Segmented ballast base support structure and rail and trolley structures for unstable ground

Abstract

Unstable ground is found in many situations in many locations around the world and causes such locations to be unsuitable for building without further support or stabilization. Unstable ground, such as landfills, can be used for beneficial purposes as opposed to laying dormant. A segmented ballast base support structure according to an embodiment of the present invention can be configured to support free-standing structures, such as solar power collection systems and wind turbines. The segmented ballast base support structure can be deployed at unstable ground sites without digging or expensive filling stabilization techniques. Segments of the base support structure can be precast at an offsite location and transported to a site in segments and sections. The segmented base support structure allows for a cost effective solution to digging, as well as an easier method of shipping and transporting structures that would otherwise have to be built on site.

1 . An apparatus for supporting a free-standing superstructure, the apparatus comprising:
 segments of a base support structure including interconnection features;   linkages configured to couple to the interconnection features in a manner interconnecting the segments which, in an interconnected state, collectively serve as the support structure to support a free-standing superstructure on an unstable ground.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the segments have defined top and bottom surfaces and further comprising a ground treatment including a layer of pliable material spanning the bottom surfaces of the segments. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the ground treatment includes a bottom layer and at least one upper layer, the bottom layer being the layer of pliable material and the at least one upper layer having sufficient adaptability to track topological state changes of the bottom layer due to topological state changes in the unstable ground beneath the bottom layer while maintaining sufficient integrity to serve as a platform upon which the base support structure continuously supports the free-standing superstructure in a substantially stable orientation across topological state changes of the unstable ground. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the segments include multiple grips protruding from the bottom surface configured to interact with the at least one upper layer of the ground treatment in a manner enabling the segments to resist lateral movement. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the pliable material is liquid permeable. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the pliable material has a tensile strength able to withstand movement of the first and second segments relative to each other over a predetermined range. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the base support structure is configured to support the free-standing superstructure in a substantially stable orientation during occurrences of extreme natural forces acting upon the superstructure, including high wind, earthquake, and blizzard conditions. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the segments are configured to change orientation relative to other segments as a function of the linkages and interconnection features. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein forces transmitted into a first subset of segments by the free-standing superstructure are transmitted into a second subset of segments at a reduced level as a function of the linkages and interconnection features. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein a first subset of segments are enclosed by a second subset of segments. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the first and second subsets of segments are circular. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the first and second subsets of segments are non-circular. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein multiple segment elements compose each of the segments and wherein the linkages are configured to couple adjacent segment elements of the same size to each other and adjacent segment elements of different sizes from each other. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the multiple segment elements composing the segments of the same size are interchangeable. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the multiple segment elements are each configured to be separable from and reattachable to corresponding segment elements of the base support structure. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein a first subset of segments are not enclosed by a second subset of segments, and vice-versa. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the segments of the base support structure are a base tier of segments configured to support an upper tier of segments, the upper tier of segments being configured to reside between the base support structure and the free-standing superstructure, wherein segments of the upper tier of segments are coupled to the base support structure via inter-tier linkages and configured to support coupling of the free-standing superstructure to themselves. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the segments of the base support structure are cementitious. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the segments are rail structures to which an adjustable trolley structure, wherein the trolley structure is configured to support a superstructure or superstructure element. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the interconnection features include at least one of the following: chamfers, sockets, cylinders, or interconnected locks. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the linkages include at least one of the following: chamfers, bolts, latches, cables, grips, or interconnected locks. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising couplings configured to enable the free-standing superstructure to be coupled to the base support structure, wherein the couplings are selected from a group consisting of: chamfers, bolts, sockets, latches, cylinders, interconnected locks, straight holes, tapered holes, clamps, guy-wires, cables, hinges, and ball joints. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the free-standing superstructure includes a renewable energy power generation device. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 22  wherein the renewable energy power generation device includes at least one of the following devices: solar panels, solar arrays, photovoltaics, solar cells, heat engines, wind turbines, or biomass converters. 
     
