Abstract: A structural pile sheet spur including a void creating section located in a fore part of the spur, a pile sheet interfacing section located in an aft part of the spur, and a fluid delivery passageway located in or adjacent to the pile sheet interfacing section.

Abstract: A sheet pile retaining wall system employing corrugated sheet piles not requiring temporary shoring to be used when widening and/or stabilization of existing highway embankment. The wall system provides a front face wall having a plurality of resistance fins perpendicularly extending therefrom via three-way connectors. The fin sheet piles first include a brace fin sheet for reducing stresses in the front face wall, then a series of additional resistance fin sheets terminating at an elevation below the face wall for accommodating a pipe drainage/utility cradle. Between the slope of the existing embankment, a temporary excavation bench, an excavation backslope, and the higher front face wall is reinforced concrete backfill for pre-stressing the wall system when fluid—and, when set, optionally engaging supplementary structural features within the set concrete backfill such as dowels/tie down anchors.

Abstract: A one-step sheet pile retaining wall system for embankment widening typically associated with highway widening not requiring temporary shoring. The wall system may provide a front wall face having a plurality of resistance fins perpendicularly extending therefrom. The fin sheet piles first include a brace fin sheet for reducing stresses in the front wall face, then a series of cradle fin sheets terminating at an elevation below the brace fin sheet for accommodating a pipe drainage/utility cradle, and finally a series of predominantly resistance fin sheets terminating at an elevation above the cradle fin sheets. Between the slope of the existing embankment and the higher front wall face may be cementitious flowable backfill for pre-stressing the wall system when fluid and, when set, supporting the aforementioned cradle, from which the remaining construction can build off of while reducing overall earth pressure acting on the wall face upon completion of construction.

Abstract: A system, method and sealing components for resisting fluid transmission through an interlock joint between first and second sheet piling panels of a barrier assembly. A compressible sealing member is engaged between interlock members of the sheet piling panels as the barrier assembly is constructed. A dispersible sealant is optionally dispersed into the interlock joint upon compression of the sealing member.

Abstract: A dry setting installation for generating a substantially dry working space for carrying out work on part of a partially submerged structure, the dry setting installation comprising a truncated elongated angular-, oval-shaped or part-angular-part-oval-dry setting element, which with the part of a partially submerged structure is capable of forming a cofferdam round the part of the partially submerged structure; and a process for the treatment of part of a partially submerged structure, the process comprising the steps of: closing the dry setting element with the part of the partially submerged structure, sealing the dry setting element on the part of the partially submerged structure; pumping out the water thereby providing a cofferdam round the part of the partially submerged structure; cleaning the surface of the part of the partially submerged structure; curing the curable adhesive coating, filling the dry setting installation with water, removing the dry setting element.

Abstract: One embodiment of Universal Cellular Cofferdam with embedded prefabricated columnar framing (10), embedded rock anchors (16), pile cap (25), cofferdam perimeter skin (15) and granular fill (22) constitutes a hybrid cofferdam structure comprising columnar framing and cofferdam gravity cell. The described structure utilizes resisting mechanisms of structural framing, cofferdam gravity forces and mechanism of rock anchor devices for creation of unique resisting mechanism where all three resisting mechanisms compliment each other, preventing modes of structural failures typical for gravitational or columnar structures alone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a maintenance platform (1, 10) for an oil rig equipped with a work platform and at least three frame legs (2) b, particularly a jackup oil rig, wherein at least one corner module (6) having at least one platform can be moved along at least one frame leg (2) of the oil rig, wherein the at least one corner module (6) is equipped with at least one climbing unit (110), which positively interacts with at least one gearing system (4) that is arranged on the frame leg (2) in order to bring about an up or down movement of the at least one corner module (6) along the frame leg (2).

Abstract: A cofferdam module can include first and second side panels, outer support members that are each coupled to the outer side of one of the side panels, and two different types of inner support members that are each coupled to the inner side of each of the side panels.

