Abstract: A head assembly for a borehole extensometer and an improved extensometer for measuring subsurface subsidence. A plurality of inflatable anchors provide discrete measurement points. A metering rod is fixed to each of the anchors which are displaced when subsidence occurs, thereby translating the attached rod. The head assembly includes a sprocket wheel rotatably mounted on a standpipe and engaged by a chain which is connected at one end to the metering rod and at the other end to a counterweight. A second sprocket wheel connected to the standpipe also engages the chain and drives a connected potentiometer. The head assembly converts the linear displacement of the metering rod to the rotary motion of the second sprocket wheel, which is measured by the potentiometer, producing a continuous electrical output.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for marking out drill holes in accordance with a predetermined drill hole pattern. A direction reference beam (c) is projected in a direction defining the direction of the tunnel and part of a beam (e) is deflected from the reference beam, the part of the beam is passed to a beam derivating means (d.sub.2) by means of which the part beam is directed in accordance with a predetermined drill hole pattern onto the rock surface (4) to present thereon images of the part beam at locations of intended drill holes. Correspondingly, a device for executing said method comprises means (d.sub.1) for deflecting at least part of a direction reference light beam (c) to form part of a beam (e), and means (d.sub.2) to direct the part of the beam onto locations of drilling holes for explosives in accordacne with a predetermined pattern.

Abstract: A grade liner which is used in cooperation with grade stakes to determine the grade within a ditch. Means are provided for establishing a horizontal line of sight a selected rise distance "A" above a grade stake. Plumb means are provided which intersect the established horizontal sight line a given offset distance from said stake. The plumb means is calibrated such that the zero calibration is located a selected distance related to said rise distance "A" from the lower end of said plumb means. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, optical means, such as a target sighting rifle scope, are utilized in establishing a desired horizontal sight line. For the plumb means, a surveyor's tape measure may be utilized when coupled to a plumb bob, the length of which bob is selectively determinable and related to the distance said sight line lies above the grade stake.

Abstract: Two tubular elements are connected by a ball-and-socket joint and arrangements are provided for measuring angular displacement which occurs between the longitudinal center axes of the two elements.

Abstract: A column pad layout fixture having a pair of intersecting cross-arms and a third arm fixed to the intersecting pair of arms. An anchor bolt layout having an elongated rod and a cooperating cross-arm. A method of placing and fixing an anchor bolt plate accurately in a mass of concrete freshly poured into an excavation located at intersecting column center lines to provide a base for a single vertical column of a line of columns. A method of laying out a rectangular or square area upon a plane or flat surface.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of determination of the change in subsurface structure of the earth resulting from the application of fluid pressure at a selected point, at a selected depth, in the earth, by measuring at least one physical parameter of the contour of the surface of the earth above the point of application of fluid pressure. The method involves positioning a plurality of tiltmeters on the earth above the point of application of fluid pressure arranged in a known array, and measuring the change in angle of tilt of the earth's surface at the point of placement of each sensor while varying the pressure and flow rate of fluid into the earth at the selected point. This invention further teaches how the individual values of incremental tilt at selected points on the earth's surface can be processed to provide indication of the azimuth of the vertical fracture in the earth, and an estimate of length of the fracture.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus in which two casings are connected together each housing a coiled measuring means adapted for being selectively un-coiled and withdrawn from the casing or recoiled and retracted into the casing. A sighting device is provided on one of the casings to sight a target. The sighting means includes a level for determining when the sighting device is sighting along a horizontal line and a second level is provided to indicate when the casings are also appropriately arranged relative to a vertical line perpendicular to the first said horizontal line. Triggers are provided for the two coiled measuring devices and a brake is provided for each of the measuring devices. A digital display is employed and a counting circuit is provided for indicating the amount of measuring means which is uncoiled from the two respective casings. An alarm is provided to indicate when the unwound measuring devices are off line relative to the sighting device.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of determination of the change in subsurface structure of the earth resulting from the application of fluid pressure at a selected point, at a selected depth, in the earth, by measuring at least one physical parameter of the contour of the subsurface of the earth above the point of application of fluid pressure. The method involves positioning a plurality of tiltmeters on the earth above the point of application of fluid pressure arranged in a known array, and measuring the change in angle of tilt of the earth's surface at the point of placement of each sensor while varying the pressure and flow rate of fluid into the earth at the selected point.

