IMPROVEMENTS IN OR APPERTAINING TO . SHEET OR OTHER PILING FOR MAKING OR PROTECTING FOUNDATIONS BELOW " WATER LEVEL AND OTHER LIKE PURPOSES
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Phillips Thompson of the Liverpool and London
Agency for Foreign Patent Solicitors 6 Lord Street Liverpool in the County
of Lancaster for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN OR APPERTAINING TO
.
SHEET OR OTHER PILING FOR MAKING OR PROTECTING FOUNDATIONS BELOW
"
WATER LEVEL AND OTHER LIKE PURPOSES a communication to him from
Monsieur Felix Paponot a person resident at Paris in the Republic of France
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Phillips Thompson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 6th December 1883.
WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON of the Liverpool and London Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors 6 Lord Street Liverpool in the County of Lancaster Civil
Engineer "IMPROVEMENTS IN OR APPERTAINING TO SHEET OR OTHER PILING
FOR MAKING OR PROTECTING FOUNDATIONS BELOW WATER LEVEL AND OTHER
LIKE PURPOSES," a communication to me from Monsieur Felix Paponot of Paris in
the Republic of France
The present invention has for its object a new system of pile sheeting in iron
for foundations in the sea or in rivers or lakes, and designed to replace with
advantage caissons with compressed air.
My system in effect obviates those breaks of continuity which are fatally
encountered in the employment of caissons in those cases where the dimensions of
the masonry work exceed those of the caissons employed in their execution It
avoids equally the openings in the lower part of the masonry which result from the
employment of the air chamber always imperfectly filled, and the inconvenient
proceeding, of the metallic platform of this chamber cutting this masonry
horizontally.
The proposed system is designed to obviate these inconveniences and to permit
the dry building of masonry of any depth, the height of the iron piling being
unlimited, since one can superimpose many courses attaching them one to the other
in the manner indicated below.

page_text: The sheet piling can be of divers forms, channel, U or T shaped for instance, in
horizontal section, and joined together by flanges; the object in each case being
to present a shape capable of standing a strong pressure not only in the vertical
but also in a horizontal direction. A vertical strength is required sufficient to
withstand the shocks of the ram and a horizontal strength to stand the pressure of
the water while the excavations and dry building in the interior of the space
enclosed, are in operation. It is in effect easy to comprehend that in proportion as
the excavation is advanced in this area one will have to shore up walls against the
outer resistance.
One other result of these forms of piles is that all kinds of polygonal or curved
areas can be enclosed by them by interlocking or joining the piles one to the other
by means of their flanges, the jambs of the one serving to guide the jambs of the
other there will have to be special forms of piles at the angles to join up.
This interlocking or jointing will assure tightness sufficient to enable excavations
to go on and if it is necessary the tightness can become perfect by means of a
simple little shoring up between interlocking trough, or channel piles forcing their
sides against the other two troughs with which they interlock. This shoring can
better be completed when desired by caulking as the work proceeds.
One can understand that in any case the sole fact of the interlocking of trough-
formed piles will offer by the gripping of the surfaces between each other a
water-tightness sufficient not to interfere with work in most instances, and that
the necessity for having recourse to shoring and caulking or either of them is
comparatively rare. A single course of trough piles could thus suffice very
frequently for the construction of quay walls in river, harbour, or sea when the
side enclosed has to be filled up and in like cases.
The driving can be conducted in the usual manner and the head of the piles can
be covered with a spécial apparatus to prevent them being punished by the pile
driver.
The piles can be each a single piece or composed of several sections which are
fastened together by rivets or bolts. In this case the piles will remain in the
excavation and serve to protect the masonry and to diminish the thickness
necessary, or they can be drawn up entire or by piecemeal like ordinary caissons.
In cases where the piles remain in whole or in part in the excavations they will be
previously covered either with galvanizing or with inoxidizable paint or other
durable protector.
>
The form of the trough piles permits their being made in wrought iron or steel.
They can be formed of a series of T irons joined by single or double fishplates or
band joints of plates and angle irons of channel bars, and with the projections all
on one side or alternately on each, or of flat plates with projecting flanges on each
side at right angles or at any angle so as to present a curving contour. when a series
are placed side by side or interlocked so-as to enclose a space. If round, all the
flanges radiate to the centre of the space. In some cases there can be placed inside
the channels or troughs of the piles a backing or filling consisting of a baulk
of timber..
"In driving, the heads of these piles are covered with a cap designed to receive
the shock, of the driving ram and consisting essentially of a piece of hard wood
fitting exactly in its under surface the form of the pile on which it has to be placed,
and having its upper surface square or round but surpassing in its dimensions the
breadth of the pile. It is garnished interiorly with a metal armature embedded in
it and fitting on the head of the pile, in other words the cap is a metal fitting
topped with wood to receive the shock. The points of the piles can be of steel,
and sharp so as to easily enter the soil.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Phillips Thompson in the Patent Office on the 3rd June
1884. 3
!
WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON of the Liverpool and London Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors 6 Lord Street Liverpool in the County of Lancaster " IMPROVE
MENTS IN OR APPERTAINING TO SHEET OR OTHER PILING FOR MAKING OR
PROTECTING FOUNDATIONS BELOW WATER LEVEL AND OTHER LIKE PURPOSES.'
A communication to me from Monsieur Felix Paponot a person resident at Paris in
the republic of France.
"
The present invention has for its object a new system of pile sheeting in iron
for foundations in the sea or in rivers or lakes, and designed to replace with
advantage caissons with compressed air.
This system in effect obviates those breaks of continuity which are fatally
encountered in the employment of caissons in those cases where the dimensions of
the masonry work exceed those of the caissons employed in their execution. It
avoids equally the openings in the lower part of the masonry which result from
the employment of the air chamber always imperfectly filled, and the inconvenient
proceeding of the metallic platform of this chamber cutting this masonry
horizontally.
The proposed system is designed to obviate these inconveniences and to permit
the dry building of masonry at any depth, the height of the iron piling being
unlimited, since one can superimpose many courses attaching them one to the
other in the manner indicated below..
A.
The sheet piling can be of divers forms, channel U or T shaped as shewn in the
drawing Figs. 1, 2 and 3 for instance in horizontal section and joined together by
flanges; the object in each case being to present a shape capable of standing a
strong pressure not only in the vertical but also in a horizontal direction.
vertical strength is required sufficient to withstand the shocks of the ram and a
horizontal strength to stand the pressure of the water while the excavations and
dry building in the interior of the space enclosed are in operation. It is in effect
easy to comprehend that in proportion as the excavation is advanced in this area
one will have to shore up walls against the outer resistance.
:
:
One other result of the forms shewn above is that all kinds of polygonal or
curved areas can be enclosed by them by interlocking or joining the piles one to
the other by means of their flanges, the jambs of the one serving to guide the
jambs of the other there will have to be special forms of piles at the angles to
join up.
This interlocking or jointing will ensure tightness sufficient to enable excavations
to go on and if it is necessary the tightness can become perfect by means of a
simple little shoring up between interlocking trough or channel piles forcing their
sides against the other two troughs with which they interlock. This shoring can
better-be completed when desired by caulking as the work proceeds:
One can understand that in any case the sole fact of the interlocking of trough
formed piles will offer by the gripping of the surfaces between each other a water
tightness sufficient not to interfere with work in most instances, and that the
necessity for having recourse to shoring and caulking or either of them-is
comparatively rare. A single course of trough piles could thus suffice very

page_text: frequently for the construction of quay walls in river harbour or sea when the side
enclosed has to be filled up and in like cases.
The driving can be conducted in the usual manner and the head of the piles can
be covered with a special apparatus to prevent them being punished by the pile
driver.
The piles can be each a single piece or composed of several sections which are
fastened together by rivets or bolts, as shown in Figs. 12 and 13. In this case the
piles will remain in the excavation and serve to protect the masonry and to
diminish the thickness necessary, or they can be drawn up entire or by piecemeal
like ordinary, caissons. In cases where the piles remain in whole or in part in the
excavations they will be previously covered either with galvanizing or with
inoxidizable paint or other durable protector.
The form of the trough piles permits their being made in wrought iron or steel.
They can be formed of a series of T irons joined by single or double fish plates or
band joints of plates and angle irons of channel bars and with the projections all
on one side or alternately on each, or of flat plates with projecting flanges on each
side at right angles or at any angle so as to present a curving contour when a
series are placed side by side or interlocked so as to enclose a space. If round all
the flanges radiate to the centre of the space. In some cases there can be placed
inside the channels or troughs of the piles a backing or filling consisting of a baulk
of timber.
In driving the heads of these piles are covered with a cap designed to receive
the shock of the driving ram and consisting essentially of a piece of hard wood
fitting exactly in its under surface the form of the pile on which it has to be placed
and having its upper surface square or round but surpassing in its dimensions the
breadth of the pile. It is garnished interiorly with a metal armature embedded in
it and fitting on the head of the pile, in other words the cap is a metal fitting
topped with wood to receive the shock. The points of the piles can be of steel and
sharp so as to easily enter the soil.
For the purpose of securing a better joint between the sunk piles, which will
determine the tightness of the cavity which is to be dug, a special shape is given
to the section of the pile enabling it thereby to have at its point of contact with
the adjacent piles grooves into which mastic or other impervious cement may be
inserted to ensure the tightness of the joints.
