Abstract: An arrangement for shoreline construction, maintenance, and protection, and methods for making and using the same wherein wave energy-absorbent pilings are arranged in rows parallel to a shoreline such that a portion of the pilings are exposed above the water body bottom and filled with soil, thereby absorbing and transferring wave energy to the water body bottom, and where aquatic vegetation is provided in the soil in the pilings resulting in a shoreline that is stable, incorporates natural materials and provides a habitat for aquatic life.

Abstract: An equilateral tetrahedral frame, comprising six concrete beams inserted through the center of a number of automotive tires. The ends of the concrete beams are fastened together at four points. These four points are covered by a cap of concrete to seal the fastening points. The reef device may be of any size. The design permits ease of transport due to its ability to stack one upon another uniqueness of this reef is in the design. Once the reef is transported to its desired location, it can lowered or dropped to the sea floor.

Abstract: A material and method is provided for lining man-entry sized pipes and securing the lining to the pipe. A plurality of lining panels (10) are positioned along the interior surface of a pipe so as to form a plurality of adjacent wall portions extending through the pipe. The lining panels are each formed with a plurality of T-shaped flanges (20) extending perpendicular to and along said outer wall of the lining panel. A stiffening panel (200) is positioned between at least selected pairs of the T-shaped flanges. The hollow interiors of the stiffening panels are formed to receive and hold grout. The grout when cured provides strength and support for a second layer of grout injected into an annulus between the pipe's inner surface and an outer surface of the lining.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rock bolt (1) and method of installing a rock bolt, particularly a hollow bolt. The method of installation utilises a chemical anchor, the components of which are provided in a cartridge (4) which is either injected through the bolt or removably attached to an end thereof. The bolt preferably includes a thread (40) formed by plastically deforming the walls (41) of the bolt so as to maximise tensile strength whilst minimising wall thickness.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for inserting a tendon (52) into a bore (4) for the purpose of reinforcing rock (6) in which the bore (4) has been drilled. The method enables the tendon (52) to be inserted into the bore while being rotated at the same time to facilitate the mixing of anchoring material (122) located in the bore (4). Apparatus for carrying out the method is also provided.

Abstract: An end cap for a drainage system comprises a wall element having substantially the same profile as the cross-section of the end of the trench drain channel section. The wall element is adapted to be coupled to the trench drain channel section to form a terminal end of the channel section. At least one transverse groove is provided in the channel section so that, when the end cap is separated at the groove, the height of the end cap corresponds to the depth of the channel section. Typically, a plurality of transverse grooves are provided at spaced intervals along the vertical height of the wall element which correspond to different possible depths of the channel section. Thus, the end cap may be adapted to fit any one of a number of channel sections, regardless of depth. The end cap may further comprise a pipe coupler integrally molded with the wall element such that the wall element and coupler are substantially continuous.

Abstract: A fairing system is disclosed for installation about a drilling riser deployed in a deepwater application. In another aspect of the invention, a method for deploying a drilling riser fairing system is disclosed in which a first retaining ring is installed on a buoyancy can encircling the drilling riser and a drilling riser fairings is installed above the first retaining ring. Drilling riser fairing installation folds a pair of fairing sides of a fairing shroud about an axially disposed hinge to surround the buoyancy can above the first retaining ring. A tail connection system secures the tail ends of the fairing sides together and a pair of struts are installed to further secure the fairing sides together. A plurality of interior bearing pads are provided on the internal circumference of the fairing shroud and axial bearing pads are provided on flanges at the upper and lower edges of the fairing shroud.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a trench or catch basin void with removable cardboard components that fold up to create a three dimensional trench void form, and pair of elongated frame members to define a support surface for a trench cover is disclosed according to the present invention. The removable cardboard form includes a rectangular shape with outwardly extending edges running longitudinally along the top surface. A pair of elongated frame members lay in a coplanar, spaced relationship to the side and bottom of the outward extended top edges of the predetermined form. The frames are used to define a surface to support the trench covers. A pair of U shaped support legs are joined at the ends to the frame members with nuts in order to maintain clearance for total encasement and adjust the top of the form to the desired finish elevation. Another preferred embodiment utilizes a rectangular rail for creating a drain support in a finished catch basin.

