ES2978093T3 - Support system of a load-bearing wall and corresponding installation procedure - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a support system (4) for a retaining wall, and to the corresponding installation method, comprising: - a strut (10) for supporting the retaining wall, the strut extending between an upper end (10b) and a lower end (10c), and - a coupling device (12) for coupling the upper end of the strut to said retaining wall, where the coupling device (12) is distinct from the strut, and comprises a fixing device for fixing the coupling device to said retaining wall, and an upper stop (16) configured to, when the coupling device (12) couples the upper end to the retaining wall (2), block the movement of the upper end (10b) of the strut upwards. (Automatic translation with Google Translate, without legal value)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Support system of a load-bearing wall and corresponding installation procedure

Technical sector

The present invention relates to a support system for a supporting wall.

More specifically, the present invention relates to a system, and to the corresponding installation method, which makes it possible to facilitate the installation of struts, for example tie rods, in particular in supporting walls that require the installation of a slope.

State of the art

It is known that shores are installed to support a supporting wall. In particular, shores can be installed in a vertical plane, with an upper end resting on a face of the supporting wall and a lower end resting on the ground, for example on a stable foundation element. In order to form a stable support for the supporting wall, the shore is inclined with respect to the vertical direction, and its ends are fixed to the face of the supporting wall and to the stable foundation element to prevent any sliding phenomenon on the contact surface between the shore and the face of the supporting wall or the stable foundation element. It is also necessary to provide a slope, such as a berm slope, for example, along the bottom of the supporting wall, while the shores have not been installed. This slope stabilizes the supporting wall before and during the installation of the shores.

The presence of such a slope then makes the installation of the props difficult. Therefore, in such situations, it is known to provide a preliminary temporary shoring, fixed to the face of the supporting wall and intended to form a support for the end of the prop intended to be fixed to said face of the supporting wall. An example of shoring may be a wooden support, for example a timber, placed on rods embedded horizontally in the supporting wall.

After the shoring is completed, a borehole is cut into the slope in line with the shoring and a foundation hole is excavated in the axis of the borehole. The upper end of the shoring is then fixed to the face of the supporting wall, having previously been supported by the shoring element. Holes are drilled in the supporting wall and rods are embedded in them to fix the upper end of the shoring. A filling medium, for example mortar, is then applied to the contact surface between the upper end of the shoring and the supporting wall and the upper end of the shoring is fixed, for example by bolting, to these fixing rods.

Once the top end of the strut is secured to the supporting wall, the bottom end of the strut is placed into the foundation hole and, after any reinforcement is placed in the foundation hole, concrete is poured into the hole to anchor the bottom end of the strut.

The presence of a slope therefore makes the installation procedure for the prop complex. In particular, the fixing of the upper end of the prop to the supporting wall is carried out above the borehole, i.e. at a height which represents a delicate and dangerous position for the worker or workers carrying out the fixing, even with the aid of shoring. Similarly, the drilling into the slope can also create a dangerous area requiring guardrails or safety equipment. Finally, the concrete is not poured until the upper end of the prop has been fixed, which can take several hours, during which the foundation hole may collapse or the concrete may dry out if it has been poured into the foundation hole before fixing the upper end of the prop.

Document CN109972625A discloses a support system for a supporting wall, in particular a substantially vertical supporting wall, comprising:

- a strut for supporting the supporting wall at an angle to an upper end, the strut extending in a longitudinal direction between the upper end and a lower end, and

- a coupling device for coupling the upper end of the strut to said supporting wall, said coupling device being independent of the strut, and comprising a fixing device for fixing the coupling device to said supporting wall and said support system being such that the strut comprises, at its upper end, a plate extending substantially in an inclined plane with respect to the axis of the strut and configured to extend substantially parallel to said vertical wall when the strut is mounted on the coupling device.

Each of documents CN207193991U, CN111636701A, CN110230316A also discloses a support system for a supporting wall.

There is a real need for a support system and a corresponding installation procedure, which allows the prop to be installed more quickly, with less danger and at lower cost, even where there is a slope.

