Soil nail/micropile comprising dissimilar bars connected with transition coupler

Abstract

A soil nail or micropile comprises a first steel bar having a first end, a second end and a non-threaded exterior surface, a second steel bar having a first end, a second end, and an exterior surface which is threaded at the second end, and a transition coupler joining the second end of the first steel bar to the first end of the second steel bar, whereby when installed in-ground, the first steel bar is located in the ground and the second threaded end of the second steel bar protrudes from a surface of the ground, such as for accepting a bearing plate and threaded nut.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A soil nail or micropile comprising:
 a first steel bar having a first end, a second end and a non-threaded exterior surface;   a second steel bar having a first end, a second end, and an exterior surface which is threaded at said second end; and   a transition coupler joining said second end of said first steel bar to said first end of said second steel bar;   whereby when installed in-ground, said first steel bar is located in the ground and said second threaded end of said second steel bar protrudes from a surface of said ground for accepting a threaded nut.   
     
     
         2 . The soil nail or micropile in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the first steel bar comprises rebar. 
     
     
         3 . The soil nail or micropile in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said exterior surface of said second steel bar is threaded from said first end to said second end. 
     
     
         4 . The soil nail or micropile in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein a length of said first steel bar exceeds a length of said second steel bar. 
     
     
         5 . The soil nail or micropile in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said transition coupler has a first aperture at a first end for accepting said second end of said first steel bar and a second aperture at a second end for accepting said first end of said second steel bar. 
     
     
         6 . The soil nail or micropile in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said first steel bar and said second steel bar are aligned in a longitudinal direction by said transition coupler. 
     
     
         7 . The soil nail or micropile in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a corrosion protection element located over at least a portion thereof. 
     
     
         8 . A method of utilizing a soil nail or micropile comprising:
 forming an aperture from a ground surface into the ground therebelow;   locating a soil nail or micropile comprising a first steel bar connected to a second steel bar with a transition coupler and having a first end and a second end, said second end bearing threads on an exterior surface thereof, so that said first end thereof, said first steel bar and said transition coupler are located in said aperture, and so that said second end thereof extends outwardly of said ground surface;   locating a bearing plate on said second end; and   threading a nut onto said threaded second end of said soil nail or micropile.   
     
     
         9 . The method in accordance with  claim 8 , further comprising locating grout in said aperture around said soil nail or micropile. 
     
     
         10 . The method in accordance with  claim 8 , further comprising locating a stabilizer around said second end of said soil nail or micropile. 
     
     
         11 . The method in accordance with  claim 8 , further comprising locating an optional corrosion protection element over at least a portion of said soil nail or micropile located in said aperture. 
     
     
         12 . The method in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein said first steel bar comprises rebar having an unthreaded exterior surface. 
     
     
         13 . The method in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein said first steel bar is longer than said second steel bar. 
     
     
         14 . The method in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein said aperture is generally vertically extending.