EP3936670A1 - Concrete pile element and method for coupling two concrete piles - Google Patents

Abstract

The present application relates to a concrete pile element (1), preferably for forming a screwed concrete pile from a plurality of concrete pile elements for a foundation. The pile element comprises a substantially cylindrical concrete shank (2) with a central opening (3) extending axially therethrough. The central opening (3) has a substantially uniform, non-circular cross-section over its entire extent to enable a rotational form fit with a screwing tool (5) for the purpose of transmitting a torque about the longitudinal axis (X) of the concrete pile element (1). the concrete pile element (1). The ends of the concrete pile element (1) are each formed by one half (13a; 13b) of a rotary coupling, such that several concrete pile elements (1a, 1b) can be coupled together as intended by the two elements adjoining one another at the end and then rotating them relative to one another by a twisting angle Swivel coupling halves (13a, 13b) can be connected to one another in a form-fitting manner in the longitudinal direction of the concrete pile elements (1a, 1b).

Description

The present invention relates to a concrete pile element, a set comprising at least one such concrete pile element and a screwing-in tool for the concrete pile element, and a method for coupling such concrete pile elements together, according to the preambles of the independent patent claims.

Concrete screw piles are increasingly being used to create foundations in areas where the near-surface soil layers only have a low load-bearing capacity. In contrast to driven piles, they have the advantage that they can be driven into the ground without any vibrations or excessive noise emissions. In addition, they have a greater load-bearing capacity than driven piles or in-situ concrete piles of comparable dimensions.

Out CH 710 018 A2 and WO 2016/029325 A1 Screwed concrete piles made from concrete pile elements of the generic type are known, which are driven by a drive rod passing through their central opening and are screwed into the ground.

The concrete pile elements have steel rings at their ends which, after adjoining and aligning the ends of two consecutive concrete pile elements, are welded together circumferentially before both pile elements are screwed further together into the ground. This is necessary to ensure a durable and resilient axial and radial connection between the concrete pile elements.

However, this welding requires a relatively large amount of time, during which no propulsion is possible, and therefore limits the possible daily propulsion performance considerably.

The object is therefore to provide technical solutions which do not have the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art or at least partially avoid them.

This object is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims.

According to these, a first aspect of the invention relates to a concrete pile element, preferably for forming a screwed concrete pile for a foundation made up of several concrete pile elements according to the claims.

The concrete pile element comprises a substantially cylindrical concrete shank having a central opening extending axially therethrough. This central opening has a substantially uniform, non-circular cross-section over its entire length, to enable a rotary form fit with a screwing-in tool for the purpose of transmitting a torque around the longitudinal axis of the concrete pile element to the latter.

The ends of the concrete pile element are each formed by one half of a swivel joint, such that several of these concrete pile elements can be positively connected to one another in the longitudinal direction of the concrete pile elements by coupling the two swivel joint halves together as intended by adjoining one another at the ends and then rotating them relative to one another by a twisting angle.

This design of the concrete pile elements according to the invention makes it possible, when creating a screw pile foundation from several concrete pile elements arranged one behind the other, to securely connect the pile elements to one another in the shortest possible time when they are introduced into the ground, thereby significantly increasing the daily driving performance.

The two rotary coupling halves can be designed identically, or a first of the two rotary coupling halves can be designed as a male rotary coupling half be formed and the second rotary coupling half as a complementary female rotary coupling half. In the former case, there is the advantage that each end of the concrete pile element according to the invention can be coupled to each end of a further corresponding concrete screw pile. In the latter case, there is the advantage that a rotary coupling half can be selected at the end pointing upwards, which is less susceptible to dirt or can be cleaned more easily before coupling, which typically applies to a male rotary coupling half.

The rotary coupling halves are advantageously designed in such a way that they can be positively secured against twisting relative to one another after they have been coupled together as intended, preferably with a locking element which can be inserted into receptacles provided for this purpose on the rotary coupling halves. In this way, the coupling of two concrete pile elements according to the invention can be secured against unintentional opening in a very short time.

In a preferred embodiment, the two rotary coupling halves are designed as halves of a bayonet coupling, which preferably has a plurality of locking points distributed evenly over the circumference of the coupling. Such bayonet couplings are robust and easy to couple.

Advantageously, the rotary coupling halves at the ends of the concrete pile element are rotationally aligned with respect to the central opening such that at least one intended coupling situation is possible in which the cross sections of the central openings of two concrete pile elements coupled together as intended are congruent. It is further preferred that the rotary coupling halves are designed in such a way at the ends of the concrete pile element and aligned rotationally in this way with respect to the central opening are that an intended coupling together of two such concrete pile elements inevitably leads to a situation in which the cross sections of the central openings of the coupled concrete pile elements are congruent. This makes it possible to push through the central openings of all the concrete pile elements that are coupled to one another with a driving tool at the same time, and accordingly to drive all the concrete pile elements that are coupled to one another directly with the driving tool.

In a first preferred embodiment variant, the shank of the concrete pile element has an essentially smooth outer surface.

