阅读说明：本技术 桩 (Pile and its making method ) 是由 J·威廉姆森 于 2018-09-06 设计创作，主要内容包括：公开了一种桩,该桩包括具有纵向轴线的细长构件和连接至该细长构件的锚定部分。锚定部分具有板以及还有弓形构件,该弓形构件与细长构件径向地间隔开。该板具有弓形远端边缘。板以相对于纵向轴线不垂直的角度连接到细长构件。该弓形构件位于板的弓形远端边缘上。该板具有引导部分,该引导部分包括弓形远端边缘的下部,该下部延伸超出弓形构件并在桩被旋入地面时与地面接合。(A pile is disclosed that includes an elongated member having a longitudinal axis and an anchor portion connected to the elongated member. The anchor portion has a plate and also an arcuate member radially spaced from the elongated member. The plate has an arcuate distal edge. The plate is connected to the elongated member at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the longitudinal axis. The arcuate member is located on the arcuate distal edge of the plate. The plate has a pilot portion including a lower portion of the arcuate distal edge that extends beyond the arcuate member and engages the ground as the pile is screwed into the ground.)

1. A pile, comprising:

an elongated member having a longitudinal axis; and

an anchor portion connected to the elongated member,

wherein: the anchor portion having a plate and further having an arcuate member radially spaced from the elongate member; the plate has an arcuate distal edge; the plate is connected to the elongated member at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the longitudinal axis; the arcuate member is located on an arcuate distal edge of the plate; and the plate has a guide portion including a lower portion of the arcuate distal edge which extends beyond the arcuate member and engages the ground when the pile is screwed into the ground.

2. A pile according to claim 1, wherein the elongate member includes a connecting portion.

3. A pile according to claim 2, wherein the connecting portion is located at an end of the elongate member.

4. A pile according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the connecting portion is located at an opposite end of the elongate member to the anchoring portion.

5. A pile according to any one of claims 2-4, wherein the connection portion is configured to releasably connect to a machine, for example a rotary power head, auger drive or the like, or to another pile or pile section.

6. A pile according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the connection portion is configured to connect to a separate member, for example an extension member, or an extension pile or the other of the piles.

7. A pile according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the anchoring portion comprises two plates.

8. A pile according to claim 7, wherein the two plates are connected to the elongate member at equal but opposite angles.

9. A pile according to any one of claims 7 to 8, wherein the two plates are planar and arcuate in shape with an outer edge forming the arcuate distal edge.

10. A pile according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein all portions of the arcuate distal edge are substantially equidistant from the outer surface of the elongate member.

11. A pile according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein one or both of the plates has a pilot portion which engages with the ground as the pile is screwed into the ground.

12. A pile according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the arcuate members extend from the arcuate distal edges of the plates in a direction parallel to the elongate member, or an arcuate member extends from the arcuate distal edge of each plate in a direction parallel to the elongate member.

13. A pile according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the arcuate member extends concentrically with the elongate member about the longitudinal axis.

14. A pile according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the arcuate members are attached to the arcuate distal edges of the plates along intersecting arcs on the inner surfaces of the arcuate members, or each arcuate member is attached to the arcuate distal edge of a corresponding plate along intersecting arcs on the inner surfaces of the arcuate members, the intersecting arcs extending transversely and substantially along the centre of the inner surface.

15. A pile according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the arcuate member extends only partially along the arcuate distal edge of the plate leaving a lower portion of the arcuate distal edge exposed.

16. A pile according to claim 7, wherein the first arcuate member is connected to the first plate and the second arcuate member is connected to the second plate.

17. A pile according to claim 16, wherein the first and second arcuate members are oriented at equal but opposite angles relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member.

18. A pile according to claim 16, wherein the first arcuate member has an upper edge and a lower edge, the second arcuate member has an upper edge and a lower edge, and the upper edge of the first arcuate member and the upper edge of the second arcuate member lie in a plane, i.e. in a common plane or in parallel planes or differently oriented planes with respect to each other, wherein the planes are in each case perpendicular or angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member, and the lower edge of the first arcuate member and the lower edge of the second arcuate member lie in a plane, also in a common plane or in parallel planes or differently oriented planes with respect to each other, wherein this plane is in each case again perpendicular or angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member.

