Abstract: An injection head includes an upper inlet pipe (12) for receiving fluid from a set of tubular rods which can be mounted above the head, at least a first pipe (13) having a curved intermediate portion (14) which connects the upper inlet pipe (12) to at least one lateral injection nozzle (11), at least a second pipe (15) for conveying a fluid from the inlet pipe (12) to a lower outlet pipe (17) which can be connected to a drilling tool. The injection head also has valve (20-23) which can be actuated to cut off the flow of the fluid towards the lower outlet pipe (17). The valve is located in a position downstream of the upper inlet pipe (12) and above, or upstream of, the lateral nozzles (11) and the second pipes (15).

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for forming an in situ subterranean soil cement structure wherein a soil processing tool incorporates a novel cyclonic mixing region. The cyclonic mixing region is formed by deflecting a jetstream which initially moves away from a hollow Kelly and, after being deflected, the jetstream is redirected into a direction flowing towards the hollow Kelly. A contoured flight is provided having an exterior contoured surface extending upwardly from a central section of the contoured flight and bends through an angle greater than 110° in order to deflect a jetstream which is directed outwardly from the hollow Kelly back towards the hollow Kelly. By preventing any of the high pressure jetstreams from impacting the side wall of the hole, higher jetstream velocities and pressures may be utilized. Two or more jetstreams may also be utilized to direct their jetstreams around a central horizontal axis to provide the cyclonic mixing region.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for filling and sealing underground voids and the like with use of a grout comprising aggregate coated with a water-activated expanded hydrophobic polymeric resin, such as polyurethane.

Abstract: A binder for mine tailings, alluvial sand and other aggregate used as a backfill for an underground void comprises ferrous slag, cement kiln dust and/or lime kiln dust, and Portland cement and/or lime; the binder displays strength characteristics better than or comparable to those achieved with conventional binders based on Portland cement or Portland cement and slag.

Abstract: A sand slurry injection system and/or method can include mixing a drilling mud inhibitor with water to form a water mixture; mixing the water mixture with sand to form a sand slurry; and injecting the sand slurry into an unstable ground subsurface area to stabilize the area. The water mixture can be pumped under pressure into the bottom and/or into the middle of the hopper to help maintain the sand slurry in suspension. The water mixture can be pumped into two opposed injection ports at each of the bottom and the middle of the hopper. The two upper injection ports can be oriented at a 90 degree angle from the two bottom injection ports.

Abstract: Control indices in drilling work with an air-foam stabilizer are clarified for stabilizing and regulating the stabilizer on the basis of the following indices relating to the air foam amount and the water or cement milk amount in the stabilizer; and a method of regulation of the air-foam stabilizer based on these is provided. <A> Defoaming water content ratio (Wmin) being the minimum water content at which when air foams are added to soil under drilling, defoaming would not occur, <B> Separation water content ratio (Wsep) being the maximum water content ratio at which any separation would not occur in the air-foam stabilizer, <C> Minimum air foam addition ratio (Qmin) exhibiting the minimum air foam addition amount from the viewpoint of the fluidity required for drilling, and <D> Maximum air foam addition ratio (Qmax) exhibiting the maximum air foam addition amount for obtaining the necessary density of the air-foam stabilizer as the minimum density required for drilling.

Abstract: Unit plates are supported by unit frames connected consecutively together for turning about axes being remote from and crossing a longitudinal axis of the frames with the ability to alternately be shifted about the turning axes by rams coupled between the plates and frames and expanded while the frames are shifted continuously. The front frame supports alternately a face-and-end pumping mill, facing disk or wedge or endless chain cutter. A ski tenon supported on the front end of the front frame that is able to be engaged with a ski-trak means of adjacent from behind the same unit frames for relative turning about the axes and disengaged in the trench.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for filling and sealing underground voids and the like with use of a grout comprising aggregate coated with a water-activated expanded hydrophobic polymeric resin, such as polyurethane.

