Abstract: For constructing a pillar in an earthen foundation, a consolidating fluid is sprayed inside the earthen foundation from consolidating fluid spray nozzles provided on a rotating shaft, and then the consolidating fluid and the soil of the original foundation are stirred and mixed. The consolidating fluid spray nozzles which spray the consolidating fluid approximately horizontally are provided on the rotating shaft. The pillar is formed in the earthen foundation by stirring and mixing together the consolidating fluid and the soil of the original foundation in such a way that the rotating speed of the rotating shaft is faster for clayish soil than for sandy soil, the pressure from the consolidating fluid spray nozzles is higher for clayish soil than for sandy soil, and the penetration speed of the rotating shaft is slower for clayish soil than for sandy soil.

Abstract: A stirring apparatus for solidifying earthen foundations. The apparatus comprises a tubular earth auger stirring rod driven by an earth auger drive shaft. A mixture of earth and hardening agents is shaped into a rectangular cross-sectional mass by an open-ended, four-sided rectangular casing. A plurality of resulting substantially hexahedral-shaped hardened masses comprise the foundation for a building structure.

Abstract: A pumpable backfill grout which hardens into a controlled low strength material and an additive for making up such a backfill grout. The grout consists essentially of portland cement, a smooth surfaced vesicular expanded perlite, fly ash, fine aggregate, water, an air entraining agent, a quick dispersing thixiotropic suspending agent and a bentonite thickening agent.

Abstract: An adaptation of apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,135,058 to provide foundations or perimeter walls is effected with the drilling of circular holes within a range of four to sixteen feet overlapping to provide continuous area coverage in the case of foundations with a minimum of overlap and to provide a minimum wall thickness in the order of hole radius in the case of containment walls.

Abstract: A dispersant for spacer fluids, cement slurries, completion fluids and mixtures of drilling fluids and cement slurries used for drilling and cementing subterranean wells.

Abstract: Drilled cuttings are disposed of by solidification by drilling with a drilling fluid containing blast furnace slag, thereby producing drilled cuttings and other solid wastes, concentrating the wastes and then solidifying the concentrated wastes. Drilling wastes solidified by blast furnace slag are hard and unleachable and the blast furnace slag is compatible with both oil and water based drilling muds and drilled cuttings. Drilling fluids therefore do not have to be removed from the drilled cuttings prior to solidification in a mud pit.

Abstract: A synthetic cover for waste piles may be formed from a mixture of liquid, binder, cellulose fibers and plastic fibers. These constituents may be mixed and applied to cover a waste pile. The cover will harden to minimize odor and affinity to birds, flies and other insects. The liquid may include water; the binder may include cement kiln dust with or without bentonite, or portland cement with flyash or stone dust. The cellulose fibers may comprise shredded paper or wood.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the cementitious encapsulation of waste materials and/or contaminated soils containing heavy metals, to render them immobile, and particularly to the immobilization of metals, in regulated amounts, in such wastes. A waste product comprising the metals is provided. A mixture is prepared comprising said wastes and/or contaminated soils containing heavy metals, water, and a cementitious composition. The cementitious composition comprises magnesium oxide and magnesium chloride in proportions effective to produce, with said water, a magnesium oxychloride cement. The cementitious composition is present in an amount which, on setting, is effective to immobilize the metals in said waste and/or contaminated soils. The mixture of waste and/or contaminated soils and cementitious composition is introduced to a disposition site, and allowed to set and harden at said site. The present invention is particularly useful for the remedial treatment of landfill sites.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a medium in situ includes counter-rotating shafts and intermeshed blades arranged on the shafts in a helical array to define mixing zones along the length of the shafts. Reagent supply conduits are disposed in a housing surrounding the upper ends of the shafts for introducing reagents into the mixing zones. The housing is attached to a mobile excavator which moves the shafts horizontally and vertically. The shafts are lowered into the medium by the excavator and are counter-rotated to cause the blades to pump the medium and the reagents along the shafts. Once at the desired operating depth, the shafts are moved below the surface of the medium in the horizontal direction generally perpendicular to the plane of the axes of the shafts to define a volume in the medium.

Abstract: Improved set retarded cement compositions and methods of using such compositions which are substantially non-thinning at high temperatures and which can include fresh or salt water are provided. The compositions are comprised of hydraulic cement, sufficient water to form a pumpable slurry, a set retarder and a delayed viscosifying agent which yields viscosity at high temperatures comprised of a treated depolymerized galactomannan gum.

