WO2009126016A1

WO2009126016A1 - Coupling for sheet piling, sheet piling using such coupling and method for sheet piling

Info

Publication number: WO2009126016A1
Application number: PCT/NL2008/000102
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tijmen Van Halteren
Original assignee: Van Halteren Infra B.V.
Priority date: 2008-04-10
Filing date: 2008-04-10
Publication date: 2009-10-15

Abstract

The present invention relates to a coupling for a sheet piling, a sheet piling using such coupling, and methods for manufacturing such coupling and assembling a sheet pile therewith. The coupling comprises: - a body part; - a first interlocking part arranged to the body part for connecting the coupling to a first sheet pile profile; and - a second interlocking part arranged to the body part for connecting the coupling to a second sheet pile profile, wherein the interlocking parts are arranged such that the first sheet pile profile can be connected via the coupling to the second sheet pile profile.

Description

COUPLING FOR SHEET PILING, SHEET PILING USING SUCH COUPLING AND METHOD FOR SHEET PILING

The present invention relates to a coupling for sheet piling and especially for coupling the sheet pile profiles thereof. Sheet piles serve as an earth- retaining construction which is placed in the ground in substantially vertical manner and wherein a whole sheet piling is acquired by connecting separate sheet pile profiles .

Known sheet pile profiles are manufactured by hot or cold deformation of plate material into a number of standard types. Known profile types are the so-called U- profile and Z-profile. Two sheet pile profiles are connected by hooking together interlock parts or longitudinal edge profiles of two profiles. A number of bends is required here for each longitudinal edge profile leading to a labour-intensive process. A sheet pile consists of a number of profiles with which a suitable form for the sheet pile is obtained. Through correct selection, depending on, among other factors, the soil type, moistness, play of forces and the like, the sheet pile is given a form such that the set requirements are fulfilled for a specific application. This often involves corners in the sheet pile. Especially these corners in the sheet pile require dedicated and specifically manufactured profiles leading to a labour-intensive and expensive construction.

The present invention has for its object to provide a coupling for sheet pile profiles that enables a more efficient and/or more flexible sheet pile.

The present invention provides for this purpose a coupling for sheet piling, comprising: - a body part; - a first interlocking part arranged to the body part for connecting the coupling to a first sheet pile profile; and

- a second interlocking part arranged to the body part for connecting the coupling to a second sheet pile profile, wherein the interlocking parts are arranged such that the first sheet pile profile can be connected via the coupling to the second sheet pile profile. The coupling according to the invention is used to couple sheet pile profiles, especially on corners of a sheet pile. Through the use of a separate coupling element it is possible to use standard-type sheet pile profiles. Instead of manufacturing separate profile types for corners only relatively small coupling elements suffice. This prevents the manufacturing of a specific type of profiles for the corners in the sheet pile. Also, it prevents mistakes by mixing up different types of sheet piles when assembling a sheet pile. The couplings according to the invention enable an accurate positioning of the corner in the sheet pile. E.g. by placing two interlocking parts at an angle of about 80° it is possible to form a corner in the sheet pile with an angle of about 90°. In addition, the angle of the corner can be kept in small tolerances. Preferably the angle between two adjacent sheet pile profiles connected to the interlocking parts of the coupling lies between 70° and 110°. More preferably this angle lies between 80° and 100°. Even more preferably this angle lies between 85° and 95°.

In a preferred embodiment the coupling is arranged such that different types of sheet pile profiles can be coupled. This is realised by a correct selection of dimensions for the coupling. E.g. the space within the interlocking part for receiving the edge of a sheet pile profile may be selected with a small play. This enables the connection to profiles with different widths for the plate material, like 10 to 12 millimetres. A possible space amounts to 16 millimetres. Depending on the specific circumstances other widths are also possible. Also, it is possible to select the shape of the coupling such that different type of profiles can be connected thereto. The coupling according to the invention allows for the coupling of a ϋ-type profile with a Z-type profile. As an example, the coupling according to the invention enables connection of ϋ-type profiles of the type SPE C(IO to 12) between each other. Also, Z-type profiles of the type SC (80 to 100) may be connected in a sheet pile. This realises a uniform coupling that may be used in connection with different types of sheet pile profiles and/or sheet profiles of different manufacturers. This prevents the use of wide range on couplings depending on the type of sheet pile profiles. In addition, this prevents mistakes when assembling a sheet pile. Also, a sheet pile can be assembled more efficiently. The coupling according to the invention may be used in connection with sheet pile profiles made by both hot and cold deformation of plate material. This further enhances the flexibility when assembling a sheet pile as different types of sheet pile may be used more easily. This will improve the quality of the sheet pile. Also the efficiency of the assembling process will be increased. Especially the possibilities for the use of cold deformed profiles is improved by the couplings according to the invention.

