WO2006037191A1

WO2006037191A1 - Sheet piling element

Info

Publication number: WO2006037191A1
Application number: PCT/BE2004/000140
Authority: WO
Inventors: Guy Peelman; Barry Francis Walls; Guido Angèle Pieter VAN LEEMPUT
Original assignee: Guy Peelman; Barry Francis Walls; Van Leemput Guido Angele Piete
Priority date: 2004-10-05
Filing date: 2004-10-05
Publication date: 2006-04-13

Abstract

Sheet pile wall element, characterised in that it is built in a modular manner of at least one plate-shaped body (2) which is extended at its lower end by a detachable wedge-shaped metal point (3) and which is extended at its top end by a hood (4), and in that means are provided which make it possible to connect the sheet pile wall element (1) concerned on each side edge (24-25) to at least one abutting sheet pile wall element (1).

Description

Sheet pile wall element.

The present invention concerns a sheet pile wall element.

It is known that, in order to realise a dam, use can be made of sand bags which are stacked on top of each other and next to each other.

A disadvantage of such sand bags is that filling them and putting them in place is time-consuming and requires a lot of manual labour, so that such sand bags are usually applied only locally to close a breach in a dike or the like.

Also, such sand bags are not fit for providing" a dam around a house or around a residential area or the like, in order to provide protection against an imminent flood.

An alternative which is sometimes applied, is the use of metal sheet pile wall elements in the shape of sheet piles which are rammed down in the ground next to each other in a fitting manner so as to form a sheet pile wall. A disadvantage of these known sheet piles is that the height of the obtained sheet pile wall is limited.

Another disadvantage is that a pile driver is required for the use of such sheet piles, and that building a sheet pile wall is very time-consuming, such that this is problematic in case of emergency situations, as with floods or the like, whereby quick action is required.

Another disadvantage is that such known sheet piles are heavy and that, consequently, heavy transport means are required to bring them on the spot.

Another disadvantage is that the damages and deformations caused at the top and at the foot of the sheet piles as a result of the ramming are usually very difficult to repair, and at a high cost price.

An additional disadvantage is that the connection between the abutting sheet piles is relatively little water-tight, so that still relatively much water can seep through.

Another major disadvantage is that, since the known sheet piles inevitably have to be rammed down, it is not possible to provide a dam crosswise over a hardened road or the like with such sheet piles, such that it is not possible either, for example, to dam a residential area or the like. The present invention aims to remedy the above- mentioned and other disadvantages by providing a sheet pile wall element which is mainly composed of at least one plate-shaped body which is extended at its bottom end by a detachable wedge-shaped metal point, and which is extended at its top end by a hood, whereby means are provided which make it possible to connect the sheet pile wall element concerned on each side edge to at least one abutting similar sheet pile wall element.

An advantage of a sheet pile wall element according to the invention is that, thanks to its modular construction, the point and the hood of the sheet pile wall element can be easily replaced.

Another advantage is that a loose point and hood are much easier to manipulate and to repair than in the case of the known sheet piles which have to be manipulated as a whole to this end.

Another advantage is that the plate-shaped body can be made of a lighter material than the conventional sheet piles, such that light sheet piles can be realised which are easier to commercialize and to convey.

Another advantage of the modular construction is that longer sheet pile wall elements can be obtained in a simple manner by coupling two or more of the above-mentioned bodies to each other in each other's prolongation by means of adapted connecting pieces, so that sheet pile wall elements are obtained which, in the case of an unstable base, can be provided deeper in the ground and which make it possible to obtain a higher dam which thus provides more protection.

The above-mentioned means for connecting a sheet pile wall element with a side edge to at least one abutting similar sheet pile wall element are preferably formed by profiling the side edges with at least one tooth and groove, which groove forms an axial guide for a tooth of an abutting sheet pile wall element.

An advantage thereof is that a relatively water¬ tight connection is formed between two abutting sheet pile wall elements.

The above-mentioned means preferably also allow to connect sheet pile wall elements to each other in an angle joint, a T-joint or a cross bond.

This offers the advantage that, in certain places of the sheet pile wall, crosswise placed sheet pile wall elements can be provided which support the sheet pile wall, such that a self-supporting wall can be formed so to say, whose sheet pile wall elements must not necessarily be forced into the ground, such that it becomes possible to provide a sheet pile wall crosswise over a road or the like in this manner.

Also cells can be formed thanks to the above- mentioned means which can then be filled with earth or concrete for more stability and watertightness of the sheet pile wall.

