EP3077599B1 - Concreting facility and corresponding concreting method - Google Patents

Concreting facility and corresponding concreting method Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3077599B1
EP3077599B1 EP14825404.8A EP14825404A EP3077599B1 EP 3077599 B1 EP3077599 B1 EP 3077599B1 EP 14825404 A EP14825404 A EP 14825404A EP 3077599 B1 EP3077599 B1 EP 3077599B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
concreting
column
concrete
excavation
installation
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP14825404.8A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3077599A1 (en
Inventor
Bertrand Steff De Verninac
Daniel Perpezat
Christian AUVRAY
Lionel ROUFFAUD
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Soletanche Freyssinet SA
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Soletanche Freyssinet SA
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Publication of EP3077599A1 publication Critical patent/EP3077599A1/en
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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
    • E02D15/00—Handling building or like materials for hydraulic engineering or foundations
    • E02D15/02—Handling of bulk concrete specially for foundation or hydraulic engineering purposes
    • E02D15/04—Placing concrete in mould-pipes, pile tubes, bore-holes or narrow shafts
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
    • E02D17/00—Excavations; Bordering of excavations; Making embankments
    • E02D17/13—Foundation slots or slits; Implements for making these slots or slits
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
    • E02D7/00—Methods or apparatus for placing sheet pile bulkheads, piles, mouldpipes, or other moulds

Definitions

  • the installation and the method according to the invention are suitable for the production of elements molded in the ground, of any general shape, for example molded walls or piles.
  • the installation and the method according to the invention are particularly suitable for the production of deep molded elements.
  • the procedure for producing such walls is similar to that of conventional molded walls.
  • An excavation is drilled in the ground and filled with a liquid called "mud", usually made from bentonite.
  • mud usually made from bentonite.
  • the sludge forms a tight deposit on the walls of the excavation which allows it to control percolation in the soil and prevents the walls from collapsing.
  • the excavation is progressively filled with concrete, starting below the mud, in the bottom of the excavation.
  • Concreting begins when the lower end of the column is sufficiently close to the bottom of the excavation.
  • the first step consists of filling the concrete column with concrete by replacing the sludge initially present with concrete, without polluting the concrete with the sludge.
  • Falling concrete to a high height can also lead to the entrapment of pressurized air in the column, which can lead to concrete spraying at the upper end of the column during its expulsion, which is therefore a risk potential for safety of the operators, or by the lower end of the column, causing a decrease in the quality of the concrete.
  • the flow of concrete or drilling mud inside the column and / or the flow of concrete or sludge at the outlet of the concrete column can be regulated as required.
  • the installation is thus advantageously configured to allow control of the height of a free space defined between the volume of concrete retained inside the column and one end of the concrete column.
  • the maximum drop height of the concrete inside the column is thus kept constantly below a predetermined limit value, preferably equal to 40 meters.
  • the term "retaining device” means a device allowing, in at least one configuration, total or partial blockage of the flow of concrete or sludge inside the column or out of the column. column. This device is, in particular, adapted to restrict the flow section of the concrete or mud inside or outside the column.
  • the restraint is controlled, generally at a distance. It is thus adapted to be actuated to pass from at least one passive position, in which it defines a useful section of concrete flow or sludge inside the column or out of the column, at least one active position in which it defines a flow section of the concrete or slurry which is less than the useful section, and vice versa .
  • the flow section when the holding device is in its active position can then be zero (total blocking) or non-zero (partial blocking).
  • an axial direction is a direction parallel to the main axis of the concrete column.
  • a radial direction is a direction perpendicular to the main axis and intersecting this axis.
  • the adjectives and adverbs axial, radial, axially and radially are used with reference to the aforementioned axial and radial directions.
  • the adjectives inner, inner and outer, external are used with reference to a radial direction so that an inner / inner portion of an element is closer to the main axis than the outer / outer portion of the same element.
  • the upper and lower adjectives are used in reference to the axis of the concreting column, generally positioned vertically when in use, the column being introduced into the excavation at its lower end with its upper end facing the entrance of the excavation.
  • the concreting column may be formed by a plurality of column sections joined to each other in the axial direction.
  • the total length of the column (measured in the axial direction), ie its maximum length, possibly obtained by assembling several column sections, may for example be greater than 100 meters.
  • At least one retaining device is disposed in the vicinity of the lower end of the concreting column.
  • an element is disposed near the bottom end of the concreting column when it is located at a distance from the bottom end of not more than 20%, preferably at most 20%. %, even more preferably at most 2%, of the total length of the column.
  • the retaining device is controlled so that the height of the volume of concrete that it retains inside the column remains constantly greater than a predetermined value, the result being that the distance between the opening of the column at its upper end and the free surface of the volume of concrete inside the column remains below a limit value, less than or equal to the limit drop height for the concrete.
  • the concreting column has at least one outlet orifice in the vicinity of its lower end, and the retaining device comprises at least one movable valve adapted to be displaced with respect to said outlet orifice.
  • the valve may, in particular, change the flow section of the concrete, or sludge during the initial priming phase, out of the concrete column.
  • the outlet orifice of the concreting column opens axially, and the valve is movable in translation in the axial direction.
  • the valve comprises a tube of the same axis as the concreting column, at least one of the concreting column and the tube comprising at least one lateral opening, and the tube is adapted to be displaced by relative to the concreting column so as to modify the flow section of the concrete out of the concreting column through said lateral opening.
  • the tube may be rotatably mounted relative to the concreting column. It may, in a variant, be movable in translation relative to the concreting column, along the axis of the concreting column.
  • the tube has a length, measured in the axial direction, substantially less than that of the column, at most equal to 20%, preferably 5%, even more preferably 2%, of the total length of the column.
  • the tube may be arranged radially inside or outside the concreting column.
  • the concreting column comprises at least a first lateral opening and the tube comprises at least a second lateral opening, and the concreting column and the tube are adapted to be moved so that the first and the second opening are positioned opposite one another in at least one configuration of the installation.
  • the installation comprises at least one mechanism for actuating the retaining device, situated in the vicinity of the lower end of the concreting column.
  • the actuation mechanism can then be controlled remotely.
  • valve defined above can be actuated by a suitable actuating mechanism located in the vicinity of the lower end of the column, including at least one jack or cable.
  • At least one retaining device is arranged in the column, at a distance from the upper end of the column less than 80% of the total length of said column.
  • the retaining device then forms a bearing, at which the concrete is in particular stopped or braked, before continuing its descent inside the column. The height of concrete drop is reduced, reducing the risks of segregation.
  • At least one retaining device is located in the upper part of the column.
  • the upper portion of an element such as the concreting column corresponds to the upper half of this element, in the axial direction.
  • At least a first retaining device at near the lower end of the column and at least one second retaining device located higher in the column, in particular at a distance from the upper end of the column of less than 80%, preferably 50%, of the total length of said column.
  • Such an arrangement may allow, in particular, to distribute the load related to the concrete retained inside the column, on several restraints.
  • the concrete installation comprises a plurality of retaining devices distributed along the concrete column and adapted to be controlled independently of one another. The progress of the concrete inside the column is then made in successive stages, spaced a distance less than or equal to the desired limit drop height for the concrete.
  • a hydraulic or pneumatic valve is used as the retaining device, in particular a sleeve valve.
  • the concreting column comprises, in the vicinity of its lower end (and in particular of its outlet orifice), a guiding and abutment element for the concrete, provided with a useful tip end intended to disintegrate the possible clusters of chippings in the concrete.
  • the concrete installation may also include a priming piston adapted to slide along the concrete column.
  • the priming piston may have various shapes, in particular a spherical or cylindrical shape. It makes the separation between the sludge and the concrete inside the column, during the priming phase. It prevents mud from rising and hindering the descent of the concrete inside the column, and that it comes to pollute the concrete.
  • the priming piston can naturally be deposited on the check valve located at the lower end of the concreting column, so as to constitute, in fine, a guiding and abutment element for the concrete in the vicinity of the outlet.
  • the concrete installation further comprises means for evacuating the air trapped in a column section, to avoid the risk of concrete spraying at the upper end of the column.
  • the evacuation means comprise, for example, an air duct communicating with said section of the concreting column.
  • the air evacuation system comprises a pipe extending axially inside the concreting column.
  • this mobile pipe can also fulfill the function of the flow rate measuring device inside the concreting column.
  • the concreting installation comprises at least one device for measuring and / or calculating a parameter representative of the progress of concreting.
  • the installation advantageously comprises a device for measuring and / or calculating at least one parameter representative of the level of concrete inside the concreting column. Thanks to such a device, it is possible to determine when and to what extent the flow section of the concrete column must be restricted, before the rise of said column in the excavation, so that the height of the free space defined between the volume of concrete contained in the concrete column and the upper end of the concrete column remains below the limit value during this ascent.
  • this measuring device and / or calculation is adapted to directly measure the level of concrete. It is for example in the form of a float or a lead.
  • measuring device and / or calculation can be implemented continuously or punctually during the concreting process.
  • the installation comprises an automated control unit of the retaining device (s).
  • this control unit is connected to the (x) measurement and / or calculation devices and adapted to control the said retaining device (s) as a function of the values of the parameter (s). s) measured and / or calculated by these () measurement and / or calculation devices.
  • the present disclosure also relates to a concreting machine comprising a concreting installation as defined above, a frame, and means for supporting and guiding the concrete column, integral with the frame.
  • the support and guiding means comprise a guide and support mast integral with the chassis, a rotating system movable along said guide mast, and a clamping device for the concrete column.
  • the concreting machine also comprises means for placing, removing and storing the column elements.
  • free space here means a continuous space extending over an axial portion of the column, free of concrete, but filled with air or sludge during the priming phase.
  • a free space is a space in which concrete can move under the effect of its own weight.
  • the height of a free space corresponds to the height of fall of the concrete, during the implementation of the process.
  • a volume of concrete is therefore retained inside the column in such a way that the height of fall of this volume of concrete or of another volume of concrete inside the column remains lower than a predetermined value.
  • the predetermined limit value is equal to 40 meters. Beyond this limit value, the fall of the concrete and / or the abrupt contact between the poured concrete and the concrete at the bottom of the column may result in segregation of the concrete and possibly the formation of a plug inside the column. , preventing the continuation of operations.
  • a retaining device will be controlled so that it passes, as required, from a passive position, in which it defines a useful flow section inside the column or outwards. the column to an active position in which it defines a flow section that is smaller than the useful section, or vice versa.
  • the first concreting cycle comprises a priming step during which concrete is introduced through the open upper end of the concreting column filled with drilling fluid, so as to expel the fluid. drilling out of the column and filling the concrete column, and during the priming step, partially restricts the flow section inside the concrete column and / or outward of said column. The descent of the concrete in the concrete column is thus slowed down, and the segregation phenomena of the concrete and the resulting plugs are avoided.
  • a second concreting cycle is carried out after a first concreting cycle. Several concrete cycles can follow one another, until the complete rise of the column and the entire concreting of the excavation.
  • a column member may be removed at the upper end of the column at the end of a concreting cycle and prior to the start of operation. next cycle.
  • the concreting process can be automated, totally or partially.
  • the opening of the retaining device (s) may be controlled depending on the level of the concrete in the column.
  • the rise of the column can be controlled according to the height of concrete in the excavation.
  • the stopping of the concreting, the control of the retaining device (s), the removal of a column element, and / or the resumption of the concreting can be automated at least in part.
  • the free space defined above is located above the volume of concrete.
  • the concrete installation comprises at least one retaining device in the vicinity of the lower end of the concrete column. This holding device is then controlled so as to limit or completely stop the flow of concrete at the outlet of the column, and to prevent the level of the concrete inside said column from excessively decreasing, which would leave a free space of height too high for the next concreting, in the upper part of the column.
  • step a the flow section inside the concreting column and / or towards the outside of the column is advantageously the largest possible. If this flow section has been decreased during the priming step or in step b) of a previous cycle, it is preferably increased again.
  • At least one parameter representing the level of concrete inside the excavation is measured and / or calculated (continuously or punctually) and, depending on this at least one parameter, the time at which the concrete feed of the concrete column is to be stopped is determined.
  • the lower end of the concrete column should always be immersed in the concrete during concreting.
  • the column length immersed in the concrete remains in a certain range of values, for example between 3 and 10 meters.
  • at least one parameter representative of the concrete level inside the concreting column is measured and / or calculated (continuously or punctually) and, depending on this at least one parameter, , we restrict the section of the concreting column (in particular, the moment and / or the extent to which the section is to be restricted) is determined, so that the height of the free space defined between the volume of concrete contained in the column concrete and the upper end of the concrete column remains below the limit value.
  • step c) of the first concreting cycle the concreting column is raised inside the excavation, the height of the free space defined between the volume of concrete retained in the concreting column and the upper end of the concreting column still remaining below the limit value, and at least one second concreting cycle is carried out at the end of the first concreting cycle.
  • step b the flow section inside the concreting column and / or towards the outside of said column is restricted, in step b), so that even during the ascent of the column to Inside the excavation and pressure differences between the inside of the column and the excavation, the drop height of the concrete (height of free space) remains below the desired limit value.
  • the free space is located below the volume of concrete.
  • at least one retaining device is generally located at a distance from the lower end of the column, and forms at least one retaining block for the concrete.
  • a free space can then be defined between the retainer and the free concrete surface in the column, downstream of the retainer, or between a first retainer and a second retainer, if there are more than one .
  • the air present in the free space is evacuated to control the pressure.
  • a volume of concrete is successively retained at at least two retaining points spaced axially inside the concrete column, a free space being defined between said first and second holding points.
  • the Figure 1A illustrates a concreting machine 100 according to the invention, suitable for concreting an excavation E as shown, of height H1 here equal to at least 100 meters and filled with a drilling fluid F of the bentonite sludge type.
  • the concreting machine 100 comprises a concreting installation 10 provided with a concreting column 12 of axis A, through which the concrete is introduced into the excavation.
  • a control unit 90 On the frame 80 are mounted other equipment such as a control unit 90.
  • the column 12 is formed of a plurality of column members 14 successively mounted one after the other in the axial direction A.
  • the connection between two successive elements 14 is for example made by screwing between a threaded end of one of the elements, and a threaded end complementary to the second. This connection is made or defeated, in a manner known per se, using the clamping device 86.
  • the concreting column 12 formed of a plurality of column members 14, is held at its upper end by the clamping device 86, while its lower end is in the vicinity of the bottom of the excavation E.
  • Sa total height H2 is at least equal to the height H1 of the excavation.
  • the column 12 is open and capped with a funnel 16 at its upper end, and provided with an outlet orifice 18 opening axially at its lower end.
  • the installation 10 comprises a controlled retention device adapted to retain a volume V of concrete inside the column 12 as will be described in more detail below.
  • FIGS 2A and 2B illustrate in more detail the lower end of column 12 of the Figure 1A provided with this restraint.
  • the retaining device comprises a valve 30 mounted to be movable in translation relative to the column 12, in the axial direction, so as to be able to assume a closed position in which the outlet orifice 18 is closed completely, an open position wherein the flow section through the outlet port 18 is maximum, and optionally a partially open position in which the flow section is non-zero but less than that obtained in the open position.
  • valve 30 is shown in the closed position. His move to the open position of the Figure 2B is realized by means of two hydraulic jacks 20, connected to the control unit 90 integral with the frame. These provisions are however not limiting, and the valve may be actuated by any other suitable controlled actuation mechanism, including cables or electric cylinders.
  • the concreting column 12 is filled with drilling mud F, as is the excavation E.
  • the valve 30 is in the partially open position, the flow section through the outlet orifice 18 is low. .
  • the Figure 1A illustrates the priming phase, which consists of replacing the sludge F initially present in the concreting column 12 with concrete.
  • a priming piston plug 22 is placed beforehand on the surface of the sludge, inside the column 12. The concrete is thus permanently separated from the slurry. mud.
  • valve 30 which partially closes the outlet orifice 18 of the column 12
  • the flow of the sludge out of the column 12 is limited, slowing down the descent of the concrete.
  • the segregation phenomena of the concrete and the resulting plugs are thus avoided.
  • valve 30 is controlled in the open position by the control unit 90 and the concreting of the excavation E begins at a controlled rate.
  • the priming piston 22 is deposited on the upper face of the valve 30, where it will remain until the end of concreting of the excavation.
  • the priming piston fulfills a new function, guiding and abutment for concrete. Provided with a useful upper end tip, it breaks up any clumps of gravel contained in the concrete reaching the outlet port 18.
  • a free space of height H3 is defined between the upper end of the column and the free surface of the concrete inside the column, and the valve 30 is brought into the closed position.
  • the funnel 16 is then disengaged from the upper end of the column 12, to which the rotation head 84 is then fixed, the column 12 is raised along the mast 82 by a height substantially equal to the length of the column. a column member 14, then the upper end member 14 is removed, and the funnel is reinstalled at the upper end of the "cut off" column.
  • valve 30 being in the closed position, the flow of concrete at the outlet of the column is zero, and the height of concrete inside the column remains unchanged.
  • the concrete poured into the funnel 16 then drops inside the free space to a height H4 corresponding to the height H3 minus the height of the column element removed during the cutting of the column.
  • the stopping of the first concreting cycle and the control of the valve 30 are chosen so that this height H4 does not exceed the maximum permissible drop height for the concrete, generally of the order of 40 meters.
  • control unit 90 which processes them for the control of the process and manages, as a function, the opening and closing of the valve 30.
  • control unit 90 comprises a computer and that it permanently displays a curve giving the height of concrete inside the excavation E as a function of the volume of concrete already introduced into the column. Taking into account also the position of the lower end 12b of the column 12 inside the excavation E, the control unit can then control the stopping of concreting operations and the triggering of a new one. cutting of the column, so that the drop height H4 of the concrete in the free space of the column, the resumption of concreting, remains below the predetermined limit value.
  • the concrete installation 10 may also include a handling system and storage of the column elements 14 and / or a system for handling and screwing / unscrewing the funnel 16.
  • control and control of the retaining device, cutting of the column, as well as the stopping and resumption of concreting operations can also be carried out manually, by a operator, according to the parameters measured by one or more measuring devices and / or calculation of the aforementioned type.
  • FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate the lower end of a concreting column 12 of the aforementioned type.
  • the column 12 has, at its lower end, an outlet opening 18 opening axially.
  • a retaining device is here formed by a tube 40 coaxial with the concreting column 12, mounted inside said column 12, and movable in translation in the axial direction A, here by the actuation of a jack 20.
  • the tube 40 has an axial length substantially smaller than the total length of the column (ie its maximum length), in particular a length at most equal to 20%, preferably 5%, even more preferably 2%, of the total length of the column. the column.
  • a lateral opening 42 is formed in the side wall of the tube 40.
  • the opening 42 is arranged such that axial displacement of the tube 40 away from the column 12 makes it possible to at least partially discover the opening 42, as illustrated in FIG. the figure 3B and allowing the concrete and / or the sludge exiting through the outlet orifice 18 to pass out of the column 12.
  • the retaining means have a shape similar to that of the previous variant, but the concreting column 12 has this time an outlet opening 19 formed in its side wall.
  • the tube 40 forming a valve is adapted to be displaced axially relative to the column 12, here by means of a jack 20, so that the axial openings of the tube and the column respectively referenced 42 and 19, are positioned opposite one another in at least one configuration of the installation illustrated on the figure 1C , and that the flow section through the axial opening 19 of the column 12 can be modified by moving the tube 40 relative to the column 12.
  • the lateral opening 19 of the column 12 is closed by the side wall of the tube 40.
  • the flow section through the lateral outlet opening 19 is zero.
  • the lateral opening 19 of the column 12 is opposite the lateral opening 42 of the tube 40.
  • the concrete and / or the sludge contained in the column 12 can escape through said openings 19, 42.
  • a retaining device is formed by a tube 40 coaxial with the column 12, but this time mounted outside thereof.
  • the concreting column 12 has a lateral opening 19 and the tube 40 has a lateral opening 42.
  • the tube 40 is rotatably mounted about the axis A.
  • the tube 40 By being displaced relative to the column 12, the tube 40 can move from a position as illustrated on the Figure 5A , in which the lateral openings 42, 19 of the tube 40 and of the column 12 are opposite, allowing the passage of the concrete and / or the mud, to a position as illustrated on FIG. Figure 5B , in which the openings 42, 19 are not superimposed or only partially, thus defining a smaller flow section than in the previous position, or even a zero flow section.
  • the concrete installation 110 is provided with a concrete column 112 of axis A, through which the concrete is introduced into the excavation E.
  • It may also comprise a frame, support and guide means for the concrete column, and other equipment such as described in connection with the first embodiment.
  • the features described in connection with the figure 1 are not repeated here for the sake of brevity, but remain applicable to this second embodiment.
  • the concreting column 112 is here provided with a concrete retaining device on its upper part.
  • this retaining device is constituted by a valve 160, and in particular a pinch valve, well known to those skilled in the art.
  • valve 160 forms an intermediate retaining bearing for the concrete.
  • Column 112 has a total height H2.
  • a valve 160 is disposed at a distance H5 from the upper end of the column 112, the distance H5 being less than half of the total height H2 of the column.
  • valve 160 is partially closed, to avoid the steep descent of the concrete in the column filled with sludge, and the phenomena of segregation and plugs already mentioned.
  • the installation comprises a device for measuring the flow rate inside the concreting column 112.
  • This measuring device here includes a pipe 152 connected to the concreting column near its lower end and equipped with a flowmeter 154, itself connected to the control unit 90.
  • the concreting column 112 is plugged at the bottom (the lower end of the column 112 bears against the bottom of the excavation).
  • the sludge, pushed by the concrete, is evacuated by the pipe 152.
  • the column 112 can be moved so that its lower end is spaced from the bottom of the excavation E.
  • the valve 160 is open. A plug, possibly closing the lower end of the column, is released by the weight of the concrete, and concreting of the excavation is carried out with a controlled flow rate.
  • the supply of the concrete column is stopped, the column is raised by a height substantially equal to the length of a section, and the upper end element is removed.
  • valve 160 When the concreting is resumed, the valve 160 is brought into the closed position, so that the concrete poured into the column is then retained at the valve 160.
  • the height of the concrete fall is equal to the distance H5 minus the length of a column element, and is chosen to not exceed the limit drop height of the concrete.
  • a free space 170, filled with air, is defined between the valve 160 and the lower end of the column, more precisely between the valve 160 and the free surface of the concrete remaining in the lower part of the column at the end of the last cycle of concreting.
  • the valve is then opened, partially or totally, to continue concreting.
  • the height of fall H6 of the concrete inside the free space 170 does not exceed, again, the predefined limit.
  • the concrete installation comprises means for evacuating the air trapped in a column section.
  • the evacuation means comprise, in the example, an air duct 150 disposed outside the column and communicating with the section of the concreting column 112 situated directly downstream of the valve 160.
  • the line 150 can also extend axially inside the concreting column.
  • it can be mobile and can include a flowmeter 154 to measure the flow rate of the sludge inside the concreting column, at the time of priming. It thus fulfills the function of the pipe 152 described above, which can therefore be omitted.
  • the figure 8 illustrates a third embodiment of the invention, wherein retaining devices are arranged to retain the concrete at a plurality of retaining points axially spaced inside the concreting column, during a single cycle of concreting.
  • valves 260a, ..., 260d forming retaining devices, actuated independently of each other, are distributed over the height of the concreting column 212, each valve forming such a retaining point or, in other words, a retaining bearing for concrete.
  • the figure 8 illustrates the concrete installation before the beginning of a second concreting cycle.
  • the upstream valve 260a (i.e. closest to the upper end of the column) is in the closed position.
  • valves 260c, 260d, etc. The same principle is applied to the other valves 260c, 260d, etc., to split the displacement of the concrete inside the column 212 into several sections of acceptable height.
  • air discharge means identical to those described above can also be used here.
  • evacuation pipes inside or outside the column, communicating with the sections of the concreting column 212 delimited by two adjacent valves.

