Abstract: A method for installing a utility pole and arch-type underbracing has developed by using an extendable excavating unit mounted on an auger crane. The method comprises two steps of excavation that: the primary hole is excavated about 75 cm in depth by extending an arm about 80 cm diameter of the extendable excavation unit. The secondary hole is excavated to have a standard depth for erecting the utility pole. Then, orientation of the arch-type underbracing is determined for setting on the primary hole. An underbracing hook is installed to the arch-type underbracing for lifting and attaching a U-bolt temporarily to the arch-type underbracing by surround the utility pole. A lead wire of the arch-type underbracing is connected to an earth wire of the utility pole. The arch-type underbracing is tightened with the U-bolt surrounded the utility pole. The excavated soil is filling back into the gaps around the utility pole and the holes by tempering.

Abstract: A vibration generator has at least two groups of shafts, on which at least two groups of imbalances are disposed, and which are connected with at least one drive that rotates the shafts relative to one another, at different speeds of rotation, thereby achieving a directed advance. The operating direction of the vibration generator can be adjusted.

Abstract: A piling device including a support frame and a footing for mounting the frame. A mechanism for gripping a pile and a mechanism for driving the pile into the ground is provided. Each of the mechanisms can be connected to and supported by the frame, and a pivotal connection can be made. The frame can include an opening for removing the device from around pile while the footing can enable movement of the device.

Abstract: A lifting device such as a mobile crane having a main body and a boom, such as a lattice boom, for supporting a pile lead for, e.g., pile driving or continuous flight auger drilling, and a method of using same. A hydraulically operated mechanical spotter arm may be attached between the device body and the pile lead. Electronic position sensors on the spotter arm may be used to measure angular relationships between the pile lead and the spotter arm. Position sensors on a boom box on the boom may also be used. When the pile lead is swung, information from the sensors may be used by an electronic control system to automatically maintain the pile lead in a desirable position, limiting torque induced in the boom. The boom box position sensors may be used to counter-steer the spotter arm to further limit torque. The boom box may also be fitted with rubber springs to permit controlled pile lead deflection while limiting load transmitted to the boom.

Abstract: Method of installing a bucket foundation structure comprising one, two, three or more skirts, into soils in a controlled manner. The method comprises two stages: a first stage being a design phase and the second stage being an installation phase. In the first stage, design parameters are determined relating to the loads on the finished foundation structure; soil profile on the location of installation; allowable installation tolerances, which parameters are used to estimate the minimum diameter and length of the skirts of the bucket. The bucket size is used to simulate load situations and penetration into foundation soil, in order to predict necessary penetration force, required suction inside the bucket and critical suction pressures, which penetration force, required suction, and critical suction pressures are used as input for a control system in the second stage, in which second stage the pa-rameters determined in the first stage are used in order to control the installation of the bucket.

Abstract: The invention relates to a construction machine, in particular a drilling and/or pile driving device, for foundation construction comprising a chassis and a leader arranged on the chassis for the longitudinally displaceable guidance of a drive head. Provision is made for the leader to be pivotable on the chassis by means of a pivot drive about a pivot axis that extends at least approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the leader. In accordance with the invention at least one locking element is provided which can be displaced between a first position, in which it fixes the leader around the pivot axis in a rotationally fixed manner on the chassis, and a second position, in which the leader is released. In addition, according to the invention a setting device is provided for the remote-controlled displacement of the locking element.

Abstract: A method of constructing a pile foundation, wherein a foundation structure is built on the ground, and has at least one through hole, and a connecting member fixed to the foundation structure, adjacent to the hole, and having at least one portion projecting upwards; a pile is inserted through the hole; and a number of thrusts are applied statically on the pile, to drive the pile into the ground, by means of a thrust device, which is located over the pile, cooperates with a top end of the pile, and is connected to the projecting portion of the connecting member which, when driving the pile, acts as a reaction member for the thrust device.

Abstract: A method of replacing a concrete utility pole for the overhead distribution line without interrupting service is developed by adopting a pole clamp and pole crusher, whereby work stability is excellent and utility pole replacement work can be carried out quickly and effectively. The method is comprised of a process for connecting a pole clamp to the end portion of the boom of an auger crane, mounting the pole clamp onto the outer circumference of the old concrete utility pole to be replaced; mounting a pole crusher to the old utility pole below the pole clamp using a hot-line bucket truck, crushing the concrete of the old utility pole, cutting the reinforcing bars of the old utility pole, removing the lower portion of the old utility pole, erecting and installing a new utility pole, and relocating the arms and wires to the new utility pole.