Abstract: A method for strengthening the soil and rock formations forming the structural base of a structure wherein a cement slurry is injected into the soil and rock formations. The method is particularly useful in strengthening the foundations of offshore structures.

Abstract: A high efficiency waste placement and disposal method for disposing of solid waste in a landfill includes size reducing the solid waste, moisture adjusting the solid waste, placing the solid waste in a preselected geometric form thereby forming a waste pile, coating the exposed portion of the waste pile with a synthetic covering compound comprising a liquid, binder, cellulose fibers, and plastic fibers, biostabilizing the waste pile and compacting the waste pile. The waste is preferably placed in a matshaped stockpile for efficient biostabilization through sufficient aeration and moisture adjustment and compaction.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved soil-cement compositions and methods of forming subterranean cementitious masses using the compositions. The soil-cement compositions are basically comprised of hydraulic cement, water present in the compositions in amounts sufficient to form slurries of the solids therein, a dispersant comprised of a mixture of sodium dihydrogen phosphate buffer, ferrous lignosulfonate, ferrous sulfate and tannic acid and soil present in an amount whereby the volume ratio of cement, water and dispersant to soil in the compositions is in the range of from about 0.3:1 to about 2.1:1.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon contaminated soil from the excavation of a leaking underground storage tank is physically and chemically stabilized by combining the soil with a lime substance which is hydrated to form a flowable mixture. This mixture can then be used to fill the excavation and, if applicable, can be flowed around a replaced storage tank creating a low permeable liner. This monolithic mass prohibits hydrocarbons and heavy metals in the soil from leaching into the vicinity groundwater and prohibits leaking from possible future tank ruptures.

Abstract: An oil and gas well cementing composition has styrene/butadiene latex and a combination of nonionic surfactants for improved physical properties, especially fluid loss. The composition has no anionic surfactants.

Abstract: In a method of stopping a leak of ground-water in an in-ground concrete structure, a through-hole is drilled in the in-ground concrete structure at a position adjacent to a leak portion, and after that a filler material containing a fine-grain slag cement as a main body is injected from the through-hole behind the leak portion so that the injected filler material fills up the leak portion under the pressurized seeping action of ground-water or the capillary seeping action of ground-water and then firmly and integrally adheres by hydration to a body of the in-ground concrete structure, thereby sealing the leak portion of the in-ground concrete structure.

Abstract: An excavator for constructing an underground continuous wall includes a traveling trolley movable on rails and having a sprocket in mesh with a rack extended parallelly to the rails and a hydraulic motor for driving the sprocket. The trolley further includes an upper frame arranged thereon and having a tiltable frame tiltable relative to the upper frame and a saddle provided on the tiltable frame slidable on the tiltable frame in directions substantially perpendicular to the rails. An extensible guide post is provided upward and downward movably relative to the tiltable frame. An endless chain extends around a chain driving wheel provided on the saddle and a chain sprocket provided at the lower end of the guide post, and a number of cutter bits and a number of agitator bars are alternately arranged on the endless chain to form an endless chain cutter. A chain driving device is provided for driving the endless chain.

Abstract: An all-round improved ground body forming device comprising a hollow outer casing with an outer metal bit at its tip end and a casing connecting section at its rear end, a casing advancer with an inner bit and a sub-bit for supporting the inner bit at its tip end and an arrowhead-shaped section to be engaged at its rear end, a casing advancer receiving and recovery device which has at its tip end an engaging section to catch the said arrowhead-shaped section and has a contracting and retracting section at an intermediate position between the main body section and the said engaging section, a hardening agent injection rod cosisting of one or more air injection pipes, a hardening agent injection pipe, a high pressure water injection pipe, and a slime discharge pipe, a multiple pipe swivel joint which is provided to correspond with the said hardening agent injection rod, and a method to form an improved ground body by the said device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a consolidating agent injecting apparatus having a nozzle mounted at the end of a pipe. The apparatus is inserted in a guide hole formed in the ground and the nozzle injects a high pressure jet liquid in a radial direction. The injecting direction of the nozzle is downwardly inclined from the horizontal direction within a range from 15 to 45 degrees. The present invention also relates to a ground improving injecting apparatus having first and second nozzles, mounted at the end of a pipe, for injecting a high pressure liquid and a ground improving injection liquid. The first nozzle comprises a plurality of annularly-arranged nozzles. The pipe is inserted into a hole dug in the ground and the high pressure liquid and the ground improving injection liquid are injected from the first and second nozzles.