Object of the invention

The present invention aims to solve the various technical problems set out above. In particular, the present invention aims to propose a support system, and the corresponding installation method, which facilitates the fixing of the prop to the supporting wall in the presence of a slope at the bottom of the supporting wall. More specifically, the aim of the present invention is to propose a support system which makes it possible to reduce the number of people required for installation, as well as the risk situations on site, and to reduce the time required for installation.

Thus, according to one aspect, a support system for a supporting wall, in particular a substantially vertical supporting wall, is proposed, according to independent claim 1.

The support system according to the present invention therefore provides a coupling device independent of the strut, and which allows the strut to be mechanically connected to the supporting wall. Thus, the coupling device prevents the upper end of the strut from sliding vertically upwards relative to the supporting wall, by comprising an upper stop. In other words, the upper stop is configured to block the movement of the first end along the supporting wall in the event of tension exerted by the supporting wall on the strut, i.e. in the opposite direction to the second end. The strut can be entirely in one piece, i.e. of fixed shape and dimensions. Furthermore, the coupling device is also designed to be easily fixed to the supporting wall, more specifically allowing the fixing operations to be carried out directly from the upper surface of a slope and without the need to make prior holes in the slope. In fact, the coupling device is designed and configured to replace the fixing of the upper end of the strut to the supporting wall: it is the coupling device that is fixed to the supporting wall, and the upper end of the strut acts in conjunction with the coupling device without the need for long and delicate fixing operations.

In this way, the coupling device facilitates the installation of the strut by replacing the operations of fixing the upper end of the strut to the supporting wall with simpler and less time-consuming operations, consisting of fixing the coupling device to the supporting wall and then coupling the upper end of the strut to the coupling device.

Thanks to the coupling device, it is possible to first carry out the fixing operations on the supporting wall and then excavate the borehole in the slope and the foundation hole for the installation of the prop. The coupling device facilitates and speeds up the installation of the prop and therefore the other stages of the procedure.

The upper end and the lower end are preferably inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the strut.

Preferably, the coupling device also comprises a lower stop configured to block downward movement of the upper end of the strut.

To further simplify the installation of the strut, and more specifically the coupling of the upper end of the strut to the coupling device, the latter may also comprise a lower stop. The lower stop of the coupling device makes it possible, during the installation stages of the strut, to support the upper end of the strut and thus facilitate handling during installation.

Preferably, the support system also comprises an anti-rotation device, the anti-rotation device being configured to prevent rotation of the upper end of the strut in a vertical plane perpendicular to the supporting wall, when the strut is suspended by its upper end from the coupling device. In particular, the anti-rotation device keeps the upper end of the strut coupled to the coupling device, especially when the upper end of the strut is suspended from the coupling device and as long as the lower end of the strut is not firmly attached to the foundation element. In particular, the anti-rotation device makes it possible to maintain the angle formed between the supporting wall and the longitudinal direction of the strut coupled to the coupling device, even when the installation of the strut has not been completed. Indeed, as long as the lower end of the strut is not attached to the foundation element, the latter is generally suspended in a vacuum, for example when the hole is still empty, or partially supported, for example when the concrete filling the hole is still fresh. In this case, it is easier to have a strut that remains substantially in its final position, by its upper end, while waiting for the installation procedure to be completed.

Preferably, the anti-rotation device comprises a downwardly inclined portion at the free end of the upper stop.

The downwardly inclined portion makes it possible to retain the upper end of the strut in the coupling means by preventing an upper part thereof from moving away from the supporting wall, and thus preventing the strut from pivoting relative to the supporting wall. The downwardly inclined portion forms a protrusion arranged on the upper stop, and which allows part of the upper end of the strut to be held between the latter and the supporting wall. Preferably, the coupling device also comprises at least one lateral stop, preferably two lateral stops which form, with the upper stop and the lower stop, a contour, for example a closed contour, intended to receive the upper end of the strut.

Side stops allow you to define a contour with a shape that complements the shape of the upper end of the strut. This improves the coupling between the strut and the coupling device, and also ensures that the upper end of the strut is correctly positioned in the coupling device.

