WO2009110905A1

WO2009110905A1 - Seawall connector for attachment of geogrid material

Info

Publication number: WO2009110905A1
Application number: PCT/US2008/056107
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jeff M. Moreau
Original assignee: Moreau Jeff M
Priority date: 2008-03-06
Filing date: 2008-03-06
Publication date: 2009-09-11

Abstract

A system for joining and supporting adjacent sheet pile panels for the construction of wall structures includes a connection beam with male and female connectors to attach to the male and female connectors of sheet pile panels. The connection beams allow for connection of a geogrid thereto. The geogrid is secured to the connection beams with a connection rod. Each connection beam has an extension that is provided with at least one through hole for receiving the connection rod. The geogrid is then buried under the backfill of the retaining wall. The backfilled grids, which are attached to the connection beams, support and prevent deflection of the sheet pile panels of the retaining wall.

Description

SEAWALL CONNECTOR FOR ATTACHMENT OF GEOGRID MATERIAL

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates, generally, to an apparatus for joining adjacent sheet pile panels employing connection beams and a geogrid for providing an anchoring system. The connection beam is positionable between adjacent sheet pile panels and provides a mechanism for attachment of geogrid material.

More particularly, the present invention provides a connection beam having complementary male and female connectors on opposing sides that interlock with their respective male and female connectors on sheet pile panels. The connection beam has an extension, or flange, that projects rearward of the beam. The extension or flange is provided with through holes for the insertion of a connection rod therein. The connection rod is joined to the geogrid. The geogrid forms the anchor for the wall structure once the back fill of the wall structure has buried the geogrid.

Description of the Prior Art

The prior art teaches various seal wall retaining panels. Representative of the prior art known to the inventor islarke, U.S. Patent No. 972,059; Weber, U.S. Patent No. 1,739,108; Pennoyer, U.S. Patent No. 1,933,483; McKeen, U.S. Patent No. 2,000,492; Smith, U.S. Patent No. 2,018,423; Mason, U.S. Patent No. 3,638,435; Muller, U.S. Patent No. 4,012,883; Weatherby, U.S. Patent No. 4,561,804; Kulchin, U.S. Patent No. 4,962,097; Miller, U.S. Patent No. 5,368,414; Wheeler, Jr. et al, U.S. Patent No. 5,938,375; Byrne, U.S. Patent No. 6,299,386; Grossman, U.S. Patent No. 6,352,230; Race, U.S. Patent No. 6,709,201; Timmerman, U.S. Patent No. 6,908,258; Chaplin, U.K. Patent Specification No. 2,314,575; and Burt et al. , P. CT. Application Publication No. WO 99/27191.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary object of the present invention is to provide means for attachment of geogrid material to seawall panels or retaining wall panels.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a connection beam having opposing side portions with complementary male and female connectors.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a connection beam having an extension or flange, which extends from the connectors where the flange can be drilled for attachment of a geogrid which functions as an anchor.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method of connecting the geogrid material to sheet pilings comprising inserting the connection beam between adjoining sheet pile panels, drilling a through hole in the extension or flange of each of the connection beams, installing a connection rod in the through holes and connection a geogrid to the connection rod.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a quick method of seawall or retaining wall construction.

The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a connector beam positionable between seawall panels for attachment of geogrid material. The connector beam has male and female connectors, which are designed to mate with the male and female connectors on a sheet pile panel. These connectors allow a connection beam to join to adjacent sheet pile panels when the beam is inserted between the adjacent sheet pile panels. The connector beam has an extension or flange projecting rearward. The extension provides a means for attaching the geogrid material to the connection beams. The geogrid may be secured to the connection rod by any suitable means including but not limited to fasteners.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent when considered in view of the following detailed description of the invention, which provides certain preferred embodiments and examples of the present invention.

