DRAINAGE BODY SURFACE UNIT

Abstract

A drainage body surface unit for use in a trenching system for accumulating precipitation water. The drainage body surface unit includes a base plate having a conical column extending perpendicular to the base plate. The column has a first opening in the base plate and corrugated walls extending to a second opening positioned opposite the first opening in the base plate. The column has raised ribs on the inner surface of the column for improving structural strength.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a drainage body surface unit for draining water, and more particularly, the present disclosure relates to a hollow, columned drainage body surface unit that is sufficiently stable when dimensioned and in the instance of multiple drainage body surface units stacked one on top of another.

BACKGROUND

Using trenching systems to drain surfaces is known, wherein the water to be drained enters the trenching system through the surface and is drained from there, for example, into a water treatment facility. For this purpose, trenching systems comprise drainage body surface units, the boundary walls of which are water-permeable. The stability of the trenching systems is determined by the columns or pylons arranged in the interior of the drainage body surface unit, which connect the base plates of the drainage body surface unit to one another. In practice, drainage body surface units are stacked one on top of another to achieve sufficient drainage depth. It is important in this case for the drainage body surface units stacked one on top of another to provide the system as a whole with sufficient stability.

The present invention focuses on a drainage body surface unit having a robust and stable design that reduces stress during operation without sacrificing desirable shape, size or water displacement volume. The invention has the advantage that the stability of the drainage body surface unit is improved such that forces acting on the body have a reduced stress value on the structure when varying the height or stacking multiple drainage body surface units together.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect, disclosed is a drainage body surface unit that includes a base and a column that has a top end and a bottom end, the column further has an opening in the base and an inner surface extending between the top end to the bottom end of the column, wherein the inner surface of the column includes one or more or a plurality of raised ribs extending vertically along a portion of the inner surface.

In an example of aspect 1, the column has a frustoconical shape. In an example, the larger opening of the column is positioned at the base and the smaller opening of the column is opposite the larger opening at the base.

In another example of aspect 1, the inner surface of the column has a corrugated shape. The corrugated shape extends around the entire diameter of the column wall between the top end and the bottom end of the column. In another example, the corrugations of the column wall extend linearly from the top end to the bottom end of the column and are equally spaced apart around the diameter of the column wall.

In another example of aspect 1, the corrugated shape of the inner surface of the column wall includes a plurality of spaced apart peaks that extend inward towards the center of the column, and which can be the innermost surface of the column wall relative to the center of the column.

In another example of aspect 1, one or more of a plurality of raised ribs are positioned between, for instance equal distance between, a first peak and a second peak of the plurality of peaks of the inner surface of the column. In some examples, each of the raised ribs are positioned equal distance between the peaks of the inner surface and also equally spaced apart along the diameter of the column.

In another example of aspect 1, one or more of the plurality of raised ribs are positioned adjacent at least one peak of the plurality of spaced apart peaks. In some examples, each of the raised ribs are positioned adjacent a peak of the inner surface and also equally spaced apart along the diameter of the column.

In another example of aspect 1, the corrugated shape of the inner surface of the column has one or more troughs that extend outwards from the center of the column. In some examples, the troughs are equally spaced apart on the inner surface about the diameter of the column.

In another example of aspect 1, a raised rib of the plurality of raised ribs is positioned in the one or more troughs of the inner surface of the column. In some examples, each of the raised ribs are positioned in a trough of the inner surface and also equally spaced apart along the diameter of the column.

In another example of aspect 1, the raised ribs have a height of at least 0.5 mm. The height is measured from the adjacent inner surface next to an edge of the raised rib to top of the raised rib as it extends inward towards the center of the column. In some examples, the raised ribs have a height in the range of 0.5 mm to 3 mm. In another example of aspect 1, the shape of each raised rib can be convex, rounded, semi-circle, or rectangular. FIG. 3 shows a rounded shape such that the top of the rounded shape is at the peak height of the raised rib relative to its extension towards the center of the column.

In another example of aspect 1, at least one of the plurality of raised ribs includes a gusset. The gusset may be positioned on top of or integrally formed from the at least one raised rib. The gusset may be positioned at one end of the at least one raised rib, for example, at the bottom end opposite the larger-diameter opening of the column in the base.