     
         25 . A method for supporting a free-standing superstructure, the method comprising:
 maintaining an interconnection between segments of a base support structure; and   supporting a free-standing superstructure coupled to the segments in a manner of a unified base support structure to support the free-standing superstructure thereon on an unstable ground.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the segments have defined top and bottom surfaces and further comprising treating the unstable ground with a layer of pliable material spanning the bottom surfaces of the segments and gaps therebetween. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26  wherein treating the unstable ground includes treating the unstable ground with a bottom layer and at least one upper layer, the bottom layer being the layer of pliable material and the at least one upper layer having sufficient adaptability to track topological state changes of the bottom layer due to topological state changes in the unstable ground beneath the bottom layer while maintaining sufficient integrity to serve as a platform upon which the base support structure continuously supports the free-standing superstructure in a substantially stable orientation across topological state changes of the unstable ground. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27  further comprising:
 protruding grips from the bottom surfaces of the segments into the at least one upper layer; and 
 resisting lateral movement through interaction of the grips with the at least one upper layer of the ground treatment. 
 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26  further comprising enabling liquid to pass from the unstable ground to the segments. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 26  wherein treating the unstable ground with a layer of pliable material includes configuring the pliable material to withstand movement of the segments relative to other segments over a predetermined range. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 25  wherein supporting the free-standing superstructure includes supporting it in a substantially stable orientation during occurrences of extreme natural forces acting upon the superstructure, including high wind, earthquake, and blizzard conditions. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 25  wherein maintaining the interconnection includes enabling the segments to change orientation relative to each other as a function of the interconnection. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 25  wherein maintaining the interconnection includes maintaining radial interconnections of a first segment to a second segment. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33  wherein the segments are circular. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 33  wherein the first and second segments are non-circular. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 25  wherein maintaining the interconnection includes reducing forces transmitted from the free-standing superstructure to a segment at a reduced level from the forces transmitted from the free-standing structure to another segment as a function of the interconnection. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 25  wherein each of the segments include multiple segment elements and wherein maintaining the interconnection includes maintaining an interconnection of adjacent segment elements of the same size and adjacent segment elements of different sizes. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37  further including enabling segment elements of the same size to be interchangeable. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 37  further including enabling the multiple segment elements to separate from and reattach to corresponding segment elements of the base support structure. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 25  wherein maintaining the interconnection includes maintaining a lateral interconnection between the segments. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 25  wherein maintaining the interconnection includes maintaining an interconnection between the base support structure, as a base tier of segments, and an upper tier of segments, the upper tier of segments residing between the base support structure and the free-standing superstructure. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the segments of the base support structure are cementitious. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the segments are rails; and wherein supporting the free-standing superstructure includes enabling the free-standing superstructure to move along the rails in an adjustable manner. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the segments include at least one of the following: chamfers, sockets, cylinders, or interconnected locks. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 25  wherein maintaining the interconnection includes employing at least one of the following interconnection elements: chamfers, bolts, latches, cables, grips, or interconnected locks. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 25  wherein supporting a free-standing superstructure includes maintaining a coupling between the free-standing superstructure and the base support structure, wherein maintaining the coupling includes employing a coupling selected from a group consisting of: chamfers, bolts, sockets, latches, cylinders, interconnected locks, straight holes, tapered holes, clamps, guy-wires, cables, hinges, and ball joints. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 25  further including enabling access to energy from a renewable energy power generation device coupled to the free-standing superstructure. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 46  wherein the renewable energy power generation device includes at least one of the following devices: solar tracking systems, solar tracking systems for thermal energy, solar arrays, photovoltaics, solar cells, heat engines, wind turbines, or biomass converters. 
     
     
         49 . An apparatus for supporting a free-standing superstructure, the apparatus comprising:
 means for maintaining an interconnection between segments of a base support structure; and   means for supporting a free-standing superstructure coupled to the segments in a manner of a base support structure to support the free-standing superstructure thereon on an unstable ground.   
     
     
         50 . A method of stabilizing an unstable ground for supporting a free-standing superstructure, the method comprising:
 treating the unstable ground with a layer of pliable material;   positioning bottom surfaces of segments above the layer of pliable material;   maintaining an interconnection between the segments in a manner of a base support structure; and   enabling the first and second segments to allow a free standing superstructure to be coupled thereto.   
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50  further comprising applying an upper layer between the pliable material and the segments prior to positioning the segments above the pliable material. 
     
     
         52 . A landfill comprising:
 unstable ground;   interconnected segments of a base support structure positioned on the unstable ground and configured to serve as a unified base support structure; and   a renewable energy power generation device coupled to the base support structure.   
     
     
         53 . The landfill of  claim 52  further including an energy storage facility configured to store energy generated by the renewable energy power generation device.