Abstract: A method is shown for stabilizing sulfate bearing soils in which a silica compound is incorporated into the soils with the soils being further stabilized by the application of lime. The silica compound can be either an amorphous, flume silica, a crystalline silica, a silica gel, sodium silicate, potassium silicate or combination thereof. The silica compound and lime can be incorporated into the soils in a single step.

Abstract: Slurried solid waste materials are injected into subterranean earth formations in a zone of interest which has a relatively low in situ compressive stress bounded by zones of higher in situ compressive stress and wherein the zone of interest has alternate layers of material of relatively high and low permeability to fluid flow, respectively. The solid waste slurry is conducted through an injection well penetrating the zone of interest to form a conventional two-winged hydraulic fracture. The fracture is extended by reducing the tendency to form filtercake in the fracture adjacent to the layers of material of relatively low permeability while depositing particle filtercake adjacent the earth layers of high permeability so as to provide clear fluid flowpaths through the fracture while allowing the filtercake layers disposed in the fracture to assist in propping the fracture open until adequate lateral extension of the fracture and disposal of the waste material is accomplished.

Abstract: A method for the disposal of waste water in a formation having varying permeability zones therein where a higher permeability zone is first closed to fluid flow via a solidifiable gellable mixture. This mixture forms a solid gel in the higher permeability zone. Afterwards, waste water is injected into a zone of lesser permeability which allows increased amounts of water to be placed into the formation.

Abstract: An improved method for underwater reclamation is disclosed. Dredged mud sent under pressure by an earth and sand conveying device is treated with solidifying material, and before it is solidified, it is directly fed to an underwater reclaiming apparatus. The treated mud is fed through a discharge port of the underwater reclaiming apparatus, while the discharge port is always maintained embedded at a constant depth in a previously deposited underwater reclamation mud layer at the bottom of the water. An apparatus for underwater reclamation that is suitable for practicing the improved method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A ground reforming method comprises a first step for inserting an injection rod into ground to be reformed, which injection rod includes a first conduit and a second conduit surrounding the first conduit, and a first injection nozzle communicated with the first conduit and a second injection nozzle surrounding the first nozzle and communicated with the second conduit; a second step for feeding first component of an instantaneous hardening type hardening material into the first conduit of the injection rod and a second component of the hardening material (or compressed gas) into the second conduit; and a third step for injecting the first component and the second component (or compressed gas) at a super high pressure through the first and second nozzles to mix each other with moving back the injection rod from the inserted portion with revolving.

Abstract: This invention relates to the conveyance of cement under water to form concrete. The method claimed utilizes, inter alia, a positive displacement pump and feed pipe to convey unreacted cement, suspended in an environmentally safe and non-reactive liquid vehicle or carrier (polyethyleneglycol, for example), to an underwater site comprised of a hydrated aggregate mass (usually sand), permitting said carrier to diffuse from said suspension into surrounding water and further permitting said cement to react with water in the aggregate thereby causing the cement, water and aggregate mixture to form concrete.

Abstract: A composite fill material (22) comprising soil (18) and spent lime (14) and a method for filling depressed land areas (24) therewith. The method for filling land areas (24) includes generating spent lime (14) by adding lime to water (12) in order to precipitate out minerals causing water hardness. The generated spent lime (14) is mixed with soil (18) to form a composite fill material (22) which is subsequently utilized to fill depressed land areas (24) thus creating a solid soil base.

Abstract: A system for isolating a dump sitting on the ground has three different structures which are installed under the dump sequentially, as needed. The first structure includes a tunnel driven longitudinally through the ground underneath the dump and an array of drainage pipes passing through the ground and each having a lower end opening into the tunnel and an upper end at the surface. The second structure includes a water barrier in the ground around at least some of the drainage pipes. The third structure includes a water-impervious mass of backfill in a slit underneath the barrier and having a lower end at the tunnel and an upper end at the surface.

Abstract: An all-round improved ground body forming device comprising a hollow outer casing with an outer metal bit at its tip end and a casing connecting section at its rear end, a casing advancer with an inner bit and a sub-bit for supporting the inner bit at its tip end and an arrowhead-shaped section to be engaged at its rear end, a casing advancer receiving and recovery device which has at its tip end an engaging section to catch the said arrowhead-shaped section and has a contracting and retracting section at an intermediate position between the main body section and the said engaging section, a hardening agent injection rod consisting of one or more air injection pipes, a hardening agent injection pipe, a high pressure water injection pipe, and a slime discharge pipe, a multiple pipe swivel joint which is provided to correspond with the said hardening agent injection rod, and a method to form an improved ground body by the said device.

