Forms for constructing subsurface structural elements that redirect soil forces
AssigneeV-Forms, LLC
InventorsJames C. Conner, DeWayne Krawl, Omar Besim Hakim
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Embodiments described herein relate to construction of subsurface structural elements that are configured to redirect soil forces. For instance, a form may be used to construct a subsurface structural element such that the subsurface structural element redirects soil forces to vertically displace a foundation rather than have the soil forces crack or otherwise damage the foundation.
Claims20
A form for constructing at least a portion of a foundation of a structure, the form comprising:
- a top portion that defines an opening to an interior cavity for receiving a foundation material within the form, wherein:
- the interior cavity is defined by one or more interior surfaces of the form;
- and
- the top portion is configured to shape the foundation material to form a corresponding top portion of a subsurface structural element of the foundation, such that the corresponding top portion and a surface-level base of the foundation meet at an uppermost extent of the form;
- and
- a bottom portion comprising at least one interior surface, of the one or more interior surfaces, to shape the foundation material to form a corresponding termination portion of the subsurface structural element;
- wherein the form is configured to shape the foundation material to form the subsurface structural element such that the subsurface structural element redirects soil forces to vertically displace the foundation, and wherein the foundation is configured to support a portion of the structure that extends above the surface-level base.
A foundation of a structure, the foundation comprising:
- a base at a surface level, wherein the base has a first dimension in a horizontal direction;
- and
- a subsurface structural element, comprising:
- a top portion that meets the base at an uppermost extent of the subsurface structural element, wherein, at the uppermost extent, the subsurface structural element has a second dimension, in the horizontal direction, that is less than the first dimension;
- a termination portion defining a lowermost extent of the subsurface structural element;
- and
- a body portion that extends, in a vertical direction, from the top portion to the termination portion;
- wherein the subsurface structural element is shaped such that the subsurface structural element redirects soil forces to vertically displace the foundation, and wherein the foundation is configured to support a portion of the structure that extends above the base.
A method of constructing a foundation of a structure, the method comprising:
- forming a surface-level base, such that the surface-level base has a first dimension in a horizontal direction;
- and
- forming a subsurface structural element, such that the subsurface structural element comprises:
- a top portion that meets the surface-level base at an uppermost extent of the subsurface structural element, wherein, at the uppermost extent, the subsurface structural element has a second dimension, in the horizontal direction, that is less than the first dimension;
- a termination portion defining a lowermost extent of the subsurface structural element;
- and
- a body portion that extends, in a vertical direction, from the top portion to the termination portion;
- wherein the subsurface structural element is shaped such that the subsurface structural element redirects soil forces to vertically displace the foundation, and wherein the foundation is configured to support a portion of the structure that extends above the surface-level base.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.