Abstract: A grid plate for stabilizing natural ground comprises a base and side walls formed in one piece with the base which form chambers open to the top being in the form of regular polygons, the base having water outlets, the chambers being in the form of sectional chambers which are laterally open on their periphery which form closed chambers with laterally open sectional chambers of adjacent grid plates complementary thereto when two similar grid plates are assembled and the ends of side walls of both grid plates forming the sectional chambers come into contact, the side walls having flattenings in the regions of contact, the flattenings of complementary chambers lying flat on one another when two similar grid plates are joined together.

Abstract: Concrete blocks are formed with intersecting grooves in the underside thereof which assume aligned condition when the blocks are assembled into side by side relationship to form panels. Polymer or welded wire grids are received within the aligned grooves to hold the blocks in the panel configuration. The grids are held in elevated seated condition within the grooves during assembly of the blocks into the panel configuration. Stands or wire connectors may be provided for the latter purpose. In the preferred embodiment the blocks are L-shaped and formed with passages extending therethrough and the grooves intersect these passages. Grout or fill may be placed within the passages of the assembled panels. In certain embodiments, the blocks may be disposed in side-