Abstract: A dry setting installation (1) for generating a substantially dry working space for carrying out work at an underwater structure. The dry setting installation (1) has two side-walls (2), a back wall (3) and a bottom (4) thus forming a cofferdam. The dry setting installation furthermore has, for each side-wall, a side edge sealing (20) provided on the side-wall (2) edge for providing a substantially sealing contact between the side-walls (2) and the underwater structure. The dry setting installation also has a distance variation system (30) for varying the distance between the side edge sealing system (20) of the two side-walls (2).

Abstract: The invention is concerned with an arrangement for preventing weather-induced formation of ice to a top surface (76) of an outdoor surface layer (74), comprising a heat conduit received in the surface layer (74). The heat conduit comprises a conduit (10, 12) for a circulating fluid adapted to emit heat to the surface layer (74) from a collector line (20, 22) adapted to receive heat from a volume (40) of water.

Abstract: Universal Framed Cofferdam has prefabricated skeletal steel space framing formed from multiple steel vertical pipes and two levels of horizontal diaphragm trusses rigidly connected to pipe columns. Beams of each diaphragm truss are attached to vertical pipes of the framing with rigid moment connections creating a rigid space frame of the perfectly round form that is used as a false work of the Cofferdam. Wales of the Cofferdam and short pieces of the flat sheet piling are attached to the vertical pipes forming a skeleton of the Cellular structure. The Skeleton of the Universal Framed Cofferdam is prefabricated in the convenience of the Dry Dock and than floated to the site. Buoyancy of the framing allows Cofferdam skeleton transportation without using the barge or otherwise necessary floating devices. Once brought to the site of installation Cofferdam skeleton is installed vertically in position and leveled on the bottom of the river bed.

Abstract: A coffer dam for use in maintenance and repair of support pylons for marine structures such as piers, wharfs, and drilling platforms. Insulated bottom, side walls and roof members form an enclosure that can be heated, or cooled, to provide a good work environment and can protect against undesirable condensation that could adversely effect chemicals and coating materials. A grated floor member allows for debris to be collected and a vacuum system is used for proper disposal, and an improved seal protects against water leaking into the enclosure.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a generally cylindrical or sleeve-like or tubular housing 2 having an opening at one end which is locatable to be in sealing engagement with the outer surface of part of the hull 3 of a submarine with said housing 2 forming a water evacuable space around the propulsor unit 1 of the submarine, and access passages or ducts 4,5 for work personnel in communication with said space and extending upwardly from said housing 2 such as to, in use, to be above the surface of the water in which the submarine is floating.

Abstract: A hole shoring device that includes a support frame, a first hollow octagonal shaped sleeve, a frame linkage, a hollow second octagonal shaped sleeve, a first linkage, a second hollow octagonal shaped sleeve, a second linkage, a third hollow octagonal shaped sleeve, a third linkage, and a fourth hollow octagonal shaped sleeve. The support frame is positioned on an area around a hole in which a tank is to be buried. The first hollow octagonal shaped sleeve is disposed below the support frame and is positioned in the hole. The frame linkage removably connects the first hollow octagonal shaped sleeve and the support frame. The hollow second octagonal shaped sleeve is removably mounted within and extends below the hollow first octagonal shaped sleeve and is positioned in the hole. The first linkage removably connects the hollow second octagonal shaped sleeve and the hollow first octagonal shaped sleeve.

Abstract: A man-made sea defense system is constructed using floatable sea-defense caissons which are floated in the ocean to a pre-selected ocean site and then sunk to the ocean floor and connected in end-to-end relation to form a line of sea-defense caissons whose bottoms are secured in place on the ocean floor and whose tops extend above the ocean surface. The opposite ends of the line of sea-defense caissons are anchored by anchor tower caissons which extend higher above the ocean surface than the sea-defense caissons. A plurality of storage caissons are secured in place to the ocean floor on the leeward side of the line of sea-defense caissons for storing bulk materials. The storage caissons may be connected to the line of sea-defense caissons in a closed loop configuration to define a sheltered area on the leeward side of the sea-defense caissons. The sheltered area may remain filled with seawater to form a wet polder or may be pumped dry and filled with dry material to form a dry polder.

Abstract: A work enclosure for servicing a marine structure which is adapted to be positioned around a support member of the marine structure to enclose the member and at least one riser which extends parallel thereto. The enclosure is watertight and open at the top to the atmosphere whereby the water is pumped from the enclosure when the enclosure is in an operable position on the member to provide a dry, shirt-sleeve environment in which to carry out the service operations.

