UNDERPINNING PILE ASSEMBLY FOR SUPPORTING STRUCTURE UPON THE EARTH

Abstract

An underpinning pile assembly for supporting a structure upon the earth has a plurality of pile segments, a cable extending through a continuous passageway of the plurality of pile segments, and an anchor assembly positioned at the top of the plurality of pile segments. Each of the plurality of pile segments is stacked one upon another. The cable has a lower end affixed to one of the plurality of pile segments. The anchor has an opening that receives a portion of the cable therein so as to fix a position of an upper end of the cable. The anchor assembly has at least one column extending upwardly from an upper surface thereof. An adjustable support is affixed to the column and has a surface opposite the column that is adapted to support the structure thereon.

Claims

1. An underpinning pile assembly for supporting a structure upon the earth, the underpinning pile assembly comprising: a plurality of pile segments, each of said plurality of pile segments having an interior passageway, said plurality of pile segments being stacked one upon another such that the interior passageways form a continuous passageway through said plurality of pile segment; a cable extending through the continuous passageway of said plurality of pile segments, said cable having a lower end affixed to or adjacent to one of said plurality of pile segments; and an anchor assembly positioned at a top of said plurality of pile segments, said anchor assembly having an opening receiving a portion of said cable therein, said anchor assembly fixing a position of an upper end of said cable therein, said anchor assembly having an upper surface.

2. The underpinning pile assembly of claim 1, said anchors assembly having at least one column extending upwardly from the upper surface thereof, the underpinning pile assembly further comprising: an adjustable support affixed to the at least one column, said adjustable support having a surface opposite the at least one column that is adapted to support the structure thereon.

3. The underpinning pile assembly of claim 2, said adjustable support comprising: a shaft extending to the at least one column, said shaft being adjustably received in the at least one column; and a panel affixed to said shaft at an end opposite the at least one column, said panel being the surface of said adjustable support.

4. The underpinning pile assembly of claim 3, the at least one column having a threaded hole form therein, said shaft being threadedly received in the threaded hole of the at least one column.

5. The underpinning pile assembly of claim 3, said panel being positioned in parallel planar relationship to the upper surface of said anchor assembly.

6. The underpinning pile assembly of claim 2, the at least one column comprising a pair of columns each having the adjustable support extending therefrom.

7. The underpinning pile assembly of claim 1, the opening of said anchor assembly being adjacent the upper surface thereof, the underpinning pile assembly further comprising: a wedge positioned in the opening of said anchor assembly, said wedge interposed between the wall of the opening at an outer surface of said cable.

8. The underpinning pile assembly of claim 7, said wedge comprising a pair of wedges position in the opening of said anchor assembly, the pair of wedges bearing against said cable at the upper surface of said anchor assembly.

9. The underpinning pile assembly of claim 1, said plurality of pile segments being arranged end-to-end relationship, said cable being affixed at a lowermost pile of said plurality of pile segments.

10. The underpinning pile assembly of claim 9, the lowermost pile having a wedge assembly therein, said cable being secured in said wedge assembly.

11. The underpinning pile assembly of claim 1, said plurality of pile segments being interlocked in end-to-end relationship.

12. The underpinning pile assembly of claim 11, each of said plurality of pile segments being formed of a steel material.

13. An underpinning pile assembly for supporting a structure upon the earth, the underpinning pile assembly comprising: a plurality of pile segments, each of said plurality of pile segments having an interior passageway, said plurality of pile segments being stacked one upon another such that the interior passageways thereof form a continuous passageway through said plurality of pile segments; a cable extending through the continuous passageway of said plurality of pile segments, said cable having a lower end affixed to or adjacent to one of said plurality of pile segment; an anchor assembly positioned at a top of said plurality of pile segments, said anchor assembly having an opening receiving a portion of said cable therein, said anchor assembly fixing a position of an upper end of said cable therein, said anchor assembly having an upper surface, said anchor assembly having at least one column extending upwardly from the upper surface thereof; and an adjustable support affixed to the at least one column, said adjustable support having a surface opposite the at least one column that is adapted to support the structure thereon.

14. The underpinning pile assembly of claim 13, said adjustable support comprising: a shaft extending to the at least one column, said shaft being adjustably received in the at least one column; and a panel affixed to said shaft at an end opposite the at least one column, said panel being the surface of said adjustable support.

