IoT-Enhanced Retrofitting and Structural Health Monitoring System for Multi-Storey Building Foundations Using Inclined Anchor Piles in Expansive Clay Soils

Abstract

The invention introduces a pioneering system for addressing the challenges of expansive clay soils in multi-storey buildings by integrating inclined anchor piles with advanced Internet of Things (IoT) technology. Expansive clay soils are known for their significant volume changes due to moisture fluctuations, which can lead to foundation instability and structural damage. To counteract these issues, the system employs inclined anchor piles, installed at strategic angles ranging from 15° to 45° relative to the vertical axis of the building foundation. These piles are constructed from high-strength materials such as reinforced concrete or steel and are designed to penetrate expansive clay and anchor into more stable soil layers beneath, thereby providing enhanced vertical and lateral support. The system is equipped with a network of IoT-enabled sensors embedded within the inclined anchor piles and the foundation. These sensors continuously monitor critical parameters including strain, load distribution, soil moisture levels, and displacement. Data collected from these sensors is transmitted wirelessly to a central processing unit using advanced communication technologies like low-power wide-area networks (LPWAN), Wi-Fi, LTE, or LoRaWAN. The central processing unit then forwards this data to a cloud-based platform where it is analyzed using sophisticated machine learning algorithms. The cloud-based platform performs real-time analytics to detect anomalies, identify trends, and predict potential structural issues based on both historical and real-time data. This predictive capability allows for early intervention and maintenance recommendations, helping to prevent major repairs and extend the building’s lifespan. The system also includes a real-time monitoring interface accessible through web and mobile applications, providing users with visualizations of the foundation’s health, and automated alerts for any detected anomalies such as excessive strain or unusual displacement. This innovative system is adaptable for both new constructions and retrofitting existing buildings, offering a flexible solution that can be customized to various building sizes and geotechnical conditions. Power for the sensors is supplied by a combination of battery packs and solar panels, ensuring reliable operation. Overall, the invention provides a comprehensive approach to improving foundation stability and maintaining structural health, effectively addressing the unique challenges posed by expansive clay soils.

Specification

Description:1. Field of Invention:
The present invention falls under the interdisciplinary fields of civil engineering, geotechnical engineering, and Internet of Things (IoT) technology. Specifically, the invention relates to structural health monitoring (SHM) and retrofitting solutions for substructure footings of multi-storey buildings. These footings are reinforced using inclined anchor piles to mitigate the effects of expansive clay soils, which are prone to significant volume changes due to moisture variations.
The field of this invention is characterized by the integration of advanced IoT technologies with traditional engineering methods for real-time, continuous monitoring and proactive management of substructure health. The IoT-enabled sensors, placed within the substructure and the inclined anchor piles, measure various parameters such as soil moisture, stress, strain, load distribution, and foundation displacement. The data from these sensors is processed and analyzed using machine learning algorithms to detect anomalies, predict future structural risks, and recommend maintenance actions.
2. Background:
Expansive clays undergo significant volume changes with moisture content variation, causing differential settlement and potential structural damage in buildings. Conventional retrofitting methods using inclined anchor piles help improve foundation stability, but real-time monitoring of foundation health and soil behavior is limited. IoT offers a solution by integrating smart sensors into the foundation, providing continuous structural health monitoring and enabling timely maintenance decisions, thereby improving the safety and longevity of the building.
3. Summary of Invention:
The present invention provides a novel system for retrofitting and structural health monitoring (SHM) of substructure footings in multi-storey buildings, specifically in regions with expansive clay soils. Expansive clay soils undergo significant volume changes due to moisture fluctuations, which can cause substantial damage to buildings by inducing differential settlement and structural cracking. To address these issues, the invention integrates IoT (Internet of Things) technologies with inclined anchor piles to enhance the stability of foundations and enable real-time monitoring of structural health.
In conclusion, this invention presents a comprehensive solution that integrates structural engineering with cutting-edge IoT technologies to provide an efficient, cost-effective, and scalable approach to retrofitting and monitoring foundations in multi-storey buildings, particularly in regions with expansive clay soils.