19. A pile according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pile comprises a second anchoring portion connected to the elongate member.

20. The pile of claim 19, wherein the second anchoring portion is spaced from the first anchoring portion along a longitudinal axis of the elongate member.

21. A pile according to any one of claims 19 to 20 when dependent on claim 2, wherein the second anchoring portion is located closer to an end of the elongate member opposite the end having the connecting portion.

22. A pile according to any one of claims 19 to 20 when dependent on claim 2, wherein the second anchoring portion is located between the connecting portion and the first anchoring portion.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a pile. In particular, the invention relates to, but is not limited to, piles for ground anchoring systems in building foundations.

Background

Reference herein to background art is not to be construed as an admission that such art forms part of the common general knowledge in australia or elsewhere.

In many industries, a common process involves winding a pile (e.g., a pole) into the ground to form a foundation. Piles are often a form of foundation that is cost effective, for example, piles may provide a reduced environmental impact compared to other foundations. Other advantages of pile foundations may also include ease of installation and reduced risk to personnel, since foundations are typically machine-threaded, for example.

The design of the pile is based on structural and geotechnical principles. Currently available screw piles and lobed piles are not always effective, particularly in wet land or land consisting primarily of gravel and sand. Such soils tend to be non-tacky or "loose", with little or no enough clay to bind the soil together. Wet or loose ground tends to slip off the sides of the blades of the lobed pile or the screw of the helical pile, respectively, resulting in a lower load-bearing capacity of the pile. Furthermore, conventional screw piles and lobed piles are also known to have very low lateral load bearing capacity.

It is believed to be desirable to provide a pile that overcomes or ameliorates one or more of the disadvantages or problems described above, or at least provides an alternative to the piles of the current form.

Disclosure of Invention

In one form, although not necessarily the only or broadest form, the invention resides in a pile comprising:

an elongated member; and

an anchor portion connected to the elongated member,

wherein the anchor portion has an arcuate member radially spaced from the elongated member.

The elongate member may be substantially cylindrical. The outer diameter of the elongated member may comprise any value, for example, from 50mm to 100mm, although no limitation should be inferred therefrom.

The elongate member may be hollow. The wall thickness of the elongated member may comprise any value from 2mm to 10 mm. Again, however, this is merely exemplary, and no limitation should be inferred therefrom. The elongate member need not be hollow, but may be solid.

The elongate member may be in the form of a shaft.

The elongated member may include a connecting portion.

The connecting portion may be located at an end (first end) of the elongate member. The connecting portion may be located at an opposite end of the elongate member (of the pile or pile section) to the anchoring portion.

The connecting portion may be configured to releasably connect to a machine. The machine may be in the form of a rotary power head, auger driver, or the like. The connecting portion may also be configured to releasably connect to another pile or pile section.

The connection portion may also (or alternatively) be configured to connect to a separate component. The separate member may be in the form of an extension member or an extension stake or another stake.

The anchor portion may be connected to a surface of the elongated member. The anchor portion may be secured directly to the elongated member or a surface of the elongated member.

The anchor portion may extend away from a surface of the elongated member.

The anchor portion may be located at (or generally towards) an end (second end) of the elongate member. The anchoring portion may be located at (or generally towards) the opposite end relative to the connecting portion.

The anchor portion may include at least one plate. The anchoring member may comprise two plates. Two plates may be connected to the elongate member at equal but opposite angles (i.e. at angles having equal angular extent but opposite directions) -in other words, one plate may be inclined by X degrees in one direction (one way) relative to the elongate member (or the longitudinal axis of the elongate member) and the other plate may be inclined relatively by the same amount relative to the elongate member (or the longitudinal axis of the elongate member). The plate may be flat/planar. The plate may also be arcuate in shape (i.e. like a partial disc).

