Method and apparatus for utilizing non-cylindrical support sections to lift and level existing buildings from a location adjacent a side of the buildings

Abstract

An apparatus and a method are provided for lifting and leveling an existing building from a position adjacent a side of the existing building. One or more non-cylindrical support sections having a substantially rectangular shapes and first and second ends are driven into the earth at a position adjacent a side of the existing building. A jack is used to lift the existing building to a desired height. The foundation of the building is then bracketed to the uppermost non-cylindrical support section to maintain the building at the new level. The non-cylindrical support section has low bearing and high friction characteristics. The low bearing characteristics enable the apparatus to be driven further into the earth than cylindrical pilings that are commonly used to lift and level existing buildings. The high friction characteristics assist in maintaining the stability of the apparatus once it has been installed.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for lifting and leveling an existing building from a position adjacent the existing building, the apparatus comprising: 
 at least a first non-cylindrical support section, the first non-cylindrical support section having a substantially rectangular shape, the first support section having a first end and a second end, wherein when the apparatus is installed, the first end is located within the earth at said position adjacent the existing building; and    a bracket, wherein when the apparatus is installed and the existing building has been lifted to a desired height by using a jack, the bracket is used to fasten a foundation of the existing building to said at least one non-cylindrical support section to maintain the building at a desired level.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said first non-cylindrical support section is an H-beam.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said first non-cylindrical support section is an I-beam.  
     
     
         4 . An apparatus for lifting and leveling an existing building from a position adjacent the existing building, the apparatus comprising: 
 a first non-cylindrical support section, the first non-cylindrical support section having a substantially rectangular shape, the first support section having a first end and a second end, wherein when the apparatus is installed, the first end is located within the earth at a position adjacent a side of the existing building;    a second non-cylindrical support section, the second non-cylindrical support section having a substantially rectangular shape, the second non-cylindrical support section having a first end and a second end, wherein when the apparatus is installed, the first end of the second non-cylindrical support section is located within the earth beneath said first non-cylindrical support section such that the first end of said first non-cylindrical support section is in contact with the second end of said second non-cylindrical support section; and    a bracket, wherein when the apparatus is installed and the existing building has been lifted to a desired height by using a jack, the bracket is used to fasten a foundation of the existing building to said second non-cylindrical support section to maintain the building at a desired level.    
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said first and second non-cylindrical support sections are H-beams.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said first and second non-cylindrical support sections are I-beams.  
     
     
         7 . A method for lifting and leveling an existing building from a position adjacent a side of the existing building, the method comprising: 
 driving a first non-cylindrical support section into the earth adjacent a side of the existing building, the first non-cylindrical support section having a substantially rectangular shape, the first support section having a first end and a second end, the first end being located below the second end within the earth at said position adjacent a side of the existing building; and    jacking up the existing building to lift the existing building to a desired height; and    bracketing a foundation of the existing building to said first non-cylindrical support section.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said first non-cylindrical support section is an H-beam.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said first non-cylindrical support section is an I-beam.  
     
     
         10 . A method for lifting and leveling an existing building from a position adjacent a side of the existing building, the method comprising: 
 driving a first non-cylindrical support section into the earth adjacent a side of the existing building, the first non-cylindrical support section having a substantially rectangular shape, the first support section having a first end and a second end, the first end being located below the second end within the earth at said position adjacent a side of the existing building;    driving a second non-cylindrical support section into the earth through the portion of the hole extending underneath the building, the second non-cylindrical support section having a substantially rectangular shape, the second non-cylindrical support section having a first end and a second end, the first end being located below the second end within the earth at said position adjacent a side of the existing building;    jacking up the existing building to lift the existing building to a desired height; and    bracketing a foundation of the existing building to said second non-cylindrical support section.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said first and second non-cylindrical support sections are H-beams.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said first and second non-cylindrical support sections are I-beams.