Patent Publication Number: US-8529158-B2

Title: Modular foundation designs and methods

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/686,374, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,215,874, entitled “Modular Foundation Designs and Methods,” filed Jan. 12, 2010, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/143,963, entitled “Modular Bridge Design and Methods,” filed Jan. 12, 2009 and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/294,406, entitled “Modular Foundation Designs and Methods,” filed Jan. 12, 2010. The entire contents of each of the foregoing patent applications are incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. The Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to designs and methods of modular foundation construction for bridges, piers, homes, or other structures that may incorporate a foundation. In particular, the present invention provides designs and methods of modular foundation construction such that an engineer may fabricate a portion of the foundation offsite, transport the fabricated portions to the construction site, and assemble the fabricated portions to construct the foundation for the desired structure. 
     2. The Relevant Technology 
     Many engineers today use some form of modular construction. In modular construction, an engineer may fabricate some portion of the structure offsite and then transport the fabricated portions to the construction site to be assembled. For example, in bridge construction, an engineer may fabricate the superstructure span portions offsite (such as pre-stressed concrete girders or pre-fabricated steel girders), and then assemble the fabricated portions at the construction site in order to speed construction and lower costs. Similarly, in building or home construction, an engineer may fabricate beams or columns offsite and subsequently erect the beams or columns onsite in the construction process of the building or home. In most cases, the construction industry recognizes the time and money saving benefits of minimizing the construction onsite by using modular techniques. 
     In contrast to the above discussion, the foundation is one portion of a typical structure that remains predominantly constructed onsite. Due to the difficulties in using modular techniques in the foundation construction process, modular construction progress in the overall construction of structures has been hampered. Given that typical foundation construction is not modular, the benefit gained from using other modular techniques to construct the remaining structure is diminished. 
     In particular, an engineer may spend weeks or even months constructing a typical cast-in-place foundation onsite. For example, a typical cast-in-place foundation may include a plurality of piles that an engineer drives into ground. The engineer may then construct a massive cast-in-place concrete cap to join the piles together, and to create an interface to join the foundation to the supported structure. Due to the time, effort, and materials an engineer may use to construct the cap, the construction of the entire structure may be slower, as well as more expensive. 
     Typical foundation designs and construction methods provide several challenges that tend to impede the modularization of foundation construction. One such challenge, for example, is the large size and heavy weight of the various foundation portions. In particular, the foundation cap may be a large and heavy, thus making it difficult to transport, and even more difficult to properly place during an assembly process. Thus, given the size and weight of typical foundation portions, a modular foundation construction may not be possible. 
     In addition to size and weight constraints, the tolerances between the various foundation portions may impede a modular foundation construction process. For example, and as discussed above, typical foundations include piles that an engineer may drive into the ground. During the pile driving process, the pile may move laterally with respect to an intended final position. In particular, during the pile driving process, a pile may “walk” because of soil irregularities or other uncontrollable factors. These deviations in tolerances with the final location of piles make it difficult for an engineer to anticipate the final dimensions, and thus impede an engineer&#39;s ability to prefabricate other portions of the foundation. 
     Mover, typical foundation components may not provide an efficient load path. For example, cast-in-place caps may result in a load path from the columns, through the cap, and subsequently into the plurality of piles. Engineers, however, may be impeded from constructing a foundation with a more efficient load path due to the limitations as discussed above. In particular, because a cast-in-place cap is designed to join the plurality of piles, it inherently also covers the piles causing the load path to be distributed through the cast-in-place cap, before being distributed to the piles. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Implementations of the present invention comprise systems, methods, and apparatuses that allow an engineer to prefabricate a majority of the components to construct a modular foundation that subsequently can be used to support a wide variety of structures. As a result, the system and methods of the present invention can significantly decrease the amount of onsite construction time needed to complete the foundation, thereby reducing the time costs associated with the foundation construction process. The system may also use a significantly lesser amount of materials, thereby also reducing the material costs of the foundation construction process. In addition, the system may reduce the environmental impact typically associated with the foundation construction process. Accordingly, the system and methods of the present invention can provide a constructed foundation much more quickly and less expensively than typical foundation construction methods and systems. 
     Implementations of the present disclosure include a modular foundation configured to support one or more components of a superstructure. In one implementation, the modular foundation can include a cap structure including one or more pile guides. In addition, the modular foundation can include one or more piles configured to pass through the one or more pile guides of the cap structure and configured to be driven into a soil or other material. The modular foundation may also include one or more connectors configured to connect the cap structure to the one or more piles. 
