US3707848A - Process and system for increasing load-bearing capacity of soil - Google Patents
Process and system for increasing load-bearing capacity of soil Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3707848A US3707848A US00131919A US3707848DA US3707848A US 3707848 A US3707848 A US 3707848A US 00131919 A US00131919 A US 00131919A US 3707848D A US3707848D A US 3707848DA US 3707848 A US3707848 A US 3707848A
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- Prior art keywords
- soil
- hollow member
- concrete
- producing
- pressurized air
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
- E02D3/00—Improving or preserving soil or rock, e.g. preserving permafrost soil
- E02D3/02—Improving by compacting
- E02D3/10—Improving by compacting by watering, draining, de-aerating or blasting, e.g. by installing sand or wick drains
- E02D3/103—Improving by compacting by watering, draining, de-aerating or blasting, e.g. by installing sand or wick drains by installing wick drains or sand bags
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
- E02D15/00—Handling building or like materials for hydraulic engineering or foundations
- E02D15/02—Handling of bulk concrete specially for foundation or hydraulic engineering purposes
- E02D15/04—Placing concrete in mould-pipes, pile tubes, bore-holes or narrow shafts
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
- E02D3/00—Improving or preserving soil or rock, e.g. preserving permafrost soil
- E02D3/02—Improving by compacting
- E02D3/10—Improving by compacting by watering, draining, de-aerating or blasting, e.g. by installing sand or wick drains
- E02D3/106—Improving by compacting by watering, draining, de-aerating or blasting, e.g. by installing sand or wick drains by forming sand drains containing only loose aggregates
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
- E02D5/00—Bulkheads, piles, or other structural elements specially adapted to foundation engineering
- E02D5/22—Piles
- E02D5/34—Concrete or concrete-like piles cast in position ; Apparatus for making same
- E02D5/38—Concrete or concrete-like piles cast in position ; Apparatus for making same making by use of mould-pipes or other moulds
- E02D5/385—Concrete or concrete-like piles cast in position ; Apparatus for making same making by use of mould-pipes or other moulds with removal of the outer mould-pipes
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
- E02D5/00—Bulkheads, piles, or other structural elements specially adapted to foundation engineering
- E02D5/22—Piles
- E02D5/34—Concrete or concrete-like piles cast in position ; Apparatus for making same
- E02D5/38—Concrete or concrete-like piles cast in position ; Apparatus for making same making by use of mould-pipes or other moulds
- E02D5/44—Concrete or concrete-like piles cast in position ; Apparatus for making same making by use of mould-pipes or other moulds with enlarged footing or enlargements at the bottom of the pile
Definitions
- each column the granular material or concrete is fed down through a hollow member, and an air gun supported at the lower end of a pipe assembly extending down coaxially through the hollow member is actuated to produce powerful impulses to impel the soil outwardly away from the lower end of the hollow member to compact the soil and then to impel the granular material or concrete outwardly to distribute it into the resulting cavity formed in the compacted soil.
- the hollow member and pipe assembly are withdrawn an increment of distance, and then the steps are repeated to distribute and compact more of the desired material at a level above the first deposit, and so forth, to create a column of such material.
- the pipe assembly is withdrawn from the interior of the hollow member, which is then filled with concrete.
- water is jetted down through it while the air gun is actuated producing powerful impulses 'to impel the soil away from the lower end, and to compact the soil cylindrically about the descending member to enhance lateral support.
- a novel air gun energy source is adapted to be operated while embedded in soil, poured concrete, sand, grit, and similar hostile environments. Columns of more coarselg I granular material can be produced in 10 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENIEnJAnz I975 3.707.848
- piles In many of these locations having uniform soil conditions, it is sufficient to drive piles down into the ground beneath the place where the structure is to be erected.
- the pile is driven down until the cumulative friction along the length of the inserted pile is sufficient to enable it to support its share of the structural load.
- the piles may be driven until they hit a layer of earth, or of rock, which in itself is firm enough to support the intended structure, providing that enough of the piles can be driven down until they reach engagement with such a firm layer.
- a densely compacted column of granular material for example, such as sand or gravel, is produced extending down into the soil to the desired depth.
- a number of these densely compacted granular material columns are produced beneath the site for the intended construction project. These columns serve to stabilize the soil, and they provide a load-bearing capability for supporting the structure to be built.
- a long hollow tubular member such as a hollow steel pipe having a diameter, for example, from about 6 inches up to about feet, is positioned in the soil such that thelower end of the hollow member is approximately at the depth at which the lower end of the load-bearing granular-material column is to be located. Then, the granular material is fed down through the hollow member toward its lower end, and pressurized air is abruptly released near the lower end of the hollow member to produce a powerful impulse which can be repeated as often as desired by the operator. These repeated powerful impulses of the abruptly released pressurized air impel the granular material outwardly from the lower end of the hollow member into the surround ing region in-the soil.
