The present invention relates to an anchoring system () comprising an anchor pile () configured to be embedded in a borehole () drilled in a ground surface. The anchor pile () comprises an elongate main body () having a longitudinal axis (L) and comprising an upper end () and a lower end (). The cross section of the elongate main body () increases along a portion of the longitudinal axis (L) in the direction from the upper end () to the lower end () defining at least one bearing surface () such that in use an annular gap () for receiving locking media is defined between the at least one bearing surface () and the adjacent portions of the borehole (). The anchor pile () is locked in position within the borehole () on receipt of locking media within the annular gap () and abutment of the loose material with the bearing surface ().
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
. Anchoring system () comprising:
. Anchoring system () according to, in which the bearing surface (,) comprises at least one tapered section.
. Anchoring system () according to either of, wherein the elongate main body () comprises at least one protruding section (,) projecting outwardly from the elongate main body () and/or at least one angled face sloping down outwardly from the elongate main body ().
. Anchoring system () according to, wherein the elongate main body () comprises at least one conduit (,) arranged essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis (L), such that the conduit (,) extends along the portion of the longitudinal axis (L) of the elongate main body () along which the cross section of the elongate main body () increases, the at least one conduit (,) defining a channel between an upper section and a lower section of the elongate main body () thereby.
. Anchoring system () according to, wherein the elongate main body () comprises:
. Anchoring system () according to, wherein the taper angle of the first conical portion (,) is smaller than the taper angle of the second conical portion (,).
. Anchoring system () according to either of, wherein the first conical portion (,) extends along a greater length of the elongate main body () than the second conical portion (,).
. Anchoring system () according to any one of, wherein the elongate main body () comprises at least one conduit (,) arranged essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis (L) of the elongate main body (), the conduit (,) extending along:
. Anchoring system () according to, wherein at least a portion of the elongate main body () of the anchor pile () comprises a cohesive high friction coating configured to increase friction between the elongate main body () and locking media received within the annular gap ().
. Anchoring system () as claimed in, in which the cohesive high friction coating comprises bitumen, a similar material or a sheet material bonded to the elongate main body ().
. Anchoring system () according to either of, wherein the at least one tapered section comprises a cohesive high friction coating.
. Anchoring system () according to, wherein at least a section of the elongate main body () comprises fixing means (), configured for being driven outwardly from the elongate main body () for penetrating the borehole () wall, such that a fixed connection is established thereby.
. Anchoring system () as claimed inin which the fixing means () are cone point bolts.
. Anchoring system () according to either of, wherein the elongate main body () comprises a plurality of fixing means () spaced apart from each other along the length of the elongate main body ().
. Anchoring system () according to, in which one or more of the plurality of fixing means () are configured to extend at different angles with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongate main body ().
. Anchoring system () according to, wherein the elongate main body () of the anchor pile () is shaped as an essentially tubular hollow body comprising a plurality of ports (,,) arranged over at least a portion of its length, the ports (,,) being configured for establishing a fluidic communication between an inner volume of the elongate main body () and the annular gap () defined between the elongate main body () and the borehole ().
. Anchoring system () according to, wherein a attachment line termination point of a attachment line () is integrally connected to the upper end () of the elongate main body () of the anchor pile (), such that the attachment line () is concentric and axially aligned with the longitudinal axis (L) of the elongate main body ().
. Anchoring system () according tofurther comprising a guide collar () configured for being arranged at the opening of the borehole, the guide collar () providing a guide channel () configured in use to be aligned with the borehole () and to enable the anchor pile () to pass therethrough into the borehole (), and in which the guide collar () is configured to be removable from the anchor pile () once positioned within the borehole ().
. Anchoring system () according to, in which the guide collar () comprises a first end configured to contact the borehole (), and a second opposed end, and in which the guide collar () further comprises a slot extending between the first and second ends thereof, and in which the slot is in communication with the guide channel ().
. Anchoring system () according to, in which the slot extends essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the guide collar ().
. Anchoring system () according to any one of, wherein at least the guide collar () is made of a brittle or deformable material.
