JOINT FOR REINFORCED CONCRETE PILE SECTIONS
The invention relates to providing a stiff pile splice (2a, 2b) between driven reinforced concrete piles (1a, 1b) to join them together end-to-end, with the ends of both reinforced concrete piles (1a, 1b) to be joined having an end surface. The connecting means consist of lock rods (5a, 5b) provided with crosswise holes (6a, 6b), cylindrical lock sockets (7a, 7b) provided with a crosswise through-hole (23) to which tube-like parts (8a, 8b, 9a and 9b) and the locking pins (10a) are attached. A pair of splices consists of two similar splicing pieces. The splicing piece is installed to the end of the concrete pile in connection with casting. In order to reduce the cost of manufacture and materials of the splicing pieces and to achieve reliability in operation, they are made by machining or welding. Preferably, the hole (6) in the lock rod and the hole (19a) of the crosswise tunnel (9) extending through the lock socket have an eccentric disposition relative to each other.
The present invention relates to a stiff pile splice for concrete pilings. The concrete pile comprises
-
- a square base to which the fastening components consisting of protruding lock rods and opposing lock sockets featuring cavities intended for the insertion of the lock rods;
- connecting means featuring the required crosswise holes and a locator tube for the insertion of the locking pin;
- a locking pin penetrating into a tunnel formed by the tubes and pressing the lock socket and lock rod against each other while pre-tensioning the pile splice and being locked permanently in position as a result of the outer edge of the tube being bent over the locking pin.
In a stiff pile splice, the connecting ends of driven reinforced concrete piles feature box-like or plate-like parts to which the locking means are attached. The locking means consist of protruding pins and sleeves inside the box, both of which have a suitable hole to which an expansion locking pin is driven, and of at least a second flat connecting means placed crosswise relative to the longitudinal direction of the piles extending, at the joint, inside each other in the longitudinal direction of the piles being positioned in opposite positions substantially aligned providing a splicing point where these holes of said connecting means are aligned, and crosswise locking pins extending across the connecting means. The locking means pre-tensions the splice tightly together allowing it to withstand forces acting on it from all directions.
STATE OF THE ARTA number of solutions have been proposed for splicing reinforced concrete piles. A common method of splicing piles is to provide the ends of the piles to be joined together with four longitudinal locator and locking pins with crosswise holes or grooves that are inserted into the corresponding recesses in the opposing pile ends after the piles have been placed on top of each other in order to be spliced. The pile splice is locked in position by driving locking pins or keys from the side through the crosswise holes or grooves positioned at the corresponding positions at the pile ends. This method of joining piles together has, however, proved to be complicated to manufacture and it is difficult to make it fit accurately because of the variations in the dimensions of the base plates. Additionally, a problem with all known pile splices is to how to manage to position the splicing half squarely on top of the pile in connection with casting because they can only be locked to the splice casting chute at two corners provided with protruding male locking means. This type of splices varies very much in detail. However, they exhibit numerous drawbacks. First, the structure of known joints is complicated, expensive to manufacture and unreliable in service. Second, both the lock socket and lock rod must be made of solid steel by machining, which results in considerable wastage of raw material and makes the final product heavy and expensive. Additionally, the lock socket is a closed construction easily penetrated by water which then freezes at sub-zero temperatures, meaning that pile splicing cannot be carried out. The removal of ice is highly complicated in pile-driving conditions. Because the type of pile splices described above have proved to be extremely complicated in practical applications, attempts have also been made to develop a range of connecting means for joining reinforced concrete piles together.
Purpose of the InventionThe purpose of the present invention is to provide a simpler stiff pile splice for use in reinforced concrete piles by eliminating the drawbacks exhibited by known similar splices. More specifically, the invention seeks to provide a stiff pile splice with low cost of materials and labour in production. Another purpose of the invention is to provide a pile splice with a locking system that is not loosened even by a large number of impacts. Still a further objective of the invention is to provide a pile splicing solution to whose locking means reinforcement can be threaded or welded, and to provide a locking joint that can be fixed to the casting chute at all the four corners thanks to parallel crosswise holes extending all the way across the structure.
