Abstract: A cutting tool adapter for creating an underpinning structure and method of creating the underpinning structure are provided. In some examples, the cutting tool adapter may connect a cutting tool to a working machine arm to enable the cutting tool to cut and dislodge soil below an existing foundation or structure. As the soil is cut and dislodged, it is mechanically mixed with an additive, such as a cementitious material, via the cutting tool. The mixed soil and additive may then harden in the area below the existing structure or foundation to create an underpinning structure to provide additional support for the existing structure or foundation.

Abstract: A cutting tool adapter for creating an underpinning structure and method of creating the underpinning structure are provided. In some examples, the cutting tool adapter may connect a cutting tool to a working machine arm to enable the cutting tool to cut and dislodge soil below an existing foundation or structure. As the soil is cut and dislodged, it is mechanical mixed with an additive, such as a cementitious material, via the cutting tool. The mixed soil and additive may then harden in the area below the existing structure or foundation to create an underpinning structure to provide additional support for the existing structure or foundation.

Abstract: A cutting tool adapter for creating an underpinning structure and method of creating the underpinning structure are provided. In some examples, the cutting tool adapter may connect a cutting tool to a working machine arm to enable the cutting tool to cut and dislodge soil below an existing foundation or structure. As the soil is cut and dislodged, it is mechanical mixed with an additive, such as a cementitious material, via the cutting tool. The mixed soil and additive may then harden in the area below the existing structure or foundation to create an underpinning structure to provide additional support for the existing structure or foundation.

Abstract: A soil-cement sampling device and method of sampling soil-cement is provided. The soil-cement sampling device may include an inner tube arranged within an outer tube. The inner tube may be removably connected to the outer tube and may be split into two longitudinal sections removably connected to each other. The inner and outer tubes may be inserted into a recently mixed soil-cement mixture before it hardens and a sample of the soil-cement mixture may be collected in the inner tube after it hardens. Once the sample hardens, the inner tube may be removed from the outer tube and the longitudinal sections may be separated to expose the soil-cement sample for inspection and testing.

Abstract: A soil-cement sampling device and method of sampling soil-cement is provided. The soil-cement sampling device may include an inner tube arranged within an outer tube. The inner tube may be removably connected to the outer tube and may be split into two longitudinal sections removably connected to each other. The inner and outer tubes may be inserted into a recently mixed soil-cement mixture before it hardens and a sample of the soil-cement mixture may be collected in the inner tube after it hardens. Once the sample hardens, the inner tube may be removed from the outer tube and the longitudinal sections may be separated to expose the soil-cement sample for inspection and testing.

Abstract: An underpinning system is provided that includes a supported underpinning pier. The underpinning pier supports a structure's foundation and may have one or more elongated support members attached thereto. The elongated support members may be micropiles, driven piles or helical piles. The underpinning pier may have a variety of configurations. In one configuration, the underpinning pier extends laterally outside of the structure's existing foundation and is attached to one or more micropiles at an exterior region of the underpinning pier, which resists the application of bending moments to the underpinning pier. A method is also provided for installing the underpinning system and/or the micropile supported underpinning pier.

Abstract: A soil or rock nail retaining wall with an outer face is provided. A method of constructing such a wall is also set forth. A cut is excavated in successive sections to form exposed cut faces. The exposed cut face of each successively excavated section is temporarily supported with a temporary support means comprised of a nail installed through the exposed cut face into the ground. Shotcrete or a layer of barrier material may also be used in forming the temporary support means. Next, an outer face is formed. Facing elements are attached to the nail-supported cut via an isolated reinforced concrete closure. Formwork is used in placing the reinforced concrete closure. The reinforced concrete closure ties together the facing elements and the nail. Finally, free-draining granular backfill material, such as porous concrete, gravel or crushed rock, is placed along the remainder of the retaining wall between the exposed cut face and the facing elements.