- the hollow member When sufficient granular material has been distributed and compacted in this first region, the hollow member is withdrawn an increment of distance, for example, suchas one to four feet to re-position its lower end a short distance above its original position. Additional granular material is then fed down through the hollow member, and the powerful impulses of abruptly released pressurized air are repeated for impelling the additional granular material outwardly into a second region in the soil above and adjacent to the original granular material. When sufficient granular material has been distributed and compacted into the second region, the hollow member is again withdrawn an increment, and the steps are repeated to produce a column of compacted granular material of the desired height extending from the first region upwardly toward the surface of the earth.
- a plurality of these columns of compacted granular material are produced by this process, and they collectively provide a greatly enhanced load-bearing capability for the site involved.
- granular material is compacted at the lower end of the desired load-bearing column, in the soil, and then poured concrete is impelled outwardly by the repeated impulses of abruptly released pressurized air from an air gun in a region immediately above the compacted granular material to create a mass of concrete resting upon the compacted granular material.
- the lower end of the hollow member may be left inserted down into the poured concrete, so as to create a hollow pile embedded in a concrete footing.
- the interior of the hollow member can also be filled with poured concrete to any desired depth so as to create a steel encased solid concrete pile.
- a system in which a novel air gun energy source adapted to be operated while inserted into the soil is connected to the lower end of a long string of piping.
- This string of piping has a smaller diameter than the hollow member such that the string can be inserted down into the hollow member to form a removable inner pipe assembly.
- the hose line to supply highly pressurized air and the electrical firing line for the air gun extend down to the air gun through the bore of the inner pipe assembly.
- the air gun is fired" repeatedly as desired to produce powerful impulses for distributing and compacting granular material, poured concrete and the like.
- the powerful impulses from the air gun can be used to advantage to facilitate the initial insertion of the hollow member in the soil.
- This insertion is accomplished by flowing water down through the hollow member and repeatedly firing the air gun to impel outwardly the soil, thus removing the soil from below the lower end while compacting the soil in a generally cylindrical region spaced around the outside of the hollow member.
- the soil is enhanced in its ability to provide lateral support for the load-bearing column to be produced.
- FIG. 1 is an elevational view illustrating the process and system of the presentinvention for producing loadbearing columns in the soil.
- a portion of FIG. 1 is shown in cross section.
- that part of FIG. 1 which is directly associated with the soil is shown greatly enlarged as compared with the crane and associated equipment which is located above ground level.
- the hollow member is shown in its initial position in FIG. 1, and a removable inner pipe assembly is shown positioned within the hollow member, with an air gun located at the lower end of the inner pipe assembly for generating powerful impulses by abruptly releasing pressurized air from the air gun;
- FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1, but it shows an intermediate stage in the sequence of steps, with the loadbearing column having been partially produced, and with the hollow member having been raised to a position substantially above its initial position. Also, FIG. 2 shows more details of the automatic loader and conveyor mechanism for continuously introducing the granular material into the upper end of the hollow member;
- FIG. 3 is an illustration generally similar to FIG. 1, but FIG. 3 shows a composite load-bearing column being produced in which the lower end is compacted granular material, and poured concrete is being impelled outwardly and compacted immediately above the bed of granular material;
- FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 3 and shows a later stage in the production of a composite load-bearing column.
- the removable interior pipe assembly with the air gun at its lower end has been removed from the hollow member, and the hollow member has been filled with concrete, so as to reinforce the hollow member, forming an encased solid concrete column;
- FIG. 5 shows the adapter assembly and loading unit at the upper end of the hollow member into which the granular material and/or poured concrete can be introduced and also showing the upper end of the removable interior pipe assembly;
- FIG. 6 shows the inner pipe assembly on enlarged scale. Portions of FIG. 6 are in section to show the electrical control cable and the high-pressure hose and their connections for supplying the pressurized air to the air gun at the lower end of the inner pipe assembly;
- FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the upper end of the inner pipe assembly, this view being taken along the plane 77 in FIG. 6, looking downwardly and being shown on larger scale than FIG. 6;
- FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the air gun and lower end of the inner pipe assembly
- FIG. 9 is a cross section taken along the line 99 in FIG. 8;
- FIG. 10 is a cross section similar to FIG. 9 showing a modified embodiment.
- FIG. 11 is a cross section similar to FIGS. 9 and 10 showing another embodiment.
- a hollow tubular member 22 is inserted down into the soil.
- This hollow member 22 is usually a length of steel pipe having a diameter, for example, from about 6 inches up to 5 feet.