Characteristics of the InventionIn a concrete pile splice in accordance with the invention,
-
- the locking means are provided with suitable crosswise locator tube perforation to permit the locking pin being driven into the tube-like tunnel of the locking joint to press the lock rod and lock socket firmly against each other;
- the lock sockets are interconnected with tube-like parts;
- the locking pin is round in cross-section;
- and the locking pin is capable of being driven into the tube-like tunnel from the side.
The purposes of the invention are achieved with a pile splice in which the locking means are provided with a suitable crosswise hole permitting the locking pin being drive home into a tube-like tunnel to enable the splice withstand forces acting on it from all directions. The locking pin is locked in position by bending the wall of the tube-like part over the conical part of the locking pin.
The pile splice in accordance with the invention offers a number of benefits. Thanks to simple construction, substantial savings are achieved in the cost of materials and labour. As a result, a non-loosening locked splice is accomplished even after a large number of impacts. At the same time, this construction prevents the problems caused by water freezing in the lock socket on the pile-driving site when piles are spliced. Additionally, the invention provides a locked splice that does not have to be anchored in the base plate using load-bearing welds.
In one embodiment of the invention,
-
- the locking pin is round with no shoulders and conical in shape at both ends, so that the cross section is identical with that of the crosswise holes substantially in the lock components;
- the tube-like parts in the splice form a crosswise tunnel in the pile serving as casting formwork and as an access route for the locking pin;
- the crosswise tubes in the splice are positioned in the lock rod in such a way that they pre-tension the splice as a result of the deflection of the locking pin.
The round, shoulderless locking pin may be conical at one end only.
In a second embodiment of the invention
-
- the first piece to be joined consists of a reinforced concrete pile with the connecting means at its end consisting of a round protrusion (qty 1-8) with a round through-hole such that the other piece to be joined is a rock point with connecting means compatible with the splicing means in terms of cross section;
- the connecting means of the reinforced concrete pile and the rock point are interlocked with a locking pin supported on the connecting means placed eccentrically at the distance required for pre-tensioning.
The locking pin can also be locked later by bending the wall of the protective tube over the pin end to prevent it from being dislodged.
The invention is explained in detail in the figures included in the attached drawings. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments illustrated by the examples shown in the figures.
List of FiguresIn
In the splice between reinforced concrete piles 1a and 1b shown in
In
In
It is obvious to a professional trained in the art that the various embodiments of the invention may vary within the limits defined by the scope of protection provided by the claims.
REFERENCE NUMBERS
- 1 reinforced concrete pile
- 2 splicing half
- 3 base plate
- 4 reinforcement bar (tie bar)
- 5 lock rod
- 5c lock rod bevel
- 6 lock rod crosswise hole
- 7 lock socket
- 8 outer locate tube
- 9 locator tube between lock sockets
- 10 locking pin
- 10c locking pin bevel
- 11 base plate holes for lock rod
- 12 edge collar
- 13 base plate holes for lock socket
- 14 lock rod shoulder
- 15 centre line of lock rod crosswise hole from shoulder
- 16 lock socket protective cap
- 17 protective tube cap
- 18a distance between locator tubes in lock socket
- 18b lock rod diameter
- 19 lock rod bevel
- 19a tunnel opening for locking pin
- 20 protective tube locking bend
- 21 groove in concrete to facilitate tube wall bending
- 22 lock socket inner cavity
- 23 diameter of lock socket crosswise hole
- 24 lock socket base
- 25 sleeve
- 26 notch
- 27 hole
- 28 weld
- 29 surface texture
- 30 retaining spring
Claims
1. A joint for a concrete pile section comprising:
- a first end plate for connecting to the concrete pile;
- a plurality of spaced apart lock rods extending substantially perpendicular to the first end plate;
- a plurality of spaced apart lock sockets extending substantially perpendicular to the first end plate, wherein each of the plurality of lock sockets has a cavity-forming sleeve with a shoulder portion cut into at least part of the end of the sleeve and axially-aligned crosswise through-holes on opposite walls of the sleeve, wherein the shoulder portion attaches to the first end plate such that the axis of the crosswise through-holes is eccentrically offset in the socket extending direction relative to a mating lock rod inserted in the cavity; and
- at least one pin-receiving member interconnected between the crosswise through-holes of at least two of the plurality of lock sockets, wherein the member extends substantially across the first end plate.
