Abstract: A scratch tester has at least one cutter that moves simultaneously both rotationally and axially relative to the rock it is cutting. When rotational and axial movements are constant, the cutter generates a helical groove in the rock. In borehole embodiments, the scratch tester is fixed at a desired location using centralizers, and the cutter is provided on a motorized platform/track that translates between the centralizers and rotates around a central axis. The cutter faces outward and extends via a cutter arm to engage and carve a helical groove in the borehole wall. A laboratory scratch tester includes a holder for a solid cylindrical core sample and a motorized translating frame on which a cutter extends. The cutter is directed toward the core sample, and the holder with the core sample is rotated by a motor so that as the cutter translates relative thereto, a helical groove is cut thereinto.

Abstract: A device and a method for testing a compression amount of a pile body of a rock-socketed cast-in-place pile is provided. The testing device includes open flexible pipes which are correspondingly bound with two main reinforcements in the pile body of the rock-socketed cast-in-place pile, and lengths of the open flexible pipes are the same as those of the bound main reinforcements. One end of each of the two open flexible pipes is located at a bottom end of a corresponding main reinforcement and fixedly connected with a first sealing sheet, and other ends of the two open flexible pipes are located at a top portion of the rock-socketed cast-in-place pile and fixedly connected with second sealing sheets. A closed rigid pipe is located in the open flexible pipe, and pipe bodies of the closed rigid pipe and the open flexible pipe are not in contact.

Abstract: Disclosed is a monitoring method wherein: a target is prepared using terrain model data including terrain location information; at a first time, an image of the target is picked up by means of an image pickup unit of a surveying device, and first image data is generated; at a second time after the first time, an image of the target is picked by means of the image pickup unit of the surveying device, and second image data is generated; and displacement of the target is detected using a first image based on the first image data, and a second image based on the second image data.

Abstract: An anchor for an anchoring with, for example, a synthetic resin mortar in an anchoring hole in an anchoring substrate made, for example, of stone, concrete or masonry. In order that a displacement of the anchor in the direction of a mouth of the hole and, as a result, potential failure of the anchoring can be ascertained at an early stage, a cap as position sensor holder having an electrical counter-contact, which cap is mounted on the anchor. If the anchor becomes displaced, the counter-contact moves out of contact with the anchor, with the result that the displacement can be ascertained.

Abstract: A borehole shear test apparatus of the present disclosure includes a main casing, a horizontal loading module and shear plates, and performs both a borehole shear test and a borehole jack test by calculating and measuring horizontal displacement produced at a borehole wall when pressed by the shear plates, and at the same time, measuring a vertical load applied when a wedge element moves down.

Abstract: A high-efficiency pre-drilling pressure meter test apparatus for deep rock mass includes a rigid drill pipe, a probe, a pressurizing device and a signal processing device. The rigid drill pipe, comprising a top end and a tail end opposite to the top end, receives a fluid medium. The probe is connected with the tail end of the rigid drill pipe and communicates with the rigid drill pipe. The probe includes a measuring chamber. The fluid medium flows from the rigid drill pipe to the measuring chamber. The pressurizing device is connected to the top end of the rigid drill pipe and applies pressure to the fluid medium. The signal processing device is electrically connected with the probe to detect deformation of the measuring chamber with the change of the pressure and volume of the fluid medium in the pressurizing device.

Abstract: A shear box for testing cyclic shear characteristics of a rock mass discontinuity includes: an upper shear box including an upper semi-open cavity composed of an upper left side plate, an upper right side plate, an upper front side plate, an upper rear side plate and an upper top plate; and a lower shear box including a lower semi-open cavity composed of a lower left side plate, a lower right side plate, a lower front side plate, a lower rear side plate and a lower bottom plate; the upper shear box includes at least one first adjusting device for adjusting a space size of the upper semi-open cavity; the lower shear box includes at least one second adjusting device for adjusting a space size of the lower semi-open cavity; and the upper shear box and the lower shear box are placed opposite to each other.

