Abstract: A coupler interconnects adjacent sections of soil nails to extend the lengths of the nails. The coupler includes projections extending from the exterior surface of the coupler. The projections serve multiple purposes. One purpose is to center the soil nail within a drilled hole. Another purpose is to provide mixing for amounts of drilled material to remain within the hole, and/or evacuation of drilled material to be removed from the hole. Another purpose is to create a drilled hole with varying diameters in response to different geological layers encountered during drilling. The coupler may include a plurality of ports or openings formed in the body of the coupler enabling injected material such as grout to be further mixed by the rotating action of the coupler during use. The invention further includes a soil nail assembly and a method for installing a soil nail assembly including couplers with projections.

Abstract: A coupler interconnects adjacent sections of soil nails to extend the lengths of the nails. The coupler includes projections extending from the exterior surface of the coupler. The projections serve multiple purposes. One purpose is to center the soil nail within a drilled hole. Another purpose is to provide mixing for amounts of drilled material to remain within the hole, and/or evacuation of drilled material to be removed from the hole. Another purpose is to create a drilled hole with varying diameters in response to different geological layers encountered during drilling. The coupler may include a plurality of ports or openings formed in the body of the coupler enabling injected material such as grout to be further mixed by the rotating action of the coupler during use. The invention further includes a soil nail assembly and a method for installing a soil nail assembly including couplers with projections.

Abstract: A coupler interconnects adjacent sections of soil nails to extend the lengths of the nails. The coupler includes projections extending from the exterior surface of the coupler. The projections serve multiple purposes. One purpose is to center the soil nail within a drilled hole. Another purpose is to provide mixing for amounts of drilled material to remain within the hole, and/or evacuation of drilled material to be removed from the hole. Another purpose is to create a drilled hole with varying diameters in response to different geological layers encountered during drilling. The coupler may include a plurality of ports or openings formed in the body of the coupler enabling injected material such as grout to be further mixed by the rotating action of the coupler during use. The invention further includes a soil nail assembly and a method for installing a soil nail assembly including couplers with projections.

Abstract: A coupler interconnects adjacent sections of soil nail members to extend a length for a soil nail to be installed. The coupler includes a plurality of projections extending from the exterior surface of the coupler. The projections serve multiple purposes. One purpose is to center the soil nail within a drilled hole. Another purpose is to provide mixing for selected amounts of drilled material to remain within the hole, and/or evacuation of drilled material to be removed from the hole. Another purpose is to create a drilled hole with varying diameters in response to different geological layers encountered during drilling. The coupler with projections therefore serves as a secondary drill bit implement. The size of the projections can be altered to selectively enlarge a desired portion of a drilled hole. The invention further includes a soil nail assembly and a method for installing a soil nail assembly including couplers with projections.

Abstract: A smoking accessory kit system facilitates the process of hand-rolling cigarettes, cigars or the like. The system includes a primary tray having a bottom wall and a perimeter wall coupled to and extending upwardly from the bottom wall. A top edge of the perimeter wall defines an access opening into an interior of the primary tray. A plurality of magnets is attached to the primary tray. A plurality of attachments is magnetically attachable to the primary tray.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for determining optimal design conditions for structures incorporating geosynthetically confined soils. A testing apparatus referred to as a load frame simulates a particular geostructural construction without having to construct a full-scale or near full-scale model. The load frame includes an enclosure made from materials such as concrete block or rigid panels that enclose a plurality of layers of geosynthetic materials and lifts of representative soil and aggregate obtained from the jobsite of the geostructural construction. An upper load plate and lower load plate confine the lifts and geosynthetic materials. A load is applied to the upper load plate in order to compact the contents within the load frame. Both static and vibratory energy can be applied for the loading, thereby closely replicating actual compaction efforts at the job site. Once the contents have been compacted, compaction testing can be conducted to confirm design parameters.

Abstract: A subsurface support comprises a soil nail having an outer member and an inner member placed within the outer member. By crimping the outer member or by use of an insert installed between the inner and outer members, a uniform spaced relationship can be maintained between the inner and outer members. In another embodiment, the support is made of composite construction materials, and the support has a self-drilling capability. The outer member may be made from fiberglass, and a metallic drill bit is secured to a distal end of the soil nail. The inner member is preferably steel. In yet another embodiment, the support includes a plurality of outer threaded members with adjacent outer members interconnected by a threaded coupler. A continuous inner member may be placed through the outer members. The inner member may be threaded for attachment to the outer members that also have internal matching threads.

