Abstract
The present disclosure regards a pile for a pile wall, said pile extending longitudinally between a first and a second end and comprising at least one perimeter profile in a cross section being essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of said pile, said perimeter profile enclosing an uninterrupted area in said cross section, wherein at least one section of the perimeter profile extends outwardly forming a first male connection portion, and the uninterrupted area extends into the first male connection portion, thereby forming a load bearing portion of the pile. Furthermore, the present disclosure also regards a connection arrangement and a manufacturing method.
Claims
1. A pile for a pile wall, said pile extending longitudinally between a first and a second end and comprising at least one inner perimeter profile in a cross section of said pile being perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of said pile, said inner perimeter profile enclosing an uninterrupted area in said cross section, wherein at least one section of the inner perimeter profile extends outwardly forming a first male connection portion, and the uninterrupted area extends into the first male connection portion, thereby forming a load bearing portion of the pile.
2. The pile according to claim 1, wherein the inner perimeter profile presents at least one second section extending outwardly forming a second male connection portion, wherein the uninterrupted area extends into the second male connection portion.
3. The pile according to claim 2, wherein the first and second male connection portions are located on opposite sides of the inner perimeter profile.
4. The pile according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the first and second male connection portions comprises an intermediate waist portion and an outer top portion being located outwardly in respect of the intermediate waist portion.
5. The pile according to claim 4, wherein a length (D1) of the waist portion, as seen in a direction being transverse to the outward direction of the at least one male connection portion, is smaller than a corresponding transverse length (D2) of the top portion.
6. The pile according to claim 1, wherein the pile is hollow.
7. The pile according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second male connection portions extends along the longitudinal extension of the pile.
8. The pile according to claim 1, wherein the pile is made of metal.
9. The pile according to claim 1, wherein the cross section of said pile is of tubular shape.
10. The pile according to claim 1, wherein the pile is produced by cold forming and/or hot forming.
11. The pile according to claim 1, wherein the pile further comprises a casing shoe located inside and/or at the end part of the pile at one of the ends of said pile.
12. The pile according to claim 11, wherein the casing shoe is formed such that it extends into at least one of the first and second male connection portions.
13. A connection arrangement for connecting piles of a pile wall, comprising, at least one pile according to claim 1, a connection member for connecting the at least one pile to a second pile, said connection member comprising at least one female connection portion for connecting the connection member to the at least one male connection portion of the at least one pile.
14. The connection arrangement according to claim 13, wherein the connection member comprises at least one second female connection portion for connecting the connection member to the second pile.
15. A method for manufacturing a pile according to claim 1, wherein the pile is formed by cold forming and/or hot forming.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
(1) Exemplifying and preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described more in detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
(2) FIG. 1 shows a pile wall connection according to the prior art;
(3) FIG. 2a shows a pile for a pile wall according to an example embodiment of the present invention;
(4) FIG. 2b shows three different female connection members according to example embodiments of the present invention;
(5) FIG. 2c shows another pile for a pile wall according to an example embodiment of the present invention;
(6) FIG. 3a shows a pile for a pile wall according to an example embodiment of the present invention;
(7) FIG. 3b shows a another pile for a pile wall according to an example embodiment of the present invention, which is intended to be connected to another pile as for example shown in FIG. 3a, 4a or 4b;
(8) FIG. 4a shows a connection arrangement according to an example embodiment of the present invention;
(9) FIG. 4b shows another example of a connection arrangement according to an example embodiment of the present invention;
(10) FIG. 5a shows another pile for a pile wall according to an example embodiment of the present invention;
(11) FIG. 5b shows an end section of a pile as seen in FIG. 5a;
(12) FIG. 5c shows the end section as shown in FIG. 5a with the difference that an ambient volume has been filled with an additional material;
(13) FIG. 5d shows another view of the end section of the pile as seen in FIG. 5a;
(14) FIG. 6a shows a pile for a pile wall in a three-dimensional view according to an example embodiment of the present invention;
(15) FIG. 6b shows another three-dimensional view of pile for a pile wall according to an example embodiment of the present invention;
(16) FIG. 7 shows a method for manufacturing a pile for a pile wall according to an example embodiment of the present invention.
