Method and arrangement for improving soil and/or for lifting structures

• US 7,789,591 B2
• Filed: 06/04/2007
• Issued: 09/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PowerPile Products Oy
• Original Assignee: Uretek Worldwide Oy (URETEK)
• Inventors: Hakkinen, Sami, Lievonen, Tuomas
• Primary Examiner(s): LAGMAN, FREDERICK LYNDON
• Application Number:
  US12/301,586
• Publication Number:
  US 20090155002A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,191 Days
• Field of Search: 405/263, 405/264, 405/265, 405/266, 405/267, 405/268, 405/269, 405/270, 405/302.4
• US Class Current: 405/267
• CPC Class Codes: E02D 27/34 Foundations for sinking or earthquake territories building constructions with protection arrangements against earthquakes E04H9/02
• CPC Class Codes: E02D 3/12 Consolidating by placing solidifying or pore-filling substances in the soil making piles E02D5/46; soil-conditioning or soil-stabilising materials C09K17/00; consolidation of ground around boreholes or wells E21B43/025
• CPC Class Codes: E02D 35/00 Straightening, lifting, or lowering of foundation structures or of constructions erected on foundations foundations for sinking territories with incorporated means for remedying settlement E02D27/34; lifting or moving buildings E04G23/06

Abstract

A hole (6) is provided in soil or a structure, and an injection bar (1) having a fillable expansion element (2) in connection therewith is arranged into the hole. A substance which expands as a consequence of a chemical reaction is injected into the expansion element (2). The expansion element (2) filled with the reacted substance condenses, fills or replaces surrounding soil or lifts as well as stabilizes ground-based structures. A force pressing the expansion element (2) against the soil is generated by the chemical reaction which expands the substance injected into the expansion element (2).

Claims

1. A method for condensing, filling or replacing soil and/or for lifting structures, the method comprising:

providing the soil or structure with a hole;

arranging into the hole an injection bar and an expansion element provided in connection therewith; and

injecting a substance into the expansion element, whereby the substance expands as a consequence of a chemical reaction inside the expansion element, so that a force pressing the expansion element against the soil is generated mainly by the chemical reaction.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, comprising determining characteristics of the soil prior to injecting and determining an amount of the substance to be injected into the expansion element prior to injecting on the basis of the characteristics of the soil, volume of the expansion element, and a desired effect.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, comprising determining the amount of the substance to be injected into the expansion element by monitoring the expansion element being filled.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3, comprising monitoring the expansion element being filled by means of an earth radar.

5. A method as claimed in claim 3, comprising monitoring the expansion element being filled by means of a pressure sensor.

6. A method as claimed in claim 3, comprising monitoring the expansion element being filled by means of a thermographic camera.

7. A method as claimed in claim 3, comprising monitoring the expansion element being filled by means of the senses of hearing and/or feeling such that the process of injecting the substance into the expansion element is stopped after the expansion element has broken.

8. A method as claimed in claim 1, comprising determining the amount to be injected in connection with lifting a structure by means of observing any vertical transfer of the structure.

9. A method as claimed in claim 1, comprising leaving the injection bar in its place in connection with the expansion element after the substance has expanded.

10. A method as claimed in claim 1, comprising arranging the injection bar through the expansion element and by arranging the substance to flow into the expansion element via openings provided on a side of the injection bar.

11. A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the injection bar comprises an outer pipe provided with openings, and an inner pipe arranged thereinside, the substance to be injected being fed along the inner pipe and the inner pipe being pulled out of the inside of the outer pipe when the substance is being injected.

12. A method as claimed in claim 1, comprising arranging the expansion reaction of the substance to take place inside the expansion element in an airtight space.

13. A method as claimed in claim 1, comprising arranging the substance to react after more than 25 seconds since being injected into the expansion element.

14. A method as claimed in claim 13, comprising arranging the substance to react after less than 50 seconds since being injected into the expansion element.

15. A method as claimed in claim 1, comprising arranging the substance to react after less than 50 seconds since being injected into the expansion element.

16. A method as claimed in claim 1, comprising arranging the substance to expand 1.5 to 20 times its original volume.

17. A method as claimed in claim 1, comprising determining, before injecting, a final compression strength of the substance to be injected.

18. A method as claimed in claim 17, comprising determining the final compression strength of the substance to be injected on the basis of the resistance of the soil and the volume of the expansion element.

19. A method as claimed in claim 1, comprising letting some of the substance to go through the wall of the expansion element.

20. An arrangement for condensing, filling or replacing soil and/or for lifting structures, the arrangement comprising:

an injection bar to be arranged into a hole and provided in connection with an expansion element;

a substance to be injected into the expansion element; and

means for injecting the substance into the expansion element, wherein the substance to be injected into the expansion element is a substance which expands as a consequence of a chemical reaction inside the expansion element, so that a force pressing the expansion element against the soil is generated mainly by the chemical reaction, and further wherein the injection bar is drawn out of the expansion element after the substance is injected into the expansion element.

21. An arrangement as claimed in claim 20, wherein the injection bar is arranged through the expansion element, whereby the expansion element is at its lower end fastened to the injection bar by means of a lower fastener and at its upper end by means of an upper fastener, and that a side of the injection bar is provided with openings via which the substance is allowed to flow into the expansion element.

22. An arrangement as claimed in claim 21, wherein the lower fastener and/or the upper fastener are made movable in relation to the injection bar.

23. An arrangement as claimed in claim 21, wherein the injection bar comprises an outer pipe provided with openings, and an inner pipe arranged inside the outer pipe for feeding the substance to be injected inside the expansion element, the inner pipe being pullable out of the inside of the outer pipe.

24. An arrangement as claimed in claim 20, wherein the expansion element is manufactured from an airtight material.

25. An arrangement as claimed in claim 20, wherein the expanding substance is such that its expansion reaction starts after more than 25 seconds since being injected into the expansion element.

26. An arrangement as claimed in claim 20, wherein expanding substance is such that it expands 1.5 to 20 times its original volume.

27. A method for condensing, filling or replacing soil and/or for lifting structures, the method comprising:

providing the soil or structure with a hole;

arranging into the hole an injection bar and an expansion element provided in connection therewith;

injecting a substance into the expansion element, whereby the substance expands as a consequence of a chemical reaction inside the expansion element, so that a force pressing the expansion element against the soil is generated mainly by the chemical reaction;

determining, before injecting, a final compression strength of the substance to be injected; and

determining the final compression strength of the substance to be injected on the basis of the resistance of the soil and the volume of the expansion element.