Abstract: A method of supporting a substrate includes inserting a rock bolt into a hole and using the rock bolt to form a groove in a wall of the hole when the rock bolt is inserted therein. The rock bolt is caused to interact with the groove in such a way that the rock bolt is secured in the hole at least in part by the interaction.

Abstract: A deployment method and system for ocean bottom seismometers (OBS) includes providing a plurality of circular shaped, wireless, self-contained OBS units. The circular shaped OBS units are loaded into a carrier and transported from a surface vessel to the ocean floor where a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) is utilized to individually place the plurality of circular OBS units on the ocean floor. Placement of each OBS unit is accomplished by utilizing suction mechanism attached to a robotic arm. The suction mechanism is defined about an axis and employs a suction cup to individually engage each circular shaped OBS unit so that the suction mechanism is coaxially aligned with the OBS unit, and move the OBS unit from a first location to the ocean floor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for collection and storage of potable water, in particular, disposable-food-grade liners and bladders for sanitary storage of water in a bathtub, and emergency preparedness kits comprising a disposable food grade bladder liner for collection and storage of water in a bathtub.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for repairing a tubular member in an offshore marine environment provides a specially configured shell having shell halves, longitudinal seals, and optionally upper and lower seals. Additionally, the shell halves are each provided with a plurality of threaded fasteners that will help with shell alignment, holding the shell rigidly to the tubular member prior to grouting operations.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods are utilized to relocate subsurface conduit. Specifically, the movement of underground conduit is accomplished via the apparatuses, systems and methods described herein, including movement thereof in either or both of laterally from a first lateral position to a second lateral position and/or vertically from a first vertical position to a second vertical position.

Abstract: A pile and method for driving a pile includes a pile having a structural outer tube, and an inner member disposed generally concentrically with the outer tube. The outer tube and inner member are fixed to a driving shoe. The pile is constructed and driven such that the pile driver impacts only the inner member. The impact loads are transmitted to the driving shoe to drive the pile into the sediment, such that the outer tube is thereby pulled into the sediment. In a particular embodiment the outer tube is formed of steel, and the inner member also comprises a steel tube. In an alternative embodiment one or both of the inner member and the outer tube are formed of an alternative material, for example, concrete. In an embodiment, the outer tube has a recess that captures a flange on the inner member. In an embodiment the outer tube is attached to the inner member with an elastic spring.

Abstract: A riser support system for use in a body of water comprises a buoyant and ballastable support structure and a plurality of substantially vertical and rigid risers each of which is attached to the inside of the support structure at a location below the center of buoyancy of the support structure and below the surface of the body of water. Usually, each riser passes through the inside of a single tube in the support structure. Typically, the riser support system is used to support a plurality of risers and their surface wellheads inside the hull of an offshore platform, usually in such a manner that the axial movement of the risers and support structure is independent of the axial movement of the hull.

Abstract: Disclosed are piling apparatus and methods for installing a reinforced concrete piling apparatus into the ground without the use of a pile driver or an auger. A helical screw anchor and coupling device are used to pull pipe sections into the ground. A preassembled reinforcing rod cage is placed into the pipe sections in the ground. Wet concrete is poured into the pipe sections to encase the reinforcing rod cage. The pipe sections are then removed. Removal of the pipe sections from the helical screw anchor is accomplished using the coupling device.

Abstract: In some embodiments, methods of disposing of produced water recovered during hydrocarbon drilling, production, transportation or storage operations include collecting produced water, mixing Type I Portland cement with produced water to form a cementitious slurry, introducing the cementitious slurry into an underground void and allowing the cementitious slurry to set and form cement.

Abstract: An agricultural/aquacultural system for use with a plurality of growth reservoirs containing a fluid. The system involves a main control unit for receiving feedback and providing control, at least one pump control unit in electronic communication with the main control unit, and at least one gate control unit in electronic communication with the main control unit.

Abstract: A reusable nose cone device (and related retrieval apparatus) in a hollow helical piling system having a terminal helical anchor are described. The method and system include placing or installing either (i) reinforced concrete piles in situ and/or (ii) grounding systems into the ground—without utilizing a pile driver or an auger, without deconsolidating the surrounding earth and creating spoils (as with an auger), and without unnecessary sacrifice of materials. A terminal helical anchor may be installed through the hollow center of the helical piling system into the ground. The helical anchor may be installed after the removal of the nose cone device. With the system and method, independent and accurate measurement of the anchor's torque may be made and hence complementary “load” bearing, or compression, (or “pull” resisting, or tensioning) capacity may be determined prior to filling the entire pile with reinforced wet concrete.

Abstract: A method for sealing a conduit in a spoolable wellbore intervention rod includes exposing an interior of the conduit at a location proximate the earth's surface while the spoolable rod is deployed in a wellbore. A curable sealing compound is introduced into the exposed interior of the conduit and the compound is allowed to cure.

