Alternative pile structures

Abstract

Piles and methods for installing them appear. An alternative pile has a lead section driven a depth below the soil surface, and then a reinforcing structure such as a rebar cage is placed above the lead section. Liquid grout is allowed to harden in contact with the reinforcing structure, thereby forming the pile. Reinforcing structure extending above the surface of the soil can tie in supported structure, such as pile caps, reinforced columns, and cmu columns, for example.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method for constructing a pile in soil, comprising:
 driving a lead section comprising a shaft having a flight of helical screws between a top end and a bottom end into the soil, thereby forming a hole in the soil about the lead section, wherein the lead section is joined to a driving section that applies force to the lead section;   optionally adding one or more extension sections between the lead section and the driving section, wherein the one or more extension sections are joined at a lower end to the lead section and are joined at an upper end to the driving section;   wherein the top end is a depth below a surface of the soil;   uncoupling the lead section from the driving section or, if present, from the lower end of the one or more extension sections;   removing the driving section and, if present, the one or more extension sections from the hole;   adding a reinforcing structure to the hole,   thereby forming the pile in the soil.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a bit is coupled in proximity to the lead section. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing structure is chosen from a rebar cage, a pipe, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the depth is greater than about 10 feet. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the depth is no greater than about 40 feet. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 adding liquid grout to the hole.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein at least some of the liquid grout is added during the driving the lead section. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein at least some of the liquid grout is added before the uncoupling the lead section. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein at least some of the liquid grout is added after the adding of the reinforcing structure. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the liquid grout completely surrounds the reinforcing structure below the surface of the soil. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bit remains in the hole after the uncoupling the lead section. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bit is removed from the hole before the adding the reinforcing structure. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more extension sections are added with at least one bolted splice. 
     
     
         14 . A pile in soil, comprising:
 a lead section disposed in the soil, comprising a flight of helical screws between a top end and a bottom end defining a shaft,   wherein the top end is a depth below a surface of the soil;   a reinforcing structure having a first end proximal to the top end of the lead section and a second end proximal to the surface of the soil; and   grout in contact with the reinforcing structure.   
     
     
         15 . The pile of  claim 14 , further comprising a bit proximal to the top end of the lead section. 
     
     
         16 . The pile of  claim 14 , wherein the depth is greater than about 10 feet. 
     
     
         17 . The pile of  claim 14 , wherein the depth is no greater than about 40 feet. 
     
     
         18 . The pile of  claim 14 , wherein the lead section has a length from the top end to the bottom end of at least about 2 feet. 
     
     
         19 . The pile of  claim 14 , wherein the lead section has a length from the top end to the bottom end of no more than about 30 feet. 
     
     
         20 . The pile of  claim 14 , wherein the second end of the reinforcing structure extends above the surface of the soil.