Abstract: An apparatus for lifting and supporting a pile is provided. The apparatus includes a modular support structure, which may include a modular support element such as a modular support helical pile. The modular support structure may further include a modular guide sleeve for guiding the support element as it is driven into strata. The portions of the modular support element and the modular guide sleeve may be installed adjacent a pile supporting a building even in the confined vertical space between the bottom of the building and the surface of the ground. Lifting device elements may be attached to the modular support structure and engaged with the building pile to lift and support the building pile.

Abstract: A network of computers each serving as a “node” within a private, closed peer-to-peer network having a network administrator. Each node has a CPU and a hard drive, input/output device and connectivity to other nodes through the Internet. Each node is provided a hard drive (cache) to handle a multitude of data files. The cache supports multiple streams of fragments to multiple calling nodes without delay or deterioration of transfer rates. A plurality of metrics programs monitor the data demands on each node, the usage of each node's hard drive, and the transfer rates possible from the assigned node and provide that information to the network in a database available to all nodes. The network administrator, utilizing a contrarian selection method, pushes disaggregated data to the nodes in the network to evenly load data throughout the network and to fully load the node's hard drives.