. Method of installing an anchor pile () into a borehole () drilled in a ground surface for creating an anchorage, the method comprising the steps of:
. Method of installing an anchor pile () as claimed in, further comprising running the anchor pile () through the borehole () until the anchor pile () is entirely received within the borehole () prior to insertion of locking media.
. Method of installing an anchor pile () as claimed in either of, further comprising:
. Method according to any one of, wherein in the locking media is provided in a fluid medium directly into the annular gap () from an upper section of the borehole ().
. Method according towherein the elongate main body () of the anchor pile () is shaped as an essentially tubular hollow body, wherein the locking media is provided as fluid and/or slurry pumped through the hollow tubular main body and into the annular gap () between the elongate main body () and the borehole ().
. Method according to, wherein the elongate main body () comprises a plurality of ports (,,) arranged over at least a portion of its length, the ports (,,) being configured for establishing a fluidic communication between an inner volume of the elongate main body () and the annular gap () and wherein the locking media is provided in a fluid medium through the upper end () of the hollow elongate main body (), the fluid being pumped through the inner volume of the elongate main body () through the ports (,,) to provide the locking media in a fluid medium into the annular gap ().
. Method according to, in which the elongate main body () comprises a plurality of ports (,,) arranged over at least a portion of its length, in which the size of the ports (,,) decreases with distance away from the lower end () of the elongate main body ().
. Method according to any offurther comprising the step of providing cement grout aggregate material into the borehole () prior to inserting the anchor pile () into the borehole ().
Complete technical specification and implementation details from the patent document.
The present invention relates to an onshore anchoring system, particularly for use in civil engineering applications. The onshore anchoring system is suitable for use to secure for example ground structures or plant structures (such as for example tower cranes) in position. The invention further relates to a method of installing such an onshore anchoring system.
A variety of ground anchors are known in the art. Ground anchors may provide a permanent or interim anchoring solution for securing a structure in position. Typically, ground anchors are secured in position by setting materials such as grout, cement, resins, or similar. The settable materials are required to set over a period of time (known as the curing time for the material) in order for the settable material to develop sufficient bond strength to secure the associated structure in position and allow operations involving the structure to be safely continued. This curing time may for example be several days or weeks in order to allow the settable material to reach sufficient strength as a result of full strength chemical bonds developing. The curing time therefore results in significant downtime for the associated structure(s) which has associated cost implications. Mechanical anchors may also be used to secure structures. Mechanical anchors comprise a mechanical locking mechanism which may be loaded immediately after installation without requiring any downtime associated with curing of materials. Mechanical anchors are however less efficient. Mechanical anchors are not able to be used over a wide range of ground and/or borehole conditions and are typically embedded into the ground at a distance of between 1.2 m and 5 m.
It is among the objectives of embodiments of the present invention to obviate or alleviate these and other disadvantages of known anchor piling systems.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an onshore anchoring system comprising:
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an onshore anchoring system kit comprising:
According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of installing an anchor pile into a borehole drilled in a ground surface for creating an anchorage, the method comprising the steps of:
The present invention provides an onshore anchoring system which can be inserted into and secured in place within a borehole with locking media. The present invention therefore provides an efficient and reliable method of securing an anchoring system within a borehole using locking media without requiring the use of settable material. The anchoring system is very reliable and is adaptable to support a wide range of loads, for example loads of at least 100 tonnes, up to in excess of 1000 tonnes.
The present invention provides an anchoring system which is capable of accepting vertical and lateral loads, for example of greater than 1000 tonnes, imposed by for example an attachment line extending between a structure and the anchoring system.
As the onshore anchoring system of the present invention is provided in-line with the bore hole, the system may be used for high angle loading, including for example angles of up to vertical loading.
The onshore anchoring system of the present invention is maintained securely within the borehole, using low-cost consumables and also having reduced environmental impact compared to conventional anchoring mechanisms.
The onshore anchoring system of the present invention is maintained securely within the borehole on receipt of locking media with immediate effect, without requiring any curing time, which enables operations with the structure associated with the anchoring system to commence immediately thereby reducing any associated downtime.
The anchoring system of the present invention, due to geometry or profile, is configured to rely upon friction derived from the introduction of locking media into the defined annular gap to provide sufficient resistance, and may also be secured by setting material.