In another example of aspect 1, the drainage body surface unit is arranged in a trenching system with another or second drainage body surface unit and/or the drainage body surface unit is arranged stacked on another or second drainage body surface unit.

In a second aspect, disclosed is a drainage body surface unit that includes a base connected to a first end of a conical column, and the conical column has an opening centered in the base and the column extends perpendicular from the base to form a central area defined by a wall of the column, wherein the wall is corrugated around its diameter and has one or more raised ribs from the opening of the conical column to an opposite end of the wall.

In an example of aspect 2, one or more raised ribs extend inward from the surface of the wall towards the center of the conical column.

In another example of aspect 2, the one or more raised ribs have a substantially constant height, the height being in the range of 0.5 mm to 3 mm or at least 0.5 mm.

In another example of aspect 2, the one or more raised ribs includes a gusset formed on the raised rib at an end opposite the opening of the conical column.

In a third aspect, disclosed is a drainage body surface unit that includes a base and a column that has a top end and a bottom end, the column further has an opening in the base and an inner surface extending between the top end to the bottom end of the column, and an outer surface facing outward from the center of the column and exposed to ground conditions around the drainage body surface unit. The outer surface of the column has one or more grooves.

In an example of aspect 3, the one or more grooves extend along the outer surface of the column from its top end to its bottom end.

In another example of aspect 3, the one or more grooves extend inward from the outer surface of the column.

In another example of aspect 3, the one or more grooves includes a plurality of grooves that are equally spaced apart on the outer surface of the column. In an example, the wall of the column is corrugated and the one or more of the grooves are positioned at a peak or trough of corrugations of the corrugated column wall. The shape of the grooves can be concave, rounded, semi-circular, rectangular and the like.

The above aspects (or examples of those aspects) may be provided alone or in combination with any one or more of the examples of that aspect or another aspect discussed above; e.g., the first aspect may be provided alone or in combination with any one or more of the examples of the first aspect, second aspect, third aspect or other aspects discussed above.

Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the embodiments as described herein, including the detailed description which follows, the claims, as well as the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a single drainage body surface unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-section view taken along the midpoint of the single drainage body surface unit of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a portion of the single drainage body surface unit of FIG. 1 including a raised rib positioned on the inner surface of the column wall.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a portion of the single drainage body surface unit of FIG. 1 including an exterior groove positioned on the outer surface of the column wall.

FIG. 5 shows a stacked drainage body surface unit arrangement used for FEA testing for simulating a compression load.

FIG. 6 shows a design of a single drainage body surface unit used for FEA testing for simulating a compression load.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The terminology as set forth herein is for description of the embodiments only and should not be construed as limiting the invention as a whole.

Herein, when a range such as 5-25 (or 5 to 25) is given, this means preferably at least or more than 5 and, separately and independently, preferably not more or less than 25. In an example, such a range defines independently 5 or more, and separately and independently, 25 or less.

The present disclosure relates to a drainage body surface unit that can be used in a trenching system as a block accumulator for precipitation water and, on the other hand, as a block infiltration for precipitation water. The drainage body surface unit includes a base that can align in a variety of ways with bases of other or second drainage body surface units for arranging a trenching system. As shown in FIG. 1, the drainage body surface unit 10 has a base 11 arranged on the top end of column 13 relative to the laid state of a trenching system. Column 13 extends perpendicular relative to base plate 11 to form a central area that is defined by the wall of the column. The column wall 13e has an inner surface 13a facing the center or central area of the column and an outer surface 13b facing outward and away from the center of the column.

The hollow columns 13, which also can be called pylons, are shown as being designed conically, wherein the smaller cross-sectional opening 15 forms the free or bottom end and the larger cross-sectional opening 14 forms the top end of the particular column 13 which end is connected to the base plate 11. As shown, the column has a frustoconical shape between the top end 14 and the bottom end 15.

As shown in FIGS. 1-2, the column wall 13e may be optionally corrugated, example shown in 12, along the diameter of the column as it extends from the top end 14 to the bottom end 15 to define a central hollow area between the top and bottom openings of the body. The corrugated wall has a plurality of peaks 13c and alternating troughs 13d between each peak that are spaced apart over the diameter of the column. The peaks point inward towards the center of the column and have an innermost surface at each peak crest positioned nearest the column center. As shown, the peaks 13c have a rounded shape, the same as or similar to the alternating troughs. The troughs 13d point outward towards the exterior or the column and have an outermost surface at each trough bottom. Both the peaks and troughs of the column wall form the inner surface of the wall facing the column center.