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  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Paleontology (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Piles And Underground Anchors (AREA)
  • Underground Structures, Protecting, Testing And Restoring Foundations (AREA)
  • On-Site Construction Work That Accompanies The Preparation And Application Of Concrete (AREA)

Description

DOMAINE TECHNIQUETECHNICAL AREA

Le présent exposé concerne le domaine des travaux spéciaux dans le sol.This presentation concerns the field of special work in soil.

Il concerne, plus particulièrement, une installation de bétonnage pour bétonner une excavation et un procédé de bétonnage d'une excavation.It concerns, more particularly, a concrete installation for concreting an excavation and a method of concreting an excavation.

En particulier, l'installation et le procédé selon l'invention sont adaptés à la réalisation d'éléments moulés dans le sol, de forme générale quelconque, par exemple des parois moulées ou des pieux.In particular, the installation and the method according to the invention are suitable for the production of elements molded in the ground, of any general shape, for example molded walls or piles.

L'installation et le procédé selon l'invention sont particulièrement adaptés à la réalisation d'éléments moulés profonds.The installation and the method according to the invention are particularly suitable for the production of deep molded elements.

Ils sont par exemple mais non limitativement adaptés à la réalisation d'ouvrages dont l'extrémité inférieure est située à plus de 100 mètres de profondeur.They are for example but not limited to the realization of works whose lower end is located more than 100 meters deep.

ARRIERE-PLAN DE L'INVENTIONBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Dans certaines situations, comme dans le cas de la réparation de barrages, il est nécessaire de réaliser des parois moulées de plus de cent mètres de profondeur.In some situations, such as in the case of dam repair, it is necessary to make molded walls more than one hundred meters deep.

Le mode opératoire, pour la réalisation de telles parois, est similaire à celui de parois moulées classiques. Une excavation est forée dans le sol et remplie d'un liquide appelé « boue », généralement à base de bentonite. La boue forme sur les parois de l'excavation un dépôt étanche qui lui permet de maîtriser la percolation dans le terrain et empêche l'éboulement des parois. Lorsque la profondeur de l'excavation a atteint le niveau désiré, l'excavation est progressivement remplie de béton, en commençant au-dessous de la boue, dans le bas de l'excavation.The procedure for producing such walls is similar to that of conventional molded walls. An excavation is drilled in the ground and filled with a liquid called "mud", usually made from bentonite. The sludge forms a tight deposit on the walls of the excavation which allows it to control percolation in the soil and prevents the walls from collapsing. When the depth of the excavation has reached the desired level, the excavation is progressively filled with concrete, starting below the mud, in the bottom of the excavation.

Pour atteindre la profondeur de bétonnage désirée et dans le cas particulier d'un bétonnage dit « profond », on utilise usuellement une colonne de bétonnage constituée d'une pluralité de tronçons ou éléments de colonne assemblés les uns aux autres.To achieve the desired concreting depth and in the particular case of a so-called "deep" concreting, it is usual to use a concrete column consisting of a plurality of sections or column elements assembled to each other.

L'assemblage de ces différents tronçons est réalisé au fur et à mesure de la descente de la colonne à l'intérieur de l'excavation.The assembly of these different sections is made as and when the descent of the column inside the excavation.