Abstract: A grout and lifting tube for casting within a concrete segment. The tube provides enhanced sealing between the tube and the concrete to prevent moisture leakage into a structure formed by a plurality of the concrete segments. The tube includes a generally cylindrical body having an exterior with an anchoring rib structure, a threaded interior, a proximal end, a distal end. An annular gasket is disposed at the proximal end of the tube body, and may be secured to the proximal end of the tube body by a mechanical interlock and/or by unitary co-molding. After the concrete section is placed and grout is pumped through the tube, a plug is threadable into the proximal end of the tube to both compress the gasket between the plug and the tube at a first seal, and to compress the gasket between the plug and the concrete surrounding the proximal end of the tube at a second seal to provide robust, watertight sealing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for environmentally friendly ramming under water. To reduce the noise input under water, the machine and the material that is to be rammed are surrounded by a fixed flooded sleeve. The sleeve advantageously has a sandwich-like structure.

Abstract: A circular concrete cap foundation poured in-situ within a perimeter forming corrugated metal pipe set atop or within an excavated pit and enclosing a series of circumferentially spaced pile anchors. The circular concrete cap foundation supports sets of inner and outer circumferentially spaced tower anchor bolts having their lower ends anchored to an embedded anchor ring and their upper ends projecting vertically and upwardly out the top of the circular foundation to engage the base flange of a supported tower. The pile anchors are formed with perimeter corrugated metal pipes set deep in subsurface soils with cementitious material surrounding and partially bonding to a centralized steel bolt or tendon which extends through the cap foundation. The tower anchor bolts and the pile anchor bolts are both partially encased in a PVC sleeve so that the bolts can be post-tensioned. The pile anchors are in tension only and serve to pull the cap foundation down to compress the underlying ground soils.

Abstract: An in-situ pile apparatus 10 includes a helical anchor to which a plurality of elongated generally cylindrically shaped sections can be added. Each of the sections has a specially shaped end portion for connecting to another section. An internal drive is positioned in sections inside the bore of each of the connectable pile sections. The internal drive includes enlarged sections that fit at the joint between pile sections. In one embodiment, the internal drive can be removed to leave a rod behind that defines reinforcement for a tension rod connection from the anchor tip to an upper portion attachment point.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a molded pile (e.g., 17) that includes a unitary elongated body (52) and an elongated tube (142) residing longitudinally within the elongated body (52). The elongated body (52) includes first (151) and second (154) exterior elongated plates that are spaced apart and opposed to each other. The elongated body (52) also includes a plurality of internal ribs (157) interposed between and being continuous with the first (151) and second (154) exterior elongated plates. The internal ribs (157) together define a plurality of apertures (67) and an elongated passage (160) that extends the length of the elongated body (52). The elongated tube (142) resides within the elongated passage (160), and provides fluid communication between upper (145) and lower (148) ends of the elongated body. Passage of a high pressure fluid (e.g., water and/or air) through elongated tube 142 results in fluidization of a penetrable material (e.g.

Abstract: A pair of removable driving tabs are provided for a base plate that has at least two opposing apertures disposed therein. Each of the removable driving tabs are gripped by a machine for vibrating each of the pair of removable driving tabs. The driving tabs are releasably secured to a base plate that is mounted on a caisson. When the driving tabs are vibrated by the machine, the vibration is transferred through the base plate and into the caisson, which is vibrated into the ground for installation.

Abstract: The present invention, consisting in a new modular system for the construction of overhead wire support and/or supporting pile foundations, aims at making the foundation building process less subject to uncontrolled variations in the construction stages and at improving technical and qualitative features of this kind of foundation in comparison to traditional on site foundations. The invention consists of prefabricated modules (type A, B and C): they have different geometric features and can be composed following different patterns so to meet all the foundation construction requirements according to the kind of pile needed and to the steel bars used to lock the finished block layers, restoring the monolithicity of the block.

