RU238477U1 - U-shaped sheet pile - Google Patents

Abstract

This utility model relates to construction, specifically hot-rolled metal sheet piles with a U-shaped profile and Larsen locks. The proposed design is intended for the creation of durable and watertight sheet pile enclosures used in civil, industrial, hydraulic, and transport construction, for both temporary and permanent structures. It provides comprehensive protection of structures from the effects of soil and water, and also enables the creation of retaining structures such as excavations, coastal protection structures, and dams. This development addresses the pressing need to improve traditional sheet pile structures. Their main drawbacks in today's environment include high metal consumption, installation difficulties, and inadequate watertightness. The new U-shaped sheet pile eliminates these issues by increasing the pile width to 600 mm, reducing the metal consumption, weight, and cost of the structure without sacrificing strength. A key technical improvement is the design of the interlock with a limiter: by reducing the entry gap to 13 mm and increasing the locking section to 15 mm, this ensures a secure connection between the elements, prevents separation and sheet pile extension during vibratory driving, and significantly improves watertightness. The pile is manufactured using high-strength steel with a yield strength of at least 355 MPa and a carbon equivalent of no more than 0.45%, which maintains the weldability of the materials. The strength and performance characteristics of the sheet piles are enhanced by a 51 mm radius transition in the interlock area, which reduces local stresses and the likelihood of deformation. Optimized joint geometry and profile prevent water penetration, minimizes the load on the interlock assemblies, and the symmetrical arrangement of the flanges evenly distributes external loads. This allows the piles to be effectively used in challenging conditions, including areas with water-saturated soils or high seismic activity. Testing of the design demonstrated its versatility, strength, durability, and cost-effectiveness. This new technical approach simplifies installation operations, reduces construction time, and opens up wide possibilities for the use of U-shaped piles in both temporary and permanent structures, including water barriers, retaining walls, excavations, and hydraulic structures. These improved, metal-saving, and watertight structures are becoming an indispensable solution for modern construction.

Description

AREA OF TECHNOLOGY

This utility model relates to construction, specifically to hot-rolled metal sheet piles with a U-shaped profile and Larsen locks, designed to create strong and durable sheet pile enclosures. These structures are used in civil, industrial, hydraulic, and transport construction for the construction of temporary and permanent structures. Sheet piles provide reliable protection for construction sites from the effects of soil and water, and also allow for the creation of retaining structures for excavations, coastal protection structures, and dams.

LEVEL OF TECHNOLOGY

U-shaped sheet piles with Larsen locks are widely used in construction to create strong and reliable sheet pile enclosures. Various pile designs are used in this field, differing in geometric parameters and locking connections. However, existing solutions have several drawbacks that reduce their effectiveness and lead to increased installation and operating costs. For example, the L5-UM sheet pile has a usable width of only 500 mm, which results in increased metal consumption for the resulting enclosure structure. The lack of locking stops requires increasing their size, which further negatively impacts metal consumption. The reduced pile width and incompletely optimized design make it difficult to reduce the overall weight of the enclosure, leaving the development of more efficient designs urgent. Other well-known solutions, such as patent RU 2822838 C1, offer 600 mm wide sheet piles, which can be considered an improvement; however, this solution does not utilize high-strength steel. This reduces the load-bearing capacity of the structure, and the lack of specification of the material characteristics in the patent text hinders the use of such piles in projects with high loads. Furthermore, patents such as RU 212379 U1 propose welded structures, which limit manufacturing capabilities due to the increased likelihood of weld defects, which can lead to a loss of load-bearing capacity and potentially lead to structural failure. The interlocks in such structures have an imperfect shape, different from Larsen interlocks, limiting their application, especially in standardized projects. Current technology remains a challenge in improving the tightness of interlocks to prevent water penetration, particularly in hydraulic structures. It is also important to reduce the metal consumption of sheet piles while maintaining their strength characteristics, simplify and speed up the installation process with reliable and easily connected interlocks, and use high-strength steels with a yield strength of at least 355 MPa. Furthermore, the problem of preventing interlocks from slipping or separating during installation or operation remains pressing. Modern sheet pile designs are aimed at achieving tighter interlocking connections to prevent interlock slippage, reduce water penetration, and reduce metal consumption. However, their width, material, and interlock design are often poorly considered, resulting in suboptimal performance.

