Abstract: A dampening device for dampening the vertical wave-induced motion component of a floating structure. The dampener projects in the form of a skirt down below the bottom of the floating structure (11) and consists of a plurality of channels (47) which extend substantially horizontally and converge from an inlet opening (27, 28, 36, 37, 38) to an outlet opening (16, 46) leading away from the floating structure (11). When the structure (11) moves downwards water is forced from the underside through the channels (47) and creates a jet effect which acts with dampening effect on the vertical motion of the structure.

Abstract: The invention is a method and a composition of a mixture for degradation and immobilization of contaminants in soil and groundwater. The oxidative particle mixture and method includes providing a material having a minimal volume of free water, mixing at least one inorganic oxidative chemical in a granular form with a carrier fluid containing a fine grained inorganic hydrophilic compound and injecting the resulting mixture into the subsurface. The granular form of the inorganic oxidative chemical dissolves within the areas of injection, and the oxidative ions move by diffusion and/or advection, therefore extending the treatment zone over a wider area than the injection area. The organic contaminants in the soil and groundwater are degraded by the oxidative ions, which form solid byproducts that can sorb significant amounts of inorganic contaminants, metals, and radionuclides for in situ treatment and immobilization of contaminants.

Abstract: A method for groundwater remediation of DNALP-contaminated aquifers comprising the steps of modifying the density of the DNALP with alcohol and displacing the NAPL by surfactant flushing.

Abstract: There is provided by the invention a subsurface drainage system which promotes efficient and controlled subsurface drainage of fluids, such as irrigation water, applied to the surface of land such as a football field. A drain core apparatus is provided that provides rapid infiltration and later movement of subsurface fluids, but which is resistant to settling, compacting and crushing. The drain core is a thermoplastic mat having crush-resistant support members integrated with and upon a backing grid which holds the support members in spaced relation to one another. Fluid flowing into and through the drain core is collected and stored in a fluid storage container. The fluid storage container is adapted to be buried beneath the ground, and has an easily assembled internal support structure composed of vertically layered thermoplastic mats. The mats permit fluids to flow freely within the container, and yet lend vertical and structural stability to the container.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stabilized fluid barrier member and to methods of forming the same. The fluid barrier comprises a first outer sheet member having a top surface and a bottom surface, with a stabilizer element overlying at least part of the first sheet member top surface and abutting the top surface along at least a portion thereof. The stabilizer element contains a plurality of interstitial apertures adapted to contain a quantity of a selectively fluid-impervient barrier material and for substantially preventing displacement of the barrier material from the apertures, notwithstanding the angular inclination at which the fluid barrier member is oriented during manufacture, transport, installation and/or use. The barrier material is chosen for its ability to prevent passage of one or more particular fluids, in liquid or gas form, depending upon the application for which the barrier member is intended.

Abstract: With a method for constructing a water intake pipe, a vertical shaft 10 is constructed, and a shield tunnel 12 is constructed by causing a shield driving machine to advance from the vertical shaft 10 toward a seashore by breaking the wall of the vertical shaft 10. The tunnel 12 becomes a water intake pipe after the tunnel is constructed, and is built by annularly assembling segments 14 one after another at the rear side of the shield driving machine in line with the advancement thereof. Two types of segments 14, RC segments 18 and ductile segments 20, are used. The segments 20 are provided with water intake pores clogged by clogging members. After the tunnel 12 is constructed, workmen enter the shield tunnel 12 with compressed air supplied thereinto, and remove the clogging members of the ductile segments 20.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tail structure of a shield driving machine, and in particular relates to an improvement technique of the tail sealing portion of this type of shield driving machine, in order to eliminate wearing of the tail seal. The tail structure has a first tail seal 12 and a second tail seal 14. The first tail seal 12 is provided with a tail ring 12a, a seal tube 12b and packing 12c, and the tail ring 12a is secured movably in the axial direction of a skin plate 10. The packing 12c is pressure-fitted to segments 11 in line with enlargement of the seal tube 12b and is spaced from the segments 11 in line with reduction of the seal tube 12b. The second tail seal 14 is provided with a seal tube 14a and packing 14b, wherein the packing 14b is pressure-fitted to the segments 11 in line with enlargement of the seal tube 14a and is spaced from the segments 11 in line with reduction of the seal tube 14b.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and equipment to assist the flow of offshore production of hydrocarbon mixtures containing a high concentration of gas. A primary separating vessel is used and production is diverted to it. This vessel is designed to allow primary separate of the gas, which flows to the gathering center via a special line. Within the primary separating vessel there is a U-shaped length of pipe whose arms are connected to two flow lines which extend to the gathering center. A mechanical interface driven by high pressure gas periodically travels along these lines, carrying with it to the gathering center the volume of liquid phase which has accumulated in the lines. If liquid phase passes into the gas flow line, a mechanical interface can be passed along this line to remove the volume of liquid which has accumulated within it.

Abstract: A reinforced retaining wall is provided comprised of precast, concrete block facing elements connected by suitable connectors to reinforcing members which extend from the facing elements into the adjacent reinforced soil to form a mechanically stabilized earthen wall construction. The connectors which affix the reinforcing members at their connecting ends to the facing elements comprise concrete poured into a part or all of certain of the void spaces within selective facing blocks, which concrete may or may not be reinforced and which concrete, when dry and cured, envelops and secures the connecting ends of the reinforcement members to their corresponding blocks and forms anchors thereat.

