The rapid consolidation and compaction method comprises (i) first driving a hollow pipe, (ii) driving a pipe with a removable end plate after filling and compacting the sandy material in it, through the hollow pipe, to required depth, creating high excess pore-water pressures in the range of 50 to 300 KPa in clayey soils, (iv) pulling out the pipe section leaving behind the removable end plate and thereby installing porous displacement piles which allows dissipation of the excess pore-water pressures horizontally to the porous displacement pile, in which the excess water flows out vertically to the ground surface, and (v) the length of the drainage path is reduced to half the spacing between adjoining porous displacement piles, allowing rapid consolidation resulting in increase in density. Installing the porous displacement piles in the layer of loose to medium dense sand layer results in the instantaneous increase in its density.

A monolithic manhole is formed in a levee without trenching, to provide access to drain pipes within the levee for maintenance and repair of the pipes. The manhole is formed by first forcing an outer tube downwardly into the earth and levee and removing soil from within the outer tube to expose the pipe. An inner tube is lowered into the outer tube, with an annular space maintained between the tubes. The annular space is filled with concrete, which hardens to form a monolithic vertical wall. A concrete floor may be poured at the bottom of the wall and a cover attached to the top of the wall. A hole is cut in the pipe inside the wall to provide internal access to the pipe.

The present invention relates to a fastening tab for a construction element, preferably a beam, a panel or a slab, that is adjustable vertically and relative to the horizontal, that can be screwed to a support with inner thread, preferably a foundation screw, successively comprising: a fastening screw comprising a beveled head and a threaded shank; a metal plate pierced with a beveled opening that can accommodate said fastening screw and comprising fastening means to the construction element; a perforated flexible joint; a screw comprising a machined beveled head with an inner thread corresponding to that of said fastening screw; such that the position of the screw relative to the support, which is obtained by screwing/unscrewing, allows vertical adjustment of the metal plate;
characterized in that the fastening screw, the beveled aperture of the metal plate and the flexible joint cooperate to allow angular adjustment of the metal plate relative to the horizontal plane.

The present invention relates to a fastening tab for a construction element, preferably a beam, a panel or a slab, that is adjustable vertically and relative to the horizontal, that can be screwed to a support with inner thread, preferably a foundation screw, successively comprising: a fastening screw comprising a beveled head and a threaded shank; a metal plate pierced with a beveled opening that can accommodate said fastening screw and comprising fastening means to the construction element; a perforated flexible joint; a screw comprising a machined beveled head with an inner thread corresponding to that of said fastening screw; such that the position of the screw relative to the support, which is obtained by screwing/unscrewing, allows vertical adjustment of the metal plate;
characterized in that the fastening screw, the beveled aperture of the metal plate and the flexible joint cooperate to allow angular adjustment of the metal plate relative to the horizontal plane.

A method of and a noise mitigation system for installing a foundation element, in particular a (mono)pile, includes a screen to be placed about a foundation element, in particular a (mono)pile, during driving of the foundation element in an underwater ground formation, to reduce noise input resulting from the driving into the surrounding water, e.g. a river or sea. The method and system comprise a further screen to be deployed about the (first) screen.

A method of and a noise mitigation system for installing a foundation element, in particular a (mono)pile, includes a screen to be placed about a foundation element, in particular a (mono)pile, during driving of the foundation element in an underwater ground formation, to reduce noise input resulting from the driving into the surrounding water, e.g. a river or sea. The method and system comprise a further screen to be deployed about the (first) screen.

A method for strengthening soils comprising: a step of making in the soil (1) a hole (2) that has a main line of extension which is at least mainly vertical; 5 a driving step wherein a micro-pile (11) is driven into the soil (1) at the hole (2); and a step of filling the hole (2) with a solidifiable material or with a compactable solid granular material; wherein the step of making the hole (2) in the soil (1) comprises an inserting step wherein a punch (4) is inserted in the soil (1) by applying a pressure to the punch, the punch comprising a lower tip (5) insertable in the soil (1), a top portion (6) opposite to the lower tip (5), an axis of extension that extends between the top portion (6) and the lower tip (5) and a cross-section that increases along the axis of extension going away from the lower tip (5), and 5 wherein the step of inserting the punch (4) in the soil (1) also causes compression and compacting of the soil (1) surrounding the hole (2).

The invention relates to a securing means and a method for securing a civil engineering element to a construction machine by means of a flexible securing element, wherein a first end of the flexible securing element is attached to the construction machine and a second end is provided with a connecting link which can pass through a securing lug on the civil engineering element and can be releasably fastened to the construction machine by a connecting means. According to the invention, a detection unit is provided on the connecting means, which detection unit is designed for identifying fastening of the connecting link to the connecting means. The detection unit can generate and output a signal if fastening of the connecting link is identified.

The invention relates to a securing means and a method for securing a civil engineering element to a construction machine by means of a flexible securing element, wherein a first end of the flexible securing element is attached to the construction machine and a second end is provided with a connecting link which can pass through a securing lug on the civil engineering element and can be releasably fastened to the construction machine by a connecting means. According to the invention, a detection unit is provided on the connecting means, which detection unit is designed for identifying fastening of the connecting link to the connecting means. The detection unit can generate and output a signal if fastening of the connecting link is identified.

A ground mounting assembly includes one or a plurality of posts, each attached to at least one stabilizing plate or scoop pyramid. The post may be driven into the ground and then lifted to deploy plates into a locking mechanism, or driven into the ground by a pile driver with plate held in place, released, and driven further and deployed into a locking mechanism, or driven into the ground and double pounded inside the post to drive reinforcing plate into slotted winglets, or driven, double pounded and rotated to extend the reinforcing plates horizontally from the pole or pile. The post also can used as a mooring in harbors, lakes, or at sea. A system based on a double pounder pile driven mono pole, optionally extendable in length, is also described.