SMART CELLS

What is the Smart Cell

The Smart Cell is a closed-type cementitious slurry injection system designed to enhance the performance of drilled shafts. Attached to the bottom of reinforcing steel reinforcement, the Smart Cell acts similarly to a hydraulic jack during bi-directional static load testing. Instrumented with tell-tales to monitor deformation during injection, it allows the generation of a force-movement curve for 100% of the piles. By pre-mobilizing the axial resistance at the tip, the Smart Cell mitigates the deformation incompatibility between lateral and tip resistance, leading to optimized maximum strength and improved long-term behavior.

HOW IT WORKS

Drilling

Using available drilling method (CFA, Kelly, Caissons) reach desired depth.

Installation of Smart Cell

Smart Cell is placed at the desired depth together with reinforcement steel..

Concreting of element

Entire shaft length is concreted.

Expansion of Smart Cell

Smart Cell is pressure-grouted to target volume while monitoring pressure, head upwards movement, and toe displacement.

By integrating these steps, Smart Cells optimize the performance of bored piles, reducing the need for conservative designs that increase pile count or diameter.

 

KEY BENEFITS OF SMART CELLS

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Enhanced Load transfer:

The expansion of the Smart Cell creates a pre-load of the toe response, increasing the stiffness to the pile.

Reduced Pile Count and Length:

Optimizes design by improving load capacity, lowering material and installation costs.

Improved foundation stiffness:

Reduces overall settlement at same levels of load, ensuring long-term performance.

Real-Time Quality Control:

Provides data during injection process that allows for potential foundations adjustments

Cost Efficiency:

Optimizes the design minimizing project expenses.

Faster Timeline:

By reducing pile geometry, the timeline of the project can be reduced by 30%

APPLICATIONS OF SMART CELLS

Smart Cells are a versatile solution designed for a wide range of geotechnical applications, where improved load distribution and soil mobilization are critical. Key applications include:

  • Bridge Foundations: Enhances load-bearing capacity for piles supporting heavy and dynamic loads.
  • High-Rise Buildings: Reduces settlement and increases structural reliability for urban developments.
  • Challenging Soil Conditions: Effective in mitigating issues like sedimentation and stress relief in loose or compressible soils.

KEY FEATURES OF SMART CELLS

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Bidirectional Load Application:

Acts as a hydraulic jack to induce bidirectional loads, mobilizing both lateral and tip resistances.

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Controlled Pressure Grouting:

Ensures uniform load distribution and pre-mobilization of soil resistance, improving capacity.

Sedimentation Mitigation:

Reduces the effects of sedimentation at the pile base by actively engaging the soil.