Extensible shells and related methods for constructing a support pier are disclosed. An extensible shell can define an interior for holding granular construction material and define a first opening at a first end for receiving the granular construction material into the interior and a second opening at a second end. The extensible shell can be flexible such that the shell expands when granular construction material is compacted in the interior of the shell. A method may include positioning the extensible shell in the ground and filling at least a portion of the interior of the shell with the granular construction material. The granular construction material may be compacted in the interior of the extensible shell to form a support pier.

Extensible shells and related methods for constructing a support pier are disclosed. An extensible shell can define an interior for holding granular construction material and define a first opening at a first end for receiving the granular construction material into the interior and a second opening at a second end. The extensible shell can be flexible such that the shell expands when granular construction material is compacted in the interior of the shell. A method may include positioning the extensible shell in the ground and filling at least a portion of the interior of the shell with the granular construction material. The granular construction material may be compacted in the interior of the extensible shell to form a support pier.

The invention relates to a device for controlling gravel and mud for a compacted gravel column made by wet construction using a drilling system fitted with a vibrator, comprising; a mud collection element (2) defining an internal volume capable of collecting mud and fitted with an orifice through which the vibrator will pass, and at least one gravel guide wall (3) leading to the orifice (5) through which the mud collection element (2) will pass.

The invention relates to a device for controlling gravel and mud for a compacted gravel column made by wet construction using a drilling system fitted with a vibrator, comprising; a mud collection element (2) defining an internal volume capable of collecting mud and fitted with an orifice through which the vibrator will pass, and at least one gravel guide wall (3) leading to the orifice (5) through which the mud collection element (2) will pass.

The present invention relates to a method for the layer-by-layer filling and compaction of cohesive building materials, in particular of cohesive earth building materials, in at least one borehole near the surface, wherein the cohesive building material is introduced into the at least one borehole and is compacted layer-by-layer using a conveying device comprising a stuffing piston driven by means of a push chain drive.

A vibro replacement probe includes a ramming tube that is connected with a filling piece that includes a feed tube as well as a filling funnel and/or a hose connection flange. The feed tube is firmly connected with a vibrator that has a mechanism for pivoting attachment to the leader of a construction machine, wherein the mechanism includes a connection part that is connected with the vibrator so as to pivot and that can be attached to a carriage that is displaceably guided on the leader. Furthermore, a construction machine has such a vibro replacement probe and a method equips a leader of a construction machine with such a vibro replacement probe.

A vibro replacement probe includes a ramming tube that is connected with a filling piece that includes a feed tube as well as a filling funnel and/or a hose connection flange. The feed tube is firmly connected with a vibrator that has a mechanism for pivoting attachment to the leader of a construction machine, wherein the mechanism includes a connection part that is connected with the vibrator so as to pivot and that can be attached to a carriage that is displaceably guided on the leader. Furthermore, a construction machine has such a vibro replacement probe and a method equips a leader of a construction machine with such a vibro replacement probe.

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 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 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 with at least one cross-sectional rib and a top load transfer element with at least one longitudinal vertical fin, 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 vertical load transfer element comprises a plurality of cross-sectional ribs spaced along a length of the vertical load transfer element. In another embodiment, the top load transfer element comprises a plurality of longitudinal vertical fins spaced along a perimeter of the top load transfer element to enhance stability of the top load transfer element.