Abstract: A self-sinking-type deep foundation pit retaining wall structure, comprising a cylindrical retaining wall body (1); a ground breaking structure (2) is formed at the bottom of the cylindrical retaining wall body (1), and the cylindrical retaining wall body (1) is suitable for achieving downward ground breaking and sinking by means of the cooperation of the ground breaking structure (2) and the gravity of the cylindrical retaining wall body; and a water pipe (20) running through the cylindrical retaining wall body is cast in the cylindrical retaining wall body (1), and the water pipe (20) is provided with a water outlet (80) located at the lower end face of the cylindrical retaining wall body (1) and a water inlet (81) located at the upper end face of the cylindrical retaining wall body (1).

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for containing granular elements, comprising a metal mesh panel having metal wires welded together, the panel comprising at least one curvature of a first orientation and at least one curvature of a second orientation, the first orientation being characterized by a first axis and the second orientation being characterized by a second axis, the first axis and the second axis being non-collinear.

Abstract: A method for selective solution mining mineral recovery may include heating a wellfield injection brine to a temperature from about 100° C. to about 250° C.; injecting the heated wellfield injection brine into an underground wellfield to dissolve soluble minerals therein, creating a hot brine solution; removing the hot brine solution from the underground wellfield; and recovering the soluble minerals from the hot brine solution by cooling the hot brine solution to a temperature of from about ?10° C. to about 5° C. and causing the soluble minerals to precipitate recovered minerals in a solid form.

Abstract: Disclosed is a crest element in an armor layer assembly of a breakwater. The crest element includes: a central part; two wings extending from the central part in opposing directions along, when placed on a breakwater, the length direction of the breakwater; and a nose extending from the central part in a forward direction transverse to the length direction of the breakwater. The backside of the central part is a vertically oriented, back face facing in a backward direction opposite to the forward direction. The crest element may in particular be used as crest element for armor layers including armor elements of the type having a central part from which: two wings extend in opposing directions, and a tail and nose extend in opposing directions transverse to the direction of extension of the wings. Also disclosed is an armor layer, a breakwater and methods using the crest elements.

Abstract: An assembled subway station and a construction method thereof are provided. The assembled subway station includes a plurality of components combined in a ring shape, comprising a bottom plate component, two bottom corner components, two side wall components, a middle plate component, two top corner components, and a top plate component. Connection surfaces of each component are each provided with a concave-convex structure being matched with another concave-convex structure on a relevant connection surface of an adjacent component. Butt joint positions of two adjacent components are filled with sealing structures. The embedded grooves of two adjacent components are oppositely arranged, and connecting members for exerting opposite fastening forces on the two adjacent components are installed in the oppositely arranged embedded grooves.

Abstract: A method of feeding a contaminated soil to a remediation apparatus to generate a clean soil and mixing the contaminated soil with an aqueous cleaning solution to generate a soil solution. The method also includes subjecting the soil solution to vortical flow in a first direction and subjecting the soil solution to vortical flow in a second direction in an opposite lateral direction from the first direction. The clean soil can then be separated from a dirty aqueous solution. A remediation apparatus used to clean the contaminated soil that includes a chamber having a soil inlet for receiving a contaminated soil and a soil outlet. The chamber is angled downward from the soil inlet to the soil outlet to facilitate the flow of the soil solution through the chamber.

Abstract: The invention provides an electric drill including a bracket with a handle, a drill rod, a motor assembly, and a switch assembly. The switch assembly includes a first micro switch configured to activate or deactivate the motor assembly, a switch pivotably mounted on the handle through a pivot and cooperating with the first micro switch, and a self-locking button engaged with the switch and configured as: when the self-locking button is in a first state, the self-locking button abuts against the switch to prevent the switch from rotating around the pivot; when the self-locking button is in a second state, the self-locking button is disengaged with the switch, and the switch can rotate around the pivot.

Abstract: A control gate adapted to be installed across a channel for liquids. The control gate includes a barrier member with a side member that has a circular arcuate section, the barrier member being pivotally mounted at or adjacent to the base of the channel; and a drive for raising and lowering the barrier member. The drive includes a cable, motor and first and second pulleys. The first pulley is coupled to the motor, the cable is secured to opposite first and second ends of the arcuate section, with the second pulley being adjacent to the arcuate section. The cable passes along the arcuate section from the one end to pass under the second pulley in contact therewith, is looped around the first pulley, above the second pulley, then passes under the second pulley and is secured to the second end of the arcuate section.

Abstract: A method of transporting non-volatile bituminous materials from a first location to a second location involves carrying a plurality of irregular bricks formed by the bituminous material in transport chambers carried by vehicles. Bricks are defined by a plurality of non-planar surface, which create gaps between adjacent bricks, and can further include polymer skeletons and other features that help them float. The bricks can travel by land, sea, air, or rail and need not be heated while in transit. Transport chambers have active or preferably passive environmental control systems to circulate cooling air, water, or other substances through the transport chamber and the gaps between adjacent bricks. In a preferred embodiment, ambient air circulates among the bricks during travel by land and ambient water circulates among the bricks during marine travel. The vehicles carrying the transport chambers can be low-emissions or zero-emission vehicles including fuel-cell powered trains and ships.

