Abstract: A concentrically loaded foundation pier system which includes several concentrically stacked steel pipes filled with concrete. The entire pier is installed centrally beneath the footing of the structure. Shims are placed between the top-most pier element and a pier cap which prevents shifting when the soil expands and contracts. The final structure is end-loaded and pressed to the bedrock or other load-bearing strata.

Abstract: A support apparatus for installing a pipeline into a trench has a first pipeline-receiving section, a second pipeline-receiving section, and a fastener removably affixed to at least one of the first and second pipeline receiving sections. The fastener is connected to the first and second pipeline-receiving sections so as to be in a pipeline-supporting position. The fastener is removable from at least one of the first and second pipeline-receiving sections so as to allow the first and second pipeline-receiving sections to separate from each other. Each of the pipeline-receiving sections includes a pipeline-receiving surface and a support affixed to the pipeline-receiving surface and extending downwardly therefrom so as to allow the pipeline-receiving surface to be positioned at a desired location above a bottom of the trench.

Abstract: A pit gate 15 that is accommodated in a slot 14 and that seals service water retained in a first pit and a second pit in a watertight manner includes a gate main body 21; a sealing member 22 that is provided on a surface opposite to the slot 14 in a gate main body 21 and that seals between the gate main body 21 and the slot 14 in a watertight manner; and an upper pressing clamp 23, an intermediate pressing clamp 24, and a lower pressing clamp 25 that are provided in the gate main body 21 and that moves gate main body 21 toward the sealing member 22 side due to the weight of the gate main body 21 itself.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring and controlling a grouting operation are described. In one aspect, the method includes: performing the grouting operation by injecting grout into a borehole and cyclically: monitoring the borehole pressure until the borehole pressure equals a first pressure threshold; in response to determining that the borehole pressure equals the first pressure threshold, halting the injection of grout into the borehole; monitoring the borehole pressure until the borehole pressure decreases to a second pressure threshold, the second pressure threshold being lower than the first pressure threshold; in response to determining that the borehole pressure equals the second pressure threshold, restarting injection of grout into the borehole, until a terminating condition is satisfied and, as a result, terminating the grouting operation.

Abstract: A drainage ditch, including: a ditch body. The ditch body includes, from the top down: a separate layer, a first filter layer, a second filter layer, and a third filter layer. The separate layer is straw or stover; the first filter layer is crush stones having particle sizes of between 5 and 15 mm; the second filter layer is crush stones having particle sizes of between 20 mm and 40 mm; the third filter layer is stones having particle sizes of between 30 mm and 70 mm. The separate layer is covered by a plough layer.

Abstract: A soldier pile wall for shoring an excavation site includes a plurality of drilled shafts drilled along an edge of the excavation site, a plurality of soldier piles, each of the plurality of soldier piles being positioned within a respective drilled shaft, and a pre-stressing system coupled to at least some of the plurality of soldier piles. The pre-stressing system is configured to induce stresses to counteract working stresses of the soldier pile wall. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: A remote cutter head and a system therefore which can operate in confined spaces are provided. The remote cutting system including a cutter assembly driven by a fluid source, a pushrod hose coupling the cutter assembly to the fluid source, a control assembly detachably secured to the pushrod hose, and a monitor assembly coupled to at least one camera. The monitor assembly provides video images of the cutter assembly and cutter assembly surroundings. The cutting head including a fluid-driven gearmotor, the gearmotor including a two-piece housing, bearings, a pressure balanced gearmotor cavity, and two rotating members provided in the pressure balanced gearmotor cavity, one of the rotating members protruding from the cutting head. High-pressure fluid provided to the cutting head turns the two rotating members to drive a cutting bit attached to the rotating member protruding from the cutting head. Also provided is a cutting bit.

Abstract: A berm to increase capacity of an existing landfill comprises a reinforced portion and backfill material. The landfill comprises a waste-receiving recess having a surface and an outer perimeter, an edge surface peripherally adjacent at least a portion of the outer perimeter, and an existing accumulation of waste within the recess having a collective top surface. The reinforced portion has opposing inner and outer surfaces and comprises structural fill material and a plurality of reinforcing members disposed therein. The backfill material has an inner surface adjacent the inner surface of the reinforced portion. The inner surface of the reinforced portion and the adjacent inner surface of the backfill material are substantially non-planar. The backfill material is at least partially encapsulated by an impermeable membrane. At least a portion of the berm sits on at least a portion of the edge surface of the landfill.

Abstract: A foundation structure of an offshore plant, such as a wind turbine, comprising at least one foundation element that can be anchored to the seabed without a gravity foundation and without a floating foundation and a support structure fastened thereto for fixing the offshore plant. The foundation element is a pile that can be inserted into the seabed by means of drilling and/or by means of vibratory driving, can be fixed in the seabed by means of an organic and/or inorganic material, and is oriented at an angle from a vertical on the seabed. A method of installing the foundation structure on a seabed includes first anchoring the coupling element by means of piles inserted into the seabed and then connecting the support structure to the coupling element.

Abstract: A method of pad gas management in an underground storage volume including storing a first compressible fluid, determining a transient minimum operating pressure (Ptrans), measuring the pressure (Pact), removing at least a portion of the first compressible fluid, concurrently, introducing an incompressible fluid, thereby producing a transient pressure condition controlled by the flow rate of the incompressible fluid, such that Ptrans<Pact. The method may also include a length of casing, permanently cemented into the surrounding rock formations, with a final cemented casing shoe defining the practical endpoint at an approximate depth (Dcasing), determining a transient pressure gradient (Gtrans) for the underground storage volume, wherein Ptrans<Dcasing×Gtrans. The maximum removal of the first compressible fluid is controlled such that Pmin<Pact, and wherein the transient pressure condition has a duration (D) of less than 7 days, more preferably less than 5 days.

