Method for forming monitored concrete pilings using a pour diverter

• US 8,061,037 B2
• Filed: 12/15/2006
• Issued: 11/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smart Infrastructure LLC
• Original Assignee: Smart Structures, Inc.
• Inventors: Hecht, Kurt
• Primary Examiner(s): CHANG, RICK KILTAE
• Application Number:
  US11/611,445
• Publication Number:
  US 20070151103A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,803 Days
• Field of Search: 298/97, 294/60, 295/271, 298/973.3, 298/973.4, 294/58, 295/272, 527/451.3, 522/59, 527/411, 738/03, 73/110.3, 264/27, 264/31, 405/232, 405/229, 340/853.8
• US Class Current: 29/897.34
• CPC Class Codes: B28B 13/02 Feeding the unshaped material to moulds or apparatus for producing shaped articles
• CPC Class Codes: B28B 13/028 Deflecting the flow of the unshaped material
• CPC Class Codes: B28B 23/18 for the production of elongated articles B28B23/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E02D 5/30 made of concrete or reinforced concrete or made of steel and concrete E02D5/50 takes precedence; assembled from segments E02D5/523; prestressed concrete E02D5/58
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/2035 by deviating part of a fluid stream, e.g. by drawing-off or tapping
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/383 Concrete, cement
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49616 Structural member making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49631 Columnar member
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49632 Metal reinforcement member for nonmetallic, e.g., concrete, structural element
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49885 with coating before or during assembling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49888 Subsequently coating
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4998 Combined manufacture including applying or shaping of fluent material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49982 Coating

Abstract

A method for casting monitored pilings and a pour diverter used in connection with the method is provided. The method includes positioning a plurality of pile strands in a form, and then connecting a suspension assembly having at least one sensor to at least one of the pile strands so that the at least one sensor is located in a piling core area. A pour diverter, having a generally V-shaped configuration, is positioned over the suspension assembly. Concrete is poured into the form over the pour diverter so that a flow of the concrete into the form is split and flows down on either side of the suspension assembly until the at least one sensor is covered. The pour diverter is then removed to finish the casting. Preferably, provisions are provided on the pour diverter for holding or covering an antenna assembly during the pour, prior to it being placed into the concrete forming the piling.

Claims

1. A method for casting a piling comprising:

positioning a plurality of pile strands in a form;

connecting a suspension assembly having a sensor that is at least one of an accelerometer or a strain gauge to at least one of the pile strands so that the at least one sensor is located in a piling core area;

positioning a pour diverter over the suspension assembly;

pouring concrete over the pour diverter, which shields the suspension assembly from a direct flow of the concrete, and into the form; and

removing the pour diverter.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the pour diverter splits a flow of the concrete over the suspension assembly so that the concrete fills the form with the concrete on both sides of the suspension assembly until the concrete covers the at least one sensor.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising completely filling the form with the concrete after removing the pour diverter.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising, moving the pour diverter along the piling form using a trolley assembly.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the pour diverter includes:

two diverter sides arranged in a generally V-shaped configuration;

a handle portion formed at a position where the two sides join one another; and

two opposing ends located between the sides, the ends including slots for receiving a portion of a antenna/radio assembly.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the diverter is formed by two identical formed metal parts that are welded to one another.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the pour diverter defines a hollow cavity thereunder.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the handle portion is formed by a slot in a top portion of the two diverter sides.

9. A method for casting a piling comprising:

positioning a plurality of pile strands in a form;

connecting a suspension assembly having a sensor that is at least one of an accelerometer or a strain gauge to at least one of the pile strands so that the at least one sensor is located in a piling core area;

positioning a pour diverter over the suspension assembly;

connecting an antenna assembly to the one or more sensors;

connecting the antenna assembly to or covering the antenna assembly with the pour diverter above a level of the concrete to be poured;

pouring concrete into the form;

removing the pour diverter; and

after the concrete is poured and the diverter is removed, positioning the antenna assembly in the form so that the antenna assembly is generally flush with a surface of the piling.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising shielding at least one of wires, cables or connectors under the pour diverter.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising coating an outside of the antenna assembly that is placed in the concrete with an epoxy coating.