Clamping apparatus and methods for driving caissons into the earth

An apparatus for securing a caisson to a driving apparatus for driving the caisson into the earth, the driving apparatus having a base plate and defining a lengthwise axis, the apparatus comprising:

• a first beam member having a first upper flange, a first vertical flange, and a first lower flange and defining a first longitudinal axis;
• a second beam member having a second upper flange, a second vertical flange, and a second lower flange and defining a second longitudinal axis;
• a third beam member having a third upper flange, a third vertical flange, and a third lower flange and defining a third longitudinal axis;
• first and second clamp means for fixedly securing first and second gripping portions of the caisson to the first lower flange;
• third clamp means for fixedly securing a third gripping portion of the caisson to second lower flange;
• fourth clamp means for fixedly securing a fourth gripping portion of the caisson to the third lower flange;
• and
• means for securing the first, second, and third upper flanges to the base plate such that the first longitudinal axis is substantially orthogonal to the lengthwise axis of the base plate, the second and third axes are substantially parallel to the lengthwise axis of the base plate, and the first beam member is located between the second and third beam members.

A method of driving a plurality of caissons into the earth in succession, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a vibratory device having a base plate and defining a lengthwise axis;
• providing a first beam member having a first upper flange and defining a first longitudinal axis;
• providing a second beam member having a second upper flange and defining a second longitudinal axis;
• providing a third beam member having a third upper flange and defining a third longitudinal axis;
• mounting first and second clamps on the first beam member;
• mounting a third clamp on the second beam member;
• mounting a fourth clamp on the third beam member;
• securing the first upper flange to a center portion of the base plate such that the first longitudinal axis is substantially orthogonal to the lengthwise axis;
• securing the second and third upper flanges to first and second end portions, respectively, of the base plate such that the second and third axes are substantially parallel to the lengthwise axis of the base plates;
• operating the first, second, third, and fourth clamps to grip first, second, third, and fourth portions of a first caisson, respectively;
• operating the vibratory device to drive the first caisson into the ground;
• removing the first, second, and third beam members from the base plate;
• securing the first upper flange to the base plate such that the first longitudinal axis is substantially parallel to the lengthwise axis;
• operating the first and second clamps to grip first and second portions of a second caisson, respectively;
• and
• operating the vibratory device to drive the second caisson into the ground.