An apparatus, system and method of connecting an earthen formation to a facing of a mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) structure in which a connector includes a single piece of wire that defines an opening for coupling the connector to an anchor and a pair parallel legs for mechanically connecting the to a soil reinforcing element.

Two pile sections are joined together by interfitting means in their opposed ends. One pile has a plurality of lock bars (7a) extending substantially perpendicular to the end plate (3a), comprised of notches (14a, 14b) formed periphery at the lower portion (14). The other pile has a plurality of lock sockets (7b) mounted substantially perpendicular to the end plate (3b), comprised flaps (13a, 13b) within the cavity, formed from its opposed side walls and bending towards the axis of the lock socket cavity. When in splicing operation of the pile sections (1a, 1b), the lock bars (7a) are introduced into the lock sockets (7b). The locking bar (7a) then prised in between the flaps (13a, 13b) forcing them apart while the flaps (13a, 13b) still maintain its clamping force. The notches (14a, 14b) of the lock bars (7a) then engaged with lower the edges (15) of the flaps (13a, 13b) thus locking the piles together.

Provided is a combined suction anchor reinforced by a grouting spiral anchor, including a gravity suction anchor, an L-shaped skirt board and a spiral anchor. The gravity suction anchor includes a suction anchor top plate and a wall of a suction anchor barrel body and uses a concrete press block to reach an estimated set position faster during penetration due to self-weight thereof. Thereafter, the skirt board is lifted to outside of the suction anchor through a lug, and a fixing bolt is used to connect the skirt board to the suction anchor. The spiral anchor rod passes through a skirt board hole performed in the skirt board to penetrate into a deep site of seabed, and concrete is grouted through the skirt board hole to a seabed soil area loosened due to penetration of the spiral anchor rod, thereby forming a concrete reinforced area after the concrete solidifies.

The systems and methods disclosed herein provide inventive means for repurposing wind turbine blades. In an embodiment, a derivative of a decommissioned wind turbine blade may be positioned and anchored for use in soil retention installations (e.g., slope stabilization, land building, etc.). In another embodiment, a derivative of a decommissioned wind turbine blade may be implemented in infrastructure installations (e.g., bridge decking). In yet another embodiment, a derivative of a decommissioned wind turbine blade may be positioned and anchored to mitigate snow drifts (e.g., as a snow break). Additional uses of wind turbine blades are considered and disclosed herein.

A pier bracket comprises a seat including a base plate and an upper plate extending orthogonally from the base plate wherein, when the base plate is positioned for supporting a structure, the upper plate is adjacent to the structure for securing the upper plate to the structure. A tubular member is mounted to the seat and adapted to slidably receive structural piers. A planar support plate is distally spaced from and parallel to the base plate. Each of a pair of side plates extend between an opposite side edge of the base plate and the support plate.

An underpinning device for support a structure is provided. The underpinning device is anchored within the ground using a grout or cement. The underpinning device comprises a rod having a proximal rod end and a distal rod end. A first interacting element is coupled to the proximal rod end and is encased in the slab of a building. A second interacting element is coupled to the distal rod end and include a removable tip. Upon insertion into the ground, the tip dissociates from the second interacting element creating an opening at the distal rod end. A fluid, such as grout and/or cement is injected into the pipe and extruded through channels within the rod. The fluid is then allowed to cure thereby anchoring the underpinning device within the ground.

A modular building block apparatus for the construction of a coastal or river bank erosion defence or protection structure includes a plurality of blocks arranged in stacked rows, the blocks in each row having cooperating formations whereby the blocks in each row are interconnected with one another. Apertures formed in each block extend perpendicular to the rows, and a plurality of connector members extend through aligned apertures in adjacent rows of the blocks to interlock the rows to one another.

A retrofit reinforcing structure addition and method for an existing gravity spread foundation for a wind turbine or the like having a central pedestal and a spread section is provided. The retrofit structure addition includes a collar formed around the pedestal of the spread foundation. The collar is formed by a shape sustaining member, such as a CMP, placed around the pedestal to define an annular ring between the CMP and the pedestal that is filled with cementitious material. Radial bolts extend horizontally through the collar and into the side of the pedestal. Soil and/or rock anchor bolts extend vertically through the collar, the spread portion of the foundation and into the underlying soil and/or rock substrate. The radial and anchor bolts are post-tensioned to ensure that the cementitious material of the collar remains in compression and the bolts are always in static tension, strengthening the original gravity spread foundation and extending the fatigue life thereof.

A multi-function retaining structure for excavation and drainage operations during construction process and a method for excavation and implementation of a multi-function retaining structure at a target location. The multi-function retaining structure includes a first I-beam, a second I-beam, a third I-beam, a first inclined stiffener plate, and a second inclined stiffener plate. The method includes positioning the multi-function retaining structure above the target location, driving the multi-function retaining structure into the target location by pushing the bottom edge of the third web into the target location, softening soils in the target location by jetting water to the soils utilizing a first water jet tube and a second water jet tube, extracting the first water jet tube and the second water jet tube from the rectangular chamber, and draining water from the rectangular chamber by utilizing a water drainage pump and through a drainage tube.

A system and process for installing in-ground base and basketball systems allows the systems to be installed without needing to wait for concrete to cure. During installation, concrete is poured and anchor bolts are positioned in the wet concrete, a brace is placed over the upper face of the concrete base and the protruding anchor bolt ends. The brace includes a plurality of outwardly extending lateral legs. The legs extend horizontally beyond the edges of the concrete base and into/over the adjacent ground. A stake is placed through each leg. The basketball goal system is then mounted to the anchor bolts and brace. The brace assists in holding the basketball goal system in the correct position while the concrete cures.