Patent Grant
11124939
The disclosure relates generally to foundation construction and repair and, more particularly, to an apparatus and method for lifting a foundation pile.
Buildings, including houses, office buildings, strip malls and the like, are often constructed such that a building frame rests on a foundation. Foundation types are generally known and can include concrete slabs, reinforced concrete slabs, pile-and-beam, footings, and other types. Sometimes foundations include structures that are deep enough to contact, or tie into, solid strata such as bedrock. Pile—and beam foundation structures may include a set of piers upon which a building structure rests. In a typical configuration, portions of the building structure, such as floor joists and/or sill plates rest on the piles. The piles are preferably in contact with bedrock to provide a relatively fixed support structure. However, sometimes piles are not driven completely to bedrock.
Changing soil conditions, improper building construction, effects of nature and the like can result in portions of the building sagging or drooping. The sagging and drooping can, in turn damage to the frame, drywall, flooring, plumbing, and other components of the building. Foundation degradation can be caused by parts of the foundation sinking where the soil conditions are insufficient to support the structure. Piles may need to be lifted in order to strategically lift certain parts of the building structure. Piles may become damaged or degraded and need to be lifted to be repaired, reinforced, or replaced.
When a foundation structure sinks, it becomes necessary to raise the sinking portion and support it such that it does not re-settle or sink further. Prior techniques have involved jacking up the foundation and positioning pilings below foundation for support. However, the pilings are not in contact with the solid strata, so additional foundation sinking can still occur. Additionally, these techniques can be very expensive and can be visually unpleasing as the repair components such as the pilings are typically visible after the repair work is completed.
Moreover, sometimes a foundation needs support within the perimeter boundaries of the foundation and in an area that is not easily reached from outside the edges of the foundation. For example, with a concrete slab foundation, support is sometimes needed in an area within the slab boundaries. In certain areas such as this, supporting an edge of the foundation is not sufficient. And, reaching certain interior areas from the exterior of the structure over the foundation, or from the outer edges of the foundation, may involve extensive excavation. This may include substantial drilling and tunneling underneath the structure, from the outside or outer edges, to reach the area that needs support. This can be cost-prohibitive. Prior methods have involved a hole through the foundation, inserting a support device and raising the support device to support the slab.
Certain embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus and methods for lifting a pile that is embedded in strata. In one example, an apparatus for lifting a pile is provided. The apparatus includes a support structure and a lifting device coupled to the support structure. The apparatus also includes a lift head coupled to the lifting device. The lift head has a first gripping plat. The first gripping plate is adapted to engage and support the pile upon activation of the lifting device.
In another example, a method of lifting and supporting a pile is provided. The method includes coupling a support structure to the pile and coupling a lifting device to the support structure. The method also includes extending the lifting device to cause a lift head with a first gripping plate to engage and lift the pile during extension of lifting device. The pile is lifted a first distance.
One or more of the embodiments may provide some, none, or all of certain of the following advantages. One advantage is that an apparatus is provided, which may be easily inserted into a hole in a foundation and subsequently used to lift and/or support a pile. Another advantage is that the apparatus may be used to lift a pile and automatically grab and release the pile at appropriate times during the lifting process. Another advantage is that the same apparatus may be used to both lift a pile and support the pile when it has been lifted.
For a more complete understanding of this disclosure and its features, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Various embodiments are illustrated in
As illustrated in
Apparatus 10 includes a support structure including a helical pile 28 and a pile extension (not expressly shown) coupled thereto. In
Preferably, the support structure is driven adjacent pile 2 that is to be lifted and/or supported. In some embodiments, helical pile 28 and its extension are first driven to desired depth and then coupled to pile 2. In other situations, guide sleeve 26 may be coupled to pile 2, and then helical pile 28 and its extension are driven. It should also be recognized that in certain situations a helical pile is not required. Certain aspects and functionality of the apparatus may be achieved as long as a support structure is provided adjacent pile 2, which is the pile to be lifted.
Lower support bracket 24 is coupled to guide sleeve 26 and abuts pile 2. Preferably, lower support bracket 24 abuts pile 2 to provide lateral stability to pile 2 while allowing pile 2 to be moved vertically during a lifting process. Lower support bracket 24 is illustrated in further detail in
Referring further to
Referring again to
Referring again to
Referring again to
Jacking cup 16 preferably supports a lifting device 14. Preferably, lifting device 14 is hydraulically-actuated. The downward end of lifting device 14 buts against the upper end of the pile extension and/or guide sleeve 26. Alternatively, jacking cup 16 may be provided with an interior plate on which the lower end of lifting device 14 may rest. Preferably, when lifting device 14 is actuated, an upper end of lifting device 14 extends upwardly (i.e., away from jacking cup 16 and the upper end of the pile extension).
Apparatus 10 also includes a lift head 12, which may be coupled to an upper end of lifting device 14. As can be seen in greater detail in
Extension plates 32 also accommodate a hinge pin support tube 34. Tube 34 is coupled to extension plates 32 in a transverse manner wherein its axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support structure of apparatus 10, and wherein its length is disposed within a plane that is perpendicular to the support structure of apparatus 10.
