Disclosed are embodiments of a method for manufacturing concreate panels for a mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) retaining wall that employ geosynthetic strips that attach to the MSE retaining wall and extend into the backfill soil. One embodiment can be generally summarized as follows: (a) providing a mold for the concrete panel; (b) providing in the mold: (1) a plastic pipe; (2) a metal rod situated in the pipe; (3) a removable block-out insert that creates a geosynthetic strip cavity within the panel body around the pipe for enabling a geosynthetic strip to be looped around the pipe; (c) introducing concrete into the mold; (d) permitting the concrete to substantially solidity within the mold; and (e) after the concrete has substantially solidified, separating the panel from the mold and removing the block-out insert to expose the cavity and the pipe extending through the cavity.

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.

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).

The foundation system includes a below ground rigid raft foundation to bear a load for an above ground structure, and granular cushions and piles formed below the raft foundation. The granular cushions are configured for uniform load distribution of the raft foundation and the piles are configured to bear a load of the above ground structure and the raft foundation. The foundation system further includes stone columns encapsulated with a non-woven geofabric and configured to stabilize the raft foundation. The raft foundation is disposed adjacent and above the stone columns, the granular cushions are present between neighboring stone columns, and the granular cushions are present between the stone columns and the piles. The stone columns have a cementing agent for stabilization.

A construction method of fast-setting polymer grouting for rapid control of slope erosion and landslide. This solution includes a landslide control method and a slope erosion control method: sorting out an operation platform; drilling and grouting of polymer high-pressure jet grouting piles on the diseased slope; drilling a row of grouting water interception holes densely on the rear edge of the diseased slope; drilling, on the operation platform, a plurality of anchor holes on the diseased slope; inserting a ground anchor into each anchor hole and performing polymer grouting to form a polymer anchorage body; laying a steel wire gauze on the surface of the diseased slope, and connecting and fixing the steel wire gauze with the tail end of each ground anchor; spraying a two-component expandable polymer grouting material onto the steel wire gauze to form a polymer anti-scour layer; drilling a plurality of planting holes on the diseased slope with a backpack drill through meshes of the steel wire gauze; and filling each planting hole with grass seed mixed nutrient soil. The present invention has the advantages of short construction period, ecological and environmental protection, convenient construction, high strength and strong scour resistance.

Provided is a support structure and a method for manufacture thereof. The support structure, in one aspect, includes first and second expanded metal structural pillars positioned within the ground by a distance (d.sub.1), the first and second expanded metal structural pillars comprising a metal that has expanded in response to hydrolysis. In at least one other aspect, the support structure includes one or more beams spanning the first and second expanded metal structural pillars.

A compaction unit configured for use in the compaction of a surface in connection with construction, excavation and other earth-working or related activities. The compaction unit may be configured as an attachment that can be interchangeably attached to various types of construction machines, operating machines and equipment (such as, but not limited to excavators, backhoes and the like). The compaction unit may be configured as single compaction device capable of performing any combination of (i) vibratory compaction, (ii) roller compaction, (iii) and plate compaction. These capabilities enable the unit to function as a single attachment that can operate as a roller compaction wheel, a vibrating roller compaction wheel, and a vibratory compaction plate depending on the desired application and requirements of the operator.

Provided is a support structure and a method for manufacture thereof. The support structure, in one aspect, includes first and second expanded metal structural pillars positioned within the ground by a distance (d.sub.1), the first and second expanded metal structural pillars comprising a metal that has expanded in response to hydrolysis. In at least one other aspect, the support structure includes one or more beams spanning the first and second expanded metal structural pillars.

A monopile comprising a body (1) having a hollow interior, a toe (9) at a distal end for insertion into a soil (19) during monopile installation, and a proximal end region (2) for supporting a structure (7), such as a wind turbine tower, once the monopile has been installed. The body (1) further comprises a door aperture (12) provided in the body (1) for accessing the interior of the body (1). The door aperture (12) is configured to receive a door assembly (6,18) once the monopile (1) has been installed.

A tubular joint includes a tubular substrate extending along an axis. The substrate has a first inner diameter. A first tubular brace member is additively manufactured on the substrate and is connected thereto at a proximal end of the first tubular brace member. A second tubular brace member is additively manufactured on the substrate and is connected thereto at a proximal end of the second tubular brace member. At respective distal ends of the brace members, the first tubular brace member and the second tubular brace member have a circular cross-sectional shape having a distal wall thickness and a second inner diameter that is smaller than the first inner diameter. At the proximal ends the of brace members, the first tubular brace member and the second tubular brace member have respective proximal wall thicknesses that are greater than the distal wall thickness.