The (or each) plate may have an arcuate distal edge. The arcuate distal edge (and all portions thereof) may be substantially equidistant (i.e., a constant distance) from the outer surface of the elongate member.

The (or each) plate may have a guide portion which engages with the ground as the pile is screwed into the ground. The guide portion may comprise a lower portion of the arcuate distal edge that is not connected to or covered by the respective arcuate member.

The (or each) arcuate member may extend from the arcuate distal edge of the respective plate in a direction parallel to the elongate member (or parallel to the longitudinal axis).

The (or each) arcuate member may extend concentrically with the elongate member about the longitudinal axis.

The (or each) arcuate member may be attached to the arcuate distal edge of the (or each) plate along intersecting arcs on the inner surface of the arcuate member. The intersecting arc may extend laterally and substantially along a center of the inner surface.

The (or each) arcuate member may extend only partially (rather than all the way) along the arcuate distal edge of the (or each) plate, leaving a lower portion of the arcuate distal edge of the (or each) plate exposed.

The first arcuate member may be connected to the first plate and the second arcuate member may be connected to the second plate. The first and second arcuate members may be oriented at equal but opposite angles (i.e., at angles having equal angular extent but opposite directions) relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member-in other words, one arcuate member may be inclined by X degrees in one direction relative to the elongate member (or the longitudinal axis of the elongate member) and the other arcuate member may be inclined relatively by the same amount relative to the elongate member (or the longitudinal axis of the elongate member).

The first arcuate member may have an upper (curved) edge and a lower (curved) edge.

The second arcuate member may have an upper (curved) edge and a lower (curved) edge.

The upper (curved) edge of the first arcuate member and the upper (curved) edge of the second arcuate member may lie in planes that are perpendicular or angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongated member (in the same plane, or parallel planes, or differently oriented planes relative to each other).

The lower (curved) edge of the first arcuate member and the lower (curved) edge of the second arcuate member may also lie in planes that are perpendicular or angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongated member (again, in the same plane, or parallel planes, or differently oriented planes relative to each other).

The pile may further comprise a second anchoring portion connected to the elongate member.

The second anchor portion may be the same as or different from the first anchor portion described above. The second anchoring portion may comprise two plates. The two plates of the second anchoring portion may be oriented at equal but opposite angles relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member. The two plates may be arcuate.

The second anchor portion may be spaced apart from the first anchor portion along the longitudinal axis of the elongate member.

The second anchoring portion may be located closer to an end of the elongate member opposite the (second) end having the connecting portion (i.e., closer to the first end of the elongate member).

The second anchor portion may be located between the connecting portion and the first anchor portion. There may also be a third (or more) anchoring portion(s) connected to the elongated member.

In one particular form, the invention relates to a pile comprising:

an elongated member having a longitudinal axis; and

an anchor portion connected to the elongated member,

wherein: the anchor portion has a plate and an arcuate member radially spaced from the elongate member; the plate having an arcuate distal edge; the plate is connected to the elongated member at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the longitudinal axis; the arcuate member is located on the arcuate distal edge of the plate; and the plate has a pilot portion including a lower portion of the arcuate distal edge which extends beyond the arcuate member and engages the ground as the pile is screwed into the ground.

Another form of the invention resides in a method for making a pile, the method including the steps of:

connecting an anchoring member to the elongate member or a surface of the elongate member; and

the arcuate members are connected relative to the anchor members,

wherein the arcuate member is radially spaced from the elongated member.

The anchoring member may be an arcuate plate.

The step of attaching the anchoring member to (a surface of) the elongate member may comprise welding the anchoring member thereto.

The step of connecting the arch member relative to the anchor member may include welding the arch member to the anchor member.

The method may further include connecting a second anchor portion to the elongate member.

The step of attaching the second anchoring portion to (a surface of) the elongate member may comprise welding the second anchoring member thereto.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

Drawings

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a pile according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 shows a side view of the pile shown in figure 1.

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a pile according to another embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 and 2 show a pile 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. Pile 10 includes an elongate member 100, an anchoring portion 200 and a connecting portion 300. A longitudinal axis 12 extends along the pile 10.

