WO2014111755A1

WO2014111755A1 - Umbrella-shaped structure for the protection and/or consolidation of slopes

Info

Publication number: WO2014111755A1
Application number: PCT/IB2013/050396
Authority: WO
Inventors: Maurizio IORI; Matteo NADALINI
Original assignee: Incofil Srl
Priority date: 2013-01-16
Filing date: 2013-01-16
Publication date: 2014-07-24

Abstract

Structure for the protection and/or consolidation of slopes, comprising: at least one material-retaining structure (13); a main rod (14) connected to a central portion (15) of the material-retaining structure (13); wherein the material-retaining structure (13) in turn comprises a plurality of supporting arms (12) which project from the central portion (15) and are fixed or rotatable relative to the main rod (14) and, at least in the operating condition, extend substantially radially relative to the main rod (14), and material- retaining means (18) that are supported by said supporting arms (12) and are capable of creating, when in use, a barrier for holding back snow, soil or the like; a plurality of tie rods (22) that, at least in use, are connected each between one of said supporting arms (12) and the main rod (14), characterized in that at least one of said tie rods (22) incorporates at least one dissipation device (1).

Description

UMBRELLA-SHAPED STRUCTURE FOR THE PROTECTION AND/OR

CONSOLIDATION OF SLOPES

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an umbrella-shaped structure for the protection and/or consolidation of slopes.

More particularly, the invention relates to a structure of the type commonly used both as an avalanche barrier and/or rockfall barrier and/or as containment barrier and for securing lands at risk of landslides and the like.

Even more particularly, the present invention was conceived with reference to protection and consolidation structures of the type characterized by an umbrella-shaped configuration.

Background Art

Such structures were initially described in patents EP 828 897 and WO2011/117790. Therefore, hereinafter reference is mainly made to that type of structures.

Some aspects of this invention, described in more detail below, may apply to a great number of structures comprising material-retaining flexible means (such as a net or the like) which are supported at the periphery by a perimetric rope fixed to a rigid frame. As is known, the umbrella-shaped structures comprise a material-retaining mainly flat structure at the centre of which a first end of a rigid rod is connected, whereas the second end of the rod can be fixed to the ground. The material-retaining structure in turn comprises a plurality of arms extending radially from the central rod and material- retaining means which are supported by the arms. In general, the material-holding means comprise a pair of superposed metal nets, a supporting one having large meshes made by thick ropes, and an actual material-retaining one having smaller meshes and made by thinner ropes or the like. Each arm is also connected to the main rod by a metal tie rod. Moreover, advantageously, the arms are hinged to the main rod, independently of each other, in such a way that they can rotate freely by a predetermined angle to allow improved adjustment of the structure once loaded with the material to be retained.

Some alternative embodiments of such a type of structures are described in patents EP 1 921 210 and EP 1 728 924. However, in said patents the arms are rigidly fixed to each other in such a way that any adjustment of the structure is inhibited.

The main drawback of the known umbrella-shaped structures lies in the fact that once installed they are excessively rigid and consequently do not allow to absorb high stresses. In particular, said umbrella-shaped structure are little suitable for bearing the impact with strongly accelerated bodies and in such circumstances they are therefore subject to deformation and collapsing.

Furthermore, the known umbrella-shaped structures do not easily adapt to soil configurations other than those for which the structure has been originally devised and therefore it is often necessary to modify the structure on-site or conceive a new structure. Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

A first object of the present invention is therefore to provide an umbrella-shaped structure that does not have the drawbacks of the prior art and is more solid and capable of bearing high loads without substantially changing the manufacturing costs.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an umbrella-shaped structure of the above-described type which easily adapts to several soil configurations without requiring substantial modifications to the structure.

A not least object of the present invention is to provide an umbrella-shaped structure which can be easily and cost-effectively manufacture and can be produced on an industrial scale.

Technical Solution

The aforementioned objects are essentially attained by an umbrella-shaped structure for the protection and/or consolidation of slopes in accordance with the contents of the appended claims.

Advantageously, thanks to the fact that at least one of the tie rods incorporates at least one dissipation device, the structure according to the invention is particularly effective and resistant and it is capable of bearing loads remarkably heavier with respect to the known structures.

Advantageous Effects

Advantageously, thanks to the fact that according to a particular aspect of the invention said dissipation device consists of a double-action dissipation device, particularly working by friction and by plastic deformation, the efficiency and resistance of the structure are further enhanced.