- the hollow member 22 may have any desired length from about 10 feet up to more than 100 feet, depending upon the conditions and characteristics of the soil 18 depending upon the weight and size of structure intended to be supported by the column 20 and by other similar nearby columns (not shown) to be produced in the soil 18.
- the inner pipe assembly 24 includes a lower pipe section 26-L, an upper pipe section 26-U, and between these two pipe sections 26-L and 26-U is an intermediate pipe section 25-I having a length such that the total length of the entire assembly 24 is commensurate with the desired length of the hollow member 22.
- the lower and intermediate pipe sections 26-L and 26-I are releasably coupled together by a lower pipe coupling 27, which is threaded onto the lower and intermediate pipe sections and is permanently welded to the lower section by a weld at 31.
- the upper pipe section 26-U and intermediate section 26-] are coupled together by an upper pipe coupling 28, which is threaded onto both the upper and intermediate pipe sections and is permanently welded to the upper one by a weld at 32.
- the inner pipe assembly 24 can conveniently be disassembled by unscrewing the intermediate pipe 26-I to be replaced by a shorter or longer pipe section as required by the particular job site.
- a novel soil-submergence air gun 30 which is supplied with pressurized air through a high pressure hose line 34 (FIG. 6) and is controlled by electrical signals through wires located within an insulated electrical cable 36 extending within the pipe sections 26.
- the air gun in response to an electrical signal, it can be arranged to be automatically self-firing, for example, to fire every so many seconds.
- Electrical firing apparatus for an air gun and also arrangements for making the air gun automatically self-firing at intervals are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,379,273 which issued Apr. 23, 1968.
- a convenient manner of inserting the hollow member 22 into the soil 18 is to pump a jetting flow of water downwardly through the annular space 38 (FIG. 1) surrounding the inner pipe assembly 24.
- This flow of water is provided by a pump 40 (FIG. 1) driven by an engine 42 with an in-take line 44 extending from the pump 40 over to a suitable nearby source of water, shown as a body of water 46.
- the water is drawn into the line 44 through a strainer 47 to prevent sand and grit from entering the pump 40.
- a control valve 48 can be used, if desired, to regulate the flow through a jetting water supply line 49 connected into the head adapter unit 50 (FIG. 5) which is attached to the upper end of the hollow member 22.
- the upper end of the head adapter unit 50 is temporarily shut off by a manually operable valve mechanism 52 containing a plurality of large ports 54 which can be closed by means of a movable disc 53 which can be turned relative to a fixed disc 55, so that ports in both discs align or not.
- the movable disc is operated by a control handle 56. With the ports 54 closed, the water being supplied through the line 49 is forced down through the annular space 38, so as to issue with a jetting action from the lower end 58 (FIG.
- the result of firing the air gun 30 is that pressurized air is abruptly released in all directions simultaneously through its multiple discharge ports 60 (FIG. 6) serving to forcefully impel the soil away from the lower end 58, thus enhancing the ability of the entire assembly to penetrate down into the earth. Also, the radial compaction of the surrounding soil enhances its load-bearing ability.
- the method utilizes components of the same system of equipment which will be used to produce the loadbearing column 20.
- FIG. 1 An alternative way in which the hollow member 22 can be positioned into the earth is to drive it down by a pile driver, with the inner pipe assembly 24 having been removed before the hollow member 22 is driven down. Then after the hollow member 22 is in place, a water jet pipe (not shown) is pushed down through the interior of the hollow member 22 to flush out any soil material within the member 22. Then, this water jet pipe is removed, and thereafter, the inner pipe assembly 24 is lowered into position within the hollow member 22.
- the spacing struts 64 near its lower end serve to keep the inner pipe assembly 24 centrally positioned, in concentric relationship within the hollow member 22.
- there are radial struts 65 which interconnect the upper pipe section 26-U to the head adapter unit 50. There are multiple large set screws 62 which releasably secure the unit 50 to the upper end of the hollow member 22 after the inner pipe assembly has been lowered into position.
- a similar sling chain 71 (FIG. 5) is secured to a connector assembly 72 at the upper end of the inner pipe assembly 44.
- the vehicle 66 also includes a high pressure air supply 74 including multiple stage air compressor and a suitable tank or receiver for storing the compressed air produced. This compressed air may be stored at any suitable pressure from approximately 500 to approximately 3,000 pounds per square inch, depending upon the desired operating pressure for the air gun 30.
- a high pressure air supply 74 including multiple stage air compressor and a suitable tank or receiver for storing the compressed air produced. This compressed air may be stored at any suitable pressure from approximately 500 to approximately 3,000 pounds per square inch, depending upon the desired operating pressure for the air gun 30.