Abstract: A method and system for evaluating the interior surface and exterior wall conditions of a pipeline while also dynamically installing a repair coating in a pipeline, such as an underground water pipeline. The system is towed into the pipeline and drawn back therethrough. As the system is drawn back, one module in the system evaluates the surface condition of the interior of the pipe and another module evaluates the structural condition of the wall of the pipe. Based on the evaluation data obtained from the two modules an epoxy material is applied to the interior surface of the pipe using a spin cast machine that is drawn behind the two modules. Preferably, a layer of epoxy is applied to the interior surface of the host pipe to the appropriate thickness based on the pipe condition as determined by the two modules.

Abstract: The invention is embodied in a construction quality control tool that allows owners and contractors to meet design plans and specifications. It saves time and costs to both parties' budgets by easily measuring pipe grading while eliminating need for surveyors on site and quickly transmitting print data in real time for third-party inspectors to prepare as-built plans. Most importantly, it ensures pipes are installed safely and accurately to prevent construction issues in the future. The preferred embodiment of the invention comprises two devices: (1) a pipe setter and (2) a remote processing and recording unit. The pipe setter is mounted inside the new pipe to be installed. The pipe setter helps the pipe installer reliably and accurately install pipe that matches the line and grade (fixed x, y z) per design plan. The remote processing and recording unit enables the construction superintendent and the third-party inspector monitoring the pipe installation in real time.

Abstract: A retaining wall system, retaining wall panel, and method of constructing a retaining wall, wherein panels of the retaining wall define an arched or curved profile in plan view, for example following a catenary curvature, with the wall panel curvature being concave in a direction extending into the backfill area behind the retaining wall. The curvature resists backfill loading on the panel and evenly distributes the load across the panel without significant stress concentrations and transfers the load to posts or columns to which the panels are mounted.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a device for preventing frost heaving and thawing settlement. The device includes a positioning cylinder, an upper cover, an anti-thawing settlement rod configured to prevent the thawing settlement, and an anti-frost heaving rod configured to prevent the frost heaving. The upper cover is sealingly assembled on a top of the positioning cylinder. A bottom of the positioning cylinder is provided with the anti-frost heaving rod. An upper portion of the positioning cylinder is provided with the anti-thawing settlement rod. The anti-frost heaving rod is provided upwards, and a bottom of the anti-frost heaving rod is rotatably provided on a mounting base of the anti-frost heaving rod through a first connecting screw rod. The anti-thawing settlement rod is provided downwards, and a top of the anti-thawing settlement rod is rotatably provided on a mounting base of the anti-thawing settlement rod through a second connecting screw rod.

Abstract: A connection device for fastening two expanded cellular confinement structures includes: an insertion member; an integral shank extending perpendicular from the insertion member; and an integral handle member extending perpendicular from the shank at an end of the shank remote from the insertion member. One or more barbs may project from the insertion member. The device can have a washer section between the handle member and insertion member. The handle can be curved, or it can be in the shape of a polygon.

Abstract: An assembly for shoring temporary surface excavations includes a base unit and a first extension unit. The base unit includes features for allowing the assembly to be jacked out of the excavation when hoisting becomes impossible of impractical. The shoring structure may also be jacked into an unstable excavation from above.

Abstract: A barrier member for an oil spill barrier configured for retaining one or more weights when assembled or combined with a second barrier member to form a barrier unit. A first barrier member has a first side for facing away from the second barrier member and a second side opposite the first side for facing towards the second barrier member in the barrier unit, the second side includes a substantially planar area for abutment to the second barrier member. The second side has at least one recessed region for receiving the one or more weights, the recessed region being recessed from the second side in a direction towards the first side relative to a plane of the substantially planar area. The second side has first and second elongate half-channels disposed to opposing sides of the at least one recessed region.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tunnel lining segment of reinforced concrete, wherein the tunnel lining segment has a load transfer area for a longitudinal joint, with at least one steel bar with an end face being installed in the tunnel lining segment, the steel bar being arranged in the tunnel lining segment in such a way that a tangent to a centroidal axis of the steel bar encloses an angle of between 0° and 45° in the end face with a normal to the load transfer area, and wherein the end face is arranged at a distance (a) from the load transfer area which is between 0 mm and 50 mm, preferably between 0 mm and 10 mm.

Abstract: A well insert for insertion into a foundation of a well is provided. The insert comprises a channel therethrough for the well; and the well insert is arranged so that when the well insert is inserted into the foundation of the well, the channel of the insert can be adjusted relative to vertical. A well assembly comprising the well insert and a well foundation is also provided as is a method of inserting a well insert and a method of controlling the orientation of a well using a well insert.

Abstract: A rectanguloid shape six-walled thermoplastic box for receiving and dispersing stormwater, when part of an array of like boxes that is buried in media, has interior bracing in the form of an irregular polyhedron structure comprised of up to six hollow pyramids. The truncated apexes of the pyramids meet near the center of the box. The base of each hollow pyramid is contact with, attached to, or integral with a wall at the location of an opening within which is a grate. A box may be injection molded as a single piece molding with living hinges. Alternatively, the pyramidal polyhedron structure may be formed as a separate element and placed within the walls of a box.

Abstract: A laying tower for laying pipelines on the bed of a body of water has a supporting structure extending along a longitudinal axis and provided with guides parallel to the longitudinal axis; a first clamp, which is mounted on the supporting structure and configured for selectively clamping and releasing the pipeline in a given point along the longitudinal axis; and a second clamp, which is selectively movable along a path, which extends along a first section above the first clamp; and a second section below the first clamp and, partly, below the supporting structure and configured for selectively clamping and releasing the pipeline along the path.