Preferably, the support system comprises two lateral stops and the heights of said two lateral stops, in a direction perpendicular to a plane of the upper end of the strut, are different.

The different heights of the side stops are intended to facilitate the positioning of the upper end of the strut on the coupling device. In fact, instead of having to respect the alignment of the strut in relation to the two side stops of the coupling device, it is possible to use the highest stop as a first reference point and support for correct lateral alignment.

Preferably, the coupling device also comprises a body that acts together with the fixing device, for example anchor rods, and with the upper stop.

The coupling device is a single piece with a body, or base, on which the stop or stops are mounted, and which is fixed to the face of the supporting wall by means of the fixing device. In particular, the stop or stops may protrude from the body.

According to the invention, the strut comprises, at its upper end, a plate extending substantially in an inclined plane with respect to the axis of the strut and configured to extend substantially parallel to said vertical wall when the strut is mounted on the coupling device.

Thus, the upper end of the strut comprises a plate intended to be positioned parallel to the supporting wall when mounted on the coupling device, in order to obtain the desired mechanical support of the supporting wall. The plate and the strut are of a single piece. In other words, the plate is not articulated with respect to the rest of the strut.

Preferably, the strut plate is configured to engage the body of the coupling device.

The plate and the body of the coupling device are designed to act together, for example by means of complementary shapes. This engagement of the plate in the coupling device allows in particular that the plate remains engaged in the coupling device when the strut is suspended by its upper end from the coupling device.

According to another aspect, an installation is also proposed comprising a support wall, in particular a substantially vertical support wall, and a support system for said support wall as described above.

According to another aspect, a method of installing a support system as described above to a support wall, in particular a substantially vertical support wall, is also proposed, in which: - the coupling device is fixed or pre-installed on said support wall,

- the upper end of the strut is mounted on the coupling device,

- one lower end of the strut is anchored, preferably to the ground, for example by embedding the lower end of the strut in fresh concrete.

Thus, with the method according to the invention, it is the coupling device that is fixed to the supporting wall, and not the upper end of the prop. In particular, it is possible to anchor the lower end of the prop just after the upper end has been mounted on the coupling device, which facilitates the preparation of the anchoring concrete and the excavation of the hole beforehand.

Preferably, before anchoring the lower end of the strut and after coupling the upper end of the strut to the coupling device, the strut is suspended from the coupling device by its upper end. By suspending the strut from the coupling device, the strut can be placed in its final, or substantially final, position. Subsequent installation steps can therefore be carried out without having to hold the strut in place or support it.

According to one embodiment, before fixing the coupling device, a consolidation slope is made at the bottom of said supporting wall, and before mounting the strut, a hole is made in said consolidation slope, transversely to the supporting wall and in line with the coupling device, to allow mounting the strut on the coupling device. Preferably, the hole is made after having fixed or pre-installed the coupling device.

The slope can thus be used to fix the coupling device to the supporting wall: more precisely, the persons in charge of the fixing only have to position themselves directly on the slope in order to be at the appropriate height to fix the coupling device. It is not necessary to provide any means of lifting to fix the coupling device, nor any safety equipment to prevent falls, since the drilling in the slope has not yet been carried out. The drilling is only carried out once the coupling device has been fixed.

Alternatively, before making the consolidation slope at the bottom of said supporting wall, the coupling device is fixed or pre-installed on said supporting wall and, before mounting the strut, a hole is made in said consolidation slope, transversely to the supporting wall and in line with the coupling device, to allow mounting the strut on the coupling device.

In this case, the coupling device can already be planned and pre-installed when the supporting wall is constructed, so that it is in place when the consolidation slope is constructed.

Description of the figures

[Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a support wall supported by a support system;

[Figure 2] Figure 2 shows a schematic top view of a coupling device according to the invention;

[Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic side view of the coupling device shown in Figure 2;

[Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic side view of the coupling device illustrated in Figure 2, acting in conjunction with one end of a strut; and

[Figure 5] Figure 5 is a schematic view of a support wall with the coupling device shown in Figure 1.

