Segmented Ballast Base Support Structure and Rail and Trolley Structures for Unstable Ground

Abstract

Unstable ground is found in many situations in many locations around the world and causes such locations to be unsuitable for building without further support or stabilization. Unstable ground, such as landfills, can be used for beneficial purposes as opposed to lying dormant. A segmented ballast base support structure according to an embodiment of the present invention can be configured to support free-standing structures, such as solar power collection systems and wind turbines. The segmented ballast base support structure can be deployed at unstable ground sites without digging or expensive filling stabilization techniques. Segments of the base support structure can be precast at an offsite location and transported to a site in segments and sections, and can then be arranged on-site to form the segmented base support structure. The transportability of the segments of the disclosed segmented base support structure enables offsite manufacturing to be utilized.

1 - 53 . (canceled) 
     
     
         54 . An apparatus for supporting a free-standing superstructure, the apparatus comprising:
 segments of a base support structure including interconnection features, adjacent segments of the base support structure each forming a respective male or female interconnection feature, the male and female interconnection features arranged to mate together; and   linkages configured to couple to the male and female interconnection features in a manner interconnecting the adjacent segments to be in an interconnected state, the segments in the interconnected state being configured to collectively serve as the base support structure to support the free-standing superstructure on an unstable ground, wherein the segments are rail structures configured to enable an adjustable trolley structure to be coupled thereto, wherein the trolley structure is configured to support the superstructure or a superstructure element.   
     
     
         55 . The apparatus of  claim 54  wherein the segments have defined top and bottom surfaces and further comprising a ground treatment including a layer of pliable material spanning the bottom surfaces of the segments. 
     
     
         56 . The apparatus of  claim 55  wherein the ground treatment includes a bottom layer and at least one upper layer, the bottom layer being the layer of pliable material and the at least one upper layer being adaptable to track topological state changes of the bottom layer due to topological state changes of the unstable ground beneath the bottom layer while maintaining sufficient integrity to serve as a platform upon which the base support structure continuously supports the free-standing superstructure in a stable orientation across the topological state changes of the unstable ground. 
     
     
         57 . The apparatus of  claim 56  wherein the segments include multiple grips protruding from the bottom surface configured to interact with the at least one upper layer of the ground treatment in a manner enabling the segments to resist lateral movement. 
     
     
         58 . The apparatus of  claim 55  wherein the pliable material is liquid permeable. 
     
     
         59 . The apparatus of  claim 55  wherein the pliable material has a tensile strength able to withstand movement of first and second segments relative to each other over a predetermined range. 
     
     
         60 . The apparatus of  claim 54  wherein the base support structure is further configured to support the free-standing superstructure in a substantially stable orientation during occurrences of extreme natural forces acting upon the superstructure, the extreme natural forces including high wind, earthquake, and blizzard conditions. 
     
     
         61 . The apparatus of  claim 54  wherein the segments are configured to change orientation relative to other segments as a function of the linkages and interconnection features. 
     
     
         62 . The apparatus of  claim 61  wherein forces transmitted into a first subset of the segments by the free-standing superstructure are transmitted into a second subset of the segments at a reduced level as a function of the linkages and interconnection features. 
     
     
         63 . The apparatus of  claim 54  wherein a first subset of segments are enclosed by a second subset of segments. 
     
     
         64 . The apparatus of  claim 63  wherein the first and second subsets of segments are circular. 
     
     
         65 . The apparatus of  claim 63  wherein the first and second subsets of segments are non-circular. 
     
     
         66 . The apparatus of  claim 54  wherein multiple segment elements compose each of the segments and wherein the linkages are configured to couple adjacent segment elements of the same size to each other and adjacent segment elements of different sizes to each other. 
     
     
         67 . The apparatus of  claim 66  wherein the multiple segment elements composing the segments of the same size are interchangeable. 
     
     
         68 . The apparatus of  claim 66  wherein the multiple segment elements are each configured to be separable from and reattachable to corresponding segment elements of the base support structure. 
     
     
         69 . The apparatus of  claim 54  wherein a first subset of the segments are not enclosed by a second subset of the segments, and vice-versa. 
     
     
         70 . The apparatus of  claim 54  further comprising an upper tier of segments, wherein the segments of the base support structure are a base tier of segments configured to support the upper tier of segments, the upper tier of segments being configured to reside between the base support structure and the free-standing superstructure, wherein segments of the upper tier of segments are coupled to the base support structure via inter-tier linkages and configured to support coupling of the free-standing superstructure to the upper tier of segments. 
     
     
         71 . The apparatus of  claim 54  wherein the segments of the base support structure are cementitious. 
     
     
         72 . The apparatus of  claim 54  wherein the interconnection features include at least one of the following: chamfers, sockets, cylinders, and interconnected locks.