Method and apparatus for cutting concrete columns
This is a continuation, of application Ser. No. 082,954, filed Oct. 9, 1979, now abandoned. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a means for cutting concrete columns to provide a smooth finished surface at the cut. 
     This invention further relates to a method of cutting concrete columns wherein an abrasive saw is utilized on a pivotally mounted saw support carried by track means encircling the column. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Concrete columns are rapidly replacing the wooden column and piling long used to support buildings, wharfs and the like. The availability of suitable timber for such applications and the expense of such timbers has increased the demand for substitute materials. Concrete columns, precast and formed with longitudinal reinforcing elements, such as, reinforcing bar or cables, are ideally suited for support of buildings, wharfs and the like. Concrete is a more nearly permanent material of construction and the columns formed from concrete can be prepared in the precise size, configuration and length to fit the needs of each individual application. One problem with concrete columns is that they are difficult to sever or otherwise manipulate once they are cast and hardened, and placed into their operative positions, such as by pile driving. The columns frequently must be severed or broken off at a particular height in order to meet the requirements of the structure being placed thereon. Heretofore the usual method of severing such concrete columns has been to attack them with a jackhammer to fracture and destroy the concrete surrounding the reinforcing element and then cut the reinforcing elements with an acetylene torch or other metal cutting means. Such an approach usually leaves a jagged and rough surface, not at all desirable for subsequent construction. In addition, it is not at all unusual to have substantial spalling of the concrete below the area at which the cut had been made, thus degrading the structure or frequently requiring remedial measures. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is one object of this invention to provide a method of severing concrete beams which results in a smooth cut surface in a plane at a desired angle, usually perpendicular, to the central axis of the column. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide an abrasive saw holding mechanism which positions the saw in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the column, permits pivotal movement of the saw into the column to cut a circumferential kerf, and provides for movement of the saw to various locations about the periphery of the column being cut. 
     These and other objects of this invention are accomplished by a collar encircling guide means or track which is adapted to support and guide an abrasive saw permitting pivotal movement of the saw with respect to the column, and maintaining the saw blade in a plane at a set angular relationship to the central axis of the column. The guide and support means provided herein permits pivotal movement of the saw whereby a kerf may be cut into the periphery of the column to a depth set by a depth gage means on the saw. In one embodiment the method of this invention contemplates severing any reinforcing elements present in the concrete and extending the kerf radially inwardly to a set distance whereby an uncut central support column remains as a support for the superjacent column segment. The portion of the column above the cut is then supported by well known means, such as a lifting cable attached to a crane or the like, and the remaining uncut central column fractured, such as by applying a side directed moment or applying a blow with a hammer. The unwanted column length is then removed, leaving a cut surface with a central rough broken area. The central area may be further dressed, if desired, such as by grinding, to provide a smooth surfaced cut end suitable for further construction. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a column having a saw kerf adjacent a saw grinding track means, the kerf produced by the method and apparatus of this invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a plan view of the column shown in FIG. 1 at the saw kerf area, the upper portion of the column having been removed and showing the guide means and abrasive saw attached to said column. 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the support mechanism taken along lines 3--3 of FIG. 2. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring specifically to the drawings wherein like figures indicate like parts, there is seen in FIG. 1 a perspective view of a column 10 in which a saw kerf 11 has been formed by the method and apparatus of this invention. The saw kerf 11 is shown having severed the reinforcing elements 12 and extends inwardly from the periphery of column 10 to the uncut center 14. The upper portion 10&#39; of the column is shown in FIG. 1 still supported by the uncut center 14. The central axis A--A of column 10 extends substantially through the middle of column 10 and passes through the uncut center 14. 
