Soil improvement foundation isolation and load spreading systems and methods
AssigneeGeopier Foundation Company, Inc.
InventorDavid J. White
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods for soil improvement foundation isolation and load spreading are provided. The systems and methods provided herein relate to isolation of structural foundations from soil improvement elements and distributing stress from high stiffness elements to lower stiffness materials. A shear load transfer reduction system may include one or more ground improvement elements for supporting an applied load. A shear break element may be positioned above one or more ground improvement elements. The shear break elements may be configured to have low interface shear strength.
Claims21
A shear load transfer reduction system comprising:
- at least one ground improvement element for supporting applied loads;
- at least one shear break element positioned above the at least one ground improvement element, wherein the at least one shear break element comprises a plastic material and is configured to have low interface shear strength;
- and
- a granular bedding material, wherein the granular bedding material is placed between the at least one ground improvement element and the at least one shear break element.
A method for reducing shear load transfer, the method comprising:
- placing at least one ground improvement element into the ground;
- positioning at least one shear break element having a low interface shear strength above the at least one ground improvement element, wherein the at least one shear break element comprises a plastic material;
- positioning a structural foundation above the at least one shear break element;
- and
- positioning a granular bedding material between the at least one ground improvement element and the at least one shear break element.
A shear load transfer reduction system comprising:
- at least one ground improvement element for supporting applied loads;
- two shear break elements positioned above the at least one ground improvement element, wherein the two shear break elements are configured to have low interface shear strength;
- and
- a granular bedding material, wherein the granular bedding material is placed between the at least one ground improvement element and the two shear break elements.
A method for reducing shear load transfer, the method comprising:
- placing at least one ground improvement element into the ground;
- positioning two shear break elements having a low interface shear strength above the at least one ground improvement element;
- positioning a structural foundation above the two shear break elements;
- and
- positioning a granular bedding material between the at least one ground improvement element and the two shear break elements.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.