Le bétonnage débute lorsque l'extrémité inférieure de la colonne est suffisamment proche du fond de l'excavation.Concreting begins when the lower end of the column is sufficiently close to the bottom of the excavation.

La première étape, généralement appelée amorçage, consiste à remplir de béton la colonne de bétonnage en remplaçant la boue présente initialement par du béton, sans polluer le béton par la boue.The first step, generally called priming, consists of filling the concrete column with concrete by replacing the sludge initially present with concrete, without polluting the concrete with the sludge.

Après que le béton a rempli un volume prédéterminé de l'excavation, l'approvisionnement de la colonne en béton est stoppé, la colonne est remontée d'une hauteur sensiblement égale à la longueur d'un tronçon, et son tronçon d'extrémité supérieure est retiré. Cette opération est habituellement appelée « coupure » de la colonne.After the concrete has filled a predetermined volume of the excavation, the supply of the concrete column is stopped, the column is raised by a height substantially equal to the length of a section, and its upper end section is removed. This operation is usually called "cutting" of the column.

Lors de l'arrêt du bétonnage pour coupure de la colonne, du fait de l'équilibre des pressions dans la colonne et dans le reste de l'excavation, la surface supérieure du béton à l'intérieur de la colonne baisse. Lorsque le bétonnage est repris, le béton déversé à l'entrée de la colonne chute d'une hauteur importante dans l'air. Cette chute, et/ou le contact brusque entre ce béton nouvellement déversé et le béton en fond de colonne peut entraîner une ségrégation du béton et éventuellement la formation d'un bouchon à l'intérieur de la colonne, empêchant la poursuite des opérations.When stopping the concrete for cutting the column, due to the balance of pressures in the column and in the rest of the excavation, the upper surface of the concrete inside the column decreases. When the concreting is resumed, the concrete poured at the entrance of the column drops a significant height in the air. This fall, and / or the abrupt contact between the newly poured concrete and the concrete at the bottom of the column can result in segregation of the concrete and possibly the formation of a plug inside the column, preventing the continuation of operations.

La chute du béton sur une hauteur importante peut également conduire à l'emprisonnement d'air sous pression dans la colonne, ce qui peut provoquer des projections de béton à l'extrémité supérieure de la colonne lors de son expulsion, qui constituent donc un risque potentiel pour la sécurité des opérateurs, ou par l'extrémité inférieure de la colonne, provoquant une baisse de la qualité du béton.Falling concrete to a high height can also lead to the entrapment of pressurized air in the column, which can lead to concrete spraying at the upper end of the column during its expulsion, which is therefore a risk potential for safety of the operators, or by the lower end of the column, causing a decrease in the quality of the concrete.

Le problème de la hauteur de chute du béton se pose également lors de la phase d'amorçage et, indépendamment des opérations de remontée de la colonne, dès que l'approvisionnement en béton de la colonne n'est pas continu. Le document US3422629 divulgue un dispositif et un procédé de bétonnage similaires à l'arrière plan exposé ci-dessus.The problem of the drop height of the concrete also arises during the priming phase and, independently of the operations of raising of the column, as soon as the concrete supply of the column is not continuous. The document US3422629 discloses a device and method of concreting similar to the background outlined above.

OBJET ET RESUME DE L'INVENTIONOBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

On souhaite aujourd'hui améliorer les conditions du bétonnage profond, pour éviter les phénomènes de ségrégation du béton et de formation de bouchons dans la colonne de bétonnage, et limiter les risques pour le personnel.We now want to improve the conditions of deep concreting, to avoid the phenomena of segregation of concrete and formation of plugs in the concrete column, and limit the risks for the staff.

Cet objectif est atteint avec une installation de bétonnage adaptée pour bétonner une excavation, notamment une excavation présentant une profondeur au moins égale à 100 mètres, ladite installation comportant :

  • une colonne de bétonnage comprenant une extrémité supérieure ouverte à la pression atmosphérique, et
  • au moins un dispositif de retenue commandé situé à distance de l'extrémité supérieure ouverte de la colonne de bétonnage et adapté pour retenir un volume de béton à l'intérieur de ladite colonne, dans au moins une configuration.
This objective is achieved with a concreting installation adapted to concreting an excavation, in particular an excavation having a depth of at least 100 meters, said installation comprising:
  • a concreting column comprising an upper end open at atmospheric pressure, and
  • at least one controlled holding device located remote from the open upper end of the concreting column and adapted to retain a volume of concrete within said column, in at least one configuration.

Grâce au dispositif de retenue commandé, l'écoulement du béton ou de la boue de forage à l'intérieur de la colonne et/ou le débit de béton ou de boue en sortie de la colonne de bétonnage peuvent être régulés selon les besoins.With the controlled restraint, the flow of concrete or drilling mud inside the column and / or the flow of concrete or sludge at the outlet of the concrete column can be regulated as required.

L'installation est ainsi avantageusement configurée pour permettre le contrôle de la hauteur d'un espace libre défini entre le volume de béton retenu à l'intérieur de la colonne et l'une des extrémités de la colonne de bétonnage.The installation is thus advantageously configured to allow control of the height of a free space defined between the volume of concrete retained inside the column and one end of the concrete column.

La hauteur maximale de chute du béton à l'intérieur de la colonne est ainsi maintenue constamment en-deçà d'une valeur limite prédéterminée, de préférence égale à 40 mètres.The maximum drop height of the concrete inside the column is thus kept constantly below a predetermined limit value, preferably equal to 40 meters.

Dans le présent exposé, on entend par dispositif de retenue un dispositif permettant, dans au moins une configuration, le blocage total ou partiel de l'écoulement du béton ou de la boue à l'intérieur de la colonne ou vers l'extérieur de la colonne. Ce dispositif est, en particulier, adapté à restreindre la section d'écoulement du béton ou de la boue à l'intérieur ou vers l'extérieur de la colonne.In the present description, the term "retaining device" means a device allowing, in at least one configuration, total or partial blockage of the flow of concrete or sludge inside the column or out of the column. column. This device is, in particular, adapted to restrict the flow section of the concrete or mud inside or outside the column.

Le dispositif de retenue est commandé, généralement à distance. Il est ainsi adapté à être actionné pour passer d'au moins une position passive, dans laquelle il définit une section utile d'écoulement du béton ou de la boue à l'intérieur de la colonne ou vers l'extérieur de la colonne, à au moins une position active dans laquelle il définit une section d'écoulement du béton ou de la boue qui est inférieure à la section utile, et inversement. Comme indiqué précédemment, la section d'écoulement lorsque le dispositif de retenue se trouve dans sa position active peut alors être nulle (blocage total) ou non nulle (blocage partiel).The restraint is controlled, generally at a distance. It is thus adapted to be actuated to pass from at least one passive position, in which it defines a useful section of concrete flow or sludge inside the column or out of the column, at least one active position in which it defines a flow section of the concrete or slurry which is less than the useful section, and vice versa . As indicated above, the flow section when the holding device is in its active position can then be zero (total blocking) or non-zero (partial blocking).

Dans le présent exposé, on dit donc qu'un volume de béton est retenu lorsque le déplacement de ce volume à l'intérieur de la colonne est empêché ou freiné par un dispositif de retenue.In this presentation, it is said that a volume of concrete is retained when the displacement of this volume inside the column is prevented or braked by a retaining device.

Dans le présent exposé, sauf précision contraire, une direction axiale est une direction parallèle à l'axe principal de la colonne de bétonnage. En outre, une direction radiale est une direction perpendiculaire à l'axe principal et coupant cet axe. Sauf précision contraire, les adjectifs et adverbes axial, radial, axialement et radialement sont utilisés en référence aux directions axiale et radiale précitées.In the present description, unless otherwise stated, an axial direction is a direction parallel to the main axis of the concrete column. In addition, a radial direction is a direction perpendicular to the main axis and intersecting this axis. Unless stated otherwise, the adjectives and adverbs axial, radial, axially and radially are used with reference to the aforementioned axial and radial directions.

Sauf précision contraire, les adjectifs interne, intérieur et externe, extérieur sont utilisés en référence à une direction radiale de sorte qu'une partie interne/intérieure d'un élément est plus proche de l'axe principal que la partie externe/extérieure du même élément.Unless otherwise specified, the adjectives inner, inner and outer, external are used with reference to a radial direction so that an inner / inner portion of an element is closer to the main axis than the outer / outer portion of the same element.

En outre, sauf précision contraire, les adjectifs supérieur et inférieur sont utilisés en référence à l'axe de la colonne de bétonnage, généralement positionné à la verticale lors de son utilisation, la colonne étant introduite dans l'excavation par son extrémité inférieure avec son extrémité supérieure orientée vers l'entrée de l'excavation.In addition, unless otherwise stated, the upper and lower adjectives are used in reference to the axis of the concreting column, generally positioned vertically when in use, the column being introduced into the excavation at its lower end with its upper end facing the entrance of the excavation.

Comme expliqué précédemment, la colonne de bétonnage peut être formée par une pluralité de tronçons de colonne assemblés les uns aux autres dans la direction axiale.As explained above, the concreting column may be formed by a plurality of column sections joined to each other in the axial direction.

La longueur totale de la colonne (mesurée dans la direction axiale), autrement dit sa longueur maximale, éventuellement obtenue par assemblage de plusieurs tronçons de colonne, peut par exemple être supérieure à 100 mètres.The total length of the column (measured in the axial direction), ie its maximum length, possibly obtained by assembling several column sections, may for example be greater than 100 meters.

Selon un aspect de l'invention, au moins un dispositif de retenue est disposé au voisinage de l'extrémité inférieure de la colonne de bétonnage.According to one aspect of the invention, at least one retaining device is disposed in the vicinity of the lower end of the concreting column.

Dans le présent exposé, on considère généralement qu'un élément est disposé au voisinage de l'extrémité inférieure de la colonne de bétonnage lorsqu'il est situé à une distance de l'extrémité inférieure représentant au plus 20%, de préférence au plus 5%, encore plus préférentiellement au plus 2%, de la longueur totale de la colonne.In the present disclosure, it is generally considered that an element is disposed near the bottom end of the concreting column when it is located at a distance from the bottom end of not more than 20%, preferably at most 20%. %, even more preferably at most 2%, of the total length of the column.

Dans ce cas, le dispositif de retenue est commandé de telle sorte que la hauteur du volume de béton qu'il retient à l'intérieur de la colonne reste constamment supérieure à une valeur prédéterminée, le résultat étant que la distance entre l'ouverture de la colonne à son extrémité supérieure et la surface libre du volume de béton à l'intérieur de la colonne reste inférieure à une valeur limite, inférieure ou égale à la hauteur de chute limite pour le béton.In this case, the retaining device is controlled so that the height of the volume of concrete that it retains inside the column remains constantly greater than a predetermined value, the result being that the distance between the opening of the column at its upper end and the free surface of the volume of concrete inside the column remains below a limit value, less than or equal to the limit drop height for the concrete.

Selon un exemple, la colonne de bétonnage présente au moins un orifice de sortie au voisinage de son extrémité inférieure, et le dispositif de retenue comprend au moins un clapet mobile adapté à être déplacé par rapport audit orifice de sortie.According to one example, the concreting column has at least one outlet orifice in the vicinity of its lower end, and the retaining device comprises at least one movable valve adapted to be displaced with respect to said outlet orifice.

En se déplaçant par rapport à l'orifice de sortie, le clapet peut, notamment, modifier la section d'écoulement du béton, ou de la boue lors de la phase initiale d'amorçage, hors de la colonne de bétonnage.By moving relative to the outlet orifice, the valve may, in particular, change the flow section of the concrete, or sludge during the initial priming phase, out of the concrete column.

Selon un exemple, l'orifice de sortie de la colonne de bétonnage débouche axialement, et le clapet est mobile en translation dans la direction axiale.In one example, the outlet orifice of the concreting column opens axially, and the valve is movable in translation in the axial direction.

Selon un autre exemple de réalisation, le clapet comprend un tube de même axe que la colonne de bétonnage, l'un au moins parmi la colonne de bétonnage et le tube comprenant au moins une ouverture latérale, et le tube est adapté à être déplacé par rapport à la colonne de bétonnage de façon à modifier la section d'écoulement du béton hors de la colonne de bétonnage à travers ladite ouverture latérale.According to another exemplary embodiment, the valve comprises a tube of the same axis as the concreting column, at least one of the concreting column and the tube comprising at least one lateral opening, and the tube is adapted to be displaced by relative to the concreting column so as to modify the flow section of the concrete out of the concreting column through said lateral opening.

Le tube peut être monté mobile en rotation par rapport à la colonne de bétonnage. Il peut, selon une variante, être mobile en translation par rapport à la colonne de bétonnage, le long de l'axe de la colonne de bétonnage.The tube may be rotatably mounted relative to the concreting column. It may, in a variant, be movable in translation relative to the concreting column, along the axis of the concreting column.

Selon une disposition avantageuse, le tube présente une longueur, mesurée dans la direction axiale, sensiblement inférieure à celle de la colonne, au plus égale à 20%, de préférence 5%, encore plus préférentiellement 2%, de la longueur totale de la colonne.According to an advantageous arrangement, the tube has a length, measured in the axial direction, substantially less than that of the column, at most equal to 20%, preferably 5%, even more preferably 2%, of the total length of the column.

Selon les exemples de réalisation, le tube peut être disposé radialement à l'intérieur ou à l'extérieur de la colonne de bétonnage.According to the exemplary embodiments, the tube may be arranged radially inside or outside the concreting column.