In order to better explain the characteristics of the invention, the following preferred embodiments of a sheet pile wall element according to the invention are described as an example only without being limitative in any way, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 schematically represents a view in perspective of a sheet pile wall element according to the invention; figure 2 represents the sheet pile wall element a^~cόo^"rdirig to figure

dismbunteci; figures 3 and 4 represent sections to a larger scale, according to lines III-III and IV-IV respectively, in figure 1; figure 5 represents a sheet pile wall in perspective which is built with sheet pile wall elements according to the invention; figure 6 represents a section to a larger scale according to line VI-VI in figure 5; figure 7 represents a variant of figure 1 to a smaller scale; figure 8 represents another variant of figure 1; figure 9 represents the variant of figure 8, but when dismounted; figure 10 represents a section according to line X-X in figure 8 to a larger scale; figure 11 .represents a connecting element according to the invention; figure 12 represents a sheet pile wall with sheet pile wall elements according to the invention; figure 13 represents a section according to line XIII-XIII d_n figure 12 to a larger scale; figures 14 and 15 represent variants of figure 12; figure 16 schematically represents a view in perspective of a dike improvement with sheet pile wall elements according to the invention; figure 17 represents a section according to XVII- XVII in figure 16 to a larger scale.

Figures 1 to 4 represent a sheet pile wall element 1 according to the invention which is mainly built in a modular manner ^"frol a^~plite-shaped body 2 made of^" plastic, aluminium, composite material or the like; a wedge-shaped metal point 3 at the lower end of the body 2; and a hood 4 made of plastic or the like at the "top end of the body 2.

In the plate-shaped body 2 are provided recesses 7-8 at the bottom and at the top in the middle of each side 5-6 which are situated opposite each other and which are provided with passages 9 between one side 5 of the body 2 and the other side 6 of the body 2, whereby, in these passages 9, are provided metal or other bushes 10. In the breadth of the body 2 are provided two passages 11 from one side edge 12 of the body 2 to the other side edge 13 of the body 2, whereby these passages 11 are preferably situated between the lower edge 14, the upper edge 15 respectively, and the passages 9, and whereby a preferably metal pipe 16 is provided in each passage 11, -which pipe extends over the full length of the passage 11 concerned.

The above-mentioned po int 3 and hood 4 are provided in the extension of the plate-shaped body 2 and they mainly have the same width and thickness as this body 2.

They are each provided "with two lips, two lips 17 and two lips 18 respectively, provided on either side of the body 2 in the above—mentioned recesses 7-8 and which are provided with passages 19 which are situated opposite to tlie above-mentioned passages y in these recesses 7-8.

The point 3 and hood 4 concerned are fixed to the body 2 by means -of bolts 20 provided through the above-mentioned passages 9 and 19 and which work in conjunction with nuts 21.

The sheet pile wall element 1 is provided with means which make it possible to connect the sheet pile wall element 1 concerned to at least one similar abutting sheet pile wall element 1, whereby these means are formed of a profiling with tooth 22 and groove 23 of the side edges 24 and 25 of the sheet pile wall element 1, and whereby every groove

23 of the sheet pile wall element 1 concerned forms an axial guide for a tooth 22 of an abutting sheet pile wall element 1.

The above-mentioned profiling extends over the full or practically the full length of the side edges 24-25, more particularly of the above- mentioned side edges 12 and 13 of the body 2 and of the side edges 26-27, 28-29 respectively, of the point 3 and of the hood 4.

The teeth 22 are each formed of a rib which has been inserted practically in the middle of a side edge 24-25 concerned, whereby the foot 30 of this tooth 22 is directed slantingly outward on the side edge 24-25 and whereby the free edge 31 of this tooth- 22 is folded- -ba-ck -outward- -and— is preferably directed perpendicular to the plane of the sheet pile wall element 1.

The grooves 23 in the side edges 24-25 are each confined by a bottom 32; a slantingly directed first side wall 33 which is the prolongation of the wall of the foot 30 of the tooth 22, which wall is turned towards to the centre of the side edge 24-25; a second side wall 34; and an inwardiy directed rib 35 on this second side wall 34 which moreover forms a wall part of the side edge 24-25 concerned. The profilings of the edges 24-25 are made identical in form, but according to a rotational symmetry around the axis X-X' of the sheet pile wall element 1, whereby the profiling of the side edge 25 is rotated over an angle of 180° in relation to the profiling of the other side edge 24, such ttiat the teeth 22 on the side edges 24 and 25 are directed to an opposite side of the sheet pile wall element 1.

The use of sheet pile wall elements 1 according to the invention is very simple and as follows.

