Abstract: The invention proposes a method for improving the stability against vibrations of a stay cable (12) comprising at least one strand (11) housed in a substantially externally smooth sheath (1). In this method, at least one wire (2-3) is spirally wound round the sheath so as to be substantially in contact with said sheath along at least part of the stay cable.

Abstract: A contribution is made to the assembly of a wind turbine intended to comprise, in a final assembly condition, a tower (2) surmounted by a nacelle (4) cooperating with a rotor (5) receiving a plurality of blades (3a-3c). To this end, a temporary association is made between at least some blades from said plurality of blades and the tower, so that said blades extend substantially in the longitudinal direction of the tower.

Abstract: The facing element for a stabilized soil structure comprises a body of cast material inside which a path is formed for a reinforcement strip between two points of emergence situated on a rear face of the element. This path includes two rectilinear portions which are respectively adjacent to the two points of emergence and are each arranged so as to position the strip in the same plane of emergence perpendicular to the rear face, two curved portions which respectively continue the two rectilinear portions and are arranged so as to deviate the strip from the plane of emergence, and a connection portion which joins the two curved portions to one another and has at least one loop situated outside the plane of emergence.

Abstract: A method for assembly of a stay includes a series of steps that include connecting in the vicinity of an anchoring zone, a new group of N reinforcements to a shuttle located within the sheath of a stay to be installed. The shuttle is driven towards another anchoring zone by means of driving and guiding means. When the shuttle has arrived substantially in the vicinity of the anchoring zone, and as long as entangling is detected between the driving and guiding means in a portion contained substantially between the shuttle and the first anchoring zone, the shuttle is rotated about its main axis in the opposite direction to the said entangling. The group of N reinforcements is then separated from the shuttle. Each reinforcement of the group is tensioned between the anchoring zones. The preceding steps are repeated until the installation of the reinforcements is completed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an excavation machine comprising: a mast having a longitudinal direction; a bar presenting a first end provided with an excavation tool; and a carriage movable along the longitudinal direction of the mast and including a first holder member for holding the bar relative to the carriage, said carriage being suitable for moving the bar along the longitudinal direction of the mast. The invention is wherein the first holder member is pivotable relative to the carriage and by the fact that the first holder member presents a locked state in which the bar is prevented from moving in translation relative to the carriage, and an unlocked state in which the bar is free to move in translation relative to the carriage.

Abstract: A stay comprises an inclined casing and a bundle of substantially parallel taut reinforcements lodged in the casing and individually anchored in a first and a second anchoring region. According to the invention, the casing and some of the reinforcements are installed by applying substantially uniform tension values to the reinforcements, then several iterations of the following steps are formed: compacting the installed reinforcements, at least at one end of the casing; slipping a further group of reinforcements along inside the casing, in a space left available by the compacted reinforcements; and tensioning each reinforcement of the further group between the first and second anchoring regions so that all the installed reinforcements exhibit substantially uniform tension values.

Abstract: A device for and a method of inserting a drainage wick into the ground comprising the steps of: providing a drainage wick comprising a transversely permeable filter material surrounding a core adapted to longitudinal water circulation, where a portion of said drainage wick is arranged so as to be transversely and/or longitudinally impermeable; threading said drainage wick through an inserting tube; fixing an anchorage component to the lower end of said drainage wick extending out of said inserting tube; driving said anchorage component, said drainage wick and said inserting tube downwardly into the ground; and pulling up said inserting tube whereby said anchorage component and said drainage wick are permitted to remain into said ground.

Abstract: The invention concerns a single-piece part for producing a cable anchoring jaw. The single-piece part includes several angular portions arranged about a generally cylindrical duct, assembled by clamps adjacent to the duct. Each clamp is located at the bottom of one particular radial slot extending between two portions from the part periphery. Each clamp has towards its own particular slot a surface whereof a part at least is inclined relative to the direction perpendicular to the slot radial plane, such that the clamp radial thickness has a minimum in a specific position along the direction, thereby ensuring the position where the clamp will be broken to obtain the jaw wedges from the part portions, which enables to better control for clamping the cable strand in the jaw.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for vibration control of a structure having—two mass bodies (10, 20), each of which is rotatably mounted around a rotational axis (12, 22), wherein both rotational axes extend in the same direction and the center of gravity of each mass body has a spacing (r1, r2) from the associated rotational axis,—a drive that sets each mass body (10, 20) in a circulating rotational motion,—at least one sensor (40), which measures a movement or acceleration of the structure (30), and—a control that, based on the measured movement or acceleration, controls at least one of the following variables:—the rotational angle (?1, ?2) of the rotational movement of at least one mass body (10, 20),—the spacing (a) between the rotational axis (12) of one mass body (10) and the rotational axis (22) of the other mass body (20).

