Abstract: A temperature and depth probe for accurate temperature measurements in snow ontains a temperature sensing element such as thermistor placed in a protective cap affixed to the end of a hollow carbon fiber tubed. Wires connected to the ouput terminals of the temperature sensing element pass through the hollow tube to the input terminals of a temperature indicating instruments. The depth of insertion of the probe into the snow is read from depth markings on the side of the hollow tube.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of detecting the bottom of a waterbody in the presence of overlying submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV) and of characterizing physical attributes of that overlying vegetation. A narrow-beam hydroacoustic transducer is mounted on a mobile survey boat in a vertically-downward orientation. A rapid series of short pulses (pings) are generated by the transducer as the boat traverses a predetermined path within the waterbody. Raw hydroacoustic echo-level data is digitally recorded along with position data generated by some electronic position measurement system. The methodology for processing the raw signal is implemented in a digital computer algorithm which extracts hydroacoustic signal features and applies classification decision rules which were developed based on common physical characteristics of aquatic environments containing SAV. An apparatus for carrying out this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A pair of metal plates having a space therebetween are surrounded by a flexible enclosure which is waterproof and which is filled with a dry gas. A pair of electrical conductors connected to the plates extend through and are water-tight sealed to the enclosure. A water-deformable element which expands in the presence of moisture is disposed around the enclosure, and a rigid housing having holes therethrough is disposed around the water-deformable element so that moisture passing through the holes into the water-deformable element causes it to expand to move the enclosure and at least one plate so as to reduce the space between the plates to change the capacitance of the capacitor.

Abstract: Groundwater velocity and direction of flow are determined by insertion into borehole below the water table of a sound source and a plurality of sound sensors. A periodic sound signal is emitted by the sound source, which is submerged in groundwater at the bottom of the borehole. The sound signals are sensed by the sound sensors, which are also submerged in the water in the vicinity of the sound source. Owing to the Doppler effect, there is a shift in the frequency of the sound signals observed by the different sound sensors. The differences in frequency are determined by pulse counters and used to compute the components of groundwater velocity along north-south and east-west axes. The velocity of groundwater flow and its direction are determined by vector addition of the groundwater velocity components. These computational processes are carried out by an appropriately programmed microprocessor.

Abstract: The water/sediment interface in a body of water near bridge piers and simr structures exposed to scour, is sensed and transformed by a frequency-modulated continuous wave method into an audio frequency signal that is related to the water/sediment interface elevation, which is transmitted by radio signal to a remote monitoring station. Radio signals received at the monitoring station are transmitted to a computer, which is programmed to compute the water/sediment interface elevation and to store such computed results for later use. A remote monitoring station may be equipped to monitor several water/sediment interface sensors.

Abstract: Profiles of a river area analyzed by determining a ruler length characterizing the size of topological features of the river. The perimeter of a transect of the river is then determined by integrating the Pythagorean theorem using selected points on the transect. Main voids occurring in the calculation are measured by dividing the main void into triangular areas and accumulating the triangular areas across the main void.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting and monitoring scouring around a structural mer uses time-domain reflectometry (TDR) to measure the level of sediment around the submerged portion of a structural member such as a bridge pier, dock, utility crossing, or similar structure. The apparatus includes an electrical pulse generator which transmits a series of electrical pulses, a sensor which is connected with the pulse generator, and a signal analyzer which receives and interprets the portion of the electrical pulses reflected back to the source from an interface, such as water/air or water/gravel, to calculate the position of the interface along the sensor. Knowledge of the position of the interfaces before and after a scouring event and of the dielectric constants of the surrounding media allows the user to detect and monitor the level of erosion caused by scouring.

Abstract: A hurter for use in conjunction with a wicket dam prop at a downstream side f a wicket, the hurter comprising a block having therein on an upper surface thereof a bearing for receiving a free end of the prop, a ramp disposed downstream of the block on a base plate and inclined from the base plate to a top surface of the block and adapted to support the free end of the prop, a first trough wall on a first side of the ramp and the block hingedly connected to the base plate, a cover portion of the first trough wall extending over a first portion of the block, and a second trough wall on a second side of the ramp and the block hingedly connected to the base plate, a cover portion of the second trough wall extending over a second portion of the block, the first and second trough wall cover portions being engageable by the prop as the prop moves up the ramp, to cause the first and second trough walls to pivot away from each other to permit the prop to pass between the cover portions and into the bearing.