The elongate member 100 is in the form of a hollow circular shaft. The elongated member 100 is formed of metal. The metal in this example is steel. However, in other embodiments, the elongate member 100 may be made of different materials, including, for example, composite materials and/or aluminum.

The elongate member 100 includes a surface in the form of an outer surface 110. The outer surface 110 defines an exterior of the elongated member 100.

The anchoring portion 200 comprises two flat/planar and arcuate plates 210, 220, each forming a blade. However, in further embodiments, the anchor portion 200 may include only one or three or more plates (and in the case of multiple plates, the plates will generally be evenly spaced around the elongate member 100). Further, in further embodiments, two or more anchor portions 200 may be mounted at spaced apart locations along the elongate member 100 to provide additional foundation support. The respective anchoring portions at different locations along the elongate member need not all have the same configuration. For example, they need not necessarily have the same number of plates (although they could), or the plates need not necessarily be oriented at the same angle in all anchor portions (although they could), and so on.

The plates 210, 220 are connected to the outer surface 110 of the elongated member 100, with each blade connected at equal but opposite angles relative to the longitudinal axis 12 of the elongated member 100. In this embodiment, the plates 210, 220 are welded to the outer surface 110 of the elongate member 100. However, in further embodiments, the plates 210, 220 may be integrally formed with the elongate member 100, or the plates 210, 220 may be attached to a collar located on the elongate member 100, for example. The plates 210, 220 extend away from the elongate member 100 and radially outward from the elongate member 100.

Each plate 210, 220 has an arcuate distal edge 211, 221, the arcuate distal edge 211, 221 being substantially equidistant (i.e., a constant distance) from the outer surface 110 of the elongate member 100 such that each distal edge 211, 221 forms an arc having a particular radius about the longitudinal axis 12 of the elongate member 100. However, in other embodiments, the shape of the distal edges of the plates 210, 220 may vary. Similar to the plates 210, 220, the distal edges 211, 221 thereof are oriented at equal but opposite angles relative to the longitudinal axis 12 of the elongate member 100.

Furthermore, each plate 210, 220 has a guiding portion 212, 222, which guiding portions 212, 222 contact the ground when the anchoring portion 200 (and pile 10) is rotated during insertion of the pile 10 into the ground. When the pile is screwed into the ground, the pilot portions 212, 222 engage and break the ground/earth. Each pilot portion 212, 222 has a cutting edge 213, 223 extending radially from the outer surface 110 of the elongate member 100 and sloping downwardly in a radially outward direction, terminating at a ground engaging point (corner) 214, 224 remote from the outer surface 110 of the elongate member 100. Each guide portion 212, 222 also includes a lower portion 215, 225 of the arcuate distal edge 211, 221. (note that the leading portion 212, cutting edge 213, point (corner) 214, and lower portion 215 of the arcuate distal edge 211 are not visible in fig. 1).

Arcuate members 230, 240 extend from each distal edge 211, 221 of the plates 210, 220. The arcuate members 230, 240 are radially spaced from the elongate member 100 and extend coaxially with the elongate member 100 about the longitudinal axis 12. The arcuate members 230, 240 are formed of metal. The metal in this example is steel. However, in other embodiments, the arcuate members 230, 240 may be made of different materials, including, for example, composite materials and/or aluminum.

The arcuate members 230, 240 are in the form of plates that are curved but otherwise also rectangular or parallelogram shaped. Arcuate members 230, 240 are attached to distal edges 211, 221 of plates 210, 220 along inner surfaces 231, 241 of the arcuate members 230, 240 such that the arcuate members 230, 240 extend generally perpendicular to plates 210, 220. Specifically, arcuate members 230, 240 are attached to distal edges 211, 221 of plates 210, 220 along intersecting arcs on inner surfaces 231, 241 that extend transversely and substantially along the center of inner surfaces 231, 241, i.e., the intersecting arcs are equidistant from upper edges 232, 242 and lower edges 233, 243 of arcuate members 230, 240. Thus, similar to the plates 210, 220, the arcuate members 230, 240 are oriented at equal but opposite angles relative to the longitudinal axis 12 of the elongate member 100. However, in further embodiments, the arcuate members 230, 240 may be oriented at other angles relative to the longitudinal axis 12 of the elongate member 100 (see fig. 3).

