A system for and method of stabilizing rail track structures using a load transfer apparatus is disclosed. The load transfer apparatus includes a vertical load transfer element and a top load transfer element, wherein the top load transfer element is used to transfer applied locomotive and rail car loads to the vertical load transfer element. In one embodiment, the top load transfer element includes helical flights. In another embodiment, the top load transfer element includes a flared top. In yet another embodiment, the top load transfer element includes a load transfer cap. In a further embodiment, the top load transfer element includes two or more support legs each with a top support attached thereto. The railroad stabilization system can comprise any one type or any combinations of types of the aforementioned load transfer apparatuses.

A pile measuring system suitable for determining parameter(s) of a pile during an installation of the pile is disclosed. The pile measuring system comprises at least one positioning sensor and a parameter calculator. Each of the at least one positioning sensor is attached or attachable to a location on a sleeve and configured to measure position coordinates of the respective location on the sleeve. The parameter calculator is suitable for determining the parameter(s) of the pile from the position coordinates measured by the at least one positioning sensor.

A pile measuring system suitable for determining parameter(s) of a pile during an installation of the pile is disclosed. The pile measuring system comprises at least one positioning sensor and a parameter calculator. Each of the at least one positioning sensor is attached or attachable to a location on a sleeve and configured to measure position coordinates of the respective location on the sleeve. The parameter calculator is suitable for determining the parameter(s) of the pile from the position coordinates measured by the at least one positioning sensor.

The present invention is an earth-locking apparatus and an inextricably intertwined method to form an underground grid-bridge system to provide foundation support for structures such as sand silos, holding tanks, bulkheads, and power transmission lines. The earth-locking modular apparatus has locking lugs and locking channels perpendicularly connected to a plurality of vanes that extend vertically the length of the central tubular member whereby interlocking vanes are conjoined to multiple modular apparatus allowing for confined compaction of columns and blocks of soil that are then subjected to a porosity destruction process to tighten and de-water the confined soil. The method of completing the underground grid-bridge describes the utilization of the compaction apparatus designed to work in conjunction with the earth-locking modular apparatus and earth-locking compaction implements design-engineered to cause porosity destruction resulting in extreme compression of confined soil to a load-bearing capacity that will resist compression, overturning, uplifting, torsion and sheer.

The present invention is an earth-locking apparatus and an inextricably intertwined method to form an underground grid-bridge system to provide foundation support for structures such as sand silos, holding tanks, bulkheads, and power transmission lines. The earth-locking modular apparatus has locking lugs and locking channels perpendicularly connected to a plurality of vanes that extend vertically the length of the central tubular member whereby interlocking vanes are conjoined to multiple modular apparatus allowing for confined compaction of columns and blocks of soil that are then subjected to a porosity destruction process to tighten and de-water the confined soil. The method of completing the underground grid-bridge describes the utilization of the compaction apparatus designed to work in conjunction with the earth-locking modular apparatus and earth-locking compaction implements design-engineered to cause porosity destruction resulting in extreme compression of confined soil to a load-bearing capacity that will resist compression, overturning, uplifting, torsion and sheer.

A helical pier and extension shaft, one end of which is formed with a thickened hexagonally shaped female end coupler using a hot forging process that swedges and compresses the walls of the female coupler into a thickened hexagonal configuration, with subsequent heat treatment to recover and enhance yield and tensile strength to the entire main body section and female end coupler of the helical pier and extension shafts. A corresponding hexagonally shaped male coupler may be milled and inertia friction welded to the opposite end of each extension shaft, or alternatively hot forged and internally upset as an integral homogeneous part of each extension shaft, thereby completing construction of the extension shaft with opposing corresponding male and female hexagonal couplers. The forgoing helical pier has particular benefits in applications requiring deep soil penetration and/or when using a grouted helical pier system.

A helical pier and extension shaft, one end of which is formed with a thickened hexagonally shaped female end coupler using a hot forging process that swedges and compresses the walls of the female coupler into a thickened hexagonal configuration, with subsequent heat treatment to recover and enhance yield and tensile strength to the entire main body section and female end coupler of the helical pier and extension shafts. A corresponding hexagonally shaped male coupler may be milled and inertia friction welded to the opposite end of each extension shaft, or alternatively hot forged and internally upset as an integral homogeneous part of each extension shaft, thereby completing construction of the extension shaft with opposing corresponding male and female hexagonal couplers. The forgoing helical pier has particular benefits in applications requiring deep soil penetration and/or when using a grouted helical pier system.

Method of building a grid system wherein a plurality of modular apparatuses can be arranged at a structure site. The plurality modular apparatuses can have a central tubular member having an inner bore formed between a proximal end and a distal end, and a plurality of vanes having a lateral width at least equal to a diameter of the central tubular member. The one or more modular apparatuses can be positioned above a surface of the structure site. Each of the plurality modular apparatuses can be connected with at least two adjacent modular apparatuses of the plurality of modular apparatuses via a locking lug on one of the plurality of vanes slidingly engaged with a locking channel on an adjacent modular apparatus. The plurality of modular apparatuses can then be driven into the structure site wherein the inner bore receives earthen formation therein.

Method of building a grid system wherein a plurality of modular apparatuses can be arranged at a structure site. The plurality modular apparatuses can have a central tubular member having an inner bore formed between a proximal end and a distal end, and a plurality of vanes having a lateral width at least equal to a diameter of the central tubular member. The one or more modular apparatuses can be positioned above a surface of the structure site. Each of the plurality modular apparatuses can be connected with at least two adjacent modular apparatuses of the plurality of modular apparatuses via a locking lug on one of the plurality of vanes slidingly engaged with a locking channel on an adjacent modular apparatus. The plurality of modular apparatuses can then be driven into the structure site wherein the inner bore receives earthen formation therein.

In a method of installing a pile in the sea bottom by means of a pile guide which has a frame and at least an upper and a lower pair of cooperating guide members, wherein the upper pair and the lower pair are located at a distance from each other in vertical direction. Each pair of guide members comprises a passive guide member and an active guide member. The passive guide members are moved to respective fixed initial guiding positions with respect to the frame and the active guide members are moved to the pile until the passive and the active guide members engage the pile, after which the pile is hold between the upper pair of guide members and between the lower pair of guide members during driving the pile into the sea bottom, during which the actual forces between the pile and the respective guide members are determined.