Abstract: A pre-cast reinforced concrete structural beam comprises an upstanding web (136) and at least an inwardly directed flange (138) at the base of the web, the face of the web which is innermost in use and/or the upper face of the flange having surface irregularities (236,140) formed therein into which a cast in situ floor slab can penetrate to form a mechanical lock with the beam.

Abstract: A support, for a pier of the type having a base with a bottom surface area and fastener-receiving bores therethrough, generally comprises a panel with plurality of ribs attached thereto as a stiffening grid; the free sides of the ribs defining a support plane that is parallel to the panel. A plurality of attachment bores in the support receive fasteners for attaching the pier base to the support such that shear forces between the pier and the support are resisted. Shear pegs in shear bores resist shear forces between stacked supports. A plurality of anchor bores through the support each may receive a anchor rod for resisting shear forces between said support and the ground. In an exemplary stacked configuration, the top support has its first side upward, preferably attached to the pier and the bottom support has its first side downward.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stabilized fluid barrier member and to methods of making and using the same. The fluid barrier comprises a first outer sheet member having a top surface and a bottom surface, with a stabilizer element overlying at least part of the first sheet member top surface and abutting the top surface along at least a portion thereof. The stabilizer element defines a plurality of interstitial apertures adapted to contain a quantity of a selectively fluid-impervient barrier material and for substantially preventing displacement of the barrier material from the apertures, notwithstanding the angular inclination at which the fluid barrier member is oriented during manufacture, transport, installation and/or use. The barrier material is chosen for its ability to prevent passage of one or more particular fluids, in liquid or gas form, depending upon the application for which the barrier member is intended.

Abstract: A unique water drain system is utilized for eliminating subgrade water which usually accumulates below ground level and causes cracks or leaks in the concrete foundation. The present system is uniquely designed to be used with permanent wood foundations. A basket-retainer is used to contain and prevent the spread of crushed stone out of position. The crushed stone allows the water to flow through it and to a drain tile. The retainer has a water-permeable membrane around or lined in it to prevent soil or debris from clogging up the crushed stone conduit.

Abstract: A method of constructing a concrete basement from prefabricated concrete wall panels is described. Firstly, excavate earth from an intended building site and position footings in the excavation to define an outline of a building with precast concrete floor panels positioned between the footings. Secondly, place prefabricated free standing concrete corner sections onto the footings at each point where it is intended that the building have a corner. Thirdly, secure a plurality of prefabricated concrete wall panels in end to end relation between the corner sections thereby completing a peripheral wall. Each of the concrete wall panels has an interior grid of reinforcing rod and a plurality of equally spaced substantially vertical ribs. Each of the ribs has an attachment member at the upper end which is secured to the reinforcing rod grid. Fourthly, construct a subfloor and secure each of the ribs of the concrete panels to the subfloor by means of the attachment member.

Abstract: A pile (18) has a preformed disc-like load spreading member (34) fixed to its upper end after the pile (18) has been driven into the ground. A recess (16) is formed around the top of the pile and can be filled with particulate material (22) to position the load spreading member (34) while a bonding agent (23) fixing the load spreading member (34) to the pile (18) sets. A downwardly converging hollow concrete conical member (40), driven into the ground, has a cover (46) placed thereon to distribute the load to the conical member (40). A pile (56) can be driven through the hollow chamber of the conical member (40) and fixed to the conical member (40) by pouring concrete into the chamber after the pile (56) has been driven.

Abstract: A helical outrigger apparatus attached to an underpinning drive assembly for exerting an auxiliary anchoring force upon the underpinning drive assembly while sinking piers, pilings, screw-type underpinnings and the like. The piers, pilings, etc. are used to lift and support new and existing structures. The anchoring force is used to supplement a principal anchoring force provided by a dead weight of the structure. The helical outrigger apparatus fastens to a pier bracket which supports the underpinning drive assembly during operation. The helical outrigger apparatus includes a screw-type helical anchor that is sunk into the ground temporarily. The apparatus includes at least one outrigger fastened to the pier bracket. Multiple helical outriggers with anchors may be located evenly along the drive assembly. Each outrigger assembly includes an arm that is pivotally and telescopically moveable to facilitate connection between the pier bracket and the corresponding helical anchor.

