Method for producing a retaining wall

Abstract

A method for fabricating a retaining wall configured to extend into a ground comprising the steps of providing at least a first longitudinal support having a receiving part and extending along a first longitudinal direction; placing the first longitudinal support transversely to the ground; providing at least a first module comprising a longitudinal element and a first wing; positioning the first module parallel to the first longitudinal support; connecting the first module to the first longitudinal support, so that the first wing of the first module is slidably engaged with the receiving part of the first longitudinal support; then moving said first module in translation along the first longitudinal direction, and sinking said first module into the ground and then the first longitudinal support into the ground.

Claims

1. A method for fabricating a retaining wall configured to extend into a ground, the method comprising the following steps: providing at least a first longitudinal support extending along a first longitudinal direction, the first longitudinal support having a receiving part extending along the first longitudinal direction; placing the first longitudinal support transversely to the ground, so that the first longitudinal support comprises at least a first portion extending out of the ground; providing at least a first module comprising a longitudinal element extending along a second longitudinal direction and at least a first wing protruding from a first lateral edge of said longitudinal element, the first wing extending along the second longitudinal direction of the longitudinal element; positioning the first module parallel to the first longitudinal support; connecting the first module to the first portion of the first longitudinal support, so that the first wing of the first module is slidably engaged along the first longitudinal direction with the receiving part of the first longitudinal support; then moving said first module in translation parallel to the first longitudinal support along the first longitudinal direction, and sinking said first module into the ground; then sinking the first portion of the first longitudinal support into the ground so as to form the retaining wall in the ground.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal element of the first module comprises a first assembly part extending along the first lateral edged of said longitudinal element, wherein the first wing of the first module comprises a second assembly part configured to cooperate with the first assembly part, the method comprising a prior step of assembling off ground said longitudinal element with said first wing, so that the first assembly part cooperates with the second assembly part.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first longitudinal supporter comprises a pile, a section or a metal box.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said first wing of said first module comprises a sheet pile.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first longitudinal support comprises a housing, and wherein, before or after having placed the first longitudinal support transversely to the ground (S), a mast is installed in the ground so that an anchoring portion of the mast extends into the ground, the mast further comprising a supporting portion configured to be disposed in said housing of the first longitudinal support.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein, during the step of setting up the first longitudinal support transversely to the ground, said first longitudinal support is installed in the ground, so that a second portion of the first longitudinal support extends into the ground.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein, during the step of positioning the first module parallel to the first longitudinal support, the sinking of the longitudinal element of said first module into the ground is initiated.

8. The method according to claim 5, wherein, during the step of setting up the first longitudinal support transversely to the ground, said first longitudinal support is laid on the ground, so that it extends out of the ground and so that the supporting portion of the master extends in said housing of the first longitudinal support, and wherein, during the step of positioning of the first module parallel to the first longitudinal support, said first module is laid on the ground, so that it extends out of the ground.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the receiving part of the first longitudinal support comprises a first latch portion extending along the first longitudinal direction and wherein said first wing of said first module comprises a second latch portion extending along the second longitudinal direction and being configured to cooperate with the first latch portion in order to engage the first wing of the first module in a sliding manner with said receiving part of the first longitudinal support.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein said first module further comprises at least a second wing protruding from a second lateral edge of said longitudinal element, opposite to the first lateral edge, the second wing extending along the second longitudinal direction of the longitudinal element of the first module, so that said first and second wings of said first module extend on either side of said longitudinal element.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein, before moving said first module in translation parallel to the first longitudinal support, the steps are carried out according to which: at least a second longitudinal support extending along a third longitudinal direction is provided, the second longitudinal support having a first receiving part extending along the third longitudinal direction; the second longitudinal support is placed transversely to the ground, parallel to the first module, so that the second longitudinal support comprises at least a first portion extending out of the ground; the first module is connected to the first portion of the second longitudinal support, so that the second wing of the first module is slidably engaged along the third longitudinal direction with the first receiving part of the second longitudinal support.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein, during the step of setting up the first longitudinal support transversely to the ground, said first longitudinal support is laid on the ground, so that it extends out of the ground and so that the supporting portion of the mast extends in said housing of the first longitudinal support, and wherein, during the step of positioning of the first module parallel to the first longitudinal support, said first module is laid on the ground, so that it extends out of the ground, and wherein, after having connected the first module to the first portion of the second longitudinal support, the sinking of the longitudinal element of said first module into the ground is initiated, then the sinking of said second longitudinal support into the ground is initiated.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the second longitudinal support comprises a second receiving part extending along the third longitudinal direction and wherein: at least a second module is provided comprising a longitudinal element extending along a fourth longitudinal direction and at least a first wing protruding from a first lateral edge of said longitudinal element, the first wing extending along the fourth longitudinal direction of the longitudinal element of the second module; the second module is positioned parallel to the second longitudinal support; the second module is connected to the first portion of the second longitudinal support, so that the first wing of the second module is slidably engaged along the third longitudinal direction with the second receiving part of the second longitudinal support; said second module is moved in translation parallel to the second longitudinal support along the third longitudinal direction, and said second module is sunk into the ground.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein said second longitudinal support is sunk into the ground after having sunk all the modules into the ground.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein said first module comprises a single wing.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the longitudinal element of the first module comprises a receiving part extending along the second longitudinal direction, and wherein: at least a second module is provided comprising a longitudinal element extending along a third longitudinal direction and at least a first wing protruding from a first lateral edge of said longitudinal element, the first wing extending along the third longitudinal direction of the longitudinal element of the second module; before moving said first module in translation parallel to the first longitudinal support, the second module is positioned parallel to the first module; the second module is connected to the first module, so that the first wing of the second module is slidably engaged along the second longitudinal direction with the receiving part of the first module; said second module is moved in translation parallel to the first module along the second longitudinal direction, and said second module is sunk into the ground.