Selon un exemple particulier de réalisation, la colonne de bétonnage comprend au moins une première ouverture latérale et le tube comprend au moins une deuxième ouverture latérale, et la colonne de bétonnage et le tube sont adaptés pour être déplacés de sorte que la première et la deuxième ouverture soient positionnées en regard l'une de l'autre dans au moins une configuration de l'installation.According to a particular embodiment, the concreting column comprises at least a first lateral opening and the tube comprises at least a second lateral opening, and the concreting column and the tube are adapted to be moved so that the first and the second opening are positioned opposite one another in at least one configuration of the installation.

Selon un exemple, l'installation comprend au moins un mécanisme d'actionnement du dispositif de retenue, situé au voisinage de l'extrémité inférieure de la colonne de bétonnage. Le mécanisme d'actionnement peut alors être commandé à distance.In one example, the installation comprises at least one mechanism for actuating the retaining device, situated in the vicinity of the lower end of the concreting column. The actuation mechanism can then be controlled remotely.

Notamment, le clapet défini précédemment peut être actionné par un mécanisme d'actionnement adapté situé au voisinage de l'extrémité inférieure de la colonne, notamment au moins un vérin ou un câble.In particular, the valve defined above can be actuated by a suitable actuating mechanism located in the vicinity of the lower end of the column, including at least one jack or cable.

Selon un autre aspect de l'invention, au moins un dispositif de retenue est disposé dans la colonne, à une distance de l'extrémité supérieure de la colonne inférieure à 80% de la longueur totale de ladite colonne. Le dispositif de retenue forme alors un palier, au niveau duquel le béton est notamment stoppé ou freiné, avant de continuer sa descente à l'intérieur de la colonne. La hauteur de chute du béton est diminuée, réduisant les risques de ségrégation.According to another aspect of the invention, at least one retaining device is arranged in the column, at a distance from the upper end of the column less than 80% of the total length of said column. The retaining device then forms a bearing, at which the concrete is in particular stopped or braked, before continuing its descent inside the column. The height of concrete drop is reduced, reducing the risks of segregation.

De préférence, au moins un dispositif de retenue est situé dans la partie supérieure de la colonne.Preferably, at least one retaining device is located in the upper part of the column.

Dans le présent exposé, on considère généralement que la portion supérieure d'un élément tel que la colonne de bétonnage correspond à la moitié supérieure de cet élément, dans la direction axiale.In the present description, it is generally considered that the upper portion of an element such as the concreting column corresponds to the upper half of this element, in the axial direction.

De la même façon, on entend généralement par portion inférieure d'un élément tel que la colonne de bétonnage, la portion située sur sa moitié inférieure, dans la direction axiale.In the same way, generally means by lower portion of an element such as the concrete column, the portion located on its lower half, in the axial direction.

A noter qu'il est également possible, sans sortir du cadre de l'invention, de prévoir au moins un premier dispositif de retenue au voisinage de l'extrémité inférieure de la colonne et au moins un deuxième dispositif de retenue situé plus haut dans la colonne, notamment à une distance de l'extrémité supérieure de la colonne inférieure à 80%, de préférence 50%, de la longueur totale de ladite colonne. Un tel agencement peut permettre, notamment, de répartir la charge liée au béton retenu à l'intérieur de la colonne, sur plusieurs dispositifs de retenue.Note that it is also possible, without departing from the scope of the invention, to provide at least a first retaining device at near the lower end of the column and at least one second retaining device located higher in the column, in particular at a distance from the upper end of the column of less than 80%, preferably 50%, of the total length of said column. Such an arrangement may allow, in particular, to distribute the load related to the concrete retained inside the column, on several restraints.

Selon un exemple particulier de réalisation, l'installation de bétonnage comprend une pluralité de dispositifs de retenue répartis le long de la colonne de bétonnage et adaptés à être commandés indépendamment les uns des autres. La progression du béton à l'intérieur de la colonne se fait alors par paliers successifs, espacés d'une distance inférieure ou égale à la hauteur de chute limite souhaitée pour le béton.According to a particular embodiment, the concrete installation comprises a plurality of retaining devices distributed along the concrete column and adapted to be controlled independently of one another. The progress of the concrete inside the column is then made in successive stages, spaced a distance less than or equal to the desired limit drop height for the concrete.

Selon un exemple de réalisation de l'invention, on utilise, comme dispositif de retenue, une vanne hydraulique ou pneumatique, notamment une vanne à manchon.According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a hydraulic or pneumatic valve is used as the retaining device, in particular a sleeve valve.

Avantageusement, la colonne de bétonnage comprend, au voisinage de son extrémité inférieure (et notamment de son orifice de sortie), un élément de guidage et de butée pour le béton, muni d'une extrémité utile en pointe destinée à désagréger les éventuels amas de gravillons dans le béton.Advantageously, the concreting column comprises, in the vicinity of its lower end (and in particular of its outlet orifice), a guiding and abutment element for the concrete, provided with a useful tip end intended to disintegrate the possible clusters of chippings in the concrete.

L'installation de bétonnage peut aussi comprendre un piston d'amorçage adapté à coulisser le long de la colonne de bétonnage. Le piston d'amorçage peut présenter des formes diverses, notamment une forme sphérique ou cylindrique. Il fait la séparation entre la boue et le béton à l'intérieur de la colonne, lors de la phase d'amorçage. Il permet d'éviter que de la boue remonte et n'entrave la descente du béton à l'intérieur de la colonne, et qu'elle ne vienne polluer le béton.The concrete installation may also include a priming piston adapted to slide along the concrete column. The priming piston may have various shapes, in particular a spherical or cylindrical shape. It makes the separation between the sludge and the concrete inside the column, during the priming phase. It prevents mud from rising and hindering the descent of the concrete inside the column, and that it comes to pollute the concrete.

Dans un exemple de réalisation, le piston d'amorçage peut venir naturellement se déposer sur le clapet de retenue situé à l'extrémité inférieure de la colonne de bétonnage, de façon à constituer, in fine, un élément de guidage et de butée pour le béton au voisinage de l'orifice de sortie.In an exemplary embodiment, the priming piston can naturally be deposited on the check valve located at the lower end of the concreting column, so as to constitute, in fine, a guiding and abutment element for the concrete in the vicinity of the outlet.

Selon un exemple, l'installation de bétonnage comprend en outre des moyens d'évacuation de l'air emprisonné dans un tronçon de colonne, pour éviter le risque de projection de béton à l'extrémité supérieure de la colonne.In one example, the concrete installation further comprises means for evacuating the air trapped in a column section, to avoid the risk of concrete spraying at the upper end of the column.

Les moyens d'évacuation comprennent par exemple une conduite d'air communiquant avec ledit tronçon de la colonne de bétonnage.The evacuation means comprise, for example, an air duct communicating with said section of the concreting column.

A noter que ces moyens peuvent être disposés à l'extérieur ou à l'intérieur de la colonne.Note that these means can be arranged outside or inside the column.

Selon un exemple avantageux de réalisation, le système d'évacuation d'air comprend une conduite s'étendant axialement à l'intérieur de la colonne de bétonnage. Dans ce cas, cette conduite, mobile, peut également remplir la fonction du dispositif de mesure du débit d'écoulement à l'intérieur de la colonne de bétonnage.According to an advantageous exemplary embodiment, the air evacuation system comprises a pipe extending axially inside the concreting column. In this case, this mobile pipe can also fulfill the function of the flow rate measuring device inside the concreting column.

Selon une disposition de l'invention, l'installation de bétonnage comporte au moins un dispositif de mesure et/ou de calcul d'un paramètre représentatif de l'avancement du bétonnage.According to one embodiment of the invention, the concreting installation comprises at least one device for measuring and / or calculating a parameter representative of the progress of concreting.

En particulier, l'installation comprend avantageusement un dispositif de mesure et/ou de calcul d'au moins un paramètre représentatif du niveau de béton à l'intérieur de la colonne de bétonnage. Grâce à un tel dispositif, il est possible de déterminer à quel moment et dans quelle mesure la section d'écoulement de la colonne de bétonnage doit être restreinte, avant la remontée de ladite colonne dans l'excavation, de sorte que la hauteur de l'espace libre défini entre le volume de béton contenu dans la colonne de bétonnage et l'extrémité supérieure de la colonne de bétonnage reste inférieure à la valeur limite lors de cette remontée.In particular, the installation advantageously comprises a device for measuring and / or calculating at least one parameter representative of the level of concrete inside the concreting column. Thanks to such a device, it is possible to determine when and to what extent the flow section of the concrete column must be restricted, before the rise of said column in the excavation, so that the height of the free space defined between the volume of concrete contained in the concrete column and the upper end of the concrete column remains below the limit value during this ascent.

Avantageusement, ce dispositif de mesure et/ou de calcul est adapté à mesurer directement le niveau de béton. Il se présente par exemple sous la forme d'un flotteur ou d'un plomb.Advantageously, this measuring device and / or calculation is adapted to directly measure the level of concrete. It is for example in the form of a float or a lead.

A noter que le dispositif de mesure et/ou de calcul peut être mis en oeuvre en continu ou ponctuellement au cours du procédé de bétonnage.Note that the measuring device and / or calculation can be implemented continuously or punctually during the concreting process.

En complément ou comme alternative, l'installation de bétonnage peut comprendre par exemple l'un ou plusieurs des moyens suivants:

  • des moyens de mesure de la longueur de la colonne et de la position de son extrémité inférieure dans l'excavation,
  • des moyens de mesure du niveau du béton dans l'excavation,
  • des moyens de mesure du débit d'écoulement de béton et/ou de boue à l'intérieur de la colonne,
  • des moyens de mesure et/ou de calcul du volume de béton déjà introduit dans l'excavation,
  • des moyens de mesure et/ou de calcul des efforts mis en oeuvre pour extraire la colonne de bétonnage.
In addition or as an alternative, the concrete installation may comprise, for example, one or more of the following means:
  • means for measuring the length of the column and the position of its lower end in the excavation,
  • means for measuring the level of concrete in the excavation,
  • means for measuring the flow rate of concrete and / or sludge inside the column,
  • means for measuring and / or calculating the volume of concrete already introduced into the excavation,
  • means for measuring and / or calculating the forces used to extract the concreting column.

Les valeurs obtenues pour ces paramètres sont avantageusement stockées et traitées dans un ordinateur pour le contrôle du processus.The values obtained for these parameters are advantageously stored and processed in a computer for controlling the process.

Selon un exemple, l'installation comporte une unité de commande automatisée du ou des dispositifs) de retenue.In one example, the installation comprises an automated control unit of the retaining device (s).

Selon une disposition avantageuse, cette unité de commande est reliée au(x) dispositifs) de mesure et/ou de calcul, et adaptée à commander le(s)dit(s) dispositifs) de retenue en fonction des valeurs du ou des paramètre(s) mesuré(s) et/ou calculé(s) par ce(s) dispositifs) de mesure et/ou de calcul.According to an advantageous arrangement, this control unit is connected to the (x) measurement and / or calculation devices and adapted to control the said retaining device (s) as a function of the values of the parameter (s). s) measured and / or calculated by these () measurement and / or calculation devices.

Le présent exposé concerne également une machine de bétonnage comprenant une installation de bétonnage telle que définie précédemment, un châssis, et des moyens de support et de guidage de la colonne de bétonnage, solidaires du châssis.The present disclosure also relates to a concreting machine comprising a concreting installation as defined above, a frame, and means for supporting and guiding the concrete column, integral with the frame.

Selon un exemple, les moyens de support et de guidage comprennent un mât de guidage et de support solidaire du châssis, un système rotatif mobile le long dudit mât de guidage, et un dispositif de serrage de la colonne de bétonnage.In one example, the support and guiding means comprise a guide and support mast integral with the chassis, a rotating system movable along said guide mast, and a clamping device for the concrete column.

Avantageusement, la machine de bétonnage comprend également des moyens de mise en place, de retrait et de stockage des éléments de colonne.Advantageously, the concreting machine also comprises means for placing, removing and storing the column elements.

Le présent exposé concerne également un procédé de bétonnage d'une excavation, notamment d'une excavation présentant une profondeur au moins égale à 100 mètres, ledit procédé comprenant au moins la succession d'étapes suivante :

  • on dispose une colonne de bétonnage dans l'excavation à bétonner, et
  • on réalise un cycle de bétonnage au cours duquel on introduit du béton dans la colonne de bétonnage par son extrémité supérieure ouverte, et on retient un volume de béton à distance de ladite extrémité ouverte, de sorte que la hauteur d'un espace libre défini entre ledit volume de béton et l'une des extrémités de la colonne de bétonnage reste inférieure à une valeur limite.
The present disclosure also relates to a method of concreting an excavation, particularly an excavation having a depth of at least 100 meters, said method comprising at least the following succession of steps:
  • a concreting column is placed in the concreting excavation, and
  • a concreting cycle is carried out during which concrete is introduced into the concreting column through its open upper end, and a volume of concrete is kept at a distance from said open end, so that the height of a free space defined between said volume of concrete and one end of the concreting column remains below a limit value.

Par espace libre, on entend ici un espace continu s'étendant sur une portion axiale de la colonne, dépourvu de béton, mais rempli d'air ou de boue lors de la phase d'amorçage. On comprend qu'un espace libre est un espace dans lequel le béton peut se déplacer sous l'effet de son seul poids.By free space, here means a continuous space extending over an axial portion of the column, free of concrete, but filled with air or sludge during the priming phase. We understand that a free space is a space in which concrete can move under the effect of its own weight.

La hauteur d'un espace libre correspond donc à la hauteur de chute du béton, lors de la mise en oeuvre du procédé.The height of a free space corresponds to the height of fall of the concrete, during the implementation of the process.

