Method and apparatus for forming foundations

Abstract

A method of forming a foundation with a hollow-section reaming tube is described. The method includes drilling a pilot bore-hole to a required depth and reaming the pilot bore-hole by rotating the hollow section reaming tube which is subsequently not retracted. The hollow section reaming tube may comprise at least one tube section adapted to connect with another tube section via corresponding screw threads.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of forming a foundation including the steps of: forming a bore-hole to a required depth; reaming the pilot bore-hole wit a rotating hollow-section tube which is not retracted and remains in the ground; and securing a load-bearing mounting platform to the end of the tube.  
     
     
         2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the hollow-section tube is rotated into the ground.  
     
     
         3 . A method of forming a foundation as claimed in  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the method includes the step of reaming the pilot bore-hole with a hollow-section tube.  
     
     
         4 . A method of forming a foundation as claimed in  claim 1 ,  2  or  3 , wherein the hollow-section tube comprises a plurality of tube sections connected longitudinally.  
     
     
         5 . A method as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of tube sections are interconnected via mutually mating screw treads.  
     
     
         6 . A method of forming a foundation as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the hollow-section tube is steel tube.  
     
     
         7 . A method of forming a foundation as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a structure is mounted to the load-bearing mounting platform.  
     
     
         8 . A method of forming a foundation as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the structure is a signalling post.  
     
     
         9 . A method of forming a foundation as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the hollow-section tube includes an end shaped to displace material.  
     
     
         10 . A method of forming a foundation as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pilot bore-hole is drilled using a mobile rig that includes an auger, and wherein the auger is removed prior to reaming and replaced by the hollow-section tube once the desired pilot hole depth has been reached.  
     
     
         11 . A method of forming a foundation as claimed in any  claim 1  to  9 , wherein the pilot bore-hole drilling directly precedes reaming by the hollow-section tube in a continuous operation, and wherein no intermediate auger replacement occurs.  
     
     
         12 . A method of forming a foundation as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a jig is secured over the pilot hole to facilitate firm and secure rotation of the hollow-section tube.  
     
     
         13 . A method of forming a foundation as claimed in any of  claims 5  to  11 , wherein an adhesive is used to aid connection of tube portions.  
     
     
         14 . A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the bore hole is formed by the action of rotating the hollow section tube into the ground.  
     
     
         15 . A method of forming a foundation, comprising the steps of rotating a hollow-section tube into the ground to form a support, and securing a load-bearing mounting platform to the end of the tube.  
     
     
         16 . A foundation forming apparatus including: a hollow section tube comprising at least one tube section adapted to connect longitudinally with other tube sections; a displacing tube section with an end shaped to displace material; a rotary mechanism for providing a torque to an end of the reaming tube distal from the displacing tube section; and a terminal tube section.  
     
     
         17 . A foundation forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the terminal tube section includes, or is adapted to receive, a load-bearing mounting platform.  
     
     
         18 . A foundation forming apparatus as claimed in  claim 16  or  17 , wherein the displacing tube section flares from a diameter equal to the diameter of the reaming tube to a diameter greater, and then tapers to a diameter less than the diameter of the reaming tube.  
     
     
         19  A foundation forming apparatus as claimed in any of  claims 15  to  18 , wherein the apparatus further includes a mobile jig including an auger, the auger being removable for replacement with the hollow section reaming tube prior to reaming, and wherein the mobile jig is adapted to operate in locations with restricted access such as railway track-side locations or highways.