- an adjustable pressure-regulating valve (not shown) and a shut-off valve 76 connected to the high pressure hose line 34.
- an electrical control circuit (not shown) which produces the signal that is sent through the cable 36 (FIG. 6) whenever it is desired to fire the air gun 30.
- a solenoid operated valve 78 (FIG. 6) mounted upon the air gun 30 and connected to the electrical cable 36 which is actuated by the electrical firing signal and serves to trigger the firing of the air gun.
- a cavity about thelower end 58 is sometimes desirable to facilitate the initial stages of introduction of the granular material into the soil.
- a cavity may be initially generated in the soil in the region surrounding the lower end 58 by providing a flow 51 (FIG. 5) of water down through the annular space 38 with the large ports 54 closed and by repeatedly firing the air gun 30 while the water flow is occuring. These interacting steps compact the soil in the region of the bottom end 58 and create a cavity by flushing out the loose, light-weight and fine material there.
- the water flow 51 is stopped, the firing of the air gun 30 is stopped, and the large ports 54 are opened.
- the desired granular material 82 is now fed into the hopper funnel 80 (FIG. 5) on the head adapter unit, so as to feed down through the ports 54 and down through the annular space 38 into the region near the lower end 58 of the hollow member 22.
- the firing of the air gun 30 is now carried out repeatedly to forcefully impel the granular material 82 outwardly and distribute it in the initial region 84 at the lower end of the desired column 20, as shown in FIG. 1, while compacting it and the soil 18 about the region 84 being filled by the granular material 82.
- the granular material 82 is now fed as needed into the hopper funnel 80 (FIG. 5) by means of a conveyor belt 86 (FIG. 2) having a sequence of upstanding slats 87 at spaced intervals along the belt 86 to prevent the material 82 from sliding back down.
- the belt 86 is supported by a plurality of rollers 88 mounted upon a boom truss 90.
- the upper end of this truss 90 is removably pivotally connected at 91 to the head adapter unit 50. Its lower end is removably pivotally connected at 92 to the chassis of a loader cart 94 (FIG. 2) having a large hopper 95 with an outlet 96 which continuously supplies the granular material 82 to the conveyor belt 86.
- the desired type of granular material 82 such as sand, gravel, crushed stone, small rocks, or the like, is dumped into the hopper 95.
- the loader cart 94 has wheels so that when the hollow member is withdrawn by increments from the earth, as shown in FIG. 2, and the truss 90 and conveyor 86 incline upwardly, the cart 94 rolls over toward the member 22 a distance to accommodate the changing inclination of the truss 90 and conveyor 86.
- the repeated firing of the air gun 30 serves to distribute and compact the granular material 82 and the surrounding soil 18 in the initial region 84, as discussed above.
- the annular space 38 is now full of the granular material, advantageously providing a dense heavy weight in the nature of a hydrostatic head bearing down upon the material in the region 84 being compacted.
- the repeated firing of the air gun 30 shakes the hollow member 22, and causes the material 82 in the annular space 38 to shake and to slump and to continue to feed downwardly. Water can be fed into the annular space 38 from the supply line 49, if desired, to facilitate the downward feeding of the material in the annular space 38.
- the hollow member 22 is withdrawn an increment of distance, for example, such as from one to four feet to reposition the lower end 58 a short distance above its initial position, which was as shown in FIG. 1.
- An advantageous way to determine when a suitable amount of the granular material 82 has been compacted into the initial region 84 is to observe the rate at which the material 82 has been feeding down through the hopper funnel 80. When this feed rate has slowed to an insignificant amount, it means that the initial region 84 has become so fully loaded and compacted with the granular material 82 that it is refusing to accept any more. Accordingly, the hollow member 22 and the inner pipe assembly 24 with the air gun 30 are now raised the increment distance discussed above to reposition its lower end 58.
- FIG. 2 shows an intermediate stage in the process in which the column 20 is approximately one-half completed.
- the repeated forceful impulses produced by the repeated tiring of the air gun 30 are capable of impelling the granular material 82 outwardly so as to produce a load-bearing column 20 which is advantageously at least three times the diameter of the hollow member 22.
- the column 30 is more than four times the diameter of the hollow member 22.
- a composite column 20A in the soil is created including a base B of compacted granular material, a footing F of concrete and a pipe pile P which is reinforced by filling it with concrete.
- the compacted granular material 82 forming the base B in the initial region 84 is produced by the sequence of steps as described above.
- the air gun 30 is repeatedly tired during the feeding of the concrete to form the footing F. In this way the concrete is impelled outwardly and compacted into a footing F in a region 98 immediately above the material 82 in the base B.