Abstract: A coupler interconnects adjacent sections of soil nails to extend the lengths of the nails. The coupler includes projections extending from the exterior surface of the coupler. The projections serve multiple purposes. One purpose is to center the soil nail within a drilled hole. Another purpose is to provide mixing for amounts of drilled material to remain within the hole, and/or evacuation of drilled material to be removed from the hole. Another purpose is to create a drilled hole with varying diameters in response to different geological layers encountered during drilling. The coupler may include a plurality of ports or openings formed in the body of the coupler enabling injected material such as grout to be further mixed by the rotating action of the coupler during use. The invention further includes a soil nail assembly and a method for installing a soil nail assembly including couplers with projections.

Abstract: A coupler interconnects adjacent sections of soil nail members to extend a length for a soil nail to be installed. The coupler includes a plurality of projections extending from the exterior surface of the coupler. The projections serve multiple purposes. One purpose is to center the soil nail within a drilled hole. Another purpose is to provide mixing for selected amounts of drilled material to remain within the hole, and/or evacuation of drilled material to be removed from the hole. Another purpose is to create a drilled hole with varying diameters in response to different geological layers encountered during drilling. The coupler with projections therefore serves as a secondary drill bit implement. The size of the projections can be altered to selectively enlarge a desired portion of a drilled hole. The invention further includes a soil nail assembly and a method for installing a soil nail assembly including couplers with projections.

Abstract: A smoking accessory kit system facilitates the process of hand-rolling cigarettes, cigars or the like. The system includes a primary tray having a bottom wall and a perimeter wall coupled to and extending upwardly from the bottom wall. A top edge of the perimeter wall defines an access opening into an interior of the primary tray. A plurality of magnets is attached to the primary tray. A plurality of attachments is magnetically attachable to the primary tray.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for determining optimal design conditions for structures incorporating geosynthetically confined soils. A testing apparatus referred to as a load frame simulates a particular geostructural construction without having to construct a full-scale or near full-scale model. The load frame includes an enclosure made from materials such as concrete block or rigid panels that enclose a plurality of layers of geosynthetic materials and lifts of representative soil and aggregate obtained from the jobsite of the geostructural construction. An upper load plate and lower load plate confine the lifts and geosynthetic materials. A load is applied to the upper load plate in order to compact the contents within the load frame. Both static and vibratory energy can be applied for the loading, thereby closely replicating actual compaction efforts at the job site. Once the contents have been compacted, compaction testing can be conducted to confirm design parameters.

Abstract: A subsurface support is provided comprising a soil nail having an outer member and an inner member placed within the outer member. The soil nail includes features that maintain a uniform spaced relationship between the inner and outer members. The soil nail may be installed by drilling or launching through a launching device. The spaced relationship between the inner and outer members may be achieved by crimping the outer member, or by use of an insert installed between the inner and outer members. In other embodiments, the support is made of composite construction materials, and having a self-drilling capability. The soil nail has two primary members, namely, an outer threaded member, and an inner threaded member that is placed through the outer member The outer member is made from fiberglass, and a metallic drill bit is secured to a distal end of the soil nail. The inner member is preferably steel.

Abstract: A subsurface support is provided comprising a soil nail having an outer member and an inner member placed within the outer member. The soil nail includes features that maintain a uniform spaced relationship between the inner and outer members. The soil nail may be installed by drilling or launching through a launching device. The spaced relationship between the inner and outer members may be achieved by crimping the outer member, or by use of an insert installed between the inner and outer members. In other embodiments, the support is made of composite construction materials, and having a self-drilling capability. The soil nail has two primary members, namely, an outer threaded member, and an inner threaded member that is placed through the outer member The outer member is made from fiberglass, and a metallic drill bit is secured to a distal end of the soil nail. The inner member is preferably steel.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for increasing the width of an existing roadway. The system incorporates a reverse-oriented retaining wall and soil nail supports. The retaining wall is formed by a first set of soil nails, wire mesh material, and one or more geotextile material layers. An alternate embodiment forms the retaining wall with a plurality of concrete blocks stacked and spaced to form a block wall. The blocks are mounted over the first set of nails. Backfill material fills a gap between the existing sloping surface and the retaining wall. A second set of soil nails can be provided for additional subsurface support. An upper surface of the backfill material can be paved to form the extended roadway width.