Abstract: A pressure balanced connector is provided for connecting a choke and kill line to a subsea wellhead. The connector bears the separation forces applied by the line pressure with a pressure balancing chamber that is in constant fluid communication with the choke and kill line. The forces applied on the pressure balancing chamber hold a latching mechanism for the connector in place on the wellhead. The latching mechanism does not require precise positioning with the wellhead to make the connection.

Abstract: A vertical drain for draining fluid from ground soil, which drain comprises an elongate core having one or more channels extending along the length of the core to receive fluid; electrically conductive means extending substantially along the length of the core; and a filter surrounding the core, wherein fluid from ground being consolidated passes through the filter into the one or more channels in the core.

Abstract: A retaining wall system and method for stabilizing earthen walls. The system comprises a wall panels assembled together to form a reinforcing wall assembly and anchor mesh connected to the wall panels and buried within the earthen wall. The wall panels engage the face of the earthen wall, and the anchor mesh inhibits lateral movement of the reinforcing wall assembly. The panels are connected to the anchor mesh by locking pins that extend through loop portions of the anchor mesh and engage a front face of the wall panels. Anchor bars are connected to the loop portions of the anchor mesh; these anchor bars engage a back face of the wall panels to control and limit the movement of the wall panels relative to the anchor mesh as earth is back-filled against the wall panels. When the wall panels are concrete, a void network is formed in the panels to receive the anchor mesh loop portions and the locking pins. Pin windows may be formed in concrete wall panels to facilitate insertion of the locking pins.

Abstract: The invention relates to a disposable assembly for collecting contaminated waste, comprising a heat-stable container (1), for example made of metal, in order to withstand, without deformation, the conditions, particularly the temperature conditions, of a complete sterilization of its contents, and intended for household and/or industrial refuse, and forming a chamber provided with a sealable opening (2) through which the contaminated waste (3) is introduced, and a hot-melt plastic material (11) which is meltable under the conditions, particularly the temperature conditions, of sterilization, and is arranged inside the container (1), with a sufficient mass to enclose the waste (3) in the molten plastic material, the assembly additionally including a permeable cover (15), with a filter (55), sealing the opening (2) of the container (1).

Abstract: A system for stabilizing moisture content of soil around and beneath the foundation of a building. The system includes a source of pressurized water; one or more conduits buried in the soil around the building foundation, at least a portion of soil conduit being pervious to water, allowing water therein to enter said soil; and a remotely operated valve connecting the source of water to the conduits to permit or prevent flow of water, respectively, from the source of water to the conduits. A controller is operatively connected to the remotely operated valve for transmitting signals to the valve for opening and closing thereof in a predetermined time cycle. At least one soil moisture sensitive device is operatively connected to the controller and/or the valve for interrupting signals transmitted to the valve, to prevent opening of the valve when the moisture content of the soil exceeds a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A draining wall comprises a plurality of elementary panels (P) filled with a filtering material (10), wherein the panels are separated from one another by intermediate elements (J) and in that an element (2) connecting each pair of adjacent panels is embedded in the lower part of each intermediate element. The application also discloses a method and an element for its implementation. The invention is particularly useful for landslide areas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shield driving machine by which eliminates excessive work of the ground when working at a curved section while suppressing an increase of the sinking of the ground surface and securing a quickening in the stability of segments. In the shield driving machine, a bulkhead 16 is provided at the tip end side of the shield driving machine body 14 of the shield driving machine 10. The chamber 18 which is formed by the bulkhead 16 and has the tip end side open is filled up with excavated earth and sand and is used to oppose the earth pressure and water pressure in the natural ground. A rotating shaft 22 which supports cross-shaped spokes 20 penetrates on the center axis of the bulkhead 16. At the shield driving machine 10, a plurality of openings 24 which discharge a part of the excavated earth and sand supplied from the chamber 18 to the rear side of the shield driving machine body 14 are provided at the hood portion 27.

Abstract: An improvement for a bracket assembly of the type used in lifting and supporting a foundation upon a pier is provided. An adjustable brace member is provided in the bracket assembly to decrease the available front to back space within the bracket to prevent movement of the retained pier within the bracket so as to reduce bending moment on the pier. The brace member comprises a slot disposed within a top of the bracket, which receives one or more locking tabs to retain the pier. Threaded bolts which enable the bracket to engage and be supported on the pier are received in elongated holes on the bracket to allow positioning of the lifting and support hardware directly over the pier. The modified bracket assembly allows for the replacement of any size or configuration of pier.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and equipment to assist the flow of offshore oil production. At least three production flow lines are used, which are interconnected close to offshore well-heads or manifolds forming two U-shaped lengths of pipe acting as circuits for passage of the hydrocarbon mixture produced. A mechanical interface is periodically inserted into one flow line of the U-shaped branches of pipe and, driven by a volume of pressurized gas, travels along the one from among the two U-shaped pipe length to return to a gathering center. In its passage it pushes along the volume of hydrocarbon mixture which has accumulated in the flow lines.

Abstract: A mine cribbing system includes a mine cribbing column having a discrete number of sides, each side including a series of stacked blocks. Each block includes an elongated body and a pair of spaced slots extending into one side of the body. The slots are utilized for interconnecting the adjacent sides. Preferably, the column is a three-sided structure with a first pair of slots in each body extending 1/3 of the thickness of the body and a second slot of each body extending in 2/3 of the thickness of the body.

Abstract: A leaching chamber for burial in the ground includes biased ends which permit a series of chambers to arch clockwise or counterclockwise or to continue straight to form a leaching field. Each chamber is identical to every other chamber and includes identical mating flanges. For tighter arches, short adaptors can be used which have ends identical to the chambers.