A system for and method of stabilizing rail track structures using a load transfer apparatus is disclosed. The load transfer apparatus includes a vertical load transfer element and a top load transfer element, wherein the top load transfer element is used to transfer applied locomotive and rail car loads to the vertical load transfer element. In one embodiment, the top load transfer element includes helical flights. In another embodiment, the top load transfer element includes a flared top. In yet another embodiment, the top load transfer element includes a load transfer cap. In a further embodiment, the top load transfer element includes two or more support legs each with a top support attached thereto. The railroad stabilization system can comprise any one type or any combinations of types of the aforementioned load transfer apparatuses.

The disclosure relates to a system for drilling a vertical well in soil according to a substantially vertical theoretical drilling trajectory comprising a drilling device including a hollow core having a longitudinal axis, the hollow core being provided with a drilling tool; a rotating driving device exhibiting an active state in which the driving device is oriented with respect to the soil in an angular correction position, and a passive state in which the driving device does not modify the displacement trajectory of the drilling device; a device for measuring the deviation of the hollow core; a control device configured to make the driving device swivel when a deviation is measured, in order to bring it in its active state in an angular correction position determined such that, considered in the horizontal plane, the trajectory correcting direction associated with the angular correction position is opposite to the deviation direction.

The disclosure relates to a system for drilling a vertical well in soil according to a substantially vertical theoretical drilling trajectory comprising a drilling device including a hollow core having a longitudinal axis, the hollow core being provided with a drilling tool; a rotating driving device exhibiting an active state in which the driving device is oriented with respect to the soil in an angular correction position, and a passive state in which the driving device does not modify the displacement trajectory of the drilling device; a device for measuring the deviation of the hollow core; a control device configured to make the driving device swivel when a deviation is measured, in order to bring it in its active state in an angular correction position determined such that, considered in the horizontal plane, the trajectory correcting direction associated with the angular correction position is opposite to the deviation direction.

Methods of preparing cast-in-place geopolymer piles using electrical heating wire (130) to provide heat to cure the piles are described. The heating wire (130) can be associated with a reinforcement cage (120) inserted in the pile shaft. Rod-shaped heating units comprising electrical heating wire (130) can be inserted into a pile shaft and can be reusable. Geopolymer piles with high compressive strength can be prepared from mixtures of class F fly ash and aqueous sodium hydroxide by heating the piles with the heating wire to a stable curing temperature for at least about 24 hours.

A foundation treatment method for piling a foundation structure by penetrating a hardpan layer, i.e., a Deep Slurry Mixing method, comprising following steps: disturbing, by a mechanical device, a location where the foundation structure is to be piled, so that the mechanical device penetrates the hardpan layer of a natural foundation; then injecting clay slurry into the hardpan layer of the natural foundation by a pumping device, an improved foundation is formed after mixing; and piling the foundation structure. The method can change soil property of the original natural foundation, break the hardpan layer, reduce piling resistance of the steel plate cylinder or similar foundation structure, reduce uneven force during the piling process and improve driveability.

A foundation treatment method for piling a foundation structure by penetrating a hardpan layer, i.e., a Deep Slurry Mixing method, comprising following steps: disturbing, by a mechanical device, a location where the foundation structure is to be piled, so that the mechanical device penetrates the hardpan layer of a natural foundation; then injecting clay slurry into the hardpan layer of the natural foundation by a pumping device, an improved foundation is formed after mixing; and piling the foundation structure. The method can change soil property of the original natural foundation, break the hardpan layer, reduce piling resistance of the steel plate cylinder or similar foundation structure, reduce uneven force during the piling process and improve driveability.

A system for and method of stabilizing rail track structures using a load transfer apparatus is disclosed. The load transfer apparatus includes a vertical load transfer element and a top load transfer element, wherein the top load transfer element is used to transfer applied locomotive and rail car loads to the vertical load transfer element. In one embodiment, the top load transfer element includes helical flights. In another embodiment, the top load transfer element includes a flared top. In yet another embodiment, the top load transfer element includes a load transfer cap. In a further embodiment, the top load transfer element includes two or more support legs each with a top support attached thereto. The railroad stabilization system can comprise any one type or any combinations of types of the aforementioned load transfer apparatuses.

A pile includes a first pile section having a first end that engages a supporting medium and an opposing second end. A first end of a second pile section is engageable with the second end of the first pile section, each of the first and second pile sections having mating end fittings that create an interlocking fit. A sleeve overlays the first and second engaged ends of the first and second pile sections. At least one through hole aligned with at least one corresponding through hole of the first pile section is sized for receiving a fastener for securing the sleeve to the first pile section. In another version, the ends of the pile section are engaged in contact while the overlaying sleeve has a pair of interlocking sleeve or coupler portions that are configured to provide torsional resistance. Additional pile sections can be sequentially attached to the second pile section.

A jet grouting method is capable of reducing an unnecessary portion (redundant portion) exceeding an effective wall thickness without narrowing a construction pitch, and capable of allowing easy mechanical control. A ground improvement structure including a plurality of ground improvement bodies is constructed through use of the jet grouting method. Each of the ground improvement bodies is constructed so as to have a sectional shape formed by a combination of different kinds of fan shapes having different radiuses. The sectional shape of the ground improvement body is a combination of at least two kinds of fan shapes. One of the kinds of the fan shapes corresponds to a fan shape with a smaller radius, and the other corresponds to a fan shape with a larger radius. The sectional shape of the improvement body has a minimum diameter portion formed of the fan shapes with the smallest radius and a maximum diameter portion formed of the fan shapes with the largest radius. When designing the ground improvement body, a central angle is determined from a fan shape having the smallest radius with respect to the effective wall thickness. When constructing the ground improvement body, a diameter thereof is controlled by stepwisely changing a rotation speed of the injection rod. At that time, a soil breaking achieved by an improving material injected at high pressure is monitored so as to check the diameter of the ground improvement body and the effective thickness thereof.

A jet grouting method is capable of reducing an unnecessary portion (redundant portion) exceeding an effective wall thickness without narrowing a construction pitch, and capable of allowing easy mechanical control. A ground improvement structure including a plurality of ground improvement bodies is constructed through use of the jet grouting method. Each of the ground improvement bodies is constructed so as to have a sectional shape formed by a combination of different kinds of fan shapes having different radiuses. The sectional shape of the ground improvement body is a combination of at least two kinds of fan shapes. One of the kinds of the fan shapes corresponds to a fan shape with a smaller radius, and the other corresponds to a fan shape with a larger radius. The sectional shape of the improvement body has a minimum diameter portion formed of the fan shapes with the smallest radius and a maximum diameter portion formed of the fan shapes with the largest radius. When designing the ground improvement body, a central angle is determined from a fan shape having the smallest radius with respect to the effective wall thickness. When constructing the ground improvement body, a diameter thereof is controlled by stepwisely changing a rotation speed of the injection rod. At that time, a soil breaking achieved by an improving material injected at high pressure is monitored so as to check the diameter of the ground improvement body and the effective thickness thereof.