Prestressed caisson bearing pier and structural foundation device

A sheath for a bearing pier foundation for compacting soil wherein the bearing pier foundation includes a plug extending along a longitudinal axis having a first section having a side surface and a second section, said first section adapted to receive a pushing force for pushing the plug into the soil and said second section adapted to rest on the soil to be compacted, a plane, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis passes through said second section, said second section having an outer surface formed by a first part and a second part, said first part having an inner edge and an outer edge intersecting the plane, said outer edge of said first part attached to said first section and positioned further away from the longitudinal axis than said inner edge of said first part and said first part forms a recess positioned above the plane, and said second part having an outer edge attached to said first part inner edge, said second part extending downwardly from the plane and having a tapering segment extending along the longitudinal axis, said tapering segment having an upper end and a lower end, said upper end positioned closer to the plane and having a larger geometric diameter than said lower end and said segment continuously tapers along the longitudinal axis from said upper end to said lower end, said sheath comprising:

• a first section having an inner surface conforming to the side surface of the plug first section, said sheath first section including a recess portion, and an integral second section having an inner surface conforming to the outer surface of its second section of the plug, said inner surfaces of said sheath forming a cavity adapted to receive said plug.

In combination, a bearing pier foundation for compacting soil and a sheath, said bearing pier foundation comprising:

• a plug extending along a longitudinal axis having a first section and a second section, said first section adapted to have a side surface receive a pushing force for pushing the plug into the soil and said second section adapted to rest on the soil to be compacted, a plane, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis passes through said second section, said second section having an outer surface formed by a first part and a second part, said first part having an inner edge and an outer edge intersecting the plane, said outer edge of said first part attached to said first section and positioned further away from the longitudinal axis than said inner edge of said first part, and said second surface having an outer edge attached to said first part inner edge and said first part forms a recess above the plane, said second part extending downwardly from the plane, said second part having a tapering segment extending along the longitudinal axis and having an upper end and a lower end, said upper end positioned closer to the plane and having a larger geometric diameter than said lower end and the geometric diameter of said segment continuously tapers along the longitudinal axis from said upper end to said lower end;
• and said sheath comprising a first section having an inner surface conforming to the side surface of the plug first section and a second section having an inner surface conforming to the outer surface of the second section of the plug, said inner surfaces of said sheath forming a cavity adapted to receive said plug, wherein said plug is received by the cavity of said sheath and the side surface of said plug first section and said outer surface of said plug second section contact said inner surface of said sheath.

In combination, an extendable hydraulic setting tool and a bearing pier foundation for compacting soil, said bearing pier foundation comprising:

• a plug extending along a longitudinal axis having a first section and a second section, said first section adapted to receive a pushing force for pushing the plug into the soil and said second section adapted to rest on the soil to be compacted, a plane, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis passes through said second section, said second section comprising a first part and a second part, said first part having an inner edge and an outer edge intersecting the plane, said outer edge of said first part attached to said first section and positioned further away from the longitudinal axis than said inner edge of said first part, and said first part forms a recess positioned above the plane, and said second part having an outer edge attached to said first part inner edge, said second part extending downwardly from the plane, said second part having a tapering segment extending along the longitudinal axis and having an upper end and a lower end, said upper end positioned closer to the plane and having a larger geometric diameter than said lower end, and the geometric diameter of said segment continuously tapers along the longitudinal axis from said upper end to said lower end;
• and said extendable hydraulic setting tool comprising:
• means for applying a compressing force to said first section of said plug for forcing said plug second section into the soil and an anchor.