Selon l'invention, on retient donc un volume de béton à l'intérieur de la colonne de telle façon que la hauteur de chute de ce volume de béton ou d'un autre volume de béton à l'intérieur de la colonne reste inférieure à une valeur prédéterminée.According to the invention, a volume of concrete is therefore retained inside the column in such a way that the height of fall of this volume of concrete or of another volume of concrete inside the column remains lower than a predetermined value.

De préférence, la valeur limite prédéterminée est égale à 40 mètres. Au-delà de cette valeur limite, la chute du béton et/ou le contact brusque entre le béton déversé et le béton en fond de colonne peut entraîner une ségrégation du béton et éventuellement la formation d'un bouchon à l'intérieur de la colonne, empêchant la poursuite des opérations.Preferably, the predetermined limit value is equal to 40 meters. Beyond this limit value, the fall of the concrete and / or the abrupt contact between the poured concrete and the concrete at the bottom of the column may result in segregation of the concrete and possibly the formation of a plug inside the column. , preventing the continuation of operations.

Pour retenir le volume de béton, on peut par exemple restreindre au moins partiellement, de préférence totalement, la section d'écoulement à l'intérieur de la colonne de bétonnage et/ou vers l'extérieur de ladite colonne. Pour cela, on commandera par exemple un dispositif de retenue de sorte qu'il passe, selon les besoins, d'une position passive, dans laquelle il définit une section utile d'écoulement à l'intérieur de la colonne ou vers l'extérieur de la colonne à une position active dans laquelle il définit une section d'écoulement qui est inférieure à la section utile, ou inversement.In order to retain the volume of concrete, it is possible for example to restrict at least partially, preferably completely, the flow section inside the concreting column and / or towards the outside of said column. For this purpose, for example, a retaining device will be controlled so that it passes, as required, from a passive position, in which it defines a useful flow section inside the column or outwards. the column to an active position in which it defines a flow section that is smaller than the useful section, or vice versa.

On peut notamment obturer au moins partiellement un orifice de sortie de la colonne de bétonnage situé au voisinage de son extrémité inférieure.In particular, it is possible to close at least partially an outlet orifice of the concreting column located near its lower end.

Selon un mode de mise en oeuvre, le premier cycle de bétonnage comprend une étape d'amorçage au cours de laquelle on introduit du béton par l'extrémité supérieure ouverte de la colonne de bétonnage remplie de fluide de forage, de manière à expulser le fluide de forage hors de la colonne et à remplir la colonne de béton, et, durant l'étape d'amorçage, on restreint partiellement la section d'écoulement à l'intérieur de la colonne de bétonnage et/ou vers l'extérieur de ladite colonne. La descente du béton dans la colonne de bétonnage est ainsi freinée, et les phénomènes de ségrégation du béton et les bouchons en résultant sont évités. Selon un exemple, à l'issue d'un premier cycle de bétonnage, on remonte la colonne de bétonnage à l'intérieur de l'excavation, puis on réalise un second cycle de bétonnage. Plusieurs cycles de bétonnage peuvent ainsi se succéder, jusqu'à la remontée complète de la colonne et au bétonnage entier de l'excavation.According to one embodiment, the first concreting cycle comprises a priming step during which concrete is introduced through the open upper end of the concreting column filled with drilling fluid, so as to expel the fluid. drilling out of the column and filling the concrete column, and during the priming step, partially restricts the flow section inside the concrete column and / or outward of said column. The descent of the concrete in the concrete column is thus slowed down, and the segregation phenomena of the concrete and the resulting plugs are avoided. In one example, after a first concreting cycle, the concreting column is raised inside the excavation, then a second concreting cycle is carried out. Several concrete cycles can follow one another, until the complete rise of the column and the entire concreting of the excavation.

Dans les cas où la colonne de bétonnage est formée d'une pluralité d'éléments de colonne, un élément de colonne peut être retiré à l'extrémité supérieure de la colonne à l'issue d'un cycle de bétonnage et préalablement au démarrage du prochain cycle.In cases where the concreting column is formed of a plurality of column members, a column member may be removed at the upper end of the column at the end of a concreting cycle and prior to the start of operation. next cycle.

Le procédé de bétonnage peut être automatisé, totalement ou partiellement. Par exemple, on peut commander l'ouverture du ou des dispositifs) de retenue en fonction du niveau du béton dans la colonne. On peut contrôler la remontée de la colonne en fonction de la hauteur de béton dans l'excavation. En outre, l'arrêt du bétonnage, le contrôle du ou des dispositifs) de retenue, le retrait d'un élément de colonne, et/ou la reprise du bétonnage peuvent être automatisés au moins en partie.The concreting process can be automated, totally or partially. For example, the opening of the retaining device (s) may be controlled depending on the level of the concrete in the column. The rise of the column can be controlled according to the height of concrete in the excavation. In addition, the stopping of the concreting, the control of the retaining device (s), the removal of a column element, and / or the resumption of the concreting can be automated at least in part.

Selon un exemple de mise en oeuvre, l'espace libre défini précédemment est situé au-dessus du volume de béton. Dans ce cas, généralement, l'installation de bétonnage comporte au moins un dispositif de retenue au voisinage de l'extrémité inférieure de la colonne de bétonnage. Ce dispositif de retenue est alors contrôlé de manière à limiter ou stopper totalement l'écoulement de béton en sortie de la colonne, et éviter que le niveau du béton à l'intérieur de ladite colonne ne diminue de façon excessive, ce qui ménagerait un espace libre de hauteur trop importante pour le bétonnage suivant, en partie supérieure de la colonne.According to an exemplary implementation, the free space defined above is located above the volume of concrete. In this case, generally, the concrete installation comprises at least one retaining device in the vicinity of the lower end of the concrete column. This holding device is then controlled so as to limit or completely stop the flow of concrete at the outlet of the column, and to prevent the level of the concrete inside said column from excessively decreasing, which would leave a free space of height too high for the next concreting, in the upper part of the column.

Selon un exemple, un cycle de bétonnage comprend les étapes suivantes :

  1. a) du béton est introduit par l'extrémité supérieure ouverte de la colonne de bétonnage,
  2. b) lorsqu'un volume donné de béton a été introduit dans l'excavation, l'alimentation en béton de la colonne de bétonnage est arrêtée et
  3. c) la section d'écoulement à l'intérieur de la colonne de bétonnage et/ou vers l'extérieur de ladite colonne est restreinte au moins partiellement, éventuellement totalement, en fonction d'au moins un paramètre représentatif du niveau de béton à l'intérieur de la colonne de bétonnage.
In one example, a concreting cycle comprises the following steps:
  1. a) concrete is introduced through the open upper end of the concrete column,
  2. (b) when a given volume of concrete has been introduced into the excavation, the supply of concrete to the concrete column is stopped and
  3. c) the flow section inside the concreting column and / or out of said column is at least partially, possibly totally, restricted depending on at least one parameter representative of the concrete level at the inside the concrete column.

Au cours de l'étape a), la section d'écoulement à l'intérieur de la colonne de bétonnage et/ou vers l'extérieur de la colonne est avantageusement la plus grande possible. Si cette section d'écoulement a été diminuée lors de l'étape d'amorçage ou lors de l'étape b) d'un cycle précédent, elle est de préférence augmentée à nouveau.During step a), the flow section inside the concreting column and / or towards the outside of the column is advantageously the largest possible. If this flow section has been decreased during the priming step or in step b) of a previous cycle, it is preferably increased again.

Généralement, au cours du cycle de bétonnage, on mesure et/ou on calcule (en continu ou ponctuellement) au moins un paramètre représentatif du niveau de béton à l'intérieur de l'excavation et, en fonction de ce au moins un paramètre, on détermine le moment auquel l'alimentation en béton de la colonne de bétonnage doit être stoppé.Generally, during the concreting cycle, at least one parameter representing the level of concrete inside the excavation is measured and / or calculated (continuously or punctually) and, depending on this at least one parameter, the time at which the concrete feed of the concrete column is to be stopped is determined.

Pour assurer le bon remplissage de l'excavation avec du béton, il convient que l'extrémité inférieure de la colonne de bétonnage soit toujours immergée dans le béton lors du bétonnage. Cependant, on préfère généralement que la longueur de colonne immergée dans le béton reste dans une certaine plage de valeurs, par exemple entre 3 et 10 mètres.
Généralement, au cours du cycle de bétonnage, on mesure et/ou on calcule (en continu ou ponctuellement) au moins un paramètre représentatif du niveau de béton à l'intérieur de la colonne de bétonnage et, en fonction de ce au moins un paramètre, on restreint la section d'écoulement de la colonne de bétonnage (en particulier, on détermine le moment et/ou la mesure dans laquelle la section doit être restreinte), de sorte que la hauteur de l'espace libre défini entre le volume de béton contenu dans la colonne de bétonnage et l'extrémité supérieure de la colonne de bétonnage reste inférieure à la valeur limite.To ensure the correct filling of the excavation with concrete, the lower end of the concrete column should always be immersed in the concrete during concreting. However, it is generally preferred that the column length immersed in the concrete remains in a certain range of values, for example between 3 and 10 meters.
Generally, during the concreting cycle, at least one parameter representative of the concrete level inside the concreting column is measured and / or calculated (continuously or punctually) and, depending on this at least one parameter, , we restrict the section of the concreting column (in particular, the moment and / or the extent to which the section is to be restricted) is determined, so that the height of the free space defined between the volume of concrete contained in the column concrete and the upper end of the concrete column remains below the limit value.

Selon un exemple, à l'issue de l'étape c) du premier cycle de bétonnage, la colonne de bétonnage est remontée à l'intérieur de l'excavation, la hauteur de l'espace libre défini entre le volume de béton retenu dans la colonne de bétonnage et l'extrémité supérieure de la colonne de bétonnage restant toujours inférieure à la valeur limite, et au moins un second cycle de bétonnage est réalisé à l'issue du premier cycle de bétonnage.According to an example, at the end of step c) of the first concreting cycle, the concreting column is raised inside the excavation, the height of the free space defined between the volume of concrete retained in the concreting column and the upper end of the concreting column still remaining below the limit value, and at least one second concreting cycle is carried out at the end of the first concreting cycle.

On comprend ici que la section d'écoulement à l'intérieur de la colonne de bétonnage et/ou vers l'extérieur de ladite colonne est restreinte, à l'étape b), de sorte que même lors de la remontée de la colonne à l'intérieur de l'excavation et des différences de pressions entre l'intérieur de la colonne et l'excavation, la hauteur de chute du béton (hauteur de l'espace libre) reste inférieure à la valeur limite souhaitée.It will be understood here that the flow section inside the concreting column and / or towards the outside of said column is restricted, in step b), so that even during the ascent of the column to Inside the excavation and pressure differences between the inside of the column and the excavation, the drop height of the concrete (height of free space) remains below the desired limit value.

On peut aussi obturer au moins partiellement la colonne de bétonnage entre ses extrémités supérieure et inférieure, et en particulier entre ses orifices d'entrée et de sortie.It is also possible to seal at least partially the concreting column between its upper and lower ends, and in particular between its inlet and outlet orifices.

Selon un exemple de mise en oeuvre, l'espace libre est situé en-dessous du volume de béton. Dans ce cas, au moins un dispositif de retenue est généralement situé à distance de l'extrémité inférieure de la colonne, et forme au moins un palier de retenue pour le béton. Un espace libre peut alors être défini entre le dispositif de retenue et la surface libre du béton situé dans la colonne, en aval dudit dispositif de retenue, ou entre un premier dispositif de retenue et un second dispositif de retenue, s'il en existe plusieurs.According to an exemplary implementation, the free space is located below the volume of concrete. In this case, at least one retaining device is generally located at a distance from the lower end of the column, and forms at least one retaining block for the concrete. A free space can then be defined between the retainer and the free concrete surface in the column, downstream of the retainer, or between a first retainer and a second retainer, if there are more than one .

Dans ce cas, avantageusement, on évacue l'air présent dans l'espace libre pour en maîtriser la pression.In this case, advantageously, the air present in the free space is evacuated to control the pressure.

Selon un exemple particulier de mise en oeuvre, au cours d'un cycle de bétonnage, on retient un volume de béton successivement au niveau d'au moins deux points de retenue espacés axialement à l'intérieur de la colonne de bétonnage, un espace libre étant défini entre lesdits premier et deuxième points de retenue.According to a particular embodiment, during a concreting cycle, a volume of concrete is successively retained at at least two retaining points spaced axially inside the concrete column, a free space being defined between said first and second holding points.

Plusieurs exemples de réalisation et de mise en oeuvre sont décrits dans le présent exposé. Toutefois, sauf précision contraire, les caractéristiques décrites en relation avec un exemple de réalisation ou de mise en oeuvre quelconque peuvent être appliquées à un autre mode de réalisation ou de mise en oeuvre.Several examples of implementation and implementation are described in this presentation. However, unless otherwise specified, the features described in connection with any exemplary embodiment or implementation may be applied to another embodiment or implementation.