Detailed description of the invention

Figure 1 illustrates an installation 1 according to the present invention, comprising a support wall 2 and a support system 4 allowing the support wall 2 to be supported.

In particular, the present invention is particularly advantageous in the case of an installation 1 also comprising a consolidation slope 6, at the bottom of the supporting wall 2 and allowing said supporting wall 2 to be supported before and during the installation of the support system 4. In particular, and as can be seen in Figure 1, the installation 1 comprises a bore 8 made in the consolidation slope 6 in order to allow the placement of a strut of the support system 4 as described below.

The support system 4 thus comprises at least one strut 10, for example a tie rod, and a coupling device 12 according to the present invention.

More specifically, the strut 10 may extend in a longitudinal direction and comprise: a rectilinear body 10a extending in said longitudinal direction, a first end 10b disposed at a first end of the body 10a, and a second end 10c disposed at a second end of the body 10a. The body 10a of the strut 10 is tubular or cylindrical, for example. The ends 10b and 10c of the strut 10 are preferably flat. The body 10a and the ends 10b and 10c of the strut may be made of a single piece.

The first end 10b extends substantially in a plane inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the strut 10. For example, the normal to the plane of the first end 10b and the longitudinal direction form an angle with each other, for example of 45°. The first end 10b is formed, for example, by a plate delimited, in the plane in which it extends, by a proximal edge 10b' located on the same side as the second end 10c, and by a distal edge 10b” located on the opposite side to the second end 10c (see Figure 4). It is understood that the inclination between the inclined plane of the first end 10b and the longitudinal direction of the strut 10 is fixed.

Likewise, the second end 10c extends substantially in an inclined plane with respect to the longitudinal direction of the strut 10. For example, the normal to the plane of the second end 10c and the longitudinal direction form an angle with respect to each other, for example of 45°. In particular, the first and second ends 10b, 10c are oriented so that the planes in which they extend are perpendicular to each other. The strut 10 thus makes it possible to support the supporting wall 2 by resting it on another surface perpendicular to said supporting wall 2, advantageously making it possible to support a vertical supporting wall on a horizontal ground. In particular, the second end 10c can be fixed to a foundation, for example anchored in concrete 14 poured in a pit. It is understood that the inclination between the inclined plane of the second end 10c and the longitudinal direction of the strut 10 is fixed.

Thus, the first end 10b forms an upper end of the strut 10, and the second end 10c forms a lower end of the strut 10.

The coupling device 12 allows the strut 10, and more specifically the first end 10b of the strut 10, to be mechanically coupled to the supporting wall 2, so that the strut 10 can recover and withstand the forces exerted by the supporting wall 2. To this end, the first end 10b of the strut is conventionally mounted parallel to the face of the supporting wall 2.

As illustrated in Figure 2, the coupling device 12 comprises a first stop 16, or upper stop, disposed along an upper edge of the coupling device 12. The first stop 16 extends, when the coupling device 12 couples the first end 10b to the support wall 2, perpendicular to the plane of the first end 10b and in the vicinity of said distal edge 10b”. The first stop 16 prevents the first end 10b from sliding upwardly along the support wall 2, and thus prevents the top of the support wall 2 from tilting towards the strut 10. Thus, when the first end 10b is engaged with the support wall 2, the distal edge 10b” is locked in position by the first stop 16 of the engagement device 12 and thus prevents the first end 10b from sliding along the support wall 2.

The coupling device 12 may also comprise a body 18, in this case in the form of a plate or base, designed to bear against the face of the supporting wall 2. In particular, the body 18 comprises fixing holes 20 designed to act in conjunction with anchor rods 22 (see Figure 3) to form a device 24 for fixing the coupling device 12 to the supporting wall 2. The fixing device 24 allows the coupling device 12 to be fixed to the supporting wall 2, in particular by screwing nuts to the anchor rods 22 to hold the body 18 against the face of the supporting wall 2. In particular, as the coupling device 12 is independent of the strut 10, it can be more easily fixed to the supporting wall 2, for example before drilling 8 into the consolidation slope 6. The upper surface of the consolidation slope 6, which is raised above the ground, can even be advantageously used as a working area for fixing the coupling device 12 to the support wall 2, thereby providing greater comfort and safety to the workers carrying out the drilling and anchoring operations on the support wall 2.