As represented in figure 5, in order to build a sheet pile wall 36, several sheet pile wall elements 1 are forced with their point 3 in tlie ground, next to each other in an abutti ng manner, with appropriate tools, for example by me-a-ns o-f a -pne-uma-t-ic -hamme-r—with an -adj-usted- head which evenly distributes the strokes of the hammer over the hood 4 of the sheet pile wall element 1 so as not to damage the sheet pile wall element 1.

The sheet pile wall elements 1 are forced in the ground one after the other, whereby a following sheet pile wall element 1 to be provided is lifted above the level of a formerly provided sheet pi Ie wall element 1, and whereby this sheet pile wall element 1 is positioned such that, as represented in figure 6, the tooth 22 and groove 23 of a side edge 25 of this sheet pile wall element 1 is brought above the groove 23 and tooth 22 of an abutting side edge 24 of a sheet pile wall element 1 that had already been provided, after which the following sheet pile wall element 1 to be provided is lowered again, whereby the grooves 23 form an axial guide for the teeth 22.

Next, also this following sheet pile wall element 1 is forced with its point 3 in the ground.

In this manner, the sheet pile wall elements 1 are rigidly connected to each other with their profiled side edges 24-25.

Depending on the situation, the provided sheet pile wall elements 1 can be drawn further towards each other by means of a cable, not represented in the figures, which is provided through the aligned ^■p±pes—16 in- the—pas-sages --1-1-- of-- -the—abu-t-txng ..sheet pile wall elements 1, which cable is then tightened.

In order to remove the sheet pile wall 36, the sheet pile wall elements 1 can be drawn out of the ground one after the other by means of a hoist whose draw hook or cable is fixed to the hood 4 or the like in a suitable manner.

Since the sheet pile wall elements 1 have a smooth surface, they can be removed from the ground relatively easily. The accompanying tensile forces are transmitted via the hood 4, the bolts 20 and finally the cases 11 onto the body 2. De cases 11 serve to reinforce the passages 9 for the bolts 20.

An additional reinforcement is formed by the upper pipe 16 which prevents the cases 11 and the bolts 20 from being drawn out of the body 2 under extreme loads, for example in the case of a heavy, clayey soil, as a consequence of which the hood would be torn from the body 2.

In the same manner, the lower pipe 16 forms an additional reinforcement to prevent the bolts 20 from being torn from the point 3.

A point 3 or hood 4 which have been damaged by use are easy to replace and, thanks to their relatively -s-m-al-1- v-oiume-,—th-e-y~ a-r-e-ais-o--eas^_to_j:epair.._

The dimensions and the shape of the teeth 22 and of the grooves 23 are selected such that the teeth 22 are set in the grooves 23 with only a limited play.

Thanks to this limited play and the fact that the water, which accumulated during a flood on one side of the sheet pile wall 36, only finds its way to the other side of the sheet pile wall 36 via a long labyrinth-shaped passage A-A¹ between abutting sheet pile wall elements 1, a sheet pile wall 36, built with sheet pile wall elements 1 according to the invention, will let very little water through.

It is clear that, although the figures represent a full plate-shaped body 2, a hollow body is not excluded, such that, in this manner, a lighter sheet pile wall element 1 can be realised.

It is also clear that other forms of profilings with tooth and groove are not excluded, and for example several teeth 22 and grooves 23 can be provided on each side edge 24-25, or that, on the contrary, a tooth is provided on only one side edge 24, whereas on the other side edge 25 is only provided a groove.

Figure 7 represents an extended variant of a sheet pile wall element 1 according to the invention, whereby, in this case, two plate-shaped bodies 2 are

-appXi e-d- in e ach o,the_r_ '_ s p rjoJL.o n gat ion_ §_n d_ whe reb y these bodies 2 are fixed to each other by means of a connecting piece 37 which is equipped with two pairs of lips 38 to this end, which are similar to the lips 17-18 respectively of a point 3 and of a hood 4 and which are provided in a similar manner with passages 19 for the fastening to the lower and to the upper body 2 respectively by means of bolts 20.

The connecting piece 37 can be made of metal and of a plastic or the like reinforced with metal. Naturally, several bodies 2 can be coupled to each other in the same manner in order to obtain longer sheet pile wall elements 1 which can be forced deeper in the ground or which make it possible to realize a higher sheet pile wall.

Figures 8 to 10 represent a variant of a sheet .pile wall element 1 according to the invention, whereby, in this case, the plate-shaped body 2 is formed of a wooden core 39 and of two identical profiles 40 provided over the side edges of the core 39.

The profiles 40 are mainly U-shaped profiles with a body 41 and legs 42, whereby, on the outer wall of the body 41, a profiling with a tooth 22 and a groove 23 is provided, as described above, and whereby T- shaped ribs 43 directed towards each other are provided on the free ends of the legs 42.