It should, however, be noted that the accompanying drawing figures and detailed description thereof is intended to discuss and explain only certain embodiments of the claimed invention and is not intended as a means for defining the limits and scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

In the drawing, wherein similar reference numerals denote similar features throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is an illustrative view of prior art;

FIG. 2 is an illustrative view of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an illustrative view of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an illustrative view of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a sequence of construction chart of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a section view of a connection beam of the present invention;

FIG. 6 A is a section view of another connection beam of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a detailed view of the present invention;

FIG. 7 A is a side view of a clamping member of the present invention;

FIG. 7B is a rear view of the present invention;

FIG. 7C is a rear view of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a detailed view of the present invention; FIG. 9 is a top view of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of multi-level mat of the present invention; and,

FIG. 13 shows various extension designs of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION QF THE DRAWING FIGURES AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is an illustrative view of prior art. Prior art retaining structures for reinforcement of bulkheads tend to stress and displace due to ground pressure. The arrows indicate the direction of the ground pressure forces. The first frame illustrates what is known as a toe failure on a prior cantilevered system. In a cantilevered system the sheet pile panels of the bulkhead are driven into the ground and the exposed or cantilevered part (above ground) of the sheet pile panels are unsupported. The ground pressure forces are greatest at the lower end of the sheet pile panels or toe of the bulkhead and the wall can displace. The third frame illustrates an upper end failure of a cantilevered system. Ground pressure tends to stress and displace the upper end of the sheet pile panels causing a failure. The second frame illustrates prior art tie back system employing two wale beams, tie rods 2 and deadman anchor pilings 4. Two wale beams extend laterally across the exposed face of the sheet pile panels. Tie rods 2 extend through the wale beams and the sheet pile panels and are secured to a deadman anchor piling 4.

FIGS. 2-4 are illustrative views of the present invention 10 in use. The present invention 10 relates to a system for supporting sheet pile panel walls. It can be employed in a seawall, which is commonly referred to as a bulkhead 12. It may also be employed in a retaining wall. FIGS. 2 and 3 show a bulkhead 12 made of sheet pile panels where the tops of the sheet pile panels are finished off with a cap 18. The cap 18 also provides lateral support to the upper end of the wall. The cap 18 may be formed by pouring concrete in place on the wall once the wall has been installed or the cap 18 may be preformed. The cap 18 may also be made of any suitable plastic or metal material. The wall support system of the present invention 10 employs connection beams 22 and an attached geogrid 34 to provide the necessary support to the wall structure. The connection beams 22 are joined to the individual sheet pile panels 32 of the wall. The connection beams 22 have connectors which mate with the connectors of the sheet pile panels 32. The geogrid 34 is able to provide support since it is buried by the fill of the wall. The load on the geogrid prevents the wall from being displaced. The geogrid replaces the tie rods and deadman anchors of the prior art. Wale beams 20 may be employed to further enhance and support the wall (see FIG. 4.) They are typically secured across the front surface of the sheet pile panels 32 for additional wall support and are secured to the support system. If necessary multiple layers of beams 20 and geogrids 34 can be employed as seen in FIG. 4. FIG. 3 shows an illustrative view of the present invention 10 in use as a retaining wall. The retaining wall can be formed without a wale beam 20 (as shown) or it may be formed with a wale beam 20 to provide additional support if required.

FIGS. 6-8 show the wall support system of the present invention 10 and how it is employed with the sheet pile panels 32 of a bulkhead 12 or retaining wall. The support system employs a connection beam 22, which is an elongated beam like member that extends the entire height of the sheet pile panels 32 on which it is deployed. The connection beam 22 has a connector portion with a female connector 24 and a male connector 26 disposed thereon. The connector portion has a central section 28 that is joined to an extension 40 or flange. The male connector 26 is secured to the central section 28 of the connector portion by a joining member 30. The female connector 24 is secured to the central section 28 by a joining member 30 or it can be secured directly to the central section 28 as seen in FIG. 6A. These connectors are aligned in the same plane and are on opposite sides of the connection beam 22. The male connector 26 engages with the female connector 24 on a sheet pile panel 32. The female connector 24 engages with the male connector 26 on a sheet pile panel 32. The connection beam 22 joins and secures together two adjacent sheet pile panels 32. The connection beam 22 provides several functions in addition to its primary function of joining together sheet pile panels 32 and providing a simple and easy manner of securing a geogrid to a bulkhead or wall structure. The connection beam 22, since it is a beam, stiffens each of the sheet pile panels 32, to which it is joined.