(17) The drawings show diagrammatic exemplifying embodiments of the present invention and are thus not necessarily drawn to scale. It shall be understood that the embodiments shown and described are exemplifying and that the invention is not limited to these embodiments. It shall also be noted that some details in the drawings may be exaggerated in order to better describe and illustrate the invention. Like reference characters refer to like elements throughout the description, unless expressed otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
(18) FIG. 1 concerns a prior art design of connecting piles of a pile wall. The pile wall comprises a first pile 100 and a second pile 100′, wherein connection members 110 and 110′, in the form of male/female connections, have been welded to the respective piles 100 and 100′. Therefore, the first pile 100 presents two welds 111 and the second pile 100′ presents corresponding welds 111′. Hence, the connection members 110 and 110′ are separate parts from the piles 100 and 100′, respectively, and are therefore not well suited for transferring loads during use. This is due to that the welds are not strong enough and suited for transferring the loads which the pile is intended to accommodate during use. More particularly, the tubular shaped piles 100 and 100′ have first been produced into tube form, in e.g. a cold forming step, whereby the connection members 110 and 110′ have been joined to the respective piles 100 and 100′ after the cold forming step.
(19) In FIG. 2a, a pile 1 for a pile wall is depicted according to an example embodiment of the present invention. The figure shows a cross sectional view of a pile 1, which cross section is perpendicular to a longitudinal extension of the pile 1. The pile 1 extends longitudinally between a first and a second end and comprises at least one perimeter profile 2 in the cross section of the pile 1. The perimeter profile 2 is a load bearing part of the pile 1 intended for transferring building loads to earth for example during use and further encloses an uninterrupted area 3. Moreover, at least one section 4 of the perimeter profile 2 extends outwardly and forms a first male connection portion 4, wherein the uninterrupted area 3 extends into the first male connection portion 4. Hence, the male connection portion 4 has been integrated into the perimeter profile 2 in a way allowing a robust connection and a facilitated manufacturing process, and is a load bearing portion of the pile (1). In example embodiments, at least one of the sections 4 and 5 may extend along ½, ⅓, ¼, ⅕, ⅙, 1/7, ⅛, 1/9, 1/10 or less of the perimeter profile's perimeter. The pile 1 further comprises a second male connection portion 5 configured in a similar manner as the male connection portion 4. As can be seen, the first and second male connection portions 4 and 5 are angularly offset by about 180 degrees, i.e. they are located on essentially opposite sides of the perimeter profile 2. In this example embodiment, the first and second male connection portions 4 and 5 are configured and dimensioned in a similar manner. However, these portions could likewise be differently shaped and/or dimensioned. The first male connection portion 4 is configured as follows:
(20) It comprises an intermediate waist portion 41 and an outer top portion 42 which is located outwardly in respect of the intermediate waist portion 41. A length D.sub.1 of the waist portion 41, as seen in a direction being essentially transverse to the outward direction of the first male connection portion 4, is smaller than a corresponding transverse length D.sub.2 of the top portion 42. Thereby a rigid connection may be accomplished to e.g. a connection member 6′, 6″ or 6′″ as seen in FIG. 2b. The second male connection portion 5 is configured in a similar manner, i.e. it comprises an intermediate waist portion 51 and an outer top portion 52 which is located outwardly in respect of the intermediate waist portion 51. A length of the waist portion 51, as seen in a direction being essentially transverse to the outward direction of the second male connection portion 5, is smaller than a corresponding transverse length of the top portion 52. In other words, the first and second male connection portions 4 and 5 form respective tapering profiles such that they can interlock with respective and corresponding female connection members. Obviously, there are several ways of creating such male/female connections which would be realized by the skilled person. It shall be noted that the thickness of the pile's perimeter profile 2 including the thickness of the male connection portion(s) need not necessarily be uniform. However, in a preferred embodiment, the thickness of the perimeter profile 2 is substantially uniform. Moreover, a pile according to the present invention including the male connection portion(s) is preferably manufactured as a single component rather than comprising several separate elements that are connected together, by welding for example. More particularly, in an example embodiment of the present invention, the pile is made in one piece, whereby the at least one male connection portion is integrated into the pile's perimeter profile.