Abstract: An open cutting to construct a raft foundation right after the first excavation, and to use the raft foundation as a work stage for constructing ground and basement floor slabs by fixing floor-forms to the top-slab thereof. As the raft foundation is lowered, the bracing appliance is fixed to the bottom slab of the raft foundation to give support to the retaining wall.

Abstract: A permanent form-drain network adapted for radon remediation. A permanently installed form-drain system is partially piecewise modified and adapted to collect and remove radon gas from sub-slab, as well as basement and similar near-subterranean, portions of building. The partial piecewise modification of an existing form-drain includes adapting existing connector elements of the form-drain with vent tubes and differently molded pieces such as offset transition conduits and "T" shaped divergent conduits. The method for installing the invention conceives of the use of a radon accretion zone gas barrier made of an impermeable membrane.

Abstract: A form-drain filter for blocking the entry of fine particulate, as silt or slurry, into the drain and/or sump system. The filter consists in a fine particulate filter fabric of mesh small enough to sieve from subterranean waters all particulate capable of clogging a drain network, including drainage sumps and associated pumps. The filter is provided with non-biodegradable, water-impervious adhesive(s) along selected margins of the fabric. Adhesive(s) is (are) of a permanent type to bind the fabric to portions of siliceous footings and/or tile or plastic conduits.

Abstract: A method for underpinning an existing footing of a building structure includes the steps of driving or drilling pile members into the ground on opposing sides of the footing, and forming concrete compression blocks on the opposing sides of the footing so that the concrete compression blocks are engaging relation with the footing and so that the concrete blocks are supported on the pile members. The method further includes the steps of drilling horizontal openings through the compression blocks and footing and extending post-tensioning strands through the openings. The post-tensioning strands are then tensioned to a predetermined load so that the compression blocks are urged into firm engaging and compressing relation with the footing. The earth beneath the footing and the compression blocks is then excavated wherein the footing and compression blocks are supported by the pile members. The load of the building is effectively transferred from the footing to the compression blocks by means of friction.

Abstract: A pier driving assembly is disclosed which supports the foundation under compression forces. The pier driving assembly includes a pier driving bracket which drives the pier pipes into the ground, a pier head which is placed on the pier pipe after the pipe has been driven to bedrock and the pier driving bracket assembly has been removed, and a loading bracket which gives the final lift to the foundation to make it level. When complete, all that is left in the ground is the pier and the pier head. The pier driving bracket and loading bracket are removed when their use is completed. This assembly allows for easy access to the pier should the building settle again.

Abstract: An improved surface covering for use in tennis courts or other fields on which games are played and which require a hard surface. The surface covering includes layers of materials applied on an old existing covering which is inferior for one or more reasons. The new covering includes a drain rock layer beneath a flexible fabric panel which is beneath a new base rock layer. A layer of asphalt is applied to the base rock layer, following which a thin layer, such as of bitumen or the like, can be applied to the top of the asphalt layer. The new covering will "float" on top of the old covering to allow the old covering to expand or contract due to ground movement while also eliminating moisture problems.

Abstract: A method of building a structure on a substrate, said method including the steps of providing on the substrate a support arrangement capable of adopting a first, substantially rigid state whilst the structure is being built thereabove, and a subsequent, second state permitting the accommodation of movement of, and/or forces in, the substrate (e.g. due to heave). The support arrangement comprises fluid confinable means which, in the arrangement's first state, confines a fluid therein to a first space and is operable (via said fluid) to support the structure or at least parts thereof above the substrate, and which, in the arrangement's second state, does not confine the fluid and is either in a reduced space or is readily compressible to a reduced space by said movement and/or forces.

Abstract: A thermoplastic sidewall forms one surface of a concrete form. The sidewall incorporates a drainage tile as an integral unit. Two of the sidewalls combined can provide a form for a concrete footer to be poured and remain as a permanent part of the structure.

