System and method of supporting structural foundations

Abstract

A system and method for supporting a structural foundation supported by a subterranean earth strata. A plurality of support piling segments are disposed in a columnar array beneath the foundation. Each segment has a central channel for receiving a tension or reinforcing member. The distal end of the tension member is anchored beneath the first or lowermost segment in the array. The anchor is sized such that it may not be withdrawn or pulled up through the channels in the segments. After the desired depth of the column is reached, a tension adjustment mechanism is affixed to the proximal end of the tension or reinforcing member and tightened to provide additional compressive force and strength to the columnar array.

1 . A support system for disposition between a structural foundation and a subterranean strata comprising: 
 a plurality of support piling segments vertically disposed in a columnar array beneath said foundation, each of said segments having a central channel extending longitudinally through a body portion of each of said segments, each of said conduits axially aligned with an adjacent conduit of one of said other segments;    a tensioning member having a first end and a second end, said tensioning member slideable through said conduits the entire length of each of said segments, said first end of said tensioning member extending beyond the bottom of the first, lowermost segment of said columnar array;    an anchor affixed to said first end of said tensioning member and sized such that said anchor may not pass through said conduits in said segments; and    a tension adjustment mechanism affixed to said second end of said tensioning member, said second end extending above the top of the uppermost segment of said columnar array, said adjustment mechanism adapted to increase and decrease the amount of compressive force applied to said tensioning member thereby controlling the columnar strength of said support system.    
   
   
       2 . A method for installing a support system between a structural foundation and a subterranean strata comprising: 
 providing a plurality of piling segments each having a central conduit extending longitudinally through a body portion of each of said segments;    providing a tensioning member having a first end and a second end, said tensioning member slideable through said conduits the entire length of each of said segments;    providing an anchor to be affixed to said first end of said tensioning member and sized such that said anchor may not pass through said conduits in said segments;    providing a tension adjustment mechanism to be affixed to said second end of said tensioning member, said adjustment mechanism adapted to increase and decrease the amount of compressive force applied to said tensioning member;    inserting said first end of said reinforcing member completely through said central channel of a first lowermost piling segment, said channel being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said first piling segment, said axis being substantially perpendicular to said structural foundation when said first piling segment is in its final installed position, said reinforcing member being longer than the anticipated final depth of said system;    mechanically attaching said anchor to said first end of said reinforcing member extending beyond the bottom of said first, lowermost piling segment, said anchor sized to prevent removal of said first end back through said first piling segment channel;    excavating earth beneath the area of said structural foundation to be supported at least sufficient to accommodate a jacking means and said first piling segment;    placing said first piling segment into excavated earth beneath said structural foundation to be supported;    driving, with said jacking means, said first piling segment into excavated earth beneath said structural foundation to be supported;    sliding a second of said plurality of piling segment substantially onto a second end of said reinforcing member;    driving, with said jacking means, said second piling segment into said excavated earth, thereby driving said first piling segment deeper below said structural foundation;    repetitively sliding additional segments of said piling segments onto said reinforcing member and successively jacking each additional segment into said excavated earth until a last, uppermost piling segment results in said support reaching said final depth;    sliding a piling cap on said reinforcing member, said piling cap having a substantially centrally located channel through which is inserted said second end of said reinforcing member until said piling cap is resting on top of said last piling segment;    severing said second end of the reinforcing member a desired distance above the top of said piling cap;    attaching a tensioning adjustment mechanism on said second end of said reinforcing member;    adjusting the tension on said reinforcing member to a desired torque;    using said piling cap as a base, jacking said structural foundation to a desired position above said piling cap;    placing a spacer block between said piling cap and said structural foundation;    removing said jacking means; and    backfilling said excavated area.    
   
   
       3 . A process for installing segmented post-tensioned support system underneath a structural foundation comprising: 
 excavating earth beneath the area of said structural foundation to be supported at least sufficient to accommodate a jacking means and a first piling segment;    inserting the first end of a reinforcing member completely through a centrally located channel substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said first piling segment, said axis being substantially perpendicular to said structural foundation to be supported when said first piling segment is in its final installed position, said reinforcing member being longer than the anticipated final depth of said system;    mechanically attaching an anchor to a protruding first end of said reinforcing member, said anchor sized to prevent removal of said first end back through said first piling segment channel;    placing said first piling segment into said excavated earth beneath said structural foundation to be supported;    driving, with said jacking means, said first piling segment into said excavated earth beneath said structural foundation to be supported;    sliding a second piling segment substantially identical to said first piling segment onto a second end of said reinforcing member;    driving, with said jacking means, said second piling segment into said excavated earth, thereby driving said first piling segment deeper below said structural foundation;    repetitively sliding additional piling segments substantially identical to said first piling segment onto said reinforcing member and successively jacking each additional segment into said excavated earth until a last piling segment results in said support reaching said final depth;    sliding a piling cap on said reinforcing member, said piling cap having a substantially centrally located channel through which is inserted said second end of said reinforcing member until said piling cap is resting on top of said last piling segment;    severing said second end of the reinforcing member a desired distance above the top of said piling cap;    mechanically attaching a threaded coupling to said second end of said reinforcing member substantially adjacent to said top of said piling cap;    attaching a tensioning device onto said threaded coupling on said second end of said reinforcing member;    adjusting the tension on said reinforcing member to a desired torque;    using said piling cap as a base, jacking said structural foundation to a desired position above said piling cap;    placing a spacer block between said piling cap and said structural foundation;    removing said jacking means; and    backfilling said excavated area.    
   
   
       4 . The process of  claim 3  further comprising a reinforcing member turning guide outside the perimeter of the structural foundation to be supported.  
   
   
       5 . The process of  claim 3  whereby the second end of the reinforcing member is severed before the piling cap is attached.  
   
   
       6 . The process of  claim 3  whereby the second end of the reinforcing member is severed a desired distance above the top of the piling cap after the tightening device is tightened onto the threaded device on the second end of the reinforcing member, thereby tensioning the reinforcing member to a desired torque;  
   
   
       7 . The process of  claim 3  further comprising shims between the spacer block and the structural foundation.