Abstract: A pile for use in a ground pile system has a tubular body and one or more sensor modules attached to the tubular body. Each of the one of more sensor modules includes a sensor guard that has a perimeter and a sensor nested within the sensor guard. The sensor is recessed within the perimeter of the sensor guard to protect the sensor during installation of the pile. A data acquisition unit can be used to receive data from the one or more sensor modules. The data acquisition unit includes a solar panel array, a battery charged by the solar panel array, a modem powered by the battery, and a computer powered by the battery. The computer is configured to receive signals from the sensors and transmit the signals to a remote operation center through the modem.

Abstract: A capping assembly (10) for mounting on a covering (12) is disclosed. The capping assembly (10) comprises a cap (14) which can be disposed on the covering (12), a securing arrangement (18) to enable the capping assembly (10) to be secured on the covering (12). The capping assembly (10) further includes an insertion member (16) for insertion through the covering (12). The cap (14) can be attached to the insertion member (16). The securing arrangement (18) comprises a securing device (20) and a holding formation (44) to hold the securing device (20), the holding formation (44) being provided on the insertion member (16).

Abstract: Man-made boulders anchored to a grade beam to prevent erosion of a bulkhead. The boulders are fabricated using woven bags filled with concrete and located on the water side of the bulkhead. An anchor bolt is embedded in the top surface of the boulder concrete. A concrete grade beam equipped with anchor bolts is located on the land side of the bulkhead. Cables are threaded between the anchor bolts of the concrete boulders and the anchor bolts of the grade beam. The weight of the concrete boulders plus the tensioned cables provide a structure that resists movement and protects the bulkhead from deterioration due to wave action. If upgrade soil protection is needed, rock-filled gabion cages can be installed over the grade beam.

Abstract: A method for the reduction of liquefaction potential within soil of a stratum located a distance deep below a foundation of a structure through the injection of a two-part polyurethane liquid forming a polymer foam.

Abstract: A geogrid in the form of an integral, mesh structure includes molecularly orientated polymeric material, with the integral, mesh structure being formed of interconnecting mesh defining elements including elongate tensile elements. The molecular orientation of the integral, mesh structure is uniform throughout the extent thereof.

Abstract: A device is for operation on a pressurized bolt connection between a first flanged tubular and a second flanged tubular. The device has a first clamping member with a first contact portion adapted to bear against the flange of the first tubular, a second clamping member with a second contact portion adapted to bear against the flange of the second tubular, and a connection arrangement for pulling the first clamping member and second clamping member together. The first contact portion and the second contact portion are adapted to bear at an inner part of the flanges between the bolts of the bolt connection and the body of the two tubulars.

Abstract: A utility conduit and related methods of assembling lengths of utility conduit with a mechanical spline connector. The utility conduit includes opposed male and female ends, wherein the male end is slidably insertable into the female end of adjacent conduits. The female end includes one or more circumferential sealing channels into which a seal member is positionable and an internal spline groove that is circumferentially defined inside the conduit. The female end includes a wall bore through a conduit wall that intersects with the internal spline groove. The male end includes an exterior spline groove on an exterior of the conduit. A spline can be inserted through the wall bore and into a space cooperatively defined by the internal spline groove and the external spline groove. The spline is inserted such that the spline occupies the space cooperatively defined by the internal spline groove and the external spline groove.

Abstract: A weight system for a landfill tarpaulin. A pair of parallel chains are retained within a pair of sleeves in the tarp. A plurality of parallel wire lines traverse the tarpaulin. A plurality of elongated coupler bodies are provided with each coupler body having a first end terminating in an eyelet, a second, opposed end terminating in a hollow recess, and an attached threaded protrusion to the underside of the body. A chain fastener passes through one eyelet, passes through one of the links of the chain, and passes through the sleeve of the tarp. A tarp fastener passes through a washer, passes through the tarp, passes through an optional washer, and is threadably connected to the elongated coupler body. Each end of the wire lines is received and held in place by the hollow recess.

Abstract: A machine for driving a pair of screw anchors at substantially the same time. An attachment supports a pair of independent drive assemblies. Each assembly consists of a rotary driver and tool driver that moves along respective driving arms to independently drive a pair of screw anchors into supporting ground at different angles. Each assembly may move with respect to the machine independently to drive anchors into the ground in overlapping time, or both may rotate at once to drive anchors into the ground sequentially.

Abstract: A system for use in diverting a liquid includes a substantially impermeable liner and a plurality of supporting structures connectable to each other and configured for supporting the liner and a liquid when the liquid is received in a portion bounded by the liner. A first supporting structure of the plurality of supporting structures includes a first dam phase, a first brace and a first base connecting said first dam face to said first brace. A second supporting structure of the plurality of supporting structures includes a second dam face, a second brace and a second base connecting the first dam face to the second brace. The first base is configured to be located on a ground surface to support the first supporting structure and the second base is configured to be located on the ground surface to support the second supporting structure. The first dam face and the second dam face contact and support the liner.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of adapting a metal bar, for use as a rock bolt, to ensure that the bar will break in a predictable manner, the method including the step of removing material from the bar in a circumferential band to reduce a diameter of the bar within the band to a minor diameter thereby to provide a failure zone within which the bar will break if subjected to enough tensile load.

