Abstract: Composite particles of a hard core coated by a layer of hydratable, swellable clay such as bentonite are useful for constructing, modifying and/or supporting lifeline structure such as dams, berms and levees, and/or pipelines or conduits for oil, gas, sewage, water, or cables or wires for transmission of electrical power or data information. The method involves placing the composite particles in a location within, below, or about the lifeline structure, and hydrating them to cause them to swell and fill and seal the voids around the structure to form a resilient support having a high damping ratio and low hydraulic conductivity that is maintained after exposure to strain forces. The composite particles are advantageous in damping seismic waves and reducing the potential damage from an earthquake, explosion, tremor, fatigue loading, or similar seismic event.

Abstract: The invention relates to a felt material comprising at least one felt layer and an absorbing layer, to a method for producing the felt material, and to the use of the felt material in textiles, shoes, technical application or medical applications. The felt material according to the invention has the advantages of conventional felt materials regarding the warming and damping properties and is permeable to air in the dry state. Due to the special design, however, it is waterproof in the wet state and thus it is suitable for sealing many materials. The felt material according to the invention binds more humidity or binds water in a different way than common felt materials.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide methods for laying a waterproofing layer which may be used for forming the bottom and the walls of depositing sites so as to comply, both in literal and in substantial terms, with the legal requirements. The aim is also to provide durable waterproof barriers which have a high mechanical strength, without discontinuity.

Abstract: A sheathing of elastically deformable waterproofing sheet material (11) is applied and sealingly secured to a surface area of a hydraulic structure (10; 31; 36, 39) to be protected. The seeped water, which collects behind the waterproof sheathing (11), is discharged by gravity through one-way drainage valves (13), provided in pre-established drainage positions of the waterproof sheathing (11); the drainage valves (13) are automatically opened and closed by the differential pressure of the water acting on opposite faces of a flexible sheet like flat valving member (M) of the drainage valve (13).

Abstract: A foundation protector for a foundation wall prevents moisture being retained in the foundation wall and also provides drainage for surface water so that water does not rest against the surface of the foundation wall. The foundation protector has a smooth exterior surface so that it remains attached to the foundation if earth subsidence occurs. The foundation protector includes a waterproof dimpled sheet with spaced-apart protrusions and an outer waterproof membrane which covers recesses formed by the protrusions and provides a substantially smooth exterior surface.

Abstract: A collapsible fluent material confinement system configured to receive a granular fluent material to form a temporary barrier structure is provided. The fluent material confinement system includes a plurality of strips coupled to one another to form an array of collapsible cells, wherein the array of collapsible cells is configured to be movable between a collapsed configuration and an open configuration. The fluent material confinement system also includes a deployment indicator disposed on a selected strip, wherein the deployment indicator is configured to be effective in low visibility conditions to indicate to a user how to move the grid from the collapsed configuration to the open configuration.

Abstract: A panel assembly to be used in an RCC dam structure, or the like, includes a precast concrete panel, a geomembrane liner extending over the full face of the panel and a geotextile sheet backing on the liner directly attached to the panel. The liner seals the panel against water leakage in a manner that allows shifting of the dam structure without placing undue stress on the liner or the interconnecting sealing strips. The geotextile sheet is preferably fabricated of a mat of non-woven polyester fibers and the geomembrane liner is preferably polyvinylchloride. The geotextile sheet is attached by hardened concrete slurry integral with the panel. Once the panel assembly is connected to adjacent panel assemblies by the sealing strip to form the dam structure, stress concentrations are relieved in the event that the panels shift for any reason.

Abstract: A system for constructing underwater impermeable protective sheathings of hydraulic structures or parts of them. At least one reference line is provided on the surface area to be protected and a protective sheathing is constructed underwater by positioning and stretching impermeable sheet materials over the area, keeping one lateral edge of each sheet material parallely aligned to said reference line, and maintaining hydrostatic balanced conditions between the pressures on the front and rear faces of each sheet material; the sheets are afterwards watertight connected along their edges and anchored to the surface of the hydraulic structure by mechanical anchorage devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stabilized fluid barrier member and to methods of forming the same. The fluid barrier comprises a first outer sheet member having a top surface and a bottom surface, with a stabilizer element overlying at least part of the first sheet member top surface and abutting the top surface along at least a portion thereof. The stabilizer element contains a plurality of interstitial apertures adapted to contain a quantity of a selectively fluid-impervient barrier material and for substantially preventing displacement of the barrier material from the apertures, notwithstanding the angular inclination at which the fluid barrier member is oriented during manufacture, transport, installation and/or use. The barrier material is chosen for its ability to prevent passage of one or more particular fluids, in liquid or gas form, depending upon the application for which the barrier member is intended.