Abstract: Diaphragm Sea/Retaining Wall System consists of retaining wall that spans horizontally between Deep Beam Diaphragms anchored into bedrock through rock socketed caissons. Deep beam Diaphragm is built of two round column sections that serve as vertical chords of the Diaphragm or as flanges of the Deep beam, and of the concrete web section continuously connected to both round columns. Fixity of the Deep Beam Diaphragm at the bedrock level is provided by embedment of two round column flanges of the Diaphragm into the predrilled rock sockets or caissons. Stiffness of the Deep Beam Diaphragm support and retaining wall reinforcement arrangement allows better force distribution between system elements and makes the system of present invention a most economical solution for difficult geotechnical conditions where large forces of static and dynamic nature has to be efficiently resisted by a retaining wall system.

Abstract: A hole (6) is provided in soil or a structure, and an injection bar (1) having a fillable expansion element (2) in connection therewith is arranged into the hole. A substance which expands as a consequence of a chemical reaction is injected into the expansion element (2). The expansion element (2) filled with the reacted substance condenses, fills or replaces surrounding soil or lifts as well as stabilizes ground-based structures. A force pressing the expansion element (2) against the soil is generated by the chemical reaction which expands the substance injected into the expansion element (2).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for constructing large vertical boreholes and underground cut-off walls is disclosed. A drill rig assembly with double rotary heads drives a small diameter drill string and a much larger diameter drill string which is concentric with the smaller drill string and has a donut shaped drill bit configuration at the lower end thereof. Preferably, a steerable mud motor/drill is provided on one end of the small drill string and is guided to make as vertical a borehole as possible. In a preferred embodiment, the small inner drill is advanced to the full depth using the steerable mud motor/drill to achieve a high degree of verticality and a slight smaller casing is installed and used as a verticality guide for the much larger diameter outer drill string. In a further embodiment, the inner drill string is advanced a predetermined distance, then the outer string is advanced using the inner string as a verticality guide, these steps being repeated in alternating fashion to the final depth.

Abstract: A construction method for installing underground pipes for high-tension cables uses a trough. The method includes the steps of forming an excavation trench by excavating the ground, installing the trough on the bottom of the excavation trench, pouring sand into the space section, placing the underground pipes on the sand, pouring again the sand onto the underground pipes, filling a gap formed between the trough and the excavation trench using sand and gravel, forming an upper protecting member on the trough, and performing surface treatment by using road pavement materials.

Abstract: A cementitious mixture that is comprised of class C fly ash and other industrial waste product such as either bottom ash or economizer ash. The mixture is preferably 15-35% weight class C fly ash based on the total weight of the mixture. The mixture excludes Portland cement, or other similar cement products. The dry mixture is placed in a desired location or form. Water is then added to the mixture when desired in order to harden the mixture in place. The cementitious mixture is particularly useful for securing fence posts, or the like, in the earth as the workability of the mixture is maintained by adding the water to the mixture only after the position has been properly plumbed and placed in the hole. The cementitious mixture thus provides an inexpensive alternative to standard blended cement products, and provides a convenient and effective way of securing fence posts to the earth.

Abstract: A method for saturating cavities present in a mass of soil or in a body in general, comprising at least one step for at least partial filling of the cavity by introducing into the cavity a filler material in the solid state or in the fluid state and capable of setting. At least one step of saturating the cavity is then performed by introducing into the cavity a fluid synthetic substance which expands and sets by chemical reaction. The synthetic substance is adapted to generate, as a consequence of its expansion, at least the saturation of the cavity and a compaction and/or loading of the filler material introduced into the cavity in the filling step, creating an optional state of permanent tension on the walls that delimit the cavity, to the point of producing, if necessary, a deformation of the walls.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for forming an in situ subterranean soil cement structure wherein a soil processing tool incorporates a novel cyclonic mixing region. The cyclonic mixing region is formed by deflecting a jetstream which initially moves away from a hollow Kelly and, after being deflected, the jetstream is redirected into a direction flowing towards the hollow Kelly. A contoured flight is provided having an exterior contoured surface extending upwardly from a central section of the contoured flight and bends through an angle greater than 110° in order to deflect a jetstream which is directed outwardly from the hollow Kelly back towards the hollow Kelly. By preventing any of the high pressure jetstreams from impacting the side wall of the hole, higher jetstream velocities and pressures may be utilized. Two or more jetstreams may also be utilized to direct their jetstreams around a central horizontal axis to provide the cyclonic mixing region.

