Temporarily coupling between jacket and pile

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for coupling a jacket with a foundation pile, comprising; mounting a first flange with the jacket, contacting a second flange with the foundation pile such that the second flange is supported by the foundation pile, mutually positioning the first flange and the second flange such that the jacket may be supported by the pile through the first flange and the second flange, arranging an inflatable spacing member between the first flange and second flange such that the spacing member contacts both the first flange and second flange for supporting the jacket through the spacing member.

Claims

1. A method for coupling a jacket with a foundation pile, comprising; mounting a first flange with the jacket, contacting a second flange with the foundation pile such that the second flange is supported by the foundation pile, mutually positioning the first flange and the second flange such that the jacket may be supported by the pile through the first flange and the second flange, and arranging an inflatable spacing member between the first flange and second flange such that the spacing member contacts both the first flange and second flange for supporting the jacket through the spacing member.

2. The method according to claim 1, comprising inflating the spacing member for increasing a spacing between the first flange and second flange.

3. The method according to claim 1, comprising providing a grout coupling between the pile and the jacket.

4. The method according to claim 3, comprising deflating the spacing member for detaching the spacing member from at least one of the first flange and second flange such that the spacing member no longer supports the jacket.

5. The method according to claim 3, comprising inflating the spacing member to such an extent that the spacing member ruptures for detaching the spacing member from at least one of the first flange and second flange such that the spacing member no longer supports the jacket.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the jacket comprises a pin pile facing the foundation pile, the first flange is mounted with the pin pile, and the method comprises accommodating at least a part of the pin pile in the interior of the foundation pile.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein, the jacket comprises a sleeve facing the foundation pile, the first flange is mounted in the interior of the sleeve, and the method comprises accommodating at least a part of the foundation pile in the interior of the sleeve.

8. The method according to claim 1, comprising coupling the first and second flange such that the first and second flange move in unity when contacting the foundation pile through the second flange.

9. A coupling system for temporarily coupling a jacket with a foundation pile, wherein the coupling system comprises; a first flange for mounting with the jacket, a second flange for contacting the foundation pile, and an inflatable spacing member arranged between the first flange and second flange, which inflatable spacing member contacts both the first flange and second flange for supporting the jacket through the spacing member.

10. The coupling system according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the first flange and second flange is annular.

11. The coupling system according to claim 10, wherein the spacing member is annular.

12. The coupling system according to claim 11, wherein the spacing member comprises an annular pressure chamber for inflating the spacing member.

13. The coupling system according to claim 9, wherein the spacing member comprises a rupture zone having a reduced strength to provide a predictable way of rupturing.

14. The coupling system according to claim 9, comprising an auxiliary spacing member, arranged between the first flange and second flange, to guarantee a minimal spacing between the first flange and second flange such that inflating of the spacing member is facilitated.

15. The coupling system according to claim 9, wherein the inflatable spacing member comprises metal, preferably is made of metal.

16. An assembly of a jacket and a foundation pile coupled by a coupling system according to claim 9.

17. The assembly according to claim 16, wherein, the jacket comprises a pin pile and the first flange is mounted with the pin pile.

18. The assembly according to claim 16, wherein the jacket comprises a sleeve and the first flange is mounted in the interior of the sleeve.

19. The coupling system according to claim 10, wherein both of the first flange and second flange are annular.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] The invention will be further elucidated referring to the schematic drawings wherein shown in:

[0043] FIG. 1 in side view a jacket coupled with foundation piles through coupling systems according to the invention;

[0044] FIGS. 2a and 2b a detail of FIG. 1,

[0045] FIGS. 3a and 3b details of FIGS. 2a and 2b; and

[0046] FIG. 4 a side view of a further embodiment of the coupling system according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0047] FIG. 1 shows in side view an assembly of a jacket 8 coupled with foundation piles 5 through coupling systems 1 according to the invention. The jacket 8 is partly submerged in a body of water 9. The piles 5 are driven into the bottom 10 of the body of water 9. Here, the jacket 8 comprises a pin pile 13. The first flange 3 is mounted with the pin pile 13 of the jacket 8. The pin pile 13 is accommodated in the interior of the foundation pile 5.

[0048] The coupling system 1 is suitable for temporarily coupling a jacket 8 with a foundation pile 5. The coupling system 1 comprises a first flange 3 mounted with the jacket. Here, the first flange 3 is mounted on a wall member 4 of the jacket 8. The first flange 3 is capable to support the jacket 8. The coupling system 1 comprises a second flange 2 for contacting the foundation pile 5. Here, the second flange 2 contacts the top end of the foundation pile 5. It is conceivable that the second flange 2 is mounted with the foundation pile 5. Here, both the first flange 3 and second flange 2 are annular and extend around the pin pile 13.

[0049] The coupling system 1 comprises an inflatable spacing member 6. The spacing member is arranged between the first flange 3 and second flange 2. The inflatable spacing member 6 contacts both the first flange 2 and second flange 3 for supporting the jacket through the spacing member. Here, the spacing member 6 is annular, other forms may be conceivable. In this case, the first flange 3, second flange 2 and the inflatable spacing member 6 have a corresponding annular shape.

