U.S. patent application number 11/144463 was filed with the patent office on 2006-12-21 for double-t-beam for construction of combination sheet pile walls.
Invention is credited to Georg Wall.
Application Number | 20060283139 11/144463 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37571986 |
Filed Date | 2006-12-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060283139 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wall; Georg |
December 21, 2006 |
Double-T-beam for construction of combination sheet pile walls
Abstract
A double-T-beam for the construction of a combination sheet pile
wall from numerous elements that can be driven into the ground,
such as beams, sheet piles, etc., whereby the double-T-beam
exhibits in its cross-section two T-bars, and one connecting web
that connects said T-bars and forms the T-down-stroke. The free
longitudinal edges of the double-T-beam, which are located on one
side of the connecting web in one plane parallel to the connecting
web, are designed as analogous connecting elements of the type
round claw or round knob for directly connecting additional sheet
pile wall elements with corresponding connecting elements.
Inventors: |
Wall; Georg; (Munich,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MILDE & HOFFBERG, LLP
10 BANK STREET
SUITE 460
WHITE PLAINS
NY
10606
US
|
Family ID: |
37571986 |
Appl. No.: |
11/144463 |
Filed: |
June 3, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/782.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02D 5/04 20130101; E02D
5/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/782.1 |
International
Class: |
E04C 2/00 20060101
E04C002/00 |
Claims
1.-8. (canceled)
9. In a double-T-beam for the construction of a combination sheet
pile wall from numerous elements that can be driven into the
ground, whereby the double-T-beam exhibits in its cross-section two
T-bars and one connecting web that connects said T-bars and forms
the T-down-stroke, the improvement wherein free longitudinal edges
of the double-T-beam, which are located on one side of the
connecting web in one plane parallel to the connecting web, are
configured as analogous connecting elements of a type selected from
the group consisting of round claw and round knob for directly
connecting additional sheet pile wall elements with corresponding
connecting elements.
10. The double-T-beam set forth in claim 9, wherein the
double-T-beam exhibits, on one side of the connecting web,
connecting elements of the type round claw and, on an opposite side
of the connecting web, connecting elements of the type round
knob.
11. The double-T-beam set forth in claim 10, wherein, for use in
constructing a sheet pile wall, two sheet piles with a Z-shaped
cross-section are inserted between two double-T-beams each, wherein
each said sheet pile exhibits at its one longitudinal edge a
connecting element of the type round claw and at its other
longitudinal edge a connecting element of the type round knob, and
wherein said sheet piles are connected at their center via their
corresponding connecting elements, whereby the connecting elements
at the two longitudinal edges of the sheet pile pair engage in the
corresponding connecting elements of two adjacent
double-T-beams.
12. The double-T-beam set forth in claim 11, wherein, at the sheet
pile wall, locks that are formed by the connection of the
corresponding connecting elements at the double-T-beams are located
in one plane.
13. The double-T-beam set forth in claim 9, wherein the
double-T-beam exhibits at its longitudinal edges connecting
elements of the type round knob on both sides of the connecting
web.
14. The double-T-beam as set forth in claim 13, wherein; for use in
constructing a sheet pile wall, two sheet piles with a Z-shaped
cross-section are inserted between two double-T-beams each, wherein
each said sheet pile exhibits at one longitudinal edge a connecting
element of the type round claw and at its other longitudinal edge a
connecting element of the type round knob, and wherein said sheet
piles are connected at their center via their corresponding
connecting elements, and whereby the connecting element of the type
round claw engages on the one longitudinal side of the sheet piles
that are connected to one another in the connecting element of the
one double-T-beam of the type round knob and the connecting element
of the type round knob engages on the other longitudinal side of
the sheet piles that are connected to one another with the
connecting element of the type round knob of the second
double-T-beam via a double-C-claw.
15. The double-T-beam as set forth in claim 14, wherein, at the
sheet pile wall, locks that are formed through connecting the
corresponding connecting elements at at least one of the
double-T-beam and the double-C-claw, respectively, are located in
one plane.
16. The double-T-beam as set forth in claim 9, wherein, for the
direct connection to the double-T-beam, sheet piles exhibit at
their one longitudinal edge connecting elements of the type round
claw and at their other longitudinal edge connecting elements of
the type round knob, wherein the sheet piles between the two
connecting elements exhibit three web sections which together form
a Z-shaped cross-section, wherein the connecting elements that
follow said web sections stretch parallel to one another and point
outward from the connecting elements, and wherein the center
Z-section connects the ends of the web sections.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a double-T-beam for constructing
combination sheet pile walls according to the main subject of
patent claim 1.