Brève description des dessinsBrief description of the drawings

L'invention sera mieux comprise à la lecture de la description qui suit de modes de réalisation de l'invention donnés à titre d'exemples non limitatifs, en référence aux dessins annexés, sur lesquels :

  • Les figures 1A à 1D illustrent différentes étapes d'un procédé de bétonnage, réalisé à l'aide d'une installation de bétonnage selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
  • Les figures 2A et 2B montrent plus en détail le clapet des figures 1A à 1D, respectivement à l'état fermé et à l'état ouvert ;
  • Les figures 3A et 3B illustrent un deuxième exemple de dispositif de retenue pouvant être utilisé selon l'invention ;
  • Les figures 4A à 4C illustrent un troisième exemple de dispositif de retenue ;
  • Les figures 5A et 5B illustrent un quatrième exemple de dispositif de retenue ;
  • Les figures 6A et 6B illustrent une installation de bétonnage selon un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
  • La figure 7 illustre une variante du deuxième mode de réalisation ;
  • La figure 8 illustre une un troisième mode de réalisation de l'invention.
The invention will be better understood on reading the following description of embodiments of the invention given as non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
  • The Figures 1A to 1D illustrate different steps of a concreting process, carried out using a concrete installation according to a first embodiment of the invention;
  • The Figures 2A and 2B show in more detail the flap of Figures 1A to 1D respectively in the closed state and in the open state;
  • The Figures 3A and 3B illustrate a second example of a retaining device that can be used according to the invention;
  • The Figures 4A to 4C illustrate a third example of a restraint device;
  • The Figures 5A and 5B illustrate a fourth example of a restraint device;
  • The Figures 6A and 6B illustrate a concreting installation according to a second embodiment of the invention;
  • The figure 7 illustrates a variant of the second embodiment;
  • The figure 8 illustrates a third embodiment of the invention.

La figure 1A illustre une machine de bétonnage 100 selon l'invention, adaptée pour le bétonnage d'une excavation E telle que représentée, de hauteur H1 ici égale à au moins 100 mètres et remplie d'un fluide de forage F du type boue de bentonite.The Figure 1A illustrates a concreting machine 100 according to the invention, suitable for concreting an excavation E as shown, of height H1 here equal to at least 100 meters and filled with a drilling fluid F of the bentonite sludge type.

La machine de bétonnage 100 comprend une installation de bétonnage 10 munie d'une colonne de bétonnage 12 d'axe A, par laquelle le béton est introduit dans l'excavation.The concreting machine 100 comprises a concreting installation 10 provided with a concreting column 12 of axis A, through which the concrete is introduced into the excavation.

Elle comporte en outre un châssis 80 sur lequel sont montés des moyens de support et de guidage pour la colonne de bétonnage 12, formés ici par un mât de guidage 82, un système rotatif 84 mobile le long du mât de guidage 82, et un dispositif de serrage de la colonne de bétonnage 86, sous la forme ici d'une double guillotine. Sur le châssis 80 sont montés d'autres équipements tels qu'une unité de commande 90.It further comprises a frame 80 on which support and guide means are mounted for the concreting column 12, here formed by a guide mast 82, a rotating system 84 movable along the guide mast 82, and a device clamping the concrete column 86, in the form here of a double guillotine. On the frame 80 are mounted other equipment such as a control unit 90.

Pour atteindre la profondeur de bétonnage souhaitée, la colonne 12 est formée d'une pluralité d'éléments de colonne 14 montés successivement, l'un à la suite de l'autre dans la direction axiale A. La liaison entre deux éléments 14 successifs est par exemple réalisée par vissage entre une extrémité filetée de l'un des éléments, et une extrémité filetée complémentaire du second. Cette liaison est faite ou défaite, d'une manière connue en soi, à l'aide du dispositif de serrage 86.To achieve the desired concreting depth, the column 12 is formed of a plurality of column members 14 successively mounted one after the other in the axial direction A. The connection between two successive elements 14 is for example made by screwing between a threaded end of one of the elements, and a threaded end complementary to the second. This connection is made or defeated, in a manner known per se, using the clamping device 86.

Sur la figure 1A, la colonne de bétonnage 12, formée d'une pluralité d'éléments de colonne 14, est maintenue à son extrémité supérieure par le dispositif de serrage 86, tandis que son extrémité inférieure se trouve au voisinage du fond de l'excavation E. Sa hauteur totale H2 est au moins égale à la hauteur H1 de l'excavation.On the Figure 1A , the concreting column 12, formed of a plurality of column members 14, is held at its upper end by the clamping device 86, while its lower end is in the vicinity of the bottom of the excavation E. Sa total height H2 is at least equal to the height H1 of the excavation.

Comme il ressort de la figure 1A, la colonne 12 est ouverte et coiffée d'un entonnoir 16 à son extrémité supérieure, et munie d'un orifice de sortie 18 débouchant axialement à son extrémité inférieure.As is apparent from the Figure 1A , the column 12 is open and capped with a funnel 16 at its upper end, and provided with an outlet orifice 18 opening axially at its lower end.

Conformément à l'invention, l'installation 10 comprend un dispositif de retenue commandé, adapté pour retenir un volume V de béton à l'intérieur de la colonne 12 comme il sera décrit plus en détail dans la suite.According to the invention, the installation 10 comprises a controlled retention device adapted to retain a volume V of concrete inside the column 12 as will be described in more detail below.

Les figures 2A et 2B illustrent plus en détail l'extrémité inférieure de la colonne 12 de la figure 1A, munie de ce dispositif de retenue.The Figures 2A and 2B illustrate in more detail the lower end of column 12 of the Figure 1A provided with this restraint.

Dans l'exemple illustré, le dispositif de retenue comprend un clapet 30 monté mobile en translation par rapport à la colonne 12, dans la direction axiale, de façon à pouvoir prendre une position fermée dans laquelle l'orifice de sortie 18 est obturé totalement, une position ouverte dans laquelle la section d'écoulement à travers l'orifice de sortie 18 est maximale, et éventuellement une position partiellement ouverte dans laquelle la section d'écoulement est non nulle mais inférieure à celle obtenue dans la position ouverte.In the example illustrated, the retaining device comprises a valve 30 mounted to be movable in translation relative to the column 12, in the axial direction, so as to be able to assume a closed position in which the outlet orifice 18 is closed completely, an open position wherein the flow section through the outlet port 18 is maximum, and optionally a partially open position in which the flow section is non-zero but less than that obtained in the open position.

Sur la figure 2A, on a représenté le clapet 30 en position fermée. Son déplacement jusqu'à la position ouverte de la figure 2B est réalisé au moyen de deux vérins hydrauliques 20, reliés à l'unité de commande 90 solidaire du châssis. Ces dispositions ne sont cependant pas limitatives, et le clapet pourra être actionné par tout autre mécanisme d'actionnement commandé adapté, notamment des câbles ou des vérins électriques.On the Figure 2A , the valve 30 is shown in the closed position. His move to the open position of the Figure 2B is realized by means of two hydraulic jacks 20, connected to the control unit 90 integral with the frame. These provisions are however not limiting, and the valve may be actuated by any other suitable controlled actuation mechanism, including cables or electric cylinders.

Les différentes étapes d'un procédé de bétonnage selon l'invention, mettant en oeuvre l'installation 10 présentée ci-dessus, vont être décrites en référence aux figures 1A à 1D.The different steps of a concreting process according to the invention, implementing the installation 10 presented above, will be described with reference to the Figures 1A to 1D .

A l'état initial, la colonne de bétonnage 12 est remplie de boue de forage F, tout comme l'excavation E. Le clapet 30 est en position partiellement ouverte, la section d'écoulement à travers l'orifice de sortie 18 est faible.In the initial state, the concreting column 12 is filled with drilling mud F, as is the excavation E. The valve 30 is in the partially open position, the flow section through the outlet orifice 18 is low. .

La figure 1A illustre la phase d'amorçage, qui consiste à remplacer la boue F présente initialement dans la colonne de bétonnage 12 par du béton.The Figure 1A illustrates the priming phase, which consists of replacing the sludge F initially present in the concreting column 12 with concrete.

Pour éviter que le béton soit pollué par la boue F durant cette phase, un bouchon formant piston d'amorçage 22 est préalablement placé à la surface de la boue, à l'intérieur de la colonne 12. Le béton est ainsi en permanence séparé de la boue.In order to prevent the concrete from being polluted by the sludge F during this phase, a priming piston plug 22 is placed beforehand on the surface of the sludge, inside the column 12. The concrete is thus permanently separated from the slurry. mud.

Grâce au clapet 30 qui obture partiellement l'orifice de sortie 18 de la colonne 12, l'écoulement de la boue hors de la colonne 12 est limité, freinant la descente du béton. Les phénomènes de ségrégation du béton et les bouchons en résultant, sont ainsi évités. Sans obturation partielle de l'orifice de sortie 18, le béton descendrait dans la colonne 12 de manière abrupte, en raison de la différence de densité entre le béton et la boue, engendrant les phénomènes indésirables précités.Thanks to the valve 30 which partially closes the outlet orifice 18 of the column 12, the flow of the sludge out of the column 12 is limited, slowing down the descent of the concrete. The segregation phenomena of the concrete and the resulting plugs are thus avoided. Without partial closure of the outlet orifice 18, the concrete would descend into the column 12 abruptly, because of the density difference between the concrete and the mud, causing the aforementioned undesirable phenomena.

Une fois la colonne 12 remplie de béton, le clapet 30 est commandé en position ouverte par l'unité de commande 90 et le bétonnage de l'excavation E débute, à débit contrôlé.Once the column 12 filled with concrete, the valve 30 is controlled in the open position by the control unit 90 and the concreting of the excavation E begins at a controlled rate.

Sur la figure 1B, on observe que le piston d'amorçage 22 s'est déposé sur la face supérieure du clapet 30, où il restera jusqu'à la fin du bétonnage de l'excavation. Dans cette position, le piston d'amorçage remplit une nouvelle fonction, de guidage et de butée pour le béton. Muni d'une extrémité supérieure utile en pointe, il désagrège les éventuels amas de gravillons contenus dans le béton atteignant l'orifice de sortie 18.On the Figure 1B it is observed that the priming piston 22 is deposited on the upper face of the valve 30, where it will remain until the end of concreting of the excavation. In this position, the priming piston fulfills a new function, guiding and abutment for concrete. Provided with a useful upper end tip, it breaks up any clumps of gravel contained in the concrete reaching the outlet port 18.

Après que le béton a rempli un volume prédéterminé de l'excavation E, et pour une hauteur prédéfinie de béton restant à l'intérieur de la colonne, l'approvisionnement de la colonne 12 en béton est stoppé.After the concrete has filled a predetermined volume of the excavation E, and for a predefined height of concrete remaining inside the column, the supply of the concrete column 12 is stopped.

A cet instant, un espace libre de hauteur H3 est défini entre l'extrémité supérieure de la colonne et la surface libre du béton à l'intérieur de la colonne, et le clapet 30 est amené en position fermée.At this time, a free space of height H3 is defined between the upper end of the column and the free surface of the concrete inside the column, and the valve 30 is brought into the closed position.

Comme illustré sur la figure 1C, l'entonnoir 16 est alors désolidarisé de l'extrémité supérieure de la colonne 12, à laquelle est alors fixée la tête de rotation 84, la colonne 12 est remontée le long du mât 82 d'une hauteur sensiblement égale à la longueur d'un élément de colonne 14, puis l'élément 14 d'extrémité supérieure est retiré, et l'entonnoir est réinstallé à l'extrémité supérieure de la colonne « coupée ».As illustrated on the figure 1C the funnel 16 is then disengaged from the upper end of the column 12, to which the rotation head 84 is then fixed, the column 12 is raised along the mast 82 by a height substantially equal to the length of the column. a column member 14, then the upper end member 14 is removed, and the funnel is reinstalled at the upper end of the "cut off" column.

Le clapet 30 étant en position fermée, le débit de béton en sortie de colonne est nul, et la hauteur de béton à l'intérieur de la colonne reste inchangée.The valve 30 being in the closed position, the flow of concrete at the outlet of the column is zero, and the height of concrete inside the column remains unchanged.

Une fois la colonne 12 maintenue à nouveau en place dans l'excavation E au moyen du dispositif de serrage 86, le clapet 30 est amené en position ouverte, comme illustré sur la figure 1D, et le bétonnage est poursuivi.Once the column 12 is again in place in the excavation E by means of the clamping device 86, the valve 30 is brought into the open position, as shown in FIG. figure 1D , and concreting is continued.

Le béton déversé dans l'entonnoir 16 chute alors à l'intérieur de l'espace libre sur une hauteur H4 correspondant à la hauteur H3 diminuée de la hauteur de l'élément de colonne retiré lors de la coupure de la colonne. L'arrêt du premier cycle de bétonnage et le contrôle du clapet 30 sont choisis de sorte que cette hauteur H4 n'excède pas la hauteur de chute limite admissible pour le béton, généralement de l'ordre de 40 mètres.The concrete poured into the funnel 16 then drops inside the free space to a height H4 corresponding to the height H3 minus the height of the column element removed during the cutting of the column. The stopping of the first concreting cycle and the control of the valve 30 are chosen so that this height H4 does not exceed the maximum permissible drop height for the concrete, generally of the order of 40 meters.

La séquence des figures 1C et 1D est répétée autant de fois que nécessaire pour le bétonnage entier de l'excavation E.The sequence of Figures 1C and 1D is repeated as many times as necessary for the entire concreting of excavation E.

Au cours des opérations, un ou plusieurs dispositifs de mesure et/ou de calcul permettent de détecter un ou plusieurs paramètres représentatifs de l'avancement du bétonnage. Il peut s'agir, notamment :

  • de moyens de mesure de la longueur H2 de la colonne 12 et de la position de son extrémité inférieure 12b dans l'excavation E,
  • de moyens de mesure du niveau du béton dans l'excavation E et dans la colonne 12,
  • de moyens de mesure du débit d'écoulement de béton et/ou de boue à l'intérieur de la colonne 12,
  • de moyens de mesure et/ou de calcul du volume de béton déjà introduit dans l'excavation E,
  • de moyens de mesure et/ou de calcul des efforts mis en oeuvre pour remonter la colonne de bétonnage 12.
During the operations, one or more measuring devices and / or calculation can detect one or more parameters representative of the progress of concreting. This may include, but is not limited to:
  • means for measuring the length H2 of the column 12 and the position of its lower end 12b in the excavation E,
  • means for measuring the level of the concrete in the excavation E and in column 12,
  • means for measuring the flow rate of concrete and / or sludge inside the column 12,
  • means for measuring and / or calculating the volume of concrete already introduced into the excavation E,
  • means for measuring and / or calculating the forces used to raise the concreting column 12.

