A caisson block construction method, including: manufacturing a plurality of bottom caisson blocks having a plurality of first unit compartments disposed consecutively in a horizontal direction; manufacturing a plurality of upper caisson blocks having a plurality of second unit compartments; forming a bottom caisson block structure by installing the plurality of bottom caisson blocks side by side in the horizontal direction; installing the plurality of upper caisson blocks above the installed bottom caisson blocks; filling with rubble the second unit compartment of the upper caisson block positioned above the first unit compartment for rubble and exposed upward; inserting a vertical reinforcing bar module after the upper caisson blocks are installed; and forming a vertical concrete column for joining by casting concrete into the upper part of the second unit compartment in which the vertical reinforcing bar module is inserted.

A caisson block construction method, including: manufacturing a plurality of bottom caisson blocks having a plurality of first unit compartments disposed consecutively in a horizontal direction; manufacturing a plurality of upper caisson blocks having a plurality of second unit compartments; forming a bottom caisson block structure by installing the plurality of bottom caisson blocks side by side in the horizontal direction; installing the plurality of upper caisson blocks above the installed bottom caisson blocks; filling with rubble the second unit compartment of the upper caisson block positioned above the first unit compartment for rubble and exposed upward; inserting a vertical reinforcing bar module after the upper caisson blocks are installed; and forming a vertical concrete column for joining by casting concrete into the upper part of the second unit compartment in which the vertical reinforcing bar module is inserted.

Extensible shells and related methods for constructing a support pier are disclosed. An extensible shell can define an interior for holding granular construction material and define a first opening at a first end for receiving the granular construction material into the interior and a second opening at a second end. The extensible shell can be flexible such that the shell expands when granular construction material is compacted in the interior of the shell. A method may include positioning the extensible shell in the ground and filling at least a portion of the interior of the shell with the granular construction material. The granular construction material may be compacted in the interior of the extensible shell to form a support pier.

Extensible shells and related methods for constructing a support pier are disclosed. An extensible shell can define an interior for holding granular construction material and define a first opening at a first end for receiving the granular construction material into the interior and a second opening at a second end. The extensible shell can be flexible such that the shell expands when granular construction material is compacted in the interior of the shell. A method may include positioning the extensible shell in the ground and filling at least a portion of the interior of the shell with the granular construction material. The granular construction material may be compacted in the interior of the extensible shell to form a support pier.

A Smart Caisson incorporates an expandable balloon-like body at depth under the base of a vertical piling or foundation member. The self-expanding balloon footing counteracts soil erosion by expanding to fill areas of soil recession. A pipe or through-hole in the vertical piling admits surface rainwater into the balloon footing at the same time the rainwater is contributing to sub-surface erosion. Users can actively pump water downward through the piling through-hole to fill the balloon footing during times of low rainfall or following short-duration erosion events, such as earthquakes. The through-holes are designed to capably admit cement, concrete and other fill materials without clogging or corroding. A metal mesh surrounding the balloon footing expands with the balloon, providing structure and a matrix to trap and hold shifted sub-surface earthen material and concrete previously pumped into the balloon footing. An array of sensors warns the user of sub-surface soil conditions.

A Smart Caisson incorporates an expandable balloon-like body at depth under the base of a vertical piling or foundation member. The self-expanding balloon footing counteracts soil erosion by expanding to fill areas of soil recession. A pipe or through-hole in the vertical piling admits surface rainwater into the balloon footing at the same time the rainwater is contributing to sub-surface erosion. Users can actively pump water downward through the piling through-hole to fill the balloon footing during times of low rainfall or following short-duration erosion events, such as earthquakes. The through-holes are designed to capably admit cement, concrete and other fill materials without clogging or corroding. A metal mesh surrounding the balloon footing expands with the balloon, providing structure and a matrix to trap and hold shifted sub-surface earthen material and concrete previously pumped into the balloon footing. An array of sensors warns the user of sub-surface soil conditions.

A cut and cover method of constructing grade separation structures includes partially burying precast substructure elements with associated trench boxes under live traffic. Once the precast substructure elements are buried, the substructure is completed and the bridge span is installed. Other methods include installing precast superstructure elements with a formwork system and forming a bridge substructure and excavating underneath the superstructure once the superstructure is formed.

A cut and cover method of constructing grade separation structures includes partially burying precast substructure elements with associated trench boxes under live traffic. Once the precast substructure elements are buried, the substructure is completed and the bridge span is installed. Other methods include installing precast superstructure elements with a formwork system and forming a bridge substructure and excavating underneath the superstructure once the superstructure is formed.

A cut and cover method of constructing grade separation structures includes partially burying precast substructure elements with associated trench boxes under live traffic. Once the precast substructure elements are buried, the substructure is completed and the bridge span is installed. Other methods include installing precast superstructure elements with a formwork system and forming a bridge substructure and excavating underneath the superstructure once the superstructure is formed.

A cut and cover method of constructing grade separation structures includes partially burying precast substructure elements with associated trench boxes under live traffic. Once the precast substructure elements are buried, the substructure is completed and the bridge span is installed. Other methods include installing precast superstructure elements with a formwork system and forming a bridge substructure and excavating underneath the superstructure once the superstructure is formed.