A soil shear testing device having a frame with a first plate and a second plate spaced apart from the first plate and fixed with respect to the first plate for defining a gap therebetween, the first plate having a first plate aperture formed therein and the second plate having a second plate aperture formed therein and being coaxial with the first plate aperture. A movable plate being insertable into the gap, having a movable plate aperture formed therein, the moveable plate being insertable into the gap into a receiving position where the moveable plate aperture is coaxial with the first and second plate apertures for allowing the device to accept a soil sample column, the gap having a depth for permitting the movable plate to be displaced past the receiving position for shearing the soil sample column at two separate shearing planes defined by opposite sides of the moveable plate.

A soil shear testing device having a frame with a first plate and a second plate spaced apart from the first plate and fixed with respect to the first plate for defining a gap therebetween, the first plate having a first plate aperture formed therein and the second plate having a second plate aperture formed therein and being coaxial with the first plate aperture. A movable plate being insertable into the gap, having a movable plate aperture formed therein, the moveable plate being insertable into the gap into a receiving position where the moveable plate aperture is coaxial with the first and second plate apertures for allowing the device to accept a soil sample column, the gap having a depth for permitting the movable plate to be displaced past the receiving position for shearing the soil sample column at two separate shearing planes defined by opposite sides of the moveable plate.

A venue transformation and construction method is disclosed that creates a tropical style swimming lagoon at an infield site of a race or activity circuit facility, the infield site being contained within a race or activity circuit perimeter. The transformation includes demolishing at least part of the infield site; excavating material from an area within the infield site; and forming a basin for a large water body having a surface area of at least 3,000 m2. Water containment walls are constructed on a first section and a sloped access area is formed on a second section of the basin for a beach. A barrier is included to control access to the beach. At least one additional recreational facility is constructed around the basin and a connection is provided that connects the outfield of the race or activity circuit with the infield site to allow transit of vehicles and/or people.

Embodiments relate to an apparatus and method for performing a split-lateral load test. Embodiments use a double hydraulic jack to apply two lateral loads, having equal magnitudes and opposite directions, to the soil layer of an excavation for a deep foundation element. Data such as the magnitude of the lateral load and magnitude of the displacement of the loading mechanism upon application of the lateral load can be measured and/or recorded. Embodiments can yield soil modulus (E.sub.s) information in a form analogous to a p-y curve, which can be used to design a pile structure and pile placement, and model a pile response to lateral loading using computer software. Embodiments do not require the casting of concrete, and allow the split lateral loading mechanism to be sequentially positioned, and apply lateral loads, at multiple depths in an excavation. Embodiments simultaneously apply bi-directional lateral loads at multiple depths in an excavation.

The present invention proposes a ground compactor with a ground compaction drum rotating about a rotation axis during compaction of a substrate, wherein the ground compaction drum includes a deformation sensor for detection of an elastic deformation of the ground compaction drum in order to determine a degree of stiffness of the substrate.

A venue transformation and construction method is disclosed that creates a tropical style swimming lagoon at an infield site of a race or activity circuit facility, the infield site being contained within a race or activity circuit perimeter. The transformation includes demolishing at least part of the infield site; excavating material from an area within the infield site; and forming a basin for a large water body having a surface area of at least 3,000 m2. Water containment walls are constructed on a first section and a sloped access area is formed on a second section of the basin for a beach. A barrier is included to control access to the beach. At least one additional recreational facility is constructed around the basin and a connection is provided that connects the outfield of the race or activity circuit with the infield site to allow transit of vehicles and/or people.

The present invention is an apparatus which executes a photogrammetry method for calculating soil density. After a user excavates soil, measures the mass of the excavated soil and takes multiple images of the excavation site in combination with a calibration object, a data processor uses the various values obtained from the collected images to create a point cloud data object. The processor used this point cloud data object to create a visual representation of the hole. The processor rotates and scales the visual representation. The processor also uses the point cloud data object in volumetric calculations to determine the volume of the hole. Together with the soil mass, the volume allows calculation of soil density.

Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of extracting devices and related methods. One example device for extracting an object from a material includes a frame attachable to the object to be extracted. An advancer is provided in the frame. An extraction rod is selectively movable through the frame and advancer to position the extraction rod against a surface alongside an exposed portion of the object. A movable handle is pivotally attached to the frame and operable to move the advancer against the extraction rod positioned against the surface, to move the frame along the extraction rod, and the object to which the frame is attached, away from the material.

The invention relates to a method and a system for producing a foundation element in the ground by means of a construction apparatus, wherein by means of a ground working tool a hole is formed in the ground, in which the foundation element is produced, wherein by means of a control and evaluation unit at least one operating variable of the construction apparatus, which changes depending on a ground composition, is detected as a function of a working depth. According to the invention provision is made in that in the control and evaluation unit a ground profile to be expected is entered, which indicates a layer structure of the ground with ground layers of different ground composition, and in that by the control and evaluation unit the detected, at least one operating variable is set in correlation with the stated ground profile in order to establish, at which working depth a transition between ground layers of different ground composition is present.

The invention relates to a method and a system for producing a foundation element in the ground by means of a construction apparatus, wherein by means of a ground working tool a hole is formed in the ground, in which the foundation element is produced, wherein by means of a control and evaluation unit at least one operating variable of the construction apparatus, which changes depending on a ground composition, is detected as a function of a working depth. According to the invention provision is made in that in the control and evaluation unit a ground profile to be expected is entered, which indicates a layer structure of the ground with ground layers of different ground composition, and in that by the control and evaluation unit the detected, at least one operating variable is set in correlation with the stated ground profile in order to establish, at which working depth a transition between ground layers of different ground composition is present.