Various embodiments of methods and apparatus for detecting a change in an orientation of a portion of a structure. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a processor, an energy storage unit, a location reporting unit, a wireless communication module and one or more inclination sensors. In some embodiments, each of the one or more inclination sensors is configured to measure inclination by measuring an orientation of the each of the one or more inclination sensors relative to a gravitational acceleration vector.

A method of limiting or reducing permeability of a matrix to liquid or gas flow is described. The method includes limiting inflow of water and/or gas into passages such as cavities, fissures, voids and the like, encountered in formations such as geological formations. The method includes steps of measuring one or more parameters relating to the matrix and selecting one or more components of a multi-component sealing composition with reference to the measured parameters. The selected components are introduced into the passage where it is set or coagulated to form a seal. Method is also described whereby the passage is sealed with a sealing composition comprising a grout component and a grout curing agent. A portion of the grout component is mixed with a portion of grout curing agent, the ratio of each being selected with reference to the measured parameters. The combined grout/curing agent are introduced into the passage where rate of curing or setting is controlled by modifying the ratio.

A method of limiting or reducing permeability of a matrix to liquid or gas flow is described. The method includes limiting inflow of water and/or gas into passages such as cavities, fissures, voids and the like, encountered in formations such as geological formations. The method includes steps of measuring one or more parameters relating to the matrix and selecting one or more components of a multi-component sealing composition with reference to the measured parameters. The selected components are introduced into the passage where it is set or coagulated to form a seal. Method is also described whereby the passage is sealed with a sealing composition comprising a grout component and a grout curing agent. A portion of the grout component is mixed with a portion of grout curing agent, the ratio of each being selected with reference to the measured parameters. The combined grout/curing agent are introduced into the passage where rate of curing or setting is controlled by modifying the ratio.

A porewater pressure dissipater is disclosed. In one example, a disclosed dissipater includes aggregate; a cylindrical receptacle for receiving the aggregate; a plate having a top surface and a bottom surface and one or more openings transcending from the top surface to the bottom surface wherein the plate secures and compacts the aggregate in the cylindrical receptacle; and one or more access tubes coupled to the top surface of the plate wherein the one or more access tubes are positioned over the one or more openings thereby forming a passageway to the cylindrical receptacle. The disclosed dissipater allows piles and shafts to be embedded at the optimum depth without concerns of liquefaction.

A drainage tile stringer system which includes a spool which has an automated hat, which translates along the stinger or shaft of the spool so that the vertical size of the spool is adjustable to accommodate differences in coils of drainage tiles. The system is automated so that a single controller can be utilized to perform all of the hydraulic functions required to load a coil onto the drainage tile stringer system and to adjust the vertical spool dimension.

A drainage tile stringer system which includes a spool which has an automated hat, which translates along the stinger or shaft of the spool so that the vertical size of the spool is adjustable to accommodate differences in coils of drainage tiles. The system is automated so that a single controller can be utilized to perform all of the hydraulic functions required to load a coil onto the drainage tile stringer system and to adjust the vertical spool dimension.

A method of reducing the swell potential of an expansive clay mineral. The method includes (a) carrying out a forcefield-modified molecular level simulation to determine an amount of a swelling reduction agent to be incorporated into the expansive clay mineral to form a swelling reduction agent incorporated expansive clay mineral with a reduced swell potential S.sub.i(ECM) that is no greater than a pre-set level T, wherein the swelling reduction agent comprises at least one cementation material of calcite, gypsum, and potassium chloride and/or at least one exchangeable cation of K.sup.+, Ca.sup.2+, and Mg.sup.2+, and wherein the forcefield-modified molecular level simulation comprises molecular mechanics, molecular dynamics, and Monte Carlo simulation techniques configured to simulate the reduced swell potential S.sub.i(ECM), and (b) incorporating the amount of the swelling reduction agent into the expansive clay mineral to form the swelling reduction agent incorporated expansive clay mineral.

A method of reducing the swell potential of an expansive clay mineral. The method includes (a) carrying out a forcefield-modified molecular level simulation to determine an amount of a swelling reduction agent to be incorporated into the expansive clay mineral to form a swelling reduction agent incorporated expansive clay mineral with a reduced swell potential S.sub.i(ECM) that is no greater than a pre-set level T, wherein the swelling reduction agent comprises at least one cementation material of calcite, gypsum, and potassium chloride and/or at least one exchangeable cation of K.sup.+, Ca.sup.2+, and Mg.sup.2+, and wherein the forcefield-modified molecular level simulation comprises molecular mechanics, molecular dynamics, and Monte Carlo simulation techniques configured to simulate the reduced swell potential S.sub.i(ECM), and (b) incorporating the amount of the swelling reduction agent into the expansive clay mineral to form the swelling reduction agent incorporated expansive clay mineral.

A system for monitoring shifting of a structure includes one or more hardware processors. The system also includes a non-transitory memory, the non-transitory memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or hardware processors, causes the one or more hardware processors to perform actions. The actions include monitoring the structure for a shift in elevation in a portion of the structure. The actions also include receiving, from a first plurality of sensors, feedback related to a condition of a foundation of a structure. The actions further include determining whether a portion of the foundation of the structure has shifted in elevation based on the feedback. The actions still further include providing a notification when the portion of the structure has shifted in elevation.

A system for monitoring shifting of a structure includes one or more hardware processors. The system also includes a non-transitory memory, the non-transitory memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or hardware processors, causes the one or more hardware processors to perform actions. The actions include monitoring the structure for a shift in elevation in a portion of the structure. The actions also include receiving, from a first plurality of sensors, feedback related to a condition of a foundation of a structure. The actions further include determining whether a portion of the foundation of the structure has shifted in elevation based on the feedback. The actions still further include providing a notification when the portion of the structure has shifted in elevation.