Looking at the FIGS. 6-8, it is easy to see how the connection beam 22 will stiffen the panels 32 it joins. The connection beam 22 has an extension 40 that terminates in a profiled portion 38. The profiled portion 38, in combination with the extension 40, acts as a beam to provide vertical stiffness to the connection beam 22. The connection beam 22 is shaped like a "T". The cross-bar of the "T" has male 26 and female 24 connectors secured thereon. The vertical portion of the "T" is the extension 40 and the base portion of the "T" is the profiled portion 38. The connection beam 22 acts in the same manner as an "I" beam would. A "T" beam has a wider cross bar and has a narrower base. An "I" beam has uniform top and bottom members. As seen in FIG. 14, the profiled portion 38 may take on a variety of shapes, some of which will give the beam an almost true "T" or "I" shapes. The profiled portion 38 (which is the base of the "T") may be thicker than the thickness of the extension 40. It is preferable that it is thicker since it will make the connection beam 22 stiffer providing the beam with a greater load bearing capacity. The individual shapes provide for varying strengths for the connection beam 22. This allows for supplying connection beams 22 to meet specific load requirements. The connection beams 22 can be made of plastic such as polyvinylchloride (PVC), copolymers or any other suitable plastic material. The beams can be made of fiber reinforced plastic with reinforcing fibers such as nylon, glass, carbon, and aramid. KEVLAR is the trademark for a popular aramid manufactured by Du Pont. The connection beams 22 can also be made of metals such as steel, aluminum or any other suitable metal. The metal beams may be coated or galvanized to inhibit rust.

The geogrid 34 is secured to the beams via a connection rod 42. The connection rod 42 is seen in FIG. 13 can be made of plastic, fiber reinforced plastic, steel or any other suitable metal. The connection rod 42 need not be made of the same material as the connection beam 22 on which it is deployed. The geogrid 34 may be fastened to the connection rod employing any suitable means including but not limited to fasteners. The fasteners may be rivets, screws, bolts, etc., or any other suitable mechanism that is capable of securing the grid to the connection rod 42. hi one method of installation, (not shown) the end of the geogrid 34 could be wrapped around the connection rod 42 forming a flap, which is then folded onto the body of the geogrid 34 and then the flap is secured to the body of the geogrid 34 by any suitable means including but not limited to fasteners. The flap of the geogrid 34 creates a pocket for the connection rod 42 so that the geogrid 34 is retained on the connection rod 42.

The geogrid 34 is modular structure made of individual mats 36 secured to each other. A geogrid 34 may have a width of just one mat 36, as seen in FIGS. 9 and 10. Here two separate geogrids 34 are shown, where the geogrids 34 are laterally spaced from each other. The geogrid 34 may also be employed in a laterally continuous manner as seen in FIG. 11. Looking at FIG. 11 , it is seen that individual mats 36 may be secured to each other by connection rods 42. The mats 36 may be secured to the connection rods 42 by any suitable means including but not limited to fasteners. The mats may be secured to each other directly without the use of connection rods 42. The mats may be secured directly to each other by any suitable means including but not limited to fasteners. The geogrid 34 is formed of the desired width and length by securing additional mats 36 to make the grid as long and as wide as necessary to support the wall structure. It has been contemplated that in the event that a continuous geogrid 34 is employed, a way to join connection rods 42 is desired. The ends of the connection rods 42 could be externally threaded (male threads) and an internally threaded connector with female threads at each end may be employed to secure the connection rods 42 together. Or each connection rod 42 may be threaded, where one end has external male threads and the other end has internal female threads, making the joining of connection rods 42 simple and rapid. If required, the geogrids 34 can be vertically stacked as seen in FIG. 12. Stacked geogrids 34 provide additional support to a single sheet pile panel 32 when the grids 34 are one mat 36 wide. Stacked geogrids 34 provide additional support to multiple sheet panels 32 when the geogrids 34 are continuous. It is desired that the mats 36 of the geogrid 34 be made of a plastic material that will not degrade in a buried environment. Suitable plastics would be PVC, polypropylene, polyethylene, or other polymers or copolymers. The mats 36 can be of woven construction or they can be extruded in sheet form. The extruded sheets could be solid, i.e. without holes or they could be perforated to allow drainage of the soil or fill which rests upon the sheets. It has also been considered that the mats 36 can be made of a non-woven plastic fabric. One such non-woven fabric is sold under the trademark TYVEK. These non-woven fabrics can be made of PVC, polypropylene, polyethylene, or other polymers or copolymers. The non-woven fabrics may be perforated to enhance their water permeability to provide for soil drainage as noted above.