[0002] As a rule, the central element of such combination sheet
pile walls is a double-T-beam made of steel, to which other
elements, such as sheet piles, are attached. This is implemented by
welding connecting elements to each free end of the T-bar of the
double-T-beam, whereby the connecting elements each exhibit the
same length as the double-T-beam and, in their cross-section,
exhibit a base, a web protruding from the center of it and two
mushroom-shaped curved lugs with about the same width as the base.
These connecting elements are clipped onto the potentially slightly
formed ends of the T-bars, such that the free end of the T-bar
contacts the web. The lugs may also be pressed mechanically onto
the T-bars and then welded to the double-T-beam. Connecting
elements of this type are known, for example, from the German
Patent DE 2,903,768 C.
[0003] The double-T-beam with the connecting elements welded to it
is then driven into the ground. Clipped to the connecting element
are then, for example, two sheet piles, which are in the
cross-section connected to one another in a Z-shape, and are driven
down as well. Driven into these driven down sheet piles is again a
double-T-beam prepared in the same manner as described above. This
method is repeated until a sheet pile wall of a desired length is
created.
[0004] Such combination sheet pile walls may also be built only
from double-T-bars that are welded together as described above,
prior to being driven.
[0005] Other combination sheet pile walls are known as well, which
are constructed, for example, of beams and pipes as well as weld
corners or other connecting elements placed in between.
[0006] Preparations for constructing such a combination sheet pile
wall are very elaborate, in particular because of the welding work
for connecting the double-T-beam with the connecting element.
[0007] A further disadvantage is that a significant amount of
material is required, due to the required connecting elements, such
that the weight of the sheet pile wall is great. Since the price of
the sheet pile wall is typically calculated by weight, the costs
for sheet pile walls are correspondingly high.
[0008] Furthermore, handling of the prepared sheet pile wall
elements is difficult due to the great weight.
[0009] It is an objective of the invention to specify a
double-T-beam of the type in question which simplifies or allows
the construction of a single or double combination sheet pile wall.
Additionally, the weight of the material required for the
construction of the sheet pile wall should be kept low in order to
reduce costs and ensure easy handling of the sheet pile wall
elements.
[0010] This objective is achieved according to the invention
through the features of patent claim 1.
[0011] Thus, the invention is based on the surprisingly simple
concept of forming the free longitudinal edges of the double-T-beam
as connecting elements of the type round claw and/or round knob for
directly connecting additional sheet pile walls exhibiting
corresponding connecting elements. To this end, analogous
connecting elements are provided at the free longitudinal edges
located in one plane connecting parallel to the two T-bars of the
double-T-beam and the connecting web and forming the
T-down-strokes, for example, connecting elements of the type round
claw or round knob.
[0012] Preferably, the double-T-beam exhibits on one side
connecting elements of the type round claw and on the opposite side
those of the type round knob.
[0013] In one variation, it is possible to form the connecting
elements on all longitudinal edges of the double-T-beam as elements
of the type round knob.
[0014] To construct a combination sheet pile wall, initially a
double-T-beam is driven into the ground; thereafter the connecting
elements of the double-T-beam, for example sheet piles that are
Z-shaped in their cross-section, are clipped on with their
corresponding connecting elements and are driven into the ground.
This method is repeated until a sheet pile wall of the desired
length is created.
[0015] With a combination sheet pile wall constructed in this
manner, the connecting elements that were until now necessary
between the double-T-beam and additional sheet pile wall elements
to be connected are eliminated. This significantly reduces the
weight of the sheet pile wall; computations indicate that up to 25%
can be saved in weight, which correspondingly lowers the cost of
the combination sheet pile wall.
[0016] In addition, all welding work for connecting the connecting
elements with the double-T-beams is eliminated, resulting in
significant savings in work and time. Because of the savings in
weight for the material for the sheet pile walls, the individual
sheet pile wall elements can be handled easier, resulting in turn
in time savings when constructing the sheet pile wall.
