The disclosure relates to a micropile connection, and more particularly to a micropile connection for supporting a generally vertical pile for a support system.
Support structure installations may require vertically driven piles, which must be driven into the ground to a required depth to provide sufficient support. For example, solar farms that include large arrays of solar panels require a correspondingly large number of piles that must be driven to a required depth at precise locations.
Often, a pile 100 is partially driven to a required depth but then hits an obstruction, or impediment, resulting in a refusal. A refusal refers to an inability for the pile 100 (or beam) to reach a desired depth to maintain stability of a support structure. The obstruction or impediment (e.g., compacted substrates, rocks, foreign objects, etc.) impedes driving the pile 100 (or beam) to the desired depth. In such circumstances, the pile 100 usually cannot be moved to a different location when large integrated equipment is being installed. Accordingly, some installers remove the pile 100, drill through the obstruction, replace the pile 100, and pour concrete around the installed pile 100. Such a process is slow and expensive. Further, such concerns about refusals may deter installation of the large integrated equipment in advantageous locations if a significant number of rocks or similar impediments exist below the ground surface.
No admission is made that any reference cited herein constitutes prior art. Applicant expressly reserves the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinency of any cited documents.
Disclosed is a micropile connection for supporting a vertical pile for a support system. The micropile connection includes a base and two micropile sleeves attached thereto. The two micropile sleeves are configured to direct micropiles from opposing sides of the base across the base, such that the two micropiles cross through a vertical plane intersecting the base and between lateral edges of the base. The micropile connection is compact and easily attached to the pile, thereby resulting in mounting micropiles to the pile for additional support. Use of the micropile connection may decrease the time and expense associated with rectifying refusals.
One embodiment is directed to a micropile connection for supporting a vertical pile. The micropile connection includes a base comprising an upper edge, a lower edge, a left edge, and a right edge. The micropile connection further includes a first micropile sleeve comprising a first inlet, a first outlet, and a first outer surface extending therebetween. At least a portion of the first outer surface is attached to the base such that the first inlet is positioned toward the upper edge and the left edge of the base. The micropile connection further includes a second micropile sleeve comprising a second inlet, a second outlet, and a second outer surface extending therebetween. At least a portion of the second outer surface is attached to the base such that the second inlet is positioned toward the upper edge and the right edge of the base. The first micropile sleeve is configured to direct a first micropile inserted into the first inlet from the left edge across the base toward the right edge. The second micropile sleeve is configured to direct a second micropile inserted into the second inlet from the right edge across the base toward the left edge.
Another embodiment is directed to a beam support system. The beam support system includes a pile extending along a beam axis. The beam support system further includes at least one micropile connection attached to the pile. Each micropile connection includes a base comprising an upper edge, a lower edge, a left edge, and a right edge. Each micropile connection further includes a first micropile sleeve comprising a first inlet, a first outlet, and a first outer surface extending therebetween. At least a portion of the first outer surface is attached to the base such that the first inlet is positioned toward the upper edge and the left edge of the base. Each micropile connection further includes a second micropile sleeve comprising a second inlet, a second outlet, and a second outer surface extending therebetween. At least a portion of the second outer surface is attached to the base such that the second inlet is positioned toward the upper edge and the right edge of the base. The beam support system further includes a first micropile positioned within the first micropile sleeve of each of the at least one micropile connection and extending from the left edge across the base toward the right edge. The beam support system further includes a second micropile positioned within the second micropile sleeve of each of the at least one micropile connection and extending from the right edge across the base toward the left edge.
Another embodiment is directed to a method for forming a beam support system. The method includes positioning a pile vertically to a ground, the pile extending along a beam axis. The method further includes attaching a base of at least one micropile connection to the pile. The method further includes inserting a first micropile at a left edge of the base through a first inlet and a first outlet of a first micropile sleeve of each of the at least one micropile connection. At least a portion of a first outer surface is attached to the base such that the first inlet is positioned toward the upper edge and the left edge of the base. The method further includes inserting a second micropile at a right edge of the base through a second inlet and a second outlet of a second micropile sleeve of each of the at least one micropile connection. At least a portion of a second outer surface is attached to the base such that the second inlet is positioned toward the upper edge and the right edge of the base.
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.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the claims. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiment(s), and together with the description, serve to explain principles and operation of the various embodiments.
Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
Terms such as “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “horizontal,” “parallel,” “perpendicular,” “vertical,” “lateral,” “coplanar,” and similar terms are used for convenience of describing the attached figures and are not intended to limit this description. For example, terms such as “left side” and “right side” are used with specific reference to the drawings as illustrated, and the embodiments may be in other orientations in use. Further, as used herein, terms such as “horizontal,” “parallel,” “perpendicular,” “vertical,” “lateral,” etc., include slight variations that may be present in working examples.
It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element, or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including” when used herein specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
As noted above, “refusal” refers to an inability for a pile or beam to reach a desired depth to maintain stability of a structure, such as by an obstruction or impediment (e.g., compacted substrates, rocks, foreign objects, etc.) that impedes driving the pile or beam to the desired depth.
Disclosed is a micropile connection for supporting a vertical pile for a support system (e.g., for refusals). In certain embodiments, the micropile connection and/or support system uses minimal hand-held equipment and/or no excavation or removal of excavated soil. In certain embodiments, the micropile connection and/or support system is adaptable to any terrain and applicable in soils of sand, silt clay, fine gravel, etc. In certain embodiments, the micropile connection and/or support system can reduce design time, construction time, and/or total installation costs.
The base 300 defines a vertical plane YZ extending between the upper edge 302 and the lower edge 304. The vertical plane YZ is generally located in a center of the base 300 between the left edge 306A and the right edge 306B. Further, the vertical plane YZ is generally perpendicular to the base 300 (e.g., perpendicular to the upper edge 302 and the lower edge 304). The first micropile sleeve 308A is configured to direct a first micropile 208 inserted into the first inlet 310A from the left edge 306A across the base 300 (e.g., through the vertical plane YZ toward the right edge 306B. The second micropile sleeve 308B is configured to direct a second micropile 208 inserted into the second inlet 310B from the right edge 306B across the base 300 (e.g., through the vertical plane YZ) toward the left edge 306A.
The configuration of the first and second micropile sleeves 308A, 308B directs micropiles 208 past each other (e.g., crossing each other in the vertical plane YZ from a front view). This is advantageous as it orients the first and second outlets 312A, 312B at the side edges 306A, 306B of the base 300 to provide sufficient clearance to drive the micropiles 208 through the first and second micropile sleeves 308A, 308B, especially when the micropiles 208 are also directed away from the base 300.
In certain embodiments, the base 300 is a base plate such that the base 300 is planar and rectangular, such as with a width of less than 8 inches and a height of less than 10 inches. In other embodiments, the base 300 has a different shape and/or surface contour (e.g., curvature), such as to mount to a pile 100 with a circular cross-section. In certain embodiments, the base 300 includes at least two apertures 316 (e.g., holes or slots) for mounting the micropile connection 202 to the pile 100. The micropile connection 202 includes a first wedge 318A attaching the first micropile sleeve 308A to the base 300 and a second wedge 318B attaching the second micropile sleeve 308B to the base 300. The micropile sleeves 308A, 308B have a square cross-section, but other cross-sections may be used. For example, in other embodiments, the micropile sleeves 308A, 308B have a rectangular cross-section or a circular cross-section.
In certain embodiments, the first micropile sleeve 308A is a different distance from the upper edge 302 of the base 300 than the second micropile sleeve 308B. In particular, the first inlet 310A of the first micropile sleeve 308A is closer to the upper edge 302 of the base 300 than the second inlet 310B of the second micropile sleeve 308B. In certain embodiments, the second micropile sleeve 308B is a different distance from the lower edge 304 of the base 300 than the first micropile sleeve 308B. In particular, the second outlet 312B of the second micropile sleeve 308B is closer to the lower edge 304 of the base 300 than the first outlet 312A of the first micropile sleeve 308A.
As noted above, the base 300 defines a vertical plane YZ extending between the upper edge 302 and the lower edge 304. The first micropile sleeve 308A defines an axis A extending between the first inlet 310A and the first outlet 312A, and the second micropile sleeve 308B defines an axis B extending between the second inlet 310B and the second outlet 312B. The axis A of the first micropile sleeve 308A is angled relative to the vertical plane YZ to a same degree and in an opposite direction as the axis B of the second micropile sleeve 308B. In certain embodiments, the first micropile sleeve 308A and the second micropile sleeve 308B are angled about 30 degrees relative to the vertical plane V. In such a configuration, the micropiles 208 are then driven into the ground at a 60-degree angle relative to the ground.