15. The underpinning pile assembly of claim 14, the at least one column having a threaded hole formed therein, said shaft being threadedly received in the threaded hole of the at least one column.

16. The underpinning pile assembly of claim 14, said at least one column comprising a pair of columns each having the adjustable support extending therefrom.

17. The underpinning pile assembly of claim 13, said plurality of pile segments being arranged in end-to-end relationship, said cable being affixed to a lowermost pile of said plurality of pile segments.

18. The underpinning pile assembly of claim 17, the lowermost pile having a wedge assembly therein, a lower end of said cable being secured in said wedge assembly.

19. The underpinning pile assembly of claim 13, said plurality of pile segments being interlocked in end-to-end relationship.

20. An underpinning pile assembly for supporting structure upon the earth, the underpinning pile assembly comprising: a plurality of pile segments, each of said plurality pile segments having an interior passageway, said plurality of pile segments being stacked one upon another such that the interior passageways form a continuous passageway through the plurality of pile segments, each of said plurality of pile segments being formed of a steel material, said plurality of pile segments being interlocked in end-to-end relationship; a cable extending through the continuous passageway of said plurality of pile segments, said cable having a lower end affixed to or adjacent to one of said plurality of pile segments; an anchor positioned on the top of said plurality pile segments, said anchor assembly having an opening receiving a portion of said cable therein, said anchor assembly having an opening receiving a portion of said cable therein, said anchor assembly fixing a position of an upper end of said cable therein, said anchor assembly having at least one column extending upwardly from the upper surface thereof; and an adjustable support affixed to the at least one column, said adjustable support having a surface opposite the at least one column that is adapted to support the structure thereon, said adjustable support comprising: a shaft extending to the at least one column, said shaft being adjustably received in the at least one column; and a panel affixed to said shaft at an end opposite the at least one column, said panel having the surface that supports the structure thereon.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of an underpinning pile assembly of a prior art.

[0055] FIG. 2 is a frontal view of the underpinning pile assembly of the prior art of FIG. 1.

[0056] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of another underpinning pile assembly of the prior art.

[0057] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the technique for locking a cable to a pile of the underpinning pile assembly of the prior art of FIG. 3.

[0058] FIG. 5 is an upper perspective view showing the underpinning pile assembly in accordance with the present invention.

[0059] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the locking of the lower end of the cable within the lowermost pile segment of the present invention.

[0060] FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the locking of the lowermost end of the cable within the pile segment of the present invention.

[0061] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the anchor assembly of the present invention.

[0062] FIG. 9 is a side elevational view showing one manner of locking the pipe segments in end-to-end relationship in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0063] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a prior art underpinning pile assembly in accordance with the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 5,288,175. These show a side view and a front view, respectively, showing the completed installation beneath the perimeter of an existing structure 9. A graduated strand has been trimmed flush at the point of installation 3. The annular space between the strand and the concrete 13 has been injected with a structural adhesive. This completed installation incorporates void spaces 17 beneath the pile 16 to reduce the possibility of damage due to swelling or heaving of clay soils.

[0064] The underpinning operation is completed upon lifting foundation 11 and shimming 12 between the support blocks 15 and the existing structure 9. Lifting is carried out with jacks placed in the space 14 between the support blocks 15. The underpinning installation is then backfilled with soil fill.

[0065] The underpinning assembly includes a starter segment with a graduated high-strength steel strand 7 anchored and extending from the center of one end. Pile 6 and a pile cap 16 are each manufactured having strandways. The segments 4 and 6 are typically precast concrete, either circular or square in cross-section. There usually one foot in height. The strand 7 is typically high-strength steel. The strand can be anchored or bonded within the starter segment in several ways. The strand can be embedded and bonded to fresh concrete during the manufacture of the starter segment by using a two-component epoxy bonding agent. The pile cap 16 is typically precast of steel fiber reinforced concrete and can be of various configurations. It can be a rectangular prism with the strand-way formed through the short dimension at the midpoint of the long dimension. A structural adhesive 13, typically a two-component epoxy, is used to bond the steel strand to the concrete components along the pile length.

[0066] In this configuration, it can be seen that there will remain a distance between the top of the pile segments and the bottom of the foundation. As such, cylinders and/or shims are required so as to fill this distance. In certain circumstances, the exact dimensions required to fill this distance are not available on-site. In other circumstances, shims and cylinders will be inaccurately chosen such that the void is not completely filled. The use of such concrete pile segments have the same disadvantages is described herein previously.