17. The method according to claim 1, wherein a guide structure is provided comprising at least a first guide orifice configured to receive said first module, wherein said guide structure is positioned above the ground, facing an area of installation of the retaining wall, and wherein said first module is engaged in the first guide orifice before being positioned parallel to the first longitudinal support, in order to guide the displacement of said first module parallel to the first longitudinal support.

18. A module for implementing the method according to claim 1, said module comprising a longitudinal element extending along a longitudinal direction and at least a first wing protruding from a first lateral edge of said longitudinal element, the first wing extending along the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal element.

19. The module according to claim 18, wherein the longitudinal element comprises a first assembly part extending along the first lateral edge of said longitudinal element and wherein the first wing comprises a second assembly part configured to cooperate with the first assembly part in order to allow the assembly of the first wing and of the longitudinal element.

20. The module according to claim 18, wherein said longitudinal element is provided with at least one wedge configured to block the translation of said first wing relative to the longitudinal element, along said second longitudinal direction.

21. A retaining wall configured to extend into a ground and comprising at least a first module according to claim 18, and at least a first longitudinal support extending along a first longitudinal direction and having a receiving part extending along the first longitudinal direction, the first longitudinal support being configured to be placed transversely to the ground, so that the first longitudinal support comprises at least a first portion extending out of the ground, the first module being configured to be connected to the first portion of the first longitudinal support, so that the first winger of the first module is slidably engaged along the first longitudinal direction with the receiving part of the first longitudinal support.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0079] The present disclosure will be better understood upon reading the following description of embodiments of the present disclosure given by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0080] FIG. 1 illustrates a step of the method according to the present disclosure in which bearing means are installed;

[0081] FIG. 2 illustrates a step of the method according to the present disclosure in which a guide structure is installed;

[0082] FIG. 3 illustrates a longitudinal support and a first embodiment of a module according to the present disclosure;

[0083] FIG. 4 illustrates the module of FIG. 3 in top view;

[0084] FIG. 5 illustrates a step of setting up a first longitudinal support of the method according to the present disclosure;

[0085] FIG. 6 illustrates a step of installing a mast;

[0086] FIG. 7 illustrates a step for setting up a first module of the method according to the present disclosure;

[0087] FIG. 8 illustrates, in top view, the connection between the first module and the first longitudinal support of FIG. 7;

[0088] FIG. 9 illustrates a step for setting up a second longitudinal support of the method according to the present disclosure;

[0089] FIG. 10 illustrates the modules and the longitudinal supports of the retaining wall pre-sunk into the ground;

[0090] FIG. 11 illustrates a step of the method according to the present disclosure in which the modules are sunk into the ground;

[0091] FIG. 12 illustrates the step of FIG. 11 in perspective view;

[0092] FIG. 13 illustrates a step of the method according to the present disclosure in which the longitudinal supports are sunk into the ground;