Abstract: A subsurface support comprises a soil nail having an outer member and an inner member placed within the outer member. Features are provided to maintain a uniform spaced relationship between the inner and outer members. The spaced relationship may be achieved by crimping the outer member, or by use of an insert installed between the inner and outer members. In another embodiment, the support is made of composite construction materials, and having a self-drilling capability. The outer member may be fiberglass, and a metallic drill bit may be secured to a distal end of the soil nail. The inner member is preferably steel. A method is also provided to improve pull-out capacity by galvanizing the inner and outer members.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for increasing the width of an existing roadway. The system incorporates a reverse-oriented retaining wall and soil nail supports. The retaining wall is formed by a first set of soil nails, wire mesh material, and one or more geotextile material layers. An alternate embodiment forms the retaining wall with a plurality of concrete blocks stacked and spaced to form a block wall. The blocks are mounted over the first set of nails and can be filled with mortar. Backfill material fills a gap between the existing sloping surface and the retaining wall. A second set of soil nails can be provided for additional subsurface support. An upper surface of the backfill material can be paved to form the extended roadway width. The cantilevered configuration of the reverse-oriented retaining wall provides a solution for a less costly retaining wall structure.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for increasing the width of an existing roadway. The system incorporates a reverse-oriented retaining wall and soil nail supports. The retaining wall is formed by a first set of soil nails, wire mesh material, and one or more geotextile material layers. An alternate embodiment forms the retaining wall with a plurality of concrete blocks stacked and spaced to form a block wall. The blocks are mounted over the first set of nails and can be filled with mortar. Backfill material fills a gap between the existing sloping surface and the retaining wall. A second set of soil nails can be provided for additional subsurface support. An upper surface of the backfill material can be paved to form the extended roadway width.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for increasing the width of an existing roadway. The system incorporates a reverse-oriented retaining wall and soil nail supports. The retaining wall is formed by a first set of soil nails, wire mesh material, and one or more geotextile material layers. An alternate embodiment forms the retaining wall with a plurality of concrete blocks stacked and spaced to form a block wall. The blocks are mounted over the first set of nails and can be filled with mortar. Backfill material fills a gap between the existing sloping surface and the retaining wall. A second set of soil nails can be provided for additional subsurface support. An upper surface of the backfill material can be paved to form the extended roadway width. The cantilevered configuration of the reverse-oriented retaining wall provides a solution for a less costly retaining wall structure.

Abstract: A subsurface support is provided comprising a soil nail having an outer member and an inner member placed within the outer member. The soil nail includes features that maintain a uniform spaced relationship between the inner and outer members. The soil nail may be installed by drilling or launching through a launching device. The spaced relationship between the inner and outer members may be achieved by crimping the outer member, or by use of an insert installed between the inner and outer members. In other embodiments, the support is made of composite construction materials, and having a self-drilling capability. The soil nail has two primary members, namely, an outer threaded member, and an inner threaded member that is placed through the outer member The outer member is made from fiberglass, and a metallic drill bit is secured to a distal end of the soil nail. The inner member is preferably steel.

Abstract: A subsurface support is provided comprising a soil nail having an outer member and an inner member placed within the outer member. The soil nail includes features that maintain a uniform spaced relationship between the inner and outer members. The soil nail may be installed by drilling or launching through a launching device. The spaced relationship between the inner and outer members may be achieved by crimping the outer member, or by use of an insert installed between the inner and outer members. In other embodiments, the support is made of composite construction materials, and having a self-drilling capability. The soil nail has two primary members, namely, an outer threaded member, and an inner threaded member that is placed through the outer member The outer member is made from fiberglass, and a metallic drill bit is secured to a distal end of the soil nail. The inner member is preferably steel.