Abstract: A subsea suction pile crane system comprises a suction pile and a crane mounted on the suction pile. The crane comprises a rotatable mounting surface, a winch, and a boom having a proximal section attached to the rotatable mounting surface such that the boom can pivot with respect to the mounting surface, and a distal section opposite the proximal section. In embodiments, a plurality of suction piles may be used. The crane system is typically hydraulically operated. A preferred embodiment of the invention may further comprise a remotely operated vehicle comprising a hydraulic power supply operatively coupled to the crane, and a manipulator arm mounted on the distal section of the boom and operatively coupled to the hydraulic power supply.

Abstract: The present application relates to an apparatus and method for placing an element (14), such as a steel column or concrete section, into a pile shaft (1) during top-down construction techniques. The apparatus is provided with an upper and lower positioning means (2, 3) which allow the plan position of the element at upper and lower levels respectively to be adjusted.

Abstract: A method for pre-configuring a foundation of a new structure, includes providing an apparatus that has a base end and an opposing end, the apparatus arranged such that the perimeter of the base end is longer than the perimeter of the opposing end, placing the apparatus on the base end at a desired location within the perimeter of a frame arranged to confine pre-cured concrete and applying pre-cured concrete within the frame. A system for preventing the migration of soil gas into a structure includes a soil gas barrier, a layer of permeable material and an apparatus. The apparatus is in contact with the soil gas barrier and has a base end with a first port forming a first area and an opposing end with an output port having a second area that is smaller than the first area.

Abstract: A simplified foundation is made up of metal. The simplified foundation includes a first drive pile to be driven into the soil in an angularly inclined manner, and a support for attaching a target construction product on its upper portion. The support is hollow, and bowl-shaped from a part on which to attach the target construction product downwardly toward any portion in which to insert the drive pile. Furthermore, the support includes a guide member for guiding the first drive pile.

Abstract: A modular side grip vibratory pile driver system having a housing, a vibratory gear case and a pair of jaws adapted to grip a variety of pile profiles. The housing is rotatably connected to a construction machine such that the jaws can be moved from a position wherein the jaws are oriented vertically and spaced apart horizontally to a position wherein the jaws are oriented horizontally and spaced apart vertically. A plurality of sets of gripping assemblies having different gripping profiles are interchangeably connected to the jaws.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously preloading during installation and removal of steel sheet piles, steel pilings, and casing piles, comprising a telescoping, articulated boom having a free end for creating the downward driving force, a weighted base to provide support and stability for the boom, a connector at the free end of said boom to engage the piling, a modified resonance-free vibratory hammer, and a means for simultaneously vibrating the piling while applying to the piling the continuous downward or upward force.

Abstract: There is provided a strong, secure, inexpensive see-through security barrier. The security barrier includes a foundation, wherein at least a portion of the foundation is underground. The security barrier also includes a plurality of pipes. Each pipe is integrally formed with the foundation and extends generally upwardly from the foundation. Each pipe includes a cylindrical wall having a generally smooth exterior surface and a rigid lock seam extending about and along the length of the wall.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a molded pile (e.g., 17) that includes a unitary elongated body (52) and an elongated tube (142) residing longitudinally within the elongated body (52). The elongated body (52) includes first (151) and second (154) exterior elongated plates that are spaced apart and opposed to each other. The elongated body (52) also includes a plurality of internal ribs (157) interposed between and being continuous with the first (151) and second (154) exterior elongated plates. The internal ribs (157) together define a plurality of apertures (67) and an elongated passage (160) that extends the length of the elongated body (52). The elongated tube (142) resides within the elongated passage (160), and provides fluid communication between upper (145) and lower (148) ends of the elongated body. Passage of a high pressure fluid (e.g., water and/or air) through elongated tube 142 results in fluidization of a penetrable material (e.g.

Abstract: An article (10) is used in forming a pile. The article (10) has at least one helical flight (12) and a core (14). The helical pitch p is no less than four times the diameter D of the flight. The driving force on the article (10) to drive the article (10) into the ground (34) can be substantially vertical while the article (10) is free to rotate. Settable material (40) can be introduced through the core (14) of the article (10) as it is removed to form a pile. The article (10) can be used as a pre-formed pile and be left in the ground. Torque can be applied to the article (10) to form an augered region (46) at the surface of the ground (34) as protection against heave.