(21) In FIG. 2b, three different types of female connection members 6′, 6″ and 6′″ according to the present invention are depicted. The connection member 6′ comprises one female connection portion 61′ for connecting the connection member 6′ to one of the first and second male connection portions 4 and 5 of the pile 1 as for example seen in FIG. 2a. The connection member 6′ is configured such that a transverse length d.sub.1 of an opening of the female connection portion 61′ is smaller than a corresponding length d.sub.2 which is located inside the opening of the female connection portion 61′. Thereby, the lengths D.sub.1, D.sub.2 as seen in FIG. 2a and the lengths d.sub.1 and d.sub.2, respectively, correspond to each other such that a rigid male/female connection between the pile 1 and the connection member 6′ is accomplished. The pile 1 and the corresponding connection member 6′ may be connected by moving the two members relative each other in the longitudinal direction thereof. In other words, the pile 1 and the connection member 6′ may be connected by sliding the connection member 6′ onto the male connection portion 4, or vice versa. An alternative to the connection member 6′ is the connection member 6″. This connection member comprises a first and a second female connection portion, 61″ and 62″, respectively, which are located on essentially opposite sides to each other. Thereby this connection member 6″ may interconnect a first and a second pile comprising respective male connection portions. Moreover, this connection member 6″ has been made by welding together two connection members which are similar to the connection member 6′, forming essentially an I-shaped or H-shaped member. As an alternative, a similar connection member to 6″ can be seen to the right in the figure, which shows a connection member 6′″ which is made in one piece and forms essentially an I-shape or H-shape. The connection member 6′″ comprises corresponding female connection portions 61′″ and 62′″. For all connection members, e.g. 6′, 6″ and 6′″, the female sections may be accomplished by bending its protruding walls inwardly, thereby forming a tapering profile.
(22) FIGS. 2a and 2b together depicts a connection arrangement 10 according to example embodiments of the present invention.
(23) FIG. 2c shows another example embodiment of a pile 1 according to the present invention. The pile 1 is similar in configuration as the pile shown in FIG. 2a, but with the difference that the pile 1 here presents one male connection portion 4. For example, this pile 1 could be located at an end section of a pile wall. Alternatively, a connection member 6′ as shown in FIG. 2b may be connected to the pile 1 at the side being opposite, or in any other angle, to the location of the male connection member 4, e.g. by welding.
(24) In FIGS. 3a and 3b, two piles 1 and 1′, an intermediate connection member 6″ and an additional connection member 6′ are depicted according to an example embodiment of the present invention. The pile 1 in FIG. 3a is similarly configured as the pile as seen in FIG. 2a, with the difference that the connection member 6′ has been welded by a weld 63′ onto the top portion 42 of the first male connection portion 4. Thereby the pile 1 may be connected to an additional pile (not shown) via the connection member 6′. Moreover, the pile 1 may be connected to the second pile 1′ by its male connection portion 5 via another connection member 6″. The first and the second piles 1 and 1′ are in this embodiment similarly shaped, and therefore the reference numbers for the second pile 1′ with the same number reference except for the apostrophe correspond to similar elements as the elements with the reference numbers of the first pile 1. Hence, these parts of the second pile 1′ are not further detailed herein. The additional connection member 6″ has been connected to the pile 1′ via a male/female connection, 4′ and 61″, respectively (see also 6″ in FIG. 2b for details). Additionally, the connection member 6″ has also been welded onto the pile 1′ by at least one weld 63′. Hence, in an embodiment of the present invention, at least one additional weld may be used in addition to the male/female connection for connecting the pile 1′ and the connection member 6″, even though it may not be necessary due to the rigid male/female connection. FIGS. 3a and 3b also depicts a connection arrangement 10 according to example embodiments of the present invention.