Abstract: A flood-protective ventilation louver includes a window frame assembly, slat assemblies, a transmission mechanism, and a buoyance switch assembly. During flooding, external water passes through the window frame assembly into the buoyance switch assembly, such that the buoyance switch assembly is caused to release the transmission mechanism from constraint to thereby allow the slat of each of the slat assemblies to oscillate downward automatically and thus automatic closing is realized.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a utility support framing system and method of use for structurally suspended concrete slabs of slab-on-voidform foundations. The inventive utility support framing system and method of use isolates utilities, hanger assemblies, and framing system components from soil so as to avoid problems created by volumetric soil changes which otherwise would damage utility lines under foundation systems. The inventive utility support framing system permits suspending utility pipes under a slab of a slab-on-voidform foundation while avoiding the problems of the prior art. The invention also relates to a novel mountable pipe clamp and method of use and a novel protective utility counterweight and method of use for transitioning a utility system from a suspended condition to a soil supported condition.

Abstract: A barrier structure for impeding erosion due to mudslides allows mud to enter through large holes in a barrier wall, and water separated from soil to drain out through smaller holes in a rear wall. An underlying reservoir can further stabilize the structure by rapidly collect water and/or mud. A backstop wall and/or an extension can be abutted to a top of the barrier wall to enhance mud collection during a mudslide. The structure can further include a penetrating passage enabling a fraction of impacting mud to flow through unimpeded, and/or a diverting wedge uphill of the apparatus diverts some impacting mud and debris while allowing a remainder thereof to pass through to the barrier wall. A plurality of the barrier structures can be installed such that mud flowing past an uphill structure impacts a downhill structure. The barrier structure can be constructed from biodegradable materials.

Abstract: A method of securing optical fiber and/or innerduct/microduct 140 within a microtrench 11 by laying the optical fiber and/or innerduct/microduct 140 within a microtrench 11 and inserting a plurality of microtrench plugs 6 into the microtrench 11 above the optical fiber and/or innerduct/microduct 140 to secure the optical fiber and/or innerduct/microduct 140 in the microtrench 11 and reduce bowing of the optical fiber and/or innerduct/microduct 140 up from a bottom of the microtrench 11.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a horizontally extendable silt fence. The present invention is also directed to a silt fence system comprising a horizontally extendable silt fence comprising a water permeable geotextile material having an upper edge and a lower edge, and a plurality of posts comprising an upper portion strutted and arranged to be coupled with the upper edge of the water permeable geotextile material, a lower portion structured and arranged to be coupled with the lower edge of the water permeable geotextile material, and an anchor portion structured and arranged to be driven into the ground to anchor the post. Also disclosed is a method of filtering silt from a fluid stream.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a sealing base in the ground in which by injection of a curable grouting compound a plurality of sealing elements is produced in a first soil layer, which elements adjoin one another or overlap, wherein the plurality of sealing elements forms a solid base plate following curing of the grouting compound. It is provided according to the invention that in a second soil layer, which lies beneath the first soil layer for the solid base plate, a gel base is created by injection of a sealing gel, and that the solid base plate and the underlying gel base form the sealing base. The invention further relates to a correspondingly produced sealing base.

Abstract: Provided are a pile foundation bearing platform settlement, reinforcement, lift-up and leveling structure and a construction method thereof. The structure includes a bearing platform and a plurality of pile foundations, a weak soil reinforcement layer under the bearing platform and a pile tip bearing stratum. The weak soil reinforcement layer forms a plurality of first grouting holes, and the first grouting hole extends through the bearing platform and communicates with the outside. The first grouting hole is used to perform primary grouting in the weak soil reinforcement layer. The pile tip bearing stratum forms a plurality of second grouting holes, and the second grouting hole extends through the weak soil reinforcement layer and the bearing platform, and communicates with the outside. The second grouting hole is used to perform secondary grouting in the pile tip bearing stratum.

Abstract: A watercraft lift system including one or more laterally-adjustable components and related methods are disclosed. The watercraft lift system can include a cradle assembly and optionally at least one side guide, which can be connected to the cradle assembly. The cradle assembly can include substantially parallel first and second cradle rails. One or both of the first cradle rail and the at least one side guide can be movable in a lateral direction between a wider watercraft-receiving position and a narrower watercraft-received position. In an example, lateral movement of the first cradle rail and/or the at least one side guide from the watercraft-receiving position to the watercraft-received position occurs automatically upon entry of a watercraft into the confines of the watercraft lift system. The watercraft lift system can further comprise an actuator to cause lateral movement of the first cradle rail and/or the at least one side guide.

Abstract: A rig adapted for rock bolting comprising a feeding magazine is provided. The feeding magazine comprises a holding structure for bolts and is arranged in conjunction with a rock reinforcement unit. The rig further comprises a feeding device that is arranged to provide the rock reinforcement unit with bolts from the feeding magazine. The rig further comprises a loading magazine comprising a holding structure for bolts, as well as a, relative to the feeding magazine and the loading magazine, moveable picking device arranged to move bolts that are located in the loading magazine such that they are accessible to the feeding device.