Abstract: A compact tractor equipped for pulling wire through underground conduits having a boom and dipper on the rear of the compact tractor and a rotatable witch's hat spool assembly on the front of the compact tractor, wherein the spool assembly is mounted onto the loader lifter arms such that it can be easily tilted to dump a roll of cable onto the back of a trailer.

Abstract: The invention relates to the implementation of a fluid transportation pipe. In order to achieve this, the pipe is equipped with a ballasting system, and, along a laying axis, the pipe, thus equipped, is immersed in a fluid having movement, such as the sea. A ballast mass of the ballasting system then substantially causes at least this ballasting system to sink.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention comprise a system for strengthening a sloped structure such as a berm, basin, levee, or embankment. The comprises first and second opposing sides, the second side being adjacent the sloped structure; a bottom side adjoining bottom edges of the first and second sides, thereby forming a cavity within the first, second, and bottom sides; fill material disposed within the cavity; an impermeable membrane encapsulating at least a portion of the fill material; and a plurality of reinforcing members disposed within the fill material.

Abstract: A sluice support for positionally supporting a sluice box within a waterway provides an anchor post, an axially and rotatably movable slide hammer and two adjustably positionable support frames releasably engageable with the slide hammer to adjustably support a sluice box within a waterway.

Abstract: Systems and methods for deployment and retrieval of ocean bottom seismic receivers. In some embodiments, the system includes a carrier containing receivers. The carrier can include a frame having a mounted structure (e.g., a movable carousel, movable conveyor, fixed parallel rails, or a barrel) for seating and releasing the receivers (e.g., axially stacked). The structure can facilitate delivering receivers to a discharge port on the frame. The system can include a discharge mechanism for removing receivers from the carrier. In some embodiments, the method includes loading a carrier with receivers, transporting the carrier from a surface vessel to a position adjacent the seabed, and using an ROV to remove receivers from the carrier and place the receivers on the seabed. In some embodiments, an ROV adjacent the seabed engages a deployment line that guides receivers from the vessel down to the ROV for “on-time” delivery and placement on the seabed.

Abstract: A mobile marine barrier (1) comprising a base (2) and a hood (8) located at a distal end thereof is described. The hood (6) comprises a funnel (15) and a distal surface (18) located therein which allows the hood (6) to morph its shape, size and strength so as to give adaptable coastal protection against naturally occurring events. This is achieved by incorporating a telescopic funnel such that the length of the hood (6) and thus the area of its open end can be altered so as to vary the quantity of water directed towards the distal surface (18). The hood (16) may also comprise a mobile face (17) that forms part of variable volume chamber (26) located within the hood (8) which can be filled and emptied with fluids.

Abstract: Pipe splitting apparatuses and systems including a replaceable blade, and methods therefor, are provided. In various examples, a cable retention and release mechanism is configured to releasably engage a cable and includes one or more segments of a pipe splitting apparatus including a cable passage. A segmented collet includes tapered segments and is disposed within a tapered portion of a cable passage of the one or more segments. Channel surfaces of the tapered segments together form a cable channel through the segmented collet. The cable channel is configured to widen in a disengaged position of the segmented collet and narrow in an engaged position of the segmented collet. A spring is disposed within the spring pocket of the one or more segments to bias the segmented collet distally in the engaged position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a screw pile for reinforcing the ground, and in particular, a pile for reinforcing the ground which can dig the ground. The screw pile includes: a bar-shaped body with a pile hole that is a passage of air and grouting solution; a screw that is formed spirally and integrally around the body; one or more grouting holes formed around the body so that grouting solution can be sprayed; a tip expanding-reinforcing plate that has a plate shape, is coupled to one end of the body on its top, and has an air discharge hole formed through the top and the bottom in the same line as the pile hole; and a excavation bit that has one end coupled to a side of the bottom of the tip expanding-reinforcing plate and the other end with a blade, in which when the bit 500 and the screw form a hole in the ground by rotation, the tip expanding-reinforcing plate moves to the bottom of the hole and performs grounding, increasing a tip support force.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting erosion at a coastal location includes inducing coastal vegetation to take root in a site-compatible mat including a biodegradable mat combined at most with fertilizer, sand, and/or soil. After the coastal vegetation has taken root in the site-compatible mat, the mat is placed on the coastal location, and the coastal vegetation is allowed to take root as the biodegradable mat decomposes. In embodiments, the coastal location can be a flat area of sand, or a constructed or naturally occurring sand dune. The site-compatible mat can include fertilizer and/or coir, which can be brown coir. The mat can include and/or be covered by sand or soil having a composition that is substantially equivalent to sand or soil that is indigenous to the coastal location. Bird roosting stakes can be planted through the mat.

Abstract: A noise-attenuating pile comprising a pile driving shoe, an outer tube that engages the pile driving shoe, and an inner member that extends through the outer tube and engages the pile driving shoe, wherein the pile is configured to be installed in sediment or other suitable material by driving the inner member with a pile driver, without directly impacting the outer tube, such that the radial outer tube is substantially insulated from the radial expansion waves generated by the pile driver impacting the inner member. In some piles, one of the inner member and the outer tube are removable after installation. In some piles, a seal is provided in a lower end of the channel defined between the inner member and the outer tube, which may be biodegradable, or may be an inflatable bladder, for example.