Advantageously, thanks to the fact that according to a further particular aspect of the invention said dissipation device is provided on two or four tie rods, the structure according to the invention is particularly effective with respect to bodies directed against the structure and coming substantially from a plurality of possible directions. A further advantage of the invention results from the fact that the presence of at least one dissipation device incorporated in at least one tie rod, allows the structure to easily adapt to any type of soil configurations and to meet the various requirements for the consolidation and protection of slopes.

Description of Drawings

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of some preferred, though non-limiting, embodiments of an umbrella-shaped structure for the protection and/or consolidation of slopes as shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a side view of a structure for the protection and/or consolidation of slopes in accordance with the present invention when this is in its operating condition;

- Figure 2 is a front view of the structure of Figure 1;

- Figure 3 is a top view of the structure of Figure 1;

- Figure 4 is a side view of the dissipation device;

- Figure 5 is a top view of the dissipation device of Figure 4.

Best Mode

With reference to Figures 1 to 3, an umbrella-shaped structure for the protection and/or consolidation of slopes according to the present invention is globally indicated by reference numeral 11.

Structure 11 in its whole comprises two main parts, a material-retaining structure 13, arranged perpendicularly or at an angle with respect to the plane of the ground on which the structure is installed, and a main rod 14 connected to a central portion 15 of the material-retaining structure 13. Depending on requirements, in practice, the main rod 14 may be substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the material-retaining structure 13, or at an angle relative thereto.

In the embodiment shown, the structure 13 for holding back material in turn comprises a plurality of supporting arms 12 which project from the central portion 15 and, at least in the operating condition as illustrated in Figure 1, extend substantially radially relative to the main rod 14. Again in the embodiment illustrated, the arms 12 are mainly girders preferably with an I-shaped, H-shaped or tubular cross-section, which have an inner end 16 connected, preferably rotatably, to the main rod 14 and a cantilever-style free outer end 17. In general, there may be any number of arms 12 and their outer ends 17 define a corresponding polygon.

The supporting arms 12 support material-retaining means 18 which are preferably flexible and are suitable for creating in use a barrier for holding back snow, soil, rocks or the like. In the attached figures the material -retaining means 18 are schematically illustrated as a large-mesh metal net. However, depending on the applications, there may be provided, as known, either alternative means or a second net, made of metal or of other suitable materials, having smaller meshes and fixed onto the means 18.

Moreover, as is schematically shown in the annexed figures, in order to guarantee improved support for the metal net the umbrella-shaped structure 11 also comprises an annular perimetric metal rope 19 which is fixed to the supporting arms 12 close to their free ends 17 and to which the metal net 18 is fixed.

In the embodiment shown, the central portion 15 of the structure 13 for holding back material is made by a tubular central body 20 in which the main rod 14 is inserted and fixed, and a plurality of fixed flanges 21 which are fixed to the central body 20 and extend radially from it. Still with reference to the illustrated embodiment, each arm 12 is hinged to one of these fixed flanges 21, so as to be rotatable with respect to the rod 14. However, in other embodiments, the central portion 15 of the material -retaining structure 13 may also have other forms or consist directly of the main rod 14. Moreover, it is possible to arrange the arms 12 either rigidly fixed to the central portion 15 to which the main rod 14 is connected or directly fixed to the main rod 14.

According to the invention there is provided a plurality of tie rods 22 which, when the umbrella-shaped structure 11 is in use, are each connected between a supporting arm 12 of the material-retaining structure 13 and the main rod 14. Still according to the invention, at least one of the tie rods 22 incorporates a dissipation device 1. According to a preferred embodiment, said dissipation device 1 is a dissipation device working by friction and by deformation. However, it will be possible to provide other forms for the dissipation device, for example working in accordance with only one of the aforesaid principles, i.e. either by friction or by deformation.

With reference to Figures 4 and 5, the dissipation device 1 according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, comprises two parts la, lb sharing the same rope section 2 connectable to a load at one end.

The first part la of the dissipation device 1 is substantially a friction-type dissipation device wherein the rope section 2 bent back on itself so as to form a load-hooking loop 2a passes through a sequence of holes 3a formed in a metallic plate 3. In the embodiment shown, the holes 3a are arranged in a straight line, but in other embodiments they can be offset, and their edges are preferably countersunk in order to prevent wear of the rope 2. Preferably, the loop 2a lies in the groove of a thimble 4a that prevents wear thereof by improving load distribution and at the loop 2a the rope 2 is bent back on itself and secured by a sleeve 4b. A hole 3b provided in the plate 3, preferably opposite to the loop 2a, is not passed through by the rope 2, but it serves only for the passage of means 4b for anchoring the drilled plate 3 to the corresponding tie rod 22. Said anchor means 4b can be for instance a snap hook or a hook bolt.

