Patent ID: 7901159
Filing Date: 2011-03-08
Classification: E02D

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for construction of a soil reinforcement pier in a soil matrix comprising, in combination: (a) a generally cylindrical, elongate hollow tube having a longitudinal axis, wherein the hollow tube comprises a top material entrance end in-line with the longitudinal axis and in-line with an open bottom material discharge end; and (b) a unitary shaped bottom head element attached to the material discharge end and with a passage therethrough generally coaxial with said longitudinal axis; said head element including a discharge opening with a cap removable from the discharge opening, said bottom head element and hollow tube being shaped for insertion in a soil matrix to effect displacement of the soil as the hollow tube and head element are lowered into the soil matrix to form a cavity in the soil matrix, said cap being removable from the bottom head element discharge opening as the hollow tube is subsequently raised from the bottom of the formed cavity, said head element including a cross sectional area and diameter transverse to the longitudinal axis greater than the cross sectional area and diameter of the hollow tube transverse to the longitudinal axis, said unitary head element further comprising a leading edge tapered upwardly and outwardly from a bottom thereof and adjacent the discharge opening, and a trailing edge tapered downwardly and outwardly at a top thereof at the connection between the bottom head element and the hollow tube, defining a surfaces configured to simultaneously impart axial and outwardly transaxial force upon a soil matrix when being lowered into and raised out of said soil matrix; and said bottom head element having a length between the leading edge and the trailing edge of at least one times the head element diameter.