[0017] By constructing the double-T-beam according to the
invention, it is also possible to achieve a lower number of sheet
pile wall elements, for example, a combination sheet pile wall
constructed of double-T-beams and double-planks can be constructed
with only two elements, namely the double-T-beam designed according
to the invention and sheet piles with an approximately Z-shaped
cross-section. To construct such combination sheet pile walls,
essentially a modular construction system of only a few types of
elements is offered, which is favorable for the manufacture of the
individual sheet pile wall elements and for the costs of the sheet
pile wall. This modular construction system provides practically
unlimited application capabilities. For example, it is possible to
construct a formwork system, whereby two double-planks each are
arranged between two double-T-beams that are adjacent to two
connecting elements that are located opposite to one another, such
that a double-wall combination sheet pile wall results, where the
space between the outer walls of the combination sheet pile wall
can be freely flushed and filled with a filling material.
[0018] The sheet piles, which generally have a Z-shaped
cross-section, and are to be connected to a double-T-beam according
to the invention, exhibit at their opposing longitudinal edges on
the one side a connecting element of the round claw type and on the
other side a connecting element of the round knob type. The webs
following the connecting elements preferably protrude as flat webs
from the connecting elements and are connected to each other
through the center Z-web. Contrary to the state-of-the-art, with
such sheet piles no sharp bends are necessary within the connecting
webs, which have production-technological advantages when rolling
of the sheet piles during manufacture, because the rolling steps
required for making the bends in the connecting web can be
eliminated.
[0019] The invention is explained in greater details using
exemplary embodiments shown in the drawing in which:
[0020] FIG. 1 shows a cross-section through a first embodiment of a
double-T-beam in the construction of a sheet pile wall according to
the invention;
[0021] FIG. 2 shows a cross-section through a second embodiment of
a double-T-beam according to the invention;
[0022] FIG. 3 shows a cross-section through a sheet pile for
connecting to a double-T-beam according to the invention;
[0023] FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 show cross sections through combination
sheet pile walls that are constructed with double-T-beams and sheet
piles according to the invention; and
[0024] FIG. 7 shows a cross-section through a connecting element
for connecting to a double-T-beam or a sheet pile.
[0025] FIG. 1 shows a cross-section of a double-T-beam 1 for
constructing a combination sheet pile wall. The beam 1 consists of
two T-bars 2 and 3, which are connected to one another with a
connecting web 4 forming the T-down-stroke. In this case, the
T-bars 2 and 3, respectively, are reinforced in their thickness in
the direction of the connecting web 4; however, they may also
exhibit a uniform thickness as shown in FIG. 2.
[0026] The free ends of the--as seen in FIG. 1--upper and lower
left T-bars 2 and 3, respectively, are designed as a connecting
element 5 of the type "round claw", the ends of the T-bars 2 and 3,
respectively, which are in a parallel plane to the connecting web 4
on the opposite side, are designed as connecting elements 6 of the
type "round knob". The connecting web 4, which extends vertically
from the T-bars 2 and 3, respectively, is located approximately at
the center of the double-T-beam 1.
[0027] The connecting element 5 of the type round claw exhibits
approximately the cross-section of a mirror-inverted "C" with two
claws 7 and 8, mirror-symmetric to the longitudinal axis of the
T-bars 2 or 3, respectively, where the claws define a receiving
space 9 for a corresponding connecting element of the type round
knob and where their ends define a mouth opening 10. At the bottom
of the receiving space facing the T-bars 2 and 3, respectively, an
injection channel 11 with an approximately semi-circular shape may
be provided as well.
[0028] The connecting element 6 of the type round claw has an
approximately oval or mushroom-shaped cross-section and is designed
in its dimensions such that it can engage, with a certain play, in
a connecting element 5 of the type round claw of an adjacent sheet
pile wall element. Such double-T-beams are easy to drive.
[0029] FIG. 2 also shows a cross-section of a double-T-beam 1',
where all connecting elements at the free ends of the T-bars 2 and
3 are designed as connecting elements 6 of the type round knob.
[0030] FIG. 3 shows a sheet pile 21 with an approximately Z-shaped
cross-section, exhibiting three web sections 22, 23 and 24. Web
sections 22 and 24 are located in parallel planes; web section 23
connects to the sections 22 and 24 each at an obtuse interior
angle, resulting in a cross-section of a lying "Z".
[0031] Connected to the end of the web section 22 is a connecting
element 5 of the type round claw, which corresponds to that of the
double-T-beam in FIG. 1; in this case too, an injection channel can
be provided at the bottom of the connecting element 5.
