A frost removal system is for thawing frozen ground and a method removes frost from a selected area of frozen ground. The method can include providing at least one heat transfer device; auguring a hole into the frozen ground to at least a depth of the frost. The at least one heat transfer device is lowered into the selected area of frozen ground and self-augured to the predetermined depth. The at least one heat transfer device is heated and the heat is allowed to travel along a length of the at least one heat transfer device. Heat is applied from the at least one heat transfer device for thawing the selected area of frozen ground until the frost is removed. The removal system may also be used to remove moisture from saturated soil and to bake columns of soil with increased load-bearing capacity.

A soil conditioner apparatus and method condition soil for compaction. The conditioner apparatus creates a heated stream of air directed toward the ground as the conditioner moves along the ground. A mixer on the conditioner mixes soil in the path of the heated air to dry the soil. Some embodiments of the mixer will propel the soil into the air in the stream of heated air. The conditioner can decrease moisture in the soil in the location where the soil will be compacted. In some embodiments, ambient air is introduced into the conditioning process by additional blowers. The mixer can also mix added soil and other additives to the soil in location. The conditioner apparatus may take the form of an apparatus towed by another vehicle, a set of towed apparatuses, an apparatus carried by another vehicle, or a self propelled vehicle having the operational elements of the soil conditioner.

A soil conditioner apparatus and method condition soil for compaction. The conditioner apparatus creates a heated stream of air directed toward the ground as the conditioner moves along the ground. A mixer on the conditioner mixes soil in the path of the heated air to dry the soil. Some embodiments of the mixer will propel the soil into the air in the stream of heated air. The conditioner can decrease moisture in the soil in the location where the soil will be compacted. In some embodiments, ambient air is introduced into the conditioning process by additional blowers. The mixer can also mix added soil and other additives to the soil in location. The conditioner apparatus may take the form of an apparatus towed by another vehicle, a set of towed apparatuses, an apparatus carried by another vehicle, or a self propelled vehicle having the operational elements of the soil conditioner.

A ground thawing device. The ground thawing device includes an insulated rectangular housing defining an interior volume with parallel sidewalls, end walls, and an open bottom. A pipe having a burn chamber connected to a first end and a second end adapted to connect to an external source of combustible gases is configured to be received through apertures disposed on the end walls. Perforations disposed along the length of the pipe allow for the combustible gas to be released in the interior volume of the housing. The burn chamber allows for an ignition source to be applied to the combustible gases carried therein. Once ignited, heat emanating from the pipe warms the interior volume and thaws the ground beneath, softening frozen soil to be excavated.

A ground thawing device. The ground thawing device includes an insulated rectangular housing defining an interior volume with parallel sidewalls, end walls, and an open bottom. A pipe having a burn chamber connected to a first end and a second end adapted to connect to an external source of combustible gases is configured to be received through apertures disposed on the end walls. Perforations disposed along the length of the pipe allow for the combustible gas to be released in the interior volume of the housing. The burn chamber allows for an ignition source to be applied to the combustible gases carried therein. Once ignited, heat emanating from the pipe warms the interior volume and thaws the ground beneath, softening frozen soil to be excavated.

The present invention relates to a method for inducing ground consolidation. The method comprises providing a first chamber in a first hole in the ground, and a second chamber in a second hole in the ground, the first and second chambers being liquid-impermeable and electrically conductive; providing a first electrolytic fluid in the first chamber and a second electrolytic fluid in the second chamber; placing at least a first electrode in the first chamber, and at least a second electrode in the second chamber, the first and second electrodes being operatively connected to a power supply; feeding consolidation fluids into the ground for feeding reactants of a consolidation process, and catalysers for the reactants into the ground; and applying to the first and second electrodes an electric current. The current causes the first electrode to operate as an anode and the second electrode to operate as a cathode thereby inducing electric polarization in the ground to cause the reactants and catalysers to cross paths to thereby cause consolidation of the ground.

The present invention relates to a method for inducing ground consolidation. The method comprises providing a first chamber in a first hole in the ground, and a second chamber in a second hole in the ground, the first and second chambers being liquid-impermeable and electrically conductive; providing a first electrolytic fluid in the first chamber and a second electrolytic fluid in the second chamber; placing at least a first electrode in the first chamber, and at least a second electrode in the second chamber, the first and second electrodes being operatively connected to a power supply; feeding consolidation fluids into the ground for feeding reactants of a consolidation process, and catalysers for the reactants into the ground; and applying to the first and second electrodes an electric current. The current causes the first electrode to operate as an anode and the second electrode to operate as a cathode thereby inducing electric polarization in the ground to cause the reactants and catalysers to cross paths to thereby cause consolidation of the ground.

A soil conditioner apparatus and method of conditioning soil for compaction. The soil conditioner apparatus creates a heated stream of air directed toward the ground as the conditioner moves along the ground. A mixer on the conditioner mixes soil in the path of the heated air to dry the soil. Some embodiments of the mixer will propel the soil into the air in the stream of heated air. The conditioner can decrease moisture in the soil in the location where the soil will be compacted. The mixer can also mix added soil and other additives to the soil in location. The soil conditioner apparatus may take the form of an apparatus towed by another vehicle, a set of towed apparatuses, an apparatus carried by another vehicle, or a self propelled vehicle having the operational elements of the soil conditioner.

A soil conditioner apparatus and method of conditioning soil for compaction. The soil conditioner apparatus creates a heated stream of air directed toward the ground as the conditioner moves along the ground. A mixer on the conditioner mixes soil in the path of the heated air to dry the soil. Some embodiments of the mixer will propel the soil into the air in the stream of heated air. The conditioner can decrease moisture in the soil in the location where the soil will be compacted. The mixer can also mix added soil and other additives to the soil in location. The soil conditioner apparatus may take the form of an apparatus towed by another vehicle, a set of towed apparatuses, an apparatus carried by another vehicle, or a self propelled vehicle having the operational elements of the soil conditioner.

The invention relates to a construction machine for introducing a displacement tube into the ground, wherein the displacement tube comprises a tube base body and, at its lower end, a closure device which comprises at least one closure flap which is adjustable between a closed position, in which the displacement tube is closed downwards by the at least one closure flap, and an open position, in which filling material is discharged from the displacement tube into the ground for forming a filling material column, wherein the construction machine comprises a feed drive for introducing and retracting the displacement tube into and out of the ground, respectively. According to the invention, it is provided that an actuating unit with at least one pressing-on element is arranged on the construction machine, by means of which the at least one closure flap is adjustable from the open position into its closed position and retainable in said position before contacting the ground at least until the closed closure flap penetrates into the ground. The invention further relates to a method for creating a filling material column.