Tube 34 supports hinge pin 35, which is disposed through tube 34. In the illustrated example, tube 34 may be a single tube that is disposed through holes in extension plates 32. Likewise, hinge pin 35 is a single pin disposed though tube 34. Alternatively, tube 34 may comprise two or more smaller tubes. For example, a smaller tube may extend outwardly from each extension plate. Also, another smaller tube may be provided between the extension plates. Preferably, in this alternative embodiment, the tubes would axially align with holes in the extension plates. In another example, a tube extends outwardly from each of the extension plates. A small hinge pin is disposed within each of the small tubes (i.e., there are two hinge pins). Any suitable alternative is viable as long as one or more hinge pins is provided and supported to allow swinging movement of an associated lift head plate, as described below.
Lift head plate 36 is hingedly connected to hinge pin 34 to allow for up and down swinging movement of a distal end of lift head plate 36. Lift head plate 36 Preferably has a cutout portion at a distal end thereof. In the illustrated example, the cutout portion is V-shaped. However, other shapes may be employed. The cutout portion provides a plurality of gripping edges for gripping pile 2 when engaged by apparatus 10. Lift head plate 36 is adapted to grip pile 2 during a lifting process. As pile 2 is lifted, the distal end of lift head plate 36 falls downward due to gravity. Downward movement of lift head plate 36 is limited by contact with pile 2. With continued lifting, the gripping edges of the cutout portion of lift head plate 36 are adapted to dig into the surface of pile 2 to impart upward movement of pile 2 while lift head 12 is being raised.
A method 800 for lifting a pile (e.g., pile 2) will now be described in connection with the flow chart provided in
In one step 801, a helical pile is attached to a pile extension to create a support structure.
In another step 802, the support structure is at least partially disposed in a guide sleeve.
In another step 803, the support structure and guide sleeve are positioned next to a pile needing lifting and/or support, and the support structure is driven into the strata. Preferably, the support structure is driven downwardly until the helical pile contacts bedrock or stable strata capable of supporting the structure, or foundation of the structure, associated with the pile.
In another step 804, a lower support bracket is coupled to the guide sleeve and positioned, to abut the pile being lifted.
In another step 805, a support roller strap is coupled to or positioned on, the guide sleeve and positioned so that the pile being lifted is disposed in the gap created by the roller and the strap of the support roller strap. In some cases, the support roller strap may be lowered onto the pile and then onto the guide sleeve. In other cases, the strap of the support roller strap may be positioned on the guide sleeve. Then the roller of the support roller strap may be attached to the strap to encompass the pile.
In another step 806, an upper support bracket is positioned on the guide sleeve. In at least certain embodiments, the support roller strap is disposed between the lower support bracket and the upper support bracket.
In another step 807, a jacking cup is placed atop the guide sleeve and/or the support structure.
In another step 808, a gravity vice is place on the pile being lifted, such that pile is disposed within a void between the cutout portions of the gripping plates of the gravity vice.
In another step 809, a lifting device is fitted into the jacking cup.
In another step 810, a lift head is positioned on a lifting arm of the lifting device such that the lift head plate of the lift head surrounds the pile.
In another step 811, a first lifting process is performed. According to this process, the lifting device is activated to extend the lifting arm. As the lifting arm extends, it pushes the lift head upward. Gravity causes the distal end of the lift head plate to drop downwardly with respect to the level of the other components of the lift head. The downward swinging movement is stopped when the gripping edges of the lift head plate engage the surface of the pile being lifted. As the lifting arm continues to extend, the gripping edges of the lift head plate dig into the surface of the pile being lifted. This imparts a lifting force to the pile and the pile is lifted along with the lift head.
It should be understood that activation of the lifting device with the resulting extension of the arm of the lifting device is an example only. Other lifting devices may be incorporated. Activation of the lifting device is intended to convey that state of the lifting device which performs lifting.
In another step 812, the lifting device is deactivated such that extension of the lifting arm is halted. Preferably, extension of the lifting arm is halted at a predetermined distance corresponding to the maximum extension range of the lifting arm.
In another step 813, the lifting arm is retracted. This causes the lift head to begin to be lowered. As the lift head is lowered, the gripping edges of the lift head plate release from the surface of the pile and gravity causes the pile to tend move downwardly. However, as the pile begins its downward movement, the gripping plates of the gravity device engage the surface of the pile. The edges of the cutout portions of the gripping plates of the gravity vice dig into the surface of the pile and halt downward movement of the pile due to gravity. The lifting arm of the lifting device may thus be fully retracted while the pile is supported in its partially lifted position by the gravity vice.
In another step 814, the lifting arm is again extended. The lift head engages the pile and begins to lift the pile upwardly. The upward movement of the pile causes the gripping to swing upwardly and release from the surface of the pile. The lifting and retracting steps are alternately repeated until the pile has been lifted to a desired height.
In another step 815, one or more of the lower support bracket and upper support bracket may be attached to the pile that has been lifted. This allows removal of the remaining components of the lifting apparatus while the pile remains supported in its lifted position.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1153024 | Brown | Sep 1915 | A |
| 6468002 | Gregory et al. | Oct 2002 | B1 |
| 7137616 | Kysely | Nov 2006 | B2 |
| 7431266 | Evans | Oct 2008 | B1 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20150021529 A1 | Jan 2015 | US |