Abstract: A trench is excavated from the top surface of an earthen dike, all the way down into the foundation below the base of the dike. Dry powder, partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (PHPA) is mixed with fresh water and soda ash in proportions of 20 lbs PHPA, to 4 lbs of soda ash, to 68 barrels of fresh water (2856 gallons) to form a slurry having a funnel viscosity of at least 45 sec/quart. As the trench is being excavated, the slurry is pumped into the trench immediately. A section of geo-membrane having a thickness of 0.080" is placed in the trench all the way to the bottom of the trench, overlapping at the top of the membrane onto the top surface of the dike. Dry sand is then pumped into the trench to displace the slurry in the trench.

Abstract: A trench is excavated from the top surface of an earthen dike, all the way down into the foundation below the base of the dike. Dry powder, partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (PHPA) is mixed with fresh water and soda ash in proportions of 20 lbs PHPA, to 4 lbs of soda ash, to 68 barrels of fresh water (2856 gallons) to form a slurry having a funnel viscosity of at least 45 sec/quart. As the trench is being excavated, the slurry is pumped into the trench immediately. A section of geo-membrane having a thickness of 0.080" is placed in the trench all the way to the bottom of the trench, overlapping at the top of the membrane onto the top surface of the dike. Dry sand is then pumped into the trench to displace the slurry in the trench.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system for installing water impervious barrier walls underground and particularly in levees. A mobile trailer movably mounted on rails carries upstanding front and rear masts and a carrier bar therebetween that is power driven up and down the masts. Augers mounted on the carrier bar are driven into the levee surface to create overlapping holes of loosened soil. A slurry of cement based grout is pumped through the augers to be mixed with the soil by the rotating, retracting augers to produce a soil-concrete slurry. A following mobile trailer also movably mounted on the rails is moved into position over the wall segment of uncured soil-concrete slurry. The following trailer carries a supply of water impervious membrane. Mechanism on the second trailer inserts the membrane into the soil-concrete slurry to produce a water impervious barrier wall segment. The trailers are sequentially moved along the levee to install a continuous water impervious barrier wall along the levee length.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a water barrier fabric, in flexible or rigid form, and articles manufactured thereby, formed by dispersing a water-absorbent material, in powdered or granular form, among a mass of fibers during the formation of a loose mat of said fibers, to homogeneously disperse the powdered or granular water-absorbent material above, below and on each side of the fibers forming the mat, and thereafter densifying and structurally consolidating the mat, to secure the fibers in position surrounding and entrapping the water-absorbent material, such as by sewing, quilting, needle punching or otherwise bonding the fibers into a consolidated, structurally secure fabric at least partially filled with the powdered or granular water-absorbent material. In a preferred embodiment, one, or both, major surfaces of the fabric is coated with a water-insoluble adhesive to substantially increase the tensile strength of the fabric and to prevent shifting of fibers when installed on sloping surfaces.

Abstract: A multi-layer article of manufacture includes an intermediate layer of a water-swellable colloidal clay, such as bentonite, sandwiched between two layers of flexible sheet or fabric material wherein the two flexible layers of sheet or fabric material are structurally interconnected through the intermediate clay layer, such as by needle punching, after lubrication of the clay surface with a liquid, such as water, to interconnect fibers of one fabric layer to the other fabric layer at spaced locations over essentially the entire inner surface areas of both sheet or fabric material layers. In a preferred embodiment, a water-insoluble adhesive is applied to at least one of the fabric layers to lock the interconnecting fibers in place and substantially increase the structural integrity, particularly the shear strength, of the article.

Abstract: A multi-layer article of manufacture includes an intermediate layer of a water-swellable colloidal clay, such as bentonite, sandwiched between two layers of flexible sheet or fabric material wherein the two flexible layers of sheet or fabric material are structurally interconnected through the intermediate clay layer, such as by needle punching, after lubrication of the clay with a liquid, such as water, to interconnect fibers of one fabric layer to the other fabric layer at spaced locations over essentially the entire inner surface areas of both sheet or fabric material layers.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a water barrier fabric, in flexible or rigid form, and article manufactured thereby, formed by dispersing a water-absorbent material, in powdered or granular form, among a mass of fibers during the formation of a loose mat of said fibers, to homogeneously disperse the powdered or granular water-absorbent material above, below and on each side of the fibers forming the mat, and thereafter densifying and structurally consolidating the mat, to secure the fibers in position surrounding and entrapping the water-absorbent material, such as by sewing, quilting, needle punching or otherwise bonding the fibers into a consolidated, structurally secure fabric at least partially filled with the powdered or granular water-absorbent material.