Abstract: The embankment monitoring system comprises an optic sensor chain (10) and an interrogator (20). The optic sensor chain (10) comprises a series of intrinsic fiber optic sensors (12) that are mutually spaced with respect to each other in a longitudinal direction of the optic sensor chain and at least one optic fiber (14) to optically connect the plurality of intrinsic fiber optic sensors to the interrogator. The interrogator is configured to issue an optic interrogation signal and the intrinsic fiber optic sensors are configured to respond to the optic interrogation signal with an optic measurement signal that is indicative for at least one physical parameter (P1) sensed by the intrinsic fiber optic sensors. The interrogator is further configured to process the optic measurement signals of the intrinsic fiber optic sensors to estimate a depth (d) as a function of a position (p) along said optic sensor chain (10).

Abstract: A whole-process simulation experiment system has: a visualized model system with test samples and serving as a bearing device for the simulation of whole-process seepage of filling-type karst; a controllable support system supporting a visualized model box and controlling fluid seepage direction in the box by changing its inclination angle; a servo loading system controlling water pressure in the test process and providing four different loading modes for the box; a high-speed camera system recording water flow and particle motion in a transparent seepage model box in the seepage failure process; a comprehensive data measuring system monitoring and recording the change rules of factors including but not limited to seepage pressure, seepage amount and sand gushing amount in the seepage failure process; and an information analysis and feedback system recording and analyzing the seepage process and the whole seepage failure process in real time to achieve data processing and feedback.

Abstract: A tunnel boring machine includes: a cutter head; a cutter support; a cutter driving unit; a rotational position sensing unit; a strain sensor; and a data processing unit configured to calculate a force acting on the cutter head in association with the position of the cutter head in the rotational direction, based on sensing results of the strain sensor and the rotational position sensing unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for measuring a suspension in a drilling fluid and a thickness of slime at the bottom of a pile borehole, the device including: a data cable 300 insertable into the pile borehole; a slime-meter probe 200 connected to one end of the data cable 300 in such a manner as to be descended to the interior of the pile borehole by the own weight thereof to measure the thickness of the slime at the bottom of the pile borehole; and a slime-meter outer part 100 mounted on the outside of the slime-meter probe 200 in such a manner as to be movable relatively to the slime-meter probe 200 when reaches the bottom of the pile borehole.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for evaluation of an earth formation including evaluating a core sample obtained from the formation. Methods include using a change in measurements of at least one stress parameter of the core sample, such as radial strain, axial stress, and acoustic emission counts, over time responsive to an applied stress to estimate imminent rock failure in the core sample. This may include estimating the imminent rock failure using differences between portions of a curve generated based on the measurements. A method employing calculating a rate of change between a plurality of measurements of at least one stress parameter of the core sample over time responsive to an applied stress; and determining a point of imminent failure using the rate of change in the plurality of measurements of the at least one stress parameter is also included.

Abstract: A multipoint coal and rock mass stress real-time monitoring device is provided. The device is composed of a plurality of capsule pressure sensors (1), connection rods (2), three-way valves (3), a multichannel monitor (4), a multichannel control valve (5), first high-pressure oil pipes (6), second high-pressure oil pipes (7), third high-pressure oil pipes (8), a four high-pressure oil pipe (9), a high-pressure oil pump (10) and monitoring substations (11). A multipoint coal and rock mass stress real-time monitoring method is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shear test device and test method of rock mass discontinuities under constant normal stiffness condition. The device includes: a base used for placing a test piece; a loading framework fixedly connected with the base; a shear loading system used for applying a shear force to the test piece; a normal loading system used for applying a normal pressure to the test piece; a normal displacement monitoring system used for measuring the magnitude of normal displacement of the test piece in real time; and a computer control system used for receiving the data of the normal displacement of the test piece in real time, and constantly adjusting the normal pressure applied by the normal loading system to the test piece according to the principle that the normal stiffness of the test piece is unchanged.

