The foundation system includes a below ground rigid raft foundation to bear a load for an above ground structure, and granular cushions and piles formed below the raft foundation. The granular cushions are configured for uniform load distribution of the raft foundation and the piles are configured to bear a load of the above ground structure and the raft foundation. The foundation system further includes stone columns encapsulated with a non-woven geofabric and configured to stabilize the raft foundation. The raft foundation is disposed adjacent and above the stone columns, the granular cushions are present between neighboring stone columns, and the granular cushions are present between the stone columns and the piles. The stone columns have a cementing agent for stabilization.

A modular foundation assembly for building a modular foundation for a home includes a tarp that has a plurality of openings each strategically positioned on the tarp to facilitate the ground to be marked for a foundation. A plurality of concrete forms is provided which each has a trapezoidal shape. In this way each of the concrete forms can be lifted upwardly from a concrete member formed by the concrete forms when the concrete member has cured. Each of the concrete forms has a crenellated edge to form a series of slots into the concrete member. In this way the series of slots in the concrete member facilitate the concrete member to be lifted with a forklift.

Systems and methods are provided for re-purposing discarded asphalt shingles as soil stabilizers in building and land surface constructions. Discarded (and typically “degraded”) Asphalt Shingles (DAS) are placed beneath building foundation slabs and parking lots in overlapping patterns to replace a measured amount of removed expansive soil to serve as a moisture barrier. DAS can be utilized beneath parking lots in areas of expansive soils by layering the shingles in overlapping patterns to create a moisture barrier from water intrusion from above or below. Building block system (BBS) units may be produced to facilitate handling and transport of the DAS materials to the construction site.

Provided is a support structure and a method for manufacture thereof. The support structure, in one aspect, includes first and second expanded metal structural pillars positioned within the ground by a distance (d.sub.1), the first and second expanded metal structural pillars comprising a metal that has expanded in response to hydrolysis. In at least one other aspect, the support structure includes one or more beams spanning the first and second expanded metal structural pillars.

A caisson or casing 107 for installing a sheet 102/103 into a ground or underwater location, the caisson 107 having a shaped wall 107.1, which is open for a predetermined length and is adapted to receive and connect to an excavation means 3 within the confines of the caisson or casing 107. In at least one embodiment, the system includes a drilling assembly 3 for insertion of a caisson or casing 1, the drilling assembly 3 having one or more expanding drill bits 4 which are adapted to be driven by a drilling or rotation motive device 5, the expanding drill bits 4 being adapted to be arranged with respect to the caisson or casing 1 in use, so as form a hole or bore which substantially conforms to, or substantially overlaps with, the shape of the caisson or casing 1.

A system of stem wall foundation blocks is a set of reinforced precast, post-tensioned modular footing and stem wall foundation blocks with a unique interconnecting design optimized for both residential and commercial applications that eliminates the need for on-site manufacturing of a foundation mold. The apparatus provides a unique modular foundation design for a variety of applications within construction. A series of wall blocks of different shapes and arrangements interlock, thus enabling users to modify the dimensions of their foundation mold to a desired purpose. Engineered bolts and lapped connections enable the modular wall pieces to securely connect after they have interlocked. This arrangement enables construction workers to move the interlocking blocks into position and then begin pouring concrete inside to lay the foundation. The reinforced precast, post-tension modular footing, and stem wall foundation blocks are less expensive and more efficient for building and constructing residential and commercial foundations.

A system and method for installing a membrane-lined wall for levee reinforcement or leak prevention. The installation system may comprise a sled positioned above the trench having a length, and may comprise a frame and support members, and a weight suspension system mounted on the frame to lower an elongated weight into the trench. The liner installation sled may also include a liner roller rotatably mounted on the frame, the liner roller adapted to hold a roll of a liner above the surface on a first side of the trench when the liner installation sled is in an installation position relative to the trench, wherein a longitudinal axis of the roll of liner can be aligned with the length of the trench. The elongated weight is usable to force the liner into the trench.

Provided is a support structure and a method for manufacture thereof. The support structure, in one aspect, includes first and second expanded metal structural pillars positioned within the ground by a distance (d.sub.1), the first and second expanded metal structural pillars comprising a metal that has expanded in response to hydrolysis. In at least one other aspect, the support structure includes one or more beams spanning the first and second expanded metal structural pillars.

A manufacturing method of a concrete pile is shown. The method includes the following, that is, pouring concrete in the pile molding space, reducing the pile molding space to compress and mold the concrete, draining water drained from the concrete by compression and molding outside of the formwork from the drainage hole, and holding the concrete a predetermined amount of time to harden the concrete. The formwork includes an outer formwork that molds an outer wall surface of the concrete pile, an inner formwork that molds an inner wall surface of a hollow space of the concrete pile, and a pair of end formwork that mold upper and lower end surfaces of the concrete pile. The drainage hole is a gap between adjacent components when the mold is tightened, and the gap is configured to be capable of being opened larger during cleaning than when the mold is tightened.

System and means soil stabilization and moisture control for building foundations including methods and systems for stabilization moisture in a site for building foundation by applying soil moisture stabilization material in various forms, a preferred stabilization material being a mixture of aluninosilicate Pozzolan mineral and granular material such as sand.