Abstract: Aluminum leafing flakes for expanding grout are adhered to microparticles to distribute the flakes in dry and wet grouts. The flakes have a protective coating sensitive to the alkalinity of dry and wet grouts alkaline. The coated flake carrying microparticles may be blended and stored with dry grouts or used directly with wet grouts as part of a fluidifier for the grout.

Abstract: The method of treating a waste liquid or solid hydrocarbon to reduce risk of environmental contamination by the waste hydrocarbon, that includes forming a flowable cementitious paste of Portland cement and additives; introducing the hydrocarbon into the mix and distributing the hydrocarbon therein; forming the mix into a shape for curing, and allowing the formed mix to cure so as to encapsulate the hydrocarbon in the cured concrete mix.

Abstract: A microbial system is provided for selective plugging of permeable regions of a subterranean formation, for use in conjunction with injection of surfactant-containing foams. Bacteria indigenous to the target formation are isolated, and selected for ability to degrade the surfactant of interest. Small, non-adherent ultramicrobacteria, or UMB, are prepared from the selected culture by starvation. The UMB and the surfactant-containing foam are then injected into the target formation. The surfactant allows the foam to penetrate into the formation. The UMB then revive to their vegetative state, degrade the surfactant and produce exopolymer, thus plugging the formation.

Abstract: In a double-tube type boring and kneading machine comprising a double tubular shaft assembly composed of both an outer tubular shaft and an inner shaft separately rotatable to each other, said outer tubular shaft is adapted to be rotated at a high speed and provided at its external surface with a stirring and kneading means, and said inner shaft is adapted to be rotated with a large torque and provided with a boring bit at its leading end, a lower stirring and kneading means and a liquid discharge port. A method for improving a foundation ground by employing a double-tube type boring and kneading machine is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A synthetic cover for waste piles may be formed from a mixture of liquid, binder, cellulose fibers and plastic fibers. These constituents may be mixed and applied to cover a waste pile. The cover will harden to minimize odor and affinity to birds, flies and other insects. The liquid may include water; the binder may include cement kiln dust with or without bentonite, or portland cement with flyash or stone dust. The cellulose fibers may comprise shredded paper or wood.

Abstract: Hydraulic high density cement slurry, especially for cementation of oil/gas-wells. The slurry contains 30-45 weight % microsilica based on the cement weight and water to a density of 1.9-3.5 g/cm.sup.3. If desired there can be added dispersant, retarder and weighting agent. Microsilica acts as a fluid-loss preventing agent. The addition of microsilica prevents strength retrogression at temperatures above 120.degree. C. and acts as a mechanical stabilizer for the cement slurries. A method for production of the cement slurry is also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cement-based injection grout for filling-in and consolidating fine cracks.According to the invention, the injection grout is produced from a finely ground Portland cement with removal of all the particles of sizes greater than 30 microns, the said cement having added to it a water-reducing plasticizer or thinner in a proportion not exceeding 2% and being mixed with water, the weight ratio of the quantity of water to the quantity of cement not exceeding 0.6.

Abstract: Cement compositions which have improved properties such as increased stability, reduced settling tendencies, enhanced fluid loss properties and the like and methods of using such cement compositions are provided. The cement compositions are comprised of water, hydraulic cement and an aqueous colloidal silicic acid suspension wherein the colloidal silicic acid particles have a specific surface area in the range of from about 50 m.sup.2 /g to about 1000 m.sup.2 /g.

Abstract: A multidimensional structural reinforcing element is disclosed, the element designed for inclusion within a matrix of soil, concrete, stone, and other materials to improve the index properties of the matrix. The elements have a hub portion with arms extending radially therefrom. The arms may include additional structural elements such as cubes or spheres on the distal ends thereof and the surface of the elements may be roughened to increase the surface area and the gripping function of the elements relative to the matrix material.

Abstract: A void in a mine is backfilled by a backfill slurry comprising water, an inert filler, e.g. mine tailings, and a binder, e.g. cement, lime or slag, to which a gelling agent, e.g. sodium silicate, is added just before placement.

Abstract: A method of improving water retention characteristics of soil by using water absorption polymer, including the steps of forming a water impermeable layer in a subsurface layer of the ground, and providing a water absorption polymer layer in an upper region of the water impermeable layer. The method is executed by an apparatus for forming a water impermeable layer in a subsurface layer of the ground, the apparatus also being used to mix water absorption polymer in the soil in an upper region of the water impermeable layer, by an injecting apparatus having a drilling function.