Abstract: Systems and methods for testing an impact response of a material and/or structure to one or more impacts of known magnitude. The systems and methods include a portable impactor device for imparting an impact force on a surface of an engineered structure, wherein the portable impactor device has an adjustable orientation such that an impact may be delivered as an angle ranging from +90° to ?90° relative to a horizontal plane. Additionally, the portable impactor device described may be utilized to test an impact response of one or more surface areas of a full-scale prototype structure.

Abstract: An integrated mobile test system and methods for characterizing in situ stress or strain/deflection—dependent stiffness and bearing capacity enables the testing of engineering properties of natural, compacted, stabilized, and reinforced soils and geo-materials. The mobile test system and associated methods (1) prepare the ground for testing and (2) apply static or cyclic loading to one or more bearing plates of various geometries positioned at the ground surface or below the ground surface to determine both stress and deflection dependent stiffness relationships and the bearing capacity of the soil or geo-material. Optionally, the mobile test system and associated methods (3) apply ground confining stress conditions independent of the bearing plate loading.

Abstract: A stress and strain sensing device capable of continuously sensing stress received from bedrock and strain of the bedrock over a long period of time is provided. A stress and strain sensing device has a pillar-shaped case to be buried and installed in bedrock, a pressure receiving member that has two pressure receiving surfaces for sensing stress received from the bedrock and strain of the bedrock, wherein the two pressure receiving surfaces are both arranged on a common axis orthogonal to an axial direction of the case such that the two pressure receiving surfaces are exposed to an outside through an outer peripheral wall of the case and wherein the two pressure receiving surfaces are not connected with the case mechanically, and a displacement sensor that senses the stress received from the bedrock and the strain of the bedrock based on a displacement amount between the two pressure receiving surfaces.

Abstract: A mobile anchor tester for testing an earth anchor or a deadman or any other suitable assembly. A mobile system is provided for testing in-ground anchors, the system including a mobile platform, such as a trailer or the bed of a pickup truck having a horizontal support surface spaced above the ground. A pair of adjustable leg assemblies are provided engaging the rear end of the mobile anchor tester. The legs are adjustable, typically having hydraulic cylinders engaged therewith. The adjustable leg assemblies will extend from the back or rear end of the mobile platform to the ground. An anchor testing assembly engaged with the horizontal support surface on the mobile platform has a cable at the removed end thereof. The cable includes a hook to engage the in-ground anchor.

Abstract: A method for measuring pore pressure is provided using a rigid piezometer that does not need a filter and can be used to measure pore-water pressures in partially frozen soils. This method also can be used to measure pore pressure in a porous media when the hydraulic conductivity of the porous media is low or there is limited amount of pore-fluid available to transfer the pressures. A piezometer is also provided, including: a tube for hydraulic fluid; first and second valves to control fluid flow in the tube and into a porous medium; and a fitting wherein a pressure sensor is positioned to measure fluid pressure in the hydraulic fluid in the tube and a hydraulic fluid droplet ejected from an end of the tube into the porous medium; and an interface of the hydraulic fluid with the pore-fluid within the porous medium, using the droplet placed into the porous medium. The tube (or part of the tube), valves, fittings, and pressure sensor may be enclosed in a housing.

Abstract: To easily change internal pressure of a container according to a change in external pressure. In a strain gauge device 100, a piston 54 attached to a tubular opening portion 53A provided at a housing part 53 slides in response to external pressure. Thereby varying the volumes of a regulator oil containing region 52 and a sensitive region 15 so as to achieve a balance with the external pressure, to change the internal pressure. Then, in the above-described strain gauge device, because the internal pressures of the regulator oil containing region 52 and the sensitive region 15 are changed according to a change in external pressure only by sliding of the piston 54, it is possible to easily perform regulation of the internal pressure. Further, because the above-described pressure balance mechanism 51 is achieved with a simple configuration, it is possible to easily perform regulation of the external pressure and the internal pressure even in a high-temperature/high-pressure environment.