It should be noted that the anchor rods 22 can be fixed to the supporting wall 2 by drilling holes in the supporting wall 2 and then anchoring the rods in the holes, or by supplying pre-placed rods before spraying the concrete forming said supporting wall 2. In this case, the rods are pre-installed in the supporting wall 2.

Once the coupling device 12 has been fixed to the supporting wall 2, it only remains to place the distal edge 10b" of the first end 10b of the strut under the first stop 16, and to fix the second end 10c of the strut 10 in the concrete 14, in order to obtain the desired support system 4 for the supporting wall 2. The positioning of the strut 10 with respect to the first stop 16 and with respect to the anchoring in the concrete 14 can be carried out in an easy, quick and safe manner once the coupling device 12 has been fixed and the hole 8 has been made in the slope 6 (see figure 5). To further facilitate the installation of the strut 10, the coupling device 12 may also comprise a second stop 26, or lower stop, parallel to the first stop 16 and intended to be oriented towards the proximal edge 10b' of the first end 10b. The second stop 26 is spaced away from the first stop 16 and extends, when the coupling device 12 couples the first end 10b to the support wall 2, perpendicularly to the plane of the first end 10b and in the vicinity of said proximal edge 10b'.

Likewise, left and right side stops 28a, 28b can also be arranged perpendicular to the first and second stops 16, 26, so as to form a contour, for example a closed contour, with a perimeter greater than that of the first end 10b and intended to accommodate the first end 10b.

Preferably, the ends of the first stop 16 are integral with the lateral stops 28a, 28b. In this way, greater mechanical strength is obtained for the first stop 16, which must withstand the tensions imposed by the distal edge 10b” of the first end 10b.

Preferably, the height of the side stops 28a, 28b is different, that is to say the upper edge of the side stops 28a, 28b extends at a different distance from the body 18. Such a difference in height makes it possible, in particular, when placing the first end 10b in the coupling device 12, to “brace” one side edge of the first end 10b against the upper side stop, before placing the first end 10b between the two side stops 28a, 28b. The difference in height thus avoids having to match the first end 10b with the two side stops 28a, 28b simultaneously, but makes it possible to match the first end 10b first with the upper side stop and then with the other side stop, that is to say to position the first end 10b in two stages with respect to the two side stops 28a, 28b.

The coupling device 12 may also comprise an anti-rotation device, for example an inclined portion 30 arranged at the upper edge of the first stop 16 and inclined towards the second stop 26. The purpose of the anti-rotation device is to prevent rotation of the first end 10b in the coupling device 12 and therefore disconnection between the strut 10 and the coupling device 12. This may be the case, in particular, when the first end 10b is placed in the coupling device 12 and the strut 10 is suspended by its first end 10b for the time necessary to prepare the concrete 14 to anchor the second end 10c. In order to allow the strut 10 to remain coupled to the coupling device 12, the anti-rotation device is configured to maintain the distal edge 10b of the first end 10b in the coupling device 12. Indeed, once the first end 10b has been inserted into the coupling device (see FIG. 4), it is possible to suspend the strut 10 from the coupling device 12 by its first end 10b thanks to the anti-rotation device. The anti-rotation device may comprise the inclined portion 30 which is arranged on the free edge of the first stop 16, and which prevents the distal edge 10b" from moving away from the first stop 16, and therefore the first end 10b from leaving the contour formed by the stops 16, 26, 28a and 28b of the coupling device 12. Such an anti-rotation device is therefore particularly advantageous since it allows the strut 10 to be suspended and therefore not to have to be supported during the step of fixing the second end 10c.

