Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080205993 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CREATING RAMMED AGGREGATE PIERS USING A HOLLOW MANDREL WITH UPWARD FLOW RESTRICTORS - A system and method for installing aggregate piers is provided. A cylindrical hollow mandrel is driven to a desired depth. Aggregate is fed through the mandrel in steps. The mandrel is raised and driven to tamp the aggregate. Physical members in a tamping head of the mandrel allow aggregate to remain in a cavity formed by the mandrel, and prevent aggregate from entering the mandrel during driving. | 08-28-2008 |
20100028087 | Shielded Tamper and Method of Use for Making Aggregate Columns - A tamper device includes a shaft for driving a tamper head. A tamper head is attached to the end of the shaft for tamping a lift of aggregate in a cavity formed in a ground surface. A shield extends upwardly a predetermined height from the tamper head an amount sufficient to prevent sidewalls of the cavity from failing and collapsing. Methods of constructing aggregate columns with thicker lifts are also disclosed. | 02-04-2010 |
20100329798 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR GROUND IMPROVEMENT - An apparatus and method for ground improvement includes a device having a plurality of tines extending downwardly from a top plate in a manner to achieve displacement of ground material downward and radially outward. The device is mechanically driven into the ground to achieve predetermined depths of penetration by the tines. The device is retracted and driven repeatedly to achieve densification. Optionally, voids made by the device can be filled with a flowable media. | 12-30-2010 |
20110052330 | Method and Apparatus for Making an Expanded Base Pier - A system for constructing a support column includes a mandrel with an upper portion and a tamper head. A feed tube extends through the mandrel for feeding flowable material to the head. The tamper head includes a lower enlarged chamber with a reducing surface at an upper portion for compacting material and restricting upward flow of aggregate. The tamper head is of a size providing an enclosed region for allowing cementitious materials to be placed therein. The system allows a support column including a cementitious inclusion on top of an expanded base to be built. | 03-03-2011 |
20110091291 | Method for Ground Improvement With Hardened Inclusions - A method for ground improvement with hardened inclusions includes providing a device having a plurality of tines extending downwardly from a top plate in a manner to achieve displacement of ground material downward and radially outward. The device is mechanically driven into the ground to achieve predetermined depths of penetration by the tines and to create cavities at the location the tines are advanced. The device is at least partially retracted and hardening cementitious material backfill is added into the cavities for forming a plurality of hardened inclusions within the cavities. | 04-21-2011 |
20110305525 | Method of Providing a Support Column - A primary earth penetrating mandrel formed of a hollow shell steel plate octagonal in cross-section has an upper end and a blunt lower end joined by an upwardly and outwardly tapered wall. The mandrel is driven downwardly in the earth to simultaneously form a vertical tapered cavity while compacting the sidewall of the cavity to provide structural integrity. The mandrel is then moved upwardly from the bottom of the cavity and aggregate is deposited in the bottom of the cavity following which the mandrel is lowered so that its blunt lower end engages the deposited aggregate and densifies the aggregate by vertical vibratory action and static force with these steps being repeated until the pier top is near the surface of the earth at which time the upper aggregate portions are densified by either the primary mandrel or a secondary mandrel having a substantially larger lower end surface than the lower end surface of the primary mandrel. A second embodiment includes a conduit in the primary mandrel for injecting concrete or grout into aggregate previously deposited in the cavity. | 12-15-2011 |
20110313718 | Construction Modulus Testing Apparatus and Method - A system and method of determining lift deflection during construction of aggregate columns allows for real time monitoring of construction to ensure meeting defined parameters. The amount of deflection of a tamper head during tamping is determined multiple times for each lift. When the amount of deflection matches a predetermined value, tamping is stopped. | 12-22-2011 |