Abstract: Described herein is a method and equipment for making an impermeable diaphragm of secant piles, based upon the execution of parallel holes with constant distances between centres, said method and equipment being of the type that uses a drill rod (5) equipped, at the bottom end, with a bit (16) for making adjacent holes (1, 1?, 2) of substantially circular cross section, in which the equipment is constituted by a guide (6, 7), constrained to the drill rod (5), and made up of two elements shaped so as to press against the walls of two adjacent holes (1, 2); the two elements are connected to one another through a slider (20) passing through a vertical opening (21) made between the two holes (1, 2).

Abstract: A slurry mixture for use in slurry wall trench construction. The slurry mixture includes fly ash to partially replace bentonite in soil-cement bentonite and soil bentonite cut-off wall construction. A small amount of bentonite is added to the fly ash, water and alluvial material mixture to maintain cohesiveness, prevent settlement and for decreasing permeability of the fly ash.

Abstract: A method of modifying geotechnically unsuitable soils (21) at a site (20) so as to render the site (20) capable of bearing a load (30) comprises steps involving soil stabilisation treatment and rolling dynamic compaction (42). A portion (40) of the site (20) is excavated down to a pre-determined depth x. Both the excavated site (40) and the soil excavated therefrom are subjected to soils stabilisation treatments, before the treated excavated soils is backfilled in layers (43), and subjected to both standard compaction (45) and rolling dynamic compaction (42). The result is a raft (32) of modified soils capable of supporting bearing pressures associated with traditional housing foundations (33, 35). The need to drive piles (25) into deep strata (24) with load-bearing capabilities, or to use other costly or environmentally unsound techniques to address the issue of geotechnically unsuitable or contaminated soils is thus avoided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a machine for digging a trench and making a wall in said trench, the machine being suitable for advancing along a path and having rear and front portions relative to the direction of advance of the machine, together with excavator means disposed in the front portion of the machine and defining a substantially vertical cutting front; wall-forming means situated in the rear portion of the machine; and propulsion means suitable for causing the machine to advance along said path. The machine also has a central portion, controllable brake means for slowing advance or blocking at least one portion of the machine, and controllable connection and disconnection means for connecting and disconnecting the central portion respectively with the front and rear portions of the machine, thereby enabling the type of excavator means and the type of wall-forming means to be changed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for making a trench wall in the soil, in which a trench wall cutter having at least one rotatably driven cutting wheel is lowered into the soil, whereby soil material located below the cutting wheel is stripped and a cut trench is made and a settable liquid is supplied into the cut trench. For this purpose it is intended that a gas is supplied into the cut trench. The invention further relates to a trench wall cutting device for making a trench wall.

Abstract: A method for repairing and/or waterproofing and/or insulating and/or reinforcing and/or restoring the structural integrity of wall systems, which it consists in providing spaced injection holes within a wall system in a manner suitable to pass through cavities that exist in the wall system, inserting injection tubes in these holes, and then inserting a substance that expands after injection as a consequence of a chemical reaction so that the substance reaches the cavities connected to the injection holes or are proximate thereto, the injection tubes being, preferably gradually retracted along the injection holes in the opposite direction with respect to insertion, to allow the substance diffusing in cavities crossed by the injection holes or proximate thereto.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for filling and sealing underground voids and the like with use of a grout comprising aggregate coated with a water-activated expanded hydrophobic polymeric resin, such as polyurethane.

Abstract: A fluid loss control additive comprising a crosslinked polymer and sugar and cement compositions comprising the same. In one embodiment, the fluid loss control additive comprises a polymer and a sugar connected by a pH-sensitive crosslink. In some embodiments, the polymer is a polyvinyl alcohol, and the sugar is a sugar alcohol such as sorbitol.

