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, 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.

One aspect of the invention provides a structure including one or more strut tubes adapted and configured to receive and hold a granular material. The one or more strut tubes further include compression means for applying at least compression to the granular material after loading. Another aspect of the invention provides a method of erecting a structure. The method includes: inflating one or more strut tubes with a fluid; displacing the fluid with granular material; and compressing the granular material.

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.

A pier tool, includes: a tubular body having an uphole end and a downhole end and defining a flow path therethrough and a tamping head disposed within the flow path of the tubular body and defines tamping surface on a downhole side of the tamping head A method for forming a pier includes assembling a pier tool mandrel, a pier tool mandrel including the pier tool and forming a rammed aggregate pier using the pier tool mandrel.

A pier tool, includes: a tubular body having an uphole end and a downhole end and defining a flow path therethrough and a tamping head disposed within the flow path of the tubular body and defines tamping surface on a downhole side of the tamping head A method for forming a pier includes assembling a pier tool mandrel, a pier tool mandrel including the pier tool and forming a rammed aggregate pier using the pier tool mandrel.

The present invention discloses a system and method for forming a compacted aggregate pier at a target location. The system comprises a mandrel, which is a composition of a casing pipe and an inner steel shaft with close ended cone and convenient entry and exit of the inner shaft. The system further comprises a casing is equipped with water jet system, a rammer of mandrel attached to hydraulic hammer and an inner mandrel with a casing pipe having two valves with open and close capability. Using this system, the matrix soil radial density and the bearing capacity and the modulus of the reaction of the composite soil are increased and soil settlement decreases. This system also increases the density of loose soils or soils with dense sandy intermediate layers especially in shores and rivers in submerged conditions. Also, the loose granular soil is retrofitted against liquefaction.

The present invention discloses a system and method for forming a compacted aggregate pier at a target location. The system comprises a mandrel, which is a composition of a casing pipe and an inner steel shaft with close ended cone and convenient entry and exit of the inner shaft. The system further comprises a casing is equipped with water jet system, a rammer of mandrel attached to hydraulic hammer and an inner mandrel with a casing pipe having two valves with open and close capability. Using this system, the matrix soil radial density and the bearing capacity and the modulus of the reaction of the composite soil are increased and soil settlement decreases. This system also increases the density of loose soils or soils with dense sandy intermediate layers especially in shores and rivers in submerged conditions. Also, the loose granular soil is retrofitted against liquefaction.

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.

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.