4. Detailed Description of the Invention:
The present invention is a comprehensive system that integrates IoT (Internet of Things) technologies with inclined anchor piles to enhance the stability of building foundations and enable real-time monitoring of structural health, particularly in areas with expansive clay soils. This system addresses challenges such as differential settlement and structural cracking in multi-storey buildings due to soil movements caused by the swelling and shrinking of expansive clays. Below is a detailed description of the various components and functionalities of the invention:
1. Foundation Challenges in Expansive Soils
Expansive soils are a significant geotechnical concern due to their tendency to swell when wet and shrink when dry. This soil movement can lead to substantial damage to building foundations, resulting in uneven settlement, foundation cracks, and compromised structural integrity.
In response to these challenges, the present invention incorporates inclined anchor piles that provide both lateral and vertical support to counteract the effects of soil movement. Additionally, IoT-enabled structural health monitoring (SHM) is integrated into the system to continuously track the foundation's performance and detect early signs of distress.
2. Inclined Anchor Piles
Inclined anchor piles are designed to be installed at an angle to the vertical axis of the foundation. These piles function to provide enhanced resistance against both vertical loads (from the building's weight) and horizontal forces (from soil movement). The inclined orientation helps distribute forces more effectively, ensuring that the foundation remains stable, even in expansive clay conditions.
• Design and Materials: The anchor piles can be constructed from materials like reinforced concrete or steel, depending on the specific load-bearing requirements and the type of building. The piles are designed to penetrate the expansive clay layer, reaching more stable soil layers beneath.
• Inclination Angle: The inclination of the anchor piles is optimized based on geotechnical analysis to provide maximum lateral resistance to soil movement. The typical angle ranges between 15° to 45° from the vertical, depending on the soil conditions and building size.
• Load Distribution: By distributing the load over a wider area and providing resistance to soil expansion, the inclined piles reduce the strain on the main foundation, thus preventing differential settlement.
3. IoT-Enabled Structural Health Monitoring (SHM)
To continuously monitor the performance of the foundation and the anchor piles, a network of IoT-enabled sensors is embedded within the structure. These sensors provide real-time data on key parameters such as stress, strain, soil moisture, and movement, allowing engineers and building managers to assess the foundation's health at any given time.
a. Sensor Network
The sensor network forms the backbone of the IoT-enabled SHM system. Various types of sensors are strategically placed within the foundation and the inclined anchor piles:
• Strain Gauges: These sensors measure the strain on the anchor piles and foundation, providing insights into how the load is being distributed and whether any part of the structure is undergoing excessive stress.
• Load Cells: These sensors measure the forces acting on specific points in the foundation, helping to detect any imbalances or shifts in load distribution.
• Moisture Sensors: These are placed in the surrounding soil to measure moisture levels, which are critical for predicting soil expansion or contraction.
• Displacement Sensors: These sensors track any vertical or horizontal movement of the foundation, providing early warnings of potential settlement or foundation shifts.
• Temperature Sensors: Monitoring temperature changes helps in correlating with soil moisture variations, which can affect the expansive clay behavior.
b. Data Transmission and Processing
The data collected by the sensor network is transmitted wirelessly to a central processing unit (CPU) or a cloud-based platform. The system uses low-power wide-area networks (LPWAN) or other communication technologies such as Wi-Fi, LTE, or LoRaWAN to send the data in real-time. The CPU performs preliminary data filtering and ensures that only critical data is uploaded to the cloud for further processing.
c. Cloud Analytics and Machine Learning
Once the data reaches the cloud, it undergoes analysis using advanced machine learning algorithms. The system can detect anomalies in the foundation's performance and predict potential risks based on historical data and trends. The algorithms are trained to recognize patterns such as:
• Gradual increases in foundation settlement.
• Excessive strain on specific anchor piles.
• Abnormal moisture levels that could trigger soil expansion or shrinkage.
• Unusual load distribution or stress concentrations.
The predictive maintenance model analyzes this data and recommends proactive actions, such as foundation reinforcement or soil stabilization measures, before significant structural damage occurs.
4. Real-Time Monitoring and Alerts
One of the core features of the invention is its ability to provide real-time monitoring and instant alerts when abnormal conditions are detected. The system offers a user-friendly interface that engineers or building managers can access remotely through web-based dashboards or mobile apps. This interface allows for:
• Real-Time Visualization: Users can view live data on foundation health, including load distribution, soil moisture levels, and strain on piles.
• Automated Alerts: If the system detects anomalies-such as excessive settlement or strain-it immediately sends alerts to designated personnel via email, SMS, or app notifications, allowing for rapid response.
• Customizable Thresholds: Users can set custom thresholds for different parameters, ensuring that alerts are only triggered when the conditions are genuinely concerning.
5. Retrofitting of Existing Buildings
The invention is not only applicable to new constructions but is also highly effective for retrofitting existing buildings. Older buildings in expansive clay regions can be retrofitted by installing inclined anchor piles and integrating the IoT-enabled monitoring system. This retrofitting process involves minimal disruption to the existing structure and can extend the building's life by ensuring its foundation is stabilized.
a. Installation of Inclined Anchor Piles in Existing Foundations
• The inclined piles are inserted into the ground around the perimeter of the existing foundation or directly under key load-bearing sections.
• Specialized drilling and pile-driving techniques are used to install the anchor piles without significantly impacting the existing foundation.
• The piles are anchored into deeper, more stable soil layers to provide additional support.
b. Sensor Installation
• IoT sensors are strategically placed around the retrofitted piles and foundation to begin real-time monitoring of the structural health.
• For buildings already showing signs of distress, the system can monitor recovery progress after the retrofitting process.
, Claims:Claim 1: IoT-Based Retrofitting and Structural Health Monitoring System
Claim 2: Inclined Anchor Piles: The system of claim 2, wherein the inclined anchor piles are installed at an angle between 15° and 45° relative to the vertical axis, and are made from materials selected from reinforced concrete, steel, or composite materials, depending on load-bearing requirements and soil conditions.
Claim 3: IoT-Enabled Sensors
Claim 4: Data Transmission and Processing:The system of claim 1, wherein the data collected by the IoT-enabled sensors is transmitted wirelessly to the central data processing unit via communication technologies selected from low-power wide-area networks (LPWAN), Wi-Fi, LTE, or LoRaWAN.
Claim 5: Cloud-Based Analytics and Machine Learning
Claim 6: Real-Time Alerts and Monitoring
Claim 7: Retrofitting of Existing Buildings: The system of claim 1, wherein the inclined anchor piles and IoT-enabled sensor network are configured to be retrofitted to existing buildings with minimal disruption to the existing structure, thereby enhancing the foundation's stability and structural health.

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