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: A means of leveling and repairing an existing concrete foundation that has failed due to differential settlement, subsidence, soil shifting, surface faults or trees. A series of cylindrical pile segments are jacked into the soil while water jetting to a predetermined depth wherein sufficient skin friction is attained. Reinforcing steel is inserted into the stacked column of cylindrical pile segments and grout is further pumped into the cylindrical pile segments to suitably fix the reinforcing steel to the inside of the cylindrical pile segments, forming a single shaft pile further eliminating or reducing pile deflection and shear.

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: A shoring leg provided with a latch for use in maintaining an end plate on the shoring leg and a jack collar in a predetermined position relative to each other, the latch comprising a latch member mounted on the leg to execute a movement from a latching position to a release position, the latch member defining a recess jaw adapted, when in the latching position, to receive part of the leg end plate and to receive a corresponding part of an adjacent collar of a jack to retain the end plate and the collar in said predetermined position, there being means to retain the latch member in the latching position.

Abstract: A continuously reinforced segmental precast concrete underpinning pile using a method of installation where a high strength strand aligns the precast segments during installation, provides a means for measurement of pile penetration depth, and continuously reinforces the pile when bonded or anchored upon completion.

Abstract: An apparatus for lifting and stabilizing a structural slab overlying the ground includes a base attached to the upper surface of the slab, at least one hydraulic cylinder vertically supported from the base and a slip clamp assembly attached to the piston rod extending from the cylinder. Piling segments are sequentially passed downward through the slip clamp and through coaxial holes in the base and in the slab, and are driven into the ground by the hydraulic cylinder to form a support column under the slab.

Abstract: A device for driving a stake into the ground, particularly a foundation stake of new or existing buildings. The device may also be used for stabilizing, raising and shoring foundations, or for any other similar application. The device has two hydraulic jacks on which are secured two rods, the hydraulic jacks and the rods being parallel to the driving axis of the stake. The device has also a driving member provided with a hammering head continuously in contact with the upper end of the stake during the power stroke of the hydraulic jacks Bores are provided in the hammering head in which the rods are inserted. Latches facing each other are provided in the hammering head to prevent segments of larger diameter on the rods from going through the bore during the return stroke but not during the power stroke, therefore allowing the stake to be driven by the hammering head during the return stroke.

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 foundation having a wall is stabilized by attaching a bracket to the wall, coupling a jacking apparatus to the bracket, inserting pier sections into the jacking apparatus and driving them with that apparatus, one after the other, through the bracket and into the soil which underlies the foundation, and coupling the pier so formed to the bracket so as to support the foundation through the pier. The bracket has a plate which fits against the wall and is attached to it with bolts and a sleeve which is attached firmly to the plate intermediate the ends of the plate. The pier passes through the sleeve and is connected to the sleeve, once it encounters adequate resistance, so as to support the foundation.

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: Apparatus and method for supporting and lifting building foundation slabs utilizing an above-slab, power cylinder activated, lift assembly and a below-slab support bracket. The bracket is an elongated plate which is inserted through a small access slot cut in the slab and then rotated to extend transversely of the slot. Lift rods are connected between the bracket and a cross arm of the lift assembly positioned above the slab. The cross arm and the bracket include apertured guides for slidably receiving and guiding pilings successively driven under the slab by power cylinders connected from the cross arm.

Abstract: Apparatus for shoring a building foundation including spaced pilings extending into drilled bore holes such that the lower ends of the pilings rest on and are supported by a sub-stratum believed capable of supporting a portion of the weight of the foundation. Each of a plurality of pressure actuated jacks is connectable between a support bracket and one of the spaced pilings. The jacks are used to individually load test each of the pilings by application of force exceeding the portion of the weight of the foundation which will be supported by each individual piling. Load equalizing manifolds are connected to the fluid inlets and to the fluid outlets of the jacks to distribute a portion of the weight of the foundation over the pilings.

