Apparatus and method for ground improvement

1. A device for ground improvement, comprising:

(a) a top plate having a first surface configured for having a driving device attached thereto to provide impact thereon;

(b) a plurality of vertically extending tines attached to a second surface of the top plate opposite the first surface of the top plate, and horizontally spaced from each other at upper lateral edges thereof, for being driven into a ground surface, wherein the tines have a length of at least three and a half (3.5) feet and comprise a length to spacing (L/S) ratio of greater than two (2), wherein length (L) is the length of the tines and spacing (S) is the spacing between the tines on a tine center-to-center basis; and

(c) the tines being shaped, spaced, and oriented relative to each other in a manner to achieve displacement of ground material downward and radially outward.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the tines comprise a length to spacing (L/S) ratio of approximately four (4).

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the tines are tapered to be narrower at an end away from the top plate than at the attachment to the second surface of the top plate, wherein the tines are tapered at an angle in the range of 0° to 5°.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the tines have a length in the range of 3.5-30 feet.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the tines are one selected from the group consisting of circular in cross-section and articulated in cross-section.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the tines are one selected from the group consisting of substantially flat at an end away from the top plate, substantially pointed at an end away from the top plate, and having a bulbous shape at an end away from the top plate.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the tines are made of material selected from the group consisting of ferrous material, steel, or composite material.

8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the tines are hollow.

9. The device of claim 8 , wherein the tines have openings at the ends away from the top plate and respective valves, or optionally sacrificial plates, at the openings for restricting entry of soil during advancement, and for allowing passage of flowable material outward during retraction.

10. The device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of tines comprises five tines horizontally spaced from each other, with four perimeter tines spaced about the periphery of the top plate and surrounding a centrally located tine, wherein the perimeter tines are oriented at 45° about their vertical axis relative to the centrally located tine.

11. The device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of tines comprises eleven tines horizontally spaced from each other, with eight perimeter tines spaced about the periphery of the top plate and surrounding three centrally located tines, wherein the perimeter tines are oriented at 45° about their vertical axis relative to the centrally located tines.

12. The device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of tines comprises eight tines horizontally spaced from each other, with six perimeter tines spaced about the periphery of the top plate and surrounding two centrally located tines, wherein the perimeter tines are oriented at 45° about their vertical axis relative to the centrally located tines.

13. A method for ground improvement, comprising:

(a) providing a device for ground improvement comprised of a top plate having a first surface configured for having a driving device attached thereto to provide impact thereon, and a plurality of vertically extending tines attached to a second surface of the top plate opposite the first surface of the top plate, and horizontally spaced from each other at upper lateral edges thereof, for being driven into a ground surface, wherein the tines have a length of at least three and a half (3.5) feet and comprise a length to spacing (L/S) ratio of greater than two (2), wherein length (L) is the length of the tines and spacing (S) is the spacing between the tines on a tine center-to-center basis, and the tines being shaped, spaced, and oriented relative to each other in a manner to achieve displacement of ground material downward and radially outward;

(b) advancing the device tines into the ground surface;

(c) retracting the tines from the ground surface; and

(d) repeating the advancing and retracting until a desired ground condition is achieved.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the advancing of the tines creates cavities at the location the tines are advanced, and further comprising adding backfill into the cavities and advancing and retracting the device repeatedly after the backfill has been added.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the tines are hollow and each have an opening at an end away from the surface plate, and further comprising adding the backfill through the tines and out the opening of each tine upon retraction thereof.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the tines have respective valves at the open ends, and comprising keeping the valves closed upon advancement of the device and opening the valves upon retraction, and adding the backfill through the tines.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the tines have respective sacrificial plates at the open ends, and comprising securing the sacrificial plates to the tines upon advancement of the device and allowing the sacrificial plates to separate from the tines upon retraction, and adding the backfill through the tines.

18. The method of claim 14 , wherein the backfill is one of or a combination of crushed stone, sand, aggregate, gravel, grout, concrete, lime, fly ash, waste materials, tire chips, recycled materials, and other flowable substances.

19. The method of claim 13 , wherein the tines comprise a length to spacing (L/S) ratio of approximately four (4).

20. The method of claim 13 , wherein the level of ground improvement achieved is measured through a monitoring of downward pressure during penetration for a determination of degree of densification.