Grout pack restraining system

Abstract

The invention provides a grout pack restraining system, comprising a plurality of elongate elements shaped to extend about a grout pack and which are characterized in that they are configured to control circumferential expansion of the grout pack beyond the expansion permitted through material yield of the elements. In one embodiment the rings of different diameter are secured about the grout pack. In a further embodiment the rings are configured to be circumferentially expandable are secured about the grout pack.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a first embodiment of a grout pack restraining system;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of part of the grout pack restraining system in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of a fastener used in the grout pack restraining system in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation of the fastener in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a further side elevation of the fastener in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of the grout pack restraining system in FIG. 1 in use;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation of the grout pack restraining system in FIG. 1 in use;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation of a fastener used in the grout pack restraining system in FIG. 1 in an alternate arrangement;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation of second embodiments of a fastener for use in a grout pack restraining system;

FIG. 10 is a side elevation of third embodiments of a fastener for use in a grout pack restraining system;

FIG. 11 is a side elevation of fourth embodiments of a fastener for use in a grout pack restraining system;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of a grout pack restraining system;

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of a third embodiment of a grout pack restraining system;

FIG. 14 is a isometric view of part of the grout pack restraining system in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of a fourth embodiment of a grout pack restraining system;

FIG. 16 is a sectional end view of part of the grout pack restraining system in FIG. 15;

FIGS. 17 to 19 are side elevations of part of the grout pack restraining system in FIG. 15 moving from an unyielded to a fully yielded condition;

FIG. 20 is a top plan view of the grout pack restraining system in FIG. 15 in a fully yielded condition;

FIG. 21 is a side elevation of the grout pack restraining system in FIG. 15 in use;

FIG. 22 is a side elevation of the grout pack restraining system in FIG. 15 in use in a second configuration;

FIG. 23 is a side elevation of the grout pack restraining system in FIG. 15 in use in a third configuration;

FIG. 24 is a top plan view of a fifth embodiment of a grout pack restraining system;

FIG. 25 is a isometric view of part of the grout pack restraining system in FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a top plan view of a sixth embodiment of a grout pack restraining system;

FIG. 27 is a isometric view of part of the grout pack restraining system in FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is a part sectional side elevation of an alternate collar for use in the grout pack restraining system in FIG. 15;

FIG. 29 shows side elevations of the collars in FIG. 29 in use moving from an unyielded to a fully yielded condition;

FIG. 30 is a side elevation of an elongate element for use in a seventh embodiment of a grout pack restraining system;

FIG. 31 is a side elevation of part of the elongate element in FIG. 30 moving from an unyielded to a fully yielded condition;

FIG. 32 is a top plan view of a seventh embodiment of a grout pack restraining system;

FIG. 33 is a side elevation of part of the grout pack restraining system in FIG. 32;

FIG. 34 is a side elevation of the grout pack restraining system in FIG. 32 in use;

FIG. 35 is a side elevation of the grout pack restraining system in FIG. 32 in use in a second configuration;

FIG. 36 is a side elevation of the grout pack restraining system in FIG. 32 in use in a third configuration;

FIG. 37 is a side elevation of the grout pack restraining system in FIG. 32 in use in a fourth configuration;

FIG. 38 is a side elevation of the grout pack restraining system in FIG. 32 in use in a fifth configuration;

FIG. 39 is a side elevation of an elongate element for use in an eighth embodiment of a grout pack restraining system;

FIG. 40 is a top plan view of an eighth embodiment of a grout pack restraining system;

FIG. 41 side elevation of part of the grout pack restraining system in FIG. 41; and

FIG. 42 is a side elevation of an elongate element for use in a ninth embodiment of a grout pack restraining system.

Claims

1. A grout pack restraining system, comprising a plurality of elongate elements shaped to extend about a grout pack, wherein the elements are configured to control circumferential expansion of the grout pack beyond the expansion permitted through material yield of the elements.

2. The grout pack restraining system according to claim 1, wherein the elongate elements are configured to include rings of at least a first diameter and a second diameter, the first diameter being smaller than the second and selected to provide restraint in an unyielded condition.

3. The grout pack restraining system according to claim 2, wherein the rings are concentric.

4. The grout pack restraining system according to claim 3, wherein the rings of the second diameter are secured to the rings of the first diameter.

5. The grout pack restraining system according to claim 2, wherein the rings have a helical configuration.

6. The grout pack restraining system according to claim 1, wherein the elongate elements include rings configured to have a diameter which can be increased under predetermined radial force.

7. The grout pack restraining system according to claim 6, wherein a ring has overlapping ends with at least one collar to the provided over the overlapping ends to provide frictional resistance to relative movement of the overlapping ends.

8. The grout pack restraining system according to claim 7, wherein a collar is provided adjacent each end.

9. The grout pack restraining system according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the or each collar is a ferrule.

10. The grout pack restraining system according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein each collar is a chain link arranged with its longitudinal axis inclined to that of the elongate element.

11. The grout pack restraining system according to claim 6, wherein the elongate element of a ring is non-linear.

12. The grout pack restraining system according to claim 11, wherein there is at least one undulation in the elongate element.

13. The grout pack restraining system according to claim 11, wherein there is at least one loop in the elongate element.

14. An element for a grout pack restraining system, wherein the element being shaped to extend about a grout pack and wherein the element is configured to control circumferential expansion of the grout pack beyond the expansion permitted through material yield thereof.

15. The element according to claim 14, wherein the element is configured to include rings of at least a first diameter and a second diameter, the first diameter being smaller than the second and selected to provide restraint in an unyielded condition.

16. The element according to claim 15, wherein the rings to have a helical configuration.

17. The element according to claim 15, wherein the rings are concentric.

18. The element according to claim 17, wherein the ring of the second diameter is secured to the ring of the first diameter.

19. The element according to claim 14, wherein the element includes a ring configured to have a diameter which can be increased under predetermined radial force.

20. The element according to claim 19, wherein the ring has overlapping ends.

21. The element according to claim 20, wherein at least one collar is provided over the overlapping ends to provide frictional resistance to relative movement of the overlapping ends.

22. The element according to claim 21, wherein a collar is provided at each end.

23. The element according to claim 22, wherein the collar is a ferrule.

24. The element according to claim 22, wherein the collar is a chain link with its longitudinal axis inclined to that of the element.

25. The element according to claim 19, wherein the ring is non-linear.

26. The element according to claim 25, wherein there is at least one undulation in the ring.

27. The element according to claim 25, wherein there is at least one loop in the ring.

28. A method of restraining a grout pack, comprising securing about the grout pack a plurality of elongate elements which are configured to control circumferential expansion of the grout pack beyond the expansion permitted through material yield of the elements.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein rings of at least a first diameter and a second diameter are secured about the grout pack, those of the first diameter being smaller than those of the second diameter.

30. The method according to claim 28, wherein the elongate elements in the form of rings configured to have a diameter which can be increased under predetermined radial force are secured about the grout pack.