Inventions and patents

Status: 06.12.2024

Inventions and patents are listed below in chronological order.

Seesaw compactor

The aim of surface compaction is to achieve the most uniform and deepest possible compaction. Vibratory rollers are mainly used in road construction for the surface compaction of rolling soils. The compaction depth achieved with them is a few decimetres. Theoretical studies with anelastic shafts explain the low compaction depths, which have long been known in practice, with the formation of shock fronts. In addition to the low compaction depth, the soil is partially loosened near the surface and must be recompacted. Furthermore, the control variables of a vibratory roller are generally limited to the unbalance amplitude and its frequency. Optimisation is therefore only possible within narrow limits. With the idea of the so-called ‘seesaw compactor’ developed at our Institute, it is possible to achieve greater compaction depths and a uniform subsoil stiffness. For this reason, the new compactor must be used to drive deep surface waves into the subsoil. These waves with high shear amplitude are to be induced into the soil to be compacted by two plates pulsating in phase or in antiphase. Static plates are located next to and between the dynamic plates to ensure that the soil is constrained. By means of a large number of control variables, this compaction device can achieve optimum compaction adapted to the subsoil. The mode of operation has so far been demonstrated using numerical calculations. Further numerical investigations can be used to optimise the control variables.

Status: No patent application, published in

Grabe J., Kelm M. und Mahutka K.-P. (2003): Zur Modellierung der Verdichtung rolliger Böden. In:Veröffentlichungen des Arbeitsbereiches Geotechnik und Baubetrieb der TU Hamburg-Harburg, Heft 5, 83-107

Load-bearing elements made of coated or pre-stressed granules
(TU 036, Grabe)

In classic composite construction, concrete-filled steel tubes are used for highly stressed columns. Instead of filling with concrete, the desired effect of increasing the load-bearing capacity can also be achieved by filling tube profiles with granular materials. This allows lighter and possibly more favourable composite systems to be created. Sand, for example, is lighter than concrete, even when densely packed under very high pressures, and can have the same or higher stiffness at the corresponding pressure level. The required stresses can be applied by means of prestressing using tension members arranged in the centre of the profile. Once the prestressing has been applied, the sand-filled pipe is also resistant to buckling, and initial simulations show the desired load-bearing behaviour in principle. In particular, the use under special conditions, such as in extreme dry or cold zones and in extra-terrestrial civil engineering, offers promising potential, as granules are available or can be extracted directly on site almost everywhere.

Status: Invention from 03.03.2004, freigegeben

Measuring method and measuring device for determining the depth of a developing scour (TU 048, Grabe)

The invention relates to a measuring method for determining the depth of a scour formed in the bottom consisting of sediments or the like on structures exposed to or flowing around liquids, in particular water, in particular during berthing and casting off manoeuvres of ships at quay walls, characterised by determining the sinking depth at at least one measuring point near the structure by means of a vertically movable sinking piece. Animation (MPG format).

Status: German patent DE102004047529.6 and European patent EP05019726.8-1236 "Messverfahren und -vorrichtung zur Bestimmung der Tiefe eines sich ausbildenden Kolkes", 30.09.2004, aufgegeben

Wing pile for predominantly horizontally loaded piles standing in water
(TU 059, Grabe)

To improve the transfer of horizontal loads, the so-called wing pile was developed and registered as a German utility model. It is characterised, among other things, by the fact that the pile is widened by wings at the sea bed. An end plate also increases the load-bearing behaviour by creating bed stresses and preventing loosening as a result of driving. The plate also contributes to scour protection. The pile lengths can be significantly reduced with the wing pile, which is particularly advantageous in soils that are difficult to drive.

Status: Erfindung vom 07.10.2004, freigegeben

Measuring procedure and method for determining the horizontal bedding of piles (TU 064, Grabe, Stanford, Mahutka)

Knowledge of the bedding modulus is required for the static proof of the serviceability of geotechnical structures. The DIN standard recommends carrying out static test loads. However, these are complex and expensive. The idea presented below is to determine the bedding modulus inversely from the oscillation period of a previously horizontally deflected pile. A change in the soil properties as a result of the pile installation can thus be taken into account.

Method: (1) deflection of the pile head, (2) measurement of the oscillation period with acceleration sensors, (3) determination of the natural frequency of the pile, (4) inverse determination of the bedding modulus from natural frequency, stiffness, cross-sectional area, density, embedment area and cantilever length.