Abstract: A wireless node for monitoring landslide conditions has at least one tubular probe body deployed in a borehole in a landslide prone area and anchored to rock below soil, multiple sensors carried by and deployed within and or outside of the tubular probe body for measuring geologic motion, hydrologic saturation and pressure at three or more levels of soil above the rock, a data acquisition board in communication with the sensors carried by and or deployed within or outside of the probe body, and a wireless transceiver in communication with the data acquisition board and accessible to a local area wireless network (LAWN). Geologic and hydrologic data of layers of soil above the anchor rock is from the sensors deployed on or near the probe body, the data qualified against threshold readings to provide graduating levels of alerts culminating in a warning of a landslide.

Abstract: A passive electromagnetic wave reflector for measuring, from a satellite, local strain in a structure located on the Earth's surface, characterized in that it comprises a substantially vertical, relative to the Earth's surface, planar element, the planar element having a rectilinear side making contact with the structure the strain of which is to be measured, said element being aligned with the axis of the Earth's poles, and, fixed to the planar element, a mechanical structure having a first part located on a first side of the planar element and a second part located on a second side of the planar element, opposite the first side, the mechanical structure forming a rectilinear edge that, in combination with the rectilinear side of the planar element, forms a means for holding in position the reflector on the structure the strain of which is to be measured.

Abstract: A stress and strain sensing device capable of continuously sensing stress received from bedrock and strain of the bedrock over a long period of time is provided. A stress and strain sensing device has a pillar-shaped case to be buried and installed in bedrock, a pressure receiving member that has two pressure receiving surfaces for sensing stress received from the bedrock and strain of the bedrock, wherein the two pressure receiving surfaces are both arranged on a common axis orthogonal to an axial direction of the case such that the two pressure receiving surfaces are exposed to an outside through an outer peripheral wall of the case and wherein the two pressure receiving surfaces are not connected with the case mechanically, and a displacement sensor that senses the stress received from the bedrock and the strain of the bedrock based on a displacement amount between the two pressure receiving surfaces.

Abstract: A pseudo rock includes a housing, a strain sensor, a three-axis acceleration sensor, a vibration generator and a controller. The housing has an average shape and size of rocks. The strain sensor detects a stress acting in positive and negative directions of each axis with respect to three-dimensional coordinates using the center of the housing as the origin. The three-axis acceleration sensor detects acceleration acting in each axis of the three-dimensional coordinates. The vibration generator produces vibration in a specific direction with respect to the three-dimensional coordinates. The controller converts respective detected values of the strain sensor and the three-axis acceleration sensor into vibration pulses of specific patterns and outputting the vibration pulses to the vibration generator.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to methods and apparatuses for estimating a response relating to a formation by stressing a wall of a borehole during either wireline or while drilling deployment. The response may be estimated by stressing the wall of a borehole formed in the formation; and estimating a response of the borehole wall to the stress. The response may be estimated using a force module configured to induce the stress around borehole and a tool configured to estimate the response of the borehole wall to the stress.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for evaluating mechanical properties of geo-materials. The apparatus having a first platen and second platen defining a test specimen receiving space there between, a shaft having one end contacting one of the platens, and a rotatable a rotatable cam having at least one lobe extending from a peripheral surface thereof. The cam being positioned relative to the shaft such that the lobe is engagable with the shaft in such a way that a cyclical axial load is applied to a test specimen when the test specimen is positioned in the test specimen receiving space between the first platen and the second platen and the cam is rotated so as to cause the lobe to cyclically apply an axial force to the shaft.