This arrangement is represented in the drawings. Plate II Figs 1 and 2. As
this drawing shews, one wing of the pile A is folded over at a and a rib b is
attached to its inner surface at a point corresponding to its line of attachment to
the folded over wing of the adjacent pile to which it serves moreover as a guide
during the ramming as explained above. When the piles are driven and inserted
one in the other it is obvious that there will remain at their points of junction
open spaces B of rectangular form into which it is easy to run impervious mastic,
which being enclosed on all sides cannot escape at any part even when there exists
slight deviation from perpendicular or from parallel lines in the piles.
In the specimen shewn on the annexed drawings this new system of joints is
displayed adapted to piles formed of three plane faces at right angles to each other,
but it is obvious that the same contrivance is applicable whatever be the transverse
section, round or polygonal of the piles employed.
In the drawings accompanying this specification Fig. 1 represents the transverse
section of a sheet pile of rectangular form with joined faces of the type No. 1.
Fig. 2 shews a transverse section of a sheet pile of rectangular form with ribs of
the type No. 1
Fig. 3 represents the transverse section of a sheet pile of U form with rounded
base constituting type No. 2.
Fig. 4 represents the transverse section of a sheet pile of T form furnished with

page_text: Figs. 5 and 6 shew the method of grouping type No. 1 for a bridge pile as
also the method of adjustment employed both for the curved and for the straight
parts.
Fig. 7 shews the method of grouping the sheet piles of type No 2.
Figs. 8 and 9 shew the mode of grouping sheet piles of type No 3, the angles
of the T being turned all one way or alternated.
Fig. 10 represents section of the angle piles employed for junctions at right
angles.
Fig. 11 represents a transverse section of a pile of type No 1 furnished with the
wooden mandril used in bending back the sides of the piles according to the
curvature of the excavation.
Figs. 12, 13 and 14 shew plan, section and elevation a portion of watertight
partition obtained by means of a pile of rectangular section composed of several
pieces fastened together endwise by bolts.
Fig. 15 is an exterior perspective view of a watertight partition constructed by
means of piles of the type No 1.
Fig. 16 is a perspective view of a portion of a partition constructed by piles of
type No 1 with transverse staying intended to secure its tightness.
Figs. 17 and 18 shew in plan and in transverse section the apparatus protecting
the heads of the piles from the blows of the ram.
Figs. 1 and 2, Sheet II, shew in horizontal section and in perspective a
variation of the system of sheet piles with recurved sides..
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, as communicated to me, and in what manner the same is to be carried
into effect, I declare that what I claim is.
1st. The construction of sheet piles in the three forms herein before described
and represented in the annexed drawings, so as to ensure their resistance to the
shock of the ram and the horizontal thrust of the ground, namely
(a) The rectangular ☐ shape, the internal or external surface of the piles
being capable of being strengthened by longitudinal ribs.
(b) The U form with curved base, also capable of being strengthened by
longitudinal ribs.
(c) The straight form in T section, capable of being replaced at the angles by an
L section.
2nd. The above described method of combining the adjacent sheet piles,
capable by the interlocking of their sides in contact of furnishing watertight
partitions of straight, polygonal or curved shapes, thus enabling them to circumscribe
areas of any shape desired.
3rd. The system of adapting, by means of ✓ pieces for the angles, and of piles of
section of trapizoidal shape for the curved parts, the different parts of the
same perimeter surrounded by sheet piles jointed and interlocked as described.
4th. The above described system of junction of the adjacent piles of T section
by means of metallic strips forming fish plates, and attaching by means of screws
or rivets the adjacent sides of these piles, of which the angle sides may moreover
be placed all on the same side of the watertight partition thus constructed, or
alternately on each side of this partition
5th. The system of transverse stays on the internal faces of the piles constructed
in right angled shape, in [ shape or in U shape, so as to ensure intimate
contact of their adjacent parts at all sides after that they have been placed in
position in order to secure the tightness of the partitions so constructed.
6th. The option of adding to the above described system of transverse stays a
caulking inserted between the parts of adjacent piles in contact with each other to
ensure a watertight joint.
7th. The option of constructing sheet piles in several pieces placed end to end
and connected to each other by means of projections or ribs constructed on the pile

page_text: or by means of pieces fastened to the same, all as hereinbefore described and set
forth.
8th. The use of piles the faces of which are suitably curved or folded, so as to
form at their points of junction free spaces completely enclosed by the metal of
these piles, and into which impermeable mastic is run which being thus completely
enclosed ensures the perfect tightness of the vertical joints of the construction.
In witness whereof I the said William Phillips Thompson have hereunto set my
hand and seal this 29th day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and eighty four.
•