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: The present invention provides a foundation shoring and stabilizing apparatus comprising a support bracket extending longitudinally under the structure to be supported, a yoke assembly disposed in a vertically spaced relationship above the support bracket, a lifting cradle engageable upon the bottom surface of the support bracket, a pair of generally upright members to which the lifting cradle and yoke assembly are removably attached, and a pile driving means attached to the yoke assembly and engageable upon a piling to be driven into the ground into a supporting relationship with the support bracket and the foundation.

Abstract: A method of forming a pile and a method for supporting a building structure by utilizing a pile so formed comprises driving a pile casing (19), with an enlargement (24) near its leading end (20) to a desired depth and supplying under pressure a settable mixture through the top of the casing so that it flows through apertures (26) at the enlargement to fill the oversize hole left by the enlargement around the casing. The casing can be driven through a hole formed in the building structure to be supported and the settable mixture may flow up the pile casing to fill a void under the structure.

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: 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 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.

Abstract: A pier driving assembly is disclosed which supports the foundation under compression forces. The pier driving assembly includes a driving pier 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: A method for shoring a building foundation. A hole is excavated in the proximity of the foundation for providing access to a downwardly-directed portion of the foundation. A fitting is slid over a pipe having a drill bit mounted thereon. The pipe is placed in the hole and rotated to create a bore until the bit encounters a sub-surface rock formation. The fitting is engaged against the downwardly-directed portion of the foundation and is urged upwardly relative to the pipe initially to load test each pier and subsequently until the foundation is raised to a selected level. After equalizing the force on each pier, the fitting is then welded to the pipe. The drill bit includes a substantially planar bit member having a U-shaped notch cut therein with a pipe received within the notch. Two additional bit members are mounted on the pipe with all of the bit members having lower edges which are coated with tungsten carbide.

Abstract: Apparatuses for lifting and supporting a structure comprising a support collar disposable on a support shaft, a jackstand with a support ledge disposable under the structure, and a lifting head for use with a support collar. A method for using the apparatuses comprising disposing a portion of the jackstand under the structure, driving the support shaft with a jack supported on the jackstand, and removing the jackstand. A support collar is disposed on the support shaft, and the structure lifted with a lifting head device secured to the support collar. The collar is secured to the shaft.

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 (18) 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: 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 founation 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: An improved method of constructing a basement piling is disclosed. The piling of an improved pile, which consists of a plurality of pile units connected with each other, is completed by first driving a pile unit into the construction site of the building, then connecting other pile units to the previously driven pile unit, and further driving the connected pile units into the construction site. The improved method of constructing a basement of a building on a construction site comprises a first step of pre-forming a basement with seat members formed thereon, a second step of providing a plurality of hydraulic devices associated with the seat members, a third step of providing a plurality of piles onto the hydraulic devices and a fourth step of manipulating the plurality of hydraulic devices to allow descent of the pre-formed basement into the construction site.

Abstract: A hydraulic self contained foundation leveling shim is provided and placed in the upper end of a poured concrete foundation leveling pier before curing. Hydraulic hoses lead to the surface to allow hydraulic fluid to be pumped into and removed from the hydraulic chamber of the shim to raise or lower the foundation on the pier. A plurality of the piers and shims is used to level the foundation of a structure that has settled in unstable soil.

Abstract: Apparatus for stabilizing and elevating the foundations of buildings of the type utilizing a foundation bracket which is positioned in supporting engagement with the building foundation. The apparatus includes a tubular guide sleeve and an upper head assembly from which one or more power cylinders are supported with their piston rods extending downwardly along side piling pipe sections which are driven into the ground through the guide sleeve adjacent to the foundation to form a support column. The piston rods are connected to a slip clamp which is constructed and arranged to grip a piling section and push it downwardly upon the downward, maximum power extension stroke of the piston rods, and to release the piling upon the upward, retraction stroke of the piston rods. Vertically extending connecting rods which support the upper head assembly are detachably connected at their lower ends to a lower cross arm unit attached to the foundation bracket.

