Pile System

Abstract

A pile system comprises a base assembly ( 10 ) adapted to be mounted on a ground surface and a first pile ( 50 ) adapted to be extended through the base assembly ( 10 ) and into the ground. The system includes a drilling assembly comprising a drill bit unit ( 54 ) secured relative to a lower region of the first pile ( 50 ) to drill a hole to accommodate the first pile ( 50 ) therein. The base assembly ( 10 ) is adapted to engage the first pile ( 50 ) to prevent rotation thereof. In one arrangement the system comprises a second pile ( 80 ) with associated drilling unit ( 82 ) configured to extend through the first pile ( 50 ).

1 - 44 . (canceled) 
     
     
         45 . A pile system comprising:
 a base assembly adapted to be mounted on a ground surface;   a first pile adapted to be extended through the base assembly and into the ground; and   a drilling assembly comprising a drill bit unit secured relative to a lower region of the first pile to drill a hole to accommodate the first pile therein,   wherein the base assembly is adapted to engage the first pile to prevent rotation thereof.   
     
     
         46 . The pile system according to  claim 45 , wherein the first pile is adapted to be secured to a spoolable medium for at least one of supporting, lowering and raising said first pile. 
     
     
         47 . The pile system according to  claim 45 , wherein the base assembly comprises a pile passage adapted to receive the first pile to extend therethrough and into the ground. 
     
     
         48 . The pile system according to  claim 45 , wherein the first pile is adapted to engage the base assembly via interengaging profiles to prevent relative rotation of the first pile and base assembly. 
     
     
         49 . The pile system according to  claim 45 , wherein the first pile and base assembly are adapted to indirectly engage. 
     
     
         50 . The pile system according to  claim 45 , further comprising a sleeve adapted to be interposed between the first pile and the base assembly. 
     
     
         51 . The pile system according to  claim 50 , the sleeve comprises an inner profile adapted to engage an outer profile formed on the first pile, and an outer profile adapted to engage an inner profile formed on the base assembly. 
     
     
         52 . The pile system according to  claim 50 , wherein the sleeve is configured to be received within the pile passage of the base assembly. 
     
     
         53 . The pile system according to  claim 45 , wherein at least a portion of the drill bit unit is releasably secured to the first pile. 
     
     
         54 . The pile system according to  claim 45 , wherein the drill bit unit comprises a drill bit expandable such that said drill bit may be configured between a first diameter and a larger second diameter, wherein the first diameter is equal to or less than an inner diameter of the first pile, and the second diameter is equal to or greater than an outer diameter of the first pile. 
     
     
         55 . The pile system according to  claim 45 , wherein the drill bit is configured to define a third diameter greater then the second diameter. 
     
     
         56 . The pile system according to  claim 45 , wherein the drill bit unit comprises at least one underreamer arrangement. 
     
     
         57 . The pile system according to  claim 45 , wherein the base assembly is adapted to be secured to the ground surface to secure the base against rotation. 
     
     
         58 . The pile system according to  claim 45 , wherein the base assembly comprises at least one ground engaging element adapted to pierce the surface of the ground to secure the base assembly against rotation. 
     
     
         59 . The pile system according to  claim 45 , further comprising an outer pile adapted to be inserted within the ground, wherein the system is arranged such that the first pile is inserted through the outer pile. 
     
     
         60 . The pile system according to  claim 59 , wherein the outer pile is inserted in the ground by a jetting arrangement. 
     
     
         61 . The pile system according to  claim 59 , wherein the outer pile may be shorter than the first pile, such that the outer pile may be located in the ground to a desired depth, and the first pile be drilled and located in the ground to a greater depth. 
     
     
         62 . The pile system according to  claim 45 , further comprising a second pile adapted to be inserted within the ground and to extend through the first pile. 
     
     
         63 . The pile system according to  claim 62 , wherein the second pile comprises a drilling assembly having a drill bit unit secured relative to a lower end of the second pile. 
     
     
         64 . The pile system according to  claim 62 , wherein the second pile is arranged to engage with the base assembly to prevent rotation of the second pile. 
     
     
         65 . The pile system according to  claim 62 , wherein the first pile is shorter than the second pile, such that the first pile may be located in the ground to a desired depth, and the second pile located in the ground to a greater depth. 
     
     
         66 . A method of installing a pile system comprising:
 mounting a base assembly on a ground surface;   lowering a first pile through the base assembly;   drilling a hole in the ground with a drill bit unit secured relative to an end of the first pile while simultaneously inserting the first pile within the drilled hole; and   engaging the first pile with the base assembly to prevent rotation of the first pile.   
     
     
         67 . The method according to  claim 66 , comprising inserting an outer pile within the ground, and locating the first pile through and within the outer pile. 
     
     
         68 . The method according to  claim 66 , comprising grouting the first pile within the ground. 
     
     
         69 . The method according to  claim 66 , comprising inserting a second pile within the ground through the first pile. 
     
     
         70 . A pile system comprising:
 a first pile to be inserted within the ground; and   a drilling assembly comprising a drill bit unit secured relative to a lower region of the first pile to form a drilled hole to accommodate the first pile;   wherein the first pile is adapted to be lowered into the ground on a spoolable medium.