In a preferred embodiment according to the invention the coupling comprises a thickening to reinforce the coupling.

By providing a thickening on preferably the body part relatively the largest amount of material is found at this central part of the coupling. This part is literally the cornerstone of the sheet pile. This enhances the strength of the whole sheet piling and occurring loads are therefore better absorbed thereby. In a preferred embodiment according to the invention the coupling comprises a third interlocking part.

A coupling having a third interlocking part enables the sheet pile to have a tee or fork. This enables the use of branches in the sheet pile. This is e.g. relevant for a sheet pile for a foundation of a building which is only partly provided with a basement. This leads to differences in level. The third interlocking part enables the forming of sub-parts while a unitary construction of the sheet pile is being maintained. This contributes to the strength and stability of the sheet pile .

The invention further relates to a sheet piling provided from two or more sheet pile profiles that are coupled with a coupling as described above, and a method for manufacturing such coupling and a sheet piling. These provide the same effects and advantages as those stated in respect of the sheet pile profile.

The coupling can be manufactured in one piece. Alternatively, the coupling is assembled from two, or more, parts. These parts can be welded together. This has as an additional benefit that, depending on the specific needs for the sheet pile, e.g. an angle for the corner can be chosen by welding the parts together on this desired angle. In a preferred embodiment the interlocking parts are arranged to the body or centre part of the coupling at a distance in a width direction of the coupling. The locking parts may be arranged on opposite ends of the body part. The interlocking parts are adapted to form an interlock with a longitudinal edge profile of the adjacent sheet pile profile. The interlocking parts may be placed at an angle relative to each other, or arranged in another way, such that an angle or corner can be formed between two adjacent sheet pile profiles.

Assembling a sheet pile involves:

- placing a first sheet pile profile;

- connecting a coupling to a longitudinal edge profile of the first sheet pile profile; and - pushing a second sheet pile profile in substantially vertical direction into a free interlocking part of the coupling.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention are elucidated on the basis of preferred embodiments, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawing, in which:

- figure 1 shows a side view of a sheet piling provided from sheet pile profiles using a coupling according to the invention; - figure 2 shows the top view of two mutually connected U-profiles which are known in practice;

- figure 3 shows a top view of a Z-profile which is known in practice;

- figure 4 shows a coupling according to the invention;

- figure 5 shows an alternative embodiment of a coupling made of two parts;

- figure 6 shows the connection of coupling according to the invention to two different types of sheet profiles;

- figure 7 shows a detail of the coupling of figure β; and

- figure 8 shows an alternative coupling according to the invention comprising three interlocking parts. A sheet piling 2 (figure 1) is provided from a number of sheet pile profiles 4. These sheet pile profiles 4 have a number of profile segments 6 with which the desired form of the sheet pile profile is realized. Provided on the outer sides 8 of each sheet pile profile 4 is a longitudinal edge profile 10 which, via a coupling 12, is connected to a longitudinal edge profile 10 of an adjacent sheet pile profile 4. A sheet pile profile 4 is connected to an already placed part of the sheet pile 2 by sliding the edge 10 of the sheet pile profile 4 into an interlocking part of coupling 12 from the top to the bottom in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure.

Two U-profiles 20 (figure 2) are mutually connected by means of an interlock 21, without using a coupling, by hooking the longitudinal edge profiles 22 of the two profiles 20 into each other without a coupling. For the shown profile the bends 24, 26 and 28 are formed for the longitudinal edge profile 22, while bends 34, 36 and 38 are formed for the longitudinal edge profile 22 on the other side of profile 20. A U-profile is arranged by means of bends 28, 30, 32 and 34 in order to obtain the correct stability and moments. Working width b is determined on the one hand by the width of the plate material of which use is made, and on the other by the height h in the direction transversely of the plane of the original plate material. The contact surface of interlock 21 lies here in the width direction of sheet pile profile 20, and these interlocks 21 herein lie in one line. Such connection of profiles 20 enables the straight sides of a sheet pile. No bends or corners between adjacent profiles 20 are possible.

