Bioinspired Deep Foundation Systems
Outcome/Accomplishment
A U.S. patent for piles and anchors inspired by nature’s root systems has been awarded to engineers from New Mexico State University who were also associated with the Center for Bio-mediated and Bio-inspired Geotechnics (CBBG), an NSF-funded Engineering Research Center (NSF ERC) headquartered at Arizona State University. Another patent is pending for a new pile and anchor expansion mechanism using a pressurized bladder system.
Impact/Benefits
The engineers found ways to improve the bearing capacity in support structures by redesigning piles and anchors. Pile load tests demonstrated that the capacity of radiated piles installed in sand is more than double the capacity of conventional piles, which is promising for those who wish to improve the efficiency of their foundation systems
Explanation/Background
The new bioinspired foundations provide much greater shaft resistance, a major source of bearing capacity, than typical support piles and anchors. The engineers’ design rests on the lateral expansion of the pile shaft through an inflatable bladder.
The team successfully completed a Test Series 3 with six instrumented pile prototypes and control piles. In a CBBG ground pit, engineers tested two different mechanisms of pile expansion as well as a locking mechanism. The patent for radially expansive piles and anchors was awarded in October 2021, while a patent is pending for the expansion mechanism using the pressurized bladder system.
Location
Tempe, Arizonawebsite
Start Year
Energy and Sustainability
Energy, Sustainability, and Infrastructure
Lead Institution
Core Partners
Fact Sheet
Outcome/Accomplishment
A U.S. patent for piles and anchors inspired by nature’s root systems has been awarded to engineers from New Mexico State University who were also associated with the Center for Bio-mediated and Bio-inspired Geotechnics (CBBG), an NSF-funded Engineering Research Center (NSF ERC) headquartered at Arizona State University. Another patent is pending for a new pile and anchor expansion mechanism using a pressurized bladder system.
Location
Tempe, Arizonawebsite
Start Year
Energy and Sustainability
Energy, Sustainability, and Infrastructure
Lead Institution
Core Partners
Fact Sheet
Impact/benefits
The engineers found ways to improve the bearing capacity in support structures by redesigning piles and anchors. Pile load tests demonstrated that the capacity of radiated piles installed in sand is more than double the capacity of conventional piles, which is promising for those who wish to improve the efficiency of their foundation systems
Explanation/Background
The new bioinspired foundations provide much greater shaft resistance, a major source of bearing capacity, than typical support piles and anchors. The engineers’ design rests on the lateral expansion of the pile shaft through an inflatable bladder.
The team successfully completed a Test Series 3 with six instrumented pile prototypes and control piles. In a CBBG ground pit, engineers tested two different mechanisms of pile expansion as well as a locking mechanism. The patent for radially expansive piles and anchors was awarded in October 2021, while a patent is pending for the expansion mechanism using the pressurized bladder system.