Abstract: An automated control system for a screw anchor driving and truss assembly machine. A positioning subsystem determines an orientation of a machine mast's driving axis relative to an intended drive axis and controls the mast to align with the intended drive axis. After a pair of adjacent screw anchors are drive, the controller orients the mast so that an alignment jig for supporting truss apex hardware is held relative to a predetermined point in space.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to inventions which may improve the construction of structures of various sizes, including houses, porches, patios, and the like. The disclosed embodiments provide advantages over concrete foundations. For example, disclosed embodiments may provide a base and a beam which can replace a concrete foundation, thereby facilitating easier construction while maintaining required structural integrity. The base and beam may be formed of metal and coated in corrosion resistant plastic. Moreover, a cap may be attached to the beam, where the cap provides an interface for attaching a structural support beam.

Abstract: An improved drill tip 110 for a foundation pile includes a soil penetrating body 112 depending from a pile attachment structure 114, the soil penetrating body having a plurality of circular stepped flights 116 formed in the shape of a descending continuous conic spiral and having a continuous spiral-shaped lower face 120 and a spiraling outer face 122, a spiral flight 124 extending radially from the lower end 126 of the outer face 122 in linear alignment with the lower face 120, and an upper flight 128 extending radially from the pile attachment structure.

Abstract: A helical screw pile includes a longitudinal shaft having a top end and a bottom end with a plurality of helical plates arranged on the shaft in increasing diameter from the top to the bottom. The largest diameter helical plate is located toward the bottom of the shaft. A second helical plate having a diameter smaller than that of the first plate is located above the first helical plate. A smaller third helical plate is located above the second helical plate so that the smallest is located toward the top of the shaft. The helical plates can be spaced apart along the shaft or coupled together in an end-to-end manner to form a continuous helix.

Abstract: The EarthLoc Steel Foundation Modular System is comprised of one module (“ESFM”) or a grid of interlocked ESFMs that comprise an EarthLoc Steel Foundation Grid (“ESFG”) design-engineered to support structures that will be subjected to forces from compression, overturning, torsion, sheer, and uplifting. The ESFM is comprised of a Loc-Cylinder, Torsion-Plates, LogLugs and a top-plate, designed to be interlocked with self-aligning LocPlates and/or InterLoc-Pates that conjoin multiple ESFMs to form a grid or array that creates a foundation that will support massive loads in virtually any location or soil composition. ESFMs are installed with a vibratory device with virtually no disturbance to the environment. The components of the ESFM System are removeable and reusable. Cost and installation time is far less than a traditional concrete foundation, is not affected by weather, is environment friendly, and provides a cost effective, practical, and logistically attractive alterative to concrete.

Abstract: A foundation structure of an offshore plant, such as a wind turbine, comprising at least one foundation element that can be anchored to the seabed without a gravity foundation and without a floating foundation and a support structure fastened thereto for fixing the offshore plant. The foundation element is a pile that can be inserted into the seabed by means of drilling and/or by means of vibratory driving, can be fixed in the seabed by means of an organic and/or inorganic material, and is oriented at an angle from a vertical on the seabed. A method of installing the foundation structure on a seabed includes first anchoring the coupling element by means of piles inserted into the seabed and then connecting the support structure to the coupling element.

Abstract: A cutting device for use with installation of helical ground anchors designed to cut through rock. The invention has carbide steel cutting tips attached to the distal end of a shaft extending below the end in order to make a first cut through rock along the axis of rotation of the shaft. Helically shaped plates are attached to the shaft at a distance above the shaft set of cutting tips. Attached along the outer edge of the helix are additional carbide steel cutting tips that extend below the bottom surface of the helix and cut along the axis of rotation of the shaft. The present invention allows for the installation of helical ground anchor supports at proper depths without deviation, in situations where the path is obstructed by rock or other hard materials.