The through holes 48 in the extensions 40 of the connection beams 22 are typically drilled on site. They also could also be drilled prior to bringing the connection beams 22 to the installation site. These through holes 44 extend through the extension 40 of the connection beam 22 as seen in FIGS. 6 and 6A. It has also been considered that the beams 22 could be manufactured with a plurality of through holes 44 in predetermined locations in the extension 40 to eliminate the need for drilling. If the beams 22 are manufactured with a plurality of through holes 44, the beams 22 may be provided with a wider extension 40 to compensate for the loss in strength due to the plurality of through holes 44. The connection rods 42 can be held in place or provided with limited side-to- side movement by clamping members 46 secured around the circumference of the connection rods 42. The clamping member is seen in FIG. 7 A. The clamping member 46 has a through hole 44 therein for receiving the connection rod 42. A threaded fastener 48 disposed in a threaded hole 50 in the clamping member 46, which is tightened to press against the connection rod 42 and secure the clamping member 46 to the connection rod 42. There would typically be two clamping members 46 on each connection rod 42, one secured adjacent each end of the rod 42. They can be positioned on the rod 42 such they are both either outside of the extensions 40 as in FIG. 7B. They could also be deployed as seen in FIG. 7C where both are interior of each extension 40. If joined connection rods 42 are employed on a continuous geogrid 34 it will be necessary to provide clamping members 46 on at least one of the connection rods 42. Additional clamping members 46 may be used if desired.

FIG. 5 shows one possible sequence for the installation of a wall employing sheet piles panels 32 and the connection beams 22 of the present invention. In Step 1, a sheet pile 32 in driven into the ground and then a connection beam 22 is joined to and slid down the sheet pile panel 32 and driven into the ground. In Step 2, a second sheet pile panel 32 is joined to and slid down the connection beam 22 and driven into the ground. In Step 3, a second connection beam 22 is joined to and slid down the previous sheet pile panel 32 and driven into the ground. In Step 4, another sheet pile panel 32 is joined to and slid down the second connection beam 22 and driven into the ground and then holes 44 are drilled into the extensions 40 of the connection beams 22. In Step 5, a connection rod 42 is inserted through the holes 44 in the connection beams 22. In Step 6, a geogrid 34 of the desired length and width is secured to the connection rod 42 employing any suitable means. The wall is then back filled and the geogrid 34 is buried. The weight of the fill on the geogrid 34 provides the wall with the required support. It has been contemplated that other sequences can be employed for the installation. It is possible to begin an installation sequence by first driving a connection beam 22 into the ground. Then a sheet pile panel 32 can be installed on one side of the connection beam 22, slid down the length of the connector and then driven into the ground. A connection beam 22 can be slid down the other side of the just installed sheet pile panel 32 and then driven into the ground. This eliminates having an exposed edge of a sheet pile panel 32, which is unsupported and may be easily damaged. It is envisioned that in creating walls that the completed sections with attached geogrids be back filled prior to the completion of the entire wall.

The support system of the present invention may be employed on any sheet pile panel with male and female connectors. Once such sheet pile panel that may be employed with the support system of the present invention is disclosed in Burt et al, U.S. Patent No. 6,575,667. Further, the support system of the present invention may be employed with the sheet pile panels disclosed in my co-pending U.S. patent application, Serial No. 11/515,935, filed September 5, 2006, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference into the instant Specification.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above.

While only several embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

List of Reference Numerals

Tie Rod (Prior Art)

Deadman Anchor Piling (Prior Art)

Present Invention

Bulkhead

Ground Level

Water level

Cap

Wale Beam

Connection Beam

Female Connector

Male Connector

Central Section

Joining Member

Sheet Pile Panel

Geogrid

Mat

Profiled Portion

Extension

Connection Rod

Through Hole

Clamping Member

Threaded Fastener

Threaded Hole

Claims

1. A system for joining and supporting sheet pile panels for having the sheet pile panels form a wall structure, comprising: a plurality of connection beams with each connection beam having an extension and a profile that is substantially "T"-shaped in section taken perpendicularly to said extension in a plane parallel to each of an upper end surface and lower end surface of each said connection beam; a connection rod; and, a geogrid secured on, or about, said connection rod, said geogrid being a planar mat for supporting said plurality of connection beams when secured thereto, each said connection beam of said plurality of connecting beams having a through hole capable of receiving said connection rod and having a male connector and a female connector, and with said extension of each said connection beam having a terminal end with a profile portion thereon.

2. The system for joining and supporting sheet pile panels for having the sheet pile panels form a wall structure according to Claim 1, wherein said profile portion has a "T"-shape, a "U"-shape, a ring shape or a rectangular shape.