The second part lb of the dissipation device 1 is a deformation-type dissipation device and comprises a tubular element 5 having a circular cross-section 5 and axially bored for being passed through from one end to the other by the rope section 2. The tubular element 5 can be slidable relative to the rope 2 or it can be made integral therewith, for instance by welding or compression. In the first case there will be provided a limit stop sleeve 4c on the rope 2, whereas in the second case the limit stop sleeve 4c might be avoided.

Two identical square washers 5a and 5b, a single one 5a if there is no sleeve 4c, that are as well passed through by the rope 2, are arranged opposite to each other at the two ends of the tubular element 5 in order to abut against the drilled plate 3 and the sleeve 4c, where existing. The rope 2 while passing through the drilled plate 3 takes a serpentine configuration. At the design stage the length of the rope, the number of the holes 3a and the number of the rows of holes provided in the plate 3 are parameters that can vary depending on the variation of the kinetic energy to be dissipated into heat by friction. When forces acting in opposite directions are applied to the ends of the tie rod 22 incorporating the dissipation device 1, for instance when a body is intercepted by the retaining means 18, the rope section 2 on the right of the drilled plate 3 in the figure, by shortening gradually as it passes through the drilled plate 3, exerts a sliding friction within the wall of the holes 3a and against the edges thereof. The distance, in rest condition, of the tubular element 5 from the drilled plate 3 allows to gradually vary the delay of intervention of the second dissipation device lb that works by deformation, with respect to the intervention of the first dissipation device la that works by friction.

In the embodiment illustrated, the dissipation device 1 has its own rope section 2, separated from the tie rod 22 and consequently the tie rod 22 that incorporates the dissipation device 1 is divided in two parts 22a and 22b, the former being located between the arm 12 and the dissipation device 1 and the latter between the dissipation device 1 and the main rod 14. In other embodiments, instead, the rope 2 and the tie rod 22, more precisely one of the two tie rod parts 22a, 22b are the same thing, thus eliminating the loop 2a, the thimble 4a and the sleeve 4d. In an alternative embodiment of the dissipation device, the tubular element 5 consists of a coating layer of the corresponding rope section 2. Said coating layer is preferably obtained by applying onto the outer surface of the rope section concerned a plastic material, for instance a thermoplastic resin, which preferably adheres firmly to the rope 2. Such plastic material can be for instance applied onto the rope 2 by spraying. The coating layer defining the tubular element 5 may therefore be slidable relative to the rope 2, if not adhering to the rope itself, or it can be fixed to the rope, if firmly adhering to the rope itself. The coating layer defining the tubular element 5 further has a thickness of some millimeters, preferably of at least 2 mm and more preferably comprised between 3 and 5 mm. The coating layer defining the tubular element 5 may further have a color contrasting with that of the drilled plate in order to allow to visually perceive the working condition or rest condition of the dissipation device 1. According to this embodiment of the invention, the coating layer defining the tubular element 5, undergoing a plastic deformation caused by compression and friction against the drilled plate 3 may possibly partially penetrate inside the holes 3a, thus increasing the friction exerted by the rope 2 in the tortuous path of the plate 3.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the dissipation device 1 is arranged approximately at half the length of the tie rod 22 incorporating the device. Still according to the invention it is possible, however, to provide that the dissipation device 1 is arranged differently, for instance at one of the ends of the tie rod 22, between the tie rod 22 and the corresponding arm 12 or between the tie rod 22 and the rod 14. Moreover, still according to the invention it will also be possible to provide more than one dissipation device 1 for each of the tie rods 22 concerned, or a different number of dissipation devices 1 depending on the tie rod 22 concerned.

In the preferred embodiment shown, the tie rods 22 are connected to the supporting arms 12 at least at two thirds of their length and to the main rod 14 at its end opposite to the one connected to the material -retaining structure 13, by means of a shaped element 23 which serves for securing the end itself to the ground. In this connection it is further to be noted that although in the embodiment shown the main rod 14 ends at the material-retaining structure 13, in other embodiments it can be provided that the main rod 14 extends, directly or indirectly, also beyond the structure 13 itself.