[0067] FIG. 3 shows an underpinning pile assembly of the prior art in accordance with the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 8,500,368 of the present Applicant. The underpinning pile assembly 10 has a plurality of steel pipes 12, 14, 16 and 18 arranged in end-to-end stacked relationship to each other. Each of the steel pipes 12, 14, 16 and 18 has an interior passageway 20 extending therethrough. The lowermost pipe segment 12 has a collar 22 affixed to a wall of the interior passageway 20. The collar 22 is provided so that a cable 24 can have its end 26 affixed within the interior passageway of the lowermost pipe 12.

[0068] In FIG. 3, there is a plurality of concrete pile segments 28, 30, 32 and 34 arranged in an end-to-end stacked relationship. The plurality of concrete pile segments 28, 30, 32 and 34 has an interior passageway 36 extending therethrough. Generally, the interior passageway of the plurality of concrete pile segments 28, 30, 32 and 34 is axially aligned with the interior passageway 20 of the steel pipes 12, 14, 16 and 18. A pile cap 38 is positioned on the uppermost pile segment 34.

[0069] The cable 24 extends through the interior passageway 36 of the plurality of concrete pile segments 28, 30, 32 and 34 and also through the interior passageway 20 of the steel pipes 12, 14, 16 and 18. The cable 24 will have an end 26 residing within the interior passageway 20 of the lowermost steel pipe 12. The collar 22 is secured to the end 26 of the cable 24 and generally abuts the interior wall of the lowermost steel pipe 12. As such, the cable 24 will be fixed within the interior passageways 12 and 36.

[0070] The collar 22 is affixed against the inner wall of the lowermost steel pipe 12. The collar can be affixed by welding to this inner wall. The end 26 of the cable 24 can then be secured within the interior of the collar 22 so that the end 26 of the cable 24 is in a fixed position within the interior of the lowermost steel pipe 12. The steel pipe 12 can then be driven into the earth a desired distance from a structure that is supported by the pile cap 38.

[0071] The steel pipes 12, 14, 16 and 18 can be locked one upon each other through the use of engaging upsets (as shown hereinafter). In other words, an end of one pipe is received within an interior of another pipe so as to have a shoulder abutting the end of the pipe. As such, a proper driving of consecutive steel pipes can be achieved.

[0072] In the process shown in FIG. 3, the steel pipes 12, 14, 16 and 18 are consecutively driven into the earth for a desired distance from the structure supported by the pile cap 38. The cable 24 is affixed to the lowermost steel pipe 12 so it extends therefrom and through the interior passageway of the steel pipes 12, 14, 16 and 18. A transition member 47 is threaded along the cable 24 and positioned so as to reside against the top of the uppermost steel pipe 18. The concrete piles 28, 30, 32 and 34 are consecutively threaded along the cable 24 such that the lower most pile segment 28 will reside on a top of the transition member 47. The concrete pile segments 28, 30, 32 and 34 have a diameter that is approximately twice the diameter of the steel pipes 12, 14, 16 and 18. An anchor 49 is affixed to the cable 28 at the uppermost concrete pile segment 34. As such, the anchor 49 secures the cable 24 in a proper position through the interior passageways 20 and 36 in a generally vertical orientation. The pile 38 is suitably threaded along the cable so as to reside in a position above the uppermost concrete pile segment 34.

[0073] FIG. 4 illustrates the manner of locking an end of the cable 24 into a lowermost steel pipe and one technique of interlocking one steel pipe segment to another steel pipe segment. This is in accordance with the teachings of FIG. 3 and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

[0074] In particular, it can be seen that the lowermost steel pipe 12 is a generally constant diameter between the end 51 and the end 53. The steel pipe segment 14 is illustrated as having an upset 55 formed at an end 57 thereof. The upset 55 will define a segment that has an outer diameter that is less than the inner diameter of the lowermost steel pipe 12. A shoulder will be defined between the upset 55 and the remainder of the steel pipe segment 14. The shoulder 59 will reside against the end 53 of the lowermost steel pipe segment 12.