[0032] Arranged at the end of the web section 24 is a connecting
element 6 of the type round knob, which corresponds to the
connecting element 6 of the double-T-beam in FIG. 1.
[0033] FIG. 4 shows schematically the cross-section of a
combination sheet pile wall 41, which is constructed solely of
double-T-beams 1 according to FIG. 1. To construct the sheet pile
wall, first a double-T-beam according to FIG. 1 is driven (rammed)
into the ground, whereby, depending on the convention, the
connecting element 5 of the type round claw can be located to the
front or to the rear with respect to the driving (ramming)
direction D. In FIG. 4, the mushroom-shaped connecting elements 6
are located in the front with respect to the direction D, according
to the convention in the United States. Clipped to the
double-T-beam 1 that has been driven into the ground is a second
double-T-beam with its connecting element 5 of the type round claw
and it is also driven into the ground. This procedure is repeated
until a sheet pile wall 41 of the desired length is created. The
soil between the outer walls of the sheet pile wall can be flushed
out and the space then filled with a different filling material,
for example, reinforced concrete. Achieving the interlocking of
these interim elements and opening the connecting webs of the
individual double-T-beams are important for the static equilibrium;
they apply to the following embodiments.
[0034] FIG. 5 shows a combination sheet pile wall 51, which is
constructed beginning with a double-T-beam 1 according to FIG. 1.
Two sheet piles connected to each other--i.e., double sheet piles
according to FIG. 3--are clipped to the connecting elements 6,
which have a mushroom-shaped cross-section, of the (in the Figure)
left double-T-beam, and to the round claws 5 of the (in the Figure)
right double-T-beam, and are together driven into the ground. The
double sheet piles between the two double-T-beams 1 are oriented
such that an approximately O-shaped cavity 52 is formed between the
sheet piles and the adjacent double-T-beams. As is apparent from
this figure, all locks formed by the respective connecting
elements, between one sheet pile each and the double-T-beam, are in
one plane due to the straight and parallel web sections on the
sides of each sheet pile.
[0035] FIG. 6 shows a cross-section through a combination sheet
pile wall 61 where, contrary to FIG. 5, the sheet piles 21 run
essentially parallel. This creates a meander-shaped profile of the
outer walls of the combination sheet pile wall with respective
cavities 62 between the outer walls of the sheet pile wall. Here
too, all locks formed by the respective connecting elements between
one sheet pile each and a double-T-beam are in one plane. Such a
construction of a sheet pile wall was not possible with
conventional double-T-beams and sheet piles.
[0036] Because the connection of the sheet piles with the
double-T-beams can be pivoted about a certain angle, it is also
possible to construct sheet pile walls with a circular shape,
etc.
[0037] A perfect formwork system can be constructed with the
embodiments according FIGS. 4, 5 and 6.
[0038] FIG. 7 shows a cross-section of a connecting element 71. The
connecting element 71 has a central web 72, from which stretch two
round claws 73 and 74 with a C-shaped cross-section in opposite
directions, mirror-symmetric to the center plane of the center web
72, whereby the round claws are each similarly designed as the
round claws 5 of the double-T-beam 1. This connecting element 71
may be connected, for example, with a connecting element 6 of a
double-T-beam, whereby a sheet pile 21 with its round knob 6 can be
connected to a second C-shaped round claw. In the same manner, by
integrating such connecting elements between sheet piles and/or
double-T-beams, a sheet pile wall in the shape of a circle with a
very small radius can be constructed.
[0039] This double-C-claw 71 may, for example, be used
advantageously with a sheet pile wall that is modified with respect
to the sheet pile walls 51 or 61, wherein double-T-beams 1'
according to FIG. 2 are employed which exhibit only connecting
elements 6 of the type round knob. The one sheet pile of the two
sheet piles that are connected to each other at the center via
corresponding connecting elements can be inserted with its
connecting element of the type round claw in the connecting element
of the type round knob of the first double-T-beam, while the
connecting element at the outer longitudinal edge of the second
sheet pile is connected to the connecting element of the type round
knob of the adjacent, second double-T-beam via the double-C-claw
71.
[0040] As compared to the use of the previously known elements for
sheet pile walls, with the use of the double-T-beam according to
the invention, and the connecting sheet pile wall elements, it is
much easier and less expensive to construct a combination sheet
pile.
* * * * *