[0093] FIG. 14 illustrates a retaining wall fabricated in the ground by means of the method according to the present disclosure;

[0094] FIG. 15 illustrates an intermediate step of one variant for setting up the modules and the longitudinal supports;

[0095] FIG. 16 illustrates the longitudinal supports and the modules set up according to the variant of the method shown in FIG. 15; and

[0096] FIG. 17 illustrates a second embodiment of a module according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0097] The present disclosure relates to a method for fabricating a retaining wall configured to extend into a ground. This method makes it possible in particular to fabricate a retaining wall in port areas, for example quay, lock, bank reinforcement and quay deepening walls. The present disclosure also relates to a module for implementing the method and to a retaining wall comprising such a module.

[0098] A first non-limiting embodiment of the method, in accordance with the present disclosure, for fabricating a retaining wall W configured to extend into a ground S, will be described. In this non-limiting example, the ground is a seabed.

[0099] First of all, a driving machine 10 configured to install the different elements making up the retaining wall W is provided. The driving machine 10 comprises a frame 12 and an arm 14 carrying a hoist 16 equipped with a rope 18 and a hammer 19. The driving machine is disposed on a bank above the level of the seabed S. The hammer 19 is able to exert a force of percussion or to put a tube in vibration.

[0100] According to a first non-limiting step, illustrated in FIG. 1, a first bearing means 20 and a second bearing means 21 are positioned transversely to the ground S and substantially vertically. Said bearing means are slightly sunk into the ground, to a reduced depth, so as to be fixed to said ground, at a distance from each other. In this non-limiting example, the bearing means 20, 21 are identical and each comprise a pile.

[0101] In a non-limiting manner, according to a second step illustrated in FIG. 2, a guide structure 22 is positioned above the ground S and more specifically above an area Z of installation of the retaining wall. The guide structure is put in abutment on the bearing means 20, 21, which make it possible to maintain it above the ground. The guiding structure 22 has the shape of a cage. It is provided with a plurality of guide orifices 23 passing through said cage vertically and extending substantially transversely to the ground when said guide structure 22 is placed in abutment on the bearing means 21, 22.

[0102] A first longitudinal support 24 is then provided, illustrated in FIG. 3. The first longitudinal support 24 extends along a first longitudinal direction L1 and consists in this non-limiting example of a tubular metal pile. It further comprises a first receiving part 26 and a second receiving part 28 disposed on either side of the first longitudinal support 24 and each extending along the first longitudinal direction L1. In a non-limiting manner, the first longitudinal support 24 could comprise only one receiving part.

[0103] The first longitudinal support 24 is seized using the rope 18 of the machine 10 and the first longitudinal support 24 is first engaged in a first guide orifice 23 of the guide structure 22. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the first longitudinal support 24 is then moved downwards, towards the ground, so as to be positioned transversely to the ground S, while being guided by the guide structure 22.

[0104] In this non-limiting example, the first longitudinal support 24 is placed perpendicular to the ground S and is installed in the ground, so that it has a first portion 24a extending out of the ground and a second portion 24b extending into the ground. The first longitudinal support 24 is slightly sunk or even pre-sunk into the ground, so that the length of the first portion 24a is much greater than the length of the second portion 24b of the first longitudinal support. The verticality and positioning of the first longitudinal support are rigorously checked. The first longitudinal support is sunk into the ground by driving, by percussion of the hammer 19 on said longitudinal support.

[0105] A first prefabricated module 30 is then provided, a first embodiment of which is illustrated in FIG. 3. In this first embodiment, the first module 30 comprises a longitudinal element 32 extending along a second longitudinal direction L2 as well as a first wing 34 and a second wing 36. In this non-limiting example, the first longitudinal element 32 consists of a metal pile similar to the first longitudinal support 24. The first and second wings 34, 36 are metal sheet piles in the form of corrugated sheets. The first wing 34 protrudes from a first lateral edge 31 of the longitudinal element 32 and extends radially with respect to said longitudinal element. The second wing 36 protrudes from a second lateral edge 33 of the longitudinal element, opposite to the first lateral edge 31, and extends radially with respect to said longitudinal element.

