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DEVICE AND METHOD FOR SOFT SOIL IMPROVEMENT
WO17037309
The invention relates to a hollow element (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) designed to be inserted into soft soil (38, 48, 58), and open at least on the lower end thereof, such that when said hollow element (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) is inserted in the soft soil (38, 48, 58), the inside thereof is filled with said existing soft soil (38, 48, 58). Said hollow element comprises a cylindrical geogrid (11) designed to allow the circulation of water therethrough, a geosynthetic material (12) which covers the outer surface of the geogrid (11) and has a filter function, allowing water to pass through but not the existing soft soil particles (38, 48, 58), and at least one geosynthetic material (13) which covers the inner surface of the geogrid (11) and has a double function: it allows water to pass through but not the soft soil particles (38, 48, 58) - filter function - and it proves the hollow element (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) with a radial rigidity - resistance function. The invention also relates to a soft soil improvement method (38, 48, 58), using the hollow element (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) defined.
El método de la invención permite mejorar el terreno simplemente con la inclusión de elementos huecos, y la realización de una sobrecarga puntual, evitando el consumo de grava u otros materiales necesarios en las técnicas tipo columna, lo que supone un abaratamiento en el proceso constructivo. Además, la eliminación de grava implica que no sea necesario hacer un hueco en el terreno para introducir la misma, y por tanto que el proceso constructivo sea más rápido y más cómodo.