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 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).

Provided is a helical pile having an elongated shaft, at least one helical blade on the shaft having a leading edge and a trailing edge, and a displacement paddle extending outward from the shaft longitudinally positioned between the leading and trailing edges of the blade to push away soil to create a grout channel surrounding the shaft. At least one grout propeller may be provided on the shaft, having at least one blade pitched an opposite direction from the helical blade to propel grout downward in the grout channel as the pile rotates.

Provided is a helical pile having an elongated shaft, at least one helical blade on the shaft having a leading edge and a trailing edge, and a displacement paddle extending outward from the shaft longitudinally positioned between the leading and trailing edges of the blade to push away soil to create a grout channel surrounding the shaft. At least one grout propeller may be provided on the shaft, having at least one blade pitched an opposite direction from the helical blade to propel grout downward in the grout channel as the pile rotates.

Performing post-grouting of a drilled shaft includes forming the drilled shaft using a plurality of hollow rebar tubes, where each of at least one pair of hollow rebar tubes has a central longitudinal opening, coupling the at least one pair of hollow rebar tubes to a grout delivery mechanism disposed below the shaft, and providing grout to the grout delivery system through the at least one pair of hollow rebar tubes. Each of the at least one pair of hollow rebar tubes may include threads or ridges that eliminate debonding of the hollow rebar tubes from concrete of the drilled shaft. The hollow rebar tubes may be TITAN 52/26, TITAN 73/53 and/or TITAN 73/56 hollow threaded rebar. Each of the at least one pair of hollow rebar tubes may further provide structural reinforcement of the drilled shaft. The grout delivery mechanism may include a perforated pipe.

Performing post-grouting of a drilled shaft includes forming the drilled shaft using a plurality of hollow rebar tubes, where each of at least one pair of hollow rebar tubes has a central longitudinal opening, coupling the at least one pair of hollow rebar tubes to a grout delivery mechanism disposed below the shaft, and providing grout to the grout delivery system through the at least one pair of hollow rebar tubes. Each of the at least one pair of hollow rebar tubes may include threads or ridges that eliminate debonding of the hollow rebar tubes from concrete of the drilled shaft. The hollow rebar tubes may be TITAN 52/26, TITAN 73/53 and/or TITAN 73/56 hollow threaded rebar. Each of the at least one pair of hollow rebar tubes may further provide structural reinforcement of the drilled shaft. The grout delivery mechanism may include a perforated pipe.

Provided is a helical pile having an elongated shaft, at least one helical blade on the shaft having a leading edge and a trailing edge, and a displacement paddle extending outward from the shaft longitudinally positioned between the leading and trailing edges of the blade to push away soil to create a grout channel surrounding the shaft. At least one grout propeller may be provided on the shaft, having at least one blade pitched an opposite direction from the helical blade to propel grout downward in the grout channel as the pile rotates.

Provided is a helical pile having an elongated shaft, at least one helical blade on the shaft having a leading edge and a trailing edge, and a displacement paddle extending outward from the shaft longitudinally positioned between the leading and trailing edges of the blade to push away soil to create a grout channel surrounding the shaft. At least one grout propeller may be provided on the shaft, having at least one blade pitched an opposite direction from the helical blade to propel grout downward in the grout channel as the pile rotates.

A method, system and apparatus for plasma blasting comprises a borehole in soil, a blast probe comprising a high voltage electrode and a ground electrode separated by a dielectric separator, wherein the high voltage electrode and the dielectric separator constitute an adjustable probe tip, and an adjustment unit coupled to the adjustable probe tip, wherein the adjustment unit is configured to selectively extend or retract the adjustable probe tip relative to the ground electrode and a blasting media, wherein at least a portion of the high voltage electrode and the ground electrode are submerged in the blast media. The blasting media comprises wet concrete. The adjustable tip permits fine-tuning of the blast. The blast is used to force the wet concrete into a customized shape within the borehole.

A method, system and apparatus for plasma blasting comprises a borehole in soil, a blast probe comprising a high voltage electrode and a ground electrode separated by a dielectric separator, wherein the high voltage electrode and the dielectric separator constitute an adjustable probe tip, and an adjustment unit coupled to the adjustable probe tip, wherein the adjustment unit is configured to selectively extend or retract the adjustable probe tip relative to the ground electrode and a blasting media, wherein at least a portion of the high voltage electrode and the ground electrode are submerged in the blast media. The blasting media comprises wet concrete. The adjustable tip permits fine-tuning of the blast. The blast is used to force the wet concrete into a customized shape within the borehole.