     Further implementations of the present disclosure include a method of constructing a modular foundation. In one implementation, the method can include positioning a cap structure where a foundation is desired. In particular, the cap structure can include a plurality of pile guides. In addition, the method can include driving one or more piles at least partially through the pile guides of the cap structure. For example, the piles can be driven through the pile guides and into a material below the cap structure. The method may also include connecting the cap structure to the one or more driven piles using one or more connectors. 
     In addition, the present disclosure includes implementations of a modular foundation system. In one implementation, the modular foundation system of the present disclosure can include a modular foundation. In particular, the modular foundation can include a cap structure including one or more pile guides. In addition, the modular foundation can include one or more piles configured to pass through the one or more pile guides of the cap structure. The modular foundation may also include one or more connectors configured to connect the cap structure to the one or more piles. In a further implementation, the modular foundation system of the present disclosure may include a superstructure configured to be supported by the modular foundation. 
     These and other objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only illustrated embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an example modular foundation in accordance with an implementation of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 2A-2B  illustrate example connectors used in conjunction with example implementations of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 3A-3E  illustrate sequential schematics of an example method for constructing a modular foundation in accordance with an implementation of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an example superstructure that can be incorporated with an example modular foundation in accordance with an implementation of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Implementations of the present invention comprise systems, methods, and apparatuses that allow an engineer to prefabricate a majority of the components to construct a modular foundation that subsequently can be used to support a wide variety of structures. As a result, the system and methods of the present invention can significantly decrease the amount of onsite construction time needed to complete the foundation, thereby reducing the time costs associated with the foundation construction process. The system may also use a significantly lesser amount of materials, thereby also reducing the material costs of the foundation construction process. In addition, the system may reduce the environmental impact typically associated with the foundation construction process. Accordingly, the system and methods of the present invention can provide a constructed foundation much more quickly and less expensively than typical foundation construction methods and systems. 
     As an overview,  FIG. 1  illustrates an example implementation of a modular foundation  100  according to one or more implementations of the present invention. The modular foundation  100  can include a cap structure  110  that can be connected to piles  120  by way of connectors  130 . The various components of the modular foundation  100  allow for onsite assembly of the modular foundation  100 . In particular, the cap structure  110  can be prefabricated, transported to the site, and assembled with the other components to form the modular foundation  100 . The piles  120 , cap structure  110 , and the connectors  130  can each vary from one implementation to the next to create various implementations of the modular foundation  100 , as will be discussed with more detail below. 
     An engineer can use the modular foundation  100  for a variety of structures. For example, an engineer can use the modular foundation  100  to build a foundation for bridges, pedestrian walkways, port structures, piers, decks, residential building, commercial buildings, utility structures, windmills, or any other structure that can benefit from a foundation-like structure. 
     An engineer may also use the modular foundation  100  in a variety of geographic terrains. For example, the modular foundation  100  can be used to support a structure above soil  140 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Soil can include any layer of rock, soil, or earth. In other implementations, an engineer can use the modular foundation  100  to support a structure over water. In a water terrain, the piles  120  can be driven into the soil  140  below the water and extend above the water level such that the cap structure  110  is positioned above the waterline. In alternative implementations, the cap structure  110  may be partially or fully submerged below the waterline, depending on the desired distance between the water and the supported structure. An engineer can use the modular foundation  100  to support a structure above almost any geographic terrain. In addition, the modular foundation  100  enables an engineer to construct a supported structure with little to no impact on the existing terrain. In particular, typical excavation of onsite materials can be avoided (with the exception of driving piles into the ground). 
     Just as an engineer can use the modular foundation  100  in a variety of geographic terrains, an engineer can use various numbers of modular foundations  100  to support a structure. For example, an engineer can employ a plurality of modular foundations along a length of the structure to support the structure. The number and spacing of modular foundations can vary as desired according to different implementations. In addition, the height of each modular foundation  100  can also vary as desired for a particular application. 
     As referred to above, the modular foundation  100  can vary from one implementation to the next. One way in which the modular foundation  100  can vary is with the number of piles  120  associated with the modular foundation  100 . For example, and as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , there can be four piles  120  associated with the modular foundation  100 . In alternative implementations, an engineer can associate more or fewer piles with the modular foundation  100 . 
