WO2019132851A2

WO2019132851A2 - A device for in vitro determination of implementation parameters of ground improvement methods

Info

Publication number: WO2019132851A2
Application number: PCT/TR2018/050938
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mert BICAKCI; Huseyin Orkun KILIC
Original assignee: Anadolu Universitesi
Priority date: 2017-12-29
Filing date: 2018-12-28
Publication date: 2019-07-04
Also published as: WO2019132851A3; GB202010401D0; GB2583621A; TR201722975A1

Abstract

The system works by the fact that a depth motor (2) moves vertically on a rack gear (1), a stirrer blade (4), an injection shaft (5) connected to a mixing motor (3), comprising an injection hole proceed inside the soil, a mixture prepared inside water/cement mixing chamber (8) for grouted ground improvement methods is injected into the soil through the shaft during the proceeding. The shafts connected to the mixing motor can be changed for different laboratory works. The subject matter determination device is in Geotechnical Engineering field which is a sub-discipline of Civil Engineering. Ground improvement methods and behavior of pile foundation take an essential place within the scope of Geotechnical Engineering. Ground improvement applications and pile foundation applications are performed by many companies both in our country and in the world. Deep soil mixing and jet-grouting methods which are the most frequently preferred ground improvement methods may be tested in laboratory scales. Also, the pile foundations may be simulated by a simple head change. Local field conditions based optimal values for the ground improvement methods can be determined by laboratory works. These parameters will be made available for ground improvement sector and thus economic benefits based on community will be achieved. The device may also be used for simulating other improvement methods such as stone column etc. in addition to above-mentioned methods by applying minor modifications. The device is designed as fully automatic. Ground behavior together with other structure materials may be tested by adding different materials (fiber, basaltic fiber etc.) into the ground sample. Furthermore, it will provide opportunity for practical education about the subject in universities and educational institutions.

Description

DESCRIPTION

A DEVICE FOR IN VITRO DETERMINATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PARAMETERS OF GROUND IMPROVEMENT METHODS

Technical Field

The invention is in Geotechnical Engineering field which is a sub-discipline of Civil Engineering. Ground improvement methods and behavior of pile foundation take an essential place within the scope of Geotechnical Engineering. Ground improvement applications and pile foundation applications are performed by many companies both in our country and in the world.

State of the Art

Ground improvement methods are implemented all around the world since 1950s. Studies for simulating these methods in laboratory environment are conducted by scientists working on this subject using various methods. By this measure, there are devices, methods etc. examples developed in soil mechanics laboratories of various universities.

One of the most significant problems of prior studies is that the ground applications cannot be completely simulated in laboratory environment. The other one is that the studies are designed only for one method.

The Technical Problems That the Invention Aims to Solve

All structure types such as buildings, airports, bridges, dams etc. are constructed on a ground. However, the grounds do not always have the capacity of bearing upper structure loads safely. Particularly in cases where supporting power of ground is insufficient, various ground improvement methods are implemented or deep foundation is constructed. The most frequently used ground improvement methods in our country are jet-grouting, deep soil mixing methods. Furthermore, pile foundation is the most preferred deep soil type.

For ground improvement methods, application parameters should be determined before the commencing of manufacturing. Specifically, no limitation or interval is identified in the regulations for the parameters such as injection pressure, dosage of cement, application period. Depending on the field conditions, identification of these parameters is wanted. However, this leads to various deficient or wrong applications as well as to time loss.

Analogously, field conditions dependent performances of pile foundations are required to be tested before the application. By means of the subject matter device, ground improvement parameters and pile foundation performances can be estimated before the application by simulating the field conditions in vitro. Moreover, literature for ground applications will be supported by parameter limits which are to be obtained as result of studies.

Advantages :

Deep soil mixing and jet-grouting methods which are the most frequently preferred ground improvement methods may be tested in laboratory scales. Also, the pile foundations may be simulated by a simple head change.

The device may also be used for simulating other improvement methods such as stone column etc. in addition to above-mentioned methods by applying minor modifications.

At the same time, ground behavior together with other structure materials may be tested by adding different materials (fiber, basaltic fiber etc.) into the ground sample. Description of the Figures

Figure-1 is front view of the inventive determination device.

