FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a test apparatus adapted to test the load-bearing capacity of an associated pile installed in the ground, preferably an associated screw pile. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for testing and measuring the load-bearing capacity of a pile installed in the ground, preferably a screw pile.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When testing the load-bearing capacity of a pile installed in the ground, there is a number of different methods and apparatus known for this purpose. However, a lot of the methods and apparatus known today does not give a useable test result of the load capacity in a simple and easy way.

Today either very large, expensive and complex apparatus and test methods are used to get and exact test result, or smaller non-complex apparatus are used, but the known non-complex apparatus does not provide acceptable results for such load-capacity tests.

Moreover, many of the known simple apparatuses for testing and measuring the load-bearing capacity does not take any safety precautions into considerations or at least only very few - a number of accidents has been seen during such tests.

Hence, an improved method and apparatus for testing the load capacity of an installed pile in the ground would be advantageous, and in particular a more efficient, safe and/or reliable apparatus and method would be advantageous.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

In particular, it may be seen as an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method that solves the above mentioned problems of the prior art. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an alternative to the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, the above described object and several other objects are intended to be obtained in a first aspect of the invention by providing a load-bearing test apparatus adapted to test the load-bearing capacity of an associated pile installed in the ground, preferably an associated screw pile, the load-bearing test apparatus comprising:

- a load carrier having at least one main protrusion and at least one receiving portion, such as a notch,

- a load being positioned on the load carrier or being an integrated part of the carrier, preferably being a plurality of load plates,

- a shaft adapted for allowing the load carrier to slide up and down in a vertical direction,

- at least one pile connecting piece for attachable connecting the load carrier to the associated pile,

- a locking system, comprising:

- a trigger lever, comprising a first locking protrusion,

- a safety lever,

- a locking portion, comprising a second locking protrusion, said second locking protrusion is locking together the locking system and the load carrier, and

- a main portion, and wherein the at least one main protrusion of the load carrier is formed according to the form of the main shaft and is being hollow to enabling sliding up and down the shaft, and wherein the at least one main protrusion of the load carrier is adapted to receive the second locking protrusion to lock the load carrier with load at a predetermined height at the shaft.

The invention is particularly, but not exclusively, advantageous for obtaining a load-bearing capacity test apparatus being of a relatively simply but very effective structure. The apparatus is easy to move around in a construction side, since it easily can disassembled and assembled into a load-bearing capacity apparatus. The fact the apparatus can be easily disassembled into smaller pieces, which are easy transportable on a construction side, makes the apparatus very easy to handle and move around. The apparatus is easy to attach to the pile to be tested and is easy to position in the exacts desired position for testing.

Furthermore, the locking system provides a very reliable system for ensuring the load of the apparatus cannot accidently fall down, meaning that the testapparatus ensure the safety of the craftsmen working on a construction side and especially the craftsmen working with the test apparatus.

The locking system comprising two levers makes the security even bigger and more reliable, since both levers must be activated to release the load.

Within the context of the invention, a "lever" may be understood as a handle, a handgrip or the like.

Moreover, the design and structure of the test apparatus allows the apparatus to provide tests with a load from anything between a few kilos to a couple of tons, sometimes even more. Preferably and most often between 100kg and 500kg load is used, however the invention is not limited to the above described load-interval.

In an embodiment of the invention, the apparatus further comprises at least one elongated element, preferably two elongated elements, adapted to activate the locking system.

The embodiments is particularly, but not exclusively, advantageous for obtaining an even more secure apparatus, such that the levers can be operated from a security distance.

In an embodiment of the invention, the at least one elongated element is a rope, a wire or the like. The embodiments is particularly, but not exclusively, advantageous for obtaining an elongated embodiment that is strong and reliable and easy to get access to.

In an embodiment of the invention, the main portion of the locking system is adapted to at least:

- position the locking system at the shaft, and

- receive the first locking protrusion to lock the locking system, and wherein the main portion preferably can be tilted, when said second locking protrusion is to be received in said receiving portion of the load carrier.

The embodiments is particularly, but not exclusively, advantageous for obtaining an easy and reliable positioning of the locking system onto the shaft of the apparatus.

The adjustable main portion allows the locking system always to be positioned correct.

In an embodiment of the invention, the apparatus further comprises a carrying piece adapted for at least assisting in carrying the load carrier and position the load carrier on the test apparatus before the test is performed.

The embodiments is particularly, but not exclusively, advantageous for obtaining and easy and reliable way of carry and transport the potential very high-weighing load that can be up to several tons.

The carrying of the load with the carrying piece is done before or after the test is performed. The carrying piece is not positioned on the test apparatus or on the load, but is removed before the test is performed.

In an embodiment of the invention, the load carrier further comprises at least one stabilizing protrusion, preferably two.

The embodiments is particularly, but not exclusively, advantageous for obtaining an apparatus wherein the load on the load carrier is stabilized.

Furthermore, within the invention a bolt might be screwed on the top of the stabilizing protrusion(s), after the load has been positioned, so that the load is compressed together and cannot move during the test. Other alternative means than a bolt can be used for the compression. Such alternative means might be clips, but the invention should not be limited to either bolts or clips.

In an embodiment of the invention, the safety lever cannot be activated before releasing the first locking protrusion of the trigger lever.

The embodiments is particularly, but not exclusively, advantageous for obtaining a safe and secure test apparatus, wherein the load cannot be released by an accident, such as only pulling one lever.

In an embodiment of the invention, at least one elongated element is connected to the trigger lever and/or to the safety lever, preferably two elongated elements are connected respectively, and wherein the at least one elongated element is held by an associated person to release the carrier weight.

The embodiments is particularly, but not exclusively, advantageous for obtaining an apparatus, wherein the levers used to release the load of the apparatus, can be operated from a safety distance in a very secure and easy way by a human.

In an embodiment of the invention, when only the trigger lever is activated by releasing the first locking protrusion, the load carrier remains at the position and the locking system remains locked, and wherein, when both the trigger lever and the safety lever are activated, the locking system releases the load carrier to slide down the main shaft onto the associated pile in the ground.

The embodiments is particularly, but not exclusively, advantageous for obtaining a safe and secure test apparatus, wherein the load cannot be released by an accident by only pulling the trigger lever and thereby releasing the first protrusion. To release the load, both the levers must be operated, such as activated.

The invention further relates to a method for testing the load-bearing capacity of a pile installed in the ground, preferably a screw pile, the method comprising the steps of: - connecting (SI) a test-apparatus, preferably a test-apparatus according to claim 1, to an pile installed in the ground,

- raising (S2) a load carrier by sliding up the carrier on a shaft,

- activating (S3) a locking system, when said load carrier has reached a predetermined height above the ground,

- releasing (S4) a trigger lever, by pulling the trigger lever, the pulling is preferable performed from a security distance via a first elongated element, such as a first rope or wire,

- realising (S5) of the load carrier from the locking system by pulling a second lever, the pulling is preferable performed from a security distance via a second elongated element, such as a second rope or wire, and

- measuring (S6) the load-bearing capacity of the pile installed in the ground, when the load carrier has dropped on the top of the pile, wherein the steps can be performed in any order, subsequently and/or simultaneously.

This aspect of the invention is particularly, but not exclusively, advantageous in that the method according to the present invention provides a load-bearing capacity test method being a relatively simply but very effective and further provides great test-results.

Furthermore, the method provides a reliable and effective method for ensuring the load is released when intended and that the load cannot be accidently released or in other ways accidently fall down, meaning that the test-method ensure the safety of the craftsmen working on a construction side and especially the craftsmen performing the method of testing the load-bearing capacity.

Within the context of the invention, the "activating" a locking system my be understood as "locking" via the locking system or the like. The locking activation preferably happens automatically, when the load carrier with a load reach the height on the shaft whereat the locking system is placed.

In an embodiment of the invention, the connecting of a test-apparatus to a pile installed in the ground is performed via attaching a pile connecting piece to the pile. The embodiments is particularly, but not exclusively, advantageous for obtaining an easy way of ensuring a safe and effective attachment between a test apparatus performing the method and the pile, which the method is to be performed on.

In an embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises the step of loading the load carrier with a predetermined load.

The embodiments is particularly, but not exclusively, advantageous for obtaining a method wherein the load to be used in the test can be easily varied from test to test.

In an embodiment of the invention, the activation of the locking system comprises:

- activating (S3') a second locking protrusion of the locking system to lock the load carrier at the predetermined height above the ground.

The embodiments is particularly, but not exclusively, advantageous for obtaining an easy and secure way of ensuring the load carrier, preferably loaded with a predetermined load, is positioned and locked into a predetermined height.

In an embodiment of the invention, the measurement comprises measuring the depth of the immersion of the screw pile or shock-wave-measurement (PDA measurements) after the load carrier has dropped onto the pile.

The embodiments is particularly, but not exclusively, advantageous for obtaining the test result in and easy, effective and reliable way.

In an embodiment of the invention, the measurement is performed by any of:

- measuring the immersion using at least one laser, or

- measuring the immersion using at least one sensor, or

- measuring the immersion using at least one ruler or the like, or

- measuring the shock-waves-measurement. The embodiments is particularly, but not exclusively, advantageous for obtaining the test result in and easy, effective and reliable way.

The first and second aspect of the present invention may each be combined with any of the other aspects. These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The apparatus and method according to the invention will now be described in more detail with regard to the accompanying figures. The figures show one way of implementing the present invention and is not to be construed as being limiting to other possible embodiments falling within the scope of the attached claim set.

FIG. la and lb illustrate an overall view of a load-bearing capacity test apparatus without and with a motor.

FIG. 2a, 2b and 2c illustrate a positioning of a locking system to a shaft.

FIG. 3a, 3b and 3c illustrate a positioning of a locking system to a shaft.

FIG. 4a illustrates a nearly point of no return position of a locking system.

FIG. 4b illustrates a point of no return position of a locking system.

FIG. 4c illustrates a load being unlocked from the locking system.

FIG. 5a illustrates a closed position of a first protrusion.

FIG. 5b illustrates an open position of a first protrusion.

FIG. 6a illustrates a load being released.

FIG. 6b illustrates a load sliding down a shaft.

FIG. 7a illustrates a positioning of a load.

FIG. 7b and 7c illustrate a carrying piece being positioned at a load carrier.

FIG. 8a, 8b and 8c illustrate a carrying piece positioning the load in a test apparatus.

FIG. 9a illustrates a carrying pieces being removed before testing.

FIG. 9b illustrates a locking system being positioned on a test apparatus.

FIG. 9c illustrates a load sliding up the shaft to be positioned at the top.

FIG. 10 illustrates a pile connecting piece.

FIG. lla-d illustrate a motor being movably mounted on the top of a shaft. FIG. 12a illustrates an attachement piece.

FIG. 12b illustrates a motor connecting piece.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 illustrates an overall view of load-bearing test apparatus 100 adapted to test the load-bearing capacity of an associated pile 200 installed in the ground, preferably an associated screw pile, the load-bearing test apparatus comprising:

- A load carrier 300 having at least one main protrusion 310 and at least one receiving portion 320 (illustrated in FIG. 2a-c).

- A load being 400 positioned on the load carrier 300 or being an integrated part of the carrier, at FIG. 1 the load is illustrated as a plurality of load plates 410.

- A shaft 500 adapted for allowing the load carrier 300 to slide up and down in a vertical direction. The shaft can within the invention be any suitable dimensions of the height and or shape. In FIG. 1 it is illustrated with a circular cross-section. However, the cross section can be in any form, such as square shaped.

- At least one pile connecting piece 330 for attachable connecting the load carrier 300 to the associated pile 200.

- A locking system 600 (illustrated in detail in FIG. 2a-b) positioned at the top of the shaft 500.

Furthermore, FIG 1 illustrates a pile connecting piece 330 at the bottom of the apparatus for allowing the test apparatus to be connected to an associated pile.

Moreover FIG. 1 illustrates an apparatus 100 suitable for performing a method for testing the load-bearing capacity of a pile 200 installed in the ground, preferably a screw pile, the method (not illustrated) comprising the steps of:

- connecting (SI) a test-apparatus, preferably a test-apparatus 100 according to claim 1, to an pile 200 installed in the ground,

- raising (S2) a load carrier 300 by sliding up the carrier on a shaft 500, preferably by a motor 900 (illustrated in FIG. lla-d)

- activating (S3) a locking system 600, when said load carrier 300 has reached a predetermined height above the ground on the shaft 500, - releasing (S4) a first lever 610, preferably comprising a first locking protrusion, by pulling the first lever 610, the pulling is preferable performed from a security distance via a first elongated element 700, such as a first rope or wire (not illustrated),

- realising (S5) of the load carrier 300 from the locking system 600 by pulling a second lever 620, preferably comprising a second locking protrusion, the pulling is preferable performed from a security distance via a second elongated element 700, such as a second rope or wire (not illustrated), and

- measuring (S6) the load-bearing capacity of the pile 200 installed in the ground, when the load carrier 300 has dropped on the top of the pile.

FIG. 2a, 2b and 2c illustrate a positioning of a locking system 600 to a shaft 500. As seen in FIG. 2a the locking system 600, comprises at least:

- a trigger lever 610, comprising a first locking protrusion 615,

- a safety lever 620,

- a locking portion 630, comprising a second locking protrusion 635, said second locking protrusion 635 is locking together the locking system 600 and the load carrier 300, and

- a main portion 640.

The main portion 640 of the locking system is adapted to at least:

- position the locking system 600 at the shaft 500 of the test apparatus, and

- receive the first locking protrusion 615 to lock the locking system 600.

FIG. 2b illustrates that the main portion 640 preferably can be tilted, when the second locking protrusion 635 is to be received in a receiving portion 320 of the load carrier 300.

FIG. 2c illustrates the activation of the locking system, wherein a second locking protrusion 635 of the locking system 600 locks the load carrier 300 at the predetermined height above the ground at the shaft 500. The second protrusion 635 is locked in a receiving portion 320 of the load carrier 300, the receiving portion 320 is in FIG. 2c illustrated as a notch. FIG 3a-3c illustrates respectively the same as in FIG 2a-2c. Though in FIG. 3a-c, the entire test apparatus 100 with the load 400 on the shaft 500 is also illustrated and not only a close-up of the locking system as in FIG. 2a-c.

FIG. 4a illustrates a nearly point of no return position of a locking system 600. When both the trigger lever 610 and the safety lever 620 are activated as illustrated, the locking system 600 is about to release the load carrier 300 to slide down the main shaft 500 onto the associated pile 200 in the ground. In FIG. 4a the locking system 600 is in a position before the load 400 is released.

Preferably, but not illustrated, at least one elongated element 700 is connected to the trigger lever 610 and/or to the safety lever 620, preferably two elongated elements 700 are connected respectively, and the at least one elongated element is held by an associated person to release the carrier weight. The elongated element(s) prefereably being rope or the like.

FIG. 4b illustrates a point of no return position of a locking system 600, wherein when both the trigger lever 610 and the safety lever 620 are activated, the locking system 600 releases the load carrier 300 to slide down the main shaft 500 onto the associated pile 200 installed in the ground.

FIG. 4c illustrates a load 400 being released from the locking system 600. The load is not locked by the locking system and is about to slide down the shaft 500. When the load that has been sliding down the shaft and provided a push force on the top of an associated pile 200 in the ground, the measurement of the load bearing capacity of the pile can be performed (not illustrated).

FIG. 5a illustrates a closed position of a first protrusion 615. As seen in the FIG. 5a, the safety lever 620 cannot be activated before releasing the first locking protrusion 615 of the trigger lever 610 (illustrated by the arrow, which illustrates the pulling direction of the safety lever).

Furthermore, FIG. 5a illustrates the at least one main protrusion 310 of the load carrier 300 is adapted to receive the second locking protrusion 635 of the locking system via a receiving portion 320 to lock the load carrier 300 with load 400 at a predetermined height at the shaft 500. FIG. 5b illustrates an open position of a first protrusion 615, wherein, when only the trigger lever 610 is activated by releasing the first locking protrusion 615, the load carrier 300 remains at the position on the top of the shaft 500 and the locking system 600 remains locked.

When both the trigger lever 610 and the safety lever 630 are activated, the locking system 600 releases the load carrier 300 to slide down the main shaft 500 onto the associated pile 200 installed in the ground (illustrated in FIG. 4).

FIG 6a illustrates a load 400 being released from the locking system 600. The load is in FIG 6a not locked by the locking system and is about to slide down the shaft 500.

FIG. 6b illustrates a load 400 that has slide down a shaft 500 and has provided a push force on the top of an associated pile 200 installed in the ground. At this point, the measurement of the load bearing capacity of the pile can be performed or has already been performed.

The measurement is not illustrated in the figures, but preferably comprises measuring the depth of the immersion of the pile or shock-wave-measurement (PDA measurements) after the load carrier has dropped onto the pile, wherein the measurement is preferably performed by any of:

- measuring the immersion using at least one laser, or

- measuring the immersion using at least one sensor, or

- measuring the immersion using at least one ruler or the like, or

- measuring the shock-waves-measurement.

FIG. 7a illustrates a positioning of a load 400 and thereby illustrates loading the load carrier 300 with a predetermined load 400. In the figures, the load is illustrates as load plates 410, but the load can within the invention be one or a few load element, not being plates, or the load can be an integrated part of the load carrier 300, or any other suitable load solution. The load plate(s) 410 is/are only one of many different possible load embodiments.

Furthermore FIG. 7a illustrates the at least one main protrusion 310 of the load carrier is formed according to the form of the main shaft 500 and is being hollow to enabling sliding up and down the shaft. In the figure the form of the main protrusion is cylindrical with a circular cross section, however the cross section can within the invention be in any suitable form and not only circular.

Moreover, FIG. 7a illustrates two stabilizing protrusions 340 of the load carrier 300. Within the invention, the load carrier may comprise one or more stabilizing protrusions 340 to stabiliza the load. However, the stabilizing protrusion(s) 340 should not be understood as limiting the scope of the invention.

FIG. 7b and 7c illustrate a carrying piece 800 to be or being positioned at a load carrier 300.

The carrying piece 800 is adapted for at least assisting in carrying the load carrier 300 and for positioning the load carrier on the test apparatus 100 before the test. The load carrier 300 further comprises at least one stabilizing protrusion 340, preferably two.

FIG 8a-c illustrates a carrying piece 800 positioning the load on the load carrier 300 on a test apparatus 100.

In FIG. 8a the load carrier and the load 400 is about to be slide down the shaft 500, not for testing but just positioning the load on the apparatus.

In FIG. 8b the load carrier and the load 400 is on the top of the shaft carried in the carrying pieces.

FIG. 8c illustrates the final position of the load 400 by the help of the carrying piece 300.

The carrying pieces 300 is carrying the load 400, however the carrying piece may also be carried by any suitable machine, apparatus or other means, such as a crane.

FIG. 9a illustrates a carrying pieces 800 being removed from the test apparatus before testing.

FIG. 9b illustrates a locking system 600 being positioned on a test apparatus 100 after the carrying piece 800 is removed. FIG. 9c illustrates a load carrier 300 and a load 400 sliding up the shaft to be positioned at the top of the shaft 500 and thereby to be ready for starting the test. The load carrier 300 must be locked to the locking system 600 before the test can start (as illustrates in FIG. 2c)

The load carrier 300 with the load 400 is preferably raised while sliding up the shaft by a motor 900 being movably mounted on the top of the shaft 500 (not illustrated).

However, the load carrier 300 with the load 400 might also by lifted while sliding up the shaft by lifting means, such as a forklift or by at least one wire or by any other suitable lifting means (not illustrated).

FIG. 10 illustrates a pile connecting piece 330, wherein the connecting of a testapparatus 100 to a pile 200 installed in the ground is performed via attaching a pile connecting piece 330 to the pile 200. The connecting piece 330 can be formed in any suitable shape, and the embodiment of the pile connecting piece illustrated in FIG. 9 is not limiting to the pile connecting piece of the invention.

FIG. lla-d illustrate a motor 900 being movably mounted on the top of a shaft 500. The motor 900 can within the invention be attached in any suitable way on the top of the shaft 500 in a movably mounted way.

The motor 900 is adapted to at least carrying the load carrier 300 and the load 400 from a bottom of the shaft 500 to a top of the shaft.

FIG. 11 a-d illustrate on way of attaching a motor 900. The motor 900 is positioned in a receiver, and the receiver is removably mounted of the top of the shaft.

Furthermore, FIG. 11 c-d illustrate the motor 900 comprising a downward movably motor connecting piece 910, allowing the motor to connect directly or indirectly with the load carrier 300, preferably the motor connecting piece 910 is attachted to a wire (915) or the like.

Also, it is illustrated that an attachment piece 920 is attached to the load carrier 300, allowing the motor connecting piece 910 to connect with the load carrier.

FIG. 12a illustrates an attachement piece 920 being attached to the load carrier 300. FIG. 12b illustrates a motor connecting piece 910 connected to the attachment piece 920, thereby allowing the load carrier 300 to be raised up on the shaft 500 via the motor 900.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with the specified embodiments, it should not be construed as being in any way limited to the presented examples. The scope of the present invention is set out by the accompanying claim set. In the context of the claims, the terms "comprising" or "comprises" do not exclude other possible elements or steps. Also, the mentioning of references such as "a" or "an" etc. should not be construed as excluding a plurality. The use of reference signs in the claims with respect to elements indicated in the figures shall also not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Furthermore, individual features mentioned in different claims, may possibly be advantageously combined, and the mentioning of these features in different claims does not exclude that a combination of features is not possible and advantageous.

REFERENCE LIST

A load-bearing test apparatus (100) Pile (200) Load carrier (300)

- Main protrusion (310)

- Receiving portion (320)

- Pile connecting piece (330)

- Stabilizing protrusion (340)

Load (400)

- Load plates (410) Shaft adapted (500) Locking system (600)

- a trigger lever (610)

- a first locking protrusion (615)

- a safety lever (620)

- a locking portion (630)

- a second locking protrusion (635) - a main portion (640)

Elongated element (700)

Carrying piece (800)

Motor (900) - Motor connecting piece (910)

- Wire (915) or the like

- Attachment piece (920)