In a second, alternative preferred embodiment, the shank of the concrete pile element has one or more ribs on its outer circumference at least over a partial area of its axial extent, which run helically over its outer surface and thereby form a single-start or multiple-start external thread. The pitch of the thread formed by the ribs is preferably uniform.

The first, smooth design variant of concrete pile elements is always used in combination with the second design variant with screw thread when creating concrete screw piles and is used, for example, to bridge soil layers that are not very stable or are subject to settlement. With such soil layers, a form-fitting engagement via a screw thread in the former case hardly improves the load-bearing capacity and even reduces the load-bearing capacity in the latter case, because such settlements would lead to additional stress on the concrete screw pile over time.

In the second, alternative embodiment variant with helical ribs on the shaft, the central opening has a substantially uniform, non-circular cross-section over its entire extent, such that it has a rotational form fit with a screwing tool for the purpose of transmitting a torque to the concrete pile element around its longitudinal axis in the intended screwing-in direction.

Advantageously, the swivel coupling halves at the ends of the concrete pile element are designed in such a way and are rotationally aligned in relation to the helical ribs on the outer surface of the shaft in such a way that at least one intended coupling situation is possible in which the helical ribs of two such concrete pile elements coupled together as intended form sections of a common screw thread. More preferably, the rotary coupling halves at the ends of the concrete pile element are configured and rotationally aligned with respect to the helical ribs of the outer surface of the shank such that the intended coupling together of two such concrete pile elements necessarily leads to a situation in which the helical ribs of the coupled concrete pile elements share sections of a common screw thread form. In this way it can be ensured that when several concrete pile elements coupled to one another with helical ribs on the shaft are screwed into the ground, the concrete pile elements following the first of these concrete pile elements with their helical ribs follow the thread in the ground formed by the ribs of the first concrete pile element and do not destroy it, which would otherwise lead to the greatest possible loss of load-bearing capacity of the following concrete pile elements.

In the second, alternative embodiment variant of the concrete pile element with helical ribs on the shaft, it is also preferred that the boundaries of the central opening, viewed in cross section, have several radially outwardly extending depressions, the lateral boundaries of which are directed counter to the intended screwing-in direction of the thread are formed by a surface extending essentially radially outwards or have such a surface, for introducing a compressive force running essentially perpendicularly to this surface with the driving tool into this surface for the transmission of the torque in the thread driving direction from the driving tool to the concrete pile element. These indentations are preferably of identical design and are advantageously distributed evenly over the circumference of the central opening.

Viewed in cross-section, the boundaries of the central opening also have areas at several points evenly distributed over its circumference, in which the radial extension of the central opening, viewed from its center, decreases in the screwing-in direction, preferably steplessly and preferably evenly. This design of the central opening makes it possible to achieve radial self-centering of the driving tool in the central opening of the concrete pile element when screwing in as intended, by suitably designing the contour of the screwing tool to be inserted into it.

Preferably, the areas in which the radial extent of the central opening decreases in the screwing-in direction are in the radially outwardly extending depressions. This makes it possible to achieve the self-centering of the driving tool using the same contours of the driving tool that also serve to transmit the drive force, so that simple driving tool geometries that can be produced cost-effectively become possible.

It is also advantageous that the areas in which the radial extent of the central opening decreases in the screwing-in direction of the thread adjoin the lateral delimitation of the depressions, which is formed by the surface extending essentially radially outwards or has this surface. As a result, the circumferential extension of itself radially outwardly extending depressions by the areas arranged therein, in which the radial extent of the central opening decreases in the screwing-in direction of the thread, is practically unaffected.

Furthermore, it is preferred that the depressions extending radially outwards are distributed uniformly over the circumference of the central opening. In this way, the drive forces can be introduced into the concrete pile element evenly over the circumference.

It is further preferred that the delimitations of the central opening, seen in cross-section, have exactly two, advantageously identically designed, radially outwardly extending depressions, which are preferably distributed evenly over their circumference. A defined and uniform loading of the surfaces of the delimitations of the central opening, which transmit the driving forces, is promoted by this configuration.

In a further preferred embodiment of the concrete pile element, the radially outwardly extending depressions, viewed in cross section, each have an axis of symmetry running in the radial direction. Such concrete pile elements can be screwed in with the same screwing-in tool either with one or the other end first and, if necessary, also be screwed out again.

The external thread formed by the ribs on the shank of the concrete pile element preferably extends essentially over the entire length of the shank, it being possible for there to be short unthreaded areas at the ends of the concrete pile element. Concrete pile elements of this type, in which the shank is covered with the thread practically over its entire length, have a particularly high load-bearing capacity when installed as intended.

The ribs forming the threads on the shank of the concrete pile element are preferably made of concrete formed, for example by being formed in the manufacture of the concrete pile element by means of an outer mold. Concrete pile elements of this type have a clear cost advantage over embodiments in which these ribs are formed by metal elements embedded in concrete. In addition, there is no risk of the installed concrete pile element gradually losing its load-bearing capacity over time due to corrosive destruction of the thread ribs.