[0106] As can be seen in FIG. 4, illustrating the first module in top view, the first lateral edge 31 of the longitudinal element 32 comprises in particular a first assembly part 35, consisting in this non-limiting example of a first hook-shaped latch portion extending along the second longitudinal direction L2. The first wing 34 comprises a first border provided with a second assembly part 37, consisting in this non-limiting example of a second hook-shaped latch portion, configured to cooperate with the first assembly part 35. The first module 30 is assembled off the ground, in a step prior to the fabrication of the retaining wall, and therefore before said first module is sunk or pre-sunk into the ground. To do so, the second assembly part 37 of the first wing 34 is brought into cooperation with the first assembly part 35 to secure the first wing to the longitudinal element 32. Similarly, the second wing 36 is connected to the second lateral edge 33 of the longitudinal element. The first and second wings 34, 36 extend in the extension of each other.

[0107] Referring again to FIG. 3, it is seen that the first module 30 further comprises four blocking members 39. Two mounting members are mounted on either side of the longitudinal element 32, for example by welding, and extend respectively under the first wing 34 and under the second wing 36. Two other blocking elements 39 are mounted on either side of the longitudinal element 32, and extend respectively above the first wing 34 and above the second wing 36. These blocking elements are configured to block the sliding of said wings relative to the longitudinal element, along the second longitudinal direction L2.

[0108] In this embodiment, and as can be seen in FIG. 6, a mast 46 is then installed in the ground so that an anchoring portion 47 of the mast 46 extends into the ground, at a depth greater than the depth at which the first longitudinal support 24 is pre-sunk. A supporting portion 48 of the mast extends out of the ground and passes through the first longitudinal support 24. The mast 46 is disposed in a housing 29 of the first longitudinal support and allows improving its resistance and holding it more effectively in the pre-sunk position. In a non-limiting manner, the mast could be installed before setting up the first longitudinal support 24, in which case the first longitudinal support would be fitted onto said mast 46.

[0109] As illustrated in FIG. 7, the first module 30 is then seized using the rope 18 of the machine 10 and the first module 30 is first engaged in a second guide orifice 23 of the guide structure 22. The first module 30 is then moved downwards, towards the ground, and is positioned parallel to the first longitudinal support 24. In a non-limiting manner, the sinking of the longitudinal element 32 of said first module 30 into the ground is jointly initiated, by means of the hammer 19, by driving. In other words, the longitudinal element 32 of the first module 30 is sunk into the ground to a reduced depth, so as to fix the first module 30 to the ground. In a non-limiting manner, the first module is then pre-sunk into the ground, to the same depth as the first longitudinal support 24.

[0110] The first module 30 is further connected to the first portion 24a of the first longitudinal support 24, as illustrated in top view, in FIG. 8. In this non-limiting example, the first receiving part 26 of the first longitudinal support 24 comprises a first hook-shaped latch portion 25 extending along the first longitudinal direction L1. The first wing 34 of said first module 30 comprises a second border provided with a second hook-shaped latch portion 27 extending along the second longitudinal direction L2.

[0111] The second latch portion 27 is brought into cooperation with the first latch portion 25 in order to engage the first wing 34 of the first module 30 in a sliding manner with said receiving part 26 of the first longitudinal support 24, along the first longitudinal direction L1.

[0112] The steps of positioning the first module 30 parallel to the first longitudinal support 24 and of connecting the first module 30 to the first portion 24a of the first longitudinal support can be simultaneous or successive.

[0113] A second longitudinal support 40 extending along a third longitudinal direction L3 is then provided. This second longitudinal support 40 is substantially identical to the first longitudinal support 24 and to the longitudinal element 32 of the first module 30, illustrated in FIG. 3. It also comprises a first receiving part 42 and a second receiving part 44 extending along the third longitudinal direction L3.

[0114] As illustrated in FIG. 9, after having engaged the second longitudinal support 40 in a third guide orifice 23 of the guide structure 22, the second longitudinal support 40 is placed transversely to the ground S, parallel to the first module 30 and to the first longitudinal support 24. The first, second and third longitudinal directions L1, L2, L3 are then parallel to each other. In this non-limiting example, the second longitudinal support 40 is placed perpendicular to the ground S and is installed in the ground, by driving, so that it has a first portion 40a extending out of the ground and a second portion 40b extending into the ground. The second longitudinal support is slightly sunk or even pre-sunk into the ground, so that the length of the first portion 40a is much greater than the length of the second portion 40b of the first longitudinal support. The second longitudinal support 40 is sunk to the same reduced depth as the first longitudinal support 24 and the first module 30.