The column can be stacked on another identical column in a mirror image relationship such that the bottom ends of the columns are detachably joined and aligned, for example, with a spacer element. When two hollow columns are stacked, the bottom ends, both having an opening, join to form a continuous hollow opening. As stacking is carried out, and in the case to increase height of the trenching system by forming multiple layers of drainage body surface units stacked on top of one another, forces act on the stacked columns and are transferred along the stack. Improving the stress points along the stack of columns is the purpose of this invention and exemplary embodiments are shows in the figures. For this purpose, a plurality of raised ribs are used along the wall of the column to provide structural strength and resistance to compressive and other forces during operation.

The inner surface of the column 13 wall is provided with one or more raised ribs 16 that extend the length of the column between the opening 14 in the base plate and the opposite free bottom end 15 that includes a second opening in register with the opening at the top of the column. The raised ribs 16 rise above the adjacent inner wall surface 13a such that the ribs extend inward, perpendicular to the length of the column, towards the central area of the column. As shown, column 13 can have a one or more or a plurality of raised ribs 16 positioned on the inner surface 13a. The ribs may be positioned along any portion of the inner surface of the column, for example, at the outermost surface of the inner surface of the column wall.

In one or more embodiments, one or more raised ribs 16 are arranged at the trough bottoms 13d of an inner surface 13a of a corrugated wall 13e. In the case the troughs 13d alternate with peaks 13c of the corrugated column wall, the raised ribs 16 are equally spaced apart from one another about the diameter of the column 13. FIG. 2 illustrates a plurality of raised ribs 16 at trough bottoms and extending linearly from the column opening at the top end in the base to the bottom end of the column opposite the top end. The raised ribs 16 may have a constant cross-section shape along the entire length or substantially the entire length of the rib. The raised ribs also may have a constant height along the entire length or substantially the entire length of the rib as shown.

In some embodiments, one or more raised ribs 16 may have one or more gussets 18. A gusset 18 is a reinforced area of the rib, suitable at one or both ends of the raised rib 16 and/or where the rib intersects another structural feature. The gussets 18 are areas of additional material that extend from the normal profile of the raised rib. Gussets may include material that extends inward to the column center above the top of the raised rib and/or material that extends on either side of the raised rib. In an example, the raised rib 16 may have a first and second gusset 18. The first and second gussets may be positioned at the ends of the raised rib, for instance, at the bottom end and top end of the rib.

FIG. 2 further shows that the plurality of raised ribs 16 having an optional gusset 18. The gusset 18 is positioned at the bottom end of the raised rib such that the gusset intersects the bottom end 15 of the column that includes a flange 15a arranged perpendicular to the column wall 13e. The gusset 18 extends inward towards the column center and above the top surface of the raised rib 16 to provide reinforcement to the column wall concentrated at the bottom end 15 of the column. When stacked with another column, the bottom ends of the columns are joined and subjected to forces during operation, for example, compression force. The selective placement of one or more gussets 18 at the bottom end of the column, in addition to the use of raised ribs 16 along the column wall as noted above, reduces the concentration of stress at the joint area of stacked columns thereby improving the longevity and stability of the trench system, which further reduces costs of repairs and maintenance.

The raised ribs 16 can have any suitable shape, for example, angular, semi-circular, rectangular, triangular, complex geometric shapes that incorporate multiple components of the same, etc. As shown, for instance in FIG. 3, the raised ribs have a semi-circular shape and extend inward toward the center of the column or central area from the inner surface of the column wall. The raised ribs extend along the inner surface of the column wall, either the entire length of the column wall or a select portion thereof as desired.

As the raised ribs extend inward from the inner surface of the column wall, a height of the rib is formed relative to the adjacent inner wall surface of the column and the peak 16a of the rib 16 or portion of the rib surface most inward to the column center, for example, as shown in FIG. 3. The raised ribs may have a height (H) of at least 0.5 millimeters (mm), at least 0.65 mm, at least 0.75 mm or at least 0.8 mm. In another example, the raised ribs may have a height in the range of 0.5 to 3 mm, 0.65 to 2.5 mm or 0.75 to 2 mm. The raised ribs may have a width (W) of at least 0.5 millimeters (mm), at least 0.65 mm, at least 0.75 mm or at least 0.8 mm. In another example, the raised ribs may have a width in the range of 0.5 to 5 mm, 0.75 to 4.5 mm or 1 to 4 mm. The width of the raised rib is measured from a first intersection with the column wall to the second intersection with the column wall, for example, as shown in FIG. 3. The one or more raised ribs are preferably molded with the corrugated column wall in a single step. Alternatively, the ribs can be adhered to the inner surface of a pre-formed column in a separate formation step.