A method of making a soil foundation utilizing a bearing pier foundation for compacting soil, comprising a plug extending along a longitudinal axis having a first section and a second section, said first section adapted to receive a pushing force for pushing the plug into the soil and said second section adapted to rest on the soil to be compacted, a plane, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis passes through said second section, said second section comprising a first part and a second part, said first part having an inner edge and an outer edge intersecting the plane, said outer edge of said first part attached to said first section and positioned further away from the longitudinal axis than said inner edge of said first part and said first part forms a recess positioned above the plane, and said second part having an outer edge attached to said first part inner edge, said second part extending downwardly from the plane, said second part having a tapering segment extending along the longitudinal axis and having an upper end and a lower end, said upper end positioned closer to the plane and having a larger geometric diameter than said lower end, and said segment continuously tapers along the longitudinal axis from said upper end to said lower end, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) placing the second section of the plug on a surface of uncompressed soil;
• b) applying a compressive force to the first section;
• and
• c) forcing said plug into the soil, thereby compressing and consolidating the soil in said recess and directly below said plug.

In combination, an extendable hydraulic setting tool and a bearing pier foundation for compacting soil, said bearing pier foundation comprising:

• a plug extending along a longitudinal axis having a first section, a second section and a hole passing therethrough, said first section having an upper surface adapted to receive a pushing force for pushing the plug into the soil and said second section adapted to rest on the soil to be compacted, a plane, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis passes through said second section, said second section comprising a first part and a second part, said first part having an inner edge and an outer edge intersecting the plane, said outer edge of said first part attached to said first section and positioned further away from the longitudinal axis than said inner edge of said first part, and said second part having an outer edge attached to said first part inner edge, said second part extending downwardly from the plane, said second part having a tapering segment extending along the longitudinal axis and having an upper end and a lower end, said upper end positioned closer to the plane and having a larger geometric diameter than said lower end, and the geometric diameter of said segment continuously tapers along the longitudinal axis from said upper end to said lower end;
• and said extendable hydraulic setting tool comprising:
• spaced apart hydraulic motive means, each of said motive means comprising a piston movable within a cylinder with said piston having a piston arm extending out of said cylinder, movement of said piston causing the associated piston arm to extend away from or retract into its associated cylinder, a cylinder bearing plate secured to the base of said cylinders, an upper piston arm bearing plate secured to the extended ends of said piston arms, entry means in each of said cylinders for charging hydraulic fluid thereto, entry of said fluid causing said piston arms to extend outwardly from said cylinders, said bearing plates being parallel to each other, a first bearing plate opening disposed in said cylinder bearing plate midway between said cylinders, a second bearing plate opening disposed on said piston arm bearing plate midway between said piston arms, said first and said second openings aligned with each other for the passage of a rod therethrough, said assembly adapted so that a change in hydraulic fluid pressure in said cylinders changes the distance between said bearing plates, and an anchor having a rod extending therefrom, said rod extending through said aligned openings, and restraining means on said rod for restraining movement of one of said bearing plates, the other of said bearing plates adapted for bearing on said upper surface of said first section of said plug to set said device in the soil wherein said rod passes through the hole of said plug.

A method of making a soil foundation utilizing a bearing pier foundation for compacting soil, comprising a plug extending along a longitudinal axis having a first section and a second section, said first section adapted to receive a pushing force for pushing the plug into the soil and said second section adapted to rest on the soil to be compacted, a plane, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis passes through said second section, said second section comprising a first part and a second part, said first part having an inner edge and an outer edge intersecting the plane, said outer edge of said first part attached to said first section and positioned further away from the longitudinal axis than said inner edge of said first part and said first part forms a recess positioned above the plane, and said second part having an outer edge attached to said first part inner edge, said second part extending downwardly from the plane, said second part having a tapering segment extending along the longitudinal axis and having an upper end and a lower end, said upper end positioned closer to the plane and having a larger geometric diameter than said lower end, and said segment continuously tapers along the longitudinal axis from said upper end to said lower end, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) placing the second section of the plug on a surface of uncompressed soil;
• b) applying a compressive force to the first section;
• c) forcing said plug into the soil, thereby compressing and consolidating the soil in said recess and directly below said plug;
• and
• d) filling said plug with concrete after said soil is compressed and consolidated.

