A cutting tool adapter for creating an underpinning structure and method of creating the underpinning structure are provided. In some examples, the cutting tool adapter may connect a cutting tool to a working machine arm to enable the cutting tool to cut and dislodge soil below an existing foundation or structure. As the soil is cut and dislodged, it is mechanical mixed with an additive, such as a cementitious material, via the cutting tool. The mixed soil and additive may then harden in the area below the existing structure or foundation to create an underpinning structure to provide additional support for the existing structure or foundation.

Elements, methods, and systems are presented for facilitating construction of a tiered wall of elements most or all of which are oriented along the wall. Such elements may each have a front, for example, that extends between opposite sides of the wall. Such walls may include localized widening or graduated element weights, for example, engineered to allow advantageous pressure distributions over those of conventional retaining walls. Alternatively or additionally such elements may include frontal projections that stabilize a curvilinear wall by allowing an element to penetrate an adjacent element of the same tier in one or two dimensions.

Elements, methods, and systems are presented for facilitating construction of a tiered wall of elements most or all of which are oriented along the wall. Such elements may each have a front, for example, that extends between opposite sides of the wall. Such walls may include localized widening or graduated element weights, for example, engineered to allow advantageous pressure distributions over those of conventional retaining walls. Alternatively or additionally such elements may include frontal projections that stabilize a curvilinear wall by allowing an element to penetrate an adjacent element of the same tier in one or two dimensions.

Elements, methods, and systems are presented for facilitating construction of a tiered wall of elements most or all of which are oriented along the wall. Such elements may each have a front, for example, that extends between opposite sides of the wall. Such walls may include localized widening or graduated element weights, for example, engineered to allow advantageous pressure distributions over those of conventional retaining walls. Alternatively or additionally such elements may include frontal projections that stabilize a curvilinear wall by allowing an element to penetrate an adjacent element of the same tier in one or two dimensions.

A cutting tool adapter for creating an underpinning structure and method of creating the underpinning structure are provided. In some examples, the cutting tool adapter may connect a cutting tool to a working machine arm to enable the cutting tool to cut and dislodge soil below an existing foundation or structure. As the soil is cut and dislodged, it is mechanical mixed with an additive, such as a cementitious material, via the cutting tool. The mixed soil and additive may then harden in the area below the existing structure or foundation to create an underpinning structure to provide additional support for the existing structure or foundation.

Soil displacement piles having a shaft and one or more soil displacement assemblies secured to the shaft are provided. If more than one soil displacement assembly is utilized, each soil displacement assembly is separated by a longitudinal distance. Each soil displacement assembly has an upper helical plate, a lower helical plate and separated from the upper helical plate by a longitudinal plate distance, and at least one soil displacement plate positioned relative to the shaft, the upper helical plate and the lower helical plate.

Fast-setting flowable fill compositions for filling ground trenches are described. The compositions set quickly but retain a low strength psi at 28 days. The compositions also reduce bleed water on the surface of the fast-setting flowable fill and therefor enable quicker application of surface repair material, e.g., pavement patches, to the trench. The compositions consist of aggregate, Portland cement, accelerant, water and sometimes air. The compositions may have a compressive strength of between 5 psi and 60 psi after 2 hours, a compressive strength of between 10 psi and 100 psi after 4 hours, a compressive strength of between 75 psi and 500 psi after 28 days, a penetration resistance of between 1.5 tsf and 75 tsf after 2 hours, a penetration resistance of between 4.5 tsf and 200 tsf after 4 hours, and a shrinkage of less than 2% as measured by ASTM C490. Also disclosed are methods of filling a trench with fast-setting flowable fill.

A pile to be inserted into a beforehand excavated hole, includes a main body being comprised of a hollow pipe, a circular bottom plate fixed at a lower end of the main body coaxially with the main body, a through-hole being formed therethrough outside of the main body, a hollow test pipe having an outer diameter such that the test pipe can be detachably inserted into the through-hole, and a cap being attached to a lower surface of the bottom plate so as to close the through-hole, S1:S2=W1:W2, wherein S1 indicates a surface area of the bottom plate, S2 indicates a surface area of the cap, W1 indicates a weight of a second drop hammer to fall in the main body, and W2 indicates a weight of the first drop hammer.

Soil displacement piles having a shaft and one or more soil displacement assemblies secured to the shaft are provided. If more than one soil displacement assembly is utilized, each soil displacement assembly is separated by a longitudinal distance. Each soil displacement assembly has an upper helical plate, a lower helical plate and separated from the upper helical plate by a longitudinal plate distance, and at least one soil displacement plate positioned relative to the shaft, the upper helical plate and the lower helical plate.

A cutting tool adapter for creating an underpinning structure and method of creating the underpinning structure are provided. In some examples, the cutting tool adapter may connect a cutting tool to a working machine arm to enable the cutting tool to cut and dislodge soil below an existing foundation or structure. As the soil is cut and dislodged, it is mechanical mixed with an additive, such as a cementitious material, via the cutting tool. The mixed soil and additive may then harden in the area below the existing structure or foundation to create an underpinning structure to provide additional support for the existing structure or foundation.