As shown in FIG. 3, the raised rib 16 has a top end 16b that begins at the column opening 14 in base 11. The top end 16b of the raised rib 16a is flush with the base plate to form a flat surface for aligning with other drainage body surface units or positioning a structure on top of the drainage body surface unit. The raised rib has a constant cross-sectional shape that is semi-circular and is positioned at the bottom of a trough of the corrugated column wall. Extending in a straight line, the rib progresses down the column 13 at a desired distance and provides improved structural support along the column wall.

In another embodiment, FIG. 4 shows a groove 20 positioned on the outer surface 13b of column 13. As shown, the groove 20 is arranged on a trough bottom 13d of column wall 13e. A plurality of grooves 20 can be arranged on the outer surface of the column and are preferably equally spaced apart along the column outer diameter. The grooves may be positioned along any portion of the outer surface of the column, for example, at the outermost surface of the outer surface of the column wall as shown.

As the grooves extend inward from the outer surface of the column wall, a depth of the groove is formed relative to the adjacent outer wall surface of the column and the peak 20a of the groove 20 or portion of the groove surface most inward to the column center, for example, as shown in FIG. 4. The grooves may have a depth (D) of at least 0.5 millimeters (mm), at least 0.65 mm, at least 0.75 mm or at least 0.8 mm. In another example, the grooves may have a height in the range of 0.5 to 3 mm, 0.65 to 2.5 mm or 0.75 to 2 mm. The grooves may have a width (W) of at least 0.5 millimeters (mm), at least 0.65 mm, at least 0.75 mm or at least 0.8 mm. In another example, the grooves may have a width in the range of 0.5 to 5 mm, 0.75 to 4.5 mm or 1 to 4 mm. The width of the grooves is measured from a first intersection with the column wall to the second intersection with the column wall, for example, as shown in FIG. 4. In one or more embodiments, the raised ribs 16 can utilized with or without the grooves on the exterior of the column wall.

EXAMPLES

The following examples illustrate specific and exemplary embodiments and/or features of the embodiments of the present disclosure. The examples are provided solely for the purposes of illustration and should not be construed as limitations of the present disclosure. Numerous variations over these specific examples are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed embodiments.

Example 1

A finite element analysis (FEA) simulation was carried out to test stress rating of three different designs of stacked drainage body surface units subjected to vertical stress loads of 350 kPa and 455 kPa. The stresses and displacement results were compared between the three designs. The stacked drainage body surface units for FEA simulation are shown in FIG. 5. Two identical singular drainage body surface units are stacked together with the bottom end of each drainage body surface unit joined together. Force, represented by four arrows in FIG. 5, is applied to the top base plate of a first drainage body surface unit as shown while the second drainage body surface unit, positioned below the first drainage body surface unit, has a fully constrained bottom surface below its base plate.

As a baseline, Design A of a drainage body surface unit, as shown in FIG. 6, was used for FEA simulation. Design A is similar to the drainage body surface unit of FIGS. 1-3 except that Design A excluded any use of a raised rib.

Design B of a drainage body surface unit, as shown FIGS. 2-4, included a plurality of raised ribs in the bottom troughs on the inner surface of the corrugated column wall and a plurality of grooves on the troughs of the outer surface of the corrugated column wall. The raised ribs and grooves extended linearly from the top end to the bottom end of the column. Each raised rib was 1.15 mm in height. The raised ribs of Design B did not include a gusset.

Lastly, Design C included a drainage body surface unit as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The drainage body surface unit of Design C included raised ribs having a gusset at the bottom end of the column wall. Each raised rib was 0.99 mm in height. Design C did not include any grooves on the outer surface of the column.

Table 1 below includes the FEA results of an application of a vertical stress load of 350 kPa and 455 kPa to the drainage body surface units.