The proposed U-shaped sheet pile design solves these problems through a number of fundamental improvements. The design features interlocking joints with stops that prevent the interlock from extending during installation, significantly increasing reliability. The increased effective pile width of 600 mm allows for a reduction in the metal content of the pile structure while maintaining its strength characteristics thanks to a steel yield strength of at least 355 MPa. The elastic modulus of this model is 1817 ^cm³ /m. The use of high-strength steels with a yield strength of at least 355 MPa strengthens the structure, while the optimal chemical composition of the material, with a carbon equivalent of no more than 0.45%, guarantees acceptable weldability. Additionally, the hook-shaped Larsen interlock ensures a tight connection that minimizes the likelihood of water leaks and improves the watertightness of the sheet pile wall.

Thus, the proposed technical solution represents a significant advancement over previously available designs. It combines improved strength, durability, cost-effectiveness, and ease of installation, addressing many of the pressing challenges facing the modern construction industry.

DISCLOSURE OF UTILITY MODEL

The objective of the claimed utility model is to create an improved U-shaped sheet pile design that ensures a secure connection between the interlocks during installation, preventing their separation or displacement, and reducing water penetration into the sheet pile wall. This also addresses the issue of reducing the metal content of the structure without compromising its load-bearing properties through the use of high-strength steels and optimization of geometric parameters.

The technical result of this utility model is improved sheet pile performance by increasing the tightness of the interlocking joints, preventing their separation at all stages of operation, as well as by reducing metal consumption, increasing the structure's tightness, maintaining or improving its strength characteristics, and accelerating the installation process. This is achieved through a number of design and technological solutions. This improved tightness is achieved through the interlock design and the external rounding radius of the sheet pile, which allows for smoother driving and prevents interlock separation.

One significant improvement was the use of a design solution in which the sheet pile flange adjacent to the interlock joint acts as a stop. This improved the tightness and reliability of the interlock joint, reduced the likelihood of interlocks dislodging during sheet pile driving, and significantly increased the structure's watertightness. Reducing the entry gap to 13 mm and increasing the thickness of the interlock's fixed portion to 15 mm ensures increased tightness between structural elements. Another significant solution was increasing the sheet pile width to 600 mm, which corresponds to an elastic modulus of 1817 ^cm³ /m for this model. This significantly reduced the product's metal consumption while maintaining structural rigidity, making it more cost-effective and expanding the range of applications for these piles. The use of high-strength steels with a yield strength of at least 355 MPa and a low carbon equivalent (no more than 0.45%) in the production of sheet piles ensures the structural strength is maintained even at increased sizes. At the same time, acceptable weldability of the material is achieved, further simplifying the installation process. The pile profile geometry was also optimized. In particular, the 51 mm outer radius of the transition from the flange to the shoulders reduced localized stresses in the structure, thereby increasing its service life. The symmetrical arrangement of the side flanges relative to the axis ensures uniform distribution of the resulting loads, contributing to an increased durability of the entire structure.

Thus, the proposed technical solution, through consistent refinement of the key structural and technological elements of the sheet pile, significantly improves its parameters, ensuring high reliability, tightness, strength, and cost-effectiveness during operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The presented drawings clearly demonstrate the design of a sheet pile, describing in detail its profile, dimensions, and features of the interlocking system. Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a sheet pile element. The structure consists of a base - the horizontal section of the profile that ensures load distribution, inclined walls that provide stability and the necessary geometry, and interlocking joints located at the edges of the profile. These interlocks ensure a reliable connection between the elements. The wall thickness of the element can be varied, depending on design requirements, which allows for different loads on the structure to be taken into account. The presented drawing shows the transverse profile of a sheet pile with the designation of technical positions. The upper part of the pile (pos. 1) is a horizontal element of the profile that performs the function of stress distribution throughout the structure. Due to its rigid shape, this part effectively absorbs loads and allows for connection with other elements. The inclined wall (pos. 2), connecting the upper part to the interlocking mechanism, has a characteristic curved shape. Its primary function is to transfer pressure from the top to the base, providing stability and strength to the profile. The locking mechanism (item 3), located at the bottom of the profile, is designed to connect adjacent sheet piles into a single axisymmetric structure. The lock ensures tightness, prevents displacement of the elements relative to each other, and guarantees the reliability of the structure under dynamic and static loads. The lock base (item 4), an important structural element of the mechanism, is located at the bottom of the pile. This is the fixing point through which the sheet piles interact with each other through the locking system. This design increases the overall strength and stability of the system, especially in high-humidity conditions or under significant loads. This sheet pile profile with an interlocking connection is used primarily in hydraulic engineering or construction work, such as the creation of retaining walls, the stabilization of banks and canals, and solutions related to soil stabilization.

Figure 2 shows the exact dimensions of the pile profile. The overall width of the element is 637 mm, of which the effective width (center-to-center distance) is 600 mm. The profile height is 205.5 mm, and the wall thickness is 8 mm. The inner bend radius of the base is 40 mm, and the profile wall angle is 65 degrees. The outer bend radius at the top of the profile is 51 mm. Structural transitions are provided at the corners, which enhance the tightness and increase the rigidity of the element. The interlocking joints have dimensions of 36 x 8 mm, ensuring a tight connection and the reliability of the entire structure when assembled.