Abstract: A retaining wall system is comprised of a retaining wall with an outer face. A cut is excavated in successive sections to form exposed cut faces. The exposed cut face of each successively excavated section may be temporarily supported with pneumatically applied concrete. A concrete wale is then formed horizontally along a portion of the exposed cut face of each successively excavated section. Next, tiebacks are installed through the concrete wale. The tiebacks are tested, tensioned and secured against the concrete wale. After the excavation has been completed and the retaining wall formed, an outer face is provided which extends to the full height of the retaining wall. A concrete footing is first provided at the base of the retaining wall. Next, a first tier of facing elements is erected above the concrete footing. These facing elements are then secured to a first adjacent concrete wale at a first connection point. Backfill material is placed between the first tier of facing elements and the retaining wall.

Abstract: A method of temporarily shoring and permanently facing an excavated slope or embankment is provided. First, a slope is excavated in successive sections from the top down to form exposed slope faces. A temporary shoring wall is then formed by shoring up the exposed slope face of each successively excavated section with soil nails and at least one layer of pneumatically applied concrete. As the desired final depth of the excavation is reached, the tiebacks are installed. The pneumatically applied concrete is thickened in the area of the tiebacks so as to form reinforcement elements along the exposed slope faces. The reinforcement elements include reinforced steel bars which extend outwardly away from the exposed slope faces. The tie backs are tested, prestressed and secured against the reinforcement elements. Finally, a final retaining wall is formed by pouring and curing a layer of reinforced concrete over the temporary shoring wall and the secured tiebacks.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a soil reinforcement system utilizing an adjustable connection between facing panels and soil nails. According to the invention, the face of the excavation is cut and the soil nails are inserted into the ground in a conventional manner. One end of the soil nail will protrude from the excavation face. The facing panels are set in place, spaced from the face of the excavation. Adjustable coupling means are provided for adjustably connecting the soil nail to the facing panel, permitting adjustability in three different degrees of freedom.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a connection system for connecting a facing panel to a soldier pile so as to support the cut face of an excavation and provide greater tolerance for misalignment of the soldier piles with respect to the facing panels. The connection system also provides improved strength, and greater ease of construction. The system includes a first bracket coupled to the facing panel, the bracket having at least one stem portion with a horizontally elongated slot. A similar second bracket with vertically elogated slots in the base portion and a horizontally elongated slot in the stem portion is fixed to the soldier pile by a threaded fastener. A connecting plate connects the stems of the brackets together. Adjustment in the vertical, y-direction is provided by the location of the fastener on the soldier pile and the vertical slots in the first bracket.

Abstract: A method and structure for shoring a generally vertical face of an excavation, wherein the face and adjacent ground are defined by soft shale or rock, or stiff soil, is disclosed. A plurality of relatively small diameter, relatively closely spaced and generally vertical holes are drilled into the ground adjacent a plane defining the face. Vertical rods are grouted in the holes to form generally vertical columns. Horizontal bars, and preferably, also tiebacks are inserted into the face and ground in a substantially horizontal direction as the excavation proceeds. The bars and tiebacks are connected to the columns.

Abstract: A replacement earth retaining wall and a method for modifying, repairing, or replacing an existing earth retaining wall is disclosed. The replacement wall includes a reinforced concrete facing, and soil nails or tiebacks with specially fabricated anchorhead assemblies. The structure includes a concrete panel cast adjacent the face of an existing retaining wall such as a corrugated bin type wall. Tiebacks or soil nails are installed through the existing wall and are encased in the reinforced concrete panel. During construction, tiebacks, where used, are installed through the existing wall and are tensioned against the front face of the existing wall before the concrete panel is cast. The concrete panel is supported by and encases the anchorhead assemblies and covers the outer face of the existing wall. The anchorhead assembly includes a load distribution member, a tube, and tension studs extending from the load distribution member.

