Abstract: A soil densification system and method is disclosed. The presently disclosed soil densification system includes an air delivery probe or pipe that can be driven or otherwise installed into a soil mass. An inlet of the air delivery probe is supplied by an air compressor and an air storage tank, which are used for the rapid delivery of air impulses or bursts into the air delivery probe, whereas the air impulses or bursts are expelled out of an outlet of the air delivery probe and into the soil mass. The method of using the presently disclosed soil densification system includes the steps of inserting the end of the air delivery probe into the soil mass to any desired depth and then releasing an impulse or burst of air into the soil mass, thereby forming a densified region in the soil mass via the forces of the air impulse.

Abstract: A tunneling apparatus includes a drill head and a steering shell. The drill head includes a main body having a distal end and an oppositely disposed proximal end. The steering shell is disposed at the distal end of the drill head and is movable relative to the main body of the drill head. The drill head includes structure that assists in maintaining a precise line.

Abstract: Self-raising drive-over entranceways for containment berms are disclosed. The entranceway includes a horizontal bottom panel and a collapsible sidewall that is held in a partially collapsed position forming a void between the bottom panel and sidewall. During a spill or the filling of the containment berm with a fluid, the void area between the partially collapsed sidewall and the horizontal bottom panel fills with the fluid and exerts hydrostatic pressure against the partially collapsed sidewall, forcing it to rotate upward. The higher the fluid level, the more hydrostatic pressure is applied against the sidewall, forcing it up higher until the sidewall obtains a vertical orientation. The sidewall may be restrained either by straps, braces or the like to prevent the fluid from escaping the containment area.

Abstract: A laying vessel configured to lay pipelines on the bed of a body of water has a floating structure; a laying tower hinged to the floating structure and configured to assemble and lay a pipeline on the bed of the body of water; and an A&R system configured to abandon and recover the pipeline; and wherein the A&R system has a haul line; and a sheave assembly configured to guide the haul line, and which is fitted to the floating structure to move between a work position at the laying tower, and a position away from the laying tower.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gabion comprising opposed first and second side walls connected together at spaced intervals along the length of the gabion by a plurality of partition walls, the first and second side walls comprising open framework panels, and wherein the first side wall is lined with a first lining material comprising a layer of a sheet material, the sheet material having a relatively low water permeability compared with an unlined open framework panel, and further wherein the second side wall is lined with a second lining material having a higher water permeability than the first lining material. The present invention also relates to a multi-compartmental gabion having similar features. The present invention also relates to a water containment system comprising a gabion or multi-compartmental gabion according to the invention. The present invention also relates to a method of deploying a water containment system.

Abstract: An apparatus for pile-driving or drilling, particularly a foundation machine, including at least one hydraulic drilling or vibration drive, which is connected with a control block in an open hydraulic circuit, by way of which drive at least one further consumer can be operated. The drive is connected with a pump by way of a first feed line and with a tank by way of a first return line. The hydraulic drive is additionally connected directly with the pump by way of a second feed line, and directly with the tank by way of a second return line.

Abstract: A composition for an outside surface, includes at least a mixture of a microporous mineral of the zeolite type and a salt in order to allow for an adsorption and/or desorption effect, the composition including a permeable film at least partially coating the microporous mineral.

Abstract: A system and method for securely cradling a subsea pipeline is claimed that lands on one side of the pipeline, is embedded into the sea floor, reaches under the pipeline, positions the cradling structure, and then lifts the pipeline. The system typically comprises a gravity driven pile based device, comprising a pile tower, a roller carriage assembly, and a jacking assembly that engages the roller carriage assembly and pile tower rails.

Abstract: Modules for use in an assembly for managing the flow of water beneath a ground surface and assemblies of such modules are disclosed. The modules include supports and a deck portion and the supports are spaced apart and form channels with a main section of the deck portion. The deck portion also includes at least one section extending from a main section.