- the components 22, 24 and 30 are simultaneously raised another increment of distance and additional concrete is fed down while the air gun 30 is repeatedly fired.
- the inner pipe assembly 24, with the air gun 30, and the head adapter 50, are removed to leave the hollow member alone, as shown in FIG. 4.
- the lower end 58 of this member extends down into the footing F to provide a strong pipe pile member 22.
- this pipe pile member 22 If it is desired to reinforce this pipe pile member 22, then as shown in FIG. 4, it is filled with concrete to form a steel encased solid concrete pile. Reinforcing rods may also be used.
- the concrete 100 is shown being poured down a chute 101 from a concrete mixture supply truck 102.
- the inner pipe assembly 24 includes a mounting section 103 welded to the lower end of the lower pipe section 26-L.
- the air gun 30 has a mounting flange 104 which is removably fastened by machine screws 105 to this mounting section 103.
- connection assembly 72 At the upper end of the upper pipe section 26-U is secured another mounting section 106 to which a split retainer 108, 109 (FIG. 7) of the connection assembly 72 is removably secured by machine screws 110.
- the high pressure air hose line 34 and the electrical cable 36 extend through channels in the split retainer 108, 109.
- stiff flexible protective sleeves 111 and 112 surround the hose 34 and cable 36, respectively, in the region where they pass through the split retainer 108, 109.
- the two halves 108 and 109 of the split retainer are held clamped firmly about these sleeves 111 and 112 by means of clamp screws 114.
- a support ring 116 is secured to the split retainer 108, 109 by means of machine screws 117, and the sling chain 71 is attached to this ring 116.
- the length of the inner pipe assembly can be changed by disassembling the connector assembly 72 including the split retainer 108, 109 so as to be able to remove the hose 34 and cable 36 from within the pipe sections 26-1) and 26-1. Then, a longer or shorter intermediate pipe section 26-I can be inserted as mentioned above, and the components of the inner pipe assembly 24 be reassembled in readiness for use.
- the air gun 30 is being operated in an extremely hostile and abrasive environment, for it is surrounded by water, soil, mud, granular material, such as sand or grave], or concrete slurry, and the like.
- the air gun 30 incorporates certain novel improvements over the air guns disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,379,273, mentioned above.
- FIGS. 8, 9, 10 and 11 which are claimed herein, it may be helpful to the reader to review briefly the operation of the air gun 30, as shown.
- a releasing cylinder sleeve 134 defines a release cylinder 135 and surrounds the release piston 126.
- the sleeve 134 has ports 136 aligned with the ports 60 in the air gun body 138.
- a seal between the movable seal ring 128 and the cylinder sleeve 134 is provided by an O-ring 140.
- a retainer 142 holds the O-ring 140 and also holds another O-ring 144 providing a seal between the cylinder sleeve 134 and the body 138.
- air under pressure is in troduced through a hose line connection fitting 146 from the hose line 34 shown in FIG. 6 and through a passage 148 in the upper housing 149 into an operating cylinder 150 lined with an operating cylinder sleeve 152.
- the pressurized air enters the chamber 130 by flowing down through a constriction 153 and through an axial passage 154 in the hollow piston shaft 156, which interconnects the release piston 126 with an operating piston 158.
- the operating piston 158 is sealed to the hollow piston shaft 156 by an O-ring 160 and is held by a nut 162.
- the construction 153 briefly maintains the pressure in cylinder 150 above the pressure in the chamber 130, assuring that the rim of the operating piston 158 remains firmly seated against a firing seal O-ring 164.
- the seal 164 is held by a retainer and shuttle stop member 166 which also holds a shaft gland 168 in an annular socket 170.
- Another retainer annulus 172 retains the shaft gland 168 in the socket 170.
- the stop member 166 has a raised stop surface 167 which engages the lower face of the piston 158.
- the air gun 30 is ready to be fired. This may be accomplished by making the air gun self-firing, as explained above, in which case the solenoid valve 78 and tiring cable36 can be omitted.
- the firing passages 173, 174, 175, 176 also can be omitted when the air gun is made self-firing.
- the effective area of the air releasing piston 126 exposed to the pressurized air in chamber 130 is made greater than that of the operating piston 158 exposed to the pressurized air in cylinder 150.
- the seal between the ring 164 and the operating piston 158 becomes opened to allow the high pressure air in chamber 150 to communicate with the lower face of piston 158, and the shuttle 120 is accelerated away from the seal 164 and from seal ring 128 and abruptly opens the ports 60 to suddenly release the pressurized air providing a powerful impulse.
- the by-pass passages 186. in the cylinder sleeve 152 allow free communication for air to pass from chamber into the space beneath the travelling piston 158.
