soil shoring method

Abstract

A soil shoring method is provided wherein a pilot hole is drilled into the soil to a desired depth. A cutting tool is then used to cut an elongated trench or slot in the soil at the desired depth and in a desired configuration. During the drilling and cutting processes, a slurry is preferably provided into the hole and the slot to help support the walls of the hole and slot. After the cutting tool is removed from this slot, shoring plates are inserted into the slot. Then, soil on one side of the plates is excavated, without any cave-in risk.

1 . An improved soil excavation shoring method, comprising:
 drilling a vertical hole into the ground to a desired depth using a drilling machine having a drilling head; then   replacing the drilling head with a slot cutting tool on the drilling machine; then   moving the drilling machine along the surface of the ground to cut a slot in the soil with the desired depth; and then   removing the slot cutting tool from the ground; then   inserting shoring plates as needed into the slot; and then   excavating soil in front of the plates.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising supplying fluids into the hole and slot during the cutting step so as to form a slurry in the slot. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising supplying fluid into the hole during the drilling step. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the slot is cut in a continuous step without removing the cutting tool from the ground. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the cutting step forms a full length of the slot before the cutting tool is removed from the ground. 
     
     
         6 . A method of shoring soil before excavation, comprising:
 cutting a slot into the soil; and then   inserting shoring plates into the slot.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising supplying fluid to the slot during the cutting step. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising drilling a pilot hole into the soil before cutting the slot. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising exchanging a drill head with a slot cutting head between the hole drilling and slot cutting steps. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising supplying fluid into the hole during the drilling step. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the cutting and drilling steps are performed with different tools. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the slot is cut with a cutting tool in a continuous step without removing the cutting tool from the ground. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the cutting step forms a full length of the slot before the cutting tool is removed from the ground. 
     
     
         14 . A soil shoring and excavation method, comprising:
 cutting a trench in the soil; then   shoring the trench; and then   excavating soil from one side of the shoring.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising supplying a slurry to fill the trench while the trench is being cut. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising drilling a pilot hole in the soil before the trench is cut to define one end of the trench. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising supplying a slurry to fill the hole while the hole is drilled. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the trench is cut and shored without a person entering the trench. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the shoring is installed without hammering. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the trench is cut by inserting a cutting tool into a pilot hole in the soil and then moving the tool in a direction substantially parallel to the surface of the ground.