Abstract: A floating reservoir cover tensioning system that eliminates unsightly towers that are mounted on the upper surface of the surrounding containing walls of a reservoir. A plurality of tensioning assemblies are mounted in cases supported on the top surface of the surrounding containing wall of the reservoir at predetermined spaced intervals to assure that the tension forces are equally distributed. Each of the tensioning assemblies has a combined structure of a cable drum and a storage drum journaled on a bearing extending up from a mounting plate. A pair of laterally spaced spring motor drums are also journaled on their respective bearings extending up from the mounting plate. One end of a first coiled-band spring is secured to one of the spring motor drums and its opposite end is secured to the storage drum. A second coiled-band spring has its one end secured to the second motor drum and its other end secured to the storage drum.

Abstract: A pipeline trenching and laying device is disclosed, having a tractor supported portion, a ripper and a pipe feed chute. The tractor supported portion supports the pipe as it passes over the tractor. A plurality of rollers are spaced and elevated in a manner that carefully controls the curvature of the pipe. A ripper, towed behind the tractor by a rigid fixed connection, cuts a trench. A pipe feed chute is in turn towed by the ripper. The pipe feed chute provides forward and rearward portions separated by an articulating joint. A following roller, having a winch attached, allows pressure to be put on the pipe to cause it to curve in a manner calculated to pass over the tractor supported portion and through the pipe feed chute without bending excessively or kinking.

Abstract: The erosion control system includes a plurality of erosion control blocks connected to one another by connectors to form an interconnected network of erosion control blocks conforming to the underlying terrain for erosion prevention. Each erosion control block includes a plurality of apertures therethrough each forming a side wall. The connector includes a pair of projecting legs for insertion into adjacent erosion control blocks. Each leg attachingly engages the side wall of the aperture of an erosion control block for connecting that erosion control block to an adjacent block. The legs include tapered extensions which frictionally engage the side wall, and in one embodiment of the erosion control block, the side wall includes a shoulder which engages the terminal end of the tapered extension. The erosion control block may have one end with convex arcuate surface and another end with a concave arcuate surface for providing an articulating joint between adjacent erosion control blocks.

Abstract: A water containment device and levee for impeding a flow of water. The water containment device includes a body portion having a first end, a second end, a base, and a first side and a second side attached to the base. At least one valve is disposed in the first end for introducing a water into the body portion. A flap is also provided that is integrally formed with the body portion and extends outward therefrom. The flap for receiving another water containment device thereon and impeding movement of the water containment device. The flap is also used to divert the flow of water away from the levee should the level of the water exceed the levee.

Abstract: Beds for wave dissipation having a lattice frame are arranged near a shore line of a shore and wave dissipating materials are stacked on the beds to make a wave dissipating structure, and sand is accumulated on the land side behind the wave dissipating structure. The wave dissipating structure (20) constructed by placing and stacking wave dissipating materials on a lattice frame (10) sinks in proportion to the amount of sand scoured away around the structure or at the bottom thereof, without scattering of the wave dissipating materials by ocean waves, the sinking stops when the effect of ocean waves is not exerted, ocean waves collide with the head part of the wave dissipating structure, crushed waves containing a lot of sand rushes up, and the carried sand is left in backwashing to be accumulated on the land side behind the wave dissipating structure (20). Thus, the sand ground surface (8) rises to a place (9).

Abstract: A device for slicing through soil and simultaneously inserting silt fence into the soil. Silt fence is a synthetic material installed in and above the ground to impede silt erosion from areas disturbed by construction. The device comprises a soil disrupter for slicing thinly through the soil 8 inches to 12 inches deep, and an apparatus, operating at the same depth, for converting silt fence, manufactured on a roll, into a vertical position in and above the ground. The apparatus includes a vertical wheel operating between two parallel panels, acting as a moving pivot point where the horizontal silt fence is converted to a vertical position between the panels. The panels hold the soil open while the vertical wheel simultaneously inserts silt fence into the opening. As the machine progresses, soil collapses against the silt fence, thus securing the silt fence in the desired position.