The boundaries of the central opening are also preferably formed of concrete, for example by being formed from a mandrel during manufacture of the concrete pile element. Such concrete pile elements have a clear cost advantage over embodiments in which the delimitations of the central opening are formed by a metal profile concreted into the concrete pile element.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a set comprising at least one concrete pile element according to the first aspect of the invention and a screwing-in tool, with which the central opening of the concrete pile element can be penetrated and a rotational form fit with the limitations of the central opening can be generated for the transmission of a torque around the longitudinal axis of the concrete pile element from the driving tool onto the concrete pile element. The screwing-in tool is designed in such a way that it can be rotated in the central opening of the concrete pile element relative to the concrete pile element by an angle which is equal to or greater than the angle of rotation which would be required for the intended coupling of the two rotary coupling halves of the concrete pile element. This configuration of the central opening of the concrete pile element and the screwing-in tool makes it possible to use the central openings of all concrete pile elements already coupled to one another and already screwed into the ground, as well as the central opening of the concrete pile element to be coupled to push through with the screwing-in tool at the same time and then to twist the concrete pile element to be coupled with the screwing-in tool in relation to the concrete pile elements already coupled to one another and already screwed into the ground and thereby to couple it to them.

The at least one concrete pile element is advantageously designed as a concrete pile element with helical ribs on the shank, and the driving tool has a cylindrical shank which, on its outer surface, preferably over its entire length, carries projections running in the axial direction and extending outwards in the radial direction . By axially pushing the screwing tool into the central opening of the concrete pile element, these projections can be arranged in the radially outwardly extending depressions of the boundaries of the central opening in such a way that, when the screwing tool is rotated in the screwing-in direction, a substantially perpendicular to the substantially A compressive force extending radially outwards from the surfaces of the depressions can be introduced into these surfaces in order to transmit a torque about the longitudinal axis of the concrete pile element from the driving tool to the concrete pile element.

The driving tool is preferably designed in such a way that it can be inserted with radial play into the central opening of the concrete screw pile element and that when the inserted driving tool is subsequently rotated in the screwing-in direction, the radial play is compensated for by the radial limits of the driving tool approaching the limits of the central opening in the areas in which the radial extent of the central opening in the screwing-in direction preferably continuously decreases, is reduced or eliminated.

This design of the central opening of the concrete pile element and the screwing-in tool allows the screwing-in tool to be inserted into the central opening of the concrete pile element with sufficient play without any problems and, when the concrete pile element is subsequently screwed in, automatically centers itself in relation to the concrete pile element, without this being subjected to appreciable radial expansion forces.

It is further preferred that the concrete pile element and the driving tool are designed in such a way that the radial play is reduced by bringing the radial limits of the projections of the driving tool closer to areas of the limits of the central opening which are arranged in the depressions and in which the radial extent of the central opening decreases, is reduced or eliminated in the direction of screwing-in of the thread, preferably steplessly. This makes it possible to achieve the self-centering of the driving tool using the same contours of the driving tool that also serve to transmit the driving force, as a result of which simple driving tool geometries that can be produced at low cost are possible.

It is further preferred that the concrete pile element and the screwing-in tool are designed in such a way that the screwing-in tool extends over the entire length of the central opening when inserted as intended into the central opening of the concrete pile element. This allows force to be introduced into the concrete pile element over the entire length of the central opening.

If the projections of the driving tool, which extend outwards in the radial direction, each have an essentially trapezoidal cross-section, with the oblique sides of the trapezoidal shape extending along radial lines running through the center of the driving tool, the central Opening of the concrete pile element a particularly advantageous introduction of force into the concrete pile element. There is then also the possibility of screwing in the concrete pile element with the screwing-in tool either with one end or the other in front and, if necessary, screwing it out again.

In another preferred embodiment, the set includes concrete pile elements with both helical ribs on the shank and with a smooth shank.

A third aspect of the invention relates to a method for the intended coupling together of two concrete pile elements according to the first aspect of the invention, which are designed identically at least with regard to their central openings and their rotary coupling halves at the ends. These are provided together with a screwing tool as a set according to the second aspect of the invention.

In a first step, a first of the two concrete pile elements is screwed into a substrate with the screwing tool.

Then the second concrete pile element with the swivel joint half arranged at its end is adjacent to the associated swivel joint half arranged at the free end of the first concrete pile element in such a way that the longitudinal axes of the concrete pile elements coincide and the cross-sectional contours of the central openings of the two concrete pile elements counter to the locking direction of rotation of the swivel joint half of the second concrete pile element are rotated relative to one another by an angle of rotation which is greater than or equal to the angle of rotation which is required for coupling the two rotary coupling halves together as intended.

Then the central openings of the two concrete pile elements are penetrated with the screwing tool in such a way that the screwing tool creates a rotational form fit in the closing direction of rotation of the rotary coupling half of the second concrete pile element forms the boundaries of the central opening of the second concrete pile element and such a form fit with the boundaries of the central opening of the first concrete pile element is only present after the drive tool has been rotated in the central opening of the first screwed concrete pile element by an angle of rotation, which is required for the intended coupling of the two rotary coupling halves.