[0075] As a result of the configuration of the upset 55, the first steel pipe segment 12 can be driven a desired distance into the earth. The steel pipe segment 14 will have its end 57 inserted into the end 53 of the pipe segment 12. As such, a secure fit is achieved between the steel pipe segments 12 and 14. A driving force applied upon the steel pipe 14 will cause a corresponding movement of the pipe segment 12 by virtue of the forces applied from the shoulder 59 of the steel pipe 14 and the end 53 of the steel pipe 12. This arrangement also assures that the steel pipe 14 will be in a straight vertical alignment with the steel pipe 12. This is one technique for locking the pile segments in end-to-end relationship. Another technique for locking the steel pipes in end-to-end relationship will be shown hereinafter in connection with FIG. 9.

[0076] In FIG. 4, it can be seen that the collar 22 has a surface 61 that is affixed to the side 63 of the inner wall of the steel pipe 12. The collar 22 has a generally cylindrical configuration with an interior passageway. The cable 22 extends through the interior passageway of the collar 22 so as to have end 26 extending outwardly therefrom. The bottom 65 of the collar 22 is in spaced relationship inwardly from the end 51 of the steel pipe 12. The cable 22 will then extend upwardly, and generally vertically, through the interiors of the steel pipes 12 and 14. The opposite side 67 of the inner wall of the steel pipe is in spaced relationship from the outer diameter of the collar 12. As such, proper water injection can be applied to the interior of the steel pipes 12 and 14 and outwardly of the end 51 through the space defined between the collar 22 and the side 67. As such, the application of the collar 22 will not interfere with proper installation of the steel pipes 12 and 14 into the earth.

[0077] FIG. 5 shows the underpinning pile assembly 80 in accordance with teachings of the present invention. The underpinning pile assembly 80 includes a plurality of pile segments 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94, 96, 98 and 100. More or fewer pipe segments can be used, as desired. Each of the plurality of pipe segments 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94, 96, 98 and 100 has an interior passageway. This plurality of pipe segments are stacked one upon another such that the interior passageways of each of the plurality of pile segments forms a continuous passageway through the plurality of pile segments. A cable 102 extends through this continuous passageway of the plurality of pile segments 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94, 96, 98 and 100. The cable 102 has a lower end affixed to the lowermost pile segment 82. An anchor 104 is positioned at a top of the uppermost pile segment 100. The anchor 104 has an opening 106 receiving a portion of the cable 102 therein. The anchor assembly 104 affixes a position of the upper end of the cable 102 therein. This anchor assembly 104 has an upper surface 108. The anchor assembly 104 has at least one column 110 extending upwardly from the upper surface 108 thereof. An adjustable support 112 is affixed to the column 110. The adjustable support has a surface 114 opposite the upper surface 108 of the anchor assembly 104. Surface 104 is adapted to support the structure 116 thereon.

[0078] In particular, the adjustable support 112 includes a shaft 118 that extends to the column 120. The shaft 118 is adjustably received within the column 120. Column 120 corresponds to the column 110. A panel 122 is affixed to the shaft at an end opposite the column 120. This panel 122 is similar to the surface 114 that supports the structure 116.

[0079] As will be described hereinafter, each of the columns 110 and 120 has a threaded hole formed therein. The shaft associated with the adjustable support 112 and the shaft 118 are threadedly received within the threaded hole of the columns 110 and 120. The surface 114 and the panel 122 are positioned in parallel planar relationship to the upper surface of the anchor assembly.

[0080] In the arrangement shown in FIG. 5, it can be seen that the cable 102 extends entirely through the plurality of pile segments 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94, 96, 98 and 100. As such, the present invention avoids the use of concrete pile segments of the prior art and the problems associated with such concrete pile segments. The driving of the plurality of pile segments into the earth is relatively easy. Ultimately, the anchor assembly 104 will be secured to the uppermost pile segment 100 in a fixed arrangement. Since the anchor assembly 104 will reside a small distance below the structure 116, the adjustable support 112 is provided so as to allow the surfaces thereon to move so as to be positioned at the bottom surface of the structure 116. As such, the present invention effectively avoids the use of columns, cylinders and shims associated with the prior art. These adjustable supports are infinitely adjustable so that they can be configured so as to directly match the space between the column 110 and the support structure 116. In the present invention, each of the plurality of pile segments 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94, 96, 98 and 100 are interlocked together (such as in the manner of FIG. 4 or 9) and they are secured together by compression forces caused by the tensioned cable 102 extending therethrough. As such, this provides a double technique for avoiding any deflection forces to the underpinning pile assembly 80 caused by the shifting of the earth.