Evaluation using design diagrams for systems of specific dimensions (see literature references) or evaluation using a MATLAB program for general systems.

Status: Invention from 24.11.2004, released

Publications

Grabe J. und Mahutka K.-P. (2005): Abschätzung der horizontalen Bettung mittels dynamischer Pfahlprüfung. In: Die Bautechnik 82(4):227-235
Grabe J., Mahutka K.-P., Dührkop J. und Henke S. (2006): Inverse Bestimmung der horizontalen Bettung von Pfählen aus dem Schwingungsverhalten. In: VDI-Bericht Nr. 1941, Fachtagung Baudynamik, Kassel, VDI-Verlag GmbH, Düsseldorf, S. 511-520

Prefabricated pile and associated method for building foundations
(TU 067, Grabe)

Piles are used for the foundations of buildings if the subsoil does not have sufficient load-bearing capacity. The advantage of prefabricated piles is that they are produced under defined conditions and only need to be driven, vibrated or pressed into the ground on site. Piles transfer the structural loads into the ground via peak resistance at the pile base and skin friction along the pile casing. It is well known that the pile tip resistance can be increased by increasing the base area, as is already the case with in-situ driven piles. The idea is to transfer the principle of pile toe expansion to precast piles. A cylindrical sleeve is first attached to the tip of the pile, which is filled with dry concrete, for example. The sleeve can consist of a ring-shaped reinforcement mat or a ductile steel pipe. It is dimensioned in such a way that it bursts when a certain ram energy is exceeded. The initially cylindrical sleeve deforms ideally into a sphere. The surrounding soil is displaced to the side. The soil is thereby braced and compacted. The dry concrete sets as soon as it comes into contact with the groundwater. The setting time can be adjusted using concrete technology.

Status: Deutsches Patent DE102005029364 "Fertigteilpfahl sowie dazugehöriges Verfahren zur Bauwerksgründung, 24.06.2005, aufgegeben

Device for slowing down ships (TU 095, Grabe)

Status: Invention from 23.05.2006, released

Method and arrangement for installing elongated profiles into a building ground (TU 101, Grabe)

Precast piles are usually driven or vibrated into the ground. The penetration process can be optimised by controlling the most important control variables of the driving or vibration. One or more of the following optimisation targets are pursued: Maximum penetration speed, minimum energy expenditure and minimum vibration propagation in the ground. The control system comprises a measurement and control unit including a logic in which theoretically and experimentally derived rules for controlling the penetration process are stored.

Status: German patent DE102006060643.4 and European patent EP07024926.3 "Verfahren und Anordnung zum Einbringen von langgestreckten Profilen in einen Baugrund", 21.12.2006, aufgegeben

Dynamic testing of tension piles (TU 106, Grabe)

Status: Invention from 10.05.2006, released

Thermal insulation of the inlet and return of energy piles
(TU 107, Grabe, Ma)

Status: Invention from 24.05.2007, released

Combination of groundwater circulation methods and borehole heat exchangers (TU 111, Grabe, Ma)

The output of geothermal systems is limited by the speed at which heat or cold is dissipated underground. In unsaturated soils or underground with stagnant groundwater, heat is transported exclusively by thermal conduction. In the case of flowing groundwater, the heat or cold introduced into the ground by geothermal systems is also dissipated with the flowing groundwater (forced convection). This leads to an increase in the output of geothermal systems. The term groundwater circulation method refers to groundwater circulation wells (vacuum evaporator wells), hydro airlift (Züblin system) and air injection wells. They were used for in situ groundwater remediation. In the groundwater circulation process, a circulation flow is artificially set in motion and the invention consists of combining geothermal systems with groundwater circulation processes. The combination utilises the artificially generated circulation flow to increase the output of geothermal systems. The following applications are conceivable: (1) Installation of geothermal probe (or groundwater well system) and air injection well (or hydro airlift well) in a borehole; (2) Groundwater circulation wells (vacuum evaporation wells), air injection wells or hydro airlift wells next to/between closed geothermal systems (geothermal collectors, geothermal probes, energy piles, etc.); (3) Installation of a groundwater circulation well (vacuum evaporation wells) next to/between closed geothermal systems (geothermal collectors, geothermal probes, energy piles, etc.). (3) Utilisation of groundwater circulation wells (vacuum evaporator wells) as open geothermal systems (groundwater well system).

