Sheet pile bulkhead systems and methods
AssigneePND Engineers, Inc.
InventorsCharles D. Courtright, Dempsey S. Thieman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system that includes a plurality of front faces configured to be arranged end-to-end in a series. Adjacent front faces are connected together by a different X-shaped or X-wye connector that facilitates installation of reinforcement tail walls. At least one tail wall is connected to each connector. A redundant reinforcing tail wall may be constructed and attached to one of the connectors to provide alternative load path(s).
Claims19
A system comprising:
- first and second curved front faces,
- first, second, third, and fourth tail walls each having a first end opposite a second free end;
- a first connector configured to couple the first curved front face to the first end of the first tail wall;
- a second connector configured to couple the second curved front face to the first end of the fourth tail wall;
- and
- a third connector configured to couple the first curved front face to the first end of the third tail wall, and to couple the second curved front face to the first end of the second tail wall with the second tail wall being positioned between the first and third tail walls, the third tail wall being positioned between the second and fourth tail walls, a first opening being defined between the second free ends of the first and third tail walls, and a second opening being defined between the second free ends of the second and fourth tail walls.
A system comprising:
- a plurality of front faces configured to be arranged end-to-end in a series;
- a plurality of X-wye connectors configured to connect together adjacent ends of adjacent ones of the plurality of front faces;
- and
- a plurality of substantially linear tail walls each configured to be connected to a different one of the plurality of X-wye connectors.
A bulkhead comprising:
- a plurality of open cells each comprising a curved front face, a first tail wall, and a second tail wall, the first tail wall comprising a first free end, and the second tail wall comprising a second free end spaced apart from the first free end to define an opening therebetween, a first of the plurality of open cells overlapping a second of the plurality of open cells;
- a first connector coupling the first tail wall of the first open cell to the curved front face of the first open cell;
- a second connector coupling the second tail wall of the second open cell to the curved front face of the second open cell;
- and
- a third connector coupling the second tail wall of the first open cell to the curved front face of the first open cell, the third connector also coupling the first tail wall of the second open cell to the curved front face of the second open cell.
A method of repairing a bulkhead comprising a cell adjacent to a damaged section, the damaged section being connected to an existing tail wall by an X-wye connector having first, second, third, fourth, and fifth connectors, the first connector being connected to the damaged section, the second connector being connected to the existing tail wall, the fifth connector being connected to the cell, and the method comprising:
- installing a reinforcing tail wall configured to balance a load applied to the damaged section by the cell adjacent to the damaged section;
- and
- connecting the third connector to the reinforcing tail wall.
A sheet pile connector for use with a plurality of sheet pile sections each having an edge connector, the sheet pile connector comprising:
- a central portion;
- a first edge connector connected to the central portion, the first edge connector being configured to mate with the edge connector of a first one of the plurality of sheet pile sections;
- a second edge connector connected to the central portion, the second edge connector being configured to mate with the edge connector of a second one of the plurality of sheet pile sections;
- a third edge connector connected to the central portion, the third edge connector being configured to mate with the edge connector of a third one of the plurality of sheet pile sections;
- a fourth edge connector connected to the central portion, the fourth edge connector being configured to mate with the edge connector of a fourth one of the plurality of sheet pile sections;
- and
- a fifth edge connector connected to the central portion, the fifth edge connector being configured to mate with the edge connector of a fifth one of the plurality of sheet pile sections.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.