Abstract: To easily change internal pressure of a container according to a change in external pressure. In a strain gauge device 100, a piston 54 attached to a tubular opening portion 53A provided at a housing part 53 slides in response to external pressure. Thereby varying the volumes of a regulator oil containing region 52 and a sensitive region 15 so as to achieve a balance with the external pressure, to change the internal pressure. Then, in the above-described strain gauge device, because the internal pressures of the regulator oil containing region 52 and the sensitive region 15 are changed according to a change in external pressure only by sliding of the piston 54, it is possible to easily perform regulation of the internal pressure. Further, because the above-described pressure balance mechanism 51 is achieved with a simple configuration, it is possible to easily perform regulation of the external pressure and the internal pressure even in a high-temperature/high-pressure environment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for non-destructively determining borehole stress parameters, that measures acoustic velocities in the rock formation. The apparatus or laser ultrasonic apparatus involving an acoustic signal generator and at least one interferometer sensing unit with shared reference is used to perform non-contact measurement. Horizontal and vertical stresses are evaluated in more than three angular directions (sometimes called azimuths) around the axis of the borehole using acoustoelastic principle. The magnitudes and directions of principal pristine stresses in the rock formation are derived from the measurement data by using closed-form solutions. Magnetometer is used to determine the angular direction of the stress measurement.

Abstract: A mobile turf instrument apparatus has a wheeled frame that may be propelled over the ground by a motive device, such as by a separate vehicle or by its own engine and drive train. A driven arm is carried on the frame and revolves in circles to periodically insert the probe(s) of a probe assembly into the ground during motion of the frame. The drive to the arm is momentarily disengaged when the probe(s) of the probe assembly are inserted into the ground. The probe assembly comprises two parts that rock relative to one another. Two soil measurement devices are connected to the probe assembly. A soil moisture sensor is coupled to the probe assembly for measuring soil moisture when the probe(s) are inserted into the ground. A load cell is responsive to the amount of rocking of the two parts of the probe assembly to measure soil compaction.

Abstract: Estimating formation properties includes a member coupled to a carrier, the member having a distal end that engages a borehole wall location, the distal end having a curved surface having a radius of curvature in at least one dimension about equal to or greater than a borehole radius. A drive device extends the first extendable member with a force sufficient to determine formation strength, and at least one measurement device providing an output signal indicative of the formation property. Articulating couplings may be used to change an angle of extension of the extendable member.

Abstract: A soil compaction device has a vibrated contact element that makes contact with the soil during a contact phase and that is exposed to a contact force exerted by the soil and travels over a contact distance. A dynamic stiffness of the soil is formed from the gradient of the contact force and from the contact distance. Furthermore, a contact surface parameter to take account of the actual contact surface of the contact element with the soil is determined. The dynamic deformation modulus is then the product of the contact surface parameter and the dynamic stiffness. The method allows the determination of the dynamic deformation modulus, and hence of the soil stiffness, during the compaction operation.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that provide improved non-destructive testing of pavements and in particular non-destructive testing of pavements using rolling wheel deflectometer systems having more than four sensors. The additional sensors more accurately detect pavement deflections under load by compensating for the influence the load deflection basin can have on sensors beyond those at the wheel load. The sensors should be spaced with equal distances from the rolling weight and can have a distance between adjacent sensors that is greater than the equivalent thickness of the pavement being measured.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for evaluating mechanical properties of geo-materials. The apparatus having a first platen and second platen defining a test specimen receiving space there between, a shaft having one end contacting one of the platens, and a rotatable a rotatable cam having at least one lobe extending from a peripheral surface thereof. The cam being positioned relative to the shaft such that the lobe is engagable with the shaft in such a way that a cyclical axial load is applied to a test specimen when the test specimen is positioned in the test specimen receiving space between the first platen and the second platen and the cam is rotated so as to cause the lobe to cyclically apply an axial force to the shaft.

Abstract: Disclosed are a tool and method for identifying the relative strength of subsurface intervals through which a borehole has been drilled. The tool includes a tool body capable of being moved through a borehole. The tool body has pads mounted on movable arms. Preferably the arms can be loaded independently. Each pad carries scratchers, which are pushed against the borehole wall so as to create either deep narrow or shallow wide scratches. Preferably, the scratchers comprise either a single or dual element polycrystalline compact (PDC) cutter or suitable hard, wear resistant material such as tungsten carbide or natural diamond, and are pushed against the borehole wall by resiliently loaded arms. The depth of narrow scratches is measured, for example, by two tandem powered calipers and the width of wide scratches is visualized by a borehole imager.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of measuring a stress wave and to a measuring device and a rock breaking device. A percussion device (7) gives impact pulses to a waveguide (21), where a compression stress wave and a reflected tensile stress wave are generated, which propagate in the waveguide. The compression stress wave causes an extension in the waveguide and the tensile stress wave a thinning, in which case properties of the waveguide may be determined by measuring geometric changes in the cross section of the waveguide. The measurement data are utilized in controlling the rock breaking device.