The profile (for example the angle) of the bearing surface of the one or more portions is preferably optimised to transfer a maximum compressive load through the frictional resistance arising as a result of the received locking media to create hoop stresses in the surrounding substrate in the borehole wall when the anchor pile is subject to tensile loading.
The profile along the longitudinal axis of the elongate member may be geometrically varied such that there may be changes in the diameter or cross section of the elongate member between any two points on the longitudinal axis. Such changes in diameter or cross section along the longitudinal axis may thus form tapered or shaped sections such as regular or irregular radial sections or box sections such as for example square box sections, conduits such as for example radial conduits, corrugations, or any other geometrical surface shapes which may be required.
The upper end of the elongate main body of the anchor pile of the anchoring system of the present invention is preferably fully received within the borehole, i.e. located within the borehole beneath the surface of the ground.
The anchoring system of the present invention is configured to provide a deeply embedded anchor pile. The anchoring system of the present invention may for example be used in civil engineering applications.
The anchoring system of the present invention is preferably located between 2 to 3 times deeper within the borehole than conventional anchoring systems which are all embedded within the upper soil. In contrast, the anchoring system of the present invention is configured to be received beneath the upper soil portion of the borehole. The embedment depth of the anchoring system is defined as being the depth of the lower end of the elongate member of the anchor pile within the borehole. The embedment depth of the anchoring system of the present invention can be required to engage with suitable load bearing soil layers, located for example 100 metres or more below the surface of the ground. In comparison, the penetration or embedment depth of conventional ground anchors, such as screw type anchors, is limited and is typically about 10 to 20 metres beneath the surface of the ground.
The one or more joints preferably includes coupling joints for connecting adjacent elongate member portions to provide the elongate member.
Preferably, the bearing surface of the elongate member comprises at least one tapered section. The angle of each tapered section may be selected and/or modified in accordance with the particular requirements for the anchoring system, for example in accordance with the site soil conditions and pile design requirements. For example, the optimised angle of each tapered section of the bearing surface is preferably at least 1 degree, preferably at least 2 degrees. Preferably, the optimised angle of each tapered section of the bearing surface is no more than 15 degrees, preferably no more than 10 degrees. Preferably, the optimised angle of each tapered section of the bearing surface is between 1 and 15 degrees, preferably between 2 and 10 degrees.
The tapered section(s) may be configured to extend radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the elongate main body. For example the tapered section(s) may be configured to extend radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the elongate main body in a direction extending towards the base of the bore hole such that the greatest diameter of the tapered section is at or adjacent the lower end of the tapered section.
In one embodiment, the anchoring system may comprise one or more, preferably a plurality of, outwardly extending body portions, extending away from the longitudinal axis of the elongate main body.
The outwardly extending body portion(s) may extend at any suitable angle away from the longitudinal axis of the elongate main body. For example, the outwardly extending body portion(s) may be radially outwardly extending body portions.
The outwardly extending body portions are preferably spaced apart from each other along the length of the system. It is to be understood that the elongate main body may contain any suitable number of outwardly extending body portions depending on the particular requirements for the installation. The plurality of outwardly extending body portions may be equidistantly spaced apart from each other.
Each outwardly extending body portions may have any suitable shape and/or dimension.
The plurality of outwardly extending body portions may have identical shapes and/or dimensions to one or more, preferably each, other body portion(s).
In one embodiment, the or each outwardly extending body portion comprises at least one box section, for example square box section, projecting radially outwardly from the elongate main body and/or at least one angled face sloping down outwardly from the elongate main body. The elongate main body may comprise outwardly extending body portion(s) having any geometrical shape, in which the outwardly extending body portion(s) provides at least one face which extends at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the elongate main body.
The one or more outwardly extending body portions are preferably considered to be distinct from one or more joints provided between adjacent elongate main body portions (configured to connect elongate main body portions to provide the elongate main body). It is known for one or more joints in an elongate main body of an anchor pile to include a tapered upper surface. However, this tapered upper surface of the joint(s) is not considered to be a bearing surface capable of transferring compressive load through the locking media into the substrate of the borehole wall.
Preferably, the elongate main body, for example one or more, preferably each, outwardly extending body portion, comprises at least one conduit configured to provide a flow path to enable fluid flow across the surface of the elongate main body, for example across the surface of the outwardly extending body portion. The at least one conduit may extend at any suitable angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate main body.