Abstract: The present invention describes a subsurface soil contaminant identificat system method using a cone penetrometer unit for in-situ elemental composition identification in the form of solids, liquids or gasses. Elemental identification is achieved by using atomic spectral analysis of the contaminants that are stimulated by a laser induced breakdown of the soil contaminants to be determined. The system includes a high resolution spectrometer with array detector, a controller for control/data acquisition, a penetrometer push operation controller and data gathering equipment, an optical fiber link to a cone penetrometer with improved optical focusing components. The improved method of using the system entails: i) soil characterization during an initial penetrometer push, then ii) contaminant identification during the penetrometer retrieval phase from a soil bore hole formed during the initial push.

Abstract: A method of producing quantitative criteria for optimizing river water rerces under variable flow conditions is described. The method includes calculating a bivariate frequency distribution from data representing flow conditions of a target reach of river, calculating a bivariate frequency distribution from data representing flow conditions of a standard reach of river, and comparing the target frequency distribution with the standard frequency distribution, thereby to assess the degree of similarity between the target flow conditions and the standard flow conditions. The similarity coefficients serve as the criteria by which water resource decisions are made. Ecosystem level impacts are defensibly assessed while optimizing water resource allocation.

Abstract: A penetrometer probe for detecting the presence of subsurface radon gas and obtaining soil classification data is characterized by an elongated body containing recessed inlet and outlet ports, a sampling chamber, a vacuum/air controlled valve system having pistons displaceable between open and closed positions, and a vacuum/air system for drawing gas samples into and expelling gas samples from the sampling chamber. The probe also includes a detachable tip which allows grout to be injected into the borehole as the probe is withdrawn. In an alternate embodiment, the probe includes an outer sleeve for controlling the taking of gas samples in which the sleeve slides upwardly in a groove contained in the probe body during penetration, thereby covering the gas sampling ports, and slides downwardly during retraction, thereby uncovering the soil gas sampling ports and allowing gas to flow to the sampling chamber.

Abstract: A compact, portable cone penetrometer for determining the shear resistance of soil measures the compressive force on the penetrometer in penetrating the ground by a load cell and the depth of penetration of the ground by an ultrasonic proximity sensor. The outputs of the load cell and the proximity sensor are stored in the memory of a data logger/processor, from which the field data may later be transferred to a digital computer for averaging and tabulating of the data.

Abstract: A multi-band, variable, high-frequency antenna comprises a pair of transmission lines for conveyance of signals from and to a transceiver, and a pair of braided copper conductor elements, each in electrical communication at a proximal end thereof with one of the transmission lines. Each of the braided copper conductor elements is mounted on a non-conductive support cord, the braided copper conductor elements being expandable and retractable along the support cords on which the conductor elements are mounted. A cord lock is proximate a distal end of each of the conductor elements for releasably locking the distal end of the conductor element at a selected position on the support cord on which the conductor element is mounted. Release of the cord locks permits lengthening and shortening of the braided copper conductor elements, and locking of the cord locks is operative to lock the conductor elements in place on the support cords to selectively fix a length of each of the conductor elements.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a floating breakwater structure in the pe of a "V". This breakwater design allows for a wide range of wave periods, unlike previous floating breakwaters. The construction of the instant invention is that of a suspended curtain which deflects and redirects the waves that are incident thereto rather than absorb or reflect incoming wave energy. This design results in a substantially smaller structure with reduced mooring loads. Moreover, the floating breakwater of the instant invention allows for fast deployment that can be either shipped in sections and assembled on site or assembled in sheltered waters and towed to a site for deployment. The breakwater of the instant invention is intended for temporary coastal operations such as military force projection and sustainment, dredging, coastal civil construction and repair, oil spill recovery, and search/rescue relief missions.