[0115] The first module 30 is then connected to the first portion of the second longitudinal support 40. To do so, the second wing 36 of the first module comprises a second border provided with a first latch portion, and the second receiving part of the second longitudinal support 40 comprises a second latch portion. Said first and second latch portions are brought into cooperation, so that the second wing 36 of the first module 30 is slidably engaged along the third longitudinal direction L3 with the first receiving part 42 of the second longitudinal support 40.

[0116] A second prefabricated module 50 is then provided, visible in FIG. 10, identical to the first module 30, and comprising in particular a longitudinal element 52 and a first wing 54. The second module 50 is connected to the first portion 40a of the second longitudinal support 40. To do so, the first wing 54 of the second module 50 is slidably engaged along the third longitudinal direction L3 with the second receiving part 44 of the second longitudinal support 40.

[0117] The steps detailed previously are repeated so as to connect together a succession of modules and longitudinal supports, so as to form a first curtain as illustrated in FIG. 10. The guide structure can be moved and the steps described previously can be repeated in order to position a larger number of modules and longitudinal supports and thus form a plurality of successive curtains.

[0118] In this non-limiting embodiment, the sinking of the longitudinal modules and supports is initiated and these are pre-sunk to a reduced depth. As a variant, said longitudinal supports and said modules could be maintained out of the ground when they are set up transversely relative to the ground S, and be maintained above the ground or laid on the ground, as illustrated in the variant of FIGS. 15 and 16. The guide structure 22 then makes it possible to hold the longitudinal supports and the modules in position, transversely to the ground. Furthermore, in this variant, the mast 46 makes it possible to hold the first longitudinal support 24 in position, without it being necessary to install it in the ground. In this variant, the method is devoid of a step of initiating the sinking or of pre-sinking said longitudinal supports and said modules.

[0119] Referring again to FIGS. 10 and 11, in a non-limiting manner, the guide structure 22 and the bearing means 20, 21 are removed. The first module 30 is then moved in translation parallel to the first longitudinal support 24 along the first longitudinal direction L1, and said first module is sunk into the ground S. The first and second longitudinal supports 24, 40 guide the displacement of said first module 30. All the modules are also sunk into the ground. The modules are sunk into the ground by driving, using the hammer 19. In the sunk position, the modules extend substantially entirely into the ground, to a depth much greater than the reduced depth to which they were pre-sunk previously. The wings of the modules extend substantially entirely into the ground.

[0120] FIG. 12 illustrates the steps of FIG. 11 in perspective view. In this view, it is seen that the driving machine 10 is disposed on the quay and overhangs the area of installation Z of the retaining wall.

[0121] As illustrated in FIG. 13, all of the longitudinal supports are then moved and sunk into the ground by driving, using the hammer 19. The supports are moved in translation along the modules to which they are connected, along a substantially vertical direction and parallel to said modules. In a non-limiting manner, the first longitudinal support 24 could be sunk last. As a variant, the last longitudinal support set up, corresponding to the right longitudinal support in FIG. 13, could be left in the pre-sunk position, in order to form a first longitudinal support for an additional curtain which would be installed following the first curtain illustrated in this figure.

[0122] In a non-limiting manner, the mast 46 could be left in the ground, such that it guides the displacement and the sinking of the first longitudinal support 24 into the ground.

[0123] FIG. 14 illustrates a retaining wall W, formed of a single curtain, and fabricated in the ground by implementing the method according to the present disclosure.

[0124] FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate two successive steps of a variant of the method according to the present disclosure in which the longitudinal supports and the modules are laid on the ground before being moved and sunk into the ground.

[0125] FIG. 17 illustrates a second embodiment of a module according to the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the module 30 comprises a longitudinal element 32 extending along a longitudinal direction and a single wing 34 protruding from a first lateral edge 31 of the longitudinal element. The longitudinal element further comprises a receiving part 33 extending along the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal element. The wing 34 is configured to be connected to the receiving part of a longitudinal support or to the receiving portion of another module 30.

[0126] In this second embodiment, each module 30 is configured to be connected directly to another module 30. Particularly, the wing 34 of a second module is configured to be connected to the receiving part 33 of a first module. In this embodiment, the retaining wall is devoid of longitudinal supports extending between the modules. Furthermore, in this second embodiment, the first longitudinal support is constituted by a module 30.