Abstract: A steel pipe pile having pile bearing capacity without disturbing the surrounding ground during installation. The steel pipe pile including a first steel pipe pile that has a hollow steel pipe and a first helical fin on the outer periphery thereof from one end toward the other end at a constantly equal pitch; and a second steel pipe pile that has a hollow steel pipe and a helical fin on the outer periphery thereof from one end toward the other end at a constantly equal pitch and that is joined at an end to the other end of the first steel pipe pile, the pitch of the first helical fin and the pitch of the second helical fin being equal, and the first helical fin and second helical fin being continuous along an imaginary helix at the joint between the first steel pipe pile and the second steel pipe pile.

Abstract: An improved drill tip 10 for a foundation pile 28 includes a pile attachment structure 12 and a soil penetrating body 14 depending from the attachment structure, the soil penetrating body having a plurality of circular stepped flights 38 forming the shape of a descending continuous conic spiral and having a continuous spiral-shaped lower face 44 and an undercut outer face 46, the soil penetrating body including a lower end 48 having an inverted generally conical center structure 51 surrounded by a plurality of symmetrically distributed downwardly extending soil disturbing blades 52.

Abstract: A helical pier having a rock tip for rotational insertion into soil/rock and anchoring a structure thereto has an elongated shaft with a longitudinal axis, a penetrating end, a trailing end, and a peripheral surface between the penetrating end towards the trailing end. The penetrating end defines a penetrating edge of the shaft. A recess formed in the shaft extends from the first end surface toward the trailing end of the shaft, forms a recess wall and terminates in a second end surface that is obliquely inclined relative to the first end surface and the longitudinal axis. The recess wall defines a lateral cutting edge oriented transversely to the penetrating edge. In use, the recess receives soil/rock loosened by the penetrating edge and the cutting edge, and the second end surface directs loosened soil/rock out of the recess when the helical pier is rotated into the soil/rock.

Abstract: A pile (300) with a effective low Poisson's ratio is disclosed, which greatly reduces the sound coupling to the water and sediment or other ground when driving piles. The pile includes a plurality of geometric features that reduce the radial amplitude of the compression wave generated by hammering the pile by providing a space for circumferential expansion along the length of the pile. In various embodiments, the geometric features comprise slots (303) and/or grooves (313, 323). In an embodiment, a driving shoe (316, 316) has a perimeter that extends beyond the pile tube such that the sediment produces less of a binding force on the pile. The pile may be formed as a double-shelled pile (310) with either or both shells having effective low Poisson's ratio properties. A bubble generating plenum (328) may be attached to the shoe to further reduce friction during installation.

Abstract: A piling structure is provided. The piling structure includes a first piling section and a second piling section. At least one of the first and second piling sections has a tapered portion. An end of one of the first and second piling structures fits inside an end of the other of the first and second piling sections to form an overlap region where the first and second piling sections are coupled. In operation, the first piling section may be driven partially into strata. The second piling section may be coupled to the first piling section, and the combined piling structure may be driven further into the strata. The piling structure may be used to support a raised foundation structure.

Abstract: A device (1) for drilling and tamping grounds is constituted by a tamping tip (1A) rigidly connected to a shaft (3) which constitutes the connection to the end part of a battery of rods moved by a drilling machine, which gives it movement in a vertical direction and a rotation around its longitudinal axis. The battery of rods is inserted into a covering tube (14). Between the tamping tip (1A) and the tube (14) a substantially cylindrical tamping element (9, 9a) is interposed, adapted to define a tamping diameter of the ground which forms the walls of the hole obtained by the device (1) at least equal to the diameter of the tube (14).

Abstract: A helical screw pile includes a longitudinal shaft having a top end and a bottom end with a plurality of helical plates arranged on the shaft in increasing diameter from the top to the bottom. The first helical plate is located toward the bottom of the shaft and has the largest diameter. The second helical plate is located above the first helical plate and has a diameter smaller than that of the first plate. The third helical plate is located above the second helical plate and has a diameter smaller than that of the second plate. The helical plate with the smallest diameter is located toward the top of the shaft. The distance between the first helical plate and the second helical plate is larger than the distance between the second helical plate and the third helical plate.

Abstract: A screw pile substructure support system comprises a tubular pile with a fixed conical tip having a helical flight thereon which draws the pile into a soil bed when a torque is applied to the pile. The tip has a substantially conical shape, and the largest diameter of the tip is substantially the same as the diameter of the tubular pile to which it is attached. The helical flight is attached to the outside surface of the tip. The tip may also be provided a point tip and one or more cutting teeth attached its surface.

