PILES

Abstract: Piles for acting as supports or strengthening members comprise hollow, rigid tubular members including a pointed end and a plurality of holes in which are mounted pivotable sharp members 4. The pile is inserted into a pre-formed hole in the ground with the sharp members 4 retracted and a heavy tool is passed through the pile to force the sharp members 4 outwardly into the ground. The piles have much improved bearing load capacity.

Description: Piles This invention relates to piles, that is pointed stakes, posts or like longitudinal members drivable into the ground for use as supports or strengthening members. An object of this invention is to¯increase the bearing load capacity of piles. According to the invention, I propose a pile comprising a hollow, rigid tubular body having along its length a plurality of apertures and a plurality of sharp members pivotally mounted on the body for outward movement through the apertures upon impact within the tubular member. Tests have shown that these piles have improved bearing load capacity. Embodiments of this invention are described by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a sectional view through a pile according to this invention; Figure 2 is a front view of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of the device shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 is an exploded view of a sharp member used. in the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 shows a hole into which a pile according to this invention may be driven; Figures 6 to 8 show a cast-in-situ pile according to this invention; and Figure 9 is a perspective view of the pile shown in Figure 1 according to this invention. A non-core pile 1, as shown in Figure 1, includes in its walls a plurality of evenly spaced holes. To the upper edge of each hole a sharp member is pivotally attached. The sharp members are moved through the holes by a hammer E or other heavy tool, which is passed through the pile and they are urged into the ground surrounding the pile, fixing the pile. The hammer E has a smaller outer diameter than the internal diameter of the pile. The sharp members lre fin-shaped and comprise an attachment portion including a hole for receiving a bolt 7 via an elongate member having an eye embedded in the edge of the corresponding aperture in the pile. Alternatively, the sharp members may be fixed on the inside wall of the pile. The sharp member further includes an arcuate sharp edge for cutting into the ground with a strenthened pointed portion 6. In use, a hole is made in the ground of slightly greater size than the pile and the pile is inserted into it, using a crib B, with the sharp members retracted. The hammer E is then employed to force the sharp members outwardly and into the surrounding ground. Next, the interior of the pile is filled with liquid concrete C or similar filler material. Piles according to the invention have been tested and found to be very effective. Piles were inserted into the ground and left for three days. A load was applied to each pile and increased eight times at six hourly intervals following settlement of the pile. 1. Conventional pre-reinforced non-core pile: Pile diameter lm Pile length 12 m Maximum load 220 ton. 2. Pile according to this invention: Pile diameter lm Pile length 6 m Maximum load 223 ton 3. Conventional pre-reinforced non-core pile: Pile diameter lm Pile length 3m Maximum load 43 ton. 4. Pile according to this invention: Pile diameter im Pile length 3m Maximum load 89 ton. The maximum load is the load which corresponds to 1.5 cm of movement of the pile. Thus, result 2. shows that a pile according to this invention can bear about the same load as a conventional pile of twice its length. 0.5 - 0.56 of the bearing energy of a conventional pile is required for the same maximum load capacity. Thus, approximately half the filling material is needed, half the pile material and 50 - 65% of the number of sharp members. Less work is also needed in preparing the hole for the pile and in transporting the pile. The slender-ratio (kl ) of the pile is lower r and so control is easier.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A pile comprising a hollow, rigd tubular body having along its length a plurality of apertures and a plurality of sharp members pivotally mounted on the body for outward movement through the apertures upon impact within the tubular member. 2. A pile according to claim 1, wherein the outermost portion of the sharp member has curved sides and a pointed end. 3. A pile according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the interior of the pile is adapted to be occupied by concrete or other similar filler material. 4. A pile according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the sharp members are adapted to be forced outwardly upon passage of a heavy tool through the interior of the tubular body.

Inventors: HSIAO, CHI-LUNG
Applicants: HSIAO, CHI-LUNG, WANG, SU-JEN
Application year: 1983
Main classification: E02D5
IPC codes: E02D5