Abstract: Disulfonate salts of 2,4-pentanedione and methods for making such salts are described. The disulfonate salts are useful as cement dispersants. Cement compositions including such salts, methods for making cement compositions including such salts, and methods for performing cementing operations using such cement compositions are also described.

Abstract: A liner is the product of reaction of (a) a hydrophilic prepolymer bearing isocyanate groups; and (b) a water-borne polymer dispersion, the polymer bearing groups that are reactive to isocyanate groups; wherein the dispersion has a sufficiently high solids content, and the polymer has a sufficiently high modulus and glass transition or crystalline melting temperature, that the product of reaction exhibits a 24-hour Tensile Strength of at least about 2.5 MPa.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to hydraulic cement compositions comprising set-retarding additives and methods of retarding the set of a cement composition utilizing poly(amide) set-retarding additives and methods of cementing in subterranean zones utilizing a cement composition comprising a poly(amide) set-retarding additive.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a composition for injection grouting obtainable by mixing an alkali metal silicate or an organic silicate, colloidal silica particles, and at least one gelling agent, wherein the weight ratio of colloidal silica to silicate is from about 2:1 to about 100:1. The invention also relates to a method of sealing a leaking part or cavity, and method of cutting off a liquid flow in a leaking part or cavity. The invention further relates to a composition for injection grouting and a method for preparing such composition.

Abstract: Grout slurries are provided that have high thermal conductivities of greater than about 1.4 Btu/hr-ft-° F. and low hydraulic conductivities ranging from about 5×10?9 cm/s to about 1×10?8 cm/s. Such grout slurries comprise water and a grout composition that is available as a one-sack product. The grout composition includes calcium bentonite present in an amount of from about 15% to about 45%, sodium bentonite present in an amount of from about 15% to about 45%, silica flour present in an amount of from about 10% to about 35%, and flaked graphite present in an amount of from about 10% to about 75%, all by weight of the grout composition. Further, methods of installing a conduit such as a heat transfer loop in a hole in the earth include placing the conduit in the hole, forming the foregoing grout slurry, and placing the grout slurry in the hole adjacent to the conduit.

Abstract: A method of cementing, comprising displacing a cement composition into a workspace, wherein the cement composition comprises cement, water, and a fluid loss control additive comprising a polymer and a sugar connected by a pH-sensitive crosslink, and allowing the cement composition to set. A method for reducing fluid loss from a cement composition, comprising providing a cement and a fluid loss control additive, wherein the fluid loss control additive comprises a polymer and a sugar connected by a pH-sensitive crosslink, and mixing the cement, fluid loss control additive, and water to form the cement composition.

Abstract: A liner is the product of reaction of (a) a hydrophilic prepolymer bearing isocyanate groups; and (b) a water-borne polymer dispersion, the polymer bearing groups that are reactive to isocyanate groups; wherein the dispersion has a sufficiently high solids content, and the polymer has a sufficiently high modulus and glass transition or crystalline melting temperature, that the product of reaction exhibits a 24-hour Tensile Strength of at least about 2.5 MPa.

Abstract: A method of repairing concrete slabs that have become uneven and dangerous is provided that employs lime sludge that is injected under pressure into the space between the lower surface of the damaged concrete slab and the underlying ground to raise that slab back into a level orientation. Once this has been accomplished, any remaining space below the slab is filled in with well dried sand blown in under pressure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to stable and biodegradable foamed cement slurries, additives and methods. A foamed cement slurry of the invention comprises a hydraulic cement, sufficient water to form a slurry, sufficient gas to form a foam and a biodegradable foaming and stabilizing additive comprising a mixture of a capryl/capramido propyl betaine surfactant and a capryl/capramido propyl dimethyl amine oxide surfactant.

Abstract: Present in a tail shield (1) for a shield tunneling apparatus are a number of grouting lines (3) that are open to a tail shield end (4) and that can be supplied with filling material for grouting a ring gap (7) with the filling material, such as mortar, for example. In addition, additive material lines (8) that can be supplied with additive material are present, which empty into the grouting lines (3) in an end segment (12) of said grouting lines (3). As a result, an additive material, such as a solidification accelerator, for example, can be added immediately before the mixture is discharged into the ring gap (7), so that the risk of a blockage in the grouting lines (3), which are not accessible in the region of the tail shield end (4), is relatively low.