Finally, the second concrete pile element is twisted relative to the first concrete pile element with the drive tool in the locking direction of rotation of the swivel joint half of the second concrete pile element by the twisting angle which is required for coupling the two swivel joint halves together as intended, so that the two swivel joint halves are coupled together as intended and the cross-sectional contours of the central ones openings of the two concrete pile elements are congruent.

This method according to the invention makes it possible, when creating a foundation from several concrete pile elements arranged one behind the other, to securely connect the pile elements to one another in the shortest possible time when they are being introduced into the ground, thereby significantly increasing the daily driving performance.

In a preferred embodiment of the method, at least one of the two concrete pile elements to be coupled is a concrete pile element with helical ribs on the shank and the locking direction of rotation of the rotary coupling half of the second concrete pile element corresponds to the screwing-in direction of the thread of the concrete pile element with the helical ribs on the shank.

Advantageously, the intended coupled together rotary coupling halves are materially and / or positively secured against opening of the coupling by twisting relative to each other, preferably with a welded joint or a locking element, which is provided in receptacles on the Swivel coupling halves is used. In this way, the coupling of the concrete pile elements can be secured against unintentional opening in the shortest possible time.

In a further preferred embodiment of the method, the first and the second concrete pile element are screwed into the ground together with the screwing-in tool after they have been coupled together as intended.

It is preferred that when the concrete pile elements are screwed in together, the screwing tool passes through their central openings in such a way that the screwing tool forms a rotational form fit in the screwing-in direction both with the borders of the central opening of the first concrete pile element and with the borders of the central opening of the second concrete pile element. In this way, a torsional stress on the concrete pile elements, which could lead to breakage, is prevented and each concrete pile element is only subjected to the torque which it itself requires for the screwing-in movement.

In a further preferred embodiment of the method, the provided concrete pile elements each have a male swivel half at a first end and a female swivel half at their other end. The first concrete pile element is screwed into the ground in such a way that the male rotary coupling half is arranged at its free end, to which the female rotary coupling half of the second concrete pile element is then coupled. This has the advantage that the half of the rotary coupling that is less susceptible to dirt or can be cleaned more easily before coupling is arranged at the end of the concrete pile element that points upwards and looks out of the ground.

• Fig. 1 eine Seitenansicht eines erfindungsgemässen Betonpfahlelements;
• Fig. 2 einen Querschnitt durch das Betonpfahlelement aus Fig. 1 entlang der Linie A-A in Fig. 1;
• Fig. 3 eine Darstellung wie Fig. 2 jedoch mit einem in die zentrale Öffnung des Betonpfahlelements eingesetzten Antriebsgestänge;
• Fig. 4 das Detail X aus Fig. 3;
• Fig. 5 eine Darstellung wie Fig. 4 beim Antreiben des Betonpfahlelements mittels des Antriebsgestänges;
• Fig. 6 eine perspektivische Ansicht der ein erstes Ende des Betonpfahlelements bildenden männlichen Drehkupplungshälfte;
• Fig. 7 eine perspektivische Ansicht der das zweite Ende des Betonpfahlelements bildenden weiblichen Drehkupplungshälfte;
• Fig. 8 einen Detail-Ausschnitt wie Fig. 4 eines Querschnitts durch das Betonpfahlelement aus Fig. 1 entlang der Linie A-A in Fig. 1 bei Angrenzung an ein zweites solches Betonpfahlelement zwecks Kupplung der beiden Betonpfahlelemente.
• Fig. 9 eine Darstellung wie Fig. 8 mit eingesetztem Antriebsgestänge; und
• Fig. 10 eine Darstellung wie Fig. 9 nach dem Zusammenkuppeln der Betonpfahlelemente.

Further preferred embodiments of the invention result from the dependent claims and from now following description based on the figures. show:

• 1 a side view of a concrete pile element according to the invention;
• 2 a cross-section through the concrete pile element 1 along line AA in 1 ;
• 3 a representation like 2 but with a drive linkage inserted in the central opening of the concrete pile element;
• 4 the detail X off 3 ;
• figure 5 a representation like 4 when driving the concrete pile member by means of the drive linkage;
• 6 Figure 14 is a perspective view of the male swivel half forming a first end of the concrete pile member;
• 7 Figure 14 is a perspective view of the female swivel half forming the second end of the concrete pile member;
• 8 a detail excerpt like 4 a cross section through the concrete pile element 1 along line AA in 1 when adjacent to a second such concrete pile element for the purpose of coupling the two concrete pile elements.
• 9 a representation like 8 with inserted drive linkage; and
• 10 a representation like 9 after coupling the concrete pile elements together.

1 shows a concrete pile element 1 according to the invention for forming a concrete screw pile from several such concrete pile elements for a foundation in a side view. The concrete pile element 1 has a length of 8 m and a diameter of 55 cm. The ends of the concrete pile element 1 are each formed by a half 13a, 13b of a rotary joint (in 1 shown only schematically), which makes it possible to connect several of these concrete pile elements 1 to one another in a form-fitting manner in the longitudinal direction by adjoining one another at the ends and then twisting them relative to one another. These rotating coupling halves 13a, 13b are described in detail below.

