Disclosed is an apparatus and method of using that grips a rod of small diameter and uniform cross-section of metal, fiberglass, or composite material used to probe the soil to locate underground utilities in a manner that permits a user of any height or strength to ergonomically and safely advance the rod into the soil and retract the rod from the soil regardless of how deep the utility may be buried.

Method of forming a concrete slab to reduce or eliminate control joints includes preparing a substantially flat base, overlaying one or more barriers on top of the base, placing a concrete mixture on top of the barrier(s) and base to form a concrete slab, and allowing the concrete to cure without forming control joints. The base is prepared with a flatness of about inch over 10 feet. A side edge is prepared along a periphery of the concrete slab by extending a vapor barrier from a bottom surface of the slab up the side edge toward a top surface of the slab and covering the side edge. A plurality of post-tensioning cables are positioned to extend through the slab and configured to compress and assist in controlling accelerated displacement of the concrete slab during curing and shrinkage. The concrete slab is formed of an evenly gradated and low slump concrete having high fiber content, minimized cement content, and maximized size of large aggregate.

Method of forming a concrete slab to reduce or eliminate control joints includes preparing a substantially flat base, overlaying one or more barriers on top of the base, placing a concrete mixture on top of the barrier(s) and base to form a concrete slab, and allowing the concrete to cure without forming control joints. The base is prepared with a flatness of about inch over 10 feet. A side edge is prepared along a periphery of the concrete slab by extending a vapor barrier from a bottom surface of the slab up the side edge toward a top surface of the slab and covering the side edge. A plurality of post-tensioning cables are positioned to extend through the slab and configured to compress and assist in controlling accelerated displacement of the concrete slab during curing and shrinkage. The concrete slab is formed of an evenly gradated and low slump concrete having high fiber content, minimized cement content, and maximized size of large aggregate.

A model learning unit of an anomaly detection device learns a relational expression between vibration strengths at frequencies based on a time series of frequency characteristics of a vibration strength detected during a learning period by a vibration sensor placed on a monitoring target. The anomaly detection unit learns a relational expression between vibration strengths at frequencies based on a time series of frequency characteristics of a vibration strength detected during a new period by the vibration sensor. Then, the anomaly detection unit determines whether or not there is an anomaly in the monitoring target based on a relational expression related to a new frequency, which is different from the relational expression learned during the learning period.

A system for locating and tracking an object is provided. The system includes a measuring device configured to determine a property of a paving-related material, a locating device configured to determine a location of the measuring device, a tracking system configured to store tracking information associated with the measuring device and one or more properties determined by the measuring device, and a communications system configured to transfer, to a remote device, the location of the measuring device and the tracking information associated with the measuring device.

A ground aeration device comprising: an air supply connector for receiving pressurised air from a source; a supporting element for supporting a drill element for insertion into the ground and a pneumatic hammer for hammering the drill element into the ground; a first pneumatic means comprising a first actuating means for actuating the pneumatic hammer; and a second pneumatic means comprising a second actuating means for controlling supply of the pressurised air through the drill element.

Inclinometer device (1), monitoring system (100) and method associated therewith for monitoring bonded elements comprising a flexible tape (2), at least one inclinometer (3) housed on or in the tape (2).

Inclinometer device (1), monitoring system (100) and method associated therewith for monitoring bonded elements comprising a flexible tape (2), at least one inclinometer (3) housed on or in the tape (2).

Elevation monitoring apparatus includes an enclosed base reference station (10) a 2000 m long, elongate housing (11) extends along the length of a traverse. A pair of conduits (12, 13) are filled with air (14) and water (15) respectively and extend through the elongate housing (11). 200 differential piezo pressure sensors (16) are spaced at 10 m intervals along the pair of conduits (12, 13) and are selected to sense the pressure difference between the respective fluids (14, 15). A dedicated microprocessor (17) associated with each pressure sensor (16) collects and distributes pressure difference data over a CANbus compatible network comprising twisted pairs (20) extending to the base reference station (10). A main data processor (21) relates the data to form a database of elevations. A modem (24) and antenna (23) outputs the data to remote management. A precision GPS unit (25) monitors the base reference elevation to assure the reference standard.

A system configured to determine a property of a paving-related material is provided. The system includes a measuring device configured for measuring a property of a paving-related material and a cellular computer device configured for being in communication with and receiving data from the measuring device.