Status: German patent DE102008007627.9 "Erdwärmeanlage" and European patent EP09401001.4 "Geothermal heat assembly", 04.02.2008, aufgegeben

Measuring probe for pressing into the subsoil to be examined and measuring methods with it (TU 173, Grabe)

Status: German patent DE102011001153.6 "Messsonde zum Eindrücken in den zu untersuchenden Untergrund sowie Messverfahren damit", 09.03.2011, aufgegeben

Method for reducing noise emissions during pile driving in water

(TU 183, Grabe)

Status: Erfindung vom 01.10.2010, freigegeben

Quality assurance procedures for the construction of piles and open profile for this (TU 184, Grabe)

Status: German patent DE102012104009.5 "Qualitätssicherungsverfahren zum Erstellen von Pfählen sowie offenes Profil dafür" and European patent EP131663376.7, 08.05.2012, aufgegeben

Hydraulic binder (TU 185, Grabe)

Status: Invention from 02.10.2010, freigegeben

Soil improvement procedures and regulations therefor

(TU 194, Grabe, Pucker)

Status: German patent DE502012003031-5 "Bodenertüchtigungsverfahren sowie Anordnung dafür" and EP12157710.0 "Floor retrofitting methods and assembly for same", 08.03.2011, aufgegeben

Filling of pore space (TU 231, Grabe)

Status: E102012108037.2 "System aus einer schwingenden Struktur und einem Baugrund sowie Verfahren zu dessen Herstellung", 30.08.2012, aufgegeben

Method for improving the load-bearing capacity of open profiles set in the subsoil and the system created thereby (TU 232, Grabe, Pucker)

Status: DE502013000129.6 "Verfahren zur Tragfähigkeitsverbesserung von im Baugrund gesetzten offenen Profilen sowie damit erstelltes System" and European patent EP13182032.6 "Method for improving the bearing capcity of open profiles placed in the foundation and system created using the same", 28.08.2012, aufgegeben

Offshore structures (TU 237, Pucker, Grabe)

Status: German patent DE102013102311.8 "Unterwassergründungsstruktur sowie Verfahren dafür", 08.03.2013, aufgegeben

Design of geotextile sand containers - for precise lowering and for securing the position over time (TU 266, Grabe, Heins)

Status: German patent DE102014108306.7 "Geotextiler Sandcontainer sowie Verfahren zum Absenken dieser" and European patent EP15171594.3 "Geotextile sand container and method for lowering same", 12.06.2014, aufgegeben

Smart parts (TU 268, Grabe)

Status: Invention from 12.02.2014, released

Method of controlled generation of a soil plug (TU 280, Grabe)

Status: European patent EP14185746.6 "Method for improving the bearing capacity of open profiles placed in the foundation and system produced using the same" , 22.09.2014, aufgegeben

Method for determining defects in geothermal backfill materials by thermal radiation (TU 284, Grabe, Schuck)

Status: Invention from 23.10.2014, realeased

Smart Foundation (TU 299, Grabe, Carstensen)

Status: Invention from 04.06.2015, released

Driving assistant to prevent construction equipment from tipping over on soft ground (TU 304, Grabe, Milatz)

Status: European patent EP168008558.7 granted, application for German patent "Baugerätstandsicherungsverfahren und -system", 01.11.2015, erteilt

Method for improving the load-bearing capacity of profiles set in the subsoil and profile therefor (TU 341, Grabe)

Status: German patent DE102017121037.7 "Verfahren zur Tragfähigkeitsverbesserung von im Baugrund gesetzten Profilen sowie Profil dafür", 12.09.2017, released

Digital Twin (TU 361, Grabe)

Status: Invention from 12.12.2017, released

Method for controlled earth pressure shielding using eccentrically prestressed profiles in the ground (TU 431, Grabe, Vogel)

Status: German patent DE102021113483.8 "Geotechnisches Verfahren sowie geotechnische Anordnung" anhängig (Stand 25.05.2021); European patent EP22174546.6 "Geotechnical method and geotechnical arranegement" granted on 17.07.2023

Methods for the thermal use of quay walls (TU 447, Grabe)

Status: German patent DE102022118913.9 "Anordnung und Verfahren zur geothermischen Nutzung an einer vorgesetzten Uferbefestigung", 28.07.2022, case pending

Method for installing profiles using controlled heavy load (TU 449, Grabe)

Status: Eurpean patent EP22194596.7 "Method of inserting a profile into the ground vibrator assembly therefor". 08.09.2022, case pending