BE1031608B1 - Injection device for vertical ground retaining walls and/or foundations - Google Patents

Abstract

An injection device for use with a device for producing a vertical ground retaining wall and/or foundation, the injection device (100) being adapted to be coupled to a milling frame and comprising at least one first outlet (110) and at least one second outlet (120), the at least one second outlet being intended to be located higher than the at least one first outlet (110), viewed in a substantially vertical direction, the injection device being adapted to inject binder via the at least one first outlet and a gas via the at least one second outlet during driving into the ground, and the injection device being adapted to inject binder via the at least one second outlet (120) during removal of the milling frame from the trench.

Description

Injection device for vertical ground retaining walls and/or foundations

Field of expertise

The invention relates to an injection device for forming a vertical retaining wall and/or foundation. The invention further relates to a device for producing a vertical retaining wall and/or foundation with an injection device.

Background

Vertical retaining walls and/or foundations can have multiple functions, such as being water-retaining, retaining and/or load-bearing. The retaining walls and/or foundations can absorb vertical loads and can also function as sheet piling for excavations in the vicinity of existing structures. Retaining walls and/or foundations can also function as quay walls or as walls in, for example, tunnels or parking structures.

Typically, two different types of devices are used to produce such vertical retaining walls and/or foundations. On the one hand, a so-called slurry wall device is used. On the other hand, a so-called cutter soil mix, CSM, device is used. The slurry wall device removes the loosened soil and fills the trench formed with bentonite suspension to support the trench walls. Reinforcement is then placed in the bentonite suspension, if necessary, after which the bentonite suspension is replaced by filling the trench with concrete so that the retaining walls and/or foundations are formed. The

CSM installation forms the ground retaining walls and/or foundations by mechanically mixing the loosened soil with an injected hydraulic binder such as grout during in-situ loosening.

The soil with in situ mixed binder then hardens to form the retaining walls and/or foundations.

The sludge wall device and the CSM device have a milling frame. The milling frame comprises milling drums that are equipped with milling elements. The milling drums are driven in rotation so that the milling elements are driven alternately into the ground. During the driving into the ground, the binding agent is injected at the milling drums. At the same time, air is also blown at the milling drums.

These devices have the disadvantage that large cavities are created in the retaining wall or foundation, which adversely affect the robustness of the retaining wall or foundation. Furthermore, the binder tends to flow into the air line, causing the air line to become blocked. Furthermore, the air line can be irreparably damaged when the binder hardens in the air line.

Summary of the invention

Embodiments of the invention aim to provide a device that produces a vertical ground retaining structure and/or foundation in an improved manner.

According to a first aspect, a device for producing a vertical retaining wall and/or foundation comprises a frame with a substantially vertically movable end. The device further comprises a milling frame mounted near the end of the frame, the milling frame being provided with at least one pair of drums each rotatable about a respective axis of rotation. The axes of rotation of the at least one pair of drums are parallel and spaced apart so that the drums, viewed in a plane perpendicular to the axes of rotation, can rotate next to each other for loosening the soil and digging a trench while the end is driven substantially vertically into the soil. Furthermore, the device for producing a vertical retaining wall and/or foundation comprises an injection device with at least one first outlet and at least one second outlet which, viewed in a substantially vertical direction, is located higher than the at least one first outlet, wherein the injection device is designed to inject binder via the at least one first outlet and a gas, for example air, via the at least one second outlet during driving into the ground, and wherein the injection device is designed to inject binder via the at least one second outlet during removal of the milling frame from the trench. By providing an injection device which injects binder at a lower location than the gas during driving into the ground, the problem of binder flowing into the air line is avoided. Furthermore, due to the separate location of the first and second outlets, viewed in a height direction, the air also tends to mix with the binder in an improved manner, whereby large voids that could otherwise occur are substantially avoided. In this way, an improved vertical retaining wall and/or foundation is achieved.

Preferably, the at least one first outlet is designed to inject binder at the rotation axes of the at least one pair of drums, and the at least one second outlet is designed to inject binder or air above the rotation axes of the at least one pair of drums. The binder can be injected both below and above the rotation axes of the at least one pair of drums. More preferably, the at least one second outlet is designed to inject binder or air above a jacket surface of the at least one pair of drums, preferably between the jacket surface and a cutting plane of the at least one pair of drums. In this way, binder is injected above the jackets of the drums during the removal of the milling frame from the trench, so that when the milling frame is removed from the trench, the binder can still be mixed into the entire vertical ground retaining structure and/or foundation. This advantage is based on the insight that, when the first outlet would be used during removal from the trench, the binder would almost immediately end up under the rotation axes of the drums and would therefore not be mixed properly. By injecting the binder via the second outlet that is located above the rotation axes of the drums, the binder will always end up above the drums and will therefore be optimally mixed with the soil when moving upwards.