Abstract: An ocean bottom surveying system comprising a recording mechanism mounted on the ocean floor. A stadia moved about the recording mechanism is connected thereto. Thus, by moving the stadia to various locations in the vicinity of the recording mechanism, a series of values indicating train and elevation relationships are obtained by the recording mechanism. The recorded data is later fed to a read-out system which plots a record showing bottom elevations at various points about the ocean bottom.

Abstract: A grade checker is disclosed to include a vertically disposed telescopic surveying rod, having graduations. A line reel is connected to the top end of a reciprocating rod, and a line guide is connected to the bottom of the recirpocating rod. There is a bull's -eye level on the surveying rod/handle to indicate "true" vertical. A line level on the line indicates "true" horizontal. When the end of the line is connected to a grade stake, and the surveying rod is adjusted, the final grade/cut or fill requirements can be determined.

Abstract: A method of measuring the deviation of the run of the actual vertical center axis of fluid filled bore holes and trenches relative to the direction of the design center axis thereof which bore holes and trenches are excavated under bentonite slurry comprises inserting into said bore holes and trenches a gauge means suspended from a cable means, whereby said gauge means is arrested inside said bore hole at any desired level, and thereafter a measuring cable means is connected to said gauge means and substantially tensioned and brought to run in an exact vertical direction whereupon above ground level the horizontal deviation of said cable means from the design center line of said bore hole or said trench is measured.

Abstract: Method for the determination of settlement in foundation structures for buildings such as dams using a long length of tubing installed within the foundation structure in which mercury and water with a defined interface is forced along the tube from one end against a constant back pressure applied at the other end, the quantity of mercury displaced along the tube being measured together with the pressure applied to compute the position of the interface in the tube and the height thereof above a datum point. A construction of unit to provide the constant back pressure is also disclosed in the specification.

Abstract: A radiation shadow indicator having a sight tube for sighting shadow-casting objects along a sighting axis. The indicator includes a system of gimbals mounting the tube for angular movement so that the sighting axis thereof may be caused to follow the apparent diurnal movement of celestial objects at various seasons of the year. Position indicators are provided for instantaneous read-out of angular positions of the gimbal device which, in turn, correspond to positions of the sighting axis at given seasons and/or times of day in relation to the location of the indicator on the surface of the earth.

Abstract: A vibrating wire stress meter. The wire is highly tensioned diametrically across the sides of a hollow metallic cylinder and held there by two anchor tubes. A wedge and platen assembly in turn hold this cylinder in a rock borehole such that small stress changes in the surrounding rock cause the diameter of the cylinder to slightly change. This cylinder variation is transmitted to and measured by the preloaded wire by noting variations in its frequency or period of vibration. To cause the wire to vibrate a coil, magnet, and yoke are used as a plural pole electromagnetic plucker.Clamping of the wire is accomplished by highly tensioning the wire between two opposite hollow tubes that are seated in opposite aligned countersunk holes of the cylinder and then extruding the steel tubes around the wire. The wire extends through holes of those hollow tubes as well as the aligned holes in the cylinder walls which are diametrically opposite each other.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the measurement of relative displacement between two surfaces, and includes an adjustable reference structure associated with the first surface, a planar guide structure having reference planes associated with the second surface, and a measurement block. A method for obtaining the measurement of the relative displacement between two surfaces is also disclosed.

Abstract: A platform laser beam generator support and alignment apparatus and method for using the same in construction measurement and alignment operations. The apparatus includes a triangular planar base, an elongated track composed of two rigid tubular members, the track being attached to the base perpendicular to the plane thereof and a platform bearingly attached to the track and reciprocable thereon, the platform including a portion extending parallel to the base and perpendicular to the track. A conventional laser beam generator is mounted to the parallel portion of the platform and a winch motor is detachably mounted to the upper end of the track and connected to the platform to allow the platform and generator to be reciprocated along the track.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining local solar time for virtually any location on any planet having a radiating sun, wherein the method requires minimal a prior knowledge of the planet's major characteristics and the apparatus is organized so as to permit completely automatic determination of the key parameters from which the time calculation is derived. Advantageously, the time determination is accomplished using a formulation of the time equation which depends on two key solid angles initially obtainable any time the planet's sun is reasonably high above the horizon. Additionally, methods are outlined which permit the apparatus to provide basic navigational data, such as latitude and longitude locations (for other than extreme polar positions) of the timepiece.