Abstract: Protective barrier consisting of at least two ballastable elements (3, 4) adapted to surround at least partially the work to be protected (1).The height of the individual elements is greater than the water depth. The elements comprise a connection device permitting the structural continuity of the elements after assembly. The protective barrier is entirely independent of the work to be protected. The positioning of the elements around the work is effected by means of a positioning system provided in the sea bed and/or the individual elements of the protective barrier.

Abstract: A template retaining wall for use in marine environments is composed of a plurality of interconnected, piled, prefabricated templates. Each template comprises a series of vertically extending, horizontally spaced apart legs and a series of battered, horizontally spaced apart legs. The legs are interconnected by horizontally and diagonally extending truss/strut members. A track guide is positioned on one lateral end of each template and a rider guide is positioned on the other lateral end of each template. The rider guide on one template engages the track on an adjacent template. A metal sheet pile is welded between each of the vertical legs and piles, extend through each of the legs into the ground underlying the water. The retaining wall may be curved into a circular configuration to enclose and retain an artificial island or may be formed into other shapes.

Abstract: An underwater construction which includes a concrete base slab and a protective wall. The lower end of the protective wall remains somewhat in the concrete cast of the base slab. The protective wall is formed by vertically extending elements. Water may be pumped from the space within the protective wall to produce a dry space.

Abstract: A method and assembly for temporarily isolating an area within a waterway preparatory to dredging in order to prevent disturbed sediment from spreading throughout said waterway. A plurality of spaced support column assemblies are lowered from a barge outer hull into soil forming a periphery of the area to be dredged. A separate side panel member is then lowered between each pair of support columns and water is then removed from an area completely encircled by the side panel members and support column assemblies before the area is dredged. After dredging operations are completed within the area, water is then reintroduced into the area and the side panels and support columns are withdrawn.

Abstract: Corrections to be applied to the motion of a tunnelling shield to maintain or restore motion of the shield along a predetermined path are determined by directing a beam of collimated light in a direction parallel to or at a fixed angle with the axis of said predetermined path; focussing the beam on to the input end of an optical cable carried by the shield and comprising a plurality of optical fibres, the input ends of the fibres being arranged in an array in which the position of the input end of each guide relative to that of another is fixed; and displaying light transmitted through the optical cable or guides on to a screen at which the output ends of the guides are so arranged as to facilitate ready determination of any correction required to be applied to the motion of the shield. The method may be employed to indicate which propulsion rams of a tunnelling shield should be operated to apply the necessary correction to the motion of the shield.

Abstract: An ice platform suitable for multiseason use is constructed in a cold offshore region by accumulating ice on a portion of a floating natural ice sheet until the ice mass formed thereby becomes grounded on the marine bottom. A rigid wall element is driven through the ice and a preselected distance into the marine bottom so as to form a structural wall surrounding the ice mass. Subsequently an insulation jacket is installed over the top surface of the ice mass and between the ice mass and the wall. To dismantle the ice platform, the wall and at least part of the insulation jacket are removed to allow natural forces to restore the region to its natural state.

Abstract: The open infrastructure of a marine platform-support is made water-tight on at least a part of its height by means of removable elements. These elements are placed between the vertical columns of the support, forming a cylindrical or lobed screen.

Abstract: To repair a pair of adjacent corroded sheet pile coffer dam cells a vertical metal plate is welded to the joint between the adjacent arches of sheet piling in alignment with the diaphragm between the cells which is also connected to the joint. A precast, post-tensional concrete arch of approximately the same length and depth as the sheet pile arch is spaced outwardly of each sheet pile arch. Exposed reinforcing bars of the concrete arch are secured to an extension of the metal plate. An outer vertical plate bridges the gap between the outer corners of adjacent concrete arches. The space inside the outer plate and the arch joint is filled with grout (e.g., Tremied concrete or pressure grout). The spaces between the new concrete arches and the pre-existing sheet pile arches are also filled. The lateral forces from the fill behind the concrete arches are resisted by tension of the existing diaphragm between cells. Use of "deadmen" and other anchoring devices is obviated.