Further advantages are explained in the figure description below.

Preferably, the injection device comprises a base body having a first body part and a second body part which are shape compatible and together form the injection device. More preferably, at least one of the first body part and the second body part comprises a first inlet and a second inlet, the first inlet being provided to receive binding agent, and the second inlet being provided to receive at least one of the binding agent and the gas.

Preferably, the first inlet is in fluid communication with the at least one first outlet and the second inlet is in fluid communication with the at least one second outlet.

More preferably, at least one of the first body part and the second body part comprises a recess that forms a channel between the second inlet and the at least one second outlet.

Preferably, the injection device comprises a plurality of second outlets, preferably at least two second outlets, the plurality of second outlets being distributed along a peripheral wall of at least one of the first body part and the second body part.

Preferably, the recess extends between the second inlet and each of the plurality of second outlets.

Preferably, a second outlet of the plurality of second outlets is oriented in a direction of one of the drums of the at least one pair of drums, respectively.

Preferably, the injection device is designed to be attached to a bottom side of the milling frame.

Preferably, the injection device further comprises a syringe connected to the at least one first outlet, which syringe is adapted to extend over at least a portion of the distance between an intersection of the at least one pair of drums and the rotational axes of the at least one pair of drums. By controlling the length of the syringe, the binding agent can be injected below or above the rotational axes of the at least one pair of drums. More preferably, the syringe has a plurality of first outlets, preferably at least two first outlets that are respectively oriented in a direction of one of the drums of the at least one pair of drums.

Preferably, the at least one second outlet comprises a jet tube which increases a flow velocity of the media flowing therethrough, for example the gas or the binding agent. This allows the binding agent to be injected further outwards, seen with respect to a centre of the frame.

More preferably, the jet tube has a diameter of at least 2 to 4 mm, preferably at least 4 to 8 mm.

Preferably, the at least one second outlet comprises an extension which extends at least partly over the distance between the at least one second outlet and the rotation axis of one of the drums. In this way, the gas or binding agent is injected closer to the rotation axis of one of the drums so that improved mixing with the soil takes place.

Preferably, the device for producing a vertical ground retaining wall and/or foundation comprising a gas and binder control system comprises a first conduit and a second conduit, the first conduit being connected to the at least one first outlet and the second conduit being connected to the at least one second outlet, the gas and binder control system being adapted to supply binder via the first conduit and to inject binder via the at least one first outlet and a gas via the at least one second outlet during driving into the ground; and to discharge the binder to the second conduit during removal of the milling frame from the trench.

According to a further aspect, an injection device is provided for use with a device for producing a vertical ground retaining wall and/or foundation, the injection device being adapted to be coupled to a milling frame and comprising at least one first outlet and at least one second outlet, the at least one second outlet being intended to be located higher than the at least one first outlet when viewed in a substantially vertical direction, the injection device being adapted to inject binder via the at least one first outlet and a gas via the at least one second outlet during driving into the ground, and the injection device being adapted to inject binder via the at least one second outlet during removal of the milling frame from the trench.

Brief Description of the Figures 5 The above and other advantageous features and objects of the invention will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a device for manufacturing a vertical ground retaining wall and/or foundation with an injection device according to an exemplary embodiment;

Figure 2 shows a front view of a milling frame with two pairs of drums, with an injection device according to an exemplary embodiment connected to the milling frame;

Figure 3 shows a perspective view in greater detail of the injection device shown in Figure 2 having a base body comprising a first body part and a second body part according to an exemplary embodiment.

Detailed embodiments

The following detailed description is directed to certain specific embodiments, however, the teachings herein may be applied in various ways. In the drawings, the same or similar elements are given the same reference numeral.

The present invention will be described with respect to specific embodiments, however, the invention is not limited thereto, but only by the claims.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include both singular and plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The terms "comprising", "comprises" and "composed of" as used herein are synonymous with "including", "comprises" or "containing", "contains". The terms "comprising", "comprises" and "composed of" when referring to named components, elements or method steps also include embodiments "consisting of" the components, elements or method steps.

Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and further are used in the description and in the claims to distinguish between like elements and not necessarily to describe a sequential or chronological order, unless so specified. It is understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein may operate in other order than as described or illustrated herein.