Abstract: This instrument is a portable field device that quickly determines microscopic creep velocity by measuring relative displacement between two objects connected by a metal wire. The device consists of a micro-creepmeter probe and recorder. The probe includes a linear variable differential transformer disposed within a cylindrical housing which is secured to one of the objects with a multi-directional ball joint fitting. An extendable piston rod slidably disposed within the housing is secured to the other object by means of a dual wire arrangement, which is also used to electronically compensate for temperature effects from solar radiation and variable wind. The transformer core is attached to the inner end of the piston rod and is translated axially by the piston rod through the sensing field of the linear variable differential transformer. A pair of linear ball bearings holds the piston rod free from axial friction within the cylindrical housing.

Abstract: In a device for indicating a preset amount of relative movement between two points, an indicator sleeve axially movable in a cylindrical bore in a housing fixed to one of the points remains flush with the housing until the preset amount of movement is reached at which point the sleeve pops up to give a positive, easily identifiable indication of the movement. An actuating rod which bears against and follows the second point is axially slidable in the sleeve and operates a ball bearing mechanism which locks the indicator sleeve in the retracted position. The amount of movement required to generate the discrete indication is easily variable and monitoring of the actual displacement is always available.

Abstract: A tilt detector is provided especially for use in operating sub-sea drilling equipment including a tool stack at the ocean floor. One such detector is carried by the stack to produce a first output; another detector is carried by a riser pipe near a ball joint interconnecting the stack and pipe to produce a second output, and the outputs are processed to facilitate maneuvering of a drilling vesssel. The detector includes:A. a container,B. liquid in the container having an upper surface tending to remain generally horizontal as the container tilts, andC. sensors having independently movable members engaging the liquid at spaced locations to sense the relative levels of the liquid surface at said locations and relative to the container during said tilting.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for vertical alignment of a borehole rig directly over a drilling site involve use of a camera placed in parallel orientation to the drilling mast or drill string and sighted in on the drill target, then allowed to swing free to the true-plumb position, thereafter bringing the mast back into parallel orientation with the now-plumb camera.

Abstract: To measure compressions and settlements in the foundations of heavy structures, a continuous loop of tubing is installed within the foundation of the structure, with the open ends of the loop brought to a convenient, accessible terminal point. A liquid interface between a heavy density fluid and a light density fluid is moved through the tubing, the particular fluid on either side of the interface being continuous back to the terminal. The pressure difference resulting from the difference in densities of the two fluids, and the changes in height between the fluid interface within the tubing and the constant upper surface of the driving heavy density fluid in the terminal, is sensed by a pressure transducer fitted within the terminal to the light density fluid in the discharge leg of the loop.

Abstract: A rod extensometer which can be inserted into a hole drilled into the roof or floor of an underground excavation to monitor the shifting of material surrounding the excavation. The extensometer has a head which is anchored in the inner end portion of the hole by a hardened synthetic plastic substance, an annular section which is inserted into the outer end portion of the hole and is bonded to surrounding material, and a set of interconnected coaxial cylindrical rods one of which is rigid with the head and another of which extends through the annular section. Changes in distance between the outer end of the other rod and the annular section are indicative of movement of material surrounding the inner end portion of the hole relative to material surrounding the outer end portion of the hole and/or vice versa.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting soil movement is disclosed generally comprising an elongated housing which is inserted downwardly into a bore hole drilled in the soil. The housing generally has a rectangular configuration and is disposed within the hole so that the cross-sectional longitudinal axis is parallel to the direction of soil movement and so that the length of the housing is disposed substantially perpendicular to the directon of soil movement. The housing is provided with an anchor means at the lower end thereof which anchors the housing in stable soil to prevent movement of the housing itself. A plurality of vertically spaced soil movement detectors are provided along the length of the housing and include outwardly extending wings.

Abstract: A gauge for determining the height to which grass should be cut is configured as an elongated strip having a reference edge at one end adapted to be placed against the ground. On the strip there are plural sets of different indicia, with two longitudinally spaced apart corresponding discrete markings in each set, one for grass height before cutting and the other for height after cutting. The distances of the two markings in each set from the reference edge follow a three to two ratio. The correspondence between markings is indicated either by color or by alphanumeric symbols.

Abstract: A ground slope indicating instrument is described that comprises a pointed shaft that may be pushed point first into the ground, and at least one slope indicating rod being attached to the shaft. A spirit bubble level indicator is mounted at the top of the shaft to assist in placing the shaft in a verticle position. The rod or rods may be attached to the shaft by pressing them into holes provided in the shaft therefor. Alternatively rod receiving holes are provided in the periphery of a hub that is rotatably mounted in a verticle plane to the verticle shaft.