Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for constructing an underground wall in a trench, include using multiple chains on an endless chain cutter and individually controlling the speed and/or direction of the chains, various configurations of cutter bits and agitator bars on the chains, a technique for assembling the endless chain cutter in a horizontal position outside of a starter trench, then erecting the endless chain cutter to a vertical position in the starter trench. A guide frame straddles the starter trench. The endless chain cutter is repeatedly moved within the guide frame, then the guide frame is re-positioned until the entire length of the trench has been excavated. A central portion of the trench may be cut deeper than outer portions to create interlocking joints between adjacent wall sections and added stability for the resulting wall. Side gap barriers seal gaps between the sides of the endless chain cutter and side walls of the trench.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for constructing an underground wall in a trench, include using multiple chains on an endless chain cutter and individually controlling the speed and/or direction of the chains, various configurations of cutter bits and agitator bars on the chains, a technique for assembling the endless chain cutter in a horizontal position outside of a starter trench, then erecting the endless chain cutter to a vertical position in the starter trench. A guide frame straddles the starter trench. The endless chain cutter is repeatedly moved within the guide frame, then the guide frame is re-positioned until the entire lengh of the trench has been excavated. A central portion of the trench may be cut deeper than outer portions to create interlocking joints between adjacent wall sections and added stability for the resulting wall. Side gap barriers seal gaps between the sides of the endless chain cutter and side walls of the trench.

Abstract: A method is provided for constructing an underground wall in a trench, include using multiple chains on an endless chain cutter and individually controlling the speed and/or direction of the chains, various configurations of cutter bits and agitator bars on the chains, a technique for assembling the endless chain cutter in a horizontal position outside of a starter trench, then erecting the endless chain cutter to a vertical position in the starter trench. A guide frame straddles the starter trench. The endless chain cutter is repeatedly moved within the guide frame, then the guide frame is re-positioned until the entire length of the trench has been excavated. A central portion of the trench may be cut deeper than outer portions to create interlocking joints between adjacent wall sections and added stability for the resulting wall. Side gap barriers seal gaps between the sides of the endless chain cutter and side walls of the trench.

Abstract: A soil mixing apparatus that requires less drilling force comprises a shaft, a plurality of cutting blades, an excavation blade, an auger bit, a shear blade having an extendible finger. The cutting blades, excavation blade and auger bit are attached to rotate with the shaft. The shear blade is attached at a fixed longitudinal position along the shaft. The shear blade provides a variable length by attaching different length fingers that are adjustable to the soil conditions in which the mixing apparatus is used. The shear blade is also mounted to the shaft at an angle such that the shear blade rotates in the same direction as the excavation blade and the cutting blades, but at a much slower rotation rate.

Abstract: A cutoff wall liner joining method includes the steps of: (1) excavating a slurry trench; (2) positioning a first layer of liner material within the excavated trench; (3) positioning two pipes adjacent to the liner material in such a manner as to form a substantially S-shaped configuration of the liner material around the pipes; (4) back filling a portion of the trench adjacent a first one of the pipes; (5) removing the other, second one of the pipes; (6) excavating an additional portion of trench extending away from the back filled portion; (7) positioning a second layer of liner material within the newly excavated portion to form a overlapping portion of liner material; (8) positioning a pipe adjacent to the remaining pipe in the trench such that it overlays the overlapping portion of liner material, then positioning a third pipe in the excavated additional trench portion; (9) back filling a portion of the trench adjacent the third pipe; (10) removing the third pipe; (11) back filling the space left by the

Abstract: A soil mixing apparatus that requires less drilling force comprises a shaft, a plurality of cutting blades, an excavation blade, an auger bit, a shear blade having an extendible finger. The cutting blades, excavation blade and auger bit are attached to rotate with the shaft. The shear blade is attached at a fixed longitudinal position along the shaft. The shear blade provides a variable length by attaching different length fingers that are adjustable to the soil conditions in which the mixing apparatus is used. The shear blade is also mounted to the shaft at an angle such that the shear blade rotates in the same direction as the excavation blade and the cutting blades, but at a much slower rotation rate.

