Method and apparatus for testing load-bearing capacity utilizing a ring cell

Abstract

An annular assembly, or ring cell, is provided for testing the load bearing capacity of piles. The ring cell walls of the annular assembly can be made of stamped material. The ring cell walls can be an outer ring wall and an inner ring wall. Alternately, the ring cell walls can have a “U”-type shape cross-section including an outer ring wall, an inner ring wall, and a top wall. Fluid can be provided to the annular assembly through fluid supply lines into an expansion zone. The expansion zone can be a space having a bladder for filling with fluid. In another embodiment, the expansion zone can be a space between a filler material capable of withstanding high pressure separated with a membrane. The pressure of the fluid in the expansion zone can be monitored during testing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of applying a load to a pile, comprising:
 locating a top portion below a first section of a pile, wherein the top section is attached to the first section of the pile;   locating a bottom portion proximate the top portion, wherein a separation zone is created such that injection of a pressurized fluid into the separation zone causes a force tending to push the top portion and the bottom portion apart and causes the top portion to push up on the first section of the pile, wherein at least a portion of the cross-section of the top portion and at least a portion of the cross-section of the bottom portion is open so as to allow the passage of materials from above the top portion to below the bottom portion, wherein if separation of the top portion and the bottom portion occurs, the top portion and bottom portion maintain relative lateral position during separation; and   injecting fluid into the separation zone in order to apply a load to the pile.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the bottom portion is located above a second section of the pile, wherein the bottom portion is attached to the second section of the pile. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the first section of the pile, the top portion, the bottom portion, and the second section of the pile act as a single pile. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein at least 20% of the cross-sectional area of the top portion and at least 20% of the cross-sectional area of the bottom portion are open. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein at least 40% of the cross-sectional area of the top portion and at least 40% of the cross-sectional area of the bottom portion are open. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein at least 60% of the cross-sectional area of the top portion and at least 60% of the cross-sectional area of the bottom portion are open. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressurized fluid is injected into a bladder in the separation zone. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the top portion is annular-shaped with a u-shaped cross-section, wherein the bottom portion is annular-shaped with a cross-section shape complementary to the u-shaped cross-section of the top portion. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the bottom portion comprises a bottom plate, wherein the bottom plate is attached to the second section of the pile. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining a load applied to the pile.   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the open portion of the cross-section of the top portion is located at a center of the cross-section of the top portion, wherein the open portion of the cross-section of the bottom portion is located at a center of the cross-section of the bottom portion. 
     
     
         12 . A method of providing a plurality of piles for bearing a working load, comprising:
 locating a plurality of piles in position in a strata for bearing a working load, wherein at least two of the piles incorporate a load cell, wherein each load cell comprises:   a top portion located below a first section of a pile; and   a bottom portion located proximate the top portion, wherein a separation zone is created such that injection of a pressurized fluid into the separation zone causes a force tending to push the top portion and the bottom portion apart, and causes the top portion to push up on the first section of the pile, wherein at least a portion of the cross-section of the top portion and the cross-section of the bottom portion is open so as to allow the passage of materials from above the top portion to below the bottom portion, wherein if separation of top portion and bottom portion occurs, the top portion and bottom portion maintain relative lateral position during separation;   applying a load to each load cell of the at least two piles incorporating load cells;   measuring an effect of the applied load on the at least two piles;   determining whether the plurality of piles meets at least one design criterion for bearing the working load, wherein the determination is made based on the applied load and the measured effect of the applied load on the at least two piles.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein one of the at least one design criterion is a factor of safety. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein load cells are incorporated into at least 10% of the plurality of piles. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein load cells are incorporated into at least 50% of the plurality of piles. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein load cells are incorporated into at least 80% of the plurality of piles. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein load cells are incorporated into at least 90% of the plurality of piles. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein load cells are incorporated into at least 100% of the plurality of piles. 
     
     
         19 . A load cell, comprising:
 a top portion; and   a bottom portion, located proximate the top portion, wherein a separation zone is created such that injection of a pressurized fluid into the separation zone causes a force tending to push the top portion and the bottom portion apart, wherein the top portion is adapted to attach to a first section of a pile positioned above the top portion such that when the top portion is attached to the first section of the pile and pressurized fluid is injected into the separation zone, the force tending to push the top portion and the bottom portion apart causes the top portion to push up on the first section of the pile, wherein at least a portion of the cross-section of the top portion and the cross-section of the bottom portion is open so as to allow the passage of materials from above the top portion to below the bottom portion, wherein if separation of top portion and bottom portion occurs, the top portion and bottom portion maintain relative lateral position during separation.   
     
     
         20 . The load cell according to  claim 19 , wherein the bottom portion is adapted to attach to a second section of the pile positioned below the bottom portion such that when the bottom portion is attached to the second section of the pile and pressurized fluid is injected into the separation zone, the force tending to push the top portion and the bottom portion apart causes the bottom portion to push down on the second section of the pile.