Abstract: In an earthquake noticing system according to the present invention, an earthquake noticing server receives focal data, calculates an expected time of arrival from a distance calculated from an occurrence location of an earthquake, a self-location and a focal depth, calculates an estimated seismic intensity from the occurrence location of the earthquake, the self-location and the seismic magnitude, calculates a corrected value of the expected time of arrival from the occurrence location of the earthquake, the self location and the location of a sub-terminal, and transmits the corrected value and estimated seismic intensity to the sub-terminal.

Abstract: A penetration-type pipe strain gauge easily transportable and easily installable in various places at low cost in a short period of time to measure strain produced in a shallow layer of the ground. Strain gauges are attached to the outer peripheral surface of an inner pipe, and a pipe strain gauge body is formed by integrally incorporating the inner pipe in an outer pipe. A boring screw is provided at the forward end of the pipe strain gauge body. A rotary tool mounting part for mounting a tool for rotating the pipe strain gauge body is formed at the rear end of the strain gauge body. The pipe strain gauge body is buried in the shallow layer of the ground by using the rotary tool.

Abstract: The force exerted by a reciprocating actuator is estimated as a weighted sum of three quantities: a reaction-mass acceleration, a baseplate acceleration, and a relative acceleration of the reaction-mass relative to the baseplate. In one embodiment, acceleration sensors measure the reaction-mass acceleration and the baseplate acceleration; and a displacement transducer measures a relative displacement of the reaction-mass relative to the baseplate. A double-differentiator generates the value of the relative acceleration from the second derivative of the relative displacement. In the sum, the relative acceleration is weighted by factor representative of the ratio of the difference between the masses of the reaction-mass and the baseplate to the sum of the masses of the reaction-mass and the baseplate.

Abstract: A penetration-type pipe strain gauge easily transportable and easily installable in various places at low cost in a short period of time to measure strain produced in a shallow layer of the ground. Strain gauges are attached to the outer peripheral surface of an inner pipe, and a pipe strain gauge body is formed by integrally incorporating the inner pipe in an outer pipe. A boring screw is provided at the forward end of the pipe strain gauge body. A rotary tool mounting part for mounting a tool for rotating the pipe strain gauge body is formed at the rear end of the strain gauge body. The pipe strain gauge body is buried in the shallow layer of the ground by using the rotary tool.

Abstract: An analytical closed form solution to mean and variance in heat flow is obtained by solving the stochastic heat conduction equation incorporating randomness in the thermal conductivity. The method has a wide range of applications in quantifying the thermal state of the crust and in obtaining closed form expressions for subsurface heat flow structure along with its error bounds. The exact formulae employed can be used to better evaluate the thermal state for related oil and natural gas applications and also in tectonic studies and in studies related to the crystallization of minerals.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods for rapidly calculating the surface displacement that results from an arbitrarily shaped load on the surface of a layered substrate. Some embodiments include sparse direct calculations of surface displacement in combination with interpolation methods for estimating surface displacement at other points. Some embodiments include methods for reducing computer time required for calculating surface displacement caused by an arbitrarily shaped load on a layered surface.

Abstract: A method for determining deformations of a body by which the effect of forces on the body is analyzed, including determining the way an equilibrium of forces between internal and external forces for a whole body or a part of it dependent on the material properties and the external boundary conditions comes about, by determining the deformations such that all acting forces are represented by the formula fext+msyst+mA+fs(ext)+ms(syst)=0.