Reference in this specification to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", "some aspects", "an aspect" or "one aspect" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or aspect is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the occurrences of the phrases "in one embodiment", "in an embodiment", "some aspects", "an aspect" or "one aspect" at various places in this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment or aspects. Further, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one skilled in the art, in one or more embodiments or aspects. Further, while some embodiments or aspects described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments or aspects, combinations of features from different embodiments or aspects are intended to be within the context of the invention and to constitute different embodiments or aspects, as would be understood by one skilled in the art. For example, in the appended claims, any and all features of the claimed embodiments or aspects may be used in any combination.

In the drawing, the same or similar element is assigned the same reference number.

Figure 1 shows a device 10 for manufacturing a vertical retaining wall and/or foundation. Vertical retaining walls and/or foundations can have multiple functions, such as being water-retaining, retaining and/or load-bearing. The retaining walls and/or foundations can absorb vertical loads and can also function as sheet piling for excavations in the vicinity of existing structures. Retaining walls and/or foundations can also function as quay walls or as walls in, for example, tunnels or parking structures. a frame with a substantially vertically movable end. The vertical retaining wall and/or foundation is typically manufactured in the ground G.

The device 10 comprises a frame 20 with a substantially vertically movable end. The size of the frame 20 mainly determines the maximum depth of the retaining wall and/or foundation. The depth of the retaining wall and/or foundation can be controlled by controlling the distance over which the frame 20 moves.

The apparatus 10 further comprises a milling frame 30 mounted near the end of the frame 20. The milling frame 30 is provided with at least one pair of drums 40 each rotatable about a respective axis of rotation. A shell of each of the drums 40 is preferably provided along its periphery with at least one row of multiple milling holders extending from the shell in a substantially radial direction, each milling holder comprising at least one milling element extending away from the shell. The milling element has a stop face that forms an angle with a centerline intersecting the axis of rotation of the corresponding drum and a center of the corresponding milling holder at the shell periphery. The at least one pair of drums 40 are rotatably drivable for loosening soil while the end is driven into the soil. Multiple pairs of drums 40 may also be provided, for example two pairs of drums as shown in Figure 2. Here, a first drum of one of the plurality of pairs of drums is aligned with a first drum of another pair of drums. The rotation axes R1, R2 of the at least one pair of drums 40 are parallel and at a distance from each other so that the drums 40, viewed in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axes, can rotate next to each other for loosening the soil and digging a trench S while the end of the frame 20 is driven substantially vertically into the soil G. The distance between the rotation axes R1, R2 and the diameters of the drums mainly determines a first width dimension of the trench S. A longitudinal length of the drums mainly determines a second width dimension of the trench S.

Furthermore, the device 10 for producing a vertical ground retaining wall and/or foundation comprises an injection device 100 with at least one first outlet 110 and at least one second outlet 120 which, viewed in a substantially vertical direction, is located higher than the at least one first outlet 110. Several first outlets 110 and/or several second outlets 120 can be provided, as will be further explained with reference to figure 2. The injection device 100 is arranged to inject binder via the at least one first outlet 110 and a gas, for example air, via the at least one second outlet 120 during driving into the ground. By providing an injection device 100 which injects binder at a lower location than the gas during driving into the ground, the problem of binder flowing into the air line is avoided. The injection device 100 is further arranged to inject binder via the at least one second outlet 120 during removal of the milling frame from the slot S, i.e. by moving the end of the frame 20 upwards. Furthermore, due to the separate location of the first and second outlets, seen in a height direction, the air also tends to mix with the binder in an improved manner, whereby large voids that could otherwise occur are substantially avoided.

Figure 2 shows a front view of a milling frame 30 with two pairs of drums 40. The second pair of drums 40 is limited only by the orientation of the view. Figure 2 shows an injection device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment which is connectable to the milling frame 30. The shown injection device 100 is further explained with reference to Figure 3.

In order to achieve optimum mixing of the binder and the excavated soil, the at least one first outlet 110 is preferably designed to discharge binder at the rotation axes

