Embodiments described herein relate to construction of subsurface structural elements that are configured to redirect soil forces. For instance, a form may be used to construct a subsurface structural element such that the subsurface structural element redirects soil forces to vertically displace a foundation rather than have the soil forces crack or otherwise damage the foundation.

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.

Embodiments described herein relate to construction of subsurface structural elements that are configured to redirect soil forces. For instance, a form may be used to construct a subsurface structural element such that the subsurface structural element redirects soil forces to vertically displace a foundation rather than have the soil forces crack or otherwise damage the foundation.

Embodiments described herein relate to construction of subsurface structural elements that are configured to redirect soil forces. For instance, a form may be used to construct a subsurface structural element such that the subsurface structural element redirects soil forces to vertically displace a foundation rather than have the soil forces crack or otherwise damage the foundation.

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.

A device for protecting against the scouring of granular fillings submerged in gravity structures in which a filling with granular materials must be deposited once the structures are submerged, so that the structures reach a weight sufficient to en sure the stability thereof against the actions to which they are subjected. The device consists of one or more porous covers that sit and/or are secured as an upper closure of the structure to protect the inner filling, each of the covers having a plurality of openings that are distributed on the surface thereof and have a size suitable to allow the passage of the filling material, which filling material is transferred to the inside of the structure simply by pouring until a height close to the cover is reached, leaving a margin or chamber between the two that is suitable for generating an internal turbulence that dissipates wave energy and incident currents, thereby making it difficult for the filling material to escape from the inside through the openings.

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.

Embodiments described herein relate to construction of subsurface structural elements that are configured to redirect soil forces. For instance, a form may be used to construct a subsurface structural element such that the subsurface structural element redirects soil forces to vertically displace a foundation rather than have the soil forces crack or otherwise damage the foundation.

A device for protecting against the scouring of granular fillings submerged in gravity structures in which a filling with granular materials must be deposited once the structures are submerged, so that the structures reach a weight sufficient to en sure the stability thereof against the actions to which they are subjected. The device consists of one or more porous covers that sit and/or are secured as an upper closure of the structure to protect the inner filling, each of the covers having a plurality of openings that are distributed on the surface thereof and have a size suitable to allow the passage of the filling material, which filling material is transferred to the inside of the structure simply by pouring until a height close to the cover is reached, leaving a margin or chamber between the two that is suitable for generating an internal turbulence that dissipates wave energy and incident currents, thereby making it difficult for the filling material to escape from the inside through the openings.

An apparatus for carrying out bi-directional load testing of close ended driven piles and injection piles utilizing a hydraulic jack, comprising an enclosure for housing the hydraulic jack. The apparatus includes a first hollow body, a second hollow body and a third hollow body. The first hollow body has an open upper end, an open lower end, and a base for attaching the top of the hydraulic jack. The second hollow body has an open upper end, an open lower end, and a base for attaching the base of the hydraulic jack. The third hollow body has an open upper end and an open lower end, and has an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the first hollow body and the second hollow body, the third hollow body being capable of being axially received by both the first hollow body and the second hollow body.