     As with the number of piles  120  associated with the modular foundation  100 , the geometric configuration of the piles  120  can vary from one implementation to the next. For example,  FIG. 1  illustrates example piles  120  that have a substantially cylindrical geometric configuration. In alternative implementations, the piles  120  can have various other geometric configurations, including, but not limited to, rectangular, triangular, H-shaped, I-shaped or any other geometric configuration. In addition to the geometric configuration, the piles  120  can be either tubular or non-tubular. In particular, piles  120  can have a cylindrical tubular configuration that includes a hollowed center and a wall thickness, for example. In another example implementation, the pile  120  may be non-tubular (e.g., solid). 
     In addition to the geometric configuration of the piles  120 , the dimensions of the piles  120  can also vary. For example, the height, cross-sectional dimension, and other dimensions of the piles  120  can vary depending on the specific modular foundation  100  application and/or soil  140  properties in which the piles  120  are located. For example, a modular foundation  100  application requiring large resistive forces (e.g., a large highway bridge) can have larger piles  120  compared to a modular foundation  100  application requiring smaller resistive forces (e.g., a pedestrian walkway). Moreover, the size of the piles  120  may vary within a single implementation of the modular foundation  100 . For example, vertical piles  220   a  may be a different size that angled piles  220   b.    
     Just as the size of the piles  120  can vary, so too can the material of the piles  120  vary from one implementation to the next, and within a single implementation. Example pile  120  materials include, but are not limited to, precast/pre-stressed concrete, concrete, steel, timber, composites, or combinations thereof. Other pile materials can also be used depending on the specific application of the modular foundation  100 . 
     The orientation of the piles  120  can also vary from one implementation to the next. For example,  FIG. 1  illustrates a modular foundation  100  that includes two vertical piles  120   a  and two angled piles  120   b . An engineer can orient the vertical piles  120   a  to be substantially parallel to gravity, while with the same modular foundation  100 , an engineer can also orient angled piles  120   b  to be angled between about three degrees to about forty-five degrees with respect to gravity. In other implementations, an engineer can orient the piles  120  to almost any degree and in almost any orientation, including orientations where the piles  120   b  are angled with respect to different vertical planes. 
     Notwithstanding the configuration, material, or orientation of the piles  120 , an engineer can associate the piles  120  with the cap structure  110 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In particular, the cap structure  110  can include pile guides  115  through which the piles  120  can extend. In particular, pile guides  115  can have a tubular configuration with an inside cross-sectional dimension that is greater than or equal to the outside cross-sectional dimension of the corresponding pile  120  such that the piles  120  can extend through the pile guides  115 . 
     In one implementation, for example, and as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the cap structure  110  can include four pile guides  115  that are respectively associated with the four piles  120 . In other implementations, the cap structure  110  can include more or fewer pile guides  115 , depending on the number of piles used to create the modular foundation  100 . Moreover, and as with the piles  120 , the pile guide  115  geometric configuration, size, and orientation can vary from one implementation to the next, depending on the configuration, size, and orientation of the piles  120 , as discussed above. For example,  FIG. 1  illustrates an example cap structure  110  that includes two vertical pile guides  115   a  and two angled pile guides  115   b  that correspond to the two vertical piles  120   a  and the two angled piles  120 , respectively. In alternative implementations, the pile guides  115  can have various other orientations, depending on the specific application. 
     An engineer can design the pile guides  115  to be positioned with respect to one another in various configurations. For example,  FIG. 1  illustrates one example implementation wherein the piles guides  115  are configured in a substantially linear configuration. In alternative embodiments, for example, the pile guides  115  can be positioned in a substantially rectangular, triangular, or other configuration with respect to one another, depending on the desired footprint for the modular foundation  100 . 
     As with the other portions of the modular foundation  100 , an engineer can make the pile guides  115  from a variety of materials. For example, the pile guides  115  can be made from reinforced concrete, steel, timber or similar materials. Moreover, the pile guides  115  can be made from hybrid materials using combinations of materials. Furthermore, the pile guides  115  can be constructed with high tech materials such as carbon composites, plastics, or recycled materials. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the cap structure  110  can include one or more pile guide connectors  118  that assist to secure, brace, and position the pile guides  115  with respect to one another. For example, and as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the pile guide connectors  118  can be braces that are connected between two pile guides  115 . The braces create a cap structure  110  frame that can resist lateral forces efficiently. In other example embodiments, the pile guide connectors  118  can be a solid piece of concrete that secures, braces, and positions the pile guides  115  in a particular position. 
