Abstract: A new pile assembly and process are disclosed. A pile cap is attached to a pipe pile. A partition is installed below the pile cap creating an air chamber between them that is at surface atmospheric air pressure. An external conduit containing a valve that is closed connects the pile's interiors above and below the partition. The pile is driven into the ocean floor filled with entrapped sea water below the partition so that little or no soil core is generated. After the clay soils adjacent to the pile have regained their strength, the valve is opened. A small amount of sea water expands into the air chamber. The pressure on both sides of the partition and the bottom of the pile cap is now slightly above surface atmospheric air pressure. It is the downward force of hydrostatic pressure on top of the pile cap that increases the tension capacity of the driven pile. In deep water hydrostatic pressure is substantial, constant and cheap.

Abstract: A new pile assembly is disclosed. It comprises an open end pipe pile (a cylindrical pipe pile provided with a pile cap) that is provided with: (1) a diaphragm adapted to slide axially within said open end pipe pile; (2) a conduit that allows gases and liquids to flow to and from the upper portion of the interior of said open end pipe pile through a conduit port; and (3) a one-way valve that allows gases and liquids to flow from an inlet port (that is below said conduit port) in the interior of said open end pipe pile to an exhaust port on the exterior of said open end pipe pile. The preferred embodiment of the invention also comprises: (4) an open end pipe pile with a lower end of reduced interior diameter; (5) means for retaining drilling mud in the lower portion of said open end pipe pile; and (6) a flexible riser in the interior of said open end pipe pile that provides a passageway for liquids and gases from said inlet port to said one-way valve.