Method of anchoring

Abstract

Cables are anchored in the ground by attaching one end of the cable to an intermediate portion of an elongated tubular member having a leading driving end with an internal abutment and a trailing end with an out turned lip on the side of the tubular member opposite the side on which the cable is attached. A driving tool inserted into the member drives into the earth in an upright position to a desired depth. The driving tool is removed from the member, the cable is tensioned to rotate the member in the earth about the lip into a position transversely of its driving position thereby forming a nonretractable anchor or support for the cable. Concrete slurry can fill the hole in the earth formed by driving the anchor into the ground with the cable surrounded by the slurry. A plug pressed into the hole compresses the slurry causing it to flow into crevices and pores in the earth surrounding the hole. The concrete may then be poured into the hold above the plug while the cable is held under tension and, after the concrete sets, a tensioned cable reinforced column of concrete cooperates with the anchor to provide a firmly secured cable. An entrance hole of larger diameter than the hole formed by driving the anchor into the earth but only extending to a depth less than the depth to which the anchor is driven can be swaged into the earth and will thus be surrounded by compacted earth. This entrance hole can be lined with a tube to keep the hole in an open condition during the driving of the anchor, the liner can then be withdrawn and the entrance hole filled with concrete which is pressed by a plug forming a concrete column interlocked with the earth and embedding the anchor and cable.