Abstract: An anchor system for securing a cable within the ground. The system includes a body having a tapered cap and an internal cylindrical slot provided therethrough. A driving rod having an end with a smaller diameter is provided through the slot so that the driving rod extends from the body of the anchor system. The body is provided with a catch through which a line is secured. The driving rod is utilized to drive the anchor system into the ground. As the driving rod extends from the body, the driving rod bears the brunt of the force associated with the driving action, allowing the anchor system to be constructed of a lightweight, inexpensive material. Once the anchor system has been provided at the desired depth, the driving rod is removed and the strap is pulled to set the anchor into place.

Abstract: A composite pile is comprised of two or more rigid hollow tubes interconnected together end-to-end by a pile connector. A boring head is secured to a leading lower end of a lowermost one of the tubes. A force transmitting member is removably connectable to a top end of an uppermost one of the rigid hollow tubes to receive a driving force for driving each of the two or more rigid hollow tubes into the ground. The pile connector has opposed axially aligned projecting pile connecting members extending from opposed parallel faces of a transverse impact transfer disc and extend a predetermined distance in adjacent open ends of the tubes to maintain the tubes in alignment with one another.

Abstract: A structural support device in the form of a push pier capable of use in high load-bearing capacity applications involving significant lateral load conditions, the push pier having a lead section with a ground penetrating friction collar, and one or more extension members that are machine fabricated with an integrally formed hardened alloy steel coupling section that is adapted to mate with the push pier lead section or another similarly constructed extension shaft. The hardened coupling section is formed of heat-treated and hardened alloy steel which is quenched and tempered to a yield and tensile strength substantially exceeding that of the main tubular shaft section to which it is connected, and inertia friction welded thereto.

Abstract: Disclosed in this specification is a method and apparatus for placing a helical pile in the soil with minimal disturbances to the soil. The helical pile has an elongated pipe with a central chamber. The pipe has a helical blade with an opening in the trailing edge of the blade where grout is extruded. The grout fills those portions of the soil which were disturbed by the blade. Advantageously, those portions of the soil which were not disturbed by the blade are not infused with grout.

Abstract: An improved drill tip for a foundation pile comprises a frustro-conical upper section, a cylindrical middle section, and a generally conical lower section, all disposed in coaxial alignment about a center axis, the upper section for attachment to a foundation pile, and having a bottom edge diameter smaller than a top edge diameter and an upper helical flight having a radial extent less than the top edge diameter, the middle section extending from the bottom edge of the upper section and having approximately the same diameter as the bottom edge diameter, and the lower section extending from a lower edge portion of the middle section and having a plurality of symmetrically disposed helical fins having a radial extent less than the bottom edge diameter, the lowermost portion of the fins extending freely below the conical main body of the lower section in a configuration resembling a swiveling fishtail.

Abstract: A socket wrench attachment (SRA) is connected by a circular array of bolts (28) connecting the mounting flange (30) to the rotary output member (22) on a rotary output shaft (20). The shaft (20) is a part of a rotary drive mechanism (12) which is mounted for longitudinal travel along a tower (14).

Abstract: The invention provides a jet-mixing method for casting a pile of predetermined diameter by thrusting or feeding into the ground a rod provided at its lower end with a first jet nozzle section for jetting ground improvement medium and a second jet nozzle section for jetting reactant in substantially the same direction as the jet direction of the first jet nozzle section, and provided above the first and second jet nozzle sections with a third jet nozzle section for mixing and jetting compressed air and water in a direction opposite the jet direction of the first and second jet nozzle sections, jetting compressed air and water within a predetermined range while simultaneously rotating and upwardly extracting the rod from the ground, thereby jet-cutting a ground improvement region into a cylindrical shape, discharging mud generated by the cutting operation to the ground surface through a bored hole, and jetting the reactant from the second jet nozzle section and jetting the ground improvement medium from the fir

Abstract: The present invention relates to a piling and drilling rig having a leader, a deflection apparatus for the deflection a rope which is pivotally connected to the head of the leader in a manner pivotable between at least one transport position and at least one working position, with the deflection apparatus being rotatable about an axis standing obliquely on the axis of extent of the leader.

