An expanded multilayer integral geogrid includes a plurality of oriented strands interconnected by partially oriented junctions having an array of openings therein that is produced from a coextruded or laminated multilayer polymer starting sheet. The integral geogrid has a multilayer construction, with at least one inner layer thereof having a structure that is expanded relative to at least one other layer of the multiple layers. By virtue of the expanded inner layer structure, the expanded multilayer integral geogrid provides for increased layer compressibility under load, resulting in enhanced material properties that provide performance benefits to use of the expanded multilayer integral geogrid in soil geosynthetic reinforcement, and economic benefits compared to a like integral geogrid without an expanded inner layer structure.

Disclosed is a device for containing granular elements, comprising a metal mesh panel having metal wires welded together, the panel comprising at least one curvature of a first orientation and at least one curvature of a second orientation, the first orientation being characterized by a first axis and the second orientation being characterized by a second axis, the first axis and the second axis being non-collinear.

A system and method for installing an aggregate pier in a soil matrix includes a pipe configured to interface with a torque driver for rotating the pipe. A helix is disposed on the pipe and configured to advance/withdraw the pipe based on direction of rotation. A compacting device is disposed between the distal end of the pipe and the helix. It extends radially outward and upward. In some embodiments, the compacting device is configured as a frustum. A lift in an aggregate pier is formed by rotating the pipe in a second direction to withdraw a portion of the pipe from the soil matrix thereby creating a void; (b) filling the void with aggregate; (c) rotating the pipe in the first direction to advance the pipe. The compacting device contacts the aggregate disposed in the void and imparts an axial and radial force.

Systems and methods for soil improvement foundation isolation and load spreading are provided. The systems and methods provided herein relate to isolation of structural foundations from soil improvement elements and distributing stress from high stiffness elements to lower stiffness materials. A shear load transfer reduction system may include one or more ground improvement elements for supporting an applied load. A shear break element may be positioned above one or more ground improvement elements. The shear break elements may be configured to have low interface shear strength. Further, systems and methods are provided for creating an engineered slip surface for reducing shear stresses between a laterally loaded foundation and a rigid foundation support element and wherein two slip pads are provided that form the engineered slip surface.

The invention relates to a low-permeability geotechnical barrier material including a blend of approximately equal parts of: aggregate particles, sand-size particles and manufactured composite particles that include a hydratable sealant material composed of naturally-occurring clay minerals and/or polymer-enhanced clay minerals, such that the actual percentage of clay mineral component is less than 10% by weight in the blended material. In a particular embodiment, the construction of a low-permeability geotechnical barrier using predominantly coarse grain materials by conventional compaction efforts is rarely attempted due to the difficulty of maintaining a uniform mix of well-graded sand and aggregate blends necessary to achieve low permeability. The regularly achievable permeability offered by this material blend when installed with specific proscribed techniques using conventional equipment can be 510.sup.8 cm/sec or lower.

A pad site and a method for supporting a rig structure, of which the method includes positioning a plurality of piles in a ground of a core operating section of a pad site, and laying a plurality of mats over the pad site. A first portion of the plurality of mats are at least partially supported by the plurality of piles, and a second portion of the plurality of mats are not supported by the plurality of piles. The first portion of the plurality of mats are configured to support a rig structure.

A bio-friendly water flow control system can include a portable structure adapted to contain organic waste material. The water flow control system can be configured for deployment outdoors to guide water flow to limit erosion. A portable structure of such a system can include a sheath that is configured to contain waste material within an interior of the sheath. The portable structure may be configured to allow a flow of water into the interior of the sheath. The portable structure may include a waste material that includes processed palm frond particles. The portable structure may be configured to absorb a weight of water at least 50% greater than a dry weight of the portable structure.

One or more specific embodiments disclosed herein includes a method for creating a sediment control device, comprising clearing native soil on a tract of land of vegetation, tilling the native soil, filtering the native soil, importing additional soil and fibrous materials, mixing the additional soil and fibrous materials with the native soil, blending an adhesive-type binder into the mixed soil, forming the mixed soil with the adhesive-type binder into a berm, and covering the berm with a textile.

A method for reinforcing soft ground by post-grouting combined with pressurized vacuum preloading is proposed, by pre-burying prefabricated vertical drains and air-boosted pipes in granular material piles, and the air-boosted pipes are used as grouting pipes to reduce the number of times of piling, which not only improves the construction efficiency, but also reduces the structural disturbance of the soil and the influence of smear effect, thus reducing the impact on the radial permeability and the radial consolidation coefficients. The method does not use geotextile bags for granular materials, which can avoid the problem of forming a localized clogging area around the geotextile bags, and the method not only improves the efficiency of vacuum transfer in a pre-consolidation stage, but also improves the grouting effect in the later stage, effectively enhances the strength of soft soil and makes granular material piles and the surrounding soil form composite ground.

A caisson block construction method, including: manufacturing a plurality of bottom caisson blocks having a plurality of first unit compartments disposed consecutively in a horizontal direction; manufacturing a plurality of upper caisson blocks having a plurality of second unit compartments; forming a bottom caisson block structure by installing the plurality of bottom caisson blocks side by side in the horizontal direction; installing the plurality of upper caisson blocks above the W installed bottom caisson blocks; filling with rubble the second unit compartment of the upper caisson block positioned above the first unit compartment for rubble and exposed upward; inserting a vertical reinforcing bar module after the upper caisson blocks are installed; and forming a vertical concrete column for joining by casting concrete into the upper part of the second unit compartment in which the vertical reinforcing bar module is inserted.