Abstract: The invention provides a monitoring device mainly for sensing ground displacement, including the fiber Bragg grating sensored deflectometer and the signal interrogator/computer system. The device uses a segmented design that consists of a flexible tube (referred to as the flexible segment) and two rigid segments and thus referred to as the double hinged FBG segmented deflectometer (DH-FBG-SD). For field installation, multiple DH-FBG-SD units are connected together to form a string as it is inserted into a grouted-in-place inclinometer casing. The distortion of the inclinometer casing induced by ground movement causes relative rotation of the inserted DH-FBG-SD. All of the DH-FBG-SD units are connected to an FBG interrogator/computer system situated on ground surface. The FBG signals are recorded and analyzed by the interrogator/computer system.

Abstract: An apparatus measures a supporting force of ferroconcrete piles by means of a bi-directional front end oil pressure loading apparatus using a high pressure loading system capable of measuring a supporting force, a sinking amount and an axis load distribution on the ferroconcrete piles.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a method and apparatus for testing the static load-bearing capacity of a pile. In an embodiment, one or more load devices for applying a test load can be disposed within a pile such that a pile element can be above the load device, and a pile element can be below the load device. Upon applying a test load, the pile element above the load device and the pile element below the load device tend to separate. The test loads applied to the pile can be controlled in response to the magnitude of the test load, the combined settlement rate of the pile elements, the displacement of the pile elements, and the compression of the pile elements. A test regime can continue until a programmed regime is completed or a fail-safe trigger event occurs.

Abstract: A novel displacement instrument that can be used to measure the density or modulus of an aggregate pier upon which a multistory building or parking garage can be built. The aggregate piers are often 35 feet or deeper. These aggravate piers are constructed by adding lifts of approximately 12 to 18 inches of aggregate at a time and tamping it into the pier forming hole. Each lift of aggregate is being tamped or struck by a force of approximately 15,000 psi or greater. The displacement instrument allows aggregate piers to be constructed having a density or modulus that is consistent from the bottom of the hole to the top of the hole. The displacement instrument would be mounted on the side plate of a hydraulic breaker that is mounted on the end of a boom of a crane. The displacement instrument need not be permanently installed on the side of the hydraulic breaker and it is freely removed and installed on another crane.

Abstract: Subsurface material property measurements, such as soil or chemical properties, are obtained in situ by a direct push method that includes rotating a ring bit at the end of a casing to drill through subsurface materials, lowering a measurement probe through the advanced casing, extending the lowered measurement probe through the ring bit, and advancing the extended probe through the soil at a controlled rate while gathering material property data from sensors attached to the probe. The probe may be withdrawn for drilling, and then replaced for further data gathering.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for determining in situ pore fluid and soil properties at a particular subsurface location are disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a penetrating tip member configured to penetrate soil. The apparatus further comprises an attachment module coupled to the penetrating tip member. The attachment module includes at least one mandrel that includes a piezo sensor. An in situ measurement of pore pressure is obtained by the piezo sensor at a depth that corresponds to the location of the at least one mandrel on the attachment module.

Abstract: An instrument and method for variable depth tillage is provided. A soil engaging implement has a pair of load cells and at least one strain gauge set mounted thereon. The load cells are used to determine a linear trend of topsoil resistance pressure change with depth as the soil engaging implement is drawn through the soil. The strain gauges are used to measure torque on the soil engaging implement caused by the load transmitted through the at least two load cells as well as the load applied to the point of the soil engaging implement. The linear trend of topsoil resistance pressure change with depth and the torque on the soil engaging implement are then used to determine both measured and predicted mechanical soil resistance to penetration applied to the point and the difference between the two values serves as an input for tillage depth adjustment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for the in-situ measurement of the stiffness of a layer of soil or other surface of interest. The apparatus includes a contact foot for engaging the surface and a drive transducer coupled to the contact foot for applying a vibratory force to the contact foot in response to a drive signal. A motion sensor is coupled to the contact foot and in a preferred embodiment an additional sensor measures the force applied to the contact foot and hence to the surface. These sensors generate corresponding output signals. The output signals are used to generate a measurement signal that is representative of the surface stiffness.