A female fitting includes a tube having an end that includes an upset for receiving a male fitting, the upset having an outer circumference and an inwardly extending groove extending around the outer circumference for receiving a clamp or portion of a clamp and the upset having an end face and inner surface, the upset having an undercut between the end face and inner surface for receiving a flange of the male fitting. A male fitting includes a tube having an end part; and a transition between the tube and the end part, the transition comprising a flange extending radially outward from the tube and a radiused corner connecting the flange to the end part.

A female fitting includes a tube having an end that includes an upset for receiving a male fitting, the upset having an outer circumference and an inwardly extending groove extending around the outer circumference for receiving a clamp or portion of a clamp and the upset having an end face and inner surface, the upset having an undercut between the end face and inner surface for receiving a flange of the male fitting. A male fitting includes a tube having an end part; and a transition between the tube and the end part, the transition comprising a flange extending radially outward from the tube and a radiused corner connecting the flange to the end part.

An urban transformation and construction method is disclosed that creates a tropical style swimming lagoon at vacant and/or abandoned sites. The transformation includes demolishing at least part of the vacant or abandoned site, excavating material from within the site; forming a basin for a large water body having a surface area of at least 3,000 m2, and constructing water containment walls on a first section of the basin to form a waterfront perimeter. The shape of the waterfront perimeter is mainly curved, the basin has a maximum width of 300 meters, and the bottom is covered with a non-permeable material. A sloped access area is constructed in a second section of the basin to form a beach. A barrier is constructed to control access into the area including the beach. At least one recreational facility is constructed including restaurants, bars, kiosks, stores, and/or cafes about the waterfront perimeter.

An urban transformation and construction method is disclosed that creates a tropical style swimming lagoon at vacant and/or abandoned sites. The transformation includes demolishing at least part of the vacant or abandoned site, excavating material from within the site; forming a basin for a large water body having a surface area of at least 3,000 m2, and constructing water containment walls on a first section of the basin to form a waterfront perimeter. The shape of the waterfront perimeter is mainly curved, the basin has a maximum width of 300 meters, and the bottom is covered with a non-permeable material. A sloped access area is constructed in a second section of the basin to form a beach. A barrier is constructed to control access into the area including the beach. At least one recreational facility is constructed including restaurants, bars, kiosks, stores, and/or cafes about the waterfront perimeter.

A geomaterial web includes a first organic structural material and a second structural material that is different from the first structural material, which is bonded together with the first structural material to form a sheet-like composite material web extending in two mutually perpendicular directions. The first structural material and the second structural material are organic materials, where the first structural material has a first biodegradability and the second structural material has a second biodegradability that is different from the first biodegradability. The second biodegradability may be less than the first biodegradability.

An integral polymer grid with a plurality of interconnected, oriented polyethylene terephthalate strands and an array of openings therein is made from a polyethylene terephthalate sheet-like starting material having perforations or indentations therein that form the openings when the sheet-like material is uniaxially or biaxially stretched. The grid has a higher tensile strength to weight ratio and a higher creep reduced strength to weight ratio than corresponding ratios associated with a grid made from a non-polyethylene terephthalate starting material.

An integral polymer grid with a plurality of interconnected, oriented polyethylene terephthalate strands and an array of openings therein is made from a polyethylene terephthalate sheet-like starting material having perforations or indentations therein that form the openings when the sheet-like material is uniaxially or biaxially stretched. The grid has a higher tensile strength to weight ratio and a higher creep reduced strength to weight ratio than corresponding ratios associated with a grid made from a non-polyethylene terephthalate starting material.

A panel system for the containment of landslides caused by partial collapses and also by “rock breakdowns”, for use in the fortification of mining tunnels, hillsides and roads, together with anchor bolts and plates, comprising a network constituted by straps of metal or other material resistant to traction or with the capacity of tearing along the strap (1) (2) (3), with each node of this network firmly linked with a buckle (6) (7) (8) (16) and with a frame (20) attached to this network, where the frame comprises flat tendons (17) near the perimeter of the panel, linked to plates with lugs (D11) or with flat connectors (12) (13) (14) (15) which go beneath the normal plates.

A trench box which has first and second side panels connected in parallel spaced relation by first and second lateral supports. Each lateral support comprises connection points at each end of each lateral support that connect the side panels to the lateral supports. The connection points maintain the side panels in parallel spaced relation and the lateral supports in parallel spaced relation between the side panels. Each connection point comprises a pivot connection that permits pivotal movement of the side panels relative to the lateral supports about a pivot axis, and a releasable connection spaced from the pivot connection in a direction perpendicular to the pivot axis. The releasable connection is selectively releasable to permit the respective first or second side panel to pivot about the pivot axis such that the panels are not parallel.

There is provided high power laser systems, high power laser tools, and methods of using these tools and systems for cutting, sectioning and removing structures objects, and materials, and in particular, for doing so in difficult to access locations and environments, such as offshore, underwater, or in hazardous environments, such as nuclear and chemical facilities. Thus, there is also provided high power laser systems, high power laser tools, and methods of using these systems and tools for removing structures, objects, and materials located offshore, under bodies of water and under the seafloor.