Each of the first micropile sleeve 308A and the second micropile sleeve 308B are angled relative to a front surface 320 of the base 300. In particular, the first micropile sleeve 308A and the second micropile sleeve 308B are angled at different angles relative to a front surface 320 of the base 300. The vertical plane YZ is generally perpendicular to the front surface 320 of the base 300. In certain embodiments, the first micropile sleeve 308A is angled between 25 and 28 degrees relative to the front surface 320 of the base 300, and/or the second micropile sleeve 308B is angled between 22 and 25 degrees relative to the front surface 320 of the base 300. The first micropile sleeve 308A is configured to direct the first micropile 100 over the second micropile sleeve 308B.
The first micropile sleeve 308A and the second micropile sleeve 308B are angled by the first wedge 318A and the second wedge 318B. In certain embodiments, the first wedge 318A is welded to the first micropile sleeve 308A and the base 300, and the second wedge 318B is welded to the second micropile sleeve 308B and the base 300.
The first wedge 318A is configured to offset the first inlet 310A of the first micropile sleeve 308A from the front surface 320 of the base 300 to provide clearance for driving a first micropile 100 through the first micropile sleeve 308A. The second wedge 318B is configured to offset the second inlet 310B of the second micropile sleeve 308B from the front surface 320 of the base 300 to provide clearance for driving the second micropile 100 through the second micropile sleeve 308B. In certain embodiments, an offset of the first inlet 310A from the front surface 320 is different from an offset of the second inlet 310B from the front surface 320. In such a configuration the micropile sleeves 308A, 308B are configured such that the second micropile 100 is positioned between the base 300 and the first micropile 100.
Relative to the base 300, the first and second micropile sleeves 308A, 308B are rotated in two dimensions. In particular, the first and second micropile sleeves are rotated within an XY plane defined by the base 300 (i.e., around a z-axis through a thickness of the base 300) and rotated within a YZ plane (i.e., around an x-axis extending through the left edge 306A and right edge 306B of the base 300). This directs the micropiles 208 outward from the pile 100.
The offset positioning of the first and second micropile sleeves 308A, 308B relative to the base 300, the orientation of the first and second micropile sleeves 308A, 308B relative to the upper edge 302 and the left and right edges 306A, 306B, and/or the rotation of the first and second micropile sleeves 308A, 308B relative to the base 300 result in a compact and effective design for securing micropiles 208 to a pile 100.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
As noted above, the inlet offset of the inlet edges 400A, 400B provide sufficient clearance for driving the micropiles 208 into the first and second micropile sleeves 308A, 308B.
Each micropile connection 202 also includes a first micropile sleeve 308A comprising a first inlet 310A, a first outlet 312A, and a first outer surface 314A extending therebetween (see
Although one set of micropiles 208A(1), 208B(1) is illustrated, it is noted that a second micropile connection 202 with a second set of micropiles 208 could also be used. In particular, in certain embodiments, at least one micropile connection 202 includes a first micropile connection 202 attached to a first side 206(1) of a pile 100 and a second micropile connection 202 attached to a second side 206(2) of the pile 100.
As noted above, in certain embodiments, the pile 100 includes structural steel (e.g., circular tubing, rectangular tubing, square tubing, I-Beam, W-Beam, or C channel).
Step 606 includes inserting a first micropile 208A at a left edge 306A of the base 300 through a first inlet 310A and a first outlet 312A of a first micropile sleeve 308A of the at least one micropile connection 202. At least a portion of a first outer surface 314A is attached to the base 300 such that the first inlet 310A is positioned toward the upper edge 302 and the left edge 306A of the base 300.
Step 608 includes inserting a second micropile 208B at a right edge 306B of the base 300 through a second inlet 310B and a second outlet 312B of a second micropile sleeve 308B of the at least one micropile connection 202. At least a portion of a second outer surface 314B is attached to the base 300 such that the second inlet 310B is positioned toward the upper edge 302 and the right edge 306B of the base 300.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.
Many modifications and other embodiments of the embodiments set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the embodiments pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the description and claims are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. It is intended that the embodiments cover the modifications and variations of the embodiments provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/125,264 entitled “MICROPILE CONNECTION FOR SUPPORTING A VERTICAL PILE,” filed on Dec. 14, 2020, which is incorporated hereby by reference in its entirety.
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