TABLE 1
Force Applied	Measurement	Design A	Design B	Design C
350 kPa	Vertical	7.07	6.80	6.85
	Displacement
	(mm)
	Peak Stress	37.01	40.14	32.49
	(MPa)
455 kPa	Vertical	10.15	9.86	9.93
	Displacement
	(mm)
	Peak Stress	48.20	50.53	42.21
	(MPa)

As seen in Table 1, at an applied 350 kPa load, Designs B and C resulted in a lower vertical displacement as compared to Design A having no raised ribs. More specifically, Designs B and C respectively exhibited a 3.8% and 3.1% reduction in vertical displacement as compared to Design A. Regarding peak stress under compression of a 350 kPa load, Design C resulted in a lower peak stress as compared to Designs A and B. Design C exhibited a 12.2% reduction in peak stress as compared to Design A.

At an applied 455 kPa load, Designs B and C resulted in a lower vertical displacement as compared to Design A having no raised ribs. More specifically, Designs B and C respectively exhibited a 2.9% and 2.2% reduction in vertical displacement as compared to Design A. Regarding peak stress under compression of a 350 kPa load, Design C resulted in a lower peak stress as compared to Designs A and B. Design C exhibited a 12.4% reduction in peak stress as compared to Design A.

While various aspects and embodiments of the compositions and methods have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the claims.

Claims

1. A drainage body surface unit comprising: a. a base;b. a column comprising a top end and a bottom end, the column comprises an opening in the base and an inner surface extending between the top end to the bottom end of the column;wherein the inner surface of the column comprises one or more raised ribs extending along a portion of the inner surface of the column.

2. The drainage body surface unit of claim 1, wherein the column has a frustoconical shape.

3. The drainage body surface unit of claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the column comprises a corrugated shape and the one or more raised ribs extends from the top end to the bottom end of the column.

4. The drainage body surface unit of claim 3, wherein the corrugated shape of the inner surface of the column comprises a plurality of spaced apart peaks that extend inward towards the center of the column.

5. The drainage body surface unit of claim 4, wherein each of the one or more raised ribs are positioned between a first peak and a second peak of the plurality of peaks of the inner surface of the column.

6. The drainage body surface unit of claim 4, wherein each of the one or more raised ribs are positioned adjacent at least one peak of the plurality of spaced apart peaks.

7. The drainage body surface unit of claim 3, wherein the corrugated shape of the inner surface of the column comprises one or more troughs that extend outwards from the center of the column.

8. The drainage body surface unit of claim 7, wherein one or more of the raised ribs is positioned in the one or more troughs of the inner surface of the column.

9. The drainage body surface unit of claim 1, wherein the one or more raised ribs is a plurality of raised ribs that are equally spaced apart on the inner surface of the column.

10. The drainage body surface unit of claim 1, wherein the one or more raised ribs comprise a height of at least 0.5 mm.

11. The drainage body surface unit of claim 1, wherein the one or more raised ribs comprise a height in the range of 0.5 mm to 3 mm.

12. The drainage body surface unit of claim 1, wherein one or more of the raised ribs comprises a gusset.

13. The drainage body surface unit of claim 12, wherein the gusset is integrally formed from the at least one raised rib.

14. The drainage body surface unit of claim 12, wherein the gusset is positioned at one end of the one or more raised ribs.

15. The drainage body surface unit of claim 1, wherein the drainage body surface unit is arranged in a trenching system with a second drainage body surface unit.

16. The drainage body surface unit of claim 1, wherein the drainage body surface unit is stacked on a second drainage body surface unit.

17. A drainage body surface unit comprising a base connected to a first end of a conical shaped column, and the conical shaped column comprising an opening centered in the base and the column extends perpendicular from the base to form a central area defined by a wall of the column, wherein the wall of the column is corrugated and comprises one or more raised ribs extending from the opening of the column to an opposite end of the wall of the column.

18. The drainage body surface unit of claim 17, wherein the one or more raised ribs extend inward from an inner surface of the wall towards the center of the conical column.

19. The drainage body surface unit of claim 17, wherein the one or more raised ribs have a substantially constant maximum height, the height being in the range of 0.5 mm to 3 mm.

20. The drainage body surface unit of claim 17, wherein the one or more raised ribs comprises a gusset formed on the raised rib at an end opposite the opening of the conical column.