Abstract: High-flexural-strength concrete is produced by mixing wet hydraulic cement-sand mixture with coarse, flat, tabular aggregate, pouring the resulting mixture into a form in a shallow layer, vibrating the form containing the mixture, thereby orienting the coarse aggregate particles, pouring another shallow layer of the mixture into the form, again vibrating the form, and repeating these processes until the form has been filled to the desired level. The mixture then is allowed to cure. Cast-in-place items are prepared by placing thin layers or lifts of oriented, tabular-aggregate concrete into conventional forms and vibrating each lift using flat-plate vibrators.

Abstract: A zone isolator module for use on a penetrometer comprises a tubular body having an annular recess in an exterior wall thereof, an elastomer membrane fixed in the annular recess and adapted to lie against an inner surface of the recess, a sleeve slidably disposed on the tubular body and slidably movable between a first position in which the sleeve completely covers the recess, and a second position in which the sleeve is substantially removed from the recess, and the body having an opening extending outwardly from an axial central bore therethrough to the inner surface of the recess, whereby fluid flowed through the bore and the opening operates to expand the elastomer membrane against the sleeve when the sleeve covers the recess and to expand the elastomer membrane beyond the exterior wall of the body when the sleeve is substantially removed from the recess.

Abstract: A method for solidification and stabilization of soils contaminated with vy metals and organic compounds removable by activated carbon includes the steps of placing a selected weight of the contaminated soil in a vessel, adding water to the contaminated soil in the vessel, mixing the soil and the water in the vessel, adding activated carbon to the mixture of soil and water in the vessel, mixing the soil, water and carbon in the vessel, adding cement and fly ash to the mixture of soil, water and carbon in the vessel, mixing the soil, water, carbon, cement and fly ash in the vessel and pouring the mixture of soil, water, carbon, cement and fly ash into a mold and curing the mixture therein.

Abstract: The apparatus of this invention are multiple fish surrogates that each have plurality of piezoelectric and triaxial accelerometer sensors for emulating sensory organs of a particular fish. The multiple fish surrogates are immersed in flowing water intakes of a hydraulic structure such as: intakes, intake bypasses, and diversion structures; or also natural geological formation such as riffles, shoal areas, and pools. The invention is used for acquisition of acoustic and fluid dynamic data in or near these hydraulic structures and natural formations. To accomplish this, multiple sensors in multiple fish-shaped physical enclosures are deployed at the same time to describe a fish's aquatic environment at locations such as in proximity to a dam's intake. Since such an intake exhibits turbulent and high energy flow fields that cannot be characterized by a single sensor, many sensor bodies are required for a complete characterization of the environment.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling two cement board stay-in-place form panels for aking concrete-filled walls that is cost-effective and forms a uniform precise composite wall construction. The assembly includes a coextensive corrugated spacer panel between the form panels for maintaining a uniform distance there between. The forms and spacer panels are secured in place with a notched tie rod that penetrates the spacer and both wall panels, this assembly allows for rapid form installation. The spacer panel has two embodiments, viz. i) a preformed rigid corrugated panel and ii) a flattened unassembled panel with precut fold lines that are folded at the building site and then secured with a dowel-rod bracing component. The apparatus preferably uses fiber-glass-reinforced cement board for the stay-in-place forms. The final composite wall construction typically is made up of 4 feet wide by 8 feet high by 6.5-inch thick composite wall sections.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to debris exclusion devices designed for use on a small augerhead type hydraulic dredge system for operations in debris laden channels that can cause the system's pump to malfunction. Debris to be excluded by these devices include portions of trees, woody-stemmed plants, pieces of lumber, pieces of metal or even unexploded ordinance. A first embodiment comprises vertical grates with curved front surfaces mounted in front of a spoils inlet of a dredgehead shroud with cooperating cutter assembly attached to the auger. These grates are spaced to allow passage of spoils and small debris, but not larger injurious debris that is detrimental to the system's pump. A second embodiment is a tapered transition box device attached to the augerhead's shroud disposed between the grates of a spoils inlet leading through these grates and a hose feeding the system's pump. The box is a clean-out device which is self-regulated and also maintains smooth transitional flow to the system's pump.