On either side of the wooden core 39 are provided, at a distance from the side edges of this core 39, two grooves 44 forming an axial guide for the T- shaped ribs 43 of the above-mentioned profiles 40.

The profiles 40 respectively form the profiled side edges 24-25 of the body 2 and they are provided on the core 39 to this end, such that they are turned 180° in relation to each other.

In order to exclude a bad mounting, the core 39 is provided with a protrusion 45 which is cased in a deepened part 46 on the inner side of the profiles 40.

The point 3 and the hood 4 are made hollow and they are provided over the lower end and over the upper end of the core 39 respectively.

The length of the profiles 40 is selected such that they extend over the entire distance between the point 3 and the hood 4.

The construction of the sheet pile wall element 1 is further analogous to that of the variant discussed above, with this difference that a water-repellent filling layer 47 is provided on either side of the core 39 which is to protect the core 39 against penetrating water and which has to make sure that the faces on either side of the sheet pile wall element 1 have -a_smo_oth .s.tx.ucture_...

The hood 4 and the profiles 40 can for example be made of plastic, preferably a recycled plastic, or another material .

The use of a sheet pile wall element 1 according to figure 8 is analogous to that of figure 1.

Figure 11 represents a connecting element 48 which makes it possible to connect two or more sheet pile wall elements 1 to each other, whereby this connecting element 48 is mainly formed of a tubular profile with four walls 49-50-51-52 and whereby these four walls are profiled in a similar manner in the form of a tooth 53 and a groove 54 as the side edges 24-25 of the above-described sheet pile wall elements 1.

The profilings of the walls 49-50-51-52 preferably have a rotational symmetry around the axis Y-Y' of the connecting element 48, whereby the profiling of a wall is rotated 90° in relation to an abutting wall.

Figure 12 represents a sheet pile wall 36 whereby, in certain places where two sheet pile wall elements 1 are connected to each other, a third sheet pile wall element 1 is provided which is directed crosswise to the sheet pile wall 36.

I-H--th-e-se- ~p-l-aces , -t-he—th-re-e- -ab-ut-tin-g -sheet -p±le _ wall elements 1 are connected to each other in a T- joint by means of an above-mentioned connecting element 48 which, as represented in greater detail in figure 13, works in conjunction with the teeth 22 and grooves 23 on the abutting side edges, 24 and 25 respectively, of the sheet pile wall elements 1 concerned with its teeth 53 and grooves 54 on the walls 50-51-52.

It is clear that the crosswise directed sheet pile wall elements 1 guarantee a greater stability of the sheet pile wall 36, such that, depending on the situation of the base, the sheet pile wall elements 1 have to be forced less deep in the ground.

It is also clear that, by means of an above- mentioned connecting element 48, also angle joints and cross joints can be realised between sheet pile wall elements 1.

Naturally, such angle and cross joints can also be realised when additional profilings with tooth and groove are provided on the sides of the sheet pile wall elements 1, for example as the legs 42 of the above-mentioned profiles 40 are provided with such a profiling.

Figure 14 represents a sheet pile wall 36 whereby cells 55 are built in certain places with sheet pile wall elements 1 and connecting elements

- 1,8., whά-ch_ c eJLJLs a r e fά lXe.d. _wi t h_ ,_s_oi JL _or _c oncrejt e 5_ 6 for even more stability.

In the case of concrete, a cable 57 is cast in the concrete 56 together with an upward protruding part with which, when the sheet pile wall 36 has to be pulled down again, the concrete blocks can ■ be lifted out of the cells 55.

Figure 15 represents a variant of a sheet pile wall structure provided over a road 58, whereby the points 3 have in this case been removed from the sheet pile wall elements 1 provided on the road 58 and whereby these sheet pile wall elements 1 rest directly with their bodies 2 on the road 58 or on a hood 4 which is in this case also fixed to the bottom side of the bod;y.

5 The density of the sheet pile wall 36 on the road 58 is obtained thanks to a cell structure filled with concrete 56 or soil.

Figures 16 and 17 represent an application whereby sheet pile wall elements 1 according to the 10 invention are applied to reinforce a dike 59.

It is clear that such sheet pile wall elements 1 according to the invention can be used in numerous other possible applications.

The present invention is by no means limited to the t5- -embOdiment-s-g-ive-n--a-s—a-n-examp-te-a-nd—-r-ep-r-e-sented -in—the- accompanying drawings; on the contrary, such a sheet pile wall element according to the invention can be made in all sorts of shapes and dimensions while still remaining within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims .

1.- Sheet p±le wall element, characterised in that it is built in a modular manner of at least one plate- shaped body (2) which is extended at its lower end by a detachable wedge-shaped metal point (3) and which is extended at its top end by a hood (4) , and that means are provided which make it possible to connect the sheet p±le wall element (1) concerned on each side edge (24-25) to at least one abutting sheet pile wall element (1) .

2.- Sheet pile wall element according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises two or more plate- ^~slraped ^"bodi^'e^~s ^""(^"2)^~pro^"v±id^"e^{^}d^"~±τi^{^}'e^"achr^" o'thex's extension, whereby abutting bodies (2) are connected to each other by means of a metal connecting piece (37) or a connecting piece (37) reinforced with metal.

3.- Sheet pi_le wall element according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that each plate-shaped body (2) is provided with one or more passages (9) for bolts (20) on its lower end and on its top end for fixing a point (3) ojc hood (4) or a connecting piece (37) to the body (2) .

4.- Sheet pile wall element according to claim 3, characterised in that at least one bush (10) is provided in each passage (9) .

5.- Sheet pile wall element according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that in the cross direction of each plate-shaped body (2) is provided at least one passage (11) between the side edges (12-13) of the body

(2) .

6.- Sheet pile wall element according to claim 5, characterised in that the above-mentioned passage (11) between the side edges (12-13) of the body (2) is situated between the lower edge (14) , the top edge (15) respectively, of the body (2) concerned and the passages (9) for the above-mentioned bolts (20) for fixing a point (3) or hood (4) or a connecting piece (37 ) .

7. - Sheet pile wall element according to claim 5, characterised in that in the above-mentioned passage (11) between the side edges (12-13) of the body (2) is provided a pipe (16) .

8.- Sheet pile wall element according to claim 2, characterised in that the above-mentioned point (3) and hood (4) and each above-mentioned connecting piece (37) are provided on one or on both sides (5-6) of an abutting body (2) with a lip (17-18-38) having one or several passages (19) for the above-mentioned bolts (20) for fixing the point (3) and hood (4) concerned or the connecting piece (37) concerned.

9.- Sheet pile wall element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the above-mentioned means wrαich make it possible to connect a sheet pile wall (1) on each side edge (24- 25) to at least one abutting similar sheet pile wall element (1), are formed of a profiling of the side edges (24-25) with at least one tooth (22) and one groove (23), which groove (23) forms an axial guide for a tooth (22) of an abutting sheet pile wall element (1) .

10.- Sheet pile wall element according to claim 9, characterised in that each of the above-mentioned teeth (22) are formed of a rrib which is inserted practically in the middle of a side edge (24-25) concerned, whereby the foot ( 30) of this tooth (22) is directed slantingly outward and whereby the free edge (31) of this tooth (22) is folded back outward.

11.-,Sheet pile wall element according to claim 10, ' characterised in that each o f the above-mentioned grooves in a side edge (24-25) are confined by a bottom (32); a slantingly directed_first side wall (33) which is the prolongation of a wall of the foot ^• (30) of the tooth (22); a second side wall (34); and an inwardly directed rib (35) on this second side wall (34) .

12.- Sheet pile wall element according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterised in that the profilings of the edges (24-25) are identical in shape, but have a rotational symmetry around the a;xis X-X¹ of the sheet pile wall element (1) concerned.

13.- Sheet pile wall element according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterised in ttiat the plate- shaped body (2) is formed of a core (39) and of two profiles (40) which are identical in shape and which are provided over the side edges of the core (39) .

14.- Sheet pile wall element according to claim 13, ^'characterised in that the above-mentioned profiles (40) are mainly U-shaped profiles with a body (41) and legs (42) , whereby on the outer wall of the body (44) is provided an above-mentioned profiling with a tooth (22) and a groove (23) .

15.- Sheet pile wall element according to claim ^~ΥA^~,^~

^~Qϊrect^"ed^~ towards each other are provided on the legs (42) and in that in the core (39) are provided grooves (44) which form a guide for the above-mentioned ribs (43) .

16.- Sheet pile wall element according to claim 1, characterised in that it is provided with smooth walls on either side.

17.- Sheet pile wall element according to claim 9, characterised in that the means which make it possible to connect a sheet pile wall element (1) with a side edge (24-25) to one or several abutting similar sheet pile wall elements (1) coinprise a connecting element (18) in the shape of a profile having at least three walls (49-50-51-52) which have a similar profiling with a tooth (53) and groove (54) as the profiling of the side edges (24-25) of a sheet pile wall element (1) .