Soil inclusions (30) comprising an elongated, cured cementitious columnar body (72) are located within the soil (32) and include a tubular perforate structural reinforcement (56a, 56b) embedded within the body (72), with portions of the body exuded through the perforations (57) of the structural reinforcement (56a, 56b). The inclusions (30) are formed by driving a tubular mandrel (44) through vibratory means into the soil (32), with a flexible, tubular, perforate reinforcement (56a, 56b) about the exterior surface of the mandrel (44). When the mandrel (44) is fully driven, it is withdrawn, and simultaneously cementitious material (70) is injected into the mandrel (44). The material (70) exudes through the perforations (57) to complete the inclusion (30), which is deformation compliant. The inclusions may be installed in vertical or non-vertical orientations.

Soil inclusions (30) comprising an elongated, cured cementitious columnar body (72) are located within the soil (32) and include a tubular perforate structural reinforcement (56a, 56b) embedded within the body (72), with portions of the body exuded through the perforations (57) of the structural reinforcement (56a, 56b). The inclusions (30) are formed by driving a tubular mandrel (44) through vibratory means into the soil (32), with a flexible, tubular, perforate reinforcement (56a, 56b) about the exterior surface of the mandrel (44). When the mandrel (44) is fully driven, it is withdrawn, and simultaneously cementitious material (70) is injected into the mandrel (44). The material (70) exudes through the perforations (57) to complete the inclusion (30), which is deformation compliant. The inclusions may be installed in vertical or non-vertical orientations.

The invention relates to a pile installation system for providing a pile in the ground, comprising; an elongate pile installation tool for forming a bore hole and having a distal end, an end member for coupling to the distal end of the pile installation tool, and an electromagnetic device for releasable magnetically coupling the end member to the pile installation tool.

Systems and methods to provide pressed aggregate-filled cavities for improving ground stiffness and uniformity are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes using a mechanism to press into a ground surface in a substantially downward direction to create a concavity. The method also includes substantially or completely filling the concavity with unstabilized or chemically stabilized aggregate, soil, or sand. Further, the method includes using the mechanism to press the aggregate within the concavity to achieve a desired ground stiffness.

Systems and methods to provide pressed aggregate-filled cavities for improving ground stiffness and uniformity are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes using a mechanism to press into a ground surface in a substantially downward direction to create a concavity. The method also includes substantially or completely filling the concavity with unstabilized or chemically stabilized aggregate, soil, or sand. Further, the method includes using the mechanism to press the aggregate within the concavity to achieve a desired ground stiffness.

The disclosure discloses a high-performance liquefaction mitigation method forstone columns for protecting the existing buildings during earthquakes. Specifically, a small equipment is used to dig trenches in the soil around the existing building. Then, a spiral driller is used to drill a series of boreholes in the trenches according to the optimized borehole design. Next, two or three layers of optimized gravel material with high permeability are filled into the boreholes to work as the inverted layer. Finally, geotextile is arranged around the trench and the trench is filled with the optimized gravel. Compared with current liquefaction mitigation methods for existing buildings, the disclosure is suitable for liquefaction mitigation in large cities, and has the advantages of low disturbance to the overlaid building, simple construction process, high construction efficiency, low construction cost, long service life and the construction material could be easily obtained.

Methods and apparatus are provided for a system for raising and permanently supporting a sunken building foundation footing. The system includes a cylindrical sleeve disposed inside a hole cored through the footing from a top surface of the footing adjacent a stem wall to a bottom surface of the footing, wherein the sleeve has an inner diameter large enough for pier extensions to pass through. A bracket positioned on the top surface of the footing over the sleeve has a center hole with a diameter equal to or greater than the inner diameter of the sleeve. The system may further include a mechanical connection from the bracket to the footing configured to carry a foundation lifting force from a hydraulic ram.

A drill assembly that includes one drill and a displacement unit, where the drill is releasably or permanently attached to said displacement unit, such that: —the displacement unit includes a guide unit and a channel unit, where the channel unit includes a guide channel, and said guide unit includes one or more guides adapted to engage with said guide channel, such that said guide channel is a circumferential channel that follows a wave or wave like path; —the drill includes a drill bit and/or a drill flight attached to a central shaft, wherein the drill bit and/or drill flight co-terminate at a first terminal end of the drill; —said first terminal end is the terminal end of the drill that is configured to enter the ground first; and—the central shaft is a thin elongate member that extends between the longitudinally separated terminal ends of the drill.

A drill assembly that includes one drill and a displacement unit, where the drill is releasably or permanently attached to said displacement unit, such that: —the displacement unit includes a guide unit and a channel unit, where the channel unit includes a guide channel, and said guide unit includes one or more guides adapted to engage with said guide channel, such that said guide channel is a circumferential channel that follows a wave or wave like path; —the drill includes a drill bit and/or a drill flight attached to a central shaft, wherein the drill bit and/or drill flight co-terminate at a first terminal end of the drill; —said first terminal end is the terminal end of the drill that is configured to enter the ground first; and—the central shaft is a thin elongate member that extends between the longitudinally separated terminal ends of the drill.

The disclosure discloses a high-performance liquefaction mitigation method forstone columns for protecting the existing buildings during earthquakes. Specifically, a small equipment is used to dig trenches in the soil around the existing building. Then, a spiral driller is used to drill a series of boreholes in the trenches according to the optimized borehole design. Next, two or three layers of optimized gravel material with high permeability are filled into the boreholes to work as the inverted layer. Finally, geotextile is arranged around the trench and the trench is filled with the optimized gravel. Compared with current liquefaction mitigation methods for existing buildings, the disclosure is suitable for liquefaction mitigation in large cities, and has the advantages of low disturbance to the overlaid building, simple construction process, high construction efficiency, low construction cost, long service life and the construction material could be easily obtained.