Abstract: A mechanized cable puller. By combinig a hydraulic track-mounted excavator with a winding spool the present invention provides underground machinery for pulling underground electrical cable from an underground conduit into an underground cable vault, without requiring the temporary installation of direction-changing pulleys in the cable vault. By using a square bar as part of the underground machinery, the cable can be pulled from any of four different directions, spaced ninety degrees apart, in a three-hundred-and-sixty-degree span.

Abstract: An emergency water reservoir apparatus for providing a ready water reserve for extinguishing fires at a location such as a residence includes a water storage tank having an interior reservoir in fluid communication with a water hydrant valve. A water intake conduit in fluid communication with an established water supply and the interior reservoir permits delivery of water into the water tank from the established water supply system. Included at the reservoir end of the water intake conduit is a water intake cut-off device and an anti-siphon valve device. A water pump pumps water from the interior reservoir to the water hydrant valve. An infusion pump device with an infusion reservoir member and an adjustable infusion dispensing device provides infusion chemicals into the water passing from the interior reservoir to the water hydrant valve. An electrical power generator is included to provide backup power to the water pump and the infusion pump device when the location's power supply is cut off.

Abstract: An arrangement of a jackup platform's elevating system, leg guides, hull-to-legs load transfer device, and method of operation of the load transfer device for an offshore jackup platform's hull to be supported by legs which have one or more vertical toothed gear racks attached.An apparatus consisting of rectangular blocks with protruding lugs that are shaped for efficient engagement with a portion of the upper faces of the gear rack teeth, that extend vertically on the leg chords of the jackup platform. The rectangular blocks are movable in a direction perpendicular to one side of the gear rack. Powered guide assemblies control movement of the rectangular blocks such that their protruding lugs can move into the spaces in between the gear rack teeth.

Abstract: A flotation system for a building (300) is disclosed including a watertight basement (540) having a unitary piece of concrete forming the floor and walls (615) of the watertight basement (540). Rollers (610) are attached to the watertight basement (540). As floodwater rises or recedes, the rollers (610) roll along guide posts (310) located near corners of the watertight basement (540). Attached to the guide posts (310) are a ratchet system (620) for moving the watertight basement (540) along the guide posts (310) and maintaining it at a desired height. A preferred embodiment includes pressurized cylinders (1550) for lifting the building (300) prior to a surge of floodwater.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for stabilizing sloped embankments is disclosed which utilizes interlocking barrier elements to form a step-like, cascading barrier to erosion and to provide an inexpensive, easy-to-install and aesthetically attractive landscaping wall, planter or landscaping island. The scallop or channel-like shape of the barrier elements creates filler spaces which may be filled with concrete, soil or other filler materials and in which vegetation may be planted. Each row of barrier elements within the system is locked in place by slip restraint devices which function to prevent vertical slippage of the rows. Adjacent barrier elements on the front most row are held together by frontal locking elements.

Abstract: An irrigation conduit (10) includes a plurality of emitters (11) spaced apart along its length. A conveyance channel (12) is connected to each emitter (11) and is long enough so that a distal end (14) of the conveyance channel (12) may be positioned at or just above the soil surface with the conduit (10) buried below the soil surface. Each emitter (11) or each conveyance channel (12) includes associated with it a flow control arrangement (30) to control the rate of flow through the conveyance channel (12) when water is applied to the conduit (10) at a desired pressure and flow rate. The flow rate through each conveyance channel (12) exceeds the local hydraulic loading rate of the soil adjacent to the conveyance channel (12). The rate in excess of the local hydraulic loading rate causes localized flooding and allows the water to spread out substantially across the soil surface prior to moving downwardly into the soil.