System for supporting slab with concrete pier

Abstract

A foundation slab for a structure is repaired by driving piers into the ground and then lifting the slab against the piers. A bracket assembly is attached between the slab and a jack. One or more jacks are used to drive piers into the ground and to raise the slab. One or more brackets remain installed to support the slab on the piers.

1 . A method for lifting a building slab, the method comprising:
 (a) attaching a bracket assembly to the slab;   (b) placing a pier segment in engagement with the bracket assembly;   (c) attaching a jack between the bracket assembly and the pier segment;   (d) extending a member of the jack to drive the pier segment into the ground; and   (e) adding additional pier segments and repeating step (d) until lifting the slab a predetermined distance.   
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein step (a) comprises cantilever mounting the bracket to the slab. 
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein step (e) further comprises:
 providing the bracket assembly with a pair of support legs, each having an aperture;   passing a rod through the apertures in the support legs; and   retracting the member of the jack until one of the pier segments transfers force to the rod.   
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein step (e) further comprises having a U-shaped member between the ram and an uppermost pier segment to enable the rod to pass between the ram and the uppermost pier segment. 
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein step (a) comprises securing the bracket to a vertical side wall of the slab; and
 step (c) positions the jack alongside the vertical sidewall.   
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein step (a) comprises attaching the brackets to the slab by passing a plurality of fasteners through a plurality of holes located on the brackets and into a vertical sidewall of the slab. 
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising, after step (e), placing a retaining member between a top of an uppermost one of the pier segments and the bracket assembly, then removing the jack such that a weight from the slab transfers through the bracket assembly to the pier segment. 
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the bracket assembly has  2  support legs that are spaced apart and a base plate;
 step (a) comprises attaching the base plate to the slab with the support legs normal to a vertical side wall of the slab; and   step (b) comprises placing the pier segment between the support legs.   
   
   
       9 . A method for lifting a building slab, the method comprising:
 (a) providing a bracket assembly having a base plate and two support legs, the support legs being spaced part, and each support leg having an aperture;   (b) attaching the bracket assembly to a vertical sidewall of the slab, with the support legs of the bracket assembly normal to the vertical sidewall of the slab, by passing a plurality of fasteners through a plurality of holes located on the bracket assembly and into the vertical sidewall of the slab;   (c) placing a pier segment between the support legs and in engagement with the bracket assembly;   (d) attaching a jack alongside the vertical sidewall and between the bracket assembly and the pier segment;   (e) extending a member of the jack to drive the pier segment into the ground;   (f) adding additional pier segments and repeating step (e) until lifting the slab a predetermined distance;   (g) passing a rod through the apertures in the support legs; and   (h) retracting the member of the jack until one of the pier segments transfers force to the rod.   
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein step (g) comprises placing shims between one of the pier segments and the rod. 
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein step (d) comprises providing a plurality of hooks connected to the jack and engaging a lower edge of the support legs with the plurality of hooks. 
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein step (g) comprises having a U-shaped member between the ram and an uppermost pier segment to enable the rod to pass between the ram and the uppermost pier segment. 
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein step (a) comprises providing a circular guide member mounted between the support members, and step (e) comprises driving the pier segment downward through the guide member. 
   
   
       14 . An apparatus for lifting a portion of a slab, the apparatus comprising:
 a plurality of pier segments, each having a horizontal width;   a first bracket assembly comprising first and second support members, wherein
 the first bracket assembly is adapted to be attached to a substantially vertical portion of the slab, 
 the first and second support members are adapted to protrude away from the substantially vertical portion of the slab, and 
 a distance between the first support member and the second support member is greater than the horizontal width of the pier segments; 
   a jack adapted to releasably engage the first bracket assembly and drive the pier segments into the ground; and   a retaining device adapted to transfer a weight of a portion of the slab from the first bracket assembly to the pier segments, enabling the jack to be removed.   
   
   
       15 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the retaining device comprises a rod that inserts through aligned apertures in the support member. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus according to  claim 15 , further comprising a U-shaped member, the U-shaped member being adapted to transfer force from a ram of the jack to the at least one pier segment, and a slot located in the U-shaped member allows the rod to be inserted into the aperture. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus according to  claim 15 , further comprising shims between a top of the pier segment and the retaining device. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein a pair of hooks on the jack extend down and engage a lower edge of the support members. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , further comprising a circular guide member mounted between the support members, the pier segments extending downward through the guide member. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the bracket assembly comprises two separate brackets, each having a mounting plate and one of the support members extending at a 90 degree angle therefrom.