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.

Extensible shells and related methods for constructing a support pier are disclosed. An extensible shell can define an interior for holding granular construction material and define a first opening at a first end for receiving the granular construction material into the interior and a second opening at a second end. The extensible shell can be flexible such that the shell expands when granular construction material is compacted in the interior of the shell. A method may include positioning the extensible shell in the ground and filling at least a portion of the interior of the shell with the granular construction material. The granular construction material may be compacted in the interior of the extensible shell to form a support pier.

Systems and methods to provide pressed aggregate-filled cavities for improving ground stiffness and uniformity are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes using a mechanism to press into a ground surface in a substantially downward direction to create a concavity. The method also includes substantially or completely filling the concavity with unstabilized or chemically stabilized aggregate, soil, or sand. Further, the method includes using the mechanism to press the aggregate within the concavity to achieve a desired ground stiffness.

A method for transforming existing ground of a given site into a more stable foundation ground is provided. The method includes the steps of defining an outlined area about a surface of the existing ground, excavating soil throughout the outlined area to a depth extending through layers of different soil types; conditioning the excavated soil by mixing together layers of different soil types homogeneously, including in some cases soil imported from an external source; returning the conditioned soil to the outlined area to fill the excavated depth, and compacting the conditioned soil returned to the outlined area, thereby forming the stable foundation ground of high structural capacity and low compressibility.

A system and method to create or elevate a berm of a liquid retention facility by placement of lightweight liquid impervious. The system and method can also be used to elevate the liquid retention height of the berm in combination with impervious liner retention material. By constructing the berm system on an existing levee, the effective height of the levee can be increased. The lightweight fill material provides the shape of the berm or levee extension. The liquid impervious liner material provides a watertight surface, the media for joining of the lightweight fill material, and the anchoring of the lightweight fill material to the existing berm or levee structure. The system may use solid wall hollow body structures to elevate the berm. The system may also use lightweight frames to support the vertical elevation of a liner above the berm.

Exemplary inventive practice provides a structure that is attributed with superior resistance to loading. For example, an inventive structure includes two coaxial axisymmetric (e.g., cylindrical) shells and a granulation-filled matrix material occupying the peripheral space between the shells. According to some inventive embodiments, the granulation-filled matrix material has a loading-responsive matrix (e.g., shear-thickening fluid or highly rate-sensitive polymer) and granules dispersed therein. When the inventive structure encounters pressure loading at its exterior shell, the consistency of the loading-responsive matrix becomes thicker or firmer and thereby promotes, among the granules, interactive mechanisms (e.g., friction and/or arching) that reinforce the granulation-filled matrix material. According to some inventive embodiments, the granulation-filled matrix material has a magnetic-field-responsive matrix and magnetizable granules dispersed therein, and is magnetically fortified via application of a magnetic field (e.g., continuously applied where the matrix is magnetorheological fluid, or temporarily applied where the matrix is rheological fluid containing diamagnetic particles).

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.

Systems and methods to provide pressed aggregate-filled cavities for improving ground stiffness and uniformity are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes using a mechanism to press into a ground surface in a substantially downward direction to create a concavity. The method also includes substantially or completely filling the concavity with unstabilized or chemically stabilized aggregate, soil, or sand. Further, the method includes using the mechanism to press the aggregate within the concavity to achieve a desired ground stiffness.

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 are provided for repurposing discarded asphalt shingles as fill material or structural members in building and land surface constructions. Discarded asphalt shingles (DAS) are placed beneath building foundation slabs and parking lots in overlapping patterns to replace a measured amount of removed soil to serve as fill material. Building block system (BBS) units or repurposed asphalt blocks (RAB), may be produced to facilitate handling and transport of the DAS materials to the construction site. DAS can be utilized beneath parking lots by layering the shingles in overlapping patterns to create a moisture barrier from water intrusion from above or below. Repurposed asphalt materials may further be used in the construction of other types of embankments and ground surface constructions to provide both vertical and horizontal support.