Fig. 3 illustrates a diagram of how the piles are connected to each other, clearly showing how the individual profile elements interlock to form a continuous wall. The connection is made along the side sections of the profile using locks, resulting in the piles forming a zigzag profile. This solution ensures high resistance to bending loads and uniform distribution of soil pressure.

The primary functional application of this structure includes waterproofing, as the interlocking system prevents water penetration, which is important for constructing retaining walls and stabilizing shorelines. Furthermore, the profile is highly rigid due to its shape and cross-section, allowing it to withstand bending and longitudinal loads. Thanks to these characteristics, sheet piles are widely used in hydraulic engineering, road, and bridge construction.

Thus, the provided drawing description reflects the design features of the sheet pile that ensure its high operational reliability. Optimal dimensions, the design of the interlocking joint, the geometry of the radius transitions, and the presence of sealing elements allow for improved durability, strength, tightness, and cost-effective metal consumption.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE UTILITY MODEL

The U-shaped sheet pile is a modern technical solution designed to improve the efficiency of construction work and strengthen soils in a variety of conditions. It is widely used in construction, particularly in the construction of water-protective structures, retaining walls, pits, coastal protection structures, and other structures requiring the creation of watertight temporary or permanent barriers.

The sheet pile structure consists of an elongated profile with a U-shaped cross-section. High-strength materials are used to manufacture these piles, ensuring a long service life and resistance to aggressive environments. The U-shaped pile cross-section allows for the uniform distribution of loads arising from soil pressure, hydrostatic water pressure, and dynamic effects, including vibration and seismic activity. The pile's side faces are equipped with interlocking joints, which ensure simple and reliable joining of individual elements into a single structure. This allows for the creation of highly durable, watertight enclosures, which is especially important in water-saturated soils.

The sheet pile manufacturing process involves several stages. Initially, calculations are performed and drawings are developed based on the construction project requirements. At this stage, the profile dimensions, wall thickness, and interlock parameters are designed, with particular attention paid to the tightness of the future structures and their ability to withstand external loads. High-quality materials are used in production, significantly improving the pile's resistance to corrosion. During the profile creation stage, metal sheets are rolled into a U-shaped cross-section using specialized equipment, followed by the formation of interlocks. Before being shipped to construction sites, the piles undergo strict quality control, including testing for tightness and resistance to bending and compressive loads. On-site, the piles are driven into the ground using specialized equipment using driving, vibratory driving, or pressing. The simplicity of the interlocks allows for the rapid joining of the elements into a single structure, significantly reducing construction time.

U-shaped sheet piles offer numerous advantages that make them popular in the construction industry. Their design ensures high strength and resistance to mechanical loads, while interlocking joints guarantee excellent watertight properties. Reducing the pile's weight through the use of modern rolling technologies reduces material costs and simplifies transportation without sacrificing strength. Their versatility makes these piles suitable for both temporary and permanent structures. They are effective in protecting riverbanks, stabilizing slopes against landslides, and creating watertight barriers during the construction of ports, dams, and hydraulic structures.

The innovative approach used in the development of the U-shaped sheet pile is particularly evident in the improved interlocking connections. Modern manufacturing methods guarantee high precision of the elements, which facilitates ease of installation and durability of the entire structure, even in challenging environmental conditions such as high humidity or significant groundwater pressure.

In conclusion, the introduction of U-shaped sheet piles significantly improves the efficiency of construction and operation of enclosing structures for various facilities. Their strength, versatility, watertightness, and cost-effectiveness, as well as compliance with modern safety standards, make this technology indispensable for the construction of structures both on land and in water.

Claims (1)

A U-shaped sheet pile made of hot-rolled steel and having a U-shaped profile with a horizontal shelf, at the ends of the arms of which locks are made, characterized in that it is made of steel with a yield strength of at least 355 MPa and a carbon equivalent not exceeding 0.45%, the locking part of the lock, located on one arm, is made curved to form a hook-shaped shape, with a distance between the edge of the hook and the wall of the arm equal to 13 mm, while the fixed part of the lock, located on the opposite arm, is also made curved to form a hook-shaped shape with the possibility of fixing in the fixing part of the lock, and the end of the fixed part is made rounded with a thickening of up to 15 mm, while the useful width of the pile is 600 mm, the radius of the transition of the base to the side walls of the U-shaped profile is 51 mm, and the elastic moment of resistance of the pile profile is equal to 1817 ^cm3 /m.