Apparatuses and methods for setting posts of columns in to the ground are provided. Expandable metals in response to hydrolysis that tend to fill in spaces and cavities, even over time, which is a useful feature when setting columns into the ground. A hydrolyzing fluid can be supplied, as necessary, to cause the hydrolysis of the expanding metal, or supplied by ground water. Upon hydrolysis, the expanding metal expands around the column to adhere and grip the column securely, while the metal may also expand outwardly to increase cross-sectional bulk lending to a more overall stabilization of a set column. The expandable metal may be provided as a solid sleeve drivable into the ground with a post, as an auger that can be used to turn a column into the ground or, as a rod that can be driven through the interior of a column into the ground.

A tool for use with a hammer driver having a pin-accepting socket for driving a ground rod into the ground includes a body having two opposite side faces and at least one ground rod-accepting passageway extending between the two side faces. The tool also includes a guide pin which is joined to so as to extend from one of the side faces of the body and an elongated socket portion having first and second opposite ends and having a hollow interior which opens out of a first end of the socket portion. In addition, the socket portion is secured to the other side face of the body by way of the second end so that the first end extends away from the other side face of the body, and the guide pin and the elongated socket portion are axially-aligned with one another.

A method is for generating a freeroom for a mast element in a ground. The method includes the steps: a) drilling a first annular recess into the ground, the first recess having: a first diameter; and a first depth; b) drilling a second annular recess in the ground, the second recess being arranged to receive the mast element, and the second recess: having a diameter which is smaller than the first diameter; having a second depth which is larger than the first depth; surrounding a first core of the ground; and being surrounded by the first recess; wherein there is, defined between the first recess and the second recess, a second core which can be removed to generate a freeroom.

A machine for the introduction of poles into the ground, particularly for the reinforcement of safety barriers. The machine including one movement assembly for the movement of the machine at the point where one safety barrier to be reinforced is located; one insertion assembly associated movable with the movement assembly and adapted to introduce at least partly into the ground one reinforcement pole at the point where the safety barrier is located; positioning device/component/unit (or the like) associated with the movement assembly and adapted to position the insertion assembly between: one home position, wherein it approaches the movement assembly; one operating position, wherein it is located beyond the safety barrier; and one insertion position, wherein it is tilted by an angle of insertion for the introduction of the reinforcement pole at the point where the safety barrier is located.

In an aspect, the present disclosure describes a method comprising using at least one robot to fully autonomously position and assemble at least one solar module and its supporting structure at a sensed geolocation without aid from a user.

A vertical column has a column body extending between a first end and a second end. The column body includes a main body, a conical portion extending from the main body, and a tip portion extending from the conical portion. The vertical column includes a first helical structure extending around a portion of the main body and a second helical structure extending around a portion the tip portion.

A structure for receiving and stabilizing a fence post or other similar support, as well as methods of making and using and a material blank for forming the same, are all described. The support has a flat planar member, into which a series of cooperating notches/slits, recesses, and perforations or frangible connections are provided. When assembled, the support is defined by a pair of axially aligned planar members, cooperatively fitted to form supported receiving recesses at a predetermined axial offset from the non-receiving edge of the support. A method of securing such supports for subsequent encasement in concrete is also contemplated.

In an aspect, the present disclosure describes a method comprising using at least one robot to fully autonomously position and assemble at least one solar module and its supporting structure at a sensed geolocation without aid from a user.

Apparatuses and methods for setting posts of columns in to the ground are provided. Expandable metals in response to hydrolysis that tend to fill in spaces and cavities, even over time, which is a useful feature when setting columns into the ground. A hydrolyzing fluid can be supplied, as necessary, to cause the hydrolysis of the expanding metal, or supplied by ground water. Upon hydrolysis, the expanding metal expands around the column to adhere and grip the column securely, while the metal may also expand outwardly to increase cross-sectional bulk lending to a more overall stabilization of a set column. The expandable metal may be provided as a solid sleeve drivable into the ground with a post, as an auger that can be used to turn a column into the ground or, as a rod that can be driven through the interior of a column into the ground.

A foundation system for supporting a structure may include a main post, a racking post, and a barb assembly. The main post may include an upper section and a lower section below the upper section. The racking post may be telescopically connected to the upper section of the main post. The barb assembly may be connected to the lower section of the main post. The barb assembly may be configured to move from an unexpanded state to an expanded state, thereby forming a wedge shape at a lower section of the main post.