Abstract: The process herein disclosed to lower into the ground building structures, such as shutdown nuclear power plants or building structures to be erected as they are lowered. A caisson for supporting the building structure is provided below the bed plate of the building structure, and is lowered in steps together with the building structure. To permit a controlled lowering of the building structure by a predeterminable distance, the caisson is provided with a reinforced concrete top plate and with a reinforced concrete outer ring which depends from the rim of the top plate and constitutes an outer cutting edge. An inner reinforced concrete ring, which constitutes an inner cutting edge is arranged approximately on the same level as the outer ring. Hydraulic presses are placed between the top surface of the inner ring and the bottom surface of the top plate and are used to support the top plate on the inner ring.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for raising and supporting the foundation or slab of a building, in which a lifting arm assembly engages the lower surface of the foundation or slab and is secured thereto. A piling assembly is disposed in a support sleeve adjacent the lifting assembly and is engaged by a clamping assembly. A hydraulic ram is connected between the clamping assembly and the lifting arm assembly in the expanded position of the ram so that when the ram is retracted, the piling is driven into the ground until it encounters a predetermined resistance. A drive plate is placed in operative relation to the piling assembly and over a pair of rods attached to the lifting arm assembly. The ram is further actuated after the predetermined resistance is encountered to raise the lifting arm assembly, the rods, and the foundation or slab a predetermined distance relative to the drive plate, after which the rods are secured to the piling assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for raising and supporting a foundation where a hole is excavated beneath the foundation, one or more pipes are driven into the earth at diverging angles to form a piling, and a jack is placed in the hole above the piling and beneath the foundation. A self-hardening fluid is forced into the jack to raise the foundation. A jack is created from a pair of hollow cylinders, each having a single closed end, and slidably engaged open end to open end for vertical movement when a self-hardening fluid is forced through an opening formed in one of the cylinders. The jack may be formed of an open-top cylinder having a concrete piston formed inside that is raised by pumping grout through an opening in the cylinder and into a void under the piston.

Abstract: An apparatus for lifting structure is provided which includes a pier and a shoe attached to the base of a structure. A sleeve, which acts as a means to guide the shoe and support the shoe on the pier, is placed on the pier and is adapted to mate with the shoe. In order to lift the structure, a lift bracket is attached to the shoe and a hydraulic ram or jack is inserted between the top of the sleeve and the bottom of the lift bracket. After the ram is extended to raise the structure to the desired level, pins are inserted through the shoe and shims inserted between the laterally extending plates of the sleeve and the pins driven through the shoe in order to permanently support the structure. After insertion of these permanent supports, the hydraulic ram and lift bracket may be removed and reused at a different site.

Abstract: A pier adapted to support a load such as a foundation wall comprises a concrete pillar, a support tube oriented substantially perpendicular to and on top of the pier, a pair of threaded rods embedded in the pillar and extending through the support tube, and four threadably mounted on the threaded rods to secure the support tube to the pier. A portion of the support tube extends beyond the periphery of the pillar and is disposed below the load, whereby the load is supported by the extending portion of the support tube. A slippery, plastic liner surrounds the upper portion of the concrete pillar so that swelling of soil surrounding the liner is inhibited by the liner from displacing the concrete pillar.

Abstract: Several underpinning arrangements are described. In each, a concrete pile is cast in a hole formed adjacent to the structure to be underpinned. The hole is formed from at or near ground level and is vertical or at an angle close to the vertical. At least one supporting limb is also formed. This extends from the pile hole and engages the structure. When the pile is cast in the pile hole, the pile and supporting limb are made to form a unitary element so that forces exerted on the supporting limb by the structures are transmitted to and borne by the pile. Various configurations of supporting limb are described, as are various arrangements for ensuring that the supporting limb is retained in a position in which it supports the structure. A drilling assembly for use in the method is also described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for raising and supporting a foundation where a hole is excavated beneath the foundation, one or more pipes are driven into the earth at diverging angles to form a piling, and a jack is placed in the hole above the piling and beneath the foundation. A self-hardening fluid is forced into the jack to raise the foundation. A jack is created from a pair of hollow cylinders, each having a single closed end, and slidably engaged open end to open end for vertical movement when a self-hardening fluid is forced through an opening formed in one of the cylinders. The jack may be formed of an opened-top cylinder having a concrete piston formed inside that is raised by pumping grout through an opening in the cylinder and into a void under the piston.

