Abstract: A tool comprises two coaxial casings, a leading and a trailing ones, connected by a tubular element provided with ports for discharging a fixing material into a hole. The leading casing comprises a cylindrical portion, and frontal and rear conical tips provided with spiral tapered surfaces intended for consolidating soil. The trailing casing has a cylindrical portion of a greater diameter than that of the cylindrical portion of the leading casing. In the trailing casing there is provided an axial duct communicating with a cavity of the coupling element for supplying a fixing material. A method of forming holes having fixed walls includes formation of a pilot hole using the leading casing, and subsequent formation of a hole of a predetermined diameter using the trailing casing in the advancing sinking of a pilot hole.

Abstract: A method for uniformly improving a soft ground is proposed. It includes the steps of driving a pipe into the ground, putting sand thereinto and pulling up the pipe gradually while discharging and compacting the sand. In forming the sand piles, the diameter and/or strength of the sand piles are changed according to the soil nature of the ground to be improved to improve the ground uniformly.

Abstract: A precast concrete pile is provided which has spaced apart concavities disposed in its inner or outer peripheral wall surface. The spaced apart concavities partially extend into the wall surface and terminate with frangible end portions. These end portions break under pressure of mortar pumped into the pile body, thereby forming apertures through which the mortar flows from the pile into the ground adjacent the pile. The precast concrete pile, after being driven into the ground, has a hydraulic sealing apparatus suspended at a desired level within the pile. The hydraulic sealing apparatus is filled with oil to cause radial swelling of the rubber packing to seal off a hollow space within the pile under the packing, and mortar is pumped under pressure into the sealed space until the concavities burst open to enable internal mortar to penetrate the ground surrounding the pile.

Abstract: A hollow mandrel has a chute at one side near its top through which concrete is poured, and an open top through which re-inforcing steel is inserted. An expansible closure having an air conduit leading to its lower end is lowered into the mandrel below the chute and expanded, and air is forced into the mandrel while a lifting force is applied to it.

Abstract: A grout distribution system for grouting the interior of a piling driven through a jacket leg of a marine platform or grouting the interior of a similar cylindrical structure.

Abstract: A method for producing a continuous wall is disclosed which comprises the steps of digging at least two holes in the ground, inserting into each of the holes a supporting means, supporting a continuous wall producing apparatus by the supporting means such that the continuous wall producing apparatus can be moved up and down along the supporting means serving as a guide, supplying highly pressurized water, the supporting means and pressurized air to the continuous wall producing apparatus, lowering the continuous wall producing apparatus, while forming a pressurized air zone in the ground and jetting highly pressurized water to dig the ground in a plate like form, and elevating the continuous wall producing apparatus while pouring a grout material into the dug out space thus formed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for building below ground slurry walls utilizing a single vibratory beam for making successive overlapping insertions into and extractions out of the ground with a rearwardly projecting fin adjacent the lower end of the beam for penetrating substantially into the web of slurry material left in the ground after the previous insertion and extraction and a nozzle for injecting slurry material beneath the fin as the beam is extracted. Adjustable plumbing and stabilizing means are also provided.

Abstract: According to the invention, a casing pipe is set on the ground and filled with a fluid, whereupon electric pulses are passed through the fluid to produce a series of electric discharges. The casing pipe is driven into the ground due to the resultant electrohydraulic effect. While the casing pipe is being pulled from the ground, it is filled with concrete mix which is compacted by passing electric pulses therethrough to produce electric discharges. The installation for effecting this method comprises a pile puller, a pile driver and a concrete feeder, all connected to the casing pipe. The pile driver incorporates a fluid feed system communicating with the casing pipe, and a pulse device with electrodes installed at the lower portion of the casing pipe, which is intended to produce electric discharges in the fluid fed into the casing pipe by the fluid feed system.

Abstract: A method of filling and sealing a hole extending a great distance into the earth and containing liquid contaminants, the steps comprising forming a cement slurry, continuously pumping the cement slurry through a conduit extending to the bottom of the hole, continuously forcing the cement slurry from the open end of the conduit while the conduit is being withdrawn from the hole, continuously monitoring the level of the cement slurry within the hole, controlling the rate of withdrawal of the conduit so as to maintain the open end thereof below the level of the cement slurry being deposited within the hole, and removing the contaminants from the opening of the hole as they are displaced by the cement slurry being deposited therein. Also, apparatus suitable for conducting the above method.

Abstract: In forming foundation piers in the earth, a slurry of earth support material such as bentonite clay is mixed under high shear mixing conditions and introduced into the hole as drilling thereof progresses to provide lateral support for the side walls of the hole. Plastic concrete is then injected into the hole, displacing the slurry upwardly until the hole is filled with concrete to the desired level.The slurry may be recovered for reuse in drilling and forming another foundation pier.

Abstract: After wet-drilling a hole until a bearing strata is reached, a mandrel with a removable overboot is lowered into the hole and the overboot is seated by a few hammer blows. The mandrel is than partly filled with thick concrete from its top, the top of the mandrel sealed, air-pressurized and a mechanical lifting force is applied. The pressure of the air within the mandrel plus the weight of the concrete forces off the overboot, and also forces the thick concrete against the sides of the hole, and the concrete forms a seal between the sides of the hole and the mandrel. The air pressure also helps lift the mandrel out of the hole.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a cast-in-place support column includes a ground penetration member which forms a bore when driven to a desired depth in the ground. Apparatus is provided for introducing fill material in a liquefied state under pressure into the bore to form the support column and to extract the ground penetration member from the bore.

Abstract: An area of soil having an initial low bearing strength, such as an alluvial or sandy area, or an area formed by hydraulic fill, is compacted to provide an improved area of high bearing strength by forming a plurality of granular particulate (e.g., crushed stone, pebbles or sand) columns in pre-compacted holes in the area. The pre-compacted holes are formed by vibratorily driving a hollow probe having openable closure means set in closed position at its lower end, vertically downwardly to form each vertical hole, the soil around the probe thus being compacted. Thereafter, the probe is vibratorily extracted and granular particles are passed downwardly through the probe with the adjustable closure means open. Desirably, the granular material is compacted, i.e.