Method and apparatus for creating soil or rock subsurface support

Abstract

A subsurface support is provided in the form of a soil nail. The soil nail has asperities formed on the outer surface thereof to improve the pullout capacity of the soil nail. The asperities can take a number of forms to include indentations, deformations and threads formed on the outer surface of the soil nail. Optionally, a stinger may be attached to a distal end of the soil nail to further enhance the pullout capacity of the soil nail.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
   
   
       12 . A method of installing a subsurface support in the form of a soil nail, comprising:
 providing a tubular body having a uniform diameter extending along the length of the body, and having a plurality of asperities formed thereon, said asperities including at least two of (i) indentations formed on an outer surface of the tubular body, said indentations extending into the body, but not penetrating a wall of the soil nail, (ii) threaded sections, (iii) deformations changing a cross-sectional shape of the tubular body, and (iv) protrusions;   and placing the subsurface support by at least one of excavating the ground and inserting the tubular body, or launching the tubular body from a launching device.   
   
   
       13 . A method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein:
 said subsurface support further includes a stinger secured to the distal end of the soil nail.   
   
   
       14 . A method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein:
 said tubular body further includes a second set of indentation formed on opposite sides of the soil nail, and said indentations of said first and second sets extending substantially along a length of the soil nail from a proximal end to the distal end thereof.