Abstract: A system for forming a blocking layer of water-saturated soil surrounding the foundation of a building to be protected from ingress of radon gas or other soil gas contaminents. The system includes at least one set of parallel positive and negative electrodes positioned in the soil, adjacent and spaced from the foundation. Typically, the negative electrode will be positioned closest to the foundation. A low level voltage is applied to the electrodes from a DC power source. One or more sets of such electrodes will be positioned in the soil surrounding the foundation or at least that portion of the foundation most susceptible to gas ingress.

Abstract: Low environmental impact, surface installed, load transfer systems providing stable connection between above ground structures and the earth, having a plurality of offset driving holes in an integral structure member, or in a bracket or brackets attachable to such a structure, through which piles may be driven into the surrounding soil to create, in differing configurations, the necessary resistances to any combination or relative proportions of the bearing, uplift and lateral loads associated with such structures. The piles are driven at predetermined angles relative to the supported structure, and consistent with its loading characteristics, and bind under load against the offset driving holes through which they pass.

Abstract: A system to exterminate and control subterranean termites and other subterranean pests inhabiting a subterranean area surrounding or in close proximity to a structure having a perimeter near ground level and support pads includes a plurality of first pipes, a plurality of second pipes, a source of steam, a plurality of temperature sensors, a temperature display and a controller. Each pipe has a plurality of holes in its sidewall. The first and second pipes are disposed beneath ground level along the perimeter of the structure and along its support pads, respectively. The source of steam is fluidly coupled to the pipes. Each temperature sensor is disposed adjacent to one of the pipes. The temperature sensors generate temperature signals. The temperature display displays a temperature reading of the temperature adjacent to each pipe in response to the temperature signals. The controller regulates pressure and/or temperature of the source of steam in response to the temperature signals.

Abstract: A system for removing soil gases, including radon, and moisture from the proximity of building foundations is disclosed. In one embodiment, a network of grooves is scored in the top surface of a cement slab foundation. Tubing with filtered openings for the inlet of gases and moisture is buried in the groove network with the openings at the top surface of the slab. The tubing is connected to a vacuum pump which discharges gases and moisture. When an impervious floor covering is placed on top of the cement slab, the vacuum system prevents blistering or bubbling and other failure of the flooring from accumulations of gases and moisture under it.In another embodiment, an array of tubes connected to the vacuum system passes through basement walls and is buried in the soil in proximity to a building foundation. Fluid collectors are provided at the ends of the buried tubes for gases and moisture diffusing into the collectors from the soil.

Abstract: A foundation comprising (1) a cylindrical shell made of a cast-in-place concrete placed into a ring-like groove which is formed by excavation of the soil at the place of installation of the foundation, leaving a columnar soil located radially inward with respect to the ring-like groove without discharging the soil, and (2) an internal solidified soil formed by solidifying the columnar soil surrounded by the cylindrical shell with a chemical hardener, and a construction method therefor.

Abstract: A collapsible spacer for disposition between a form for a concrete foundation member and the underlying soil includes voids to allow the spacer to deform permanently and occupy a reduced volume when upheaving of the soil occurs. The spacer is fabricated from a material, such as expanded polystyrene foam, whose structural strength is not significantly altered by exposure to moisture. Embodiments of the spacer which are suited for use with forms for foundation beams and slabs are discussed.

Abstract: A pier driving assembly is disclosed which supports the foundation under compression forces. The pier driving assembly includes a pier driving bracket which drives the pier pipes into the ground, a pier head which is placed on the pier pipe after the pipe has been driven to bedrock and the pier driving bracket assembly has been removed, and a loading bracket which gives the final lift to the foundation to make it level. When complete, all that is left in the ground is the pier and the pier head. The pier driving bracket and loading bracket are removed when their use is completed. This assembly allows for easy access to the pier should the building settle again.

Abstract: The invention is a method of installing an outer-cased piling through a zone of subsoil contamination which includes boring a hole to a predetermined depth below the contamination, placing a smaller diameter casing in the full length of the hole, pumping a cementitious material between the outer casing wall and the soil, installing the piling through the casing and down to a point of refusal below the contaminated zone, filling the piling form with cement and then filling the void between the piling and casing with a cementitious material.The outer-cased piling design allows the piling installation through zones of contamination without adversely impacting the environment or spreading the contamination to other subsurface layers.