     In one example implementations where the pile guide connectors  118  are braces, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the cap structure  110  can include three pile guide connectors  118  that connect adjacent pile guides  115 . In alternative implementations, the cap structure  110  can include more or fewer pile guide connectors  118 . Moreover, the orientation of the pile guide connectors  118  with respect to one another can vary. As  FIG. 1  illustrates, the pile guide connectors  118  can have a substantially horizontal configuration, such as the top and bottom pile guide connectors  118 . Alternatively, the pile guide connectors  118  can be angled, as shown by the middle pile guide connectors  118  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     As with the pile guides  115 , an engineer can make the pile guide connectors  118  from a variety of materials. For example, the pile guide connectors  118  can be made from reinforced concrete, steel, timber, or other similar materials. Moreover, the pile guide connectors  118  can be made from hybrid materials using combinations of materials. Furthermore, the pile guide connectors  118  can be constructed with high tech materials such as carbon composites, plastics, or recycled materials. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the piles  120  can be connected and secured to the pile guides  115 , and subsequently to the cap structure  110 , by way of connectors  130 . The connectors  130  can facilitate fastening the cap structure  110  to the piles  120 , such as by welding, bolting, and/or or similar fastening methods, which will be discussed in more detail below. The connectors  130  can also seal openings at the top and bottom of the pile guides  115  to prevent moisture or other materials from entering into the pile guides  115  and damaging or corroding the cap structure  110  or piles  120 . 
     In one example implementation, and as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , an engineer can design the modular foundation  100  to include connectors  130  that are located on both the top of the pile guide  115 , and the bottom of the pile guide  115 . In this way, the piles  120  are secured to the cap structure  110  to produce a solid modular foundation  100 . The number of connectors  130  can vary from one implementation to the next. For example, in alternative implementations, each pile  120  can be connected to a pile guide  115  using only a single connector  130 . The single connector  130  can be located on the top or bottom of the pile guide  115 , or at any location in-between. Similarly, a pile  120  can be connected to the pile guide  115  using more than two connectors  130 . For example, in addition to the two connectors  130  associated with each pile  120  illustrated in  FIG. 1 , there can be another connector  130  located at approximately the midpoint of the pile guide  115 . 
     As mentioned above, the modular foundation  100  can include one or more connectors  130 .  FIGS. 2A-2B  illustrate an elevation view and a cutaway view of an example connector  130  in accordance with one or more implementations of the present invention. In one implementation, an engineer can configure the connector  130  to connect a pile guide  115  to a driven pile  120 . As a result, a contractor can utilize the connector  130  to secure the connection between driven piles  120  and a cap structure (i.e.,  110 ,  FIG. 1 ) within a modular foundation (i.e.,  100 ,  FIG. 1 ). 
     As discussed above in more detail, the pile  120  and pile guide  115  may have corresponding sizes and shapes. As shown in  FIGS. 2A-2B , the example pile  120  can have a tubular configuration with a generally circular shape. In addition, the example pile  120  can have a generally circular configuration capable of being inserted through and/or disposed within the pile guide  115 . In a further implementation, the pile guide  115  can have slightly larger interior dimensions than the exterior dimensions of the pile  120 . As a result, a space or clearance  134  can exist between the pile guide  115  and an inserted pile  120 . In one implementation, the connector  130  can include one or more structural elements configured to be positioned within the clearance  134  and configured to connect to the pile  120  and/or pile guide  115 . 
     For example, in one implementation, the connector  130  can include one or more plates  132 , such as shim plates, positioned between the pile  120  and pile guide  115  and at least partially within the clearance  134 , as shown in  FIGS. 2A-2B . The plates  132  can assist a contractor in securing and/or stabilizing the connection between the pile  120  and pile guide  115 . In particular, an engineer can configure the plates  132  to substantially fill the clearance  132  to remove any “play” between the pile  120  and pile guide  115 . For example, an engineer can configure the plates  132  to have sizes and shapes similar to the size and shape of the clearance  134 . In one implementation, the plates  132  can have a generally arcuate shape configured to extend around a portion of the circumference of the pile  120  within the clearance  134 . In another implementation, the plates  132  can have a generally flat configuration to correspond to a flat surface in either the pile  120  or pile guide  115 . 
     The amount of clearance  134  filled by the plates  132  can vary as desired for a particular application. As shown in  FIG. 2B , the plates  132  of the illustrated implementation each extend along almost one fourth of the circumference of the pile  120  and clearance  134 . In further implementations, each plate  132  can extend along a greater or lesser portion of the circumference of the pile  120 . For example, in one such implementation, each plate  132  can extend along up to about half of the circumference of the pile  120 . In another implementation, each plate  132  can extend as little as one or more radial degrees about the circumference of the pile  120 . 