Abstract: In a water storage system with water conduits, water pumps, drain valves, discharge valves, for storing a first volume of water, a method of maximizing water availability monitors a second volume of water within the system. Data regarding forecasted precipitation predicted to occur at some point in the future, including a predicted duration, intensity and volume are received and an expected time-dependent volume of water to be added to the system during the forecasted precipitation is estimated. If at least one of: a first sum of the predicted volume and the second volume and a second sum of the expected time-dependent volume and the second volume is greater than the first volume then the water pumps, drain valves, and discharge valves are controlled to discharge water until each of the first and second sums is not greater than the first volume.

Abstract: A wave break structure having a body with a bulkhead and a first pontoon and a second pontoon. The first pontoon is positioned on one side of the bulkhead and the second pontoon is positioned on the opposite side of the bulkhead. The bulkhead extends substantially above the first and second pontoons. The bulkhead and the pontoons are integrally formed together of a metallic material. The body has a first tow bar and a second tow bar affixed at an end thereof. A plurality of ports extends through a thickness of bulkhead. The bulkhead and the pontoons have angled surfaces so that one body can nest within an adjacent body.

Abstract: An ecological board includes a quadrilateral board body, on the side edges thereof is disposed at least one reglet or at least one insertion groove to be engaged with a corresponding insertion groove or a reglet of another identical board body. Further, a plurality of separated strong and pliable pad bodies are embedded in at least a first side surface of the board body and protrude outwards therefrom. The ecological board according to the present invention is durable, stable, easy to construct, maintain, and repair, and environmentally friendly to the natural landscape. Most importantly, it can be applied to various environments, such as coastlines, artificial reefs, and slopes of reservoirs, rivers, or mountains.

Abstract: A mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) system includes a vertically oriented wall offset from an earthen feature, backfill disposed between the wall and the earthen feature, and a plurality of anchor elements attached at one end to the wall and extending from the wall toward the earthen feature. The plurality of anchor elements are embedded within the backfill and include an elongated strap having an attachment end configured for attachment to the MSE wall and opposite surfaces along the length thereof. The anchor element further includes a plurality of punched openings along the length of the strap, each opening including a punched tab projecting outward from one of the opposite surfaces.

Abstract: A piling planing tool utilizes a cylindrical cutter head connected to a cylindrical cutter ring having teeth for planing the outer surfaces of damaged or deteriorating in situ pilings. Spacer rings are attached between the cutter head and cutter ring to lengthen the planing tool, in order to extend the tool to plane lower outer surfaces of the pilings. A drill bit extends through the planing tool to bore center channels into the pilings. A circular cutting blade is provided beneath the cutter head to plane the top of the piling. The method of reforming in situ pilings utilizes the planing tool to shape pilings so that they can be connected with new pilings. The pilings are connected by an internal steel rebar and sleeve, permanently secured with bonding material to form a single reformed piling having high tensile strength.

Abstract: A surface gravity wave generator and wave pool is disclosed. A wave pool is formed of opposing side walls and a center channel of water. The channel includes a bottom contour with a depth that runs from a deep end to a shoal or beach. One or more three-dimensional foils are vertically arranged along at least one side wall, and moved against the water in the channel. Each foil has a curvilinear cross-sectional geometry that defines a leading surface that is adapted to generate a wave in water moving past the leading surface, and a trailing surface configured for flow recovery to avoid separation of the flow of water in the wave and to mitigate drag from the foil from the water moving past the leading surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a safety method in connection with SCUBA diving to control a diver's buoyancy, in which method the diver (11) is equipped with diving equipment comprising at least one air pressure tank (1), a valve device (2) connected to the pressure tank (1) and arranged to supply air from said pressure tank via first supply means (5) to a breathing regulator (4) and via second supply means (7, 9, 12) to an inflatable diving jacket (6) in order to control the diver's buoyancy, an actuator (8) being able to automatically initiate inflation of the diving jacket (6) when the diver has not affected the air flow through the breathing regulator (4) for a certain time period, said actuator (8) being controlled by an actuation mechanism (20) that automatically sets the actuator in active mode when the diver is within an actuation zone (A), wherein in order additionally to improve the diver's buoyancy the actuator (8) is also arranged to automatically initiate dumping of a weight (11) carried by the

Abstract: Systems for treating contaminated soil are described herein. One system includes a soil chamber that includes one or more walls and at least one floor; at least one heater attached to or inside of at least one of the walls; and at least one heater coupled to or in the floor. Two or more of the walls enclose an interior of the soil chamber. At least one of the walls is configured to move between a closed position during heating of the soil chamber, and an open position that allows a soil moving vehicle to access an interior of the soil chamber to provide or remove soil to and from the soil chamber. At least one wall heater and at least one floor heater provide heat that transfers from the heaters to the contaminated soil in the soil chamber.