Abstract: A system for stabilizing a first structural element relative to a second structural element wherein a flexible container containing a foaming agent is positioned between the structural elements, the agent is expanded within the container and partially migrates from the container to form a bond with at least one of the structural elements, and the agent is hardened in place.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for raising and supporting the foundation or slab of a building, in which a lifting assembly engages the lower surface of the foundation or slab and is secured thereto. A piling is disposed adjacent the lifting assembly and is engaged by a driving assembly. A hydraulic ram is connected between the driving assembly and the lifting assembly in the expanded position of the ram so that when said ram is retracted, the piling is driven into the ground until it encounters a predetermined resistance. The ram is further actuated after the predetermined resistance is encountered to raise said foundation or slab a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A concrete slab which has settled is stabilized and may even be lifted by forcing a pier through the slab and into the underlying soil and then attaching the pier at its upper end to the slab. To this end a vertical hole is drilled through the slab as is a smaller oblique hole, with the latter intersecting and passing through the former. Then a jacking unit is attached to the upper surface of the slab around the vertical hole. The jacking unit forces a succession pier sections through the vertical hole and into the underlying soil, with these sections being fitted together end-to-end to form a pier. In time significant resistance is encountered, and at this point, while the jacking unit exerts a downwardly directed force on the pier and an upwardly directed counterforce on the slab, a hole is drilled through the portion of the pier that is within the slab, this being done by using the oblique hole in the slab as a guide for the drill bit.

Abstract: A foundation is stabilized with a pier that extends downwardly from the foundation into the underlying surface material and at its lower end preferably bears against bedrock. At its upper end the pier is attached to the foundation through a bracket having a sleeve and a rod directed generally radially from the sleeve. To drive the pier, a hole is first drilled into the foundation wall, and the rod of the bracket is inserted into the hole, so that the sleeve lies along the wall. A jacking apparatus is fitted to the bracket, and it includes a lift member that actually engages the sleeve and a hydraulic cylinder that is located above the lift member and sleeve. The pier comprises sections which are fitted individually into the sleeve and are driven downwardly with the cylinder, with all but the first section being coupled to the section immediately below it.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for supporting and shoring building foundations and walls in which one or more pilings are disposed at a point outside the perimeter of a structure. The pilings are driven into the supporting strata to a point determined by said strata's resistance to a predetermined amount of driving force. The pilings thus disposed provide a foundation for the subsequent attachment and securing of the apparatus of the present invention which functions to raise and support the foundation or wall to a predetermined level. The apparatus of the present invention includes a lifting arm for engaging the foundation, a sleeve portion for guiding the pilings, a removably secured lifting saddle, and a hydraulically operated jack for applying a force between the saddle and the pilings to raise the foundation a predetermined distance.

Abstract: Apparatus for shoring a structure such as a foundation, comprising a support bracket engageable with the foundation, a pile adapted to be driven down into the ground adjacent the bracket, and at least one footing structure on the outside of the pile extending circumferentially of the pile in a plane generally at right angles to the central longitudinal axis of the pile. The footing structure has an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of the pile for engagement with the soil as the pile is driven down thereby to increase the load-bearing capacity of the pile. A mechanism is provided for securing the pile to the bracket after the pile and the footing structure thereon have been driven to a depth sufficient to shore the foundation. A shoring method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for raising and supporting the foundation or slab of a building in which a lifting assembly is inserted underneath the foundation or slab and is adapted to receive a pipe assembly. A clamping assembly is provided for engaging a portion of the pipe assembly extending above the lifting assembly, and a hydraulic system extends between the lifting assembly and the clamping assembly for sequentially lowering the pipe assembly into the ground so that, when it encounters resistance, the foundation or slab is supported and can be raised to a predetermined level.