[0081] FIGS. 6 and 7 show, in particular, how the lowermost and of the cable 102 is secured to the lowermost pile segment 82. In particular, the cable 102 is affixed within the interior passageway 70 of the collar 22. In particular, a pair of wedges 72 and 74 are affixed around the end 26 of the cable 102. The wedges 72 and 74 are inserted into the interior passageway 70 so as to wedge against the inner wall 76 of the interior passageway 70. As such, a strong interference-fit relationship is established between the wedges 72 and 74 and the outer surface of the cable 102 and the inner wall 76 of the interior passageway 70 of the collar 22 at the lowermost pile segment 82. As a result, the end 26 of the cable 102 is strongly fixed in position.

[0082] FIG. 7 illustrates an end view of the locking assembly 81 at the lowermost pile segment 82. In particular, the locking assembly 81 includes collar 22 having an outer surface 83. There is a first wedge 72 and a second wedge 74 that is received within the interior passageway 70 of the collar 22. The cable 102 is affixed against the inner wall of each of the wedges 72 and 74. As such, the wedges 72 and 74 generally surround the cable 24 so as to achieve a secure engagement therewith. The angled surfaces of the wedges 72 and 74 will be engaged within the wall 76 of the interior passageway 70 of the collar 22 so as to affix the cable 24 in its desired position.

[0083] FIG. 8 shows the anchor assembly 104 as utilized in the underpinning pile assembly 80 of the present invention. In particular, the anchor assembly is positioned at the top of the plurality of pile segments (not shown in FIG. 8). The anchor assembly 104 has an opening 130 that receives a portion of the cable 102 therein. The anchor assembly 104 affixes a position of an upper end of the cable 102 therein. The anchor assembly 104 has columns 110 and 120 extending upwardly from the top surface 108 thereof. Column 110 has a threaded hole 132 formed therein. Similarly, column 120 has a threaded hole 134 formed therein. The adjustable supports 112 each include a shaft 118. The shaft 118 is suitably threaded so as to be threadedly received within the threaded holes 132 and 134 of columns 110 and 120. Panels 122 are located at the upper end of the shaft 118 so as to provide a building-supporting surface thereon. The surfaces 122 will be in parallel planar relationship to the upper surface 108 of anchor assembly 104.

[0084] The opening 130 of the anchor assembly 104 opens at the upper surface 108 of the anchor assembly 104. Wedges 140 and 142 are positioned in the opening 130 of anchor assembly 104. The wedges 140 and 142 are interposed between the wall of the opening 130 and an outer surface of the cable 102. The pair of wedges 140 and 142 bear against the cable at the upper surface of the anchor assembly 104. The end 146 of cable 102 can be suitably tensioned, if desired, so as to create a tension force that retains the anchor assembly 104 rigidly against the uppermost pile 110 and secures the alignment of the plurality of pile segments 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94, 96, 98 and 100.

[0085] FIG. 9 shows another technique for causing the pile segments to be interlocked in end-to-end relationship. In particular, in FIG. 9, it can be seen that pile segments 200 and 202 are arranged generally in end-to-end relationship. Pile segment 200 has an interior passageway 204 therein. Pile segment 202 has interior passageway 206 therein. Interior passageway 206 will have a shoulder 208 defined therein. Similarly, a shoulder 210 is defined in pile segment 200. Shoulders 208 and 210 are formed so as to extend into the respective interior passageways 206 and 204. A key member 212 is inserted into the ends 214 and 218 of the respective pile segments 200 and 202. As such, this key 212 will serve to properly align the pile segment 200 with the pile segment 202. Key 212 will have a interior passageway 214 therein which will align with the interior passageways 204 and 206 of the respective pile segments 200 and 202. The key 212 is inserted into the interior passageway 204 of pile segment 10 until it abuts the shoulder 210. The upper end of the key 212 is inserted into the interior passageway 206 of the pile segment 202 until it abuts the shoulder 208. As such, this provides a manner in which the pile segments 200 and 202 can be interlocked in end-to-end relationship while, at the same time, allowing the passage of the cable 102 therethrough.

[0086] The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof. Various changes in the details of the illustrated construction can be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the true spirit of the invention. The present invention should only be limited by the following claims and their legal equivalents.