A drilling machine (10) for making an excavation in ground (S) in a vertical drilling direction (F). The drilling machine (10) includes: a support (12) having a longitudinal direction (L); a drilling module (14) provided with cutter members (16), the drilling module being movable in translation relative to the support; and a movement device arranged between the support and the drilling module in order to move the drilling module (14) relative to the support along the longitudinal direction of the support. The machine is characterized by the fact that the movement device includes a damper (70) for damping the vibration generated by the drilling module while drilling.

A combination pier includes: a pile disposed in a bore hole from the bottom of the bore hole to a desired depth; and a pier disposed in the bore hole from the desired depth to the surface. A method for constructing a combination pier includes: forming a pile in a bore hole from the bottom of the bore hole to a desired depth; and forming a pier from the desired depth to the surface.

A combination pier includes: a pile disposed in a bore hole from the bottom of the bore hole to a desired depth; and a pier disposed in the bore hole from the desired depth to the surface. A method for constructing a combination pier includes: forming a pile in a bore hole from the bottom of the bore hole to a desired depth; and forming a pier from the desired depth to the surface.

A method for strengthening soils comprising: a step of making in the soil (1) a hole (2) that has a main line of extension which is at least mainly vertical; 5 a driving step wherein a micro-pile (11) is driven into the soil (1) at the hole (2); and a step of filling the hole (2) with a solidifiable material or with a compactable solid granular material; wherein the step of making the hole (2) in the soil (1) comprises an inserting step wherein a punch (4) is inserted in the soil (1) by applying a pressure to the punch, the punch comprising a lower tip (5) insertable in the soil (1), a top portion (6) opposite to the lower tip (5), an axis of extension that extends between the top portion (6) and the lower tip (5) and a cross-section that increases along the axis of extension going away from the lower tip (5), and 5 wherein the step of inserting the punch (4) in the soil (1) also causes compression and compacting of the soil (1) surrounding the hole (2).

A data capture device and a data capture system are provided. The data capture device is configured to navigate along an elongate structure. The data capture device includes a surface scanner, for scanning a surface of the elongate structure; and a sensor, for capturing data relating to the elongate structure. The surface scanner and the sensor are configured to capture data relating to a common region.

The present invention enables easy construction of a foundation pile having a rigid structure even at a site where a pile produced in a factory cannot be brought in. The tube 1 having a forming material filling port 1a at a top end and a closed bottom 1b at a bottom end is set in a suspended state, and foundation pile forming material 4 is filled from the forming material filling port 1a into the tube 1 in the suspended state. A composite foundation pile 5 in which the tube 1 and the filled forming material 4 are integrated is formed, and the composite foundation pile 5 is driven into the ground 13 or inserted into a borehole 12 formed on the ground 13.

The present invention enables easy construction of a foundation pile having a rigid structure even at a site where a pile produced in a factory cannot be brought in. The tube 1 having a forming material filling port 1a at a top end and a closed bottom 1b at a bottom end is set in a suspended state, and foundation pile forming material 4 is filled from the forming material filling port 1a into the tube 1 in the suspended state. A composite foundation pile 5 in which the tube 1 and the filled forming material 4 are integrated is formed, and the composite foundation pile 5 is driven into the ground 13 or inserted into a borehole 12 formed on the ground 13.

Apparatuses for constructing displacement aggregate piers are disclosed. In one example, a mandrel is provided comprising a tamper head that has cutting teeth on the leading edge thereof. In another example, hydrojet nozzles are provided within one or more of the cutting teeth of the tamper head. In yet another example, the mandrel comprises grout tubes (or grout injection lines) and/or grout inspection lines. In yet another example, the mandrel and/or tamper head can comprise cutting teeth, hydrojet nozzles, grout tubes (or gout injection lines), grout inspection lines, and any combinations thereof.

Apparatuses for constructing displacement aggregate piers are disclosed. In one example, a mandrel is provided comprising a tamper head that has cutting teeth on the leading edge thereof. In another example, hydrojet nozzles are provided within one or more of the cutting teeth of the tamper head. In yet another example, the mandrel comprises grout tubes (or grout injection lines) and/or grout inspection lines. In yet another example, the mandrel and/or tamper head can comprise cutting teeth, hydrojet nozzles, grout tubes (or gout injection lines), grout inspection lines, and any combinations thereof.

A slab filler, and method for implementing fillers in a two-way concrete slab for building structures, are disclosed. The filler comprises an upper keeper tray and a lower keeper tray, and a volumetric filling element. The upper keeper tray is attached to a top of the volumetric filling element and the lower keeper tray is attached to a bottom of the volumetric filling element. The filler comprises a plurality of indicators positioned on all corners of the keeper tray to indicate an amount or level of a concrete fed on the filler. The filler further comprises grooves at an end of the spacer, configured to securely hold one or more belts. Spacers and belts are configured to receive one or more rebar. Further, the volumetric filling element is a high-density material, where the filler is incorporated without upper keeper tray and lower keeper tray.