Abstract: A compaction control system for and methods of accurately determining properties of compacted and/or existing ground materials is disclosed. The compaction control system includes a compaction machine that further includes a vibratory drum (or roller). The compaction machine is equipped with sensors to determine position and heading, vibration amplitudes at selected frequencies, and material type and moisture content information. Further, the compaction control system includes a controller and certain algorithms for processing the sensor information. Namely, a method is provided of using the sensor information to assess the improvement in compaction and then determine whether and/or when further ground improvement solutions are needed.

Abstract: Systems and methods to provide pressed aggregate-filled cavities for improving ground stiffness and uniformity are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes using a mechanism to press into a ground surface in a substantially downward direction to create a concavity. The method also includes substantially or completely filling the concavity with unstabilized or chemically stabilized aggregate, soil, or sand. Further, the method includes using the mechanism to press the aggregate within the concavity to achieve a desired ground stiffness.

Abstract: A compaction control system for and methods of accurately determining properties of compacted and/or existing ground materials. The compaction control system includes a compaction machine that further includes a vibratory drum (or roller). The compaction machine is equipped with sensors to determine position and heading, vibration amplitudes at selected frequencies, and material type and moisture content information. Further, the compaction control system includes a controller and certain algorithms for processing the sensor information. Namely, a method is provided of using the sensor information to assess the improvement in compaction and then determine whether and/or when further ground improvement solutions are needed.

Abstract: Systems and methods to provide pressed aggregate-filled cavities for improving ground stiffness and uniformity are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes using a mechanism to press into a ground surface in a substantially downward direction to create a concavity. The method also includes substantially or completely filling the concavity with unstabilized or chemically stabilized aggregate, soil, or sand. Further, the method includes using the mechanism to press the aggregate within the concavity to achieve a desired ground stiffness.

Abstract: A compaction control system for and methods of accurately determining properties of compacted and/or existing ground materials is disclosed. The compaction control system includes a compaction machine that further includes a vibratory drum (or roller). The compaction machine is equipped with sensors to determine position and heading, vibration amplitudes at selected frequencies, and material type and moisture content information. Further, the compaction control system includes a controller and certain algorithms for processing the sensor information. Namely, a method is provided of using the sensor information to assess the improvement in compaction and then determine whether and/or when further ground improvement solutions are needed.

Abstract: A compaction control system for and methods of accurately determining properties of compacted and/or existing ground materials. The compaction control system includes a compaction machine that further includes a vibratory drum (or roller). The compaction machine is equipped with sensors to determine position and heading, vibration amplitudes at selected frequencies, and material type and moisture content information. Further, the compaction control system includes a controller and certain algorithms for processing the sensor information. Namely, a method is provided of using the sensor information to assess the improvement in compaction and then determine whether and/or when further ground improvement solutions are needed.

Abstract: Systems and methods to provide pressed aggregate-filled cavities for improving ground stiffness and uniformity are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes using a mechanism to press into a ground surface in a substantially downward direction to create a concavity. The method also includes substantially or completely filling the concavity with unstabilized or chemically stabilized aggregate, soil, or sand. Further, the method includes using the mechanism to press the aggregate within the concavity to achieve a desired ground stiffness.

Abstract: Systems and methods to provide pressed aggregate-filled cavities for improving ground stiffness and uniformity are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes using a mechanism to press into a ground surface in a substantially downward direction to create a concavity. The method also includes substantially or completely filling the concavity with unstabilized or chemically stabilized aggregate, soil, or sand. Further, the method includes using the mechanism to press the aggregate within the concavity to achieve a desired ground stiffness.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming cemented ground support columns is disclosed. Namely, driving mandrels are provided for the efficient construction of incrementally enlarged diameter support columns. For example, the driving mandrel includes a feed tube that has a top portion and an expansion head portion. The expansion head portion further includes an expansion (or compaction) chamber and a flexible tubular egress port. Further, construction methods are provided of using the driving mandrels for the efficient construction of incrementally enlarged diameter support columns.

Abstract: A compaction control system for and methods of accurately determining properties of compacted and/or existing ground materials is disclosed. The compaction control system includes a compaction machine that further includes a vibratory drum (or roller). The compaction machine is equipped with sensors to determine position and heading, vibration amplitudes at selected frequencies, and material type and moisture content information. Further, the compaction control system includes a controller and certain algorithms for processing the sensor information. Namely, a method is provided of using the sensor information to assess the improvement in compaction and then determine whether and/or when further ground improvement solutions are needed.

Abstract: Systems and methods to provide pressed aggregate-filled cavities for improving ground stiffness and uniformity are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes using a mechanism to press into a ground surface in a substantially downward direction to create a concavity. The method also includes substantially or completely filling the concavity with unstabilized or chemically stabilized aggregate, soil, or sand. Further, the method includes using the mechanism to press the aggregate within the concavity to achieve a desired ground stiffness.

Abstract: A maintainable soil drain and methods for using the maintainable soil drain for draining liquid away from structures, such as Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) walls and earth slopes, are disclosed. According to an aspect, a maintainable soil drain includes a drainage pipe having multiple holes defined therein. The maintainable soil drain also includes a removable drain. Further, the maintainable soil drain includes an interior geotextile wrapping that substantially surrounds the removable drain.

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: Three-dimensional aggregate reinforcement systems and methods thereof stiffen aggregate layers, such as those used for pavement construction. The system may include a substantially planar grid connected to a plurality of projections that extend into a third out-of-plane dimension. The system may be a self-projecting three-dimensional aggregate reinforcement system including a substantially planar grid which is generally two-dimensional before use, and which project into the third out-of-plane dimension after compaction with aggregate. The system may also be a self-projecting three-dimensional aggregate reinforcement system including a substantially planar grid with a plurality of first and second movable portions, where the second movable portions are more flexible than the first portion and may extend vertically and laterally upon addition of aggregate.