A method and apparatus for forming cemented ground support columns is disclosed. Namely, driving mandrels are provided for the efficient construction of incrementally enlarged diameter support columns. For example, the driving mandrel includes a feed tube that has a top portion and an expansion head portion. The expansion head portion further includes an expansion (or compaction) chamber and a flexible tubular egress port. Further, construction methods are provided of using the driving mandrels for the efficient construction of incrementally enlarged diameter support columns.

A method and apparatus for forming cemented ground support columns is disclosed. Namely, driving mandrels are provided for the efficient construction of incrementally enlarged diameter support columns. For example, the driving mandrel includes a feed tube that has a top portion and an expansion head portion. The expansion head portion further includes an expansion (or compaction) chamber and a flexible tubular egress port. Further, construction methods are provided of using the driving mandrels for the efficient construction of incrementally enlarged diameter support columns.

The present invention provides a tool for forming an underground cast-in-situ pile having an enlarged base, the tool comprising: a first pile-forming member having a first base-forming member; a second pile-forming member having a second base-forming member, the pile-forming members extending collinearly and being movable in a longitudinal direction relative to one another between: a digging state wherein the base-forming members are proximate to one another so that the pile-forming members can be driven underground; and a base-forming state wherein the base-forming members are spaced from one another so as to form an underground void between the first and second base-forming members, the void being tillable with a flowable fill to form the enlarged base of the underground cast-in-situ pile; and jack screw means, rotation of which causes relative longitudinal movement between the pile-forming members.

The present invention provides a tool for forming an underground cast-in-situ pile having an enlarged base, the tool comprising: a first pile-forming member having a first base-forming member; a second pile-forming member having a second base-forming member, the pile-forming members extending collinearly and being movable in a longitudinal direction relative to one another between: a digging state wherein the base-forming members are proximate to one another so that the pile-forming members can be driven underground; and a base-forming state wherein the base-forming members are spaced from one another so as to form an underground void between the first and second base-forming members, the void being tillable with a flowable fill to form the enlarged base of the underground cast-in-situ pile; and jack screw means, rotation of which causes relative longitudinal movement between the pile-forming members.

A foundation component having an elongated shaft with a below-ground end and an opposing above-ground end. The foundation component is installed by sleeving it over a mandrel and applying downward force to the mandrel to insert the component and mandrel into underlying soil. Proximate to the underground end, the shaft has one or more crumple zones formed along its length. When the mandrel is rotated to a locked position and upward force is applied while bracing the above-ground end of the component, one or more of the crumple zones expand transversely into the soil, depending on the soil's density, thereby increasing the component's bearing capacity and resistance to pull out.

Methods and apparatuses for compacting soil and granular materials are disclosed. In some embodiments, the soil compaction apparatuses include an arrangement of diametric expansion elements that, in their expanded state, form a larger compaction surface. In another embodiment, a compaction chamber can be provided with diametric restriction elements and a flow-through passage in the upper portion of the chamber exterior of a drive shaft. The diametric expansion or restriction elements can be fabricated from, for example, individual chains, cables, or wire rope, or a lattice of vertically and horizontally connected chains, cables, or wire rope. Embodiments of the soil compaction apparatus include, but are not limited to, closed-ended driving shafts, open-ended driving shafts, flow-through passages, no flow-through passages, removable rings for holding the diametric expansion/restriction elements, and any combinations thereof.

A variable-diameter reinforcing cage for an anchor rod or pile foundation, comprising an axial rod (4), a plurality of vertical bars (2), at least two circular fixators (5) and several groups of ribs (3) which correspond to the circular fixators (5). The circular fixators (5) are all sleeved on the axial rod (4); one end of the ribs (3) is movably connected to the position of the vertical bars (2) at the same height, and the other end of the ribs (3) is movably connected to the circular fixators (5); annular hoops (6) are arranged on the periphery of the vertical bars (2) to serve as circles of latitude; fixing points are formed on the annular hoops (6) and the vertical bars (2); and the annular hoops (6) are annular spiral spring hoops of an elastic material or flexible steel wires.

The invention relates to a method for producing a component, such as a structural member, free of toe pressure, including the steps of: introducing a soluble material into soil and introducing a component into the soil on the soluble material.

Disclosed are a pile-bottom grouting cavity and a method for using same, and a cast-in-place pile body and a method for constructing same. The pile-bottom grouting cavity comprises: a grouting capsule, having an expansion state in which the grouting capsule is filled with grout to bear a pile body, and a contracted state in which the grouting capsule is hollow; a grouting pipe in communication with an inner cavity of the grouting capsule to grout the grouting capsule; and a fixing plate, with the grouting capsule being arranged on the fixing plate, and the fixing plate being provided with a through hole that is in communication with the bottom of an accommodation hole, such that slurry and/or sediment in the accommodation hole pass through the fixing plate. The aim thereof is to solve the problems in the prior art of hole wall collapse and excessive sediment that seriously affect the quality of construction in a grouting pile with a grouting capsule during the construction of a cast-in-place bored pile.

A method and apparatus for forming cemented ground support columns is disclosed. Namely, driving mandrels are provided for the efficient construction of incrementally enlarged diameter support columns. For example, the driving mandrel includes a feed tube that has a top portion and an expansion head portion. The expansion head portion further includes an expansion (or compaction) chamber and a flexible tubular egress port. Further, construction methods are provided of using the driving mandrels for the efficient construction of incrementally enlarged diameter support columns.