Abstract: A probe to measure the modulus of terrain deformability comprising a means for the induction of pressure into a hollow chamber which is to be buried below ground level, said hollow chamber having flexible metal membranes in portions of its wall. The pressure equalization being measured by movement of the metal membranes which generate a change in electrical impetus between membranes and electrical connectors therewith.

Abstract: Equipment for drilling and obtaining samples from, and/or testing at, locations where the soil being investigated is unstable, or where access to the equipment is difficult during drilling, for example underwater. Samples can be obtained, or tests carried out, at several depths in one bore hole by the employment of equipment, including a drill, a plurality of sample receivers and a testing means mounted to enter a bore with the drill and including a first means for operating the sample receiver, a second means to operate the testing means, and a third means arranged to be actuated in dependence upon the sample receiver.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for indicating the density of a mass of course particles, such as track ballast, uses the immersion of a tool capable of penetrating into the mass, for instance a tamping tool. The degree of the density is a function of the time of the immersion stroke, the length of the immersion stroke and the immersion force. One of these parameters is measured while the other two parameters are predetermined to determine the measured value of the degree of density, and the measured value is indicated. In a mobile track tamping machine, this is accomplished by actuating a time measuring device by switching elements arranged to be actuated by the immersing tool for measuring the time required by the tool for immersion in the ballast through a predetermined immersion stroke. The time measuring device transmits corresponding time signals to an indicator.

Abstract: A hollow, projectile-shaped body containing an acoustical transducer is rased into the sea such that the body descends in free fall until it strikes and penetrates the sea floor, coming to a rest therein. Acoustic signals emanating from the acoustic transducer are processed utilizing the doppler effect to generate a direct current analog signal which is the function of the velocity of the body from a time immediately preceding the body striking the sea floor surface until the body comes to rest in the sea floor, thereby obtaining an indication of the physical characteristics of the sea floor.

Abstract: The point, lower-end region, and shaft of a penetrometer tube set are respectively connected to lower, intermediate, and upper members of a sensor head. A cap member which slidably receives the upper member is struck by the penetrometer anvil to drive the tube set into the ground. The lower and intermediate members are respectively slidable in the intermediate and upper members, and upper, intermediate, and lower strain gauges are provided between the members to produce outputs corresponding to the forces exerted by them on each other. A group of pawls can lock the upper member onto the shaft of the tube set and the intermediate member is limitedly axially displaceable in the cap member so that the intermediate strain gauge is compressed on pulling-out of the tube set.

Abstract: A measuring device for measuring peak pressure and skin friction in a substrate has a probe body which is to be driven into the substrate to be measured, a first detecting arrangement in the body and serving to detect peak pressures which develop as the body is driven into the substrate, a second detecting arrangement also in the body and operative for detecting skin friction which develops as the body is driven into the substrate, and separate conductors connected with the first and second detecting arrangement, respectively, for carrying signals which originate in the same.

Abstract: A probe arrangement and set of tubes for a penetrometer. The probe is formed from a sleeve and a point which comprises a central part and a peripheral part which are connected by a cotter pin. The set of tubes comprises a central rod, which is attached to the central part of the point, and two concentric tubes around the rod. The arrangement may be used for making four independent measurements. The peripheral part of the point is connected to the sleeve in such manner that on holding the outer tube and applying a driving force to the central rod, the cotter pin shears and the central part of the point travels downwards so that hard ground may be studied.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in soil sounding in which a probe is mounted on a vehicle includes an improved simple device for monitoring the displacement of a reference surface from the ground level in order to provide an accurate indication of the position of the probe. One sensor indicates the displacement of the probe and the reference surface, which displacement is greater than the actual displacement of the probe into the ground. Another sensor indicates the displacement of the reference surface relative to the ground, these displacements being imputs to a subtractor which provides an output representative of the true displacement of the probe relative to the ground level.

Abstract: A housing adjacent the anvil of a penetrometer has a pair of parallel upright guides on one of which is slideable a first counterweight and on the other of which slides a second counterweight and a slide underneath this second counterweight. The first counterweight weighs more than the slide but less than the slide and second counterweight together. A chain passes over a sprocket at the top of the housing and has one end secured to the first counterweight and another end to the slide. An abutment on the second counterweight engages over a follower on the anvil so that as the anvil goes up and down the second counterweight follows it. During normal descent of the anvil and second counterweight a ratchet engaging the wheel prevents return rotation of this wheel, but once the second counterweight is all the way at the bottom of its guide the ratchet is pulled back. Upward movement of this second counterweight from this position through a distance equal to one tube length reactuates the ratchet.

Abstract: A method of constructing cast-in-place concrete piles by which the static load bearing capacity of a pile is dynamically determined during its formation. In the disclosed method, successive charges of concrete are placed into a removable casing and subsequently driven into the soil by a drop hammer. The pile may be of the pedestal type having an enlarged base for increased load capacity. The pile shaft is formed by incrementally elevating the casing and driving concrete into a vertical series of annular enlargements corresponding to the points at which the lower end of the casing is stopped. The load capacity of the pile base and the individual enlargements is determined by measuring the resistance of the soil against penetration of the several concrete portions when driven by the hammer.

Abstract: A penetrometer frame for mounting on, for example, a truck and comprising a fixed part provided with slides which guide a moving part in the form of a frame which itself serves as a guide for a driving hammer and which may be raised or lowered by two hydraulic rams. The fixed part of the frame is pivoted on a platform about a horizontal pivot offset from the point where tubes are inserted or removed. The arrangement is such that extending the rams causes the penetrometer frame to pivot and allows access to the position at which tubes are inserted or removed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of, and a rig for, testing vertical foundation piles and foundations to determine the ultimate bearing capacity of the pile and the settlement behavior of the foundation soil.

Abstract: A lightweight, compact, portable pull-testing device is disclosed which is especially adapted for testing the load capabilities of installed, relatively small earth anchors such as those utilized with hold-down equipment for mobile homes or the like. The device includes a tripod-mounted, vertically adjustable, hydraulically actuated piston and cylinder assembly securable to the upper protruding end of an earth anchor shaft, with generally upright tripod support legs positioned closely adjacent the protruding shaft end to permit use of the device by a single operator in crowded areas such as beneath a mobile home where space is at a premium. Novel creep indicator apparatus is also disclosed for the accurate measurement of anchor creepage independent of any settling of the device itself into the earth which may occur during pull testing.

Abstract: This invention relates to the measurement of the driving force used for pile driving and, more specifically, to the use of coils for sensing magnetostrictive effects within the pile which develop when the pile is struck or driven into the ground.