As in synopsis with 2 can be seen, which is a cross section through the concrete pile element 1 from 1 along line AA in 1 shows, the concrete pile element 1 has a cylindrical shank 2 made of concrete, through which a central opening 3 passes in the axial direction. A rib 4 is arranged on the outer circumference of the shank 2 essentially over the entire axial extent of the concrete pile element, which rib runs helically around the shank 2 and thereby forms a single-start external thread with a uniform pitch. In the figures 2 and 3 this rib 4 is not shown in section to simplify the illustration.

As in particular in further synopsis with 3 it can be seen which a representation like 2 However, with a drive linkage 5 inserted into the central opening 3 of the concrete pile element 1 for driving the concrete pile element 1, the central opening 3 has a uniform, non-circular cross-section over its entire extent, which means that a rotational form fit with a screwing tool, in the present case, can be achieved via it Case in the form of the drive linkage 5, can be produced for the purpose of transmitting a torque about the longitudinal axis of the concrete pile element 1 around in the intended thread screwing direction R of the concrete pile element 1 on the same.

For this purpose, the boundaries of the central opening 3 form a circular through-bore, seen in cross-section, from which two recesses 6 extend radially outwards, distributed evenly over its circumference, ie each offset by 180° on the circumference. The depressions 6 each have one, seen in cross section axis of symmetry Z running in the radial direction, and their lateral boundaries are each formed by a surface 9 extending essentially radially outwards.

The drive linkage 5 has a cylindrical shaft 10 which, on its outer surface over its entire length and evenly over its circumference, i.e. offset by 180° on the circumference, has two projections 11 running in the axial direction and extending outwards in the radial direction carries, which engage in the radially outwardly extending recesses 6 in the boundaries of the central opening 3. The projections 11 of the drive linkage 5 are each essentially trapezoidal in cross-section, with the oblique sides of the trapezoidal shape extending along radial lines running through the center of the drive linkage 5 .

As in a comparative study of figures 4 and 5 is recognizable from which 4 a situation immediately after inserting the drive linkage 5 into the central opening 3 and figure 5 shows a situation when the screwed concrete pile element 1 is driven as intended by means of the drive linkage 5, the drive linkage 5 is dimensioned in such a way that it can be inserted into the central opening 3 of the concrete pile element 1 with radial and rotational play (see Fig 4 ). If the drive linkage 5 is then rotated to drive the concrete pile element 1 as intended, it rotates in the central opening 3 until the rotational play is achieved by the projections 11 striking the radially outwardly extending surfaces 9 of the lateral delimitations of the depressions, which are directed counter to the screwing-in direction R of the thread 6 is repealed (see figure 5 ). The drive torque is then transmitted from the drive linkage 5 to the concrete pile element 1 by the introduction of compressive forces running essentially perpendicularly to this surface 9 F with the projections 11 of the drive linkage 5 in these surfaces 9.

How further from the figures 4 and 5 shows, the boundaries of the central opening 3 seen in cross-section form in the depressions 6 adjoining the respective lateral boundaries of the respective depression 6 regions 8 in which the radial extent S1, S2 of the central opening 3 decreases uniformly and steplessly in the direction of screwing in the thread R ( the radial extent S1 is greater than the radial extent S2, which follows S1 in the direction of screwing in the thread R).

This results, starting from the in 4 situation shown, when twisting the drive linkage 5 in the thread turning direction R in the figure 5 In the situation shown, the effect is that the radial play is reduced by the outer radial boundaries 12 of the projections 11 of the drive linkage 5 approaching the boundaries of the central opening 3 in the areas 8 in which the radial extension S1, S2 of the central opening 3 in the thread turning direction R decreases, is reduced or eliminated. This achieves automatic radial centering of the drive linkage 5 in the central opening 3 of the concrete pile element 1 .

the figures 6 and 7 13 show perspective views of the two swivel halves 13a, 13b which form the ends of the concrete pile element 1. FIG. As can be seen, the first rotary coupling half 13a is designed as a male rotary coupling half (see FIG 6 ). It has an insertion ring 14 with six locking bodies 15 distributed evenly over the circumference, which, when the two rotary coupling halves 13a, 13b are coupled as intended, into a complementary receiving ring 16 with locking bodies 17 of the second, female rotary coupling half 13b (see Fig 7 ) is retracted at the end of another concrete pile element 1 and rotated therein until the locking bodies 15, 17 of the two rotary coupling halves 13a, 13b reach behind and thus produce a form fit in the axial direction between the concrete pile elements 1 carrying them. The rotary coupling formed with the rotary coupling halves 13a, 13b is a bayonet coupling with six locking points distributed evenly over the circumference of the coupling.

The rotating coupling halves 13a, 13b are designed at the ends of the concrete pile element 1 and rotationally aligned with respect to the central opening 3 and the helical rib 4 in such a way that an intended coupling situation is possible in which the cross sections of the central openings 3 of two concrete pile elements 1 coupled together as intended are congruent are and whose helical ribs 4 form sections of a common screw thread.