Abstract: A floating type self-lifting drilling platform includes a main deck, a floating cushion, pile legs, a lifting mechanism and a mooring system. The area and thickness of the floating cushionare both greater than those of the main deck, the middle part is provided with a moon pool, and the inner part is partitioned into multiple cabins; there are three pile legs, the pile legs are truss structures, the bottom part of each of the pile legs is rigidly connected with the floating cushion, and the main deck lifts vertically along the pile legs through the lifting mechanism and is fixed at a preset height; each pile leg includes upper and lower hollow sealing bodies; the water line is located in the height range of the upper section during the operation and positioned through the mooring system.

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: Soil erosion in, among other areas, seaside locations, is prevented by the steps of: drilling holes in the ground; filling these holes with a mixture of the soil and gelatin, then curing the mixture in situ to form a barrier against soil erosion. The holes form stabilization walls and are placed seaside to a structure to be protected from erosion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for anchoring a structure in a bed of a body of water comprising the method steps of introducing at least one screw anchor into the bed of the body of water, arranging and fastening a base element on the fastening section of the screw anchor, wherein the base element has a holder for the structure, and arranging and fastening the structure on the holder of the base element. Furthermore, the invention relates to an underwater foundation produced by this method.

Abstract: The apparatus provides the user with the ability to rapidly drive stakes into a straw wattle. There is a slot within the apparatus for inserting a stake and then guiding the stake as the stake is being driven through the wattle and into the ground. A slide hammer shuttle can slide up and down an elongate barrel member to drive a slide hammer into the top of a stake being held within the barrel member. A footrest assembly having adjustable height is incorporated so that the stake and barrel will be spaced above the top surface of the wattle while each stake is being driven into the wattle and ground.

Abstract: In a system and method for retaining or detaining a fluid beneath a ground surface, a plurality of modules, each having at least one vertically disposed side portion supporting a horizontally disposed roof are provided. The plurality of modules, each being in fluid communication, either directly or indirectly, with each of the other modules, are arranged in an assembly having a plurality of rows and columns. Each of the rows and columns contain at least one flow obstructer such that fluid flow through each of said rows and columns is circuitous.

Abstract: A machine (20) for laying a film (122) on a ground surface such as a landfill has a pair of opposed, support arms (84) each having a respective film roll support mechanism (94). In some embodiments the support arms are pivotable. Each film roll support mechanism (94) has a moveable arm (102) with a film roll support bracket (106), and a hydraulic system (98, 104) controllable by an operator of the machine for retracting and extending the moveable arm (102). The machine has means (120, 124) for holding the roll (96) of film between the brackets (106) for unwinding the film onto the ground. The machine may include a film cutter assembly (154) for cutting the laid film.

Abstract: A borehole pipe protection apparatus includes a sheet of material having an inner surface and an outer surface and a longitudinal direction and a width direction defined by two edges of the sheet along the longitudinal direction. A fastening structure is configured to join the two edges to form a seam as the sheet of material is wrapped in the width direction around a pipe that is configured to be installed into the borehole to form a sock along the longitudinal direction. The sock is configured to be installed in the borehole with the pipe about which it is wrapped, yet to remain for a service life in non-bonding contact with the pipe. A method for protecting pipe during and after insertion into a borehole is also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ground stabilization system and a support and a method of stabilizing ground, more particularly to soil below a building or foundation of a structure. A system for soil consolidation is disclosed. It comprises: a delivery channel (10) that is closed at one end and adapted to receive a grout or resinous liquid (99). The delivery channel (10) has a plurality of apertures (20) that are selectively openable and closable, ideally by way of a concentric member (40) in order to permit filler or resinous material (99) to exude/egress from the delivery channel (10) into selected regions of surrounding soil at desired times, in a controllable manner, so as to create a stabilized volume of soil bonded to the delivery channel.

Abstract: A collection device for collecting oil and gas that is placed near the sea floor over a leak or seep. The device is anchored to the seabed. It has a long body and a head into which oil and gas can flow and be captured. An extraction system is attached to the collector that utilizes long tubes to collect both the oil and gas and bring them to the surface. The collector can be used singly or it can be combined with many others to form a complete collection system.

Abstract: Modules for use in an assembly for managing the flow of water beneath a ground surface and assemblies of such modules are disclosed. The modules include supports and a deck portion and the supports are spaced apart and form channels with a main section of the deck portion. The deck portion also includes at least one section extending from a main section.