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US 8,328,470 B2Granted
Apparatus and method for ground improvement
AssigneeGeopier Foundation Company, Inc.
InventorsStephen A. Maher, Kord J. Wissmann
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and method for ground improvement includes a device having a plurality of tines extending downwardly from a top plate in a manner to achieve displacement of ground material downward and radially outward. The device is mechanically driven into the ground to achieve predetermined depths of penetration by the tines. The device is retracted and driven repeatedly to achieve densification. Optionally, voids made by the device can be filled with a flowable media.
Claims43
A device for ground improvement, comprising:
- (a) a top plate having a first surface configured for having a driving device attached thereto to provide impact thereon;
- (b) a plurality of vertically extending tines attached to a second surface of the top plate opposite the first surface of the top plate, and horizontally spaced from each other at upper lateral edges thereof, for being driven into a ground surface, wherein the tines have a length of at least three and a half (3.5) feet and comprise a length to spacing (L/S) ratio of greater than two (2), wherein length (L) is the length of the tines and spacing (S) is the spacing between the tines on a tine center-to-center basis;
- and
- (c) the tines being shaped, spaced, and oriented relative to each other in a manner to achieve displacement of ground material downward and radially outward, the length and spacing of the tines forming a boundary condition that restricts horizontal soil movement at the midpoints between adjacent tines during insertion and cavity expansion.
1 more element
A method for ground improvement, comprising:
- (a) providing a device for ground improvement comprised of a top plate having a first surface configured for having a driving device attached thereto to provide impact thereon, and a plurality of vertically extending tines attached to a second surface of the top plate opposite the first surface of the top plate, and horizontally spaced from each other at upper lateral edges thereof, for being driven into a ground surface, wherein the tines have a length of at least three and a half (3.5) feet and comprise a length to spacing (L/S) ratio of greater than two (2), wherein length (L) is the length of the tines and spacing (S) is the spacing between the tines on a tine center-to-center basis, and the tines being shaped, spaced, and oriented relative to each other in a manner to achieve displacement of ground material downward and radially outward, the length and spacing of the tines forming a boundary condition that restricts horizontal soil movement at the midpoints between adjacent tines during insertion and cavity expansion;
- (b) advancing the device tines into the ground surface;
- (c) retracting the tines from the ground surface;
- and
- (d) repeating the advancing and retracting until a desired ground condition is achieved.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.