20120093590 | Methods of Providing a Support Column - A primary earth penetrating mandrel formed of a hollow shell steel plate octagonal in cross-section has an upper end and a blunt lower end joined by an upwardly and outwardly tapered wall. The mandrel is driven down in the earth to simultaneously form a vertical tapered cavity while compacting the sidewall of the cavity to provide structural integrity. The mandrel is then moved upwardly from the bottom of the cavity and aggregate is deposited in the bottom of the cavity then the mandrel is lowered so that its blunt lower end densifies the aggregate by vertical vibratory action and static force and repeating these until the pier top is near the surface of the earth at which time the upper aggregate portions are densified by the primary mandrel or a secondary mandrel having a substantially larger lower end surface than the lower end surface of the primary mandrel. | 04-19-2012 |
20120163922 | SHIELDED TAMPER AND METHOD OF USE FOR MAKING AGGREGATE COLUMNS - A tamper device including a shaft for driving a tamper head, and a shield. A tamper head is attached to the end of the shaft for tamping a lift of aggregate in a cavity formed in a ground surface. A shield attached to the tamper device and spaced a predetermined distance above a top surface of the tamper head, the shield having a predetermined length extending upwardly above the tamper head sufficient to prevent sidewalls of a cavity in soft soil in which the tamper device is used from failing and collapsing into the cavity. Methods of constructing aggregate columns with thicker lifts are also disclosed. | 06-28-2012 |
20120183361 | Apparatus and Method for Ground Improvement - An apparatus and method for ground improvement includes a device having a plurality of tines extending downwardly from a top plate in a manner to achieve displacement of ground material downward and radially outward. The device is mechanically driven into the ground to achieve predetermined depths of penetration by the tines. The device is retracted and driven repeatedly to achieve densification. Optionally, voids made by the device can be filled with a flowable media. | 07-19-2012 |
20120195692 | Construction Modulus Testing Apparatus and Method - A system and method of determining lift deflection during construction of aggregate columns allows for real time monitoring of construction to ensure meeting defined parameters. The amount of deflection of a tamper head during tamping is determined multiple times for each lift. When the amount of deflection matches a predetermined value, tamping is stopped. | 08-02-2012 |
20140056651 | METHOD OF PROVIDING A SUPPORT COLUMN - A primary earth penetrating mandrel formed of a hollow shell steel plate has an upper end and an open lower end joined by an upwardly and outwardly tapered wall. The mandrel is driven downwardly in the earth to simultaneously form a vertical cavity while compacting the sidewall of the cavity to provide structural integrity. The mandrel is then moved upwardly from the bottom of the cavity and aggregate is deposited in the bottom of the cavity following which the mandrel is lowered so that its lower end engages the deposited aggregate and densifies the aggregate by vertical vibratory action and static force with these steps being repeated until the pier top is near the surface of the earth. A second embodiment includes a conduit in the primary mandrel for injecting concrete or grout into aggregate previously deposited in the cavity. | 02-27-2014 |
20140126960 | SOIL DENSIFICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A soil densification system and method is disclosed. The presently disclosed soil densification system includes an air delivery probe or pipe that can be driven or otherwise installed into a soil mass. An inlet of the air delivery probe is supplied by an air compressor and an air storage tank, which are used for the rapid delivery of air impulses or bursts into the air delivery probe, whereas the air impulses or bursts are expelled out of an outlet of the air delivery probe and into the soil mass. The method of using the presently disclosed soil densification system includes the steps of inserting the end of the air delivery probe into the soil mass to any desired depth and then releasing an impulse or burst of air into the soil mass, thereby forming a densified region in the soil mass via the forces of the air impulse. | 05-08-2014 |
20140270985 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR GROUND IMPROVEMENT - An apparatus and method for ground improvement includes a device having a plurality of tines extending downwardly from a top plate in a manner to achieve displacement of ground material downward and radially outward. The tines may include ridges spaced vertically along an outer surface of the tines. The tines may also be in the form of opposing plates. The device is mechanically driven into the ground to achieve predetermined depths of penetration by the tines/plates. The device is retracted and driven repeatedly to achieve densification. Optionally, voids made by the device can be filled with a flowable media. | 09-18-2014 |