Les valeurs obtenues pour les paramètres précités sont avantageusement transmises à l'unité de commande 90 qui les traite pour le contrôle du processus et gère, en fonction, l'ouverture et la fermeture du clapet 30.The values obtained for the aforementioned parameters are advantageously transmitted to the control unit 90 which processes them for the control of the process and manages, as a function, the opening and closing of the valve 30.

On peut notamment prévoir que l'unité de commande 90 comporte un ordinateur et qu'elle affiche en permanence une courbe donnant la hauteur de béton à l'intérieur de l'excavation E en fonction du volume de béton déjà introduit dans la colonne. En tenant compte en outre de la position de l'extrémité inférieure 12b de la colonne 12 à l'intérieur de l'excavation E, l'unité de commande peut alors contrôler l'arrêt des opérations de bétonnage et le déclenchement d'une nouvelle coupure de la colonne, de sorte que la hauteur de chute H4 du béton dans l'espace libre de la colonne, à la reprise du bétonnage, reste inférieure à la valeur limite prédéterminée.In particular it can be provided that the control unit 90 comprises a computer and that it permanently displays a curve giving the height of concrete inside the excavation E as a function of the volume of concrete already introduced into the column. Taking into account also the position of the lower end 12b of the column 12 inside the excavation E, the control unit can then control the stopping of concreting operations and the triggering of a new one. cutting of the column, so that the drop height H4 of the concrete in the free space of the column, the resumption of concreting, remains below the predetermined limit value.

A noter que, bien que cela ne soit pas représenté, l'installation de bétonnage 10 peut également comprendre un système de manutention et de stockage des éléments de colonne 14 et/ou un système pour la manutention et le vissage/dévissage de l'entonnoir 16.Note that, although this is not shown, the concrete installation 10 may also include a handling system and storage of the column elements 14 and / or a system for handling and screwing / unscrewing the funnel 16.

Les opérations de contrôle et commande du dispositif de retenue, de coupure de la colonne, ainsi que l'arrêt et la reprise des opérations de bétonnage, peuvent aussi être réalisés de façon manuelle, par un opérateur, en fonction des paramètres mesurés par un ou plusieurs dispositifs de mesure et/ou de calcul du type précité.The operations of control and control of the retaining device, cutting of the column, as well as the stopping and resumption of concreting operations, can also be carried out manually, by a operator, according to the parameters measured by one or more measuring devices and / or calculation of the aforementioned type.

Des dispositifs de retenue peuvent prendre d'autres formes que le clapet 30 décrit précédemment. Les figures 3A, 3B, 4A à 4C et 5A, 5B en illustrent quelques variantes.Restraints may take other forms than the valve 30 described above. The Figures 3A, 3B , 4A to 4C and 5A, 5B illustrate some variants.

Les figures 3A et 3B illustrent l'extrémité inférieure d'une colonne de bétonnage 12 du type précité.The Figures 3A and 3B illustrate the lower end of a concreting column 12 of the aforementioned type.

Comme dans l'exemple précédent, la colonne 12 présente, à son extrémité inférieure, un orifice de sortie 18 débouchant axialement.As in the previous example, the column 12 has, at its lower end, an outlet opening 18 opening axially.

Un dispositif de retenue est ici formé par un tube 40 coaxial à la colonne de bétonnage 12, monté à l'intérieur de ladite colonne 12, et mobile en translation dans la direction axiale A, ici par l'actionnement d'un vérin 20.A retaining device is here formed by a tube 40 coaxial with the concreting column 12, mounted inside said column 12, and movable in translation in the axial direction A, here by the actuation of a jack 20.

Le tube 40 présente une longueur axiale sensiblement plus faible que la longueur totale de la colonne (i.e. sa longueur maximale), notamment une longueur au plus égale à 20%, de préférence 5%, encore plus préférentiellement 2%, de la longueur totale de la colonne.The tube 40 has an axial length substantially smaller than the total length of the column (ie its maximum length), in particular a length at most equal to 20%, preferably 5%, even more preferably 2%, of the total length of the column. the column.

Il est fermé à son extrémité axiale la plus éloignée de l'extrémité supérieure de la colonne 12, et ouvert à son extrémité opposée. Lorsqu'il est entièrement inséré à l'intérieur de la colonne, comme c'est le cas sur la figure 3A, le tube 40 obture totalement l'orifice de sortie 18 de la colonne.It is closed at its axial end farthest from the upper end of the column 12, and open at its opposite end. When fully inserted inside the column, as is the case on the figure 3A , the tube 40 completely closes the outlet orifice 18 of the column.

Une ouverture latérale 42 est formée dans la paroi latérale du tube 40. L'ouverture 42 est agencée de sorte qu'un déplacement axial du tube 40 en éloignement de la colonne 12 permet de découvrir au moins partiellement l'ouverture 42, comme illustré sur la figure 3B et de laisser passer le béton et/ou la boue sortant par l'orifice de sortie 18 vers l'extérieur de la colonne 12.A lateral opening 42 is formed in the side wall of the tube 40. The opening 42 is arranged such that axial displacement of the tube 40 away from the column 12 makes it possible to at least partially discover the opening 42, as illustrated in FIG. the figure 3B and allowing the concrete and / or the sludge exiting through the outlet orifice 18 to pass out of the column 12.

Selon une seconde variante illustrée sur les figures 4A à 4C, les moyens de retenue présentent une forme similaire à celle de la variante précédente, mais la colonne de bétonnage 12 comporte cette fois une ouverture de sortie 19 ménagée dans sa paroi latérale.According to a second variant illustrated on the Figures 4A to 4C , the retaining means have a shape similar to that of the previous variant, but the concreting column 12 has this time an outlet opening 19 formed in its side wall.

Dans cet exemple, le tube 40 formant clapet est adapté pour être déplacé axialement par rapport à la colonne 12, ici au moyen d'un vérin 20, de sorte que les ouvertures axiales du tube et de la colonne respectivement référencés 42 et 19, soient positionnées en regard l'une de l'autre dans au moins une configuration de l'installation illustrée sur la figure 1C, et que la section d'écoulement à travers l'ouverture axiale 19 de la colonne 12 puisse être modifiée en déplaçant le tube 40 par rapport à la colonne 12.In this example, the tube 40 forming a valve is adapted to be displaced axially relative to the column 12, here by means of a jack 20, so that the axial openings of the tube and the column respectively referenced 42 and 19, are positioned opposite one another in at least one configuration of the installation illustrated on the figure 1C , and that the flow section through the axial opening 19 of the column 12 can be modified by moving the tube 40 relative to the column 12.

Dans la position illustrée sur les figures 4A et 4B, l'ouverture latérale 19 de la colonne 12 est obturée par la paroi latérale du tube 40. La section d'écoulement à travers l'ouverture de sortie latérale 19 est nulle.In the position illustrated on the Figures 4A and 4B , the lateral opening 19 of the column 12 is closed by the side wall of the tube 40. The flow section through the lateral outlet opening 19 is zero.

Dans la position illustrée sur la figure 4C au contraire, l'ouverture latérale 19 de la colonne 12 est en regard de l'ouverture latérale 42 du tube 40. Le béton et/ou la boue contenus dans la colonne 12 peuvent s'en échapper, par lesdites ouvertures 19, 42.In the position illustrated on the figure 4C on the contrary, the lateral opening 19 of the column 12 is opposite the lateral opening 42 of the tube 40. The concrete and / or the sludge contained in the column 12 can escape through said openings 19, 42.

Dans la variante illustrée sur les figures 5A et 5B, un dispositif de retenue est formé par un tube 40 coaxial à la colonne 12, mais monté cette fois à l'extérieur de celle-ci. Comme dans la variante précédente, la colonne de bétonnage 12 comporte une ouverture latérale 19 et le tube 40 comporte une ouverture latérale 42. Ici, le tube 40 est monté mobile en rotation autour de l'axe A.In the variant illustrated on the Figures 5A and 5B , a retaining device is formed by a tube 40 coaxial with the column 12, but this time mounted outside thereof. As in the previous variant, the concreting column 12 has a lateral opening 19 and the tube 40 has a lateral opening 42. Here, the tube 40 is rotatably mounted about the axis A.

En étant déplacé par rapport à la colonne 12, le tube 40 peut passer d'une position telle qu'illustrée sur la figure 5A, dans laquelle les ouvertures latérales 42, 19 du tube 40 et de la colonne 12 sont en regard, permettant le passage du béton et/ou de la boue, à une position telle qu'illustrée sur la figure 5B, dans laquelle les ouvertures 42, 19 ne se superposent pas ou seulement partiellement, définissant ainsi une section d'écoulement plus faible que dans la position précédente, voire une section d'écoulement nulle.By being displaced relative to the column 12, the tube 40 can move from a position as illustrated on the Figure 5A , in which the lateral openings 42, 19 of the tube 40 and of the column 12 are opposite, allowing the passage of the concrete and / or the mud, to a position as illustrated on FIG. Figure 5B , in which the openings 42, 19 are not superimposed or only partially, thus defining a smaller flow section than in the previous position, or even a zero flow section.

Sur les figures 6A et 6B, on a illustré une installation de bétonnage 110 selon un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention.On the Figures 6A and 6B , there is illustrated a concrete installation 110 according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Comme dans le mode de réalisation précédent, l'installation de bétonnage 110 est munie d'une colonne de bétonnage 112 d'axe A, par laquelle le béton est introduit dans l'excavation E.As in the previous embodiment, the concrete installation 110 is provided with a concrete column 112 of axis A, through which the concrete is introduced into the excavation E.

Elle peut également comporter un châssis, des moyens de support et de guidage pour la colonne de bétonnage, et d'autres équipements tels que décrits en liaison avec le premier mode de réalisation. Les caractéristiques décrites en liaison avec la figure 1 ne sont pas répétées ici par souci de concision, mais restent applicables à ce second mode de réalisation.It may also comprise a frame, support and guide means for the concrete column, and other equipment such as described in connection with the first embodiment. The features described in connection with the figure 1 are not repeated here for the sake of brevity, but remain applicable to this second embodiment.

La colonne de bétonnage 112 est ici pourvue d'un dispositif de retenue du béton sur sa partie supérieure.The concreting column 112 is here provided with a concrete retaining device on its upper part.

Dans l'exemple, ce dispositif de retenue est constitué par une vanne 160, et en particulier une vanne à manchon, bien connue de l'homme de l'art.In the example, this retaining device is constituted by a valve 160, and in particular a pinch valve, well known to those skilled in the art.

En l'espèce, la vanne 160 forme un palier de retenue intermédiaire pour le béton.In this case, the valve 160 forms an intermediate retaining bearing for the concrete.

Prenons l'exemple de la figure 6A. La colonne 112 présente une hauteur totale H2. Une vanne 160 est disposée à une distance H5 de l'extrémité supérieure de la colonne 112, la distance H5 étant inférieure à la moitié de la hauteur totale H2 de la colonne.Take the example of the Figure 6A . Column 112 has a total height H2. A valve 160 is disposed at a distance H5 from the upper end of the column 112, the distance H5 being less than half of the total height H2 of the column.

Lors de l'amorçage, la vanne 160 est partiellement refermée, pour éviter la descente abrupte du béton dans la colonne remplie de boue, et les phénomènes de ségrégation et de bouchons déjà évoqués.During priming, the valve 160 is partially closed, to avoid the steep descent of the concrete in the column filled with sludge, and the phenomena of segregation and plugs already mentioned.

Pour contrôler la descente du premier béton dans la boue lors du démarrage du bétonnage, l'installation comprend un dispositif de mesure du débit d'écoulement à l'intérieur de la colonne de bétonnage 112.To control the descent of the first concrete in the mud during the start of concreting, the installation comprises a device for measuring the flow rate inside the concreting column 112.

Ce dispositif de mesure inclut ici une conduite 152 reliée à la colonne de bétonnage au voisinage de son extrémité inférieure et équipée d'un débitmètre 154, lui-même relié à l'unité de commande 90.This measuring device here includes a pipe 152 connected to the concreting column near its lower end and equipped with a flowmeter 154, itself connected to the control unit 90.

Comme illustré sur la figure 6A, lors de la phase initiale du bétonnage (amorçage), la colonne de bétonnage 112 est bouchée en pied (l'extrémité inférieure de la colonne 112 est en appui contre le fond de l'excavation). La boue, poussée par le béton, est évacuée par la conduite 152.As illustrated on the Figure 6A during the initial phase of the concreting (priming), the concreting column 112 is plugged at the bottom (the lower end of the column 112 bears against the bottom of the excavation). The sludge, pushed by the concrete, is evacuated by the pipe 152.

En mesurant le débit de boue dans la conduite 152 au moyen du débitmètre, on détermine l'avancée du béton à l'intérieur de la colonne 112. On sait ainsi déterminer le moment où la colonne 112 est remplie de béton.By measuring the flow of sludge in the pipe 152 by means of the flow meter, it determines the advance of the concrete inside the column 112. It is thus known to determine when the column 112 is filled with concrete.

A cet instant, la colonne 112 peut être déplacée de sorte que son extrémité inférieure est écartée du fond de l'excavation E. La vanne 160 est ouverte. Un bouchon, obturant éventuellement l'extrémité inférieure de la colonne, est dégagé par le poids du béton, et le bétonnage de l'excavation est réalisé avec un débit contrôlé.At this time, the column 112 can be moved so that its lower end is spaced from the bottom of the excavation E. The valve 160 is open. A plug, possibly closing the lower end of the column, is released by the weight of the concrete, and concreting of the excavation is carried out with a controlled flow rate.