Figure-2 is side view of the inventive determination device.

Figure-3 is rear view of the inventive determination device.

Figure-4 shows injection shaft and helical shaft of the inventive determination device.

Description of Parts Indicated by Reference Numbers in Figures

1. Rack Gear

2. Depth Motor

3. Mixing Motor

4. Stirrer Blade

5. Injection shaft

6. Helical shaft

7. Mixture Tank

8. Water /Cement Mixing Chamber

9. Switch

10. Driver

Description of Invention

There is one depth motor (2) on rack gear (1) of the determination device and the motor is connected to driver (10) . The system is moved upward and downward at desired speed by means of the driver (10) . Also, by means of 2 switches (9) (bottom and top) , the system knows when it comes to lowest point and rises up by changing the mixing direction. The system automatically stops at the instant it reaches to switch at top. Mixing motor (3) is connected to a driver (10) and it can rotate the stirrer blade (4) having at least two injection holes connected to the mixing motor (3) or the injection shaft (5) having at least one injection hole or the helical shaft (6) having at least one injection hole and spiral structure at any desired speed. Shafts (stirrer blade (4), injection shaft (5), helical shaft (6) etc.) with heads suitable for the mixing motor (3) are designed to simulate various ground improvement methods and pile foundations. Cylindrically shaped water/cement mixing chamber (8) for grouted ground improvement methods and mixing tank (7) for placing ground sample are manufactured.

Application Method of the Invention in Industry

Local field conditions based optimal values for the ground improvement methods can be determined by laboratory works. These parameters will be made available for ground improvement sector and thus economic benefits based on community will be achieved. Furthermore, it will provide opportunity for practical education about the subject in universities and educational institutions.

Claims

1. The present invention is a device for in vitro determination of implementation parameters of ground improvement methods, characterized in that it comprises;

• At least one depth motor (2) positioned on a rack gear

(1) of the determination device and is connected to a driver (10),

• At least two switches (9) detecting when the determination device reaches to lowest point and causing itself to rise up by reversing mixing direction and causing this system to automatically stop when the system reaches to top,

• A mixing motor (3) connected to the driver (10) and allowing a stirrer blade (4) or an injection shaft (5) or a helical shaft (6) to be rotated at desired speeds,

• The stirrer blade (4) allowing for various laboratory studies and having suitable structure for the mixing motor (3) to simulate various ground improvement methods and pile foundations,

• The injection shaft (5) allowing for various laboratory studies and having suitable structure for the mixing motor (3),

• The helical shaft (6) allowing for various laboratory studies and having suitable structure for the mixing motor ( 3 ) ,

• A cylindrically shaped water/cement mixing chamber (8) for grouted ground improvement methods and a mixing tank (7) for placing ground sample.

2 . A determination device according to Claim 1, characterized by the depth motor (2) enabling vertical movement.

3 . A determination device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized by the electric depth motor (2) with reducer connected to the driver (10), which enables the vertical movement at desired speed.

4 . A determination device according to Claim 1, characterized by the depth motor (3) which allows different shafts (stirrer blade (4), injection shaft (5), helical shaft (6)) to be mountable for different ground improvement methods.

5 . A determination device according to Claim 1, characterized by the stirrer blade (4) having at least two blades and at least two injection holes.

6. A determination device according to Claim 1, characterized by the injection shaft (5) having high pressure injection and at least one injection hole.

7 . A determination device according to Claim 1, characterized by the helical shaft (6) provided with corkscrewed (spiral) metal sheets and having at least one injection hole.

8. A determination device according to Claim 1, characterized by the mixture tank (7) made of durable metal sheet.

9 . A determination device according to Claim 1, characterized by the water/cement mixing chamber (8) made of metal sheet resistant to high pressure, having air inlet valve on its top and mixture outlet valve on its bottom.

10 . A determination device according to Claim 1, characterized by the switch (9) enabling the system to move automatically by being connected to the driver (10) .

11 . A determination device according to Claim 1, characterized by the driver (10) enabling the depth motor (2) and the mixing motor (2) to move at any desired speeds.