Abstract: A method of handling solid particles is disclosed, comprising the steps of mixing the solid particles with a clay and water and forming a suspension wherein the solid particles remain suspended. The suspension is transported to an emplacement site.

Abstract: Mechanically attached adapters are beneficial in cutting edge assemblies for the ease of assembly and disassembly. However, they must be easily assembled and disassembled and must be able to withstand harsh operating conditions. In the subject arrangement, a cutting edge assembly is provided including a base edge having a stop member solidly secured thereto spaced from a leading edge thereof and extending upwardly from the base edge. A mechanically attached adapter has a forward working end portion and a rearward end portion for securing the mechanically attached adapter to the base edge. The rearward end portion has an upper strap portion, a lower strap portion spaced from the upper strap portion and interconnected therewith by an intermediate portion to define a cavity. The upper strap portion has an elongate slot which receives the stop member during assembly. A portion of the base edge is received in the cavity and a retainer mechanism is disposed in the elongate slot spaced from the stop member.

Abstract: A bumper system is disclosed for docking an auxiliary drilling vessel to a compliant platform through first and second pads having vertically extending, complementary outboard faces presented from the respective structures in vertically slidable abutment. A biasing system pushes the vessel and platform into abutment across the first and second pads and the system allows the vessel to dock to the structure in a manner such that vertical loading is not substantially transmitted between the vessel and the structure across the sliding engagement.

Abstract: Apparatus for inserting an elongated flexible prefabricated vertical (PV) drain downwardly into the earth. The apparatus includes a vertical mast having a lower standard mast base and a lightweight extra long mast extension. A vehicle supports the mast from its mast base in order to raise and lower the mast to and from vertical and to otherwise manipulate and transport the mast in a conventional manner. A longitudinal chamber extends for the entire length of the mast and carries therein an earth penetrating tube for vertical movement. This earth penetrating tube also has a passage therethrough for receiving the elongated flexible PV drain for movement with this insertion tube down into the earth when driven therein. The mast extension includes a series of axially aligned extension tubes constructed of light weight material and removably connected together end to end, and a combination spar and guy mechanism is utilized for supporting this long mast extension from the relatively short mast base.

Abstract: A method, using a crane-equipped depot ship, for automatically repairing an underwater pipeline even if installed at great depth, comprising substantially the following steps: cutting off the damaged pipe piece by a single working module which, lowered onto the sea bed by a crane and clamped about said pipeline, removably supports the cutting apparatus; removing the concrete from the facing ends of the cut pipeline by said single working module which removably supports the removal apparatus, this being provided with an expansion-centering head; installing connectors by a sonar head alignment apparatus removably supported by said working module; and installing the replacement pipe piece by said working module using a reference and guide apparatus clamped about said ends of the pipeline. Specific apparatus for implementing the method are also described.

Abstract: A conservation tillage unit includes a coulter and a plow having a shank, a point and a pair of wings mounted slightly forwardly of the shank. The unit fractures the soil at ground speeds up to seven miles per hour without throwing the surface soil and residue to the side and while leaving a reduced furrow behind the shank.

Abstract: This invention is a soil backfilling device mounted on a vehicle used for producing a plurality of aeration holes in a single operation. A control is provided for metering the backfill media into a plurality of metering tubes and a second control is used for selectively disbursing the backfill from the metering tubes into the aeration holes. The backfilling device is shown in conjunction with one type of multiple aeration hole forming machine but, of course, it could be used in conjunction with other machines accomplishing the same results.

Abstract: A cast in situ pile (12, 112) has a pile cap assembly (14, 114), comprising a plate (16, 116) with fixing bolts (18, 118) extending upwardly therefrom and at least one tube (28, 128) extending downwardly therefrom. The pile cap assembly is fitted to the pile prior to the concrete setting, whereby the pile cap assembly can be moved relative to the unset pile to achieve optimum positional accuracy.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and apparatus for providing yielding support for a hanging wall above a footwall in a mine working. A support assembly is installed between the hanging wall and the footwall, the assembly including a spacer (10), a pack (30) and a grout-inflatable bag (32). Grout is pumped into the bag (32) and is allowed to set to apply a vertical prestess force to the support assembly. The spacer (10) is substantially stiffer in compression than the pack (30), which is designed to yield under the compressive loading applied by the hanging wall. The use of a stiff spacer (10) serves to elevate the yielding pack to a suitble operative height without the allowable slenderness ratio for the pack to be exceeded.

Abstract: Methods of soil containment and soil remediation are disclosed. The methods contemplate selecting a surface area associated with a subterraneal volume wherein the subterraneal volume includes ground water beneath the surface area. Barrier means are arranged around at least part of the perimeter of the subterraneal volume for isolating the surface area and the associated subterraneal volume from adjacent subterraneal volumes. The ground water table is then lowered to a desired depth so that a contaminated vadose zone is exposed. The ground water is maintained at such lowered depth by means of gas pressure. Optionally, the exposed vadose zone may be remediated.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a pile having a predetermined pile diameter in a cast-in-place pile includes an agitating apparatus. The agitating apparatus includes a pipe having a longitudinal axis which extends into the ground, and two nozzles are respectively disposed on and supported on the pipe. Each of the plurality of nozzles produces a directional jet flow of liquid. Additionally, an arrangement is provided for supplying liquid under pressure to the two nozzles. The two nozzles are spaced apart a predetermined distance along the longitudinal axis of the pipe, and are oriented such that fluid flow from the two nozzles intersects at a predetermined radial distance from the pipe, so that a cross jet flow is established at the predetermined radial distance to establish an outermost mixing of hardener and settable mixture. A final hardened pile diameter forms at the predetermined radial distance.