Abstract: A method of supporting a structure comprises driving a pile casing through a hold in a structure to be supported until the leading end of the pile casing reaches its desired position and thereafter introducing a cutter into the top of the pile casing, positioning a cutting element of said cutter to a location at or near the lower surface of the structure to be supported, actuating the cutter to cut off the pile above said location so that the unwanted top portion of the pile can then be removed and introducing concrete into the pile casing and hole through the structure.

Abstract: A method of lifting and supporting structures, such as buildings or the like, which includes the steps of exposing the base of the structure; attaching a shoe to the base of the structure and then attaching a driving assembly to the shoe whereby the assembly may be utilized to successively and individually drive piers beneath the structure. After the piers are driven a separate pier plate unit is fitted over the end of each of the piers, which piers have been cut off at ground level. Once in place, the pier plate unit is used to support lifting means which operate between the pier plate unit and the structure to lift the structure to the desired position. After the structure has reached this position permanent, adjustable supporting means are placed between the pier plate unit and the structure whereby to retain the structure in the desired position.

Abstract: A compacted deep foundation structure, a method of and an apparatus for making such structure. This structure may be a pile made in situ, or prefabricated, a pile with enlarged footing, or without it, a micro-pile, a large-diameter pile, a pile without any skin bearing capacity, an underground wall portion, or the like. The foundation structure of the invention permits the foundation ground strength to be raised by compacting it, and reduces the settling of the structure. The compacted deep foundation structure includes a separate foot block pushed in the foundation ground, and a foundation body supported by the foot block and separated from it by space which is initially filled by a separator and later by hardenable material. In the foundation body there is provided at least one longitudinal through hole for accommodating a strut.

Abstract: The non-impact pile driver of this invention comprises a mast mounted on a trailer chassis and a carriage guided by the mast for vertical motion along it and comprising a hydraulic ram with a downwardly projecting piston rod. The carriage is raised and controlledly lowered by means of a winch. Horizontally movable latch members on the carriage, operated by remotely controllable hydraulic actuators, engage abutments on the mast, at spaced intervals along it, to lock the carriage to the mast. Thus the carriage can be lowered in stages for driving a substantially long pile.

Abstract: A method of lifting and stabilizing a concrete slab having an opening therein in which a plate is attached to the top surface of the slab, the plate having an opening coinciding with the opening in the slab, a hydraulic jack having a downwardly extending piston is removeably secured to the plate and a series of tubular shafts are forced downwardly through the opening in the plate and the slab to penetrate the earth beneath the slab and apply lifting force. When the slab has been lifted to the desired elevation, grout, such as a concrete slurry, can be injected below the slab so that the slab is stabilized in the selected elevational position. After the plate is removed the hole in the slab is filled.

Abstract: Apparatus for shoring a concrete slab, for example, comprising support members engageable with the bottom of the slab, a guide engageable with the support members having an internal screw thread, and piling having an external screw thread which mates with the internal screw thread of the guide. The piling is rotated about a generally vertical axis for threading it down through the guide into the ground below the slab and into engagement with load-bearing underground strata thereby to shore the slab. A method of this invention for shoring a slab is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of installing a pile beneath the foundations of a building comprises forming a hole, preferably at a small angle to the vertical, through the foundation driving a first pile casing section through said hole into the ground beneath the foundation with a percussive machine located at or near floor or ground level of the building, applying to the end of the first pile casing section a further pile casing section and driving the composite pile casing into the ground by a percussive machine located no lower than the floor or ground level of the building, fitting a further percussive machine having a maximum external diameter no greater than the maximum external diameter of the foundation hole and driving said casing further into the ground with said further percussive machine following the casing into the ground, completing said further driving operation before said further percussive machine penetrates completely below floor or ground level, withdrawing said further percussive machine and thereafter inse