2. The joint according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the pin-receiving member extends a distance into one of the crosswise through-holes.
3. The joint according to claim 1, wherein the pin-receiving member comprises:
- a first pin-receiving portion extending from a first peripheral edge of the first end plate into one of the crosswise through-holes;
- a second pin-receiving portion extending between two crosswise through-holes and substantially axially-aligned with the first pin-receiving portion; and
- a third pin-receiving portion extending from a second peripheral edge of the first end plate into one of the crosswise through-holes and substantially axially-aligned with the first and second pin-receiving portions.
4. (canceled)
5. The joint according to claim 1, further comprising at least one anchoring device attached to at least one of the plurality of lock rods and at least one of the plurality of lock sockets, wherein the at least one anchoring device extends substantially perpendicular to the first end plate.
6. The joint according to claim 1, wherein the ends of the plurality of lock rods are conical shaped.
7. The joint according to claim 1, further comprising a locking pin for inserting into the pin-receiving member.
8. The joint according to claim 7, wherein one end of the locking pin is partially tapered and wherein at least a portion of the surface of the locking pin is textured.
9. The joint according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of lock rods comprises an annular groove at a portion where the lock rods attach to the first end plate.
10. The joint according to claim 1, wherein the eccentric offset is a distance 15a from a surface of the first end plate, which is greater than a distance 15b of the mating lock rod.
11. The joint according to claim 1, further comprising a protective cap for inserting into the cavity of the plurality of lock sockets.
12. The joint according to claim 1, further comprising a protective cap for inserting into an end of the pin-receiving member.
13. The joint according to claim 12, further comprising a protrusion attached to the protective cap for inserting into a recess.
14. The joint according to claim 1, further comprising a concrete pile, wherein the joint is attached to an end of the concrete pile.
15. The joint according to claim 1, further comprising at least one through-hole on the first end plate for accepting a pre-tensioning cable.
16. The joint according to claim 1, further comprising a retaining clip inserted into an end of the pin-receiving member.
17. A joint for a concrete pile section comprising:
- a plurality of spaced apart lock rods attached to a first end plate and extending substantially perpendicular to the end plate, wherein at least two of the lock rods each comprise a crosswise through-hole having an axis substantially parallel to the plane of the first end plate and substantially co-axial to each other;
- a plurality of spaced apart lock sockets extending from the first end plate in a substantially opposite direction from the plurality of lock rods, wherein at least two of the lock sockets each comprise a cavity-forming sleeve with a shoulder portion cut into at least part of the end of the sleeve and crosswise through-holes through the opposite walls of the sleeve, the through-holes having an axis substantially parallel to the plane of the first end plate and substantially co-axial to each other;
- a first pin-receiving portion extending from a first peripheral edge of the first end plate into one of the crosswise through-holes of one of the cavities;
- a second pin-receiving portion extending between two crosswise through-holes of the cavities of the at least two lock sockets and substantially axially-aligned with the first pin-receiving portion; and
- a third pin-receiving portion extending from a second peripheral edge of the first end plate into one of the crosswise through-holes of the cavities and substantially axially-aligned with the first and second pin-receiving portions,
- wherein the at least two lock rods and the at least two lock sockets are axially-aligned in the socket extending direction with respective mating lock sockets and lock rods on a second end plate, and
- wherein the shoulder portion attaches to the first end plate such that the axis of the crosswise through-holes is eccentrically offset in the socket extending direction relative to the lock rods on the second end plate inserted in the cavity.