Abstract: A method of mechanized construction has developed for installing an earth wire under-bracing by using an auger crane and adjustable excavating unit with an auger crane. The extendable excavating unit is mounted to the lower end of an auger shaft of the auger crane and excavation teeth extendable and retractable are mounted to the excavating unit, thereby allowing excavation of a burial hole suitable to the size of the earth wire under-bracing. Whether it is needed to bury the earth wire under-bracing having a larger diameter than the diameter of excavation existing on the auger crane, or bury small-sized earth wire under-bracing, a method for mechanized construction of the earth wire under-bracing is enabled without difficulty by using an auger crane and adjustable excavating unit.

Abstract: (57) Abstract: An object of the invention is provide a new pile for replacing conventional foundation piles so that piles can be driven into the ground with little vibration and noise and residents in the neighborhood are not bothered, and in particular, to provide a spiral steel pipe pile that can be smoothly driven into the ground even when the outer diameter exceeds 100 mm. The spiral steel pipe pile has a steel pipe (3), a spiral portion (4) gained by twisting flat steel having the same or a greater width than the outer diameter of the steel pipe, and a spiral slit (5) through which the spiral portion is inserted at the lower end of the steel pipe, and is characterized in that the spiral portion is inserted into the slit and the steel pipe and the spiral portion are welded together in such a state as to share the same center line, and a cover (6) in conical form is welded to the lower end of the steel pipe so that a hole in the spiral insertion portion is covered.

Abstract: A conventionally available pile for civil engineering work is constructed such that the pile has in its inside a core body with wedges that stick into soil deep in the ground and function to prevent the pile from coming out of place. A problem exists with such a pile in that placing the core body at an appropriate position inside the pile is difficult. A pile for civil engineering work of this invention enables a core body to be placed at an appropriate position and labor required for the placement to be reduced. A pile (1) for civil engineering work is characterized in that, for example, a guide rail (4) that enables a core body (6) to be guided is provided inside a body of the pile (1), the core body (6) is guided through the guide rail (4), and wedges (6a, 6b) are appropriately guided to cut/pushed-in openings (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b).

Abstract: A steel H pile has a relief design embossed on one or more major surfaces of either or both of its steel flanges and its web to provide surface irregularities thereon which increase the pile's surface friction and its friction pile load bearing capacity.

Abstract: A piling machine with high-pressure jet spiral bit, including an underpan, a pile frame, a drill pipe, a drill bit having an upper leaf helix, a lower leaf helix and a middle leaf helix, a power system, a high-pressure concrete casting system and a high-pressure jet grouting system. The drill bit is disposed at the head of the drill pipe and has multiple nozzles disposed thereon, a diameter of the middle leaf helix is constant from the top to the bottom thereof, a diameter of each of the upper leaf helix and the lower leaf helix decreases from the top to the bottom thereof so that the drill bit with upper and lower tines is formed, the drill bit is spiral, the high-pressure jet grouting system is disposed in the drill bit, and the nozzles are disposed on the drill bit. A piling method is also taught herein.

Abstract: A system and method for supporting a building in which elongated sections, such as pilings, are connected in an end-to-end, abutting relationship.

Abstract: By attaching a formed steel plate in the shape of a tapered arrowhead with fins at each of the four corners, to the base of a post it is possible to ram a post with a integral foot that will secure it in the ground and for that post or pole to resist both upward and rotational pressure.

Abstract: An adapter attachment for an auger which includes an connecting shaft sized and shaped to be attached to the pilot bit hole present in the end of an auger, after the removal of pilot bit. The adapter also includes a bolt flange for connection to a foundation anchor installation plate/tool such as a locking dog assembly. The adapter obviates the need to remove the auger from the Kelly bar during anchor installation. A modification includes eliminating the bolt flange and placing the connecting shaft directly to the locking dog assembly to form a pilot hole locking dog.

