Patent ID: 8397583
Filing Date: 2013-03-19
Classification: E02D,G01L,G01M,G01N

Abstract:
1. A method of applying a load to a pile, comprising: locating a top portion below a top section of a pile, wherein the top portion is attached to the top section of the pile; locating a bottom portion below and proximate the top portion and above a bottom section of the pile, wherein the bottom portion is attached to the bottom section of the pile, wherein at least a portion of the cross-section of the top portion and at least a portion of the cross-section of the bottom portion is open before casting the pile, and wherein the top section of the pile and the bottom section of the pile are contiguous through the open portion of the cross-section of the top portion and the open portion of the cross-section of the bottom portion; injecting a pressurized fluid between the top portion and the bottom portion, wherein injecting the pressurized fluid between the top portion and the bottom portion causes the top portion and the bottom portion to be pushed apart, the top portion to push up on the top section of the pile with an initial upward force, the bottom portion to push down on the bottom section of the pile with an initial downward force, and at least one void to be created between the top section of the pile and the bottom section of the pile in a portion of the pile extending through the open portion of the cross-section of the top portion and the open portion of the cross-section of the bottom portion, wherein once the at least one void is created the pressurized fluid fills at least a portion of one or more of the at least one void, wherein the pressurized fluid that enters the at least a portion of one or more of the at least one void causes an additional upward force on the top section of the pile and an additional downward force on the bottom section of the pile.