According to the invention, each arm 12 that incorporates at least one dissipation device 1, where it is rotatably connected to the rod 14, for instance to one of the fixed flanges 21, as described above, can be arranged at an angle relative to the rod 14, when the structure 13 is installed, and can take a configuration perpendicular or at an angle downward relative to said rod 14 only when the dissipation device 1 has intervened. According to this arrangement it will therefore be possible to install the umbrella-shaped structure 11 with said at least one arm 12 partially closed toward the rod 14 and provide for the full opening when said at least one arm is in the perpendicular configuration or in the configuration inclined downward, only at the time when the structure 13 is affected by such a load as to cause the intervention of the dissipation device 1.

According to the invention, the shaped element 23 or, in the absence thereof, directly the rod 14 can be secured to the ground by means of a dissipation device 1 of the same kind as described above. Said dissipation device 1 will be advantageously fixed on one side to the element 23 or the rod 14, for example by means of a pin 24 passing though the loop 2a and on the other side to the ground, for instance by means of an eyelet 25 associated through anchor means 4b to the hole 3b of the plate 3 and secured in the ground in a way known per se to the person skilled in the art.

The structure for the protection and/or consolidation of slopes as described and illustrated can be subject to several variants and modifications falling within the same inventive concept.

Claims

1. Structure for the protection and/or consolidation of slopes, comprising:

- at least one material-retaining structure (13);

- a main rod (14) connected to a central portion (15) of the material-retaining structure (13); wherein the material-retaining structure (13) in turn comprises a plurality of supporting arms (12) which project from the central portion (15) and are fixed to or rotatable relative to the main rod (14) and, at least in the operating condition, extend substantially radially relative to the main rod (14), and material-retaining means (18) that are supported by said supporting arms (12) and are capable of creating, when in use, a barrier for holding back snow, soil or the like;

- a plurality of tie rods (22) that, at least in use, are connected each between one of said supporting arms (12) and the main rod (14), characterized in that at least one of said tie rods (22) incorporates at least one dissipation device (1).

2. Structure according to claim 1, wherein the main rod (14) at its end opposite to the one connected to the material-retaining structure (13) is secured to the ground with interposition of a dissipation device (1).

3. Structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said dissipation device (1) comprises:

- a rope (2) connectable to a load at one end;

- a metallic plate (3) with drilled holes (3a) crossed by the rope (2) sequentially, the rope (2) being frictionally slidable inside the holes for slowing down the load;

- a tubular element (5) crossed axially by the rope section, said tubular element (5) being made of a material subject to plastic deformation caused by the compression of the element itself against said drilled plate (3).

4. Structure according to claim 3, wherein there are further provided two opposite square washers (5a,5b) located at the two ends of the tubular element (5).

5. Structure according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said drilled plate (3) has an additional hole (3b) for connection to anchor means (4b).

6. Structure according to any of the claims 3 to 5, wherein the end of the rope (2) connectable to the load is bent back on itself so as to form a load-hooking loop (2a).

7. Structure according to any of the claims 3 to 6, wherein the tubular element (5) is slidable relative to the rope (2).

8. Structure according to any of the claims 3 to 7, wherein said tubular element (5) is made of metal.

9. Structure according to any of the claims 3 to 6, wherein said tubular element (5) consists of a coating layer of the corresponding rope section (2).

10. Structure according to claim 9, wherein said tubular element (5) consists of a coating layer made of thermoplastic resin.

11. Structure according to claim 9 or 10, wherein said coating layer has a thickness of at least 2 mm.

12. Structure according to any of the claims 9 to 11, wherein said coating layer adheres to the corresponding rope section (2).

13. Structure according to any of the claims 9 to 12, wherein said coating layer has a color contrasting with that of the drilled plate (3).

14. Structure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein there are provided limit stop means (4c) connected to the end of the rope (2) opposed to the one connectable to a load.

15. Structure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the dissipation device (1) is arranged at least at half the length of the tie rod (22) that incorporates it.

16. Structure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the dissipation device (1) is arranged at one of the ends of the tie rod (22), between the tie rod (22) and the corresponding arm (12) or between the tie rod (22) and the rod (14).

17. Structure according to any of the claims 1 to 16, wherein there are provided more than one dissipation device (1) for each of the tie rods (22) concerned.

18. Structure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said structure has a substantially umbrella-shaped configuration.