Abstract: A water and/or oil-impermeable sealing mat is provided in form of a bentonite non-woven fabric combination with the possibility of transmitting shear from one batt layer to the other, i.e. on a slope shearing forces can be transmitted by the covering batt material through the layer of swellable clay into the supporting batt material. Such a sealing mat is a fiber-reinforced mineral seal permitting the transmission of shearing forces on slopes, without the risk of the layer of swellable clay itself becoming the preferred sliding plane. The sealing mat consists of a non-woven textile material as substrate layer, a layer of swellable clay, preferably sodium bentonite, and a cover layer consisting preferably also of a non-woven textile material, all three layers having been needlepunched together in the conventional manner in a needle loom. When moistened, the clay swells and forms the water and/or oil-impermeable layer.

Abstract: A method and an assembly for protecting dams according to which dehydration of the dam body is obtained as a result of the differences in temperature between the concrete structure and a steam barrier defined by a water-proof protective sheathing. The condensation water and any seeping water is eliminated by means of a drainage channel system at atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A water and/or oil-impermeable sealing mat is provided in form of a bentonite non-woven fabric combination with the possibility of transmitting thrust from one batt layer to the other, i.e. on a slope thrust forces can be transmitted by the covering batt material through the layer of swellable clay into the supporting batt material. Such a sealing mat is a fiber-reinforced mineral seal permitting the transmission of thrust forces on slopes, without the risk of the layer of swellable clay itself becoming the preferred sliding plane. The sealing mat consists of a non-woven textile material as substrate layer, a layer of swellable clay, preferably sodium bentonite, and a cover layer consisting preferably also of a non-woven textile material, all three layers having been needled together in the conventional manner in a needle loom. When moistened, the clay swells and forms the water and/or oil-impermeable layer.

Abstract: A dam formed of roll-compacted concrete having an upstream side and a downstream side is provided with an impermeable membrane curtain. The curtain includes a vertical planar wall portion extending for the full depth of the dam and transversely for the full width of the dam. A series of vertical ribs are connected to and spaced transversely along the curtain. The ribs project toward the upstream side of the dam and extend for the full depth of the dam.

Abstract: Watertight wall for a dam or a dyke, composed of a plurality of horizontal layers of compacted earth-fillings, the wall comprising a rear wall which is composed of prefabricated panels of height equal to the height of several layers, each panel being equipped with buttresses situated at the back of the panels, which buttresses are embedded in the embankment of earth-fillings and are equipped wiht draining pipes, the wall further comprising a continuous sealing layer which is cast against the front face of the prefabricated panels.

Abstract: A pair of sections each has a thin main body portion with male and female interlocking means along opposite side edges. The male interlocking means of one section is connected with the female interlocking means of the adjacent section in dovetail interlocking fashion to provide an intimate fit therebetween. The terminal ends of the inwardly turned flanges of the female interlocking means of one section are disposed closely adjacent the opposite sides of the main body of the adjacent section. A trough is defined within a recess in the female interlocking means and has sealing means disposed therein.

Abstract: A dam structure for retaining water in a reservoir includes precast concrete panel assembly forming the face or upstream side. A bonded impervious liner means, such as polyvinylchloride sheet, is provided on the downstream face of the precast concrete panels assembly. The liner means includes individual membranes bonded to adjacent panels, and heat welded impervious strips are provided along the joints between the panels. A poured concrete curtain wall is provided adjacent the liner means of the precast concrete panel assembly. Roller compacted concrete (RCC) is then provided in layers on the downstream side of the poured concrete curtain wall. An elongated, substantially horizontal blocking sheet of polyvinylchloride membrane is also provided at least adjacent the base of the dam to prevent water migrating upward through the dam between the precast concrete panels and the poured concrete curtain wall.

Abstract: Method for the layered placing of upright or sloping dam cores of material bound with bitumen and/or plastic and/or a natural binder in a constant or upward-tapering thickness for dams such as barrage dams characterized in that the core material is placed from a silo of a travelling machine; that at the same time transitional material is placed, from one or more silos of that machine, alongside and against the placed core material; that the dam core is formed with the aid of a sliding formwork located on the machine to give lateral support to the core until and while the transitional material is placed; that the core material, immediately after it has been placed and before the transitional material is placed, is pre-compacted both vertically and laterally; and that subsequently the core material and the transitional material are (further) compacted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of constructing a continuous cut-off wall and a core of a fill-type dam in the ground by placing or grouting at a normal temperature a mixture of a cold-setting property comprising a cement, coarse and fine aggregates and a bituminous emulsion in a certain range of composition (hereinafter referred to as a cement bitumen concrete or a CA concrete), or a mixture of a cold-setting property comprising a cement, fine aggregate and a bituminous emulsion in a certain range of composition (hereinafter referred to as a cement bitumen mortar or a CA mortar) and further constructing an extended core of a fill-type dam above the continuous cut-off wall.