Methods and apparatus for foundation systems

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for supporting a slab on a surface material according to various aspects of the present invention operate in conjunction with coupling a vertical support to the slab and removing a portion of the surface material from below the slab to form a void. A supplemental support is placed in the void between the surface material and the slab. The vertical support is removed from the slab.

1 . An apparatus for supporting a foundation on soil, comprising:
 a vertical support coupled to the foundation;   a supplemental support abutting the foundation and the soil;   a patching material disposed within a hole formed in the foundation proximate the supplemental support,   wherein the supplemental support is disposed within a void between the foundation and the soil created by removal of the soil through the hole.   
   
   
       2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the vertical support is selectively coupled to the foundation and to the soil below the foundation. 
   
   
       3 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the vertical support comprises a helical pier. 
   
   
       4 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the vertical support comprises a vertically extendable support. 
   
   
       5 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a filler material between the foundation and the soil proximate the supplemental support, wherein the filler material is disposed within the void between the foundation and the soil created by removal of the soil through the hole. 
   
   
       6 . An apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the filler material comprises a compressible material. 
   
   
       7 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the void between the foundation and the soil is created by vacuum excavating the soil. 
   
   
       8 . A method for supporting a foundation on a surface material, comprising:
 coupling a vertical support to the slab;   removing a portion of the surface material from below the slab to form a void;   placing a supplemental support in the void between the surface material and the slab; and   removing the vertical support.   
   
   
       9 . A method according to claim  0 , further comprising:
 creating a hole in the slab; and   patching the hole in the slab with a patching material coupled to the slab, wherein removing the portion of the surface material from below the slab comprises removing the portion of the surface material through the hole.   
   
   
       10 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein removing the portion of the surface material from below the slab comprises vacuum excavating the portion of the surface material. 
   
   
       11 . A method according to claim  0 , further comprising lowering the slab until the slab contacts the supplemental support. 
   
   
       12 . A method according to claim  0 , further comprising disposing a filler material within the void. 
   
   
       13 . A method according to  claim 12 , wherein the tiller material comprises a compressible filter material. 
   
   
       14 . A method according to claim  0 , wherein the vertical support comprises a helical pier. 
   
   
       15 . A method according to claim  0 , wherein the vertical support comprises a vertically extendable support. 
   
   
       16 . A method for supporting a building slab on soil, comprising:
 attaching adjustable piers to the slab;   creating a hole in the slab;   removing a portion of the soil from below the slab through the hole to form a void;   placing a supplemental support on the soil in the void;   lowering the slab so that the slab rests upon the supplemental support;   patching the hole with a patching material; and   removing the piers.   
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the vertical support comprises a helical pier. 
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the vertical support comprises a vertically extendable support. 
   
   
       19 . A method according to  claim 16 , further comprising disposing a tiller material in the void. 
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein the filler material comprises a compressible material. 
   
   
       21 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein removing the portion of the soil comprises vacuum excavating the portion of the soil.