A sheet pile profile 4 can also be embodied as a Z- profile 40 (figure 3) . Profile 40 is provided here with a longitudinal edge profile 42 formed by bends 44, 46 and 48. Bend 50 is provided in order to be able to bring about a good connection to an adjacent sheet pile profile 40. The other longitudinal edge profile 42 of profile 40 is formed by bends 52, 54 and 56. The moments and the amount of material on either side of neutral line 60 is influenced by bends 62, 64 and 66. The height h' and working width b' of profile 40 are also determined by these bends 62, 64 and 66. The contact surface between longitudinal edge profiles 42 lies here in the width direction of sheet pile profile 40, and the formed interlocks herein lie in one line.

Coupling member 70 (figure 4) comprises a body part 72 to which two interlock member 74, 76 are connected. The illustrated embodiment is made of steel quality S 355 GP. Body part 72 has a width of 23 millimetres. The width or thickness of the interlocking parts 72, 74 is about 10 millimetres. The radius of the bends 78, 80 of the interlock parts 72, 74 is on the inside 8 millimetres and on the outside 18 millimetres. For the illustrated embodiment this realises a space or room of about 16 millimetres for receiving an edge profile of the sheet profile. Other dimensions are possible depending on the type of sheet pile profiles and the conditions to which coupling member 70 will be exposed. A coupling 82 (figure 5) may be assembled by welding together two interlocking parts 84, 86. Also other ways of assembling are possible.

Different types of sheet pile profiles can be connected to each other via coupling 82 (figures 6 and 7) . Instead of an assembled coupling 82 also a one-part coupling 70 can be used. Coupling 82 connects a U-type profile 88 of the type SPE C12-U to a Z-type profile 90 of the type XZ-100. Edge profile or locking part 92 of the ϋ-profile 88 engages interlocking part or locking part 84 of coupling 82. Edge profile of locking part 94 of the Z-profile 90 engages interlocking part of locking part 86 of coupling 82.

An alternative embodiment of a coupling 96 (figure 8) comprises a body or centre part 98 to which three interlocking parts 100, 102, 104 are arranged. The interlocking parts 100, 102, 104 are of a similar shape as the interlocking parts 74, 76 of coupling 70 having two of these interlocking parts. The opening 106 of the interlocking parts 100, 102, 104 is about 20 millimetres. The third interlocking part enables a branch of the sheet pile 2. This is relevant to have intermediate sheet piles within a larger construction. Coupling 96 enables the provision of these intermediate of additional sheet pile parts in one uniform construction. This improves the strength and stability of the sheet pile 2.

The present invention is by no means limited to the above described embodiments; the rights sought are defined by the following claims, within the scope of which many modifications can be envisaged.

Claims

1. Coupling for sheet piling, comprising:

- a body part; - a first interlocking part arranged to the body part for connecting the coupling to a first sheet pile profile; and

- a second interlocking part arranged to the body part for connecting the coupling to a second sheet pile profile, wherein the interlocking parts are arranged such that the first sheet pile profile can be connected via the coupling to the second sheet pile profile.

2. Coupling according to claim 1, wherein the arrangement of the interlocking parts is such that an angle, that can be realised between the first and second interlocking part, lies between 70° and 110°.

3. Coupling according to claim 2, wherein the angle between the arrangement of the interlocking parts is such that an angle, that can be realised between the first and second interlocking part, lies between 80° and 100°.

4. Coupling according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the body part comprises a thickening to reinforce the coupling.

5. Coupling according to any of claims 1-4, comprising a third interlocking part.

6. Coupling according to any of claims 1-5 and as described in the foregoing description and/or shown in the drawings .

7. Coupling according to any of claims 1-6, wherein the coupling can be connected to sheet pile profiles that are manufactured by cold deformation of plate material .

8. Sheet piling comprising at least two sheet pile profiles connected in longitudinal direction of the sheet piling via a coupling according to any of the foregoing claims .

9. Method for manufacturing a coupling for sheet piling according to any of the foregoing claims.

10. Method according to claim 9, wherein the interlocking parts are placed at a distance in a width direction of the coupling, wherein the interlocking parts are adapted to form an interlock with a longitudinal edge profile of the adjacent sheet pile profile, and wherein the interlocking parts are arranged such that an angle or corner can be formed between two adjacent sheet pile profiles.

11. Method for assembly of a sheet piling with a coupling as claimed in one or more of the claims 1-10, comprising:

- placing a first sheet pile profile;

- connecting a coupling to a longitudinal edge profile of the first sheet pile profile; and

- pushing a second sheet pile profile in substantially vertical direction into a free interlocking part of the coupling.