Abstract: In a method of stopping a leak of ground-water in an in-ground concrete structure, a through-hole is drilled in the in-ground concrete structure at a position adjacent to a leak portion, and after that a filler material containing a fine-grain slag cement as a main body is injected from the through-hole behind the leak portion so that the injected filler material fills up the leak portion under the pressurized seeping action of ground-water or the capillary seeping action of ground-water and then firmly and integrally adheres by hydration to a body of the in-ground concrete structure, thereby sealing the leak portion of the in-ground concrete structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing short aggregate piers in situ in the ground including the steps of forming a cavity in the ground, compacting soil in the vicinity of a bottom portion of the cavity to prestress and densify the soil beneath the cavity, adding a layer of loose aggregate to partially fill the cavity, compacting the layer of loose aggregate with an implement 10 adapted to reduce the height of the layer and adapted to prestress and densify the soil laterally by forcing some of the aggregate laterally into the sides of the cavity and thereby also enlarging the cavity in the vicinity of the layer, and repeating steps of adding aggregate and compacting aggregate until the cavity is filled substantially completely with compacted aggregate or is filled to the desired elevation. The resulting pier has a bulging, undulating outer surface which the surrounding prestressed soil is better able to support.

Abstract: A method and device for diverting water away from a building foundation and insulating the soil surrounding the foundation. The method includes excavating a trench in the soil at least about a portion of the perimeter of a new or existing building foundation, the trench having a predetermined depth, a first side wall defined by the building foundation, a bottom surface defined by the soil having a predetermined slope extending away from the building foundation a predetermined distance and a second side wall opposite the first side wall and defined by the soil. A first insulated waterproof diverter member is placed within a portion of trench for diverting water away from the foundation and reducing the frost penetration depth within the soil surrounding the foundation.

Abstract: An improved foundation repairing system includes a plurality of pierheads secured to exposed portions of a foundation. Each of the pierheads has an angular ledge abutting an outer surface and a bottom surface of the foundation. A pier is driven, section by section, vertically downwardly through a pier guide of a respective one of the pierheads by a pier driver in conjunction with a pier driving bracket in order to obtain the necessary support from the underlying ground. The pier driver has a pair of opposing first upright members straddling the pier guide, which are temporarily attached to the foundation and a pair of opposing first foot members operably extending beneath the foundation. A plurality of secondary lifting mechanisms, in cooperation with piers previously installed by the pier driver, are adapted to cooperatively elevate the foundation. The pier guides of the pierheads are fixedly connected to the respective piers to provide permanent support for the foundation.

Abstract: A system is provided for installing a drilling template in a level orientation over an ocean floor. The drilling template is supported on a plurality of preset piles. The piles extend above the ocean floor. After the piles are set, their elevations are accurately determined, and pile-receiving sockets in the drilling template are finally fabricated to have depths corresponding to the respective piles to be received therein. Once the drilling template is lowered onto the piles, it is supported in a level orientation.

Abstract: A building (1) where steel plates (2, 8, 9) are used partly as heat transporting elements to and from the constant heat area of the earth which is at a constant temperature and partly as load-bearing elements. The steel plates (2, 8, 9) maintain a significantly higher surface temperature than the outer walls of a conventional building in the winter, and they are insulated (5) on the inner side to below ground level with a high insulation value, thereby making it possible to maintain stay temperature in the interior of the building because of the free heat from the interior of the building and activities of a few individuals as well as from incident sunlight and heat from domestic appliances, light, radio, etc. In the summer, the steel plates serve as air condition by conducting excess heat down into the ground. They may be insulated (10) on the outer side to restrict heating owing to incident sunlight. This insulation (10) also reduces the need for thermal energy from the earth magazine in the winter.

Abstract: A specific structure of construction to be implemented at the bottom part of a raft foundation to reduce the upward water pressure of the raft foundation bottom or to control the water pressure. An artificial drainage bed structure is constructed at the raft foundation bottom plate, comprising an artificial filter layer, artificial drainage latticed network, water filter/collecting pipe, non-permeable fabric, overflow drain pipe and other elements to reduce and control the impact of a floating force or an excessively large water pressure on the raft foundation bottom plate which is likely to occur during the course of construction.

