Abstract: A precast concrete pile which includes a tapered end with alternating enlarged cross-sections and contracted cross-sections through its length. The concrete pile is driven into the ground together with a soil solidifying supply pipe and a cement slurry supply pipe. The pile footing in the ground is formed with concrete formations around the contracted sections, thereby increasing the bearing capacity of the pile footing.

Abstract: In a roof-shield support system employed in mines, at least two levelling rams each acting between a shield frame unit and an associated gap-seal plate, the latter being arranged so as to be slidable relative to the associated shield frame unit. Each levelling ram comprises a cylinder, piston and piston rod, is arranged so that the piston rod has a longitudinal bore which is open at the piston end of the piston rod, and an elongated rod which is sealed relative to the piston rod being disposed within said bore. The bore is in use in communication with a hydraulic fluid system of the ram and after levelling has occurred by actuation of the ram the pressurized hydraulic fluid admitted into the bore applies a force to the associated gap-seal plate so as to ensure its continuing tight engagement with the adjacent shield frame unit.

Abstract: Radioactive waste material is permanently stored without the need of constant surveillance by depositing the material in a cavity located in a rock formation above the water table and between two layers of water impervious rock. Preferably the entrance to the cavity is located in a mountainside or bluff in a layer between the two water impervious layers, which layer is more easily penetrable than the two water impervious layers. The cavity may include a passage which is reinforced with a reinforcement material such as concrete and is surrounded by a plurality of boreholes to aid in dissipating the heat of decay.

Abstract: A tubular structure, such as a sewer, is lined by the use of long length elements having edge formations which facilitate a number of the elements being arranged in a side-by-side interlocked configuration within the tunnel structure. At least some of the elements are formed with a cavity into which a settable compound may be injected thereby to strengthen the lining when set. Preferably the elements are relatively flexible prior to injection with the settable compound so as to facilitate storage of long lengths on a drum.

Abstract: A method is disclosed which allows an overburdened area over an underground mine cavity to be supported by the initiation of foam on liquid retained in the cavity which liquid results from the hydraulic borehole mining of minerals in the cavity.

Abstract: A floodgate structure is disclosed for closing of an hydraulic flow channel at selected times, as during flooding conditions. A gate panel is normally loosely and slideably received in a recess below grade level. To render the gate operational, it is lifted into a channel-blocking position. Pneumatically inflatable peripheral sealing elements extend from the water side of the panel into sealing contact with a fixed support structure. The opposite side of the panel supports a flexible but noninflatable sealing skirt element, which is pressed into sealing contact with the supporting structure by expansion of the inflatable elements. When thus positioned, the sealing skirt becomes hydrostatically loaded by the pressure of the water and functions as an effective seal in the event of subsequent failure of the pneumatically expandable elements.

Abstract: To block the mouth of a well (1) opening out in the ceiling of an underground cavity (2), a part (4) in the shape of a keystone is used, which has a hole through the middle for the passage of pipes (31, 32), suitable cements are then poured in to make the whole system integral, and the well is filled.

Abstract: A mooring system in the form of a floating body having storage capacity e.g. a tanker has been provided at one end, such as the bow with a forwardly extending arm having an opening through which a buoy can be lifted and placed with outwardly extending lugs upon supporting recesses of the parts of the arm which define the opening there between by moving the raised buoy forwardly and lowering it with its lugs in the said recesses. This allows a fast connection and disconnection, so that in case the tanker is in danger due to ice or bad weather, the tanker can move away. After return of the normal situation the connection can be restored easily by lifting the buoy out of the water and placing it in its supports without the need of operating additional locking means. A plurality of vessels having the same arm can be connected one at the time with this buoy.

Abstract: An improved offshore platform base (12) is disclosed having three sets of substantially parallel bulkheads (24, 26, 28) which intersect one another at about 120.degree. forming a repeatable array of contiguous triangular (30) and hexagonal-shaped (34) chambers.

Abstract: Pumpable wastes are mixed in salt caverns with soluble or dissolved salts, which crystallize at the cavern temperature with bonding of water of crystallization; or with organic waste materials which solidify in the liquid phase of the cavern contents or increase the density of the cavern contents; or with solid waste materials, whereby the specific gravity of the liquid phase is increased in order to narrow the difference between the specific gravity of the salt mineral of the cavern wall and the specific gravity of the liquid phase of the cavern contents and the caverns are sealed.