Comme dans le mode de réalisation décrit précédemment, après que le béton a rempli un volume prédéterminé de l'excavation, l'approvisionnement de la colonne en béton est stoppé, la colonne est remontée d'une hauteur sensiblement égale à la longueur d'un tronçon, et l'élément d'extrémité supérieure est retiré.As in the embodiment described above, after the concrete has filled a predetermined volume of the excavation, the supply of the concrete column is stopped, the column is raised by a height substantially equal to the length of a section, and the upper end element is removed.

Lors de la reprise du bétonnage, la vanne 160 est amenée en position fermée, de sorte que le béton déversé dans la colonne est alors retenu au niveau de la vanne 160. La hauteur de chute du béton est égale à la distance H5 diminuée de la longueur d'un élément de colonne, et est choisie pour ne pas excéder la hauteur de chute limite du béton.When the concreting is resumed, the valve 160 is brought into the closed position, so that the concrete poured into the column is then retained at the valve 160. The height of the concrete fall is equal to the distance H5 minus the length of a column element, and is chosen to not exceed the limit drop height of the concrete.

Dans cet état illustré sur la figure 6B, un espace libre 170, rempli d'air, est défini entre la vanne 160 et l'extrémité inférieure de la colonne, plus précisément entre la vanne 160 et la surface libre du béton restant en partie inférieure de la colonne à l'issue du dernier cycle de bétonnage.In this state illustrated on the Figure 6B , a free space 170, filled with air, is defined between the valve 160 and the lower end of the column, more precisely between the valve 160 and the free surface of the concrete remaining in the lower part of the column at the end of the last cycle of concreting.

La vanne est ensuite ouverte, partiellement ou totalement, pour poursuivre le bétonnage. La hauteur de chute H6 du béton à l'intérieur de l'espace libre 170 n'excède pas, là encore, la limite prédéfinie.The valve is then opened, partially or totally, to continue concreting. The height of fall H6 of the concrete inside the free space 170 does not exceed, again, the predefined limit.

A la reprise du bétonnage, lorsque la vanne 160 est ouverte, de l'air situé en aval de la vanne peut être emprisonné dans le béton à forte pression. Pour éviter le risque de projection de béton à l'extrémité supérieure de la colonne, l'installation de bétonnage comprend des moyens d'évacuation de l'air emprisonné dans un tronçon de colonne.When the concreting is resumed, when the valve 160 is open, air located downstream of the valve can be trapped in the concrete at high pressure. To avoid the risk of concrete spraying at the upper end of the column, the concrete installation comprises means for evacuating the air trapped in a column section.

Les moyens d'évacuation comprennent, dans l'exemple, une conduite d'air 150 disposée à l'extérieur de la colonne et communiquant avec le tronçon de la colonne de bétonnage 112 située directement en aval de la vanne 160.The evacuation means comprise, in the example, an air duct 150 disposed outside the column and communicating with the section of the concreting column 112 situated directly downstream of the valve 160.

Comme illustré sur la figure 7, la conduite 150 peut aussi s'étendre axialement à l'intérieur de la colonne de bétonnage. Dans ce cas, elle peut être mobile et peut comprendre un débitmètre 154 permettant de mesurer le débit d'écoulement de la boue à l'intérieur de la colonne de bétonnage, au moment de l'amorçage. Elle remplit donc la fonction de la conduite 152 décrite précédemment, laquelle peut dès lors être omise.As illustrated on the figure 7 the line 150 can also extend axially inside the concreting column. In this case, it can be mobile and can include a flowmeter 154 to measure the flow rate of the sludge inside the concreting column, at the time of priming. It thus fulfills the function of the pipe 152 described above, which can therefore be omitted.

La figure 8 illustre un troisième mode de réalisation de l'invention, dans lequel des dispositifs de retenue sont agencés pour retenir le béton au niveau de plusieurs points de retenue espacés axialement à l'intérieur de la colonne de bétonnage, au cours d'un même cycle de bétonnage.The figure 8 illustrates a third embodiment of the invention, wherein retaining devices are arranged to retain the concrete at a plurality of retaining points axially spaced inside the concreting column, during a single cycle of concreting.

Dans ce but, plusieurs vannes 260a,..., 260d formant dispositifs de retenue, actionnées indépendamment les unes des autres, sont réparties sur la hauteur de la colonne de bétonnage 212, chaque vanne formant un tel point de retenue ou, autrement dit, un palier de retenue pour le béton.For this purpose, several valves 260a, ..., 260d forming retaining devices, actuated independently of each other, are distributed over the height of the concreting column 212, each valve forming such a retaining point or, in other words, a retaining bearing for concrete.

La figure 8 illustre l'installation de bétonnage avant le commencement d'un second cycle de bétonnage.The figure 8 illustrates the concrete installation before the beginning of a second concreting cycle.

La vanne 260a la plus amont (i.e. la plus proche de l'extrémité supérieure de la colonne) est en position fermée.The upstream valve 260a (i.e. closest to the upper end of the column) is in the closed position.

Le béton V, déversé dans la colonne, est retenu au niveau de cette vanne 260a.Concrete V, poured into the column, is retained at this valve 260a.

Si la deuxième vanne 260b, située directement en aval de la première 260a, est également fermée, un espace libre 170a de hauteur H7, rempli d'air, est défini entre les deux vannes 260a, 260b.If the second valve 260b, located directly downstream of the first 260a, is also closed, a free space 170a of height H7, filled with air, is defined between the two valves 260a, 260b.

Lorsque la première vanne 260a est ouverte, la seconde restant en position fermée, le volume de béton V chute de la hauteur H7, choisie inférieure à la hauteur de chute limite du béton.When the first valve 260a is open, the second remaining in the closed position, the volume of concrete V drops from the height H7, chosen lower than the limit drop height of the concrete.

Le même principe est appliqué aux autres vannes 260c, 260d, etc., pour fractionner le déplacement du béton à l'intérieur de la colonne 212 en plusieurs tronçons de hauteur acceptable.The same principle is applied to the other valves 260c, 260d, etc., to split the displacement of the concrete inside the column 212 into several sections of acceptable height.

Bien que cela ne soit pas représenté, des moyens d'évacuation d'air identiques à ceux décrits précédemment, peuvent aussi être utilisés ici. En particulier, on pourra prévoir des conduites d'évacuation, à l'intérieur ou à l'extérieur de la colonne, communiquant avec les tronçons de la colonne de bétonnage 212 délimités par deux vannes adjacentes.Although not shown, air discharge means identical to those described above can also be used here. In particular, it may be possible to provide evacuation pipes, inside or outside the column, communicating with the sections of the concreting column 212 delimited by two adjacent valves.

Claims (18)

  1. A method of concreting an excavation (E), in particular an excavation presenting a depth of not less than 100 meters, the method being characterized in that it comprises at least the following succession of steps:
    • placing a concreting column (12, 112, 212) in the excavation (E) for concreting; and
    • performing a concreting cycle during which concrete is inserted into the concreting column (12, 112, 212) via its open top end, and a volume of concrete (V) is retained at a distance from said open end so that the height of an empty space (70, 170, 270) defined between said volume of concrete (V) and one of the ends of the concreting column (12, 112, 212) remains less than a limit value, equal to, for example, 40 meters.
  2. A concreting method according to claim 1, wherein, in order to retain the volume of concrete (V), the flow section inside the concreting column (12, 112, 212) and/or to the outside of said column is constricted at least in part, and preferably in full.
  3. A concreting method according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the empty space (70) is situated above the volume of concrete (V).
  4. A concreting method according to claims 2 and 3, wherein during the concreting cycle, at least one parameter representative of the level of concrete inside the concreting column is measured and/or calculated, and as a function of this at least one parameter, the flow section inside the concreting column (12, 112, 212) and/or the outside of said column is constricted, so that the height of the empty space defined between the volume of concrete contained in the concreting column and the top end of the concreting column remains less than the limit value.
  5. A concreting method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a concreting cycle comprises the following steps:
    a) introducing concrete via the open top end of the concreting column (12);
    b) once a given volume of concrete has been inserted into the excavation, stopping the feed of concrete to the concreting column (12); and
    c) constricting the flow section inside the concreting column (12) and/or to the outside of said column at least in part, and possibly in full, as a function of at least one parameter representative of the level of concrete inside the concreting column.
  6. A concreting method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an empty space (170, 270) is situated beneath the volume of concrete (V).
  7. A concreting method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, during a concreting cycle, a volume of concrete (V) is retained in succession at at least two retention points that are spaced apart axially inside the concreting column, an empty space (170) being defined between said first and second retention points.
  8. A concreting method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first concreting cycle comprises a priming step during which concrete is inserted via the open top end of the concreting column (12) filled with drilling fluid, so as to expel the drilling fluid from the column and fill the concreting column with concrete, and during the priming step, the flow section inside the concreting column and/or to the outside of said column is constricted in part.
  9. A concreting installation (10, 110, 210) adapted to concrete an excavation (E), in particular an excavation presenting a depth of not less than 100 meters, said installation comprising:
    • a concreting column (12, 112, 212) having a top end arranged to be open in order to be at atmospheric pressure and a length at least equal to, for example 100 meters; and
    • at least one controlled retention device (30, 40, 160, 260) situated at a distance from the open top end of the concreting column and adapted, in at least one configuration, to retain a volume of concrete (V) inside said column (12, 112, 212).
  10. A concreting installation according to claim 9, wherein at least one retention device (30, 40) is arranged in the vicinity of the bottom end (12b) of the concreting column (12).
  11. A concreting installation (10) according to claim 10, wherein the concreting column (12) presents at least one outlet orifice (18, 19) in the vicinity of its bottom end, and the retention device comprises at least one movable valve member (30, 40) adapted to be moved relative to said outlet orifice (18, 19).
  12. A concreting installation (10) according to claim 11, wherein the outlet orifice (18) of the concreting column opens out axially, and the valve member (30) is movable in translation in the axial direction.
  13. A concreting installation (110, 210) according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein at least one retention device (160, 260) is arranged in the column (112, 212) at a distance from the top end of the column that is less than 80%, preferably less than 50%, of the total length of said column (112, 212).
  14. A concreting installation (210) according to any one of claims 9 to 13, having a plurality of retention devices (260a, ..., 260d) distributed along the concreting column (212) and adapted to be controlled independently of one another.
  15. A concreting installation (110) according to any one of claims 9 to 14, further including an air discharge system (150) in communication with a segment of the concreting column (112).
  16. A concreting installation (10, 110, 260) according to any one of claims 9 to 15, further including at least one device for measuring and/or calculating parameters representative of the advance of concreting including at least one parameter representative of the level of concrete inside the concreting column.
  17. A concreting installation (10, 110, 260) according to claim 16, further including a control unit (90) for controlling the retention device, the control unit being connected to the measurement and/or calculation device and being adapted to control said retention device as a function of the parameter values as measured and/or calculated by the measurement and/or calculation device.
  18. A concreting machine (100), including a concreting installation according to any one of claims 9 to 17, a support structure (80), and support and guide means for the concreting column that are secured to the support structure (80).
EP14825404.8A 2013-12-03 2014-12-03 Concreting facility and corresponding concreting method Active EP3077599B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR1362002A FR3014123B1 (en) 2013-12-03 2013-12-03 CONCRETE INSTALLATION AND CORRESPONDING CONCRETE PROCESSING
PCT/FR2014/053142 WO2015082838A1 (en) 2013-12-03 2014-12-03 Concreting facility and corresponding concreting method

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EP3077599A1 EP3077599A1 (en) 2016-10-12
EP3077599B1 true EP3077599B1 (en) 2019-07-17

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EP (1) EP3077599B1 (en)
CA (1) CA2932450C (en)
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WO (1) WO2015082838A1 (en)

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EP3919684A1 (en) * 2020-06-04 2021-12-08 BAUER Maschinen GmbH Excavator and method for creating a slot in the ground
CN112727102A (en) * 2021-01-06 2021-04-30 中国化学工程第十一建设有限公司 Concrete pouring flow guide device and construction method of sewage treatment water tank
CN113653060A (en) * 2021-07-28 2021-11-16 中国建筑第八工程局有限公司 Deep foundation pit bottom plate concrete pouring system with multiple supporting beams and construction method thereof
CN113818442A (en) * 2021-08-17 2021-12-21 山东大学 Sliding triggering type bored pile concrete pouring height control device and method
CN115247496B (en) * 2022-09-22 2023-03-10 保利长大工程有限公司 Self-compacting concrete pouring quality control method, terminal and storage medium

Citations (1)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3422629A (en) * 1967-09-06 1969-01-21 James P Watts Construction support system and methods and apparatus for construction thereof

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL7805960A (en) * 1978-06-01 1979-12-04 Tot Exploit Betonmortel INSTALLATION AND METHOD FOR THE PURPOSING OF CONCRETE AND A NOZZLE FOR THIS.
CN2778882Y (en) * 2005-04-15 2006-05-10 黄英才 Concrete controller

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3422629A (en) * 1967-09-06 1969-01-21 James P Watts Construction support system and methods and apparatus for construction thereof

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US10113288B2 (en) 2018-10-30
US20160305084A1 (en) 2016-10-20
FR3014123A1 (en) 2015-06-05
CA2932450C (en) 2022-04-12
CA2932450A1 (en) 2015-06-11
WO2015082838A1 (en) 2015-06-11
FR3014123B1 (en) 2015-12-18
EP3077599A1 (en) 2016-10-12

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