     In addition to the size and shape of each plate varying, the number of plates  132  in a connector  130  can also vary as desired for a particular application. As shown in  FIGS. 2A-2B , in one implementation, the connector  130  can include four plates  132 . In further implementations, the connector  130  can include more or fewer plates  132 . For example, the connector  130  can include five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, or more plates  132 . In another implementation, the connector  130  can include between one and three plates  132 . 
     The thickness of each plate  132  can also vary as desired for a particular application. For example, in one implementation, the thickness of each plate  132  can be substantially continuous throughout the entire plate  132 . In further implementations, the plate  132  can have a tapered thickness. For example, each plate  132  can have a thin end configured to facilitate insertion of the plate  132  into the clearance  134 . In addition, the plate  132  can have a continuously increasing thickness along its length to more securely engage the pile guide  115  and pile  120  as the plate  132  advances into the clearance  134 . 
     In addition to the thickness of the plate  132  varying, the materials used for the plates  132  can also vary as desired for a particular application. In one implementation, the plates  132  can include one or more structural steels. In further implementations, the plates  132  can include wood, high-strength polymers, other metals, composites, similar materials, or combinations thereof. 
     An assembler can connect the components of the connector  130  to the pile  120  and/or pile guide  115  in any of a number of different ways. For example, in one implementation, an assembler can weld the plates  132  to the pile  120  and/or pile guide  115 . In particular, the assembler can weld along any seam between the plates  132 , pile  120 , and pile guide  115 . In further implementations, the assembler can use epoxies, grout, bolts, other fastening mechanisms, or combinations thereof to connect the components of the connector  130  to the pile  120  and pile guide  115 . 
     For example, as shown in  FIGS. 2A-2B , the connector  130  can include one or more bolts  136  configured to connect the connector  130  to the pile  120  and/or pile guide  115 . A bolt  136 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2A , can pass through a plate  132  positioned on a first side of the pile  120 , through the pile  120 , and through a plate  132  positioned on a second side of the pile  120 , with a nut fastened on the other end of the bolt  136 . In further implementations, each bolt  136  can pass through the plates  132 , the pile  120 , and the pile guide  115 . In another implementation, each bolt  136  can pass only partially through the pile  120 , such as into a first side of the pile  120 , but not extending through both sides of the pile  120 . In addition, the number of bolts  136  can vary. For example, although  FIGS. 2A-2B  illustrate the connector  130  including two bolts  136 , in further implementations, the connector can include a lesser number of bolts  136 , such as one, or a greater number of bolts  136 , such as three, four, five, or more bolts  136 . 
     In further implementations, the engineer can configure the connector  130  to leave one or more gaps in the clearance  134  between the plates  132 . The engineer can also make the gaps between the plates  132  as small or as large as desired. For example, in one implementation, the engineer can configure the gaps to be practically nonexistent, with the plates  132  abutting each other. In another implementation, the engineer can configure the gaps between the plates  132  to be larger, such as shown in  FIG. 2B , or even such that a majority of the clearance  134  is left open. In further implementations, an assembler can fill any remaining gaps in the clearance  134  with any desired material. For example, the assembler can fill the remaining gaps in the clearance  134  with welds, epoxies, grout, other similar materials, or combinations thereof. 
     In addition to the structure and design discussed above, implementations of the current invention can include a method of constructing a modular foundation  100 . The method of constructing the modular foundation  100  of the present invention can include various steps. For example, the method can include prefabricating offsite one or more components to be included in the modular foundation  100 . In particular, the cap structure  110  can be manufactured offsite and then delivered to the foundation site to be erected. Similarly, the piles  120  can be manufactured offsite and then transported to the construction site to be driven into the ground. 
     Once the components of the modular foundation  100  are fabricated and delivered to the construction site. The method of construction can include a step of positioning the cap structure  110 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3A . For example, an assembler can use a crane  150  to lift, position, and place the cap structure  110  in a designated position with respect to the ground. Depending on the size of the cap structure  110 , other equipment can be used to move and position the cap structure  110 . In one implementation, the step of positioning the cap structure can include using surveying techniques and/or GPS devices. 