     FIGS. 1 and 2 both show a track means 16 positioned immediately below the area of the saw kerf 11. Track means 16 is substantially octagonal in configuration and contains a plurality of standoff bolts 18 engaging the periphery of the octagonal column 10. These standoff bolts 18 serve to position the track 16 a distance away from the surface of column 10 and provide the support for track 16 to column 10. Track means 16 is made up of a plurality of segments of angle iron welded together at the apices and hinged at hinge point 19, providing a pair of rigid track segments made up of four straight angle iron pieces. The segments are bolted together at apex 21 with fasteners 23. The fasteners 23 are drawn tightly together to securely engage standoff bolts 18 upon the surface of column 10 and fasten the track means 16 securely thereto. Track means 16 is shown positioned in a plane substantially perpendicular to axis A--A. 
     An abrasive saw, shown generally at 22 in FIG. 2, is pivotally attached to a carriage means 20 which is adapted to engage and ride upon track means 16. The carriage 20 shown in cross section in FIG. 3 comprises an upper support bracket 36 which carries a wear pad 34 engaging the upper surface of track 16. Wear pad 34 is, for example, a low friction polymer such as polytetrafluoroethylene, commonly sold under the trademark TEFLON, or equivalent polymer materials. Alternatively, a metal wear pad may be utilized. Also attached to the upper support bracket 36 is an upper guide roller 46 which is adjustably mounted in adjustment slot 48 of upper support bracket 36. Roller 46 may be adjusted to provide the proper angular orientation of the carriage 20 with respect to the track 16. Extending upwardly from the upper surface of upper support bracket 36 is saw pivot 32 which pivotally mounts saw arm 30. Web 33 extends downwardly from the upper bracket 36 and engages lower bracket 38 at fasteners 40. Fasteners 48 are readily removed to permit the entire saw support assembly to be dismounted from track 16 as shown by dotted lines in FIG. 3. The lower bracket 38 carries inner and outer guide rollers 42 and 44 respectively, which are adapted to travel along opposite sides of the lower web 16&#39; of track means 16 as shown in FIG. 3. These guide rollers, capturing the web 16&#39; of track means 16 as shown, prevent rotational movement of the carriage 20 about track means 16. 
     In FIG. 2 the saw 22 is shown carrying a depth guide 23 which may be adjusted in slot 25 to set the depth at which saw 24 may penetrate column 10. The depth gage 23 abuts a surface of column 10 and prevents further rotation radially inwardly of the saw 22. 
     In operation a column 10 to be cut is first marked for the location at which the cut is to take place to assure that it is at the proper elevation for the purpose intended. A track means 16 is then assembled adjacent the intended cut location and is positioned axially along the column 10 so that saw 24 when mounted upon the track 16 will cut a saw kerf at the intended location. The track 16 is opened about hinge point 19 and wrapped around the column 10 in the position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The fasteners 23 are then securely tightened to provide a firm engagement of the standoff bolts 18 against the outer surface of column 10. The saw carriage 20 is then assembled about track 16 as shown in FIG. 3. The angular relationship between the track 16 and arm 30 may be adjusted, if necessary, by adjusting the relative position of upper guide roller 46. When carriage 20 is securely fastened upon track 16, the saw 22 is adjusted for proper depth of cut and started by applying hydraulic pressure through lines 28. When the saw blade 24 reaches its operating rotational speed, the saw 22 is pivoted toward column 10 until blade 24 engages and begins cutting the surface thereof. Saw 22 then is rotated inwardly until the desired portion of column 10 is cut along with reinforcing bars 12 to leave the central portion 14. The saw 22 is then rotated outwardly and moved along track 16 to another location where at the saw is again rotated into column 10 causing a second cut. A saw kerf is thus formed about the periphery of the column 10 leaving the uncut center 14. A cable is then attached to portion 10&#39; of column 10 and upon application of a side-directed moment the uncut center 14 fractures and the portion 10&#39; can be removed from the upper end of column 10. Alternatively, a wedge can be driven into the saw kerf 11 to provide a sufficient force to fracture uncut center 14. Depending upon the location and nature of the fracture it may then be desirable to dress the surface, as by abrasive grinding to remove any rough surface or excess concrete left in the area of center 14 so that a smooth end surface is provided on the column. 
     While the invention has been shown and described in relation to a specific preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that various modifications within the teachings herein are included within the scope of the appended claims.