Abstract: A permanently-installed form-drain (10) including hollow, foraminous planks (12) and connectors (16,18) for joining two or more of the planks in a continuously arranged concrete barrier. The instant improvements include an adapter (20/21), which serves as a straight connector, grooved plank (19) with interlocking stake (13/14), integral connector-stake and adapter-stake device (16/14, 20/14) and a tri-functional, generally rigid bracket and bracket-stake (22 and 22/22x) element, used to space and restrain/constrain the planks and/or to hold (support) reinforcement bars.

Abstract: A building method is provided that avoids the use of the traditional excavated foundation. The method comprises placing primary support members (10) into the ground in which the structure is to be built at predetermined intervals, spanning the gap between support members (10) by pre-cast reinforced concrete beams (14) of generally inverted T-shape and predetermined length and building, for example, a double skin wall (42, 44) on the outer flange (22) and top of the beam while the inner flange (22) supports a floor slab of beams (40) blocks (46) and screed (48) and abuts the inner face (31) of the upright of the beam to resist inward lateral movement thereof.

Abstract: A pier driving assembly is disclosed which supports the foundation under compression forces. The pier driving assembly includes a pier driving bracket which drives the pier pipes into the ground, a pier head which is placed on the pier pipe after the pipe has been driven to bedrock and the pier driving bracket assembly has been removed, and a loading bracket which gives the final lift to the foundation to make it level. When complete, all that is left in the ground is the pier and the pier head. The pier driving bracket and loading bracket are removed when their use is completed. This assembly allows for easy access to the pier should the building settle again.

Abstract: An apparatus for stabilizing the foundation of a building structure includes a support assembly fastened to the foundation and a screw anchor installed in the earth in generally upright disposition with an upper end thereof located adjacent the foundation. The upper end is secured within a sleeve of the support assembly by a bonding composition to prevent movement of the screw anchor relative to the sleeve. During assembly of the apparatus, a lower bracket of the support assembly is attached to the foundation of a building to be stabilized, and the screw anchor is installed in the earth in generally upright disposition with an upper end of a rod of the anchor located adjacent the lower bracket. The sleeve is placed over the upper end of the rod, and a bonding composition is inserted into the interior space of the sleeve between the sleeve and the rod. The sleeve is also attached to the bracket to prevent settling and uplift movement of the foundation relative to the screw anchor.

Abstract: A method for lowering a basement structure includes forming several upright pile holes in the ground, providing each of the pile holes with a pile, providing several vertical guide holes and an excavation passage which are formed through the basement structure in such a manner that the guide holes are aligned with the pile holes, equipping each of the guide holes with an impelling device which is coupled with one of the piles, excavating soil below the basement structure, and activating the impelling devices to lower the basement structure into the ground in such a manner that the piles extend through the guide holes. Several vertical steel rods are embedded in each of the piles. Each of the impelling devices includes an upright cylinder body fixed on the top end of the basement structure, a piston rod extending through the cylinder body, and a piston carried on the piston rod. An internally threaded engaging member is engaged with the externally threaded lower portion of the piston rod.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for in-situ solidifying and stabilizing a mass of unstable foundation soil utilizes a plasma arc torch. The torch is inserted into a drilled and cased hole to a selected depth in a subterranean unstable soil layer and the torch is energized. The intense heat generated by the torch melts the soil material close to the hole and forms a pool of melt while more remote sections are baked to a brick-like consistency or dried and strengthened. Upon cooling, the central melted soil material cools to a hard, vitrified column with physical properties equivalent to a hard, dense rock. Variations of the method apply to a variety of construction support problems and landslide remediation problems.

