG. 1, a pipe-driving mandrel of appropriate length is inserted into the top of the pile and lashed to support the weight of the assembly while lifting it! The temporary connection between the mandrel and the pile may be frangible such that when the head of the pile is driven to belowor adjacent mud level, a pull on the mandrel will shear the connection and allow retrieval of t the mandrel without using divers. Before, after or during spudding,

the pile is oriented accurately such that the struts will lie in the proper-plane in the unfolded position. When rotatable rings are not used, orienting must be quite accurate, but when rotatable rings are employed, extreme accuracy of orientation is not requiredexcepting that the struts be arranged on the side adjacent the structure. Thereafter, using a pile driver, the pile driving hammer is placed on top of the mandrel and the pile is driven under water until the strut connection is approximately located even with the soil or the marine bottom. The struts are unlashed from the mandrel and folded outwardly by virtue of the hinged pin at their lower ends and connected to the appropriate location on the marine structure such as by Welding or by other means as may be desired. The mandrel is then removed from the top of the pile and the steps may then be repeated for the remaining pile and strut assemblies for the remaining corners of the platform or along its sides.

Piling driven in accordance with the present invention have withstood the enormous forces encountered during driving without endangering the connection. For example, accelerations which may be as much as 100 times gravity and forces ranging upwardly to 1,200,000 pounds have been withstood satisfactorily in driving and installing the present invention, as illustrated in the drawing.

The nature and objects of the present invention having been completely described and illustrated, what we wish to claim as new and useful and secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A method for placing and installing a piling and strut assembly relative to a marine structure for bracing said structure, the strut of said assembly being hingedly connected to said piling adjacent the upper end and laterally offset thereof with the strut of said assembly folded upwardly substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said piling in driving position, which comprises releasably connecting a driving mandrel to said assembly, spudding and driving said assembly into marine bottom until said upper end of said piling of said assembly is adjacent marine bottom and the free end of said strut is above water level, unfolding said strut, releasing and removing said mandrel, and connecting said unfolded strut at its free end to said structure, said assembly being located and oriented relative to said structure.

2. A method for placing and installing a piling and strut assembly relative to a marine structure for bracing said structure, the strut of said assembly being hingedly connected to said piling adjacent the upper end and laterally offset thereof with the strut of said assembly folded upwardly substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said piling in driving position, which comprises releasably connecting a driving mandrel to said assembly, spudding and driving said assembly into marine bottom until said upper end of said piling of said assembly is adjacent marine bottom and the free end of said strut is above Water level, unfolding said strut, connecting said unfolded strut at its free end to said structure, and releasing and removing said mandrel, said assembly being located and oriented relative to said structure.

3. A method for placing and installing a piling and strut assembly relative to a marine structure for bracing said structure, the strut of said assembly being hingedly connected to said piling adjacent the upper end and laterally offset thereof with the strut of said assembly folded upwardly substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said piling in driving position, which comprises releasably connecting to said upper end, of said pilin of said assembly a driving mandrel, locating said assembly in plan relative; to said structure. with the lower. end of said piling on marinebottom, spudding and driving said piling of said assembly into marinebottom until said upper end is adjacent marine bottom and the free end of said strut is above water level, unfolding said strut, and connecting said unfolded strut at its free. .end to said structure, said assembly also being oriented relative to said structure.

4. A method in accordance with claim '3 wherein said mandrel is released and removed. I

5; A'met-hod for placing and; installing agpiling and strut assembly relativeto a marine structure forbracing said structure, the strut of said assembly being hingedly connected to said piling and laterally offset thereof with the strut of said assembly folded upwardly substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said piling in driving position, which comprises releasably connecting to said upper end of the piling of said assembly a driving mandrel, locating said assembly in plan relative to said struc ture with the lower end of said piling on marine bottom, orienting said assembly, driving said piling of said assembly into marine bottom until said upper end of said piling is adjacent marine bottom and the free end of said strut is above water level, unfolding said strut, and connecting said unfolded strut at its free end to said structure.

6. A method for placing and installing a piling and strut assembly relative to a marine structure for bracing said structure, said assembly being provided with two spaced struts, the struts of said assembly being hingedly and rotatably connected to said piling and laterally offset thereof and the struts of said assembly folded upwardly substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said piling in driving position, which comprises releasably connecting to the upper end of the piling of said assembly a driving mandrel, locating said assembly in plan relative to said structure with the lower end of said piling on marine bottom, spudding and driving said piling of said assembly into marine bottom until said upper end of said piling is adjacent marine bottom and the free ends of said struts are above water level, unfolding and orienting said struts, and fixably connecting said unfolded struts at their free ends to said structure.

7. A method for placing and installing a piling and str-ut assembly relative to a marine structure for bracing said structure, the strut of said assembly being hingedly connected to said piling adjacent the upper end and laterally offset thereof with the strut of said assembly folded upwardly substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said piling in driving position, which comprises releasably connecting to said upper end of the piling of said assembly a driving mandrel, orienting and spudding said assembly relative to said structure with the lower end of said piling on marine bottom, driving said piling of said assembly into marine bottom until said upper end is adjacent marine bottom and the free end of said strut is above water level, unfolding said strut, and connecting said unfolded strut at its free end to said structure.

8. A method for placing and installing a piling land strut assembly relative to a marine structure for bracing said structure, the strut of said assembly being hingedly connected to said piling and laterally offset thereof with the strut of said assembly folded upwardly substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said piling in driving position, which comprises locating said assembly in plan relative to said structure, spudding and driving said piling of said assembly into marine bottom until the connection of the strut and the piling is adjacent marine bottom and the free end of said strut is above water level, unfolding said strut, and connecting said unfolded strut at its free end to said structure, said assembly also being oriented relative to said structure.

9. A method in accordance with claim 8 in which the assembly is oriented during spudding of said piling into and rotatably connected to said piling and laterally offset thereof with the strut of said assembly folded upwardly substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said piling in driving position, which comprises locating said assembly in plan relatiye to said structure, spudding and driving said piling of said assembly into marine bottom until the connection of the strut and the piling is adjacent marine bottom and the free end of said strut is above Water level, unfolding and orienting said strut, and conmeeting said unfolded strut atits free end to said structure.

7 References Cited in the file of this'patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Adickes Mar. 28, 1961 'FOREIGN PATENTS Sweden May 9, 1940

Claims

1. A METHOD FOR PLACING AND INSTALLING A PILING AND STRUT ASSEMBLY RELATIVE TO A MARINE STRUCTURE FOR BRACING SAID STRUCTURE, THE STRUT OF SAID ASSEMBLY BEING HINGEDLY CONNECTED TO SAID PILING ADJACENT THE UPPER END AND LATERALLY OFFSET THEREOF WITH THE STRUT OF SAID ASSEMBLY FOLDED UPWARDLY SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID PILING IN DRIVING POSITION, WHICH COMPRISES RELEASABLY CONNECTING A DRIVING MANDREL TO SAID ASSEMBLY, SPUDDING AND DRIVING SAID ASSEMBLY INTO MARINE BOTTOM UNTIL SAID UPPER END OF SAID PILING OF SAID ASSEMBLY IS ADJACENT MARINE BOTTOM AND THE FREE END OF SAID STRUT IS ABOVE WATER LEVEL, UNFOLDING SAID STRUT, RELEASING AND REMOVING SAID MANDREL, AND CONNECTING SAID UNFOLDED STRUT AT ITS FREE END TO SAID STRUCTURE, SAID ASSEMBLY BEING LOCATED AND ORIENTED RELATIVE TO SAID STRUCTURE.