R1, R2 of the at least one pair of drums 40 to be injected when driving the milling frame 120 into the ground. The binder can be injected both below and above the rotation axes of the at least one pair of drums. The height of the rotation axes R1, R2 is illustrated by the dotted line extending between the two rotation axes R1 and R2. By controlling the length of the injection syringe, the binder can be injected just below or above the rotation axes of the at least one pair of drums. This further improves the mixing depending on the direction of movement of the frame. The binder can be injected in this manner via the at least first outlet 110 into an area extending between just below the reamer plates to below the rotation axes of the drums. Reamer plates are plates that extend between the teeth of the drums so that soil that may appear to be stuck between the teeth can be removed. These reamer plates are known per se to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, the at least one second outlet 120 is arranged to inject binder or air above the rotation axes of the at least one pair of drums. More specifically, the at least one second outlet 120 is arranged to blow air above the rotation axes R1, R2 of the drums 40 when driving into the ground. The first outlet 110 preferably has a passage opening area of between 400 and 1250 mm?. The second outlet 120 preferably has a passage opening area of at most 450 mm2, for example 400 mm?. Furthermore, the at least one second outlet is designed to inject binder above the rotation axes R1, R2 of the drums 40 when removing the milling frame 30 from the trench. In this way, binder is injected at an upper segment of the drums 40 during the removal of the milling frame 30 from the trench, so that when removing the milling frame 30 from the trench, the binder can still be mixed into the entire vertical ground retaining structure and/or foundation. This advantage is based on the insight that, if the first outlet 110 were to be used during removal from the trench, the binder would almost immediately end up under the rotation axes of the drums and would therefore not be mixed properly. By injecting the binder via the second outlet 120, which is located above the rotation axes of the drums, the binder will always end up above the drums and will therefore be optimally mixed with the soil when moving upwards. More preferably, the at least one second outlet 120 is arranged to inject binder or air above a jacket surface of the at least one pair of drums 40. The jacket surface is indicated by reference numeral 41. Even more preferably, the at least one second outlet 120 is arranged to inject binder or air between the jacket surface 41 and an intersection of the at least one pair of drums 40. The highest point of the intersection of the drums relative to the rotation axes

R1, R2 is illustratively indicated with reference number 42. In this way, the mixing of the binder with the loosened soil is further improved.

As shown in Figure 2, it is preferable that the injection device 100 be attached to a lower end of the milling frame 30. The injection device 100 will be further explained with reference to Figure 3.

In Figure 3, an exemplary embodiment of the injection device 100 is shown with a base body having a first body portion 101 and a second body portion 102. The first body portion 101 and a second body portion 102 are shape compatible and together form the injection device. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 2, the first body portion is an upper body portion that abuts the milling frame. The second body portion is a lower body portion that is directed downwards.

At least one of the first body portion 101 and the second body portion 102 includes a first inlet 103 and a second inlet 104, the first inlet being arranged to receive binder, and the second inlet being arranged to receive at least one of the binder and the gas. The first body portion 101 is shown in the figure to include the first inlet 103.

It is further shown that the second body part 102 can also comprise a portion of the first inlet 103, for example a passage opening extending through the second body part 102. The first inlet 103 is in fluid communication with the at least one first outlet 110, for example by means of a syringe as shown in figure 2. This syringe is arranged to extend over at least a portion of the distance between an intersection plane 42 of the at least one pair of drums and the rotation axes R1, R2 of the at least one pair of drums 40. More preferably, the syringe has a plurality of first outlets 110, preferably at least two first outlets that are respectively oriented in a direction of one of the drums of the at least one pair of drums. The second inlet 104 is in fluid communication with the at least one second outlet. In this way, when the milling frame is driven into the ground, the gas can flow via the second inlet 104 to the second outlet 120.

More preferably, at least one of the first body part 101 and the second body part 102 comprises a recess which forms a channel 105 between the second inlet 104 and the at least one second outlet 120. The channel 105 directs the binder or gas from the second inlet to the at least one second outlet 120. In figure 3 it is shown that the recess is provided in the second body part 102. It will be clear that the recess can also be provided in the first body part 101 or that both body parts comprise a partial recess which are mutually shape compatible so that the channel 105 is formed. In this case, the first body part 101 also functions as a closure of the recess. In Figure 3, the first body portion 101 is shown to also have a second inlet 104 which opens into the second body portion 102. More specifically, the second inlet 104 opens into the recess 105 formed in the second body portion 102.

Preferably, the injection device 100 comprises a plurality of second outlets, for example at least two second outlets. In figure 4 four second outlets 120 are shown. It is preferred that a respective second outlet 120 is provided per drum. The plurality of second outlets 120 are distributed along a peripheral wall of at least one of the first body part and the second body part, in the exemplary embodiment shown this is the second body part 102. In such an embodiment it is preferred that the plurality of second outlets 120 are each directed towards a respective drum. Preferably, the at least one second outlet 120 comprises a jet tube which increases a flow velocity of the media flowing therethrough, for example the gas or the binder. This reduces the cavities that the gas forms in the binder. More preferably, the jet tube has a diameter of at least 2 to 4 mm, preferably at least 4 to 8 mm.