In this embodiment (fig. 1 and 2), the arcuate members 230, 240 extend only partially along the distal edges 211, 221 of the plates 210, 220, leaving the lower portions 215, 225 of the distal edges 211, 221 exposed. However, in further embodiments, the arcuate members 230, 240 may extend substantially along the entire length of the distal edges 211, 221 of the plates 210, 220.

In this embodiment, the arcuate members 230, 240 are welded to the distal edges 211, 221 of the plates 210, 220. However, in other embodiments, the arcuate members 230, 240 and plates 210, 220 may be integrally formed.

The connecting portion 300 includes a coupler configured to connect to a component above it. The connection portion 300 may be used to connect the pile 10 to a rotary power head (or auger driver, etc.) or other pile to form a single, extended pile that includes a plurality of different piles (or pile segments) connected to one another. The connecting portion 300 may be as described in australian patent No. 2013245456.

To produce the pile 10, a pair of flat/planar and arcuate plates 210, 220 (i.e., each plate shaped like a partial disc and these) are attached to the cylindrical hollow elongate member 100 at equal but opposite angles. Typically, the plates 210, 220 are welded to the elongated member 100. However, in further embodiments, the plates 210, 220 may be releasably secured to the elongate member 100.

Following from above, the arcuate members 230, 240 are connected to their respective plates 210, 220. Typically, the arcuate members 230, 240 are welded to the distal edges 211, 221 of the plates 210, 220. However, in further embodiments, arcuate members 230, 240 may be releasably secured to plates 210, 220.

Fig. 3 shows a screw pile 50 according to another embodiment of the invention. The screw pile 50 is similar to the screw pile 10, but the differences between them will be pointed out below.

Like the helical pile 10, the helical pile 50 includes an elongate member 500, a first anchor portion 600 (including a pair of plates 610, 620 and arcuate members 630, 640), and a connecting portion 700. However, the screw pile 50 also includes a second anchoring portion 800. A longitudinal axis 52 extends along the middle of the helical pile 50. The elongate member 500 is substantially cylindrical and hollow, and has a surface in the form of an outer surface 510. The outer surface 510 defines an exterior of the elongate member 500.

Unlike the pile 10, the arcuate members 630, 640 of the pile 50 are attached to the distal edges 611, 621 of the plates 610, 620 such that the upper edges 632, 642 of the arcuate members 630, 640 lie in a first common plane and the lower edges 633, 643 of the arcuate members 630, 640 lie in a second common plane, both planes being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 52 of the elongate member 500. Thus, the arcuate members 630, 640 are attached to the distal edges 611, 621 of the plates 610, 620 along intersecting arcs on the inner surfaces 631, 641 of the arcuate members 630, 640 such that the intersecting arcs extend laterally and slightly diagonally along the inner surfaces 631, 641.

The second anchoring portion 800 includes two flat/planar and arcuate discs or plates 810, 820. However, in further embodiments, the second anchoring portion 800 may include only one or three or more discs or plates. Further, in further embodiments, two or more anchor portions 800 (and/or further anchor portions, such as 600, and/or further anchor portions, such as 200) may be placed along the elongate member 500 to provide additional base support. The second anchor portion 800 is spaced from the first anchor portion 600 along the longitudinal axis 52 of the elongate member 500.

The plates 810, 820 are attached to the outer surface 510 of the elongate member 500, with each blade attached at an equal but opposite angle relative to the longitudinal axis 52 of the elongate member 500. That is, in this embodiment, the plates 810, 820 are welded to the outer surface 510 of the elongate member 500. However, in further embodiments, the plates 810, 820 may be integrally formed with the elongate member 500 or attached to a rotatable collar located on the elongate member 500. The plates 810, 820 extend away from the elongate member 500 and extend radially outward from the elongate member 500.

