Patent ID: 7946791
Filing Date: 2011-05-24
Classification: E02D

Abstract:
1. A sheet-pile wall assembly, comprising: (a) an integrally-formed connecting profile having a solid central portion with three lock profiles arranged thereon, said connecting profile with its lock profiles defining a superficial center of gravity; (b) two sheet-pile wall sections, wherein 1) each of the sheet-pile wall sections comprises a plurality of arcuately or polygonally arranged sheet-pile wall components that are joined together by means of locks at the ends thereof, and wherein 2) each of the sheet-pile wall sections is connected at a first end thereof to the connecting profile by means of a first end lock at one end of one of the sheet-pile wall components which is hooked into one of the lock profiles arranged on the connecting profile; and (c) an anchorage member with a lock at a first end thereof, wherein the anchorage member is connected to the connecting profile by means of the anchorage member lock being hooked into one of the lock profiles arranged on the connecting profile; wherein the sheet-pile wall section-engaging lock profiles on the connecting profile and/or the first-end locks are configured such that the sheet-pile wall section-engaging lock profiles and the first-end locks engage each other with one component partially inside the other and with one component partially surrounding the other, there being at least three points at which the sheet-pile wall section-engaging lock profiles and the first-end locks contact and support each other; wherein two of said three points of contact between each of said sheet-pile wall section-engaging lock profiles on the connecting profile and the first-end locks are arranged in a common circle; wherein the anchorage member-engaging lock profile on the connecting profile and/or the lock at the first end of the anchorage member are/is configured such that the anchorage member-engaging lock profile and the lock at the first end of the anchorage member engage each other with one partially inside the other and with one partially surrounding the other, there being at least three points at which the anchorage member-engaging lock profile and the lock at the first end of the anchorage member contact and support each other; wherein each of the lock profiles on the connecting profile has at least one working point where a resulting tensile force impinges when one of the sheet-pile wall components or the anchorage member is hooked into and connected to it and extends in a direction of contact, the working points each being located at the same radial distance from the superficial center of gravity of the connecting profile; wherein lines intersecting the superficial center of gravity and one of the working points of each of the sheet pile components and the anchorage are offset 120 degrees relative to one another; wherein the lock profiles on the connecting profile each comprise 1) a thumb bar with a middle ridge at which a thumb is formed, with the thumb extending transverse to the longitudinal direction of the ridge and projecting beyond it, and 2) a curved finger bar having a free end which points toward the thumb bar, the thumb bar and the finger bar of each lock profile together defining an inner lock chamber with an at least approximately elliptical or oval profile as viewed in cross-section, with the end of the thumb of each lock profile being spaced from, and pointing toward, the end of the finger bar of each lock profile so as to define a mouth through which engaging portions of the first-end locks of the sheet-pile wall sections and the lock at the first end of the anchorage member enter the inner lock chamber; and wherein second ends of the sheet-pile wall sections are secured in their respective positions such that the two sheet-pile wall sections each partially enclose a region.