Abstract: An anchor pile apparatus has a helical anchor rotatable by a power source through an intermediate drive member. The drive member extends through a plurality of hollow pile sections, which are driven, one by one, into the soil following the penetration of the anchor. In one of the embodiments, the anchor and the pile sections are rotated separately by independent motors, thus expediting the installation of the pile in the pre-determined location.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for setting concentric casing strings within a wellbore in one run-in of a casing working string. In one aspect of the invention, the apparatus comprises a drilling system comprising concentric casing strings, with each casing string having a drill bit piece disposed at the lower end thereof. The drill bit pieces of adjacent casing strings are releasably connected to one another. In another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for setting concentric casing strings within a wellbore with the drilling system. In another aspect of the invention, the releasably connected drill bit pieces comprise a drill bit assembly.

Abstract: A structural helical pile having an elongate shaft member defining a longitudinal axis. The structural helical pile also comprises a radially extending, generally helical load bearing member integral with the shaft member and projecting outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the shaft member. The helical load bearing member has a leading edge and a trailing edge. The respective leading and trailing edges intersect the shaft member in spaced relationship along the longitudinal length of the shaft member. The helical load bearing member further comprises at least one rib integrally formed therein. In this aspect, each rib extends outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the shaft member and has a substantially uniform cross-sectional thickness.

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 an added material such as concrete. The rod also allows for a tension rod connection from the anchor tip to an upper portion attachment point.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for raising, leveling, and supporting a foundation by placing steel piers beneath the necessary peripheral and interior beams and using a jack to raise the slab beams, then allowing the slab beams to rest on piers. The piers are constructed from steel piling segments, driven into the ground, connected with adhesive, and anchored at a depth offering reactive force sufficient to support the foundation. The piling is pointed at its bottom facilitating insertion and preventing upheaval. A crown is attached to the upper most end of each pier which offers a platform to provide a stable support once the jack is removed and easy access to the slab beam for later readjustment. Multiple piers are utilized to achieve a level foundation. Piers may be placed beneath interior beams on a slab without drilling holes in the interior of the slab.

Abstract: A pile comprising a tapered steel tube of convex polygonal cross-section driven into the ground and then filled with concrete provides high load carrying capacity even in cohesive soils.

Abstract: A modular helical piering system employs a series of tubular shafts having a rectangular cross-section that can be secured to one another by means of couplers and removable pins inserted through holes in the shafts. A number of helical blades can also be removably secured to the shafts at desired locations by means of pins.

Abstract: A structural helical pile having an elongate shaft member defining a longitudinal axis. The structural helical pile also comprises a radially extending, generally helical load bearing member integral with the shaft member and projecting outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the shaft member. The helical load bearing member has a leading edge and a trailing edge. The respective leading and trailing edges intersect the shaft member in spaced relationship along the longitudinal length of the shaft member. The helical load bearing member further comprises at least one rib integrally formed therein. In this aspect, each rib extends outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the shaft member and has a substantially uniform cross-sectional thickness.

Abstract: A building foundation support and repair system includes a column of generally cylindrical pile sections driven into the earth below the edge of the foundation and having an earth penetrating bit attached to the lowermost pile section. The bit includes a center post member extending within a bore in the lowermost pile section and/or a sidewall journaling the lower end of the lowermost pile section. The bit may be connected to an elongated rod extending through the series connected pile sections and used to drive the bit rotatably during installation of the pile sections and to minimize lateral excursion of the support system during and after installation of the column of pile sections.

Abstract: Apparatus for placing pipe piling (90, 90?) in the ground including a support frame (10) and a motor (66) mounted on the support frame (10). The motor (66) has a downwardly extending rotary output shaft (68) which extends into an opening (70) in a drive head (76). Rotation of the output shaft (68) by the motor (66) will rotate the drive head (76) about a vertical axis. The drive head (76) is drivenly connectable to the upper end portion of the pipe piling (90, 90?). A clamping apparatus is mounted on lower side portions of the support frame. The clamping apparatus includes a pair of horizontally disposed linear hydraulic actuators (128). Each actuator comprises a fixed outer end portion (130) and a retractable/extendable/rotatable inner end portion (132). A pair of pipe piling engaging clamps (148, 150) are connected to the inner end portions (132) of the actuators (128). The clamps (148, 150) confront each other across space between them.

