Abstract: Connection devices for connecting a drainage gutter to a further functional element (10), for example to an inlet box, are known, which comprise an adapter plate (20) to which the drainage gutter can be connected. In order to ensure simple assembly on the building site in combination with a high degree of tightness, it is proposed to provide a cast-in part (40) which can be tightly cast into a wall of the functional element (10) and comprises fastening devices by means of which the adapter plate (20) can be fixedly connected to the cast-in part (40) in such a way that a flow space (2) of the drainage gutter can be tightly connected to an interior of the functional part (10) via a transfer space.

Abstract: Methods for restoring tidal areas adjacent to a tidal water area are provided. The method can comprise: pumping water from the tidal water area; and directing a high-pressure water stream, using the water pumped from the tidal water area, to the bottom surface of the tidal water area during an incoming tide period. The high-pressure water stream impacts the bottom surface of the tidal water area with sufficient force to dislodge sediment from the bottom surface into the tidal water area.

Abstract: Compositions for the treatment of flue gas desulfurization scrubber effluent may generally comprise, based on weight percent of the composition, at least 50% fly ash, up to 20% calcium oxide and/or calcium hydroxide, up to 2% plasticizer and a balance of incidental impurities. Methods for the treatment of flue gas desulfurization scrubber effluent using the composition for the treatment of flue gas desulfurization scrubber effluent are also described.

Abstract: A boat handling apparatus includes a carriage frame supported for rolling movement along a first horizontal track between a lifting position adjacent to a first end of the first track and a stored position adjacent to an opposing second end of the first track. A second upright track is fixed in proximity to the first end of the first track to depend downwardly from the first track. A cradle frame which is arranged to support a boat thereon is transferrable from a raised position supported on the carriage frame so as to be movable with the carriage frame between lifting and storage positions thereof, to a lowered position in which the cradle frame is movable up and down along the second track below the first horizontal track.

Abstract: Some embodiments include an apparatus for cutting a pile. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a shaft module including a cylindrical shaft including a first cavity configured to receive the pile. In some embodiments, the apparatus also includes a cutting module coupled to the shaft module, the cutting module including a second cavity configured to receive the pile, clamps configured to clamp onto the pile, and a saw configured to cut the pile. In some embodiments, the apparatus also includes a drilling module coupled to the cutting module, the drilling module including blades to burrow into an earth surface.

Abstract: A wall system includes a counterfort retaining wall forming at least one tier of the wall system, the counterfort retaining wall including counterfort beams and wall panels. The wall system further includes a mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) wall, the MSE wall positioned above the counterfort retaining wall. A bottom layer of the MSE wall is positioned above the counterfort beams of the counterfort retaining wall. The wall system further includes a plurality of fascia panels spaced horizontally from a face of the MSE wall and the wall panels of the counterfort retaining wall.

Abstract: A support layer for supporting an artificial turf assembly. The support layer being formed of a polymeric foam, preferably having a density of between 20 and 70 grams per liter, such as a polyolefin foam; and having an upper side and a lower side, wherein in use the support layer has been placed with the lower side thereof on a base surface and supports, on the upper side thereof, the artificial turf assembly, the support layer including a plurality of through drainage holes extending from the upper side to the lower side for allowing liquid such as rain water to flow via the plurality of drainage holes from the upper side to the lower side, and also including a plurality of channels at the lower side for allowing liquid such as rain water to flow through the channels along the lower side, wherein each of said plurality of drainage holes debouches into one of the plurality of channels.

Abstract: Disclosed are wave dissipation systems, modular units for use in wave dissipation systems and methods of constructing the same. Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to the construction of breakwater systems using a plurality of modular elements which can be interlocked to form an elongated breakwall. Each module unit includes a base unit and a lid element. The base unit has a bottom wall, a rear wall, laterally opposed side walls and a front wall which in combination define an energy dissipation chamber. The lid element covers the energy dissipation chamber of the base unit and is disposed on top of the base unit at angle with respect to the bottom wall.

Abstract: A method for the autonomous anchoring of foundations for offshore structures consisting of a self-floating concrete caisson manufactured in a floating dock, capable of being towed to their final location, provided with internal vertical cells, which are divided into cells that are interconnected with each other and equipped with emptying and filling devices that allow the regulation of the ballast level for anchoring when they are filled with seawater. This method comprises the following stages: constraining the foundation, fastening and mooring by at least three tugboats pulling radially on the foundation to be anchored from at least 3 different directions; connecting the different sensors needed for controlling the operation with a control unit; gradual and controlled sinking of the foundation until it reaches its position of installation on the seabed; and final ballasting of the foundation.

Abstract: A drainage tile stringer system which includes a spool which has an automated hat, which translates along the stinger or shaft of the spool so that the vertical size of the spool is adjustable to accommodate differences in coils of drainage tiles. The system is automated so that a single controller can be utilized to perform all of the hydraulic functions required to load a coil onto the drainage tile stringer system and to adjust the vertical spool dimension.

Abstract: Single-door flap gates and double-door flap gates are disclosed. Flap gates of the inventive subject matter are coupled with a structural element by one or more linkages, where hinges that are coupled with the structural element allow flap gate doors to open when sufficient fluid build-up exists behind the doors to push the doors open. Hinges are mounted at an angle. Features to facilitate fluid drainage despite the flap gate doors being closed are also contemplated.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for transferring a subsea payload (such as seismic nodes) at a subsea position by using an elevator system located on a subsea basket. A plurality of seismic nodes may be located on a plurality of support slides, trays, or other node holders at different levels within the basket. The elevator system is configured to move the seismic nodes between different heights within the basket for external transfer from one or more vertical positions. During transfer operations between a subsea basket and an underwater vehicle (e.g., ROV), the desired level of seismic nodes may be positioned to the desired vertical position within the basket and transferred to the ROV by various transfer mechanisms, such as an extendable stinger or chain drive. Multiple levels of seismic nodes (or node holders) may be transferred between the basket and ROV during a single subsea docking.