(25) In FIG. 4a, two piles 1 and 1′ similarly configured as the piles shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b can be seen, forming a connection arrangement 10 and a pile wall according to an example embodiment of the present invention. In this pile wall, a connection member 6′ of the first kind is used and comprises one female connection portion. In FIG. 4b, a similar connection arrangement 10 and pile wall is depicted, with the difference that a connection member 6′″ of the third kind is used. It shall be noted that a pile wall with several connections may use any one, including a combination, of the different kinds of connection members as disclosed herein. As can be further seen in FIG. 4b, the connection member 6′″ has also been connected to the pile 1′ by a weld 63′″ in addition to the male/female connections. This may further strengthen the connection. For all these additional welds, as disclosed in relation to FIGS. 3a, 3b, 4a and 4b, it may be noted that they may not need to comprise weld seams which extend along the complete extension of the pile. Rather, and more preferably, shorter welds may be made, such as providing welding dots or points or seams along the pile's extension. Thereby, less time is needed in such welding steps. These welds may only be used for positioning the components relative each other and the connections between the piles are rather accomplished via the rigid mechanical male/female connection members as disclosed herein.
(26) In FIGS. 5a-5d another example embodiment of a pile 1 according to the present invention is depicted. Here it can be seen that the pile 1 further comprises a drilling member 7 for drilling the pile 1 into ground. In addition, a casing shoe 8 is depicted located at one of the end sections of the pile 1. The casing shoe 8 may be used as a strengthening and reinforcing element. Still further, a pipe 9 configured as a grout pipe 9 is also provided inside the pile 1 and extends between the longitudinal end portions of the pile 1. The pipe 9 may for example be located in the inner area of one of the first or second male connection portions. FIG. 5a is a view of the pile 1 from above. FIGS. 5b and 5c show a cross section A-A as indicated in FIG. 5a of the end portion of the pile 1 which is intended to be driven/drilled into ground. FIG. 5d show a cross section B-B as also indicated in FIG. 5a. As can be seen, the casing shoe 8 may be connected to the pile 1 by a weld 81. Still further, the grout pipe 9 may be used to fill the hole where the pile 1 is located. The filler material 91 may for example be concrete or any other suitable material.
(27) FIGS. 6a-6b depict three-dimensional views of a pile 1 according to the present invention. The figures are similar with the difference that the casing shoe 8′ as seen in FIG. 6b extends into the first and second male connection portions 4 and 5. The casing shoe 8 in FIG. 6a is instead formed as a ring and does not extend into the male portions 4 and 5. As can be seen, the piles 1 are hollow piles of substantially tubular shape and comprises male connection portions 4 and 5 which are integrated into the piles' perimeter profiles 2.
(28) FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of a method for manufacturing a pile according to an example embodiment of the present invention. The boxes with dashed lines indicate optional steps. Step A regards a forming step wherein the pile is formed from a sheet material into a tubular shape, by e.g. cold forming or hot forming. Step B regards a subsequent welding step where the pile is welded by a longitudinal weld thereby forming e.g. a tubular shaped perimeter profile as seen in a cross section being essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the pile. The longitudinal welding may e.g. be performed by high frequency induction welding. Step C regards a subsequent step where the pile is cold or hot formed into a shape presenting at least one male connection portion as disclosed herein. Step D regards a following step where the pile is cut into several piles and optionally oiled. Further steps may also be performed, such as final inspection and marking, cooling and testing after the welding step etc.
(29) The invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein. It would be evident for the skilled person that other embodiments and modifications to the embodiments specified hereinabove are also possible within the scope of the claims.