The procedure for coupling two such concrete pile elements 1 together as intended is as follows:
In a first step, a first of the two concrete pile elements is screwed into a substrate using the driving tool 5, preferably in such a way that its free end is formed by the male swivel coupling half 13a.

The end of the second concrete pile element formed by the female swivel half 13b is then abutted against the free end of the first concrete pile element, which is formed by a first swivel half 13a, in such a way that the longitudinal axes of the concrete pile elements coincide and the insertion ring 14 of the male swivel half 13a is separated from the Receiving ring 16 of the female swivel half 13b is received.

8 shows a snippet like 4 a cross section through the second concrete pile element 1b looking towards the first concrete pile element 1a.

As can be seen, the cross-sectional contours of the central openings 3 of the two concrete pile elements 1a, 1b are arranged rotated relative to one another by an angle of rotation γ, which is larger or is equal to the angle of rotation, which is required for the intended coupling of the two rotating coupling halves 13a, 13b.

The central openings 3 of the two concrete pile elements 1a, 1b are penetrated by the driving tool 5 in such a way that the driving tool 5 in the closing direction of rotation DS of the second swivel coupling half 13b, which forms the adjacent end of the second concrete pile 1b, forms a rotational form fit with the boundaries of the central opening 3 of the second concrete pile element 1b and such a form fit with the boundaries of the central opening 3 of the first concrete pile element 1a only occurs after the drive tool 5 has been twisted in the central opening 3 of the first screwed concrete pile element 1a by the twisting angle γ, as is the case in 9 is shown.

The second concrete pile element 1b is then rotated relative to the first concrete pile element 1a with the drive tool 5 by the twisting angle γ in the closing direction of rotation DS of the second swivel joint half 13b, which forms the adjacent end of the second concrete pile 1b, whereby the two swivel joint halves 13a, 13b are coupled together as intended and the cross-sectional contours of the central openings 3 of the two concrete pile elements 1a, 1b become congruent. This situation is in 10 shown. The first concrete pile element 1a is completely hidden behind the second concrete pile element 1b in this illustration and is therefore not visible.

The first concrete pile element 1a and the second concrete pile element 1b are used together with the driving tool 5 is screwed into the ground, with the screwing-in direction R corresponding to the locking rotating direction DS of the second rotating coupling half 13b, which forms the coupled end of the second concrete pile 1b. The central openings 3 of both concrete pile elements 1a, 1b are penetrated by the driving tool 5, so that the driving tool 5 forms a rotational form fit in the driving direction R both with the borders of the central opening 3 of the first concrete pile element 1a and with the borders of the central opening 3 of the second concrete pile element 1b.

If a further concrete pile element 1 is to be coupled to the second concrete pile element 1b, this process is repeated accordingly.

While the present application describes preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto and may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (32)