Abstract: A flexible or rigid panel, and method of making the panel, useful as a water barrier including an intermediate layer of a water-swellable colloidal clay, such as pentonite, sandwiched between two layers of sheet material, such as woven or non-woven fabric, or paperboard, wherein at least one of the sheet material layers has a water-soluble coating material covering substantially the entire outer surface of the sheet material layer. The water-soluble coating is a material that dissolves upon a predetermnined water contact period, having a controlled, predetermined water-solubility so that the intermediate water-swellable clay layer is protected against hydration during installation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved tank structures and apparatus for their construction. The walls of the prestressed tank are formed by inflating a membrane, applying one or more layers of rigidifying material outwardly of said membrane and then prestressing the walls by circumferentially wrapping prestressing material to minimize the tension in the rigidifying material when subject to loading. In another embodiment, wall forms are placed inwardly of said membrane to aid in the forming of the walls and circumferential prestressing. In the best mode of the invention, the walls are of reinforced plastic, fiber-reinforced plastic or resin sandwich composite construction this application focuses on. Seismic countermeasures which may also be used to protect the structure against earthquakes and other tremors, by the anchoring of the tank walls to the base and permitting the seismic forces to be shared by the seismic anchors.

Abstract: A portable apparatus adapted to be moved to the edge of a concrete pad that needs to be restored to a horizontal condition. The apparatus includes a generally upright frame and a lifting platform that is attachable to the bottom of the frame (with bolts or the like). The platform has a forwardly projecting shelf that is placed under an exposed edge of the pad. A pair of hydraulic cylinders are mounted on the frame for selectively pushing downward on a yoke. Reaction loads from the downward push on the yoke are accommodated by the concrete pad. A chuck is mounted on the yoke for the purpose of engaging a generally linear member that is pushed into the ground to create a deep "foundation" for lifting the concrete pad with respect to the surface. A preferred linear member for this purpose is one or more sections of heavy reinforcing rod of the type that is commonly used to reinforce large concrete structures.

Abstract: A low cost, easy to install underpinning apparatus (14) for supporting below-grade structural footings such as foundations (10) or the like is provided which makes use of a power installed, load-bearing helix-type screw anchor (16) together with a connecting bracket assembly (b 19) secured to the foundation (10). The anchor (16) is screwed into the earth below the foundation (10), leaving the upright end of the anchor shaft (20) adjacent the foundation (10). The bracket assembly (18) advantageously includes a foundation-engaging plate (28) with a pair of spaced, outwardly extending wall portion (30, 32) rigidly secured thereto. An elongated, U-shaped bracket (36) together with a mating retainer (42) are releasably secured to the wall portions (30, 32) and serve to captively retain the upper end of the anchor shaft (20), with the U-bracket (36) having a top crosspiece wall (38) provided with a threaded opening (40) therethrough.

Abstract: A leveling apparatus is lowered onto a structure, such as a subsea template, having one or more latching receptacles secured thereon and through which a pile has been driven into the ocean floor. The apparatus engages the open end of the pile and releasably latches onto the receptacle. The apparatus has a lift frame at its upper end, a landing ring below the lift frame, a cylinder frame below the landing ring, and a latch frame below the cylinder frame. The lift frame is connected to the latch frame by vertical stabilizer columns secured to the lift frame and connected at their lower ends to latches in the latch frame. The landing ring is slidably mounted on the stabilizer columns and hydraulic lift cylinders secured to the cylinder frame have their rod ends secured to the housing of the latch frame.

Abstract: The present invention is a moisture stabilization control system used to prevent structural damage to foundations resulting from forces exerted by the expansion and contraction of underlying soil. Stress sensors are employed to monitor the stress applied against the foudnation. When abnormal amounts of stress are sensed by the system, it compensates for the decreased support of the foundation by injecting water into the soil supporting that foundation until the level of stress is equalized and at the proper amount. The present invention is designed such that it can provide water to the soil in specified zones, thereby relieving localized depletions and preventing substantial structural damage to any foundation.

Abstract: A multidimensional structural reinforcing element is disclosed, the element designed for inclusion within a matrix of soil, concrete, stone, and other materials to improve the index properties of the matrix. The elements have a hub portion with arms extending radially therefrom. The arms may include additional structural elements such as cubes or spheres on the distal ends thereof and the surface of the elements may be roughened to increase the surface area and the gripping function of the elements relative to the matrix material.

