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.

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.

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.

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 (13). The enclosure (1) includes a first hollow body (10) a second hollow body (15). The first hollow body (10) had a covered upper end (10a) and an open lower end (10b), with the upper end being capped by an attached top plate (11) having an external surface (11a) which the lower end (81b) of a first pile (81) may be axially attached to, and an internal surface (11b). The open lower end (10b) has a cut-out (12) originating on the edge of the open end (10b) of the first hollow body for receiving a hydraulic connection (14) for the jack (13). The second hollow body (15) is capable of housing the hydraulic jack (13), has an open upper end (15a) and a lower end (15b). The lower end (15b) is capped by an attached base plate (17) having an external surface (17a) which the upper end (82a) of a second pile (82) may be axially attached to, and an internal surface (17b) for attaching the base (13a) of the hydraulic jack, and an opening (16) on the capped lower end (15b) originating at a point where the edge of the lower end (15b) abuts the base plate (17) for receiving the hydraulic connection (14) for the jack. The first hollow body (10) and the second hollow body (15) are capable of axial movement relative to one another when actuated by the hydraulic jack.

A stay-in-place footing form assembly includes a plurality of inner form boards serially aligned and joined by inner joining brackets, a plurality of outer form boards serially aligned and joined by outer joining brackets, a plurality of lower spacing rails, each disposed between and connecting base brackets in the inner and outer joining brackets aligned laterally, and a plurality of upper spacing rails, each disposed between and connecting top brackets in the inner and outer joining brackets aligned laterally. The lower spacing rails include first rebar receptacle(s) for seating horizontal rebars on the rails, and the upper spacing rails include second rebar receptacle(s) for holding vertical dowel rebars therein. The inner and outer form boards are insulation boards that have an ability of absorbing lateral forces of earthquakes exerted to a concrete footing formed in the stay-in-place footing form, and an ability of insulating the concrete footing from surrounding temperatures.

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.

Disclosed herein is a foundation pile. The foundation pile comprises a first flange. The foundation pile also comprises a second flange spaced apart from the first flange. The foundation pile further comprises a web extending between the first flange and the second flange, wherein the first flange, the second flange, and the web are formed from a single sheet and each comprises at least two layers of the sheet. The foundation pile additionally comprises a rib formed in at least one of the first flange, the second flange, and the web, wherein the rib comprises a bent portion of at least one of the at least two layers of the sheet.

The present invention is an arch/building support system comprising two (or more) opposing wedges, at least one located at the base of each side of the arch, with the bases of the opposing wedges facing each other, the opposing wedges connected to each other by a semi-rigid flexible rod or rods. In a building structure, the flexible member could be rebar(s) made of one or various materials (metal, plastic, nylon etc.) with various degree of elasticity. The rebars could envelop the structure (around the outside or shell) or reside within it, and may also incorporate some sort of spring mechanism. The rebar(s) are anchored to the upper wedge on each side of the arch, but need not be, and could instead be anchored to the ground.

A stay-in-place footing form assembly includes a plurality of inner form boards serially aligned and joined by inner joining brackets, a plurality of outer form boards serially aligned and joined by outer joining brackets, a plurality of lower spacing rails, each disposed between and connecting base brackets in the inner and outer joining brackets aligned laterally, and a plurality of upper spacing rails, each disposed between and connecting top brackets in the inner and outer joining brackets aligned laterally. The lower spacing rails include first rebar receptacle(s) for seating horizontal rebars on the rails, and the upper spacing rails include second rebar receptacle(s) for holding vertical dowel rebars therein. The inner and outer form boards are insulation boards that have an ability of absorbing lateral forces of earthquakes exerted to a concrete footing formed in the stay-in-place footing form, and an ability of insulating the concrete footing from surrounding temperatures.