- the time intervals between shots when the air gun is self-firing is controlled by the constriction 153. The greater the constrictive effect, i.e., the smaller the diameter of the passage 153, the longer the interval between shots, and vice versa.
- valve 78 can be used. When it is activated by an electrical signal through the cable 136, the pressurized air passes through firing passages 173, 174, 175 and 176 and into an annular firing chamber 178 on the opposite side of the operating piston 158 from the operating cylinder 150. The application of pressure to the chamber 178 tends to equalize pressure exerted on opposite faces of the piston 158 to allow the shuttle 120 to accelerate away from the seal 164 and seal ring 128, thus suddenly opening the ports 60 to abruptly release the pressurized air from the chamber 130.
- the passage 176 and the annular firing chamber 178 are formed in the retainer and stop member 166.
- There are by-pass passages 180 formed by cut outs in the operating cylinder sleeve 152 which serve to aid in equalizing the pressure on opposite faces of the operating piston 158 after it has begun accelerating away from the firing seal 164.
- the bleed 188 becomes very rapid when the release piston 126 is travelling up toward the retainer annulus 172 during firing of the air gun, which travel causes compression of the air trapped in the release cylinder 135.
- vent passage 186 Another advantage of the vent passage 186 is that it allows the escape of pressurized air from beneath the operating piston 158 as it is moving back toward the seal 164. This venting assists in assuring a rapid re-seating of the operating piston 158 against the firing seal 164.
- FIG. shows an alternative embodiment of the vent passage.
- an annular vent passage 186 instead of an annular vent passage 186, as shown in FIG. 9, there are a plurality of axially extending vent channels 186A formed in the inside surface of the shaft gland 168.
- FIG. 11 shows a further embodiment of the vent passage.
- a plurality of view passages 186B are drilled down through the retainer and stop member 166 and down through the gland 168 and also down through the retainer annulus 172. These vent passages 186B are located so that they extend down within the raised stop surface 167. Thus, air cannot vent from the region beneath the piston 158 down through the passages 186B until after the piston 158 has accelerated away from the stop surface 167. Thus, the venting action does not reduce the pressure in the firing chamber 178 at the moment of actuation of the solenoid valve 78 to fire the air gun.
- a very small clearance space may be provided between the skirt 124 of the release piston 126 and the releasing cylinder 134 surrounding it.
- the inside diameter (ID) of the releasing cylinder sleeve 134 may be a few thousandths of an inch larger than the outside diameter (O.D.) of the piston skirt 124.
- This small clearance assures that a pneumatic flushing venting action as provided by the clearance passages 186, 186A or 1863 is also provided around the skirt 124 to prevent fine grit from working past the peripheral piston portion 182. Any material that may work its way into the release chamber 135 will in time be flushed out by the air bleed 188.
- the clearance between the skirt 124 and the sleeve 134 does not affect the charge of pressurized air in the charge chamber 130 since it is maintained therein by the seal formed by engagement of the lower lip 122 of the skirt 124 and the movable seal ring 128.
- Grit is kept out of the charge chamber 130 by the sudden release of the pressurized air through the ports 60. In the event any fine grit should manage to get into the charge chamber 130 it will fall to the bottom thereof and remain settled to be removed when the chamber is disassembled for cleaning or inspection.
- the process for producing a load-bearing column of material such as sand, gravel, concrete, or the like, in the soil comprising the steps of positioning a hollow tubular member in the soil, feeding the material down through the hollow member toward the lower end of the member, repeatedly abruptly releasing pressurized air near the lower end of the hollow member producing powerful impulses for repeatedly impelling the material outwardly from the lower end into the region in the soil surrounding the lower end, when sufficient material has been distributed into said first region, withdrawing the hollow member an increment to reposition the lower end of the hollow member a short distance above its original position, and repeating the foregoing steps of feeding the material and repeatedly abruptly releasing the pressurized air producing powerful impulses for repeatedly impelling additional material outwardly into a second region surrounding the re-positioned lower end so that said additional material is adjacent to and above the original material, when sufficient material has been distributed in said second region, withdrawing the hollow member another increment to again reposition its lower end and repeating the foregoing steps to create
- the process for producing a load-bearing column in the soil comprising the steps of positioning a hollow tubular member in the soil and having soil removed from the interior of the hollow member, feeding concrete down through the hollow member toward its lower end, positioning an air gun within the concrete near the lower end of the hollow member, feeding pressurized air down through a high pressure hose line to said air gun, repeatedly abruptly releasing pressurized air from said air gun into the surrounding concrete near the lower end of the hollow member producing powerful impulses within the concrete impelling the concrete outwardly from the lower end of the hollow member to form a footing of concrete about its lower end, removing the air gun, and filling the hollow member with concrete resting upon said footing to form an encased concrete column.