Abstract: The present invention relates to subterranean operations, and more particularly, to settable fluids comprising vitrified shale and hydrated lime and methods of using such settable fluids in subterranean applications. In an exemplary embodiment, the settable fluids of the present invention may be used as a displacement fluid. In another exemplary embodiment, the settable fluids of the present invention may be used as a drilling fluid.

Abstract: An excavation fluid composition useful for enlarging a cavity in the earth includes a synthetic polymer and sodium silicate. The excavation fluid composition is formulated so as to enable the fluid in contact with unstable or sandy soils in the selected areas of the excavation to react and form silicate-based derivatives with lesser solubility, and movement and thus improve soil stability at the excavation wall.

Abstract: A method for sealing rock or soil comprising inserting a sealing composition obtained by mixing a silica sol and at least one gelling agent, wherein the silica sol has an S-value higher than about 72%, a method for preparing the sealing composition and the composition obtained from the method.

Abstract: This building panel consists of lightweight panel for external or internal closures of latticework support structures, which is constituted by slabs of air-setting resistant material. The slabs are reinforced in the facade panels for external closures and unreinforced for the dividing panels for internal closures. They are provided with a patterned surface on the visible face and are smooth or shaped at the edges. The visible face is formed by a thin layer of molded synthetic resin or fine mortar paste. When the layer is molded synthetic resin and is disposed as a shell for the panel, it comprises over the whole of the inner surface thereof an internal synthetic resin layer, the entire free surface of which is covered with a solid bulk material, the components of which firmly partially anchored in said internal layer and afford a substantial free surface for anchorage of the air-setting material forming the resistant body poured thereover.

Abstract: An underground reservoir for storing water in alluvial deposits utilizes slurry walls keyed to an aquiclude beneath the reservoir to form a substantially impermeable water seal. A variety of water extraction/recharge apparatus provides for rapid and complete filling and draining of the underground reservoir. Such apparatus includes a plurality of wells distributed about the underground reservoir and a series of perforated pipes buried at a predetermined depth within the underground reservoir. A method of mitigating water table fluctuations resulting from the construction of an underground utilizes perforated pipes buried outside of the reservoir to transfer excess water from an uphill land parcel to a downhill land parcel that would otherwise experience a water shortage after construction of the underground reservoir.

Abstract: A method for stabilizing gravel, sand, crushed stone, rock and concrete structures which have cracks by injecting a pumpable, low viscous aqueous aerated concrete with a pore volume of at least 20% by volume into the cracks at a low pressure and then increasing the pressure so that the entrained air bubbles escape and sedimentation and hydration occur.

Abstract: The present invention relates to subterranean operations, and more particularly, to settable fluids comprising vitrified shale and hydrated lime and methods of using such settable fluids in subterranean applications. In an exemplary embodiment, the settable fluids of the present invention may be used as a displacement fluid. In another exemplary embodiment, the settable fluids of the present invention may be used as a drilling fluid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for making a trench wall in the ground, in which at least one cutting wheel located on a trench wall cutter is given a rotary movement by a drive, the trench wall cutter is lowered into the ground and soil material below the cutting wheel is stripped and a cut trench made, which is filled with a settable liquid. The stripped soil material is conveyed from the cutting wheel into a rear area of the cut trench, that the stripped soil material in the cut trench is intermixed with the settable liquid and that the stripped soil material is at least partly left in the cut trench for forming the trench wall. The invention also relates to a trench wall cutter and a trench wall cutting device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to hydraulic cement compositions comprising set-retarding additives and methods of retarding the set of a cement composition utilizing poly(amide) set-retarding additives and methods of cementing in subterranean zones utilizing a cement composition comprising a poly(amide) set-retarding additive.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for constructing an underground curved and narrow multisectional structure, stratum and wall horizontally and vertically extending in a multihole excavation, trench and gallery being formed in the ground that utilizing a movable chassis, a framework arranged thereon and including upper frame, a slip tiltable and a pulling and pushing means that can be coupled between the frame and forming means. A set of elongate forming means is provided downward and upward separately movable relative to the framework. These forming means have a supporting motive means, a means for making alternately holes ahead of the motive means, along the length of a transversal cross-section of the excavation and adjacent closely together in a horizontal advancing direction and serve to alternately form, empty and fill up the holes with materials and to advance the chassis by the pulling means.

