The expansive soil resistant foundation system includes a foundation frame having footings forming a grid pattern. The grid pattern contains a plurality of spaces within the pattern. Each space defines a main swell duct. Each main swell duct may be provided with one or more sub-swell ducts. The swell ducts permit free expansion and contraction of the expansive soil. A vent extends from each swell duct to expel trapped air. A drainage system is distributed throughout the foundation frame to eliminate accumulation of underground water. The swell ducts, vents, and the drainage system alleviate potential pressures that can be exerted on the foundation from the expansion and contraction of the expansive soil, which can lead to cracks and structural failure.

A portable cofferdam system for isolating a working area from water such as a culvert. The portable cofferdam system generally includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall each having an interior side, an exterior side, an upper edge, a lower edge and a rear edge. A middle wall is connected to the sidewalls opposite of the rear edges of the sidewalls forming a substantially U-shaped structure. An opening formed between the rear edges of the first sidewall and the second sidewall to allow for positioning about or near the inlet of an object or area to be kept dry such as the inlet of a culvert.

A portable cofferdam system for isolating a working area from water such as a culvert. The portable cofferdam system generally includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall each having an interior side, an exterior side, an upper edge, a lower edge and a rear edge. A middle wall is connected to the sidewalls opposite of the rear edges of the sidewalls forming a substantially U-shaped structure. An opening formed between the rear edges of the first sidewall and the second sidewall to allow for positioning about or near the inlet of an object or area to be kept dry such as the inlet of a culvert.

Roof runoff water control systems for a building with gutters and a downspout and buildings without gutters. Both systems employ a swale in the ground that is lined with rock filled bags that are opened and laid overlapped end-to-end. For the downspout, a closed bag filled with rock is placed under the downspout with open bags filled with rock laid overlapped end-to-end in the swale and overlapped downstream from the closed bag. For a building without gutters and having a drip line in the ground, open bags filled with rock are laid overlapped end-to-end in the swale. The swale and the open bags are aligned with the drip line.

Roof runoff water control systems for a building with gutters and a downspout and buildings without gutters. Both systems employ a swale in the ground that is lined with rock filled bags that are opened and laid overlapped end-to-end. For the downspout, a closed bag filled with rock is placed under the downspout with open bags filled with rock laid overlapped end-to-end in the swale and overlapped downstream from the closed bag. For a building without gutters and having a drip line in the ground, open bags filled with rock are laid overlapped end-to-end in the swale. The swale and the open bags are aligned with the drip line.

A frost removal system is for thawing frozen ground and a method removes frost from a selected area of frozen ground. The method can include providing at least one heat transfer device; auguring a hole into the frozen ground to at least a depth of the frost.

The at least one heat transfer device is lowered into the selected area of frozen ground and self-augured to the predetermined depth. The at least one heat transfer device is heated and the heat is allowed to travel along a length of the at least one heat transfer device. Heat is applied from the at least one heat transfer device for thawing the selected area of frozen ground until the frost is removed. The removal system may also be used to remove moisture from saturated soil and to bake columns of soil with increased load-bearing capacity.

A frost removal system is for thawing frozen ground and a method removes frost from a selected area of frozen ground. The method can include providing at least one heat transfer device; auguring a hole into the frozen ground to at least a depth of the frost.

The at least one heat transfer device is lowered into the selected area of frozen ground and self-augured to the predetermined depth. The at least one heat transfer device is heated and the heat is allowed to travel along a length of the at least one heat transfer device. Heat is applied from the at least one heat transfer device for thawing the selected area of frozen ground until the frost is removed. The removal system may also be used to remove moisture from saturated soil and to bake columns of soil with increased load-bearing capacity.

A complete decreased mistake-proof high-reliability waterproofing system is revealed that integrates the waterproofing membrane, drain panel, and abrasion-protected filter fabric, using a factory-controlled process; furthermore, the system incorporates intrinsic devices for installation verification and leak-detection, and the potential for in situ mapping of the functional topography of the waterproofing installation over time.

A method for providing a drainage from a space between a lined concrete wall and a lining for protecting the lined concrete wall, wherein the method comprises the steps of arranging one or more draining member(s) each comprising a draining pipe having a blind flange arranged at both ends and having a length including the blind flanges that is substantially equal to the wall thickness in a casting frame so that the blind flanges are resting at the casting frame at the inside of the wall and the outside of the wall, respectively; filling concrete filled into the casting frame to cover the draining member(s) and allowing the concrete is allowed to cure; removing the casting frame from at least one of the sides of the concrete wall and; drilling through the blind flanges to open the draining member(s). A drained concrete wall and a concrete vessel are also described.

A method for providing a drainage from a space between a lined concrete wall and a lining for protecting the lined concrete wall, wherein the method comprises the steps of arranging one or more draining member(s) each comprising a draining pipe having a blind flange arranged at both ends and having a length including the blind flanges that is substantially equal to the wall thickness in a casting frame so that the blind flanges are resting at the casting frame at the inside of the wall and the outside of the wall, respectively; filling concrete filled into the casting frame to cover the draining member(s) and allowing the concrete is allowed to cure; removing the casting frame from at least one of the sides of the concrete wall and; drilling through the blind flanges to open the draining member(s). A drained concrete wall and a concrete vessel are also described.