Patent ID: 11952736
Assignee: GEOPIER FOUNDATION COMPANY, INC.
Field: Civil engineering (Other fields)
Classification: CPC E | IPC E

Claim 11:
12. A method for installing an aggregate pier in a soil matrix, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a pipe extending along a pipe axis between a distal and a proximal end, the pipe defining a bore extending therethrough along the pipe axis, the pipe having a first opening proximate to the distal end of the pipe, the first opening in fluid communication with the bore, the pipe having a second opening remote from the distal end, the second opening in fluid communication with the bore, the first opening, second opening, and bore in fluid communication such that an aggregate for forming the aggregate pier can pass through the second opening, the bore, and the first opening,
providing a helix disposed on the pipe between the second opening and the distal end, the helix extending along at least a portion of an outer surface of the pipe, the helix extending radially from the pipe axis between the outer surface of the pipe to an outer edge of the helix, the helix configured such that when the helix is received in a soil matrix and the pipe is rotated in a first direction the helix imparts an axial force on the pipe in the direction of the distal end of the pipe thereby advancing the pipe into the soil matrix, and the helix further configured such that when the helix is received in a soil matrix and the pipe is rotated in the second direction the helix imparts an axial force on the pipe in the direction of the of the proximal end of the pipe thereby withdrawing the pipe out of the soil matrix;
providing a compacting device fixed relative to the pipe and positioned between the distal end of the pipe and a bottom surface of the helix, the compacting device defining a compacting surface extending radially outward from outer surface of the pipe and extending upward in a direction of the proximal end of the pipe, the compacting surface configured to impart an axial force and a radial force on a material adjacent thereto when the pipe is rotated in the first direction;
rotating the pipe in the first direction to the advance the pipe into the soil matrix until the distal end of the pipe reaches a depth of the aggregate pier;
forming a portion of the aggregate pier by the following sequence of steps:
(a) rotating the pipe in the second direction to withdraw a portion of the pipe from the soil matrix thereby creating a void below the distal end of the pipe;
(b) filling the void with aggregate by passing the aggregate through the bore and the first opening and into the void;
(c) rotating the pipe in the first direction so that the compacting device contacts the aggregate disposed in the void and imparts an axial and radial force thereto.