Abstract: Apparatus for shoring a building foundation including spaced pilings extending into drilled bore holes such that the lower ends of the pilings rest on and are supported by a sub-stratum believed capable of supporting a portion of the weight of the foundation. Each of a plurality of pressure actuated jacks is connectable between a support bracket and one of the spaced pilings. The jacks are used to individually load test each of the pilings by application of force exceeding the portion of the weight of the foundation which will be supported by each individual piling. Load equalizing manifolds are connected to the fluid inlets and to the fluid outlets of the jacks to distribute a portion of the weight of the foundation over the pilings.

Abstract: A method for shoring a building foundation. A hole is excavated in the proximity of the foundation for providing access to a downwardly-directed portion of the foundation. A fitting is slid over a pipe having a drill bit mounted thereon. The pipe is placed in the hole and rotated to create a bore until the bit encounters a sub-surface rock formation. The fitting is engaged against the downwardly-directed portion of the foundation and is urged upwardly relative to the pipe initially to load test each pier and subsequently until the foundation is raised to a selected level. After equalizing the force on each pier, the fitting is then welded to the pipe. The drill bit includes a substantially planar bit member having a U-shaped notch cut therein with a pipe received within the notch. Two additional bit members are mounted on the pipe with all of the bit members having lower edges which are coated with tungsten carbide.