A method of making a soil foundation utilizing a bearing pier foundation for compacting soil, comprising a plug extending along a longitudinal axis having a first section and a second section, said first section adapted to receive a pushing force for pushing the plug into the soil and said second section adapted to rest on the soil to be compacted, a plane, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis passes through said second section, said second section comprising a first part and a second part, said first part having an inner edge and an outer edge intersecting the plane, said outer edge of said first part attached to said first section and positioned further away from the longitudinal axis than said inner edge of said first part and said first part forms a recess positioned above the plane, and said second part having an outer edge attached to said first part inner edge, said second part extending downwardly from the plane, said second part having a tapering segment extending along the longitudinal axis and having an upper end and a lower end, said upper end positioned closer to the plane and having a larger geometric diameter than said lower end, and said segment continuously tapers along the longitudinal axis from said upper end to said lower end, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) first placing a sheath over said plug;
• b) placing the second section of the plug on a surface of uncompressed soil;
• c) applying a compressive force to the first section;
• d) forcing said plug into the soil, thereby compressing and consolidating the soil in said recess and directly below said plug;
• e) removing said plug from the compressed and consolidated soil;
• f) leaving said sheath in the soil;
• and
• g) filling the sheath with concrete.

A method of making a soil foundation utilizing a bearing pier foundation for compacting soil, comprising a plug extending along a longitudinal axis having a first section and a second section, said first section adapted to receive a pushing force for pushing the plug into the soil and said second section adapted to rest on the soil to be compacted, a plane, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis passes through said second section, said second section comprising a first part and a second part, said first part having an inner edge and an outer edge intersecting the plane, said outer edge of said first part attached to said first section and positioned further away from the longitudinal axis than said inner edge of said first part and said first part forms a recess positioned above the plane, and said second part having an outer edge attached to said first part inner edge, said second part extending downwardly from the plane, said second part having a tapering segment extending along the longitudinal axis and having an upper end and a lower end, said upper end positioned closer to the plane and having a larger geometric diameter than said lower end, and said segment continuously tapers along the longitudinal axis from said upper end to said lower end, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) digging a hole into the soil;
• b) placing said plug over said hole;
• c) placing the second section of the plug on a surface of uncompressed soil;
• d) placing an anchor into said hole;
• e) engaging the anchor with the soil;
• f) utilizing said anchor with a setting tool for applying a compressive force to the first section;
• g) activating the setting tool to apply the compressing force to the plug first section;
• and
• h) forcing said plug into the soil, thereby compressing and consolidating the soil in said recess and directly below said plug.

A method of making a soil foundation utilizing a bearing pier foundation for compacting soil, comprising a plug extending along a longitudinal axis having a first section and a second section, said first section adapted to receive a pushing force for pushing the plug into the soil and said second section adapted to rest on the soil to be compacted, a plane, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis passes through said second section, said second section comprising a first part and a second part, said first part having an inner edge and an outer edge intersecting the plane, said outer edge of said first part attached to said first section and positioned further away from the longitudinal axis than said inner edge of said first part and said first part forms a recess positioned above the plane, and said second part having an outer edge attached to said first part inner edge, said second part extending downwardly from the plane, said second part having a tapering segment extending along the longitudinal axis and having an upper end and a lower end, said upper end positioned closer to the plane and having a larger geometric diameter than said lower end, and said segment continuously tapers along the longitudinal axis from said upper end to said lower end, wherein said bearing pier foundation is forced in the soil by a hydraulic setting tool having a hydraulic cylinder charged with hydraulic fluid and a gauge for measuring hydraulic fluid pressure of the hydraulic fluid, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) placing the second section of the plug on a surface of uncompressed soil;
• b) applying a compressive force to the first section;
• c) forcing said plug into the soil, thereby compressing and consolidating the soil in said recess and directly below said plug;
• and
• d) measuring the fluid pressure of the hydraulic fluid while the plug is being forced into the soil.