[0050] Here, the spacing member 6 has one annular pressure chamber 7 for inflating the spacing member. The inflatable spacing member is made of metal. The spacing member 6 is made of two opposite flat rings. The rings are welded 16 together at their edges and do form the pressure chamber 7. The spacing member 6 is provided with an inlet 12 for introducing a pressurized medium in the pressure chamber 7. When the pressure chamber 7 is pressurized, the plates deform and increase the spacing s between the first flange 3 and the second flange 2 as shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b. Depending on the dimensions of the spacing member 6, a height adjustment range for the spacing member 6 of between 1 to 30 mm is conceivable.

[0051] As an option, the spacing member 6 comprises a rupture zone (not shown) having a reduced strength to provide a predictable way of rupturing.

[0052] In this case, the coupling system 1 comprises an auxiliary spacing member 15. The auxiliary spacing member 15 is arranged between the first flange 3 and second flange 2 in order to guarantee a minimal spacing s between the first flange 3 and second flange 2 such that inflating of the spacing member 6 is facilitated. The auxiliary spacing member 15 may be arranged in the pressure chamber 7 of the spacing member 6.

[0053] As shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b, the inflatable spacing member 6 comprises two opposite metal plates17, 18 also referred to as ring(s). The plates 17, 18 coupled at their ends through weld beads 16. FIG. 3a shows the inflatable spacing member 6 in its initial state. Upon inflating of the spacing member 6 by e.g. injecting a hydraulic medium under high pressure between the plates 17, 18, the plates will deform plastically into a donut-like shape as shown in FIG. 3b. As a consequence the jacket 8 will be lifted. In practice the height adjustment range of the coupling system is between 1-30 mm. Subsequently the grout coupling 11 between the pile and the jacket can be established. After the grout is cured, the spacing member 6 can either be de-pressurized or over-pressurized. Such an over-pressurizing causes rupture of the spacing member 6, e.g. at the weld beads 16. Both de-pressurizing or over pressurizing result in losing the ability of the spacing member 6 to transfer any axial loads between the foundation pile 5 and the jacket 8.

[0054] FIG. 4 shows a side view of a further embodiment of the coupling system 1 according to the invention. In this case, the jacket 8 comprises a sleeve 14 and the first flange 3 is mounted in the interior of the sleeve 14. The top end of a foundation pile 5 is accommodated in the sleeve 14.

[0055] During use of a coupling system 1 according to the invention for coupling a jacket 8 with a foundation pile 5the following method steps are executed. The first flange 3 is mounted with the jacket 8. The second flange 2 contacts the foundation pile 5 such that the second flange 2 is supported by the foundation pile 5. The first flange 3 and the second flange are mutually positioned such that the jacket 8 may be supported by the foundation pile 5 through the first flange 3 and the second flange 2. Arranging an inflatable spacing member 6 between the first flange 3 and second flange 2 such that the spacing member contacts both the first flange 3 and second flange 2 for supporting the jacket through the spacing member.

[0056] Before establishing a grout connection 11 between the jacket 8 and foundation pile 5, the spacing member 6 is inflated for increasing a spacing s between the first flange 3 and second flange 2. The spacing member 6 is inflated to such an extent that corresponds with a desired height position of the jacket 8. After the jacket 8 has taken its desired position, a grout coupling 11 is established between the foundation pile 5 and the jacket 8.

[0057] As an option, after the grout coupling 11 is established between the foundation pile 5 and the jacket 8, the method comprises deflating the spacing member 6 for detaching the spacing member 6 from at least one of the first flange 3 and second flange 2. The spacing member 6 then no longer supports the jacket 8. Instead, the grout coupling supports the jacket 8.

[0058] Instead of deflating the spacing member, the method may comprise inflating the spacing member 6 to such an extent that the spacing member ruptures for detaching the spacing member from at least one of the first flange 3 and second flange 2. As will be clear the spacing member 6 then no longer supports the jacket 8.

[0059] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the jacket 8 comprises a pin pile 13 that faces the foundation pile 5. The first flange 3 is mounted with the pin pile 13. The method then comprises accommodating a lower end of the pin pile 13 in the interior of the foundation pile 5.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 4, the jacket 8 may comprise a sleeve 14 that faces the foundation pile 5. The first flange 3 is mounted in the interior of the sleeve 14. The method then comprises accommodating a top end of the foundation pile 5 in the interior of the sleeve 14.

[0061] Optionally, the method comprises coupling the first 3 and second 2 flange such that the first and second flange move in unity when contacting the foundation pile 5 with the second flange 2.

[0062] It will also be obvious after the above description and drawings are included to illustrate some embodiments of the invention, and not to limit the scope of protection. Starting from this disclosure, many more embodiments will be evident to a skilled person which are within the scope of protection and the essence of this invention and which are obvious combinations of prior art techniques and the disclosure of this patent.