Abstract: A salt damage preventive irrigation method and its apparatus. In this irrigation method, the poisonous salt contained in irrigation water can be concentrated near the emitting opening of an emitter and the moistened area can be prepared in the soil with water free of salt contained in the irrigation water.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pile construction comprising a number of steel tube sections (1) that are joined together. Each tube section (1) is formed with joining portions (2, 4) in its respective ends. One joining portion is constituted by a male end (2) having a conical envelope surface (3) and the other portion by a socket end (4), the interior surface (5) of which is conical in correspondence to the conicity of the male end (2). When the tube sections (1) are joined the male end (2) of one section interacts with the socket end (4) of the next section, so that a stiff joint is obtained.

Abstract: The procedure for draining off shallow gas from the seabed and arrangement for execution of the procedure, whereby through the upper sedimentary layer is placed a system of vertical drainage piles (2) for gas around the site in question for location of a construction on the seabed or along a pipeline route on the seabed.The arrangement includes principally a base plate (1) with a central hole for acceptance of a drainage pile (2) after the base plate (1) has been placed on the seabed.

Abstract: A device for connection of underwater cables or pipes to a submerged structure.

Abstract: System for drilling from a water surface, of the type having means for exerting and maintaining on the drilling tool a bearing stress, which is constant and normal to the surface to be perforated, no matter what the effect of the swell, wherein it comprises in combination: a base having a central passage for the drill pipe string of a drilling apparatus, which is intended to rest on the sea bed and is elastically connected to means for receiving a cylindrical box; a column formed by a cylindrical tubular central guide, for permitting the passage and guidance of the drill pipe string of the drilling apparatus, the column being surrounded by an external cylindrical tubular envelope, the hollow annular space formed between the central guide and the envelope being subdivided into a tight member constituting the lower ballast, a tight intermediate member of variable length determined as a function of the mean value of the section of water under which drilling takes place, a tight member constituting an upper balla

Abstract: A jacket for protecting rope, cable, chain or other connecting means used to interconnect blocks, grids or other forms in a revetment structure. The protective jacket comprises tubing which extends in substantially continuous form through the revetment structure and surrounds the connecting means and protects it from abrasion, as well as from degradation and deterioration caused by contact with water, salt sand, ice, sunlight and ultraviolet light, and other components of the environment.

Abstract: A pressure-actuated release mechanism is assembled using a prebuckled pipe segment as a pressure-triggering mechanism. The trigger mechanism is employed to attach buoys to an offshore structure or pipeline under construction. The attached buoys move with the structure or newly added pipe string toward the sea bottom, easing the descent. As a preselected external pressure is sensed, the buckle in the pipe segment propagates and the trigger mechanism actuates, releasing buoys from the structure or pipeline as each buoy in turn reaches the same depth or pressure.

Abstract: Arcuate concrete segments of a tunnel wall are joined together in the circumferential direction by an internally threaded fitting embedded in the end of one segment and a bolt extending through an opening in the end of a peripherally adjacent segment and interengaged with the fitting. Longitudinally adjacent segments are interconnected by bolt openings extending longitudinally through the segments and opening into corresponding enlarged conical recesses at the interface between the segments, a conically tapered positioning ring engaging the recesses, and threaded bolts extending through the longitudinally extending openings through the segments and having threaded ends interengaged with a common coupler member located in the corresponding recesses.

Abstract: For use with a subsea well incorporating an external conductor pipe extending upwardly above the seabed, a protector apparatus is set forth. In the preferred and illustrated embodiment, the preferred embodiment describes a longitudinally split, flange equipped, bolt joined elongate conductor clamp supported on a frame at the bottom thereof and having a plurality of appended upstanding braces. The bottom frame is adapted to be rested on a seabed and held in place by a number of anchors driven into the seabed at corners. This apparatus is selectively installed after completion of a well wherein the conductor pipe extends above the bottom, and the apparatus is subsequently removed after protecting the pipe after drilling but before installation of a platform.

Abstract: The invention provides an offshore tower structure comprising a base structure for positioning on the sea bed, a central enclosed tubular column 20 containing services such as conductors and risers and extending from the base structure to above the water level, in use, for supporting a service platform 21 and at least three tubular support legs 22, 23, 24 each extending between the base structure at a point spaced apart from the column and an upper portion of the tubular column, the support legs each being rigidly attachable to the base structure and to the column and the base structure providing means for maintaining the spacing between the support legs and the column, in which each support leg is attached to the column by welding and there is means to provide a water tight compartment around the joint from which water can be removed so that the leg can be welded to the column in dry surroundings.