Thus, thanks to the coupling device according to the present invention, it is possible to easily mount a prop on a supporting wall, even when the latter must be previously consolidated at its base by means of a slope. The coupling device can be fixed to the supporting wall in a safe and easier way, and also allows the prop to be suspended by its upper end, while fixing the lower end, in particular in fresh concrete. By allowing the post-excavation operations of the borehole in the slope to be carried out quickly and easily, the coupling device simplifies the entire prop fixing procedure, in particular the steps of fixing by anchoring the lower end.

Claims (13)

1. Support system (4) for a supporting wall (2), in particular a substantially vertical supporting wall, comprising: - a strut (10) for supporting the supporting wall (2) at an angle with an upper end (10b), the strut (10) extending in a longitudinal direction between the upper end (10b) and a lower end (10c), and - a coupling device (12) for coupling the upper end (10b) of the strut (10) to said supporting wall (2), said coupling device (12) being independent of the strut (10), and comprising: - a fixing device (24) for fixing the coupling device to said supporting wall and - an upper stop (16) configured to, when the coupling device (12) couples the upper end (10b) to the support wall (2), block the upward movement of the upper end (10b) of the strut, said support system (4) being such that the strut (10) comprises, at its upper end (10b), a plate extending substantially in an inclined plane with respect to the axis of the strut (10) and configured to extend substantially parallel to said vertical wall (2) when the strut (10) is mounted on the coupling device (12). 2. Support system (4) according to claim 1, wherein the coupling device (12) further comprises a lower stop (26) configured to block the downward movement of the upper end (10b) of the strut (10). 3. Support system (4) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an anti-rotation device, the anti-rotation device being configured to prevent rotation of the upper end (10b) of the strut (10) in a vertical plane perpendicular to the support wall (2), when the strut (10) is suspended by its upper end (10b) from the coupling device (12). 4. Support system (4) according to claim 3, wherein the anti-rotation device comprises, at the free end of the upper stop (16), a portion (30) inclined downwards. 5. Support system (4) according to claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the coupling device (12) further comprises at least one lateral stop, preferably two lateral stops (28a, 28b) which form, with the upper stop (16) and the lower stop (26), a contour, for example a closed contour, intended to receive the upper end (10b) of the strut. 6. Support system (4) according to claim 5, comprising two lateral stops (28a, 28b) and in which the heights of said two lateral stops (28a, 28b), in a direction perpendicular to a plane of the upper end (10b) of the strut, are different. 7. Support system (4) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling device (12) further comprises a body (18) acting in conjunction with the fixing device (24), for example anchor rods, and with the upper stop (16). 8. Support system (4) according to claim 7, wherein the strut plate (10) is configured to engage with the body (18) of the coupling device (12). 9. Installation (1) comprising a support wall (2), in particular a substantially vertical support wall, and a support system (4) for said support wall, according to any of the preceding claims. 10. Method for installing a support system (4) according to any of claims 1 to 8, to a support wall, in particular to a substantially vertical support wall, wherein: - the coupling device (12) is fixed or pre-installed on said supporting wall, - the upper end (10b) of the strut is mounted on the coupling device, - a lower end (10c) of the strut is anchored, preferably to the ground, for example by embedding the lower end of the strut in fresh concrete (14). 11. Installation method according to the preceding claim, wherein, before anchoring the lower end (10c) of the strut and after coupling the upper end of the strut to the coupling device (12), the strut (10) is suspended from the coupling device by its upper end (10b). 12. Installation method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein, before fixing the coupling device (12), a consolidation slope (6) is made at the bottom of said supporting wall, and wherein, for example after fixing or pre-installing the coupling device and before mounting the strut, a bore (8) is made in said consolidation slope, transversely to the supporting wall (2) and in line with the coupling device (12), to allow mounting the strut (10) on the coupling device (12). 13. Installation method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein, before making the consolidation slope at the bottom of said supporting wall, the coupling device is fixed or pre-installed to said supporting wall, and wherein, before mounting the strut, a hole is made in said consolidation slope, transversely to the supporting wall and in line with the coupling device, to allow mounting the strut on the coupling device.