Concrete pile element (1), in particular for forming a screwed concrete pile from a plurality of concrete pile elements for a foundation, comprising a substantially cylindrical shaft (2) made of concrete with a central opening (3) extending through it in the axial direction,
wherein the central opening (3) has a substantially uniform, non-circular cross-section over its entire extent, to enable a rotational form fit with a screwing tool (5) for the purpose of transmitting a torque about the longitudinal axis (X) of the concrete pile element (1). the concrete pile element (1),
wherein the ends of the concrete pile element (1) are each formed by one half (13a; 13b) of a rotary coupling, such that a plurality of concrete pile elements (1a, 1b) can be coupled together as intended by the ends adjoining one another and subsequent twisting relative to one another by a twisting angle the two rotary coupling halves (13a, 13b) can be connected to one another in a form-fitting manner in the longitudinal direction of the concrete pile elements (1a, 1b). Concrete pile element according to claim 1, wherein the two swivel halves (13a, 13a) are identical or wherein a first (13a) of the two swivel halves (13a, 13b) is a male swivel half and the second (13b) is a complementary female swivel half. Concrete pile element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotary coupling halves (13a, 13b) are designed such that they form-fitting against a intended coupling together Rotation relative to each other can be secured, in particular with a locking element, which for this purpose can be used in receptacles provided on the rotating coupling halves (13a, 13b). Concrete pile element according to one of the preceding claims, in which the rotary coupling formed as intended with the rotary coupling halves (13a, 13b) is a bayonet coupling, in particular with a number of locking points distributed evenly over the circumference of the coupling. Concrete pile element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotary coupling halves (13a, 13b) at the ends of the concrete pile element (1) are rotationally aligned with respect to the central opening (3) in such a way that at least one intended coupling situation is possible in which the cross sections of the central openings (3) two concrete pile elements (1a, 1b) coupled together as intended are congruent,
and in particular, wherein the rotary coupling halves (13a, 13b) at the ends of the concrete pile element (1) are designed in such a way and rotationally aligned in such a way with respect to the central opening (3) that coupling two concrete pile elements (1a, 1b) together as intended inevitably leads to a situation , in which the cross sections of the central openings (3) of the coupled concrete pile elements (1a, 1b) are congruent. A concrete pile element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shank has a substantially smooth outer surface. Concrete pile element according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the outer surface of the shank (2) at least has one or more ribs (4) over a partial area of its axial extent, which run helically over this outer surface and thereby form a single-start or multiple-start external thread with a thread turning direction (R), in particular with a uniform pitch,
and wherein the central opening (3) has a substantially uniform, non-circular cross-section over its entire extent, to enable a rotational form fit with the driving tool (5) for the purpose of transmitting a torque about the longitudinal axis (X) of the concrete pile element (1). onto the concrete pile element (1) in the direction of screwing in the thread (R). Concrete pile element according to claim 7, wherein the rotary coupling halves (13a, 13b) at the ends of the concrete pile element (1) are designed in such a way and rotationally aligned in relation to the helical ribs (4) of the outer surface of the shaft (2) that at least one intended coupling situation is possible in which the helical ribs (4) of two such concrete pile elements (1a, 1b) coupled together as intended form sections of a common screw thread,
and in particular, wherein the rotary coupling halves (13a, 13b) at the ends of the concrete pile element (1) are designed in such a way and rotationally aligned in relation to the helical ribs (4) on the outer surface of the shaft (2) that coupling two such concrete pile elements (1a , 1b) inevitably leads to a situation in which the helical ribs (4) of the coupled concrete pile elements (1a, 1b) form sections of a common screw thread. A concrete pile element according to any one of claims 7 to 8, wherein the boundaries of the central opening (3) seen in cross-section, have several, in particular identical, radially outwardly extending depressions (6), whose lateral boundaries directed counter to the screwing-in direction (R) of the thread are each formed by a substantially radially outwardly extending surface (9) or have such a surface , for introducing a compressive force (F) running essentially perpendicularly to this surface with the driving tool (5) into this surface (9) in order to transmit the torque in the thread driving direction (R) from the driving tool (5) to the concrete pile element (1). Concrete pile element according to claim 9, wherein the delimitations of the central opening (3), seen in cross section, have areas (8) at several points evenly distributed over their circumference, in which their radial extension (S1, S2) in the screwing-in direction (R) decreases, in particular continuously. Concrete pile element according to claim 10, wherein the areas (8) in which the radial extent (S1, S2) of the central opening (3) in the screwing-in direction (R) decreases, in particular steplessly, lie in the radially outwardly extending depressions (6). Concrete pile element according to claim 11, wherein the areas (8) in which the radial extent (S1, S2) of the central opening (3) decreases in particular steplessly in the screwing-in direction (R) of the thread, in each case adjoin the lateral boundaries of the respective depression (6), which is formed by the surface (9) extending essentially radially outwards or has this surface. A concrete pile element as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the radially outwardly extending Depressions (6) are distributed evenly over the circumference of the central opening (3). Concrete pile element according to claim 13, wherein the delimitations of the central opening (3), seen in cross section, have exactly two, in particular identically designed, radially outwardly extending depressions (6) which are distributed in particular uniformly over their circumference. Concrete pile element according to one of Claims 9 to 14, in which the radially outwardly extending depressions (6), viewed in cross section, each have an axis of symmetry (Z) running in the radial direction. Concrete pile element according to any one of claims 7 to 15, wherein the external thread formed by the ribs (4) extends substantially over the entire length of the shank (2). A concrete pile element (1) according to any one of claims 7 to 16, wherein the thread forming ribs (4) are formed of concrete. A concrete pile element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the perimeters of the central opening (3) are formed of concrete. Set comprising at least one concrete pile element (1) according to one of the preceding claims and a screwing-in tool (5) with which the central opening (3) of the concrete pile element (1) can be penetrated and a rotational form fit with the boundaries of the central opening (3) in particular in the direction of thread insertion (R), to transmit a torque about the longitudinal axis (X) of the concrete pile element (1) around, in particular in the screwing-in direction (R), onto the concrete pile element (1),
wherein the screwing-in tool (5) is designed in such a way that it can be rotated in the central opening (3) of the concrete pile element (1) relative to the concrete pile element (1) by an angle which is equal to or greater than the twisting angle which is required for coupling the two rotating coupling halves (13a, 13b) together as intended. Set according to claim 19, wherein the at least one concrete pile element (1) is a concrete pile element according to one of claims 9 to 15 and the driving tool (5) is a driving tool with a cylindrical shank (10) which on its outer surface, in particular over its entire length , carries projections (11) running in the axial direction and extending outwards in the radial direction, which by axially pushing the screwing-in tool (5) into the central opening (3) of the concrete pile element (1) in the depressions (11) extending radially outwards 6) and with which, with a rotation of the screwing tool (5) in the screwing-in direction (R), a compressive force (F) running essentially perpendicularly to the essentially radially outwardly extending surfaces (9) of the depressions (6) is applied to them Surfaces (9) can be introduced, for the transmission of a torque about the longitudinal axis (X) of the concrete pile element (1) around in the direction of threading ung (R) from the driving tool (5) onto the concrete pile element (1). Set according to one of Claims 19 to 20 with a concrete pile element according to one of Claims 10 to 12, the screwing-in tool (5) being designed in such a way that it can be inserted into the central opening (3) of the concrete pile element (1) with radial play and that with a subsequent twisting of the inserted screwing tool (5) in the screwing direction (R) the radial play by bringing radial boundaries (12) of the screwing tool (5) closer to the boundaries of the central opening (3) in the areas (8) in which the radial extent (S1 , S2) of the central opening (3) in the screwing-in direction (R), in particular steplessly decreases, is reduced or eliminated. Set according to Claim 21, in which the concrete pile element (1) and the screwing-in tool (5) are designed in such a way that the radial play is reduced by the radial boundaries (12) of the projections (11) approaching areas (8 ) of the limitations of the central opening (3), in which the radial extension (S1, S2) of the central opening (3) in the screwing-in direction (R) decreases, in particular steplessly, is reduced or eliminated. Set according to one of Claims 19 to 22, the screwing-in tool (5) extending over the entire length of the central opening (3) when inserted as intended into the central opening (3) of the concrete pile element (1). Set according to one of Claims 19 to 23, wherein the projections (11) of the screwing tool (5) which extend outwards in the radial direction are each essentially trapezoidal in cross-section, the sloping sides of the trapezoidal shape running along through the centre of the driving tool (5) extending radial lines. A set according to any one of claims 19 to 23, wherein the set comprises at least one concrete pile element (1) according to claim 6 and at least one concrete pile element (1) according to any one of claims 7 to 17. Method for coupling together two concrete pile elements (1a, 1b) according to any one of claims 1 to 18, comprising the steps of: a) providing a set according to any one of claims 19 to 25 comprising two concrete pile elements (1a, 1b) according to any one of claims 1 to 18 with identical central openings (3) and identical end swivel halves (13a, 13b); b) screwing in a first of the concrete pile elements (1a) with the screwing-in tool (5) into a substrate; c) abutting one end of the second concrete pile element (1b), which is formed by a second swivel half (13b), to the free end of the first concrete pile element (1a), which is formed by a first swivel half (13a), such that the longitudinal axes of the concrete pile elements (1a, 1b) coincide and the cross-sectional contours of the central openings (3) of the two concrete pile elements (1a, 1b) are twisted by a twisting angle (γ) relative to one another, which is greater, counter to the closing direction of rotation (DS) of the second rotating coupling half (13b). or is equal to the angle of rotation, which is required for the intended coupling together of the two rotary coupling halves; d) Passing through the central openings (3) of the two concrete pile elements (1a, 1b) with the driving tool (5) in such a way that the driving tool (5) in the closing direction of rotation (DS) of the second swivel coupling half (13b) creates a rotational form fit with the limitations of the central opening (3) of the second concrete pile element (1b) and such a form fit with the limits of the central opening (3) of the first concrete pile element (1a) only after the drive tool (5) has been rotated in the central opening (3) of the first concrete screw pile element ( 1a) by the torsion angle (γ); and e) Twisting of the second concrete pile element (1b) in relation to the first concrete pile element (1a) with the drive tool (5) by the twisting angle (γ) in the closing direction of rotation (DS) of the second swivel joint half (13B), so that the two swivel joint halves (13a, 13b ) are coupled together as intended and the cross-sectional contours of the central openings (3) of the two concrete pile elements (1a, 1b) become congruent. Method according to Claim 26, in which at least one of the two concrete pile elements (1a, 1b) to be coupled is a concrete pile element according to one of Claims 7 to 17 and the locking direction of rotation (DS) of the second rotary coupling half (13b) corresponds to the direction (R) of the screwing-in of the thread of this concrete pile element (1) is equivalent to. Method according to one of Claims 26 to 27, in which the rotary coupling halves (13a, 13b) coupled together as intended are secured in a materially bonded and/or form-fitting manner against opening of the coupling by twisting relative to one another, in particular with a welded connection or a locking element which is fitted in receptacles provided for this purpose the rotary coupling halves is used. Method according to one of claims 26 to 28, wherein the first concrete pile element (1a) and the second concrete pile element (1b) after the intended coupling together of the first rotary coupling half (13a) with the second rotary coupling half (13b) together with the driving tool (5) in the ground be screwed in. Method according to Claim 29, in which, when the concrete pile elements (1a, 1b) are screwed in together, the screwing-in tool passes through their central openings in such a way that the screwing-in tool (5) is in the screwing-in direction (R) forms a rotational form fit with both the perimeters of the central opening (3) of the first concrete pile element (1a) and the perimeters of the central opening (3) of the second concrete pile element (1b). A method according to any one of claims 26 to 30, wherein the concrete pile elements (1a, 1b) provided each have a male swivel half (13a) at a first end and a female swivel half (13b) at their other end,
whereby the first concrete pile element (1a), in particular with a pile tip formed thereon, is screwed into the ground in such a way that the male rotary coupling half (13a) is arranged at its free end, to which the female rotary coupling half (13b) of the second concrete pile element (1b ) is coupled. Concrete screw pile produced using the method according to one of Claims 26 to 31.

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