Abstract: The prestressed building structure comprises an assembly of precast elements separated by gaps occupied by an interface product, one or more prestressing sheaths having sections respectively incorporated into the precast elements, and a prestressing tendon tensioned inside the sheath. The sheath sections are respectively fitted with first and second end pieces opening out on the facing surfaces of the two precast elements. The first end piece has a flared opening. An elastic connecting sleeve is connected in a sealed manner to the second end piece. The sleeve presses against the first end piece, which compresses it longitudinally to ensure a seal between the inside of the sheath sections and the gap separating the adjacent surfaces of the two elements.

Abstract: A fluid-cushion supporting arrangement for horizontal conveyance comprises a supporting platform having a center and a distal portion; a flexible angular sealing element arranged under the platform in the region of the distal portion and forming a sealing piston. The sealing piston has a substantially horizontal leg which extends toward the center and forms together with the supporting platform a fluid chamber, and a substantially vertical leg which forms together with the supporting platform a control pressure chamber. The vertical leg is vertically and adjustably inserted in the control pressure chamber. An inlet valve is provided for supplying fluid into the fluid chamber. A pressure-regulating arrangement in fluid communication with the fluid chamber and the control pressure chamber regulates the fluid pressure. The vertical leg comprises a plurality of reinforcement elements including at least one metallic strip.

Abstract: Device for damping the vibrations of a sheet of stays of a work of construction, the sheet of stays comprising at least one first stay (4a) and one second stay (4b). The device comprises at least one damper (6) with substantially linear stroke, which has a first connection (7) articulated on the first stay (4a) and a second connection (8) articulated on the second stay (4b), and the axis of the damper (6) is substantially perpendicular to first and second stays (4a,4b).

Abstract: A fire protection blanket comprising: at least two fibrous subassemblies arranged substantially parallel to a principal surface of the blanket in which each fibrous subassembly comprises at least two mineral fibre wool layers, substantially parallel to the principal surface of the blanket, separated by at least one mineral fibre fabric and in which refractory particles are arranged inside at least one mineral fibre wool layer; at least one layer of refractory adhesive attaching the fibrous subassemblies to each other; and a covering comprising a mineral fibre fabric impregnated with a fire-resistant silicone and enclosing all of the fibrous subassemblies.

Abstract: Method of overlocking at least one strand in an anchoring block by means of a frustoconical jaw which surrounds the strand and which is housed in a frustoconical recess made in the block, the process comprising the following steps: an explosive cartridge device comprising an inertia block intended to be propelled by the explosion of the cartridge is used, a force transmission device is arranged between the inertia block of the explosive cartridge device and the frustoconical jaw, and the explosive cartridge is activated to propel the inertia block against the force transmission device.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the construction of a civil engineering structure comprising first and second superimposed components. According to this method: the second component is positioned beneath a fixed lifting structure comprising lifting means, the second component is lifted using the lifting means, the first component is positioned beneath the fixed lifting structure substantially below the second component, and the second component is substantially placed on the first component using the lifting means.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the transport of a civil engineering structure in an aquatic medium. According to this method: at least one float is associated with the civil engineering structure in such a way as to ensure that the said civil engineering structure floats stably in an aquatic medium, the said float surrounding the civil engineering structure and a bottom portion of the civil engineering structure extending below the said float, and the civil engineering structure and the associated float are caused to move in the aquatic medium to a desired position.

Abstract: A method and device for inserting a drainage wick into the ground wherein the method includes the steps of: threading a drainage wick through an inserting tube; fixing a portion of a tie to the lower end of the drainage wick; fixing an anchorage component to another portion of said tie, where said tie is loose between the drainage wick lower end and the anchorage component when the anchorage component contacts the inserting tube lower end; driving a anchorage component, the drainage wick and the inserting tube downwardly into the ground; pulling up the inserting tube and the drainage wick, whereby said anchorage component is permitted to remain in the ground; and further pulling up the inserting tube whereby the anchorage component and the drainage wick are permitted to remain in the ground.

Abstract: A method of reinforcing an embedded cylinder pipe by applying a composite structural reinforcement within the pipe through in situ stratification of at least one band of reinforcement fibers and a resin or a resin including matrix comprising the steps of applying said band onto a contact area on an internal face of said pipe by means of a contacting member; moving said contacting member along an helical path so that said contact area follows said path; moving a main pressing member behind said contacting member along said path, to apply pressure to said band in a main pressure area separated from said contact area. Related device for reinforcing an embedded cylinder pipe by applying a composite structural reinforcement within the pipe.

Abstract: The facing element for a stabilized soil structure comprises a body of cast material inside which a path is formed for a reinforcement strip between two points of emergence situated on a rear face of the element. This path includes two rectilinear portions which are respectively adjacent to the two points of emergence and are each arranged so as to position the strip in the same plane of emergence perpendicular to the rear face, two curved portions which respectively continue the two rectilinear portions and are arranged so as to deviate the strip from the plane of emergence, and a connection portion which joins the two curved portions to one another and has at least one loop situated outside the plane of emergence.

Abstract: The invention proposes a collar intended to be placed around a portion of a tube and in contact with a separator between a first space and a second space. The collar has a generally annular shape and comprises a superimposition of alternating layers of silicone adhesive and fabrics and an upper layer of silicone elastomer.