- pressurized air is repeatedly abruptly released at a depth in the soil generally corresponding to the depth in soil from which water is to be removed, and the pressurized air is repeatedly abruptly released near the created columns of coarse granular material to release the ground water and allow it to percolate up through the columns of material to the surface.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Paleontology (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Agronomy & Crop Science (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Soil Sciences (AREA)
- Consolidation Of Soil By Introduction Of Solidifying Substances Into Soil (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims (10)
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US13191971A | 1971-04-07 | 1971-04-07 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US3707848A true US3707848A (en) | 1973-01-02 |
Family
ID=22451600
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US00131919A Expired - Lifetime US3707848A (en) | 1971-04-07 | 1971-04-07 | Process and system for increasing load-bearing capacity of soil |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US3707848A (en) |
CA (1) | CA950218A (en) |
FR (1) | FR2135992A5 (en) |
Cited By (20)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3772892A (en) * | 1971-09-18 | 1973-11-20 | M Ogawa | Process of installing compacted sand columns in the ground |
US3786639A (en) * | 1972-12-18 | 1974-01-22 | A Tamburro | Method and apparatus for backfilling an underground cavity |
US4187041A (en) * | 1975-12-03 | 1980-02-05 | Linden-Alimak A.B. | Method for consolidating a body of earth |
US4269544A (en) * | 1978-06-14 | 1981-05-26 | Fredric Rusche | In situ pile forming apparatus |
US4557632A (en) * | 1983-12-15 | 1985-12-10 | Bernard M. McMenamy | Compacting apparatus |
US4786212A (en) * | 1985-05-09 | 1988-11-22 | Karl Bauer Spezialtiefbau GmbH & Co, KG | Process and apparatus for reinforcing a predeterminable area in the ground |
US4966498A (en) * | 1989-08-16 | 1990-10-30 | Berkel & Company Contractors, Inc. | Pile-forming apparatus for use in low density overburden |
US5279502A (en) * | 1991-10-24 | 1994-01-18 | Geotechnics America, Inc. | Apparatus and method for constructing compacted granular or stone columns in soil masses |
US5401121A (en) * | 1993-06-22 | 1995-03-28 | N.I.T. Co., Ltd. | All-around type reinforcing and consolidating method in the ground and apparatus thereof |
US5537364A (en) * | 1995-02-28 | 1996-07-16 | Texaco, Inc | Method and apparatus for conducting seismic surveys from a single well having both seismic sources and receivers deployed therein |
US6120214A (en) * | 1999-01-20 | 2000-09-19 | Layne Christensen Company | Process for constructing reinforced subterranean columns |
US6478512B2 (en) | 2000-04-11 | 2002-11-12 | Compagnie Du Sol | Machine for making bored piles |
US6517292B1 (en) * | 1999-09-01 | 2003-02-11 | Richard E Landau | Apparatus to form columns of granular material |
US20030123937A1 (en) * | 1999-09-01 | 2003-07-03 | Landau Richard E. | Apparatus to form columns of granular material |
US6663321B1 (en) * | 1999-06-04 | 2003-12-16 | Voorbij Groep B.V. | Process and device for producing a pile in the earth |
US20060008326A1 (en) * | 2003-02-11 | 2006-01-12 | Landau Richard E | Apparatus to form columns of granular material |
US20140126960A1 (en) * | 2012-11-05 | 2014-05-08 | Geopier Foundation Company, Inc. | Soil densification system and method |
US8971152B2 (en) | 2013-02-24 | 2015-03-03 | Stephen Chelminski | Device for marine seismic explorations for deposits |
US9804280B2 (en) | 2015-10-17 | 2017-10-31 | Stephen Chelminski | Method and apparatus for tuning the rise time of the initial pulse of an air gun |
US10031245B2 (en) * | 2013-02-24 | 2018-07-24 | Stephen Chelminski | Device for marine seismic explorations for deposits |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR349644A (en) * | 1904-12-28 | 1905-06-07 | Travaux De Mines | Method and apparatus for carrying out work in aquifers or boulders |
US1676785A (en) * | 1924-10-20 | 1928-07-10 | James O Lewis | Method of and apparatus for grouting the walls of an oil well |
US1952162A (en) * | 1930-08-28 | 1934-03-27 | Francois Cementation Co Ltd | Grouting of ground, soil, or other measures |