Based on the description above, the skilled person will understand that the invention can be implemented in different ways and on the basis of different principles. In addition, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. The embodiments described above, as well as the figures, are merely illustrative and only serve to increase the understanding of the invention. The invention will therefore not be limited to the embodiments described herein, but is defined in the claims.

Claims (17)

Conclusions 1. An apparatus (10) for constructing a vertical retaining wall and/or foundation, comprising: — a frame (20) having a substantially vertically movable end; — a milling frame (30) mounted near the end of the frame, the milling frame comprising at least one pair of drums (40) each rotatable about a respective axis of rotation, the axes of rotation of the at least one pair of drums (40) being parallel and spaced apart so that the drums, viewed in a plane perpendicular to the axes of rotation, can rotate alongside each other for loosening the soil and digging a trench while driving the end substantially vertically into the ground; — an injection device (100) having at least one first outlet (110) and at least one second outlet (120) which, viewed in a substantially vertical direction, is located higher than the at least one first outlet (110), the injection device being adapted to inject binder via the at least one first outlet and a gas via the at least one second outlet during driving into the ground, and the injection device being adapted to inject binder via the at least one second outlet (120) during removal of the milling frame from the trench. 2. The apparatus (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the at least one first outlet (110) is arranged to inject binder at the rotation axes (R1, R2) of the at least one pair of drums (40), and wherein the at least one second outlet (120) is arranged to inject binder or air above the rotation axes of the at least one pair of drums. 3. The apparatus (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the at least one second outlet is arranged to inject binder or air above a jacket surface (41) of the at least one pair of drums, preferably between the jacket surface and a cutting plane (42) of the at least one pair of drums. 4. The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the injection device (100) comprises a base body having a first body part (101) and a second body part (102) which are shape compatible and together form the injection device. 5. The apparatus (10) of the preceding claim, wherein at least one of the first body portion and the second body portion comprises a first inlet (103) and a second inlet (104), the first inlet being arranged to receive binder, and the second inlet being arranged to receive at least one of the binder and the gas. 6. The apparatus (10) of the preceding claim, wherein the first inlet is in fluid communication with the at least one first outlet (110) and wherein the second inlet is in fluid communication with the at least one second outlet (120). 7. The device (10) of the preceding claim, wherein at least one of the first body portion (101) and the second body portion (102) comprises a recess (105) defining a channel between the second inlet and the at least one second outlet (120). 8. The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims 4-7, wherein the injection device comprises a plurality of second outlets (120), preferably at least two second outlets, the plurality of second outlets being distributed along a peripheral wall of at least one of the first body part and the second body part. 9. The apparatus (10) of claims 7-8, wherein the recess (106) extends between the second inlet (104) and each of the plurality of second outlets. 10. The apparatus (10) of any one of the preceding claims 8-9, wherein a second outlet of the plurality of second outlets is oriented in a direction of one of the drums of the at least one pair of drums, respectively. 11. The apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims 5-10, wherein the injection device is provided to be attached to a bottom side of the milling frame (30). The apparatus (10) of any one of the preceding claims 5 to 11, wherein the injection apparatus (100) further comprises a syringe having the at least one first outlet (120), the syringe being connected to the first inlet and being configured to extend over at least a portion of the distance between an intersection (42) of the at least one pair of drums and the rotational axes (R1, R2) of the at least one pair of drums (40). 13. The device (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the syringe has a plurality of first outlets, preferably at least two first outlets respectively oriented in a direction of one of the drums of the at least one pair of drums. The apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one second outlet comprises a jet tube which increases a flow rate of the media flowing therethrough, e.g. the gas or the binder. 15. The device (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the jet tube has a diameter of at least 2 to 4 mm, preferably at least 4 to 8 mm 16. The apparatus (10) of any preceding claim, further comprising a gas and binder control system, a first conduit and a second conduit, the first conduit being connected to the at least one first outlet and the second conduit being connected to the at least one second outlet, the gas and binder control system being configured to, during driving into the ground, supply binder through the first conduit and inject it through the at least one first outlet and a gas through the at least one second outlet; and to, during removal of the milling frame from the trench, divert the binder to the second conduit. 17. An injection device for use with a device for producing a vertical retaining wall and/or foundation according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the injection device (100) is adapted to be coupled to a milling frame and comprises at least one first outlet (110) and at least one second outlet (120), wherein the at least one second outlet is intended to be located higher than the at least one first outlet (110), viewed in a substantially vertical direction, wherein the injection device is adapted to inject binder via the at least one first outlet and a gas via the at least one second outlet during driving into the ground, and wherein the injection device is adapted to inject binder via the at least one second outlet (120) during removal of the milling frame from the trench.