Abstract: A pneumatic anchoring system for installation and anchoring of wick drains in a material to be consolidated such as soil, sand, ore or the like, comprising an excavator or crane having an elongate support mast and a tubular wick drain mandrel supported by the mast for downward penetration of the material/soil. The mandrel is capped at one end. A sled fixedly attached to the mandrel and slidable along the mast rides with the mandrel downward as the mandrel penetrates the material to be consolidated. The sled supports a compressed air storage tank, and the compressed air storage tank supplies compressed air through a venturi into the mandrel to jet compressed air therein. When the mandrel is at its deepest point, the operator releases a jet of air into the mandrel to disengage the wick drain anchor into the material to be consolidated, and then maintains a constant airflow rate into the mandrel during extraction to equalize the pore pressure of the drainage void and prevent collapse.

Abstract: Methods and systems provide for the controlled application of forces to a structure during leveling and securing procedures. According to embodiments described herein, a force distribution system includes a number of force application devices that are communicatively linked to a computing system. The computing system controls the force application devices to apply calculated forces to the structure, monitor the forces, and adjust the forces when deviations occur. According to one embodiment, the force application devices include jack assemblies and the system is operative to level a structure and maintain the level position when the structure shifts. According to another embodiment, the force application devices include clamp assemblies and the system is operative to apply and maintain a constant and uniform pressure on a structure to secure the structure during machining. Other embodiments include using force application devices to secure a structure during transport.

Abstract: An in-ground lifting system and method are provided that is operable for raising a structure and its foundation at least several feet. In one presently preferred embodiment, the method is utilized to raise the structure above any anticipated flood levels to thereby prevent future flooding of the structure. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of excavations are formed underneath the foundation, such as with a hydro-excavator. A sleeve with seal members and hydraulic lines is installed and aligned within each excavation. Hardenable material is poured outside the sleeve to form a cylinder. Hardenable material is poured inside the sleeve to form a piston. Fluid is pumped through the hydraulic lines to lift the structure and the foundation.

Abstract: An apparatus and a process for injecting fluids while prevents backflow are provided. The apparatus comprises a) a hollow core pipe with an open end and a closed end, and containing exit ports in the peripheral wall that are closed when there is no, or low fluid pressure; b) a stationary valve seat, fitted in the pipe; c) an axial sliding plug, disposed to be received in the valve seat where there is no or low fluid pressure thereby closing the exit ports wherein an increase in fluid pressure causes the plug to slide toward the closed end and the opening of the exit ports; and d) a spring held in place between the slidable plug and the closed end, the spring continuously urging the plug in a direction away from the closed end.

Abstract: A pier assembly (20, 60) is provided that utilizes a rotatable shelf (12, 70) structure to place a screw jack assembly (15) under a footing (28) of a foundation.

Abstract: The device for the occlusion of the internal clearance of tubular foundation piles according to the invention comprises a plug, consisting of a shutter and a deforming ring cooperating with a deformation fixture capable to impart to the plug the opening position for its blockage within the pile, wherein the shutter consists of a cylindrical body which can be restrained by the deformation fixture, having close to its upper margin a plurality of axially oriented lamellar elements, which can be laterally deflected as a result of the insertion of the deforming ring into the cylindrical body under the action of the deforming fixture, going from a configuration with a smaller external diameter than the one of the rings previously fastened in the pile for this purpose, to a configuration with a larger diameter than the one of the same rings.

Abstract: Expandable tubular mandrels have lengthwise sections the upper ends of which are joined by a head. Hydraulically operated piston-cylinder units within the mandrel are spaced apart lengthwise of the sections and connected to the mandrel in a manner such that the axis of each unit extends lengthwise of the mandrel and expanding and contracting forces are applied to the mandrel sections when the units are operated to vary their overall length, to effect mandrel expansion when their overall lengths are changed in one direction and mandrel retraction when changed in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A precast concrete pile is provided which has spaced apart concavities disposed in its inner or outer peripheral wall surface. The spaced apart concavities partially extend into the wall surface and terminate with frangible end portions. These end portions break under pressure of mortar pumped into the pile body, thereby forming apertures through which the mortar flows from the pile into the ground adjacent the pile. The precast concrete pile, after being driven into the ground, has a hydraulic sealing apparatus suspended at a desired level within the pile. The hydraulic sealing apparatus is filled with oil to cause radial swelling of the rubber packing to seal off a hollow space within the pile under the packing, and mortar is pumped under pressure into the sealed space until the concavities burst open to enable internal mortar to penetrate the ground surrounding the pile.