       FIG. 3B  illustrates a subsequent step in the method of constructing the example modular foundation  100 . In particular,  FIG. 3B  illustrates an example step of driving vertical piles  120   a  trough the vertical pile guides  115   a  of the cap structure  110  and into the soil  140 . The cap structure  110  can provide a template for driving the vertical piles  120   a  to facilitate precise placement and alignment of the vertical piles  120   a . The cap structure  110  can also resist independent movement of the vertical piles  120   a  with respect to each other. 
     The vertical piles  120   a  can be of any desired length, and thus can be driven to a desired depth in the soil  140 . The vertical piles  120   a  can also extend upwards through the vertical pile guides  120   a  and beyond the cap structure  110 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3B . A pile hammer  160 , or other similar devices, can be used to drive the vertical piles  120   a  into the soil  140 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3B , the pile hammer  160  is associated with the crane  150  such that the crane  150  can drop the pile hammer  160  downward with sufficient force to drive the vertical piles  120   a  into the soil  140 . 
       FIG. 3C  illustrates an additional example step in constructing the modular foundation. Specifically,  FIG. 3C  illustrates an example step of positioning the cap structure  110  vertically to a desired height and then connecting the cap structure  110  to the driven vertical piles  120   a  with connectors  130 . One or more connectors  130  can be used to facilitate the connection between the suspended cap structure  110  and the driven vertical piles  120   a.    
     During the positioning of the cap structure  110 , the assembler can use structural fill to support or further position the cap structure  110  in a desired position. For example, the structural fill can be similar to structural fill used for concrete structures. In particular, in one implementation, the structural fill can include compacted materials such as sand and/or gravel. 
     After connecting the cap structure  110  to the vertical piles  120   a , the assembler can continue with addition example steps in the construction of the modular foundation  100 . For example,  FIG. 3D  illustrates an addition example step of driving one or more angled piles  120   b  through the angled pile guides  115   b  of the cap structure  110  and into the soil  140 . As shown, the angled pile guides  115   b  can guide the angled piles  120   b  along an angled orientation. 
     Due to the prefabricated nature of the angled pile guides  115   b , the angled piles  120   b  can be assembled and driven into the soil  140  with a high degree of accuracy because the vertical piles  120   a  have already been driven into the soil  140 . Thus, the cap structure  110  is a relatively rigid structure that allows the assembler to drive the angled piles  120   b  within tighter tolerances compared to tradition methods. Moreover, angled piles  120   b  resist lateral loads more efficiently than vertical piles  120   a  alone. Thus, the method of constructing the modular foundation allows engineers the ability to take advantage of angled piles  120   b  without sacrificing tolerances. 
     Once the angled piles  120   b  are driven to a desired depth, for example, the assembler can proceed with the construction of the modular foundation  100 .  FIG. 2E  illustrates an additional example step of connecting the angled piles  120   b  to the cap structure  110 . As a result, the cap structure  110  can act as a pile cap, grouping the piles  120  together and distributing loads among the multiple piles  120 . In one example implementation, the assembler can also cut the ends off the piles  120  to a desired length above the cap structure  110 , thus providing an accurate final height for the modular foundation  100 . 
     Accordingly,  FIGS. 3A-3E  and the corresponding text disclose a method and system of constructing a modular foundation  100 . This method can be repeated to form subsequent and/or preceding foundation sections along the length of a structure. The number of foundation sections used and the spacing of the foundation sections can be increased or decreased as desired for particular configurations. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , additional structural components that can be combined with the modular foundation  100  are illustrated. For example,  FIG. 4  illustrates that an engineer can design a substructure  170  to connect to the modular foundation  100 . As with the modular foundation  100 , the substructure  170  can be prefabricated such that the substructure  170  can simply be dropped into place and connected to the modular foundation  100 . In one implementation, the substructure  170  can be connected directly to the piles  120  such that the loads are directly distributed to the piles  120 . Because the design of the modular foundation provides a cap structure  110  with precise tolerances, the substructure  170  can be fabricated well in advance of the placing of the modular foundation  100 . 
     In addition to the substructure  170 , an engineer can further support a super structure  180  using a modular foundation  100 . The superstructure  180  can include one or more elements such as spanning elements  183 . The spanning elements  183  can be coupled to or otherwise connected to the substructure  170  and can span between adjacent modular foundations  100 , for example, such that the spanning elements are in a position to adequately support decking  185 . As with the substructure  170 , the spanning elements  183  and the decking  185  can be prefabricated. Therefore, the entire superstructure  180  can be made from a modular process, which decreases the amount of time to construct the superstructure  180 , as well and decrease the cost of constructing the superstructure  180 . 
     The present invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.