Abstract: A tieback retaining wall structure and a method for constructing the same having improved corrosion protection for tieback connecting devices connecting tiebacks to soldier beams, and panel connecting devices connecting precast concrete panels to soldier beams is disclosed. The structure also provides an improved and simpler method of drainage behind a wall. After soldier beams are placed in the earthen mass to be retained, excavation is completed, tiebacks are installed and fastened, and any necessary temporary earth retaining devices are in place, elongated inflatable bags are positioned between the excavation and the precast concrete panels. Then the concrete panels are attached to the soldier beams. The bags preferably are inflated with a cementitious material which forms a sealed first channel surrounding the tieback connecting devices and the panel connecting devices, and a second channel between adjacent beams. The first channel is filled with a cementitious material.

Abstract: A method for rehabilitating an existing bulkhead located between a body of water and land is disclosed. The method includes the steps of installing a plurality of tiebacks attached directly to the existing bulkhead, and a new bulkhead facing is connected to the existing bulkhead which has been supported by the tiebacks. An alternate method includes the steps of installing a plurality of substantially vertical piles at horizontally spaced locations in front of, i.e. on the water side of, the existing bulkhead; connecting the vertical piles to the existing bulkhead; installing tiebacks through the existing bulkhead and into the land behind the existing bulkheads; and connecting the tiebacks to the vertical piles. In situations where use of piles and tiebacks alone are not sufficient to rehabilitate the bulkhead, a new bulkhead facing is installed in front of the existing bulkhead and connected to and supported by the piles and tieback supported existing bulkhead.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of installing a high-capacity tieback in coarse-grained soil. The method includes connecting a unitary hollow casing to a drill and inserting a prestressing steel tendon within the casing. A lost bit is affixed to one end of the casing. The drill and casing is positioned at the desired location of the tieback and the casing is inserted into the ground by rotating the casing with the drill. The bit is released and grout is pumped into the casing under high-pressure. Once the grout has reached the desired pressure, the casing is extracted by applying a high-torque of at least 12,000 ft.-lbs. to the casing with the drill which overcomes the frictional engagement between the grout and the casing, and by applying a pulling force with the drill.

Abstract: A tied back retaining wall structure is disclosed comprising channel-shaped sheet piles, a reinforcing bar matrix and a concrete wall encasing the matrix and filling the channels of the piles. The reinforcing bar matrix comprises an array of laterally disposed reinforcing bars which span the spaces between the piles. Headed studs welded to the piles insure a secure connection of the wall to the piles. A method of constructing such a wall is disclosed which comprises excavating downwardly in stages after installing sheet piling in the ground, erecting a reinforcing bar matrix and pouring or spraying concrete over the structure to form the finished wall.

Abstract: A method of reinforcing or strengthening an existing earth supporting wall located between a body of water and land is disclosed, wherein the level of the earthen floor adjacent the wall is to be deepened or a portion of the wall has deteriorated. The wall has a first side facing a body of water, an opposite second side in contact with ground and a lower toe portion embedded in the earthen floor beneath the body of water. The method comprises the steps of: installing at least one tieback through the wall in an area adjacent the original level of the earthen floor or adjacent the deteriorated area to provide a stabilizing force to the wall.

Abstract: A tied back retaining wall structure is disclosed comprising channel-shaped sheet piles, a reinforcing bar matrix and a concrete wall encasing the matrix and filling the channels of the piles. The reinforcing bar matrix comprises an array of laterally disposed reinforcing bars which span the spaces between the piles. Headed studs welded to the piles insure a secure connection of the wall to the piles. A method of constructing such a wall is disclosed which comprises excavating downwardly in stages after installing sheet piling in the ground, erecting a reinforcing bar matrix and pouring or spraying concrete over the structure to form the finished wall.

Abstract: An earth tieback comprising a steel tendon rod anchoring a structure to the earth, the tendon rod having double corrosion protection provided first by a thin hard coating of corrosion resistant plastic throughout its length and second by concrete grout over the anchor zone of the rod and by a heat shrunk plastic tube tightly encapsulating the unbonded zone of the rod.