Abstract: System including method and apparatus for treating contaminated underwater sediment by lowering a hollow casing to an underbed, lowering a power driven Kelly bar with injecting and mixing blade fed with treatment material such as solidifying cement and flyash, providing a top cover for confining the sediment to be treated within the casing, injecting and mixing the treatment material through the Kelly bar, and sequentially moving the casing with Kelly bar to adjacent treatment locations.

Abstract: A narrow wall or slotted wall which is introduced into a geological substratum or foundation, including a sealing wall composition contained therein, and at least one sealing wall plate which, for example, is constituted of glass. The sealing wall plate which is fixed in the sealing wall composition or, the sealing wall plates, possesses or possess devices for the detection and recognition of leakages. These devices can be constituted from hollow profile members which are connected with the sealing wall plates; in essence, can be integrated therein.

Abstract: A method of reusing a slurry in a ground improving method, wherein a hardening agent is injected into the ground, and wherein the muddy water (i.e., the slurry which is discharged) upon working is regenerated and again used as an injection material; namely, a hardening agent. By measuring the physical amount indicative of the permeability characteristic of the hardening agent contained in the slurry, an amount of hardening agent contained in the collected slurry (i.e., an amount of hardening agent to be collected) is calculated. Since the amount of collected hardening agent is calculated simultaneously with the collection of the slurry, the amount of hardening agent to be newly injected can be controlled in a real-time manner on the basis of the latest data (i.e., numerical value).

Abstract: A method is shown for reducing the swelling action of sulfates in clay bearing soils while increasing the bearing strength values of the soils by treating soils having high sulfate content with a barium containing compound in an amount effective to react with the sulfate present in the soils, thereby forming less soluble reaction products and decreasing the tendency of the soil to form ettringite. The soil is further stabilized by the application of lime.

Abstract: Dry cementitious compositions and packages and methods for their application. The dry compositions do not have to be mixed with water but instead are poured, sprayed or troweled onto a substrate which contains water in an amount in excess of that necessary for the hydration of the cementitious materials. These compositions can be applied by layering, dropping through a conduit, or preferably, merely dropped into the water.

Abstract: Decontamination of a beach or soil area that has hydrocarbon contamination including removing hydrocarbon contaminated sand or soil from an area; mixing the contaminated soil or sand with cement and water; and forming concrete from the mix.

Abstract: A method of grouting porous gas--and petroleum--bearing formations with a cementitious material comprising ultrafine ground slag is useful for primary and remedial cementing of a wellbore. A composition is provided which comprises water, a dispersant, slag and an accelerator to activate the slag.

Abstract: A composition for use as a road base or levee fill. The composition comprises catalytic cracking catalyst particles in the size range of 1 to 200 microns and a binder the type and amount of which depend on the end use. Hydrated lime is employed as the binder in road base construction while hydrated lime, portland cement, fly ash or mixtures of fly ash and portland cement can be used in levee construction. The spent catalyst particles are present in amounts of 80% to 96% and the binder is present in amounts of 4% to 20%, both percentage ranges being determined according to the dry weight of the composition.

Abstract: Waste ash is controlled and adjusted in its water content to result in a compacted permeability of about 10.sup.-5 cm/s or less. With particle size distribution adjustments, the compacted permeability can be made even lower. The impermeable structure is useful as a cover or cap for existing landfills to prevent leaching as a liner in new sites. Processing the ash can result in a volumetric decrease of more than 40% thereby extending the useful life of new or existing landfills.

Abstract: A method of isolating a contaminated geological formation or aquifer is disclosed in which the formation is encapsulated by impermeable barriers. A grid of wells is drilled into the formation. A horizontal barrier is formed below the contaminated formation by creating an overlapping pattern of horizontally-oriented fractures filled with polymer radiating from each of these wells. A horizontal barrier may also be formed above the top surface of the contaminated formation if necessary. A ring of boundary wells may also be drilled surrounding the contaminated formation. The strata around each boundary well are fractured, and a polymer is then injected to form a vertical barrier around the periphery of the contaminated formation. In addition, water may be injected under pressure into guard wells between the contaminated formation and the vertical and/or horizontal barriers to further reduce any migration of pollutants into neighboring formations.

Abstract: A method of rigidifying semi-solid agglomerations resulting from the drilling of an oil or gas well comprises mixing the agglomerations with a hygroscopic powder and a cementitious binder to produce a rigid, form-stable matrix.