Near-Surface Mounting Bar (NSMB) Pile Splice systems and methods are provided as an alternative splicing method to connect driven precast concrete pile segments. These systems are applicable to both unforeseen and preplanned splicing needs and provide excellent advantage especially for the unforeseen condition when other splice systems fail to provide the required capacity. These systems offer completely unique and new methods of connecting and splicing precast prestressed concrete pile segments and all other prismatic precast concrete elements.

An assembly and method of simultaneously spin drilling and pressure grouting a helical anchor into the ground vertically, horizontally or at an inclined angle create a continuous grouting configuration inside and outside the helical anchor for its entire depth in the ground. The helical anchor is configured to be partially or completely removed as desired and can be provided at its upper end with a tensioning element to post tension a cementitious foundation structure. A unique spin drilling and grouting assembly continuously provides grout under pressure to the interior of the helical anchor during its spin drilling into the ground. In one embodiment, the pressure grouted helical anchor is used with an upwardly extending tensioning element to reinforce cementitious foundation caps or other concrete support foundations.

The present invention discloses an end plate system for joining spun piles together comprises a top end plate (100) mounted at a bottom end of a first spun pile: and a bottom end plate (200) mounted at a top end of a second spun pile; wherein the end plates (100, 200) respectively have an interlocking surface that is formed with a plurality of segmental protrusions (110, 210) and segmental recesses (120, 220) arranged in an alternate configuration; characterized in that each segmental protrusion (110, 210) has a first radial interlocking profile (111, 211) and a second radial interlocking profile (112, 212) that extend towards the central portion of the end plates (100, 200); wherein the top end plate (100) and the bottom end plate (200) are mated by registering the segmental protrusion (110, 210) of one end plate to the segmental recess (120, 220) of another end plate and through a rotating movement about the central axis of the mated end plates (100, 200), a first interlocking joint (300) is formed by two adjacent first radial interlocking profiles (111, 211) in full surface contact, and a second interlocking joint (400) is created by inserting a pin (402) into a passageway (401) formed between two adjacent second radial interlocking profiles (112, 212).

Disclosed is a joint for connecting first and second elongate members together end to end, the joint comprising: a first connecting structure and a second connecting structure at an opposed end of the second elongate member; one of the first and second connecting structures comprising at least one male connector unit having a longitudinally projecting male part which is tapered in the longitudinal direction; the other of the first and second connecting structures having at least one female connector unit defining a correspondingly tapered recess into which the male part is received; the other of the first and second connecting structures defining lateral locking pin holes aligned either side of the recess and the male part having a corresponding lateral locking pin hole; and a locking pin insertable through the corresponding locking pin holes.

Disclosed is a joint for connecting first and second elongate members together end to end, the joint comprising: a first connecting structure and a second connecting structure at an opposed end of the second elongate member; one of the first and second connecting structures comprising at least one male connector unit having a longitudinally projecting male part which is tapered in the longitudinal direction; the other of the first and second connecting structures having at least one female connector unit defining a correspondingly tapered recess into which the male part is received; the other of the first and second connecting structures defining lateral locking pin holes aligned either side of the recess and the male part having a corresponding lateral locking pin hole; and a locking pin insertable through the corresponding locking pin holes.

A foundation support apparatus is provided and includes a tubular piling with a rib of material fixed to an exterior or outer surface of the piling. The rib provides improved total resistive force capabilities for the support apparatus, as compared to a bare piling. The rib is positioned and dimensioned as to not impede the installation of the piling. The rib may be circular or helical, continuous or discontinuous, and is disposed coaxial with a longitudinal axis of the piling. The foundation support apparatus may be manufactured on a construction site to readily improve the load capacity of various types of vertical foundational systems, such as driven pilings. The foundation support apparatus may be encased or backfilled with grout materials which harden around the ribs of the apparatus forming an interlocking engagement between the grout and the ribs, thereby increasing load resistance capabilities of the support apparatus.

Disclosed is a pile connection for horizontally fixing an elongated beam for a foundation support system. In particular, disclosed is a pile connection including at least one pile sleeve and at least one coupling attaching the at least one pile sleeve to an elongated beam such that a pile within the at least one pile sleeve extends between a top and bottom of the beam. Such a configuration provides a cost-effective, modular, and scalable system that is easily installed and adaptable to a variety of different terrains.

Pile connection methods and devices are disclosed. In some examples, a pile connection device includes a plug including a head, a body extending from a distal end of the head, a first bolt aperture extending through the head and the body and configured to receive a bolt, and pins extending from a distal end of the body. The pile connection device further includes a nut including pin apertures each configured to receive one of the pins, projections extending from a circumference of a proximal end of the nut, and a second bolt aperture that is threaded and configured to align with the first bolt aperture when the pins are received by the pin apertures. The second bolt aperture is configured to receive a threaded distal portion of the bolt to thereby draw the nut toward the plug and retain the pile connection device within apertures in the connected piles.

Two pile sections are joined together by interfitting means in their opposed ends. One pile has a plurality of lock bars (7a) extending substantially perpendicular to the end plate (3a), comprised of notches (14a, 14b) formed periphery at the lower portion (14). The other pile has a plurality of lock sockets (7b) mounted substantially perpendicular to the end plate (3b), comprised flaps (13a, 13b) within the cavity, formed from its opposed side walls and bending towards the axis of the lock socket cavity. When in splicing operation of the pile sections (1a, 1b), the lock bars (7a) are introduced into the lock sockets (7b). The locking bar (7a) then prised in between the flaps (13a, 13b) forcing them apart while the flaps (13a, 13b) still maintain its clamping force. The notches (14a, 14b) of the lock bars (7a) then engaged with lower the edges (15) of the flaps (13a, 13b) thus locking the piles together.

Provided is a support structure and a method for manufacture thereof. The support structure, in one aspect, includes first and second expanded metal structural pillars positioned within the ground by a distance (d.sub.1), the first and second expanded metal structural pillars comprising a metal that has expanded in response to hydrolysis. In at least one other aspect, the support structure includes one or more beams spanning the first and second expanded metal structural pillars.