A pier tool, includes: a tubular body having an uphole end and a downhole end and defining a flow path therethrough and a tamping head disposed within the flow path of the tubular body and defines tamping surface on a downhole side of the tamping head A method for forming a pier includes assembling a pier tool mandrel, a pier tool mandrel including the pier tool and forming a rammed aggregate pier using the pier tool mandrel.

A pier tool, includes: a tubular body having an uphole end and a downhole end and defining a flow path therethrough and a tamping head disposed within the flow path of the tubular body and defines tamping surface on a downhole side of the tamping head A method for forming a pier includes assembling a pier tool mandrel, a pier tool mandrel including the pier tool and forming a rammed aggregate pier using the pier tool mandrel.

The present invention discloses a system and method for forming a compacted aggregate pier at a target location. The system comprises a mandrel, which is a composition of a casing pipe and an inner steel shaft with close ended cone and convenient entry and exit of the inner shaft. The system further comprises a casing is equipped with water jet system, a rammer of mandrel attached to hydraulic hammer and an inner mandrel with a casing pipe having two valves with open and close capability. Using this system, the matrix soil radial density and the bearing capacity and the modulus of the reaction of the composite soil are increased and soil settlement decreases. This system also increases the density of loose soils or soils with dense sandy intermediate layers especially in shores and rivers in submerged conditions. Also, the loose granular soil is retrofitted against liquefaction.

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.

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.

An apparatus for densifying and compacting granular materials comprising a drive shaft having a first diameter and a compaction end, and a set of one or more diametric expansion elements attached to an exterior of the compaction end of the drive shaft, wherein the one or more diametric expansion elements, in their expanded state, form compaction surfaces having a second diameter greater than the first diameter of the drive shaft.

An apparatus for densifying and compacting granular materials comprising a drive shaft having a first diameter and a compaction end, and a set of one or more diametric expansion elements attached to an exterior of the compaction end of the drive shaft, wherein the one or more diametric expansion elements, in their expanded state, form compaction surfaces having a second diameter greater than the first diameter of the drive shaft.

A foundation treatment method for piling a foundation structure by penetrating a hardpan layer, i.e., a Deep Slurry Mixing method, comprising following steps: disturbing, by a mechanical device, a location where the foundation structure is to be piled, so that the mechanical device penetrates the hardpan layer of a natural foundation; then injecting clay slurry into the hardpan layer of the natural foundation by a pumping device, an improved foundation is formed after mixing; and piling the foundation structure. The method can change soil property of the original natural foundation, break the hardpan layer, reduce piling resistance of the steel plate cylinder or similar foundation structure, reduce uneven force during the piling process and improve driveability.

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.