This disclosure generally pertains to pile couplings for helical piles or torqued in piles and more specifically to a pile coupling that is configured to better distribute applied torsional loads in use.
Helical or torqued in piles are used in various aspects of construction in order to establish compression or tension resistance in a supporting medium (e.g. soil, rock, etc.). Helical piles, for example, have a helical fighting on a first pile section defined by a pile shaft that is contacted to a surface of the supporting medium. Upon rotation, the helical fighting pulls the first pile section into the supporting medium. After the first pile section has reached a certain depth, a second pile section having a welded or forged coupling, is attached to the first pile section using at least one bolt through formed holes. Rotation of the second pile section applies a torque to the first pile section to continue the rotation and drive the helical pile to a greater depth in the supporting medium. Subsequent pile sections may be sequentially attached to enable the pile to reach a predetermined depth.
Conventional pile couplings are forged or welded to one end of the pile shaft and often are inserted into the second pile section within or around the first pile section and then fastened to the previous pile section together by inserting one or more pins through side holes formed in the pile coupling and the first pile section. Unfortunately, the applied torque that is produced during helical pile installation is significant and will cause elongation in the side holes. Further, the torque transfer depends on the weld at the coupling and weld failure is a recurrent problem. Some known pile couplings incorporate an additional forged end which is provided in order to help transfer the torsion load, but this latter feature is expensive to incorporate and involves additional welding. As a result, an improved pile coupling is therefore desired.
A pile coupling that would transfer a large portion of the torsional load directly down the pile shaft would advantageous, thereby resisting the torque that is to be resisted by the pins alone.
Therefore and according to a first aspect, there is provided a pile assembly comprising a first pile section defined by a first end that is configured for engaging a supporting medium and an opposing second end. A second pile section has a first end engageable with the second end of the first pile section, each of the first and second pile sections having mating end fittings that create an interlocking fit. The pile assembly further includes a sleeve sized to overlay the first and second engaged ends of the first and second pile sections, the sleeve having at least one through hole aligned with at least one corresponding through hole of the first pile section, the at least one through hole being sized for receiving a fastener for securing the sleeve to the first pile section.
According to another aspect, there is provided a pile comprising a first pile section defined by a first end that is configured for engaging a supporting medium and an opposing second end and a second pile section having a first end engageable with the second end of the first pile section. A sleeve is sized to overlay the first and second engaged ends of the first and second pile sections, the sleeve having at least one through hole aligned with at least one corresponding through hole of the first pile section, the at least one through hole being sized for receiving a fastener for securing the sleeve to the first pile section and in which the sleeve is defined by a pair of sleeve sections, each sleeve section having a mated fitting at one end that creates an interlocking fit when the sleeve sections are engaged with one another.
In each of the above, the mated fittings are defined so as to create an interlocking fit between the pile sections or between the sleeve portions, thereby more effectively distributing an applied torsional load.
An advantage realized is that the herein described pile enables greater distribution of an applied torsional load between engaged pile sections, particularly on the fasteners of the pile coupling, thereby ensuring greater reliability and fewer failures or delays.
These and other embodiments, features and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art when taken in reference to the following more detailed description of various embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings that are first briefly described.
The accompanying drawings illustrate presently preferred embodiments of the invention and together with the general description give above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the salient features of the invention.
The following discussion relates to a torqued in pile in accordance with certain embodiments. However, the inventive concepts are effective whether the pile is a helical pile having fighting, a bored in pile or a torqued down pile. As shown in
According to this embodiment, the proximal end 108 further comprises at least one through hole 116 that extends through the diameter of the first pile section 102. More specifically and according to this embodiment, two sets of through-holes 116 are present in spaced relation proximate the proximal end 108 of the first pile section 102.
As shown in
In operation and when a torque is applied to the coupled pile assembly 100, the torsional load is adequately supported by the bolt(s), the weld(s) 204, as well as the mated pile sections 102, 114 due to the inclusion of the sleeve 200 and the interlocking fit created by the mated fittings 110, 112.
The interlocking configuration between the first and second pile sections 102, 114 provides additional strength and enables better distribution of torsional loads during the pile installation, as shown in the end view of
Other embodiments that embody the inventive concepts are possible. A second embodiment is described with reference to
The second sleeve portion 406 has a corresponding mated fitting 408 that engages the mated fitting 404 defined on the engaged end of the first sleeve portion 401 and creates an interlocking fit therebetween, in a manner akin to that between the first and second pile sections 102, 114 of the prior embodiment. Preferably, the mated fittings 404, 408 are defined by precision cuts monothically made in the circumference at the engaged ends of each sleeve portion 401, 406. In terms of the cuts made, the shape of irregularity of the mated fittings may be varied, with the intent of the formed connection being to transfer torque and relieve the fasteners of the majority of the stress created during installation of the pile as a result of the interlocking fit. The second and first sleeve portions 406, 401 are attached to the first pile section 102 and second pile section 114, respectively, by welds. In operation, the interlocking sleeve portions 401, 406 act to better distribute the torsional load applied to the pile sections.
It will be readily apparent that other variations and modification are possible within the inventive ambits of the present invention, and in accordance with the following claims. For example, the pile sections of the first embodiment could be used in concert with the interlocking sleeve portions according to the embodiment according to
This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 62/112,952, filed Feb. 6, 2015, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62112952 | Feb 2015 | US |