US2719029A (en) * | 1954-01-28 | 1955-09-27 | Steuerman Sergey | Storing and compacting of granular materials in ships' holds, railway cars, silos, and the like |
US3386251A (en) * | 1966-05-23 | 1968-06-04 | Griffin Wellpoint Corp | Method of strengthening and stabilizing compressible soils |
-
1971
- 1971-04-07 US US00131919A patent/US3707848A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1972
- 1972-02-14 CA CA134,694,A patent/CA950218A/en not_active Expired
- 1972-03-03 FR FR7207562A patent/FR2135992A5/fr not_active Expired
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR349644A (en) * | 1904-12-28 | 1905-06-07 | Travaux De Mines | Method and apparatus for carrying out work in aquifers or boulders |
US1676785A (en) * | 1924-10-20 | 1928-07-10 | James O Lewis | Method of and apparatus for grouting the walls of an oil well |
US1952162A (en) * | 1930-08-28 | 1934-03-27 | Francois Cementation Co Ltd | Grouting of ground, soil, or other measures |
US2719029A (en) * | 1954-01-28 | 1955-09-27 | Steuerman Sergey | Storing and compacting of granular materials in ships' holds, railway cars, silos, and the like |
US3386251A (en) * | 1966-05-23 | 1968-06-04 | Griffin Wellpoint Corp | Method of strengthening and stabilizing compressible soils |
Cited By (23)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3772892A (en) * | 1971-09-18 | 1973-11-20 | M Ogawa | Process of installing compacted sand columns in the ground |
US3786639A (en) * | 1972-12-18 | 1974-01-22 | A Tamburro | Method and apparatus for backfilling an underground cavity |
US4187041A (en) * | 1975-12-03 | 1980-02-05 | Linden-Alimak A.B. | Method for consolidating a body of earth |
US4269544A (en) * | 1978-06-14 | 1981-05-26 | Fredric Rusche | In situ pile forming apparatus |
US4557632A (en) * | 1983-12-15 | 1985-12-10 | Bernard M. McMenamy | Compacting apparatus |
US4786212A (en) * | 1985-05-09 | 1988-11-22 | Karl Bauer Spezialtiefbau GmbH & Co, KG | Process and apparatus for reinforcing a predeterminable area in the ground |
US4966498A (en) * | 1989-08-16 | 1990-10-30 | Berkel & Company Contractors, Inc. | Pile-forming apparatus for use in low density overburden |
US5279502A (en) * | 1991-10-24 | 1994-01-18 | Geotechnics America, Inc. | Apparatus and method for constructing compacted granular or stone columns in soil masses |
US5401121A (en) * | 1993-06-22 | 1995-03-28 | N.I.T. Co., Ltd. | All-around type reinforcing and consolidating method in the ground and apparatus thereof |
US5537364A (en) * | 1995-02-28 | 1996-07-16 | Texaco, Inc | Method and apparatus for conducting seismic surveys from a single well having both seismic sources and receivers deployed therein |
US6120214A (en) * | 1999-01-20 | 2000-09-19 | Layne Christensen Company | Process for constructing reinforced subterranean columns |
US6663321B1 (en) * | 1999-06-04 | 2003-12-16 | Voorbij Groep B.V. | Process and device for producing a pile in the earth |
US6517292B1 (en) * | 1999-09-01 | 2003-02-11 | Richard E Landau | Apparatus to form columns of granular material |
US20030123937A1 (en) * | 1999-09-01 | 2003-07-03 | Landau Richard E. | Apparatus to form columns of granular material |
US6957930B2 (en) * | 1999-09-01 | 2005-10-25 | Landau Richard E | Apparatus to form columns of granular material |
US6478512B2 (en) | 2000-04-11 | 2002-11-12 | Compagnie Du Sol | Machine for making bored piles |
US20060008326A1 (en) * | 2003-02-11 | 2006-01-12 | Landau Richard E | Apparatus to form columns of granular material |
US20140126960A1 (en) * | 2012-11-05 | 2014-05-08 | Geopier Foundation Company, Inc. | Soil densification system and method |
US9512586B2 (en) * | 2012-11-05 | 2016-12-06 | Geopier Foundation Company, Inc. | Soil densification system and method |
US10844567B2 (en) | 2012-11-05 | 2020-11-24 | Geopier Foundation Company, Inc. | Soil densification system and method |
US8971152B2 (en) | 2013-02-24 | 2015-03-03 | Stephen Chelminski | Device for marine seismic explorations for deposits |
US10031245B2 (en) * | 2013-02-24 | 2018-07-24 | Stephen Chelminski | Device for marine seismic explorations for deposits |
US9804280B2 (en) | 2015-10-17 | 2017-10-31 | Stephen Chelminski | Method and apparatus for tuning the rise time of the initial pulse of an air gun |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
FR2135992A5 (en) | 1972-12-22 |
CA950218A (en) | 1974-07-02 |
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