Pile testing reaction anchor apparatus and method

Abstract

A novel apparatus and method are disclosed for testing piles for load bearing capacity. The novel means and method of the present invention include applying a static compressive force on a pile or group of piles to be tested for load bearing capacity, receiving an equal and opposite reaction force on an I-beam, providing at least two reaction anchor assemblies on opposite sides of the pile, and bracing the I-beam by the two reaction anchor assemblies to hold the I-beam stationary in counter-action against the opposite reaction force on the I-beam. In one aspect, each reaction anchor assembly has an anchoring head, a pipe column, a center, a pulling rod passing through the center, a pair of the swingable anchoring plates, and a frusto-cone for pivoting the swingable anchoring plates. In one aspect, the pipe column has four fins welded longitudinally along the pipe column. In one aspect, the reaction anchor assembly is preassembled for transportation to a pile test site. The novel means and method retrieve the reaction anchor assemblies from the ground after completion of the pile test and reuse them from one pile test site to another.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of testing piles for load bearing capacity, comprising: 
 a. applying a static compressive force on a pile to be tested for load bearing capacity;    b. applying an opposite reaction force on an I-beam;    c. providing two reaction anchor assemblies on opposite sides of said pile; and    d. bracing said I-beam by said two reaction anchor assemblies to hold said I-beam stationary in counter-action against said opposite reaction force on said I-beam.    
     
     
         2 . The method of testing piles for load bearing capacity as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising applying a compressive force against a group of piles to be tested for load bearing capacity.  
     
     
         3 . The method of testing piles for load bearing capacity as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein each of said reaction anchor assemblies has an anchoring head, a pipe column, and four fins welded longitudinally along said pipe column.  
     
     
         4 . The method of testing piles for load bearing capacity as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein each of said reaction anchor assemblies has an anchoring head, a pipe column, a center, and a pulling rod passing through said center.  
     
     
         5 . The method of testing piles for load bearing capacity as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein each of said reaction anchor assemblies further comprises at least one swingable anchoring plate actuated by said pulling rod.  
     
     
         6 . The method of testing piles for load bearing capacity as set forth in  claim 5 , comprising a pair of said swingable anchoring plates.  
     
     
         7 . The method of testing piles for load bearing capacity as set forth in  claim 6 , comprising four reaction anchor assemblies.  
     
     
         8 . The method of testing piles for load bearing capacity as set forth in  claim 6 , comprising six reaction anchor assemblies.  
     
     
         9 . The method of testing piles for load bearing capacity as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein said anchoring head, said pipe column, and said pulling rod are preassembled for transportation to a pile test site.  
     
     
         10 . The method of testing piles for load bearing capacity as set forth in  claim 6 , further comprising a frusto-cone for pivoting said swingable anchoring plates.  
     
     
         11 . The method of testing piles for load bearing capacity as set forth in  claim 6 , further comprising reusing said reaction anchor assemblies from one pile test site to another.  
     
     
         12 . The method of testing piles for load bearing capacity as set forth in  claim 6 , comprising retrieving said reaction anchor assemblies from the ground after completion of the pile test.  
     
     
         13 . The method of testing piles for load bearing capacity as set forth in  claim 6 , further comprising a pair of dial gages for measuring longitudinal axial load.  
     
     
         14 . A pile testing apparatus for testing load bearing capacity, comprising: 
 a. means for applying a static compressive force on a pile to be tested for load bearing capacity;    b. an I-beam adapted to receive a reaction force opposite of said compressive force on said pile to be tested;    c. two reaction anchor assemblies positioned in the ground on opposite sides of said pile to be tested; and    d. means for bracing said I-beam by said two reaction anchor assemblies to hold said I-beam stationary in counteraction against said opposite reaction force on said I-beam.    
     
     
         15 . The pile testing apparatus for testing load bearing capacity as set forth in  claim 14 , further comprising means for applying a compressive force against a group of piles to be tested for load bearing capacity.  
     
     
         16 . The pile testing apparatus for testing load bearing capacity as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein each of said reaction anchor assemblies has an anchoring head, a pipe column, and four fins welded longitudinally along said pipe column.  
     
     
         17 . The pile testing apparatus for testing load bearing capacity as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein each of said reaction anchor assemblies has an anchoring head, a pipe column, a center, and a pulling rod passing through said center.  
     
     
         18 . The pile testing apparatus for testing load bearing capacity as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein each of said reaction anchor assemblies further comprises at least one swingable anchoring plate actuated by said pulling rod.  
     
     
         19 . The pile testing apparatus for testing load bearing capacity as set forth in  claim 18 , further comprising a frousto-cone for pivoting said swingable anchoring plates.  
     
     
         20 . A method of testing piles for load bearing capacity, comprising; 
 a. applying a static compressive force on a pile or group of piles to be tested for load bearing capacity;    b. receiving an opposite reaction force on an I-beam;    c. providing two reaction anchor assemblies on opposite sides of said pile, each reaction anchor assembly having an anchoring head, a pipe column, a center, a pulling rod passing through said center, a pair of said swingable anchoring plates, a frusto-cone for pivoting said swingable anchoring plates, and four fins welded longitudinally along said pipe column, preassembled for transportation to a pile test site; and    d. bracing said I-beam by said two reaction anchor assemblies to hold said I-beam stationary in counter-action against said opposite reaction force on said I-beam;    e. retrieving said reaction anchor assemblies from the ground after completion of the pile test; and    f. reusing said reaction anchor assemblies from one pile test site to another.