Abstract: A striker head (16) has a tool joint (14) at one end for connecting it to a box joint portion (12) of a vibratory hydraulic hammer (10). The second end of the striker head (16) is adapted to engage an end of a H-beam pile (20) which is composed of spaced apart, substantially parallel flanges (22, 24) and an interconnecting web (26) that extends perpendicular to the flanges (22, 24). The striker section (30) of the striker head (16) includes a slot (38) in which a portion of the web (26) is received and recesses (40, 42) at the opposite ends of the slot (38) in which the flanges (22, 24) are received.

Abstract: A circular concrete cap foundation poured in-situ within a perimeter forming corrugated metal pipe set atop or within an excavated pit and enclosing a series of circumferentially spaced pile anchors. The circular concrete cap foundation supports sets of inner and outer circumferentially spaced tower anchor bolts having their lower ends anchored to an embedded anchor ring and their upper ends projecting vertically and upwardly out the top of the circular foundation to engage the base flange of a supported tower. The pile anchors are formed with perimeter corrugated metal pipes set deep in subsurface soils with cementitious material surrounding and partially bonding to a centralized steel bolt or tendon which extends through the cap foundation. The tower anchor bolts and the pile anchor bolts are both partially encased in a PVC sleeve so that the bolts can be post-tensioned. The pile anchors are in tension only and serve to pull the cap foundation down to compress the underlying ground soils.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A marine pile driving and boring apparatus is disclosed. An illustrative embodiment of the apparatus includes a barge having an elongated hammer slot, a boom track carried by the barge generally adjacent to said hammer slot, a boom platform carried by the boom track, a boom tower carried by the boom platform and a hammer assembly having a hammer carried by the boom tower.

Abstract: In this invention, after a hole has been drilled or excavated, injection probe(s) are placed at appropriate depth(s), the excavated native materials are replaced with appropriately sized crushed rock or other natural or synthetic materials, and then a polymeric resin is injected through the probe(s) to encapsulate and bind the fill material, whereby upon curing the polymeric resin and fill material forms a foam friction pile. Such friction piles drilled or excavated adjacent to each other will form a foam sheet piling system. The foam piles can also be re-enforced using nylon, polypropylene, fiberglass, other synthetic or non-synthetic materials or combinations of these materials. The polymeric resin typically would comprise a high density closed cell, water resistant expanding two component polyurethane foam system.

Abstract: A slotted mandrel is used in displacement pier construction. Longitudinal slots are formed in the sides of the hollow mandrel which allow for the introduction of aggregate efficiently into the mandrel from a hopper through which the mandrel passes while being driven into the ground. Water may also be employed with the aggregate. Once in the ground the mandrel is raised to release the aggregate (and water if present) into the formed hole in lifts and a mandrel head then compacts the aggregate in the hole. This apparatus and method obviates the need for complicated and expensive hoppers that are raised with the mandrel or the use of expensive aggregate delivery systems.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously preloading during installation and removal of steel sheet piles, steel pilings, and casing piles, with a telescoping, articulated boom having a free end for creating the downward driving force, a weighted base to provide support and stability for the boom, a connector at the free end of said boom to engage the piling, a modified resonance-free vibratory hammer, to allow for simultaneously vibrating the piling while applying to the piling the continuous downward or upward force.

Abstract: A bracket for a deep foundation construction system includes a rail and channel structure including an integrated top plate having a substantially flat surface for mounting to a first beam. A post having a first end is mounted to a channel portion of the rail and channel structure. The post opposes the substantially flat surface of the top plate. The post is oriented substantially perpendicular to the top plate. The post incorporates a second end adapted to couple to a screw or push pile apparatus.

Abstract: A pile driving control apparatus for a pile driving system includes a hydraulic control system that controls a throttle of a pile driving hammer, and thereby controls an impact velocity of the hammer with a pile. A controller provides a control signal to the hydraulic control system. Based on the control signal, the hydraulic control system controls an impact velocity of the hammer during a subsequent hammer stroke. The controller may determine one or more control parameters such as sound pressure at a sound control location during a hammer stroke, vibration at a vibration control location during a hammer stroke, an impact force imparted to the pile during a hammer stroke, and/or actual pile capacity of the pile, and provide to the hydraulic control system a control signal based on the determined control parameter(s).