Abstract: A method for underpinning an existing footing of a building structure includes the steps of driving or drilling pile members into the ground on opposing sides of the footing, and forming concrete compression blocks on the opposing sides of the footing so that the concrete compression blocks are engaging relation with the footing and so that the concrete blocks are supported on the pile members. The method further includes the steps of drilling horizontal openings through the compression blocks and footing and extending post-tensioning strands through the openings. The post-tensioning strands are then tensioned to a predetermined load so that the compression blocks are urged into firm engaging and compressing relation with the footing. The earth beneath the footing and the compression blocks is then excavated wherein the footing and compression blocks are supported by the pile members. The load of the building is effectively transferred from the footing to the compression blocks by means of friction.

Abstract: A process for conditioning waste materials containing at least one waste material plastic, includes the steps of mixing the waste material to form a homogenous plurality of particulate waste material members; and, blending the homogenous plurality of particulate waste material members with a thermosetting blend resin and a cross-linking catalyst to form a blend. The waste material plastic forms ionic bonds with the thermosetting blend resin. A filled plastic product according to the invention includes a thermosetting resin matrix, and a filler material having a plurality of particles containing at least one component selected from the group consisting of heavy metals and filler plastics. The filler resins are selected from the group consisting of thermosetting materials and thermoplastic materials, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is a hand-held fertilizer dispenser. The dispenser is tapered in shape, tapering into a small side discharge opening to place the fertilizer exactly where desired. A pivoted handle is provided at the top which allows it to be carried at arm's length to avoid contact with chemicals. A spring loaded trigger pulls a plate upwardly to open a side discharge opening. A retractable spike is used to hold the hopper in a vertical position while loading with fertilizer.

Abstract: A tension leg platform for supporting an oil rig above a seabed includes a deck, a buoyant hull and a single tubular tether. The tether has a lower end penetrating into the seabed and an upper end that is secured to the hull to hold the hull down against its own buoyancy. The deck is secured to the hull and adapted to support an oil rig. Multiple casing strings extend through the tether from the deck to the seabed. Supplemental buoyancy, tanks can be provided between the hull and the tether or within the tether itself.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a linear revetment system comprising interconnecting erosion prevention curbs having connecting means abd fin-like projections extending downward into the soil to prevent erosion.

Abstract: By changing the additives to an off-gas system in an incinerator bag house, by replacing part of a normally added calcium compound with a sodium compound, one can reduce the amount of sodium compound needed for a combined off-gas from incineration and glass melting system, reduce the amount of glass produced for a given amount of waste to be incinerated, and thereby reduce the cost of installing a glass melter and the cost of energy (electricity) needed to produce glass.

Abstract: An improved surface covering for use in tennis courts or other fields on which games are played and which require a hard surface. The surface covering includes layers of materials applied on an old existing covering which is inferior for one or more reasons. The new covering includes a drain rock layer beneath a flexible fabric panel which is beneath a new base rock layer. A layer of asphalt is applied to the base rock layer, following which a thin layer, such as of bitumen or the like, can be applied to the top of the asphalt layer. The new covering will "float" on top of the old covering to allow the old covering to expand or contract due to ground movement while also eliminating moisture problems.

Abstract: A corrective trenchless pipeline installation method basically includes the operational steps of, first, forming a substantially irregular initial pilot hole underground in earthen matter between a pair of spaced entry and exit pits formed in the earthen matter, second, reforming the substantially irregular initial pilot hole into a substantially straight corrected pilot hole, third, reaming the corrected pilot hole to provide an expanded straight pilot hole, and, fourth, pulling a pipeline through the expanded corrected pilot hole. In reforming the irregular initial pilot hole to the straight corrected pilot hole a cutter blade is concurrently reciprocated back and forth through the irregular pilot hole and rotated relative to the irregular pilot hole to form the corrected straight pilot hole therefrom.

Abstract: A drain module is substituted for a retaining block during the construction of a retaining wall of interlocking retaining blocks to provide a drain. The drain module includes an inlet tube for coupling to a drainage pipe, a flange having an outer face attached to an end of the inlet tube, and an elongated main tube aligned with the inlet tube and attached to an inner face of the flange. A front face plate is attached to a front end of the main tube and has an opening aligned with a passage through the main tube. First and second side chambers are bounded by first and second portions, respectively, of the front face place extending beyond opposite sides of the main tube. In one embodiment the side chambers are filled with cement or the like during construction of the retaining wall to receive and anchor interlocking pins engaging retaining blocks of the retaining wall. The front face plate has a shape or contour closely corresponding to the shape or contour of the front face of each retaining block.