Abstract: A stabilizer for an in situ column drilling apparatus comprises a first and second mounting arms, a first and second stabilizing members, and a first and second stabilizing tabs. The mounting arms are adapted for rotatable coupling to the shaft of column drilling systems. The first and second mounting arms are preferably positioned spaced apart along the shaft near the drilling auger. The mounting arms are coupled together by two stabilizing members at opposite ends of the arms distal the shaft. The stabilizing members are advantageously shaped to fit closely against the wall of the column to prevent changes in the auger's drilling course. The first and second stabilizing tabs are attached to the first and second stabilizing members, respectively. The first and second tabs are mounted to extend radially outward from the shaft and also prevent changes in the auger's drilling course.

Abstract: A slurry wall lining system comprises a liner and a liner dispenser having a guide, an anchor, a support line, weights and fasteners. The liner dispenser preferably holds a liner in a rolled up position above the trench on rollers for insertion into the trench. The guide is preferably attached to the dispenser and can be angled to extend down into the trench. The liner is unrolled initially in a vertical direction down into the trench at a rate about equal to the movement of the dispenser along the trench. The liner then passes around the guide into a horizontal orientation in the trench. In the preferred embodiment, the weights pull the liner downward about the guide and secure one edge of the liner near the bottom of the trench. The fasteners, support line and anchor to hold the other edge of the liner along the top of the trench.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to multi-shaft apparatus and methods for forming soilcrete columns and walls and grids in situ in soil whereby adjacent boreholes are drilled so as to reach bedrock at substantially the same time. Each shaft is equipped with a penetrating auger blade at its lower end. Overlapping auger blades, vertically offset from the penetrating auger blades, are attached to alternate shafts. The columns may overlap or be approximately tangential to each other. Columns may be positioned in a row so as to form a wall, or may be positioned in a grid so as to fixate a region of contaminated soil.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a modified multishaft auger apparatus for in situ fixation of soil contaminated with toxic waste. Soil fixation is achieved by augering a plurality of boreholes downwardly into the contaminated soil with a modified multi-shaft auger machine. A chemical hardener is injected into the contaminated soil while the boreholes are being augered. As the shafts rotate, a plurality of soil mixing paddles extending outwardly from each shaft blend the contaminated soil with the chemical hardener in situ. The soil mixing paddles are configured so as to minimize the vertical movement of the contaminated soil out of the boreholes in order to maximize in situ containment of the contaminated soil. Upon hardening, the soil is immobilized such that hazardous chemicals, toxic compounds and other soil constituents are trapped in order to prevent migration from the fixated area.A multi-shaft auger apparatus capable of augering boreholes of different diameter is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to in situ structural diaphragm walls and methods for constructing such walls. The structural diaphragm walls of the present invention are comprised of a series of small and large-diameter soilcrete columns configured such that the small-diameter columns alternate with the large-diameter columns. A structural member, such as a steel I-beam, is placed within each of the small-diameter columns or within each of the large diameter columns, depending on the structural requirements of the resulting diaphragm wall.The structural diaphragm wall is capable of withstanding the lateral forces which may be imposed by soil or water. Thus, the wall is ideally suited for construction applications when ground water must be restrained or when soil adjacent an excavation site is in danger of crumbling because of the loss of the lateral support which existed prior to excavation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to side cutting blades for use with multi-shaft auger machines which mix soil with a chemical hardener in situ to form soilcrete columns. The side cutting blades includes two parallel blades which cut the soil between the adjacent columns along planes approximately tangential to the periphery of adjacent columns. As the soil is cut by the cutting blades, the soil is thoroughly mixed with a chemical hardening agent. Adjacent soilcrete columns are integrally connected by substantial column overlap without physically moving the columns closer together or performing multiple borings on the soil adjacent to the columns formed by the initial boring.The side cutting blades are particularly suited for use with a multi-shaft auger machine which has minimal column overlap.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to side cutting blades for use with multi-shaft auger machines which mix soil with a chemical hardener in situ to form soilcrete columns. The side cutting blades includes two parallel blades which cut the soil between the adjacent columns along planes approximately tangential to the periphery of adjacent columns. As the soil is cut by the cutting blades, the soil is thoroughly mixed with a chemical hardening agent. Adjacent soilcrete columns are integrally connected by substantial column overlap without physically moving the columns closer together to performing multiple borings on the soil adjacent to the columns formed by the initial boring.The side cutting blades are particularly suited for use with a multi-shaft auger machine which has minimal column overlap.