The at least one conduit preferably defines a channel or groove between an upper section and a lower section of the elongate main body and/or of the outwardly extending body portion.
Preferably, the at least one conduit is arranged essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongate main body, such that the conduit extends along a portion of the longitudinal axis of the elongate main body along which the cross section of the elongate main body increases.
In one embodiment, the elongate main body comprises at least one outwardly extending body portion comprising:
In one embodiment, the elongate main body comprises at least one outwardly extending body portion comprising:
Preferably, the first conical portion provides the bearing surface(s).
Preferably, the taper angle of the first conical portion is smaller than the taper angle of the second conical portion.
The taper angles of the first and second conical portion may be any suitable angle depending on the particular requirements of the elongate main body of the anchoring system. In one embodiment, the taper angle of the first conical portion may be equal to the taper angle of the second conical portion.
The taper angle of the second conical portion may be selected to aid and/or improve the ease of introduction of the elongate main body into the borehole.
The taper angle of the first conical portion is selected to provide an annular space of sufficient height to ensure efficient anchorage of the anchoring system.
Each conical portion has a first free end and a second opposed end located at or adjacent the other conical portion or the tubular portion. The length of a conical portion is measured between the first free end and the second opposed end. It is to be understood that each conical portion may have any suitable length depending on the particular requirements of the elongate main body of the anchoring system.
Preferably, the first conical portion extends along a greater length of the elongate main body than the second conical portion.
The elongate main body preferably comprises at least one conduit extending along at least a portion of the first conical portion, at least a portion of the second conical portion, and along the tubular section (if present).
The elongate main body portion preferably comprises at least one conduit arranged essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis (L) of the elongate main body, the conduit extending along: at least a portion of the first conical portion, at least a portion of the second conical portion, and the tubular section (if present).
Preferably, at least a portion of the elongate main body of the anchor pile comprises a cohesive high friction coating configured to increase friction between the elongate main body and locking media received within the annular gap provided between the borehole wall and the portion of the longitudinal axis of the elongate main body along which the cross section of the elongate main body increases.
Preferably, the cohesive high friction coating is provided on the bearing surface(s), for example on the tapered surface(s) and/or tapered section(s).
Preferably, the cohesive high friction coating is provided on the first conical portion, and optionally on the tubular portion. Preferably the second conical portion is free of a cohesive high friction coating.
The cohesive high friction coating may be any coating capable of increasing the friction between the bearing surface of the elongate main body and the locking media. Preferably, the cohesive high friction coating is provided as a layer, as a sheet or in granular form. The cohesive high friction coating may be applied to the bearing surface or otherwise connected to the bearing surface by any suitable means along a predetermined length of the longitudinal axis of the elongate main body. Preferably, the cohesive high friction coating is applied to the portion of the longitudinal axis of the elongate main body along which the cross section increases. The cohesive high friction coating may be applied along at least a portion of one or more outwardly extending body portions. Preferably, the cohesive high friction coating comprises bitumen or any other suitable material.
In one embodiment, at least a section of the or each elongate main body comprises fixing means operative to penetrate an adjacent portion of a borehole wall to establish a fixed mechanical connection between the elongate main body of the anchoring system and the adjacent soil strata of the borehole wall.
Preferably, the fixing means are operative to be driven outwardly or away from the elongate main body to penetrate an adjacent portion of a borehole wall.
The fixing means may for example comprise at least one extending element. The at least one extending element may have a pointed, for example cone pointed profile. The extending element(s) may for example comprise cone point bolts.
The or each outwardly extending body portions may comprise one or more, preferably a plurality of, fixing means. The fixing means may be spaced apart from each other along the length of the elongate main body. The fixing means may be spaced apart from each other along the length of the outwardly extending body portions. The elongate main body, for example the or each outwardly extending body portion, may comprise any suitable number of fixing means.
One or more of the plurality of fixing means are preferably configured to extend at different angles with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongate main body. The fixation of the elongate main body may be improved by the use of a plurality of fixing means which extend at a plurality of different angles from the elongate main body.
Unknown
December 18, 2025
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