Abstract: A low cost, easy to install underpinning apparatus (14) for supporting below-grade structural footings such as foundations (10) or the like is provided which makes use of a power installed, load-bearing helix-type screw anchor (16) together with a connecting bracket assembly (19) secured to the foundation (10). The anchor (16) is screwed into the earth below the foundation (10), leaving the upright end of the anchor shaft (20) adjacent the foundation (10). The bracket assembly (18) advantageously includes a foundation-engaging plate (28) with a pair of spaced, outwardly extending wall portions (30, 32) rigidly secured thereto. An elongated, U-shaped bracket (36) together with a mating retainer (42) are releasably secured to the wall portions (30, 32) and serve to captively retain the upper end of the anchor shaft (20), with the U-bracket (36) having a top crosspiece wall (38) provided with a threaded opening (40) therethrough.

Abstract: A basement is constructed by the steps of: (a) excavating spaced vertical holes along the border of a construction site to the depth of bearing strata for the basement; (b) forming piles at the bottoms of the vertical holes; (c) erecting steel posts in the vertical holes on the piles to serve as main posts of the basement; (d) excavating soil from the entire area of the construction site to form an upper part of a cavity to receive the basement, the depth of the upper part of the cavity being far above the bearing strata; (e) forming upper portions of concrete walls of the basement along the wall of the cavity; (f) forming the remaining portions of the concrete walls extending downward from the bottoms of the upper portions of the concrete walls to the bearing strata by alternatively repeating the steps (d) and (e).

Abstract: Apparatus for simultaneously driving two parallel pile members that function to raise and reposition building foundation structures. The apparatus consists of a foundation support member, a frame assembly removably attached to the foundation support member, and a hydraulic ram and pile gripping assembly supported within said frame assembly. Alternately, the apparatus consists of a foundation support member, a pile gripping assembly, and a hydraulic ram removably interconnected between said foundation support member and said pile gripping assembly. As the hydraulic ram is actuated, the pile gripping assembly grips the pile members upon the start of downward movement relative to the pile members and completion of the stroke drives the pile members into the earth to a predetermined point of resistance. The apparatus then functions to raise and reposition the foundation after which the foundation is held in place by the pile members.

Abstract: The invention is a method of installing an outer-cased piling through a zone of subsoil contamination, and the apparatus used therein, which includes boring a hole to a predetermined depth below the contamination, placing a smaller diameter casing in the full length of the hole, pumping a cementitious material between the outer casing wall and the soil, installing the piling through the casing and down to a support layer well below the contaminated zone, filling the piling form with cement and then filling the void between the piling and casing with a cementitious material.The outer-cased piling design allows the piling installation through zones of contamination without adversely impacting the environment or spreading the contamination to other subsurface layers.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for venting soil gas to the atmosphere. Activation of a gas flow means, such as a fan disposed within a housing, directs soil gas from a gas source through a coduit, a housing and a vent to thereby vent the gas to the atmosphere. A shell is disposed about the housing and the vent, thereby defining an annular shell conduit about the housing and vent. A shell outlet at the housing inlet provides fluid communication between the shell conduit and the housing inlet. The gas flow means causes the shell conduit to be under reduced pressure relative to atmospheric pressure. Significant discharge of soil gas from the ventilation system through ruptures or defects in the housing, the vent or the shell is prevented by reduced pressure in the shell conduit, which causes a draft of air or soil gas to be drawn through the apertures into the shell conduit for subsequent ventilation of a substantial portion of the air or soil gas to the atmosphere.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a shelf-like bracket which mounts to the exposed foundation of a building or other structure. The portion of the bracket which fits underneath the foundation is adjustable to permit secure fitting. The bracket includes a vertically mounted cylindrical member adapted for receiving and holding piers (pipes). A first housing is mounted vertically atop the bracket and is adapted to support a hydraulic cylinder for driving piers into the subsurface surrounding the foundation. Each pier is adequately secured to a preceding pier prior to being driven into the subsurface. Connected piers are consecutively driven into the subsurface to a predetermined point. The first housing is removed and a second driving device is used to drive the piers further into the subsurface. Grout is forced by pressure through the interior of the piers and out through the base pier's apertures, thereby forming a grout base at the base of the piers.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method is disclosed for stabilizing the foundation of an existing building structure which may or has experienced settlement or movement. A support for the foundation is provided that is adapted to be located at a position in underlying relationship to the foundation structure. A screw anchor having an anchor shaft and at least one helix thereon is driven into the ground adjacent the foundation support.