18. The joint according to claim 17, wherein the eccentrically offset distance is the difference between the distance 15a and the distance 15b.
19. The joint according to claim 18, further comprising a locking pin inserted into the pin-receiving portions for securing the first and second end plates together.
20. The joint according to claim 19, further comprising a first concrete pile attached to the first end plate and second concrete pile attached to the second end plate.
21. A method for making a joint for a concrete pile, comprising the steps of:
- attaching to a first end plate a plurality of spaced apart lock rods extending substantially perpendicular to the end plate;
- attaching to the first end plate a plurality of spaced apart lock sockets extending substantially perpendicular to the first end plate, wherein each of the plurality of lock sockets has a cavity-forming sleeve with a shoulder portion cut into at least part of the end of the sleeve and axially-aligned crosswise through-holes on opposite walls of the sleeve, wherein the shoulder portion attaches to the first end plate such that the axis of the crosswise through-holes is eccentrically offset in the socket extending direction relative to a mating lock rod inserted in the cavity;
- attaching at least one pin-receiving member to the first end plate, wherein the pin-receiving member interconnects the crosswise through-holes of at least two of the plurality of lock sockets, and wherein the member extends substantially across the first end plate.
22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the lock sockets are made of a longitudinal blank into which the cavities and through-holes are formed.
23. The method according to claim 21, wherein the pin-receiving member is sized to accept at least one locking pin having a substantially similar cross-section.
24. The method according to claim 21, further comprising attaching the joint to a concrete pile.
25. The method according to claim 24, further comprising splicing the pile joint with another pile joint by removably inserting a locking pin into the pin-receiving member.
26. The method according to claim 25, further comprising crimping an end of the pin-receiving member to secure the locking pin.
27. The method according to claim 21, further comprising forming a beveled edge on a opening of a crosswise through-hole on the plurality of lock rods.
28. The method according to claim 21, further comprising the steps of attaching the joint to a joint guide using two casting guide pins.
29. A method for making a joint for a concrete pile, comprising the steps of:
- attaching to a first end plate a plurality of spaced apart lock rods extending substantially perpendicular to the end plate;
- forming in each of at least two of the lock rods a crosswise through-hole having an axis substantially parallel to the plane of the first end plate and substantially co-axial to each other;
- attaching to the first end plate a plurality of spaced apart lock sockets extending from the first end plate in a substantially opposite direction from the plurality of lock rods, wherein each of the plurality of spaced apart lock sockets is formed from a sleeve having a shoulder portion cut into at least part of the end of the sleeve;
- forming in each of at least two of the lock sockets a cavity for receiving a mating lock rod on a second end plate;
- forming two crosswise through-holes through the opposite walls of the sleeves, wherein the through-holes have an axis substantially parallel to the plane of the first end plate;
- attaching a pin-receiving member extending from a first peripheral edge of the first end plate into one of the crosswise through-holes of one of the cavities, and extending between two crosswise through-holes of the cavities of the at least two lock sockets, and extending from a second peripheral edge of the first end plate into one of the crosswise through-holes of the cavities; and
- attaching at least one anchoring device to at least one of the plurality of lock rods, or to at least one of the plurality of lock sockets.
30. The method according to claim 29, wherein the at least two lock sockets are made of a longitudinal blank into which the cavities and through-holes are formed.
31. The method according to claim 29, wherein the pin-receiving member is sized to accept at least one locking pin having a substantially similar cross-section.
32. The method according to claim 29, further comprising attaching the joint to a concrete pile.
33. The method according to claim 32, further comprising splicing the pile joint with another pile joint.
34. The method according to claim 29, further comprising the steps of:
- positioning in one of the at least two lock sockets a lock rod on a second end plate such that the axis of the through-hole on the lock socket and the axis of the crosswise through-hole on the lock rod are eccentrically offset relative to each other.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 10, 2008
Publication Date: Jan 22, 2009
Inventor: Kari Koivunen (Panelia)
Application Number: 12/100,788