3. The system for joining and supporting sheet pile panels for having the sheet pile panels form a wall structure according to Claim 1 , wherein said planar mat forming said geogrid is made of plastic.

4. The system for joining and supporting sheet pile panels for having the sheet pile panels form a wall structure according to Claim 1 , wherein each of said male connector and said female connector is joined to a central section of said connection beam via a joining member, so that each of said male connector and female connector is spaced from said central section by said joining member.

5. The system for joining and supporting sheet pile panels for having the sheet pile panels form a wall structure according to Claim 1, wherein each connection beam is made from a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, steel and aluminum.

6. The system for joining and supporting sheet pile panels for having the sheet pile panels form a wall structure according to Claim 5, wherein said plastic is a member selected from the group consisting of fiber-reinforced plastic and polyvinylchloride.

7. The system for joining and supporting sheet pile panels for having the sheet pile panels form a wall structure according to Claim 1 , wherein said connection rod includes a first end and a second end, said first end having male threads and said second end having female threads, so that said female threads of a first said connection rod are capable of receiving said male threads of a second said connection rod.

8. A method of joining and supporting sheet pile panels, comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of connection beams, each connection beam of said plurality of connection beams having a male connector, a female connector and an extension thereon, said extension having a height that is greater than its width and said width of said extension being greater than its thickness; providing at least one sheet pile panel; providing at least one connection rod; providing at least one geogrid; driving a first connection beam of said plurality of connection beams into a ground surface; connecting an initial sheet pile panel of said at least one sheet pile panel to said first connection beam; driving said initial sheet pile panel into the ground surface; connecting a second connection beam of said plurality of connection beams to said initial sheet pile panel; driving said second connection beam into the ground surface; drilling a through hole in said extension of each of said first connection beam and said second connection beam after said first connection beam and said second connection beam have been driven into the ground surface; installing said at least one connection rod in the through hole in said extension; securing said geogrid to said at least one connection rod, said geogrid being a plurality of modular mats with each modular mat of said plurality of modular mats being secured to at least one adjacent said modular mat; and, burying said geogrid in the ground surface so that said geogrid support said at least one pile panel panel.

9. A method of joining and supporting sheet pile panels, comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of connection beams with each said connection beam of said plurality of connection beams having a male connector, a female connection and an extension thereon, said extension having a height that is greater than its width and the width being greater than its thickness; providing at least one sheet pile panel; providing at least one connection rod; providing at least one geogrid, driving an initial sheet pile panel of said at least one sheet pile panels into the ground surface; connecting a first connection beam of said plurality of connection beams to the initial sheet pile panel; driving said first connection beam into the ground surface; connecting a second connection beam of said plurality of connection beams to the initial sheet pile panel; driving the second connection beam into the ground surface; drilling a through hole in the extension of each said first connection beam and said second connection beam after said first connection beam and said second connection have been driven into the ground surface; installing the connection rod in the through holes, securing the geogrid to said connection rod, said geogrid is a plurality of modular mats with each modular mat of said plurality of modular mat being secured to, at least, one adjacent modular mat; and, burying said geogrid so that said geogrid supports said at least one sheet pile panel.

10. A connection beam for connecting adjacent sheet pile panels, comprising: an elongated member having an upper distal end and a lower distal end; a connection portion having at one least male connector and at least one female connector formed therein, each said male connector and said female connectors extends to the upper distal end and the lower distal end; and, an extension portion extending away from said connection portion to a profiled portion on either an upper terminal end or a lower terminal end of said extension portion with said extension portion extending from to the upper and lower terminal ends, wherein the extension portion has a width between the upper and lower terminal ends that is greater than a thickness of said extension portion, said profiled portion extending from said upper terminal end and lower terminal end of said extension portion.

11. The connection beam for connecting adjacent sheet pile panels according to Claim 10, wherein the connection beam is made from a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, steel and aluminum.

12. The connection beam for connecting adjacent sheet pile panels according to Claim 11, wherein said plastic is a member selected from the group consisting of fiber- reinforced plastic and polyvinylchloride.

13. The connection beam for connecting adjacent sheet pile panels according to Claim 10, wherein said connection portion has a central section joined to said extension and each of said male and female connectors is joined to said central section via a joining member so that said male and female connectors are spaced from said central section by said joining member.