Each plate 810, 820 may have an arcuate distal edge 811, 821, the arcuate distal edges 811, 821 being substantially equidistant from the outer surface 510 of the elongate member 500 such that each of the distal edges 811, 821 forms an arc having a particular radius about the longitudinal axis 52 of the elongate member 500. Alternatively, the shape of the distal edges of the plates 810, 820 may vary. For example, as shown in fig. 3, each plate may have a radius that is smallest at the lowest portion of the plate (i.e., at the portion of the plate that is lowermost in the pile 50), while the radius of each plate 810, 820 may increase along and moving upward around the distal edge. Thus, the outer distal edges 811, 821 of the respective plates may be closest to the elongate member 500 at the lowest point on the plates 810, 820 and furthest from the elongate member 500 at the highest point on the plates 810, 820. In such a case, as shown in fig. 3, it can be said that the outer distal edges 811, 821 of the respective plates expand helically in a direction moving around and over the pile, and this can assist the plates 810, 820 in the cutting operation as the pile is screwed in. Similar to the distal edges 611, 621 of the plates 610, 620 of the first anchor portion 600, the distal edges 811, 821 of the plates 810, 820 are oriented at equal but opposite angles with respect to the longitudinal axis 52 of the elongate member 500.

In this embodiment, the second anchor portion 800 is located below the first anchor portion 600, i.e., the second anchor portion 800 is located closer to an end of the elongate member 500 opposite the end containing the connecting portion 700.

To create the pile 50, a pair of arcuate plates 610, 620 are attached to the cylindrical hollow elongate member 500 at equal but opposite angles. A pair of arcuate members 630, 640 are then attached to their respective plates 610, 620.

After (or before) the above, a pair of arcuate panels 810, 820 are attached to the elongated member 500 at equal but opposite angles. Typically, the plates 810, 820 are welded to the elongated member 500. However, in further embodiments, the plates 810, 820 may be releasably secured to the elongate member 500.

The piles 10, 50 according to the present invention may provide certain improvements over currently used piles, such as helical piles and lobed piles. When the pile 10, 50 is installed in the ground, the arcuate members 230, 240, 630, 640 may compress and compact the ground inside the arcuate members, particularly the ground adjacent to and below the plates 210, 220, 610, 620, thereby preventing movement of the ground adjacent the anchoring portion 200, 600. This may significantly increase the load bearing capacity of the piles 10, 50 in both compression and tension, and it may also enable the piles to help dampen (and prevent resonance therein) the motion of the structure secured by the piles during a seismic event. Further, the arcuate members 230, 240, 630, 640 may provide increased lateral load bearing capacity for the piles 10, 50, potentially enabling the piles 10, 50 to better resist soil liquefaction and lateral forces due to soil movement, ground vibration or earthquakes.

In the embodiment depicted in fig. 1 and 2 (pile 10) and fig. 3 (pile 50), multiple piles may be connected end to form a longer pile. Each pile or pile section (e.g., 100 in fig. 1 and 2, and 500 in fig. 3) may have multiple anchor portions (e.g., 200 and 600 and 800) thereon, and different anchor portions may have different sizes. Similarly, where pile segments are joined end-to-end, the anchoring portions on different segments may be of different sizes.

In this specification, adjectives such as first and second, left and right, upper and lower, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one element or action from another element or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order. Where the context allows, a reference to a whole or a component or step (or the like) is not to be construed as limited to only one of the whole, component or step but may be one or more of the whole, component or step or the like.

The foregoing description of various embodiments of the invention is provided to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art for the purpose of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to a single disclosed embodiment. Many alternatives and modifications of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art of the above teachings. Thus, while some alternative embodiments have been discussed in detail, other embodiments will be apparent to, or relatively easy to, those of ordinary skill in the art to develop. The invention is intended to embrace all alternatives, modifications and variations of the present invention that have been discussed herein, as well as other embodiments that fall within the spirit and scope of the above described invention.

In this specification, the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," "including," "contains," "containing," or similar terms, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a method, system, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed.