Foundation for a structure and method of installing the same

Abstract

A foundation (10) for a structure including a body (1) for insertion into a soil (2) in an insertion direction during installation, the body (1) having a toe (3) at its distal end. An array of nozzles (6) are provided at the distal end for jetting a fluid, with the nozzles (6) in the array being configured such that their fluid jets (7) are complementarily directed for generating a fluid stream (8) ahead of the toe (3) which flows in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction to erode the soil below the pile toe.

1 . A foundation for a structure comprising:
 a body for insertion into a soil in an insertion direction during installation, the body having a toe at its distal end; and   an array of nozzles provided at the distal end for jetting a fluid, wherein the nozzles in the array are configured such that their fluid jets are complementarily directed for generating a fluid stream ahead of the toe which flows in a direction substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction.   
     
     
         2 . A foundation according to  claim 1 , wherein the fluid stream forms a fluid channel ahead of the toe in a plane perpendicular to the insertion direction by eroding soil as the fluid flows through the fluid channel in the direction perpendicular to the insertion direction. 
     
     
         3 . A foundation according to  claim 2 , wherein soil is progressively eroded from the wall of the fluid channel as the toe advances in the insertion direction during installation. 
     
     
         4 . A foundation according to  claim 1 , wherein the nozzles in the array are configured for generating the fluid stream flowing in a cyclic path in a soil region ahead of the toe. 
     
     
         5 . A foundation according to  claim 4 , wherein the cyclic path is a circumferential path coaxial with the body. 
     
     
         6 . A foundation according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second array of nozzles provided at the distal end, wherein the nozzles in the second array are configured such that their fluid jets are complementarily directed for generating a second fluid stream ahead of the toe which flows in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction and opposite to the first fluid stream. 
     
     
         7 . A foundation according to  claim 6 , wherein the first array of nozzles is provided on an interior side of the body for generating the first fluid stream in a path in line with an interior lateral surface of the body, and
 the second array of nozzles is provided on an exterior side of the body for generating the second fluid stream in a path in line with an exterior lateral surface of the body.   
     
     
         8 . A foundation according to  claim 6 , further comprising a fin provided at the distal end for separating the first fluid stream from the second fluid stream. 
     
     
         9 . A foundation according to  claim 1 , further comprising a manifold at the distal end of the foundation and wherein the nozzles are mounted to the manifold for being fed fluid thereby. 
     
     
         10 . A foundation according to  claim 1 , wherein the nozzles are directed downward in the range of 1-40 degrees about the radial axis from the tangential direction. 
     
     
         11 . A foundation according to  claim 1 , further comprising a pressurised fluid supply for supplying pressurised fluid to the nozzles. 
     
     
         12 . A foundation according to  claim 1 , further comprising a controller for controlling one or more of: an installation speed, a ballast weight, and a fluid pressure of fluid supplied to the nozzles. 
     
     
         13 . A foundation according to  claim 1 , further comprising an additive delivery system for delivering additives to the fluid stream. 
     
     
         14 . A method of installing a foundation according to  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 inserting the toe into the soil;   supplying the fluid to the array of nozzles to jet fluid for generating the fluid stream ahead of the toe which flows in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction; and   controlling movement of the body in the insertion direction to maintain the formation of a fluid channel by the fluid stream as the toe advances in the insertion direction.   
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 14 , further comprising the step of supplying the fluid to the second array of nozzles for generating the second fluid stream ahead of the toe which flows in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction and opposite to the first fluid stream.