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

Claim 0:
1. A system for installing an aggregate pier in a soil matrix, the system comprising:
a pipe extending along a pipe axis between a distal end 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;
an area of the pipe remote from the distal end of the pipe configured to interface with a torque driver for rotating the pipe about the pipe axis, the pipe being rotatable in a first direction about the pipe axis, and the pipe being rotatable in a second direction about the pipe axis, the second direction being opposite the first direction;
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 the 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 proximal end of the pipe thereby withdrawing the pipe from the soil matrix;
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 the 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 soil matrix adjacent thereto when the pipe is rotated in the first direction.