Foundation

Abstract

A bracing system to brace a foundation pile that is or is to be located into and extend from ground below or adjacent a building. The bracing system utilises formwork to allow an in-situe concrete block to be cast, the concrete block being supported by the ground adjacent to where the pile is located and at least substantially surrounds the pile. The concrete block is operatively connected to the foundation pile at a location of the pile that is above the ground.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A formwork module for the casting of an in-situ concrete block around a foundation pile when the formwork module is supported by the ground adjacent to the foundation pile, the formwork module being shaped to define a cavity between the pile and the formwork module so that the concrete block that is cast into the formwork module is operatively connected in the cavity to the foundation pile at a location of the pile that is above the ground. 
     
     
         2 . The formwork module of  claim 1 , in which the module has an opening through which the foundation pile extends, such that the module completely surrounds the foundation pile while defining the cavity between the pile and the module. 
     
     
         3 . The formwork module of  claim 2 , in which the module includes at least one channel that extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the foundation pile when the module is placed on level ground around the foundation pile, each channel defining a region in which pourable concrete can be displaced to then set to form at least part of the concrete block. 
     
     
         4 . The formwork module of  claim 3 , in which each channel extends into the cavity so that the concrete block is cast as a single block inside the cavity and the channel. 
     
     
         5 . The formwork module of  claim 3 , in which the formwork module is quadrilateral in plan view and a channel extends from each side of the quadrilateral to the opening in the centre of the quadrilateral. 
     
     
         6 . The formwork module of  claim 3 , wherein the channels are adapted to receive reinforcing material for reinforcing the concrete that is cast into the channels. 
     
     
         7 . The formwork module of  claim 1 , wherein the formwork module includes connecting features so that it can connect to adjacent, like modules. 
     
     
         8 . The formwork module of  claim 1 , wherein the formwork module includes at least one channel on its underside, which is open to the ground, through which liquefaction or any other material that might emerge from the ground can be diverted. 
     
     
         9 . The formwork module of  claim 1 , wherein the formwork module includes a plurality of downwardly extending protrusions which contact the ground when the module is positioned on the ground, a void being defined between the downwardly extending protrusions in which liquefaction or any material that might emerge from the ground can be diverted. 
     
     
         10 . A method of casting an in-situ concrete block using one or more formwork modules, the formwork module being shaped to define a cavity between the pile and the formwork module so that the concrete block that is cast into the formwork module is operatively connected in the cavity to the foundation pile at a location of the pile that is above the ground, the method including the steps of:
 positioning one or more formwork modules on the ground adjacent to a foundation pile, so that the formwork module(s) and the pile define the cavity between the pile and the formwork module(s); and   pouring concrete onto the formwork module(s).   
     
     
         11 . The method as claimed in  claim 10 , in which the module has an opening and is positioned so that the pile extends through the opening with the module completely surrounding the foundation pile. 
     
     
         12 . The method as claimed in  claim 11 , in which the module includes at least one channel that extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the foundation pile when the module is placed on level ground around the foundation pile, the method including the step of displacing pourable concrete into a region defined by the channel. 
     
     
         13 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , in which each channel extends into the cavity, the method including the step of casting the concrete block as a single block inside the cavity and the channel. 
     
     
         14 . The method as claimed in  claim 13 , which includes positioning reinforcing material in the channels for reinforcing the concrete that is cast into the channels. 
     
     
         15 . The method as claimed in  claim 13 , which includes connecting the formwork module to other adjacent formwork modules. 
     
     
         16 . The method as claimed in  claim 10 , in which a reinforcing mesh is positioned on the module prior to pouring the concrete.