Abstract: A trailer for a tunnel borer follower train comprises a chassis provided with a plurality of wheels, the chassis at rest presenting a longitudinal axis and a longitudinal plane of symmetry that is vertical. The trailer also comprises at least two tanks mounted on the chassis substantially symmetrically about the longitudinal plane of symmetry of the chassis; apparatus for measuring any tilt of the chassis of the trailer about its longitudinal axis; apparatus for feeding both tanks with liquid; and apparatus for controlling the quantity of liquid in each of the tanks as a function of any measured tilt in such a manner that the quantity of liquid contained in each tank creates a return torque about the longitudinal axis tending to compensate for any tilt of the trailer.

Abstract: The invention provides a head for injecting a liquid under pressure from a borehole to break up the soil, said head being mounted at the end of a drill string including a liquid feed for feeding a liquid under pressure. The head comprises a body and an outside wall, the body having at least one injection nozzle mounted therein, the nozzle having an inlet diameter equal to d and presenting an axis (x-x′), the body also having a tube. The tube presents a mean line having a first end connected to the bottom end of the liquid feed and having a second end connected to the nozzle tangentially to the axis (x-x′). The mean line is defined by at least one curved portion presenting a radius of curvature that varies continuously. The right section of the tube decreases regularly over at least half of its length from its first end to its second end.

Abstract: The invention relates to a delayed-setting concrete based on blast furnace slag. The invention further relates to a method of initiating the setting of said concrete.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of monitoring the diameter of columns made in the ground by jet grouting. In the method, a measuring instrument is provided which is constituted by a tubular element of length substantially equal to the length of the column, said tubular element being fitted with a plurality of emission electrodes for creating an electric field, and with a plurality of measurement electrodes for measuring the resulting potential differences; a reference borehole is made in the ground; an axial borehole is made in the column to be tested; said measuring instrument is inserted in the borehole in said column and voltage measurements are performed at different depths; and said measurements are processed.

Abstract: A machine for making bored piles. The machine includes a vertical guide mast; a rotary drive head that is movable relative to the mast; and an auger having a hollow core and at least one helical blade. An extender tube has a bottom end that is secured to the top end of the auger, the drive head co-operating with the extender tube to rotate both the extender tube and the auger. A dip tube is slidably mounted in the hollow core of the auger and the extender tube, the dip tube having a top end connected to a concrete feed pipe. An annular actuator has a first end secured to the top end of the extender tube and a second end secured to the top end of the dip tube.

Abstract: A rotary displacement piling equipment for boring a hole within the soil includes a rotary displacement bit, driving rod members connected to the bit, a casing surrounding the driving rod member, and a casing adapter having a lower end provided with a cylindrical collar for co-operating with the upper part of the casing for keeping in line the casing with respect to the driving rod member and with an horizontal thrust face for applying a thrust at the upper end of the casing, the driving rod member passing through the casing adapter. The equipment may also include a rotary drive box co-operating with the driving rod member for rotating the driving rod means and provided with connecting member to be connected to the upper end of the casing adapter, and vertical supporting and guiding member for supporting and vertically guiding the rotary drive box.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of limiting the release of organic materials into the environment during the making of foundations, according to which a concrete is used which is based on blast furnace slag ground to a fineness of between about 2,500 and 5,000 Blaine. The invention also relates to a concrete which can be used in said method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a trailer for a tunnel borer follower train. The trailer comprises a chassis provided with a plurality of wheels, said chassis at rest presenting a longitudinal axis and a longitudinal plane of symmetry that is vertical. The trailer also comprises at least two tanks mounted on the chassis substantially symmetrically about the longitudinal plane of symmetry of the chassis; means for measuring any tilt of the chassis of the trailer about its longitudinal axis; means for feeding both tanks with liquid; and means for controlling the quantity of liquid in each of the tanks as a function of any measured tilt in such a manner that the quantity of liquid contained in each tank creates a return torque about the longitudinal axis tending to compensate for any tilt of said trailer.

Abstract: The invention provides a head for injecting a liquid under pressure from a borehole to break up the soil, said head being mounted at the end of a drill string including liquid feed means for feeding a liquid under pressure. The head comprises a body and an outside wall, the body having at least one injection nozzle mounted therein, the nozzle having an inlet diameter equal to d and presenting an axis x,x′, the body also having duct-forming means. The duct-forming means present a mean line having a first end connected to the bottom end of the liquid feed means and having a second end connected to the nozzle tangentially to the axis x,x′. The mean line is defined by at least one curved portion presenting a radius of curvature that varies continuously. The right section of the duct-forming means decreases regularly over at least half of its length from its first end to its second end.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drill string fitted with information transmission means. The hollow rods of conductive material have their inside faces covered in an insulating material. The transmission means comprise a first electrical unit having at least a first annular electrode secured to the insulating inside face of the drill string, said electrode being in electrical contact with the mud contained inside the drill string so as to establish a flow of current in the conductive mud; and a second electrical unit disposed in said borehole, close to the top end of the drill string in order at least to receive the information contained in said electrical current.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for injecting material in the form of a suspension into a cavity. The device comprises an injection tube for injecting the material, the tube having a coupling first end and a second end that is open; a coupling has a cylindrical portion provided with an axial bore having a coupling first end for coupling to the first end of the tube, and a second end, said coupling further comprising a radial stub for coupling to a feed pipe for feeding material in suspension; a vent hose is engaged in the said tube and in the coupling, the hose having a first end projecting from the second end of the tube and a second end that projects from the second end of the coupling; and a sealing piece for establishing sealing between the second end of the coupling and the outside wall of said hose.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for facilitating the removal of formwork for the end joint of a diaphragm wall panel, said formwork comprising a soleplate having two side edges. The device comprising: two substantially rectangular plates of substantially the same dimensions; spacer means secured to first longitudinal edges of each of said plates to hold them substantially parallel to each other at a spacing h; filler means for filling the volume defined by said plates, the spacer means, and a plane orthogonal to said plates located at a distance d from the second longitudinal edges of the plates; and temporary fixing means for fixing said plates to said soleplate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cast wall constituted by a succession of panels touching via their end edges and made by casting a binder in contiguous lengths of trench dug in the ground in line with one another, each panel including reinforcement, said wall further including link means between the reinforcements in two contiguous panels. The link means (24, 44) are separate from the reinforcement (22, 42) and comprise an anchor element (24) having a first end fitted with at least one vertical first locking element (28, 30) and a second end engaged in one of said panels (22), and a link element (44) having a first end provided with at least a second locking element (46, 48) suitable for co-operating with the first locking element, and a second end engaged in the other one of said panels (42).