Abstract: A closed-loop system and method for heating of target contaminant treatment zones (150) having environmental contaminants of concern present in the groundwater and the soil by thermal conduction, and subsequent enhancement of physical, biological and chemical processes to attenuate, remove and degrade contaminants in the target contaminant treatment zones, is disclosed. The system and method collects solar or other heat and transfers that heat via a closed-loop and a set of borehole exchangers (120) to subsurface soil in the proximity of and/or directly to the target contaminant treatment zones. The target contaminant treatment zone may comprise contaminated soil, contaminated groundwater in an aquifer, or industrial waste comprising water and/or solids. Solar collectors or heat exchangers capturing waste heat from industrial processes may be used as the heat source (110).

Abstract: Flexible containment tubes form sections of a dike for fluid containment. For example, multiple vinyl-coated polyester tubes with a 19-inch diameter may be filled with water and stacked on top of each other to create a temporary diversion dike. Multiple sections of dike may be abutted together to form longer sections of dike. A vapor barrier or plastic membrane may wrap over dike sections and/or weaved through the flexible containment tubes as they are placed prior to filling. Configurations of the vapor barrier and associated anchoring mechanisms improve the utility of dike sections by reducing hydrostatic pressure of contained fluid on the dike, harnessing the weight of fluid columns, and mitigating seepage through the dike sections.

Abstract: A barrier for protecting a port, waterway, or off-shore structure is provided. The barrier has a front elongated pontoon which extends substantially the length of the barrier. A net assembly, provided either in sections, or as an elongated net, extends vertically upward from the front elongated pontoon and along the length of the front elongated pontoon. The net assembly is affixed to the front elongated pontoon with one or more net support beams. The front elongated pontoon is supported by a rear pontoon support structure, which may be a series of pontoons, each connected to the front elongated pontoon and spaced apart the length of the front elongated pontoon, or an elongated cylindrically shaped rear pontoon which extends substantially the length of the barrier. In some embodiments, a rear net section is attached to the rear pontoon support structure. In another embodiment of the invention, a barrier system for protecting a port, waterway, or off-shore structure is provided.

Abstract: A flexible elongate element for installation in a body of water to extend between a seabed connection device and a unit arranged at the opposite end of the flexible elongate element. At least one lateral displacement device is connected to a portion of the flexible elongate element and configured to displace at least a portion of the flexible elongate element a lateral distance away from a first axis extending between the seabed connection device and the unit, the at least one lateral displacement device including a spring member. The flexible elongate element may be a flexible riser, umbilical, hose, or cable.

Abstract: A ground stabilisation system is used for stabilising a subgrade region which includes a peat layer under a railway having rails supported across rail ties on a ballast layer over the subgrade region. The system uses a plurality of drain members submerged in an upright orientation within the peat layer of the subgrade region in which each drain member has a hollow interior and a plurality of openings therein which allow communication of fluid from the peat layer surrounding the drain member into the hollow interior of the drain member so as to be arranged to reduce fluid pressure in the peat layer when the peat layer undergoes dynamic loading from a passing train. Each drain member is a semi-rigid pipe having an axial stiffness greater than a dynamic stiffness of the peat layer to reduce loading on the peat layer under dynamic loading from a passing train.

Abstract: A pipe (14) extending between a surface end (20) and a bottom end (22) thereof, and defining an internal passage (24) ending at the bottom end (22) and at the surface end (20). A dynamic closing member (30) at the bottom end (22), which opens above a threshold pressure applied from the exterior towards the interior of the pipe (14), and closing below the threshold pressure. The threshold pressure is defined as a function of at least one parameter representing the heaving of the pipe under the effect of variation in height of the water in which the pipe extends.

Abstract: A process and associated system for the improved reclamation of disturbed lands (e.g., mined lands) is disclosed. In particular, the system including a dewatering cyclone, a screw classifier, and a dewatering apparatus (e.g. a dewatering belt) arranged in series to enable rapid and cost effective dewatering of slurries containing dilute clay and sand tailings to create an improved engineered reclamation material (ERM). The ERM formed by the controlled combining of dewatered sand tailings with dilute clay slurry and with a flocculant and overburden. The ratio of clay:sand:overburden of the ERM may be achieved by balancing the solid content (Cw) and water content (1?Cw) materials of the clay slurry, sand tailings and overburden. In some embodiments, the system may include at least one additional component, such as, for example, static screen(s), centrifuge(s), vibrating screens, drum screens, belt screens, belt filters, and/or other liquid-solid separation devices.

Abstract: An anchoring system for a mechanically stabilized earthen structure having an earthen structure and at least one reinforced concrete wall panel having a concrete portion and a rebar structure. The anchoring system has at least one anchor pocket, at least one anchor structure, and at least one anchor strap. The at least one anchor pocket is arranged within the concrete portion of the at least one reinforced concrete wall panel. The at least one anchor structure has at least one anchor portion. The at least one anchor structure is arranged within the concrete portion of the at least one reinforced concrete wall panel such that the at least one anchor portion is accessible within the at least one anchor pocket. The at least one anchor strap that engages the earthen structure and the at least one anchor portion.