Abstract: The present invention provides light weight high temperature well cement compositions and methods. The compositions are basically comprised of calcium aluminate, ASTM class F fly ash, sodium polyphosphate, a cationic derivatized starch fluid loss control additive and water.

Abstract: Methods of cementing in subterranean formations, cement compositions, and methods for making the compositions are provided. A cement slurry is passed into a subterranean formation, and a swelling agent is passed into the subterranean formation to reduce an amount of water flowing into the cement slurry. The swelling agent may be combined with a carrier fluid before being displaced into the subterranean formation. Alternatively, the swelling agent may be pre-mixed with the cement slurry to form a new cement composition, followed by displacing the cement composition into the subterranean formation. The swelling agent is present in an amount effective to, upon absorption of water and swelling to form a gel mass, substantially block the flow path of the water into the cement composition or reduce losses to low pore pressure intervals, thereby preventing the integrity of the cement composition from being compromised or lost to voidage, fractures, fissures, etc.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a support pier having a single or multiple compacted aggregate lifts in a soil matrix, wherein the apparatus includes a vertical, hollow tube with a bulbous leading end or head element that is forced into the soil matrix. The hollow tube includes a mechanism for releasing aggregate from the lower head element of the tube as the tube is lifted incrementally. The same hollow tube is then utilized to compact the released aggregate. The process may be repeated to form a series of compacted lifts comprising a pier.

Abstract: An underground shell-pile continuous wall job practice, which utilizes a special drill for constructing a continuous wall underground, is initiated by sinking two coupled special drills connected together by male and female connectors fixed on the main trunks of them respectively. Then, the first special drill is withdrawn while simultaneously pouring concrete into it until the first shell pile is finished. The process of sinking special drills and withdrawing and pouring concrete to build shell piles is repeated until the whole continuous wall is finished. In this way, building an underground continuous wall is rapid, economic and effective. The special drill has a simple structure which provides for simultaneous insertion and draining of displaced soil, thereby reducing the sinking drag force. Thus, earthmoving normally required to build underground walls is reduced greatly.

Abstract: The present invention provides cement compositions comprising an improved fluid loss control additive, and methods for cementing in a subterranean formation using such cement compositions. The cement compositions comprise a hydraulic cement, water, and a fluid loss control additive comprising at least two polymers connected by a pH-sensitive crosslink. Optionally, other ingredients may be included in the compositions.

Abstract: A waterstop, 10 or 11, for restricting or preventing the flow of water across the joints of foundation elements 8, such as between or along individual diaphragm wall panels or between or along individual secant wall piles. The present invention also relates to a method of installing a waterstop at or near the joints between adjacent foundation elements. The waterstop consists of one or more longitudinal strips, 1 or 2, of hydrophilic material, wherein the or each hydrophilic strip extends vertically along the interface between adjacent foundation elements, from a position at or near the top of the foundation elements, to a position at or near the base of the elements.

Abstract: This invention provides a method to preferentially fracture soil at a specific location to form a substantially single and continuous fracture that can cover a large area. Subsequently, a fluid material can be injected into the fracture that will solidify to form a subsurface layer of material in soil that is substantially single and continuous and with controlled thickness and in controlled locations. The process creates a layer of material in soil with minimal cost for material and installation. Many different materials can be injected to provide a wide variety of purposes and characteristics. The resulting material layer can also be tied into other structures (walls, etc.). Such material layers can be used as barriers for the control of contaminants, but they can also be used to retain moisture and nutrients in soil, or to filter, collect, or disperse other materials.