Abstract: There is provided a screwed steel pile, the end portion of which is open, characterized in that: an apparent resistance at the pile end portion of the pile is reduced when the ground strength is suddenly increased, so that the pile can be easily penetrated into the ground and an intensity of the finally obtained bearing capacity of the pile is high. The specific means is that a pile end portion of the pile body composed of a steel pipe or a hollow pipe made of another material is made open, and one or a plurality of wings are provided on the outside of the pile end portion of the pile body. The pile end portion of the wing may be protruded downward from a pile end face of the pile body.

Abstract: A piering device includes a shaft having interspaced threaded portions and unthreaded portions extending axially along at least a portion of its length. The unthreaded portions of the shaft are radially recessed with respect to the threaded portions. A helical plate with a threaded passageway can engage the threaded portions of the shaft at any desired location along the shaft. A key is then inserted into the passageway between the helical plate and an unthreaded portion of the shaft to hold the helical plate at the desired location on the shaft.

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 an added material such as concrete. The rod also allows for a tension rod connection from the anchor tip to an upper portion attachment point.

Abstract: A pile comprising a tapered steel tube of convex polygonal cross-section driven into the ground and then filled with concrete provides high load carrying capacity even in cohesive soils.

Abstract: A piering device includes a shaft having a polygonal cross-section with a series of notches spaced at intervals along the vertices of the shaft. For example, the shaft can have a square cross-section with rounded corners. The helical plate has a passageway with a cross-section to slide along the shaft when the helical plate is in a first rotational position on the shaft. However, notches within the passageway of the helical plate engage the notches on the shaft when the helical plate is rotated to a second rotational position, thereby preventing the helical plate from sliding along the shaft. A key is inserted between the shaft and helical plate to hold the helical plate in the second rotational position and thereby fix the axial position of the helical plate on the shaft.

Abstract: A tubular piling apparatus and method for penetrating the soil comprises, in a preferred embodiment, elements such as a drive shoe and/or other earth displacing structures which may be, in one presently preferred embodiment, of larger outer diameter than the surface conductor pipe. In a preferred embodiment, the invention includes a collar mountable to the pilings having an earth displacing structure formed thereon. In another aspect, a drive shoe, being of a larger size than the conductor pipe and connected to the bottom section of the conductor pipe is provided with an exterior band mounted on the outer diameter of the drive shoe. The exterior band may be located proximate the lower end of the drive shoe. The drive shoe may include teeth formed such that causes compression of earthen formation away from the inner surface of the drive shoe.

Abstract: A method of installing a pile 10 in a subsea substrate is provided, which method comprises the steps of providing a pile 10 with a drill bit 14 at one end, and rotating both the pile 10 and the drill bit 14 relative to a substrate to form a bore. Also provided is a subsea pile 10 in the form of an elongate member 12 with a drill bit 14 fixed at one end thereof. In certain embodiments, the elongate member 12 may be tubular, allowing fluids to be supplied to the drilling face via the pile. Such fluids may be drilling mud, sea water, or a settable material for fixing the pile in the bore.

Abstract: A concrete pile construction method and an apparatus used for improving soft earth ground by constructing reinforced bar concrete pile structures in the earth. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a process for securing firm concrete piles having a reinforced bar core with uniform concrete by a pile apparatus in which projections are radially formed and a conical-shaped bit is formed pointedly on the pile apparatus.

Abstract: A jetting device for installing a piling or post includes: (a) a cap including a generally conical or pyramidal shaped, perforated, hollow main body portion, and an upper flange portion for closely fitting over a base of the piling or post, the flange portion extending upward in a generally vertical direction from the main body portion; (b) attachment mechanism for attaching the flange portion of the cap to the base of the piling or post; and (c) a threaded fitting for receiving a detachable, generally vertical line for conducting a liquid or air into the cap, the fitting being in an upper section of the main body portion below the flange portion. Also included is a rectangular-shaped cap for a bulkhead section, and a method for installing a piling, post, or bulkhead.