Method for providing a pad to support heavy equipment

Abstract

A method for supporting heavy equipment at a site is provided. The method includes constructing a plurality of pre-formed reinforced concrete blocks. Each of the concrete blocks is constructed by: providing a concrete form having internal dimensions of at least 1½ feet by 3 feet by 3 feet, inserting a plurality of reinforcing members within the form, pouring concrete into the form over the reinforcing members, allowing the concrete to cure to form a concrete block, and removing the concrete block from the form. The method further includes excavating the site to form an excavated area and placing the plurality of pre-formed reinforced concrete blocks on the excavated area. The present invention also provides a concrete pad which can be formed by the above-described method.

1 . A method of providing a pad for supporting heavy equipment at a site, the method comprising: 
 constructing a plurality of pre-formed reinforced concrete blocks using a method comprising: 
 providing a concrete form having internal dimensions of at least 1½ feet by 3 feet by 3 feet;  
 inserting a plurality of reinforcing members within the form;  
 pouring concrete into the form over the reinforcing members;  
 allowing the concrete to cure to form a concrete block; and  
 removing the concrete block from the form;  
   excavating the site to form an excavated area; and    placing the plurality of pre-formed reinforced concrete blocks on the excavated area.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising forming a footer around at least a portion of a perimeter of the excavated area.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising excavating the site in proximity to a preexisting footer.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising applying a layer of leveling material over the excavated area.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing the concrete form with features for forming interlocking portions on each of the plurality of concrete blocks and connecting adjacent ones of the concrete blocks using the interlocking portions.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the constructing the plurality of pre-formed concrete blocks further comprises: 
 providing the concrete form with features for forming interlocking portions on each of the plurality of concrete blocks, wherein at least one of the interlocking portions on each of the plurality of concrete blocks includes at least one projection; and    inserting the plurality of reinforcing members within the form such that at least one of the reinforcing members extends into the at least one projection;    wherein the method further comprises:    connecting adjacent ones of the concrete blocks using the interlocking portions.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 providing each of the plurality of concrete blocks with at least one key projection and at least one key slot; and    connecting the key projection of at least a first one of the plurality of concrete blocks with the key slot of at least a second one of the plurality of concrete blocks adjacent to the at least the first one of the plurality of concrete blocks.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing the concrete form with internal dimensions of at least 2 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the inserting the plurality of reinforcing members includes inserting a plurality of steel reinforcing bars.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising positioning the plurality of concrete blocks on the excavated area using a crane.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising vibrating the plurality of blocks on the excavated area to induce settling.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising placing the plurality of pre-formed concrete blocks on the excavated area such that top surfaces of the plurality of blocks are substantially flush with grade.  
   
   
       13 . A concrete pad for supporting heavy equipment at a site comprising: 
 an excavated area;    a plurality of pre-formed reinforced concrete blocks having dimensions of at least 1½ feet by 3 feet by 3 feet positioned within the excavated area.    
   
   
       14 . The concrete pad of  claim 13 , further comprising a footer formed around at least a portion of a perimeter of the excavated area.  
   
   
       15 . The concrete pad of  claim 13 , further comprising a layer of leveling material between the excavated area and the plurality of concrete blocks.  
   
   
       16 . The concrete pad of  claim 13 , wherein each of the plurality of concrete blocks comprises interlocking portions and adjacent ones of the plurality of concrete blocks are connected together using the interlocking portions.  
   
   
       17 . The concrete pad of  claim 13 , wherein each of the plurality of pre-formed reinforced concrete blocks have dimensions of at least 2 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet.  
   
   
       18 . The concrete pad of  claim 13 , wherein each of the plurality of pre-formed reinforced concrete blocks includes reinforcing bars.  
   
   
       19 . The concrete pad of  claim 13 , wherein each of the plurality of pre-formed reinforced concrete blocks comprises reinforcing members disposed therein and interlocking portions including at least one projection, wherein at least one of the reinforcing members extends into the at least one projection.  
   
   
       20 . The concrete pad of  claim 13 , wherein a top surface of each of the plurality of pre-formed reinforced concrete blocks is substantially flush with grade.