Abstract: A lift bracket system for lifting a building structure such as a foundation and the like comprising a lift plate having a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface for insertion under the building structure; a generally cylindrical housing affixed to the lift plate and extending perpendicularly from the top surface and the bottom surface of the lift plate, the housing defining a generally circular opening through the lift plate, the opening being disposed away from the center of the lift plate; and at least one gusset for supporting the lift plate, the gusset having a first end and a second end, the gusset disposed beneath the lift plate, wherein the first end of the gusset is attached to the bottom surface of the lift plate and the second end of the gusset is attached to the housing.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A drive system for driving and/or extracting an elongate member. The drive system comprises a piston drive assembly, a hydraulic system, and a vibration drive assembly. The piston drive assembly comprises a piston member, and the piston member engages the elongate member. The hydraulic system is operatively connected to the piston drive assembly to apply a drive force to the piston member. The vibration drive assembly generates a vibratory force. The vibration drive assembly is operatively connected to the piston drive assembly. The drive system operates in a first mode in which the drive force and the vibratory force are applied to the piston member along a drive axis.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for removal of buried objects. According to one embodiment of the invention, a crane with a vibrator casing driver is used to lift and suspend a large diameter steel casing over the buried object. Then the casing is driven into the ground by the vibratory driver until the casing surrounds the buried object. Then the open bottom of the casing is sealed shut by injecting grout into the ground within the casing near its bottom. When the seal has cured and hardened, the top of the casing is lifted to retrieve the casing, with the buried object inside, from the ground.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for removal of buried objects. According to one embodiment of the invention, a crane with a vibrator casing driver is used to lift and suspend a large diameter steel casing over the buried object. Then the casing is driven into the ground by the vibratory driver until the casing surrounds the buried object. Then the open bottom of the casing is sealed shut by injecting grout into the ground within the casing near its bottom. When the seal has cured and hardened, the top of the casing is lifted to retrieve the casing, with the buried object inside, from the ground.

Abstract: Described herein is a bit (9) for excavation and compaction equipment (1) for erecting piles, the bit (9) being provided with a central body (21), an excavation screw (24) fixed to the central body (21), and a dislocating element (40) for compaction of the walls of the excavation, a retention device (25) that can be selectively re-closed being associated to the central body (21) for preventing fall of debris beyond a leading edge (27) of the screw (24) during extraction of the bit (9), and the dislocating element (40) being mounted on a fixed portion (28) of the retention device (25), and presenting a radial development, which decreases with respect to a rotation of excavation of the excavation screw (24) for compaction of the walls (3a) of the excavation (3) during extraction of the bit (9).

Abstract: A rotational drive apparatus for screw pilings is described. The apparatus comprises a housing having a cylindrical pipe coupling adapted to receive a shaft of a screw piling therethrough. A detachable connecting element secures the coupling to the shaft at different positions along the shaft. A rotational drive is provided within the housing for imparting rotation to the coupling. An elongated rod is secured to the housing and is held by a user person whereby to immobilize the housing wherein to permit the rotational drive to transmit a drive force to the coupling to rotate the shaft of a screw piling.

Abstract: A pile jacking sleeve includes a structural sleeve having a bottom section, an intermediate section and a top section. A stationary plate partitions the bottom section from the top section. A floating plate separates the intermediate section from the top section. A hinged door at the top section allows lateral entry of a piling into the top section when the door is open. An aperture allows insertion and removal of at least one jack into the intermediate section. Actuation of the jack urges the floating plate away from the stationary plate, controllably imparting a load to installed piling. A plurality of bolt holes are also provided in the sleeve to secure piling thereto. The sleeve may be jacketed for additional protection. A plurality of grout windows are also provided in the sleeve to enable filling the structure with a solidifying filler.

Abstract: A lifting device such as a mobile crane having a main body and a boom, such as a lattice boom, for supporting a pile lead for, e.g., pile driving or continuous flight auger drilling, and a method of using same. A hydraulically operated mechanical spotter arm may be attached between the device body and the pile lead. Electronic position sensors on the spotter arm may be used to measure angular relationships between the pile lead and the spotter arm. Position sensors on a boom box on the boom may also be used. When the pile lead is swung, information from the sensors may be used by an electronic control system to automatically maintain the pile lead in a desirable position, limiting torque induced in the boom. The boom box position sensors may be used to counter-steer the spotter arm to further limit torque. The boom box may also be fitted with rubber springs to permit controlled pile lead deflection while limiting load transmitted to the boom.

Abstract: A connector for a steel fence or the like is provided. The connector is formed from a single, cast metallic piece yet can mount one or multiple adjacent rail sections on a post using only a single mount or piece of hardware attaching the connector to the post. It has a vertical throughbore for receiving the post and a horizontal throughbore that intersects with the vertical throughbore at approximately its mid-point. Each end of the horizontal throughbore forms a receptacle for receiving an end of an associated rail section. A grommet is mounted in each receptacle for centering the associated rail section end in the receptacle, locking the rail section from rotation. The grommet also accommodates limited pivoting of the rail section relative to the connector in both the horizontal and vertical planes, hence, accommodating both inclination and directional changes in the fence.

Abstract: A void form for use in constructing pile foundations is placed between the pile and the pile cap before the pile is post-tensioned. Once the pile has been tested and tensioned to design load, the void form is filled with a hardenable material to provide continuous vertical support to the foundation.

Abstract: A pair of removable driving tabs are provided for a base plate that has at least two opposing apertures disposed therein. Each of the removable driving tabs are gripped by a machine for vibrating each of the pair of removable driving tabs. The driving tabs are releasably secured to a base plate that is mounted on a caisson. When the driving tabs are vibrated by the machine, the vibration is transferred through the base plate and into the caisson, which is vibrated into the ground for installation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of constructing an underground pile having an expanded bulb on a lower end or an intermediate portion thereof. In the method of the present invention, liquefied grout is charged into a hole bored in the ground, and a rapidly expanding metal compound of metal powder and a metal salt is inserted into the grout. Thereafter, the rapidly expanding metal compound is exploded in the grout before the grout is cured, so that a portion of the hole is widened and the grout is charged into the widened portion. According to the present invention, the expanded bulb which protrudes outwards can be easily formed at a predetermined position of the underground pile and, simultaneously, the soil around the pile can be hardened. Furthermore, the construction period and construction cost of the pile having the expanded bulbs are markedly reduced.

Abstract: A grounding rod driving system for facilitating installation and extraction of a grounding rod includes a sleeve slidably receiving a grounding rod. The sleeve slides along the grounding rod when the grounding rod is being driven into a support surface. A driver is coupled to a top end of the sleeve. The driver impacts the grounding rod to drive the grounding rod into the support surface when the sleeve is slid downwardly onto the grounding rod.

Abstract: A post driver unit includes a frame having a quick connect attachment to a front end loader vehicle in place of a bucket or for connecting the unit to a tractor using a three point hitch. The frame supports a vertical mast for rotation on a vertical axis by fluid actuated cylinder, and the mast supports an elongated boom for pivotal movement on a horizontal axis. A fluid actuated impact driver depends directly from an outer end portion of the boom by a universally supported connector member to provide the impact driver with a vertical axis, and the boom is pivoted by a fluid actuated cylinder system which provides for rapidly raising the boom and the impact driver and lowering the boom and impact driver at a controlled slower rate. The connector member may have different lengths according to the length of the post to be driven.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for removing an obsolete drill platform that includes a body having a plurality of caissons embedded in a ground of an ocean or inland sea. The method includes the steps of vibrating at least one of the caissons, and lifting the at least one caisson from the ground while it is still being vibrated. The present invention is further directed to a method for installing a caisson on a floor of an ocean or inland. The method includes the steps of placing an end of the caisson on the floor, vibrating the caisson and forcing a portion of the caisson into the floor.

Abstract: A tool system is provided for aligning and plumbing a poured concrete form (e.g., a lower vertical form portion) for forming a structural column assembly of the type used for erecting building structures and the like, such as a concrete column or footing formed in situ in an earthen hole. The system includes a center line running vertical to the length of the tool and a two-way level system incorporated therein. The tool can be used to line up the lower vertical form portion with a layout string and plumb the lower vertical form portion square. A metering pole that can be locked in place is used to lower and raise the tool into and out of the lower vertical form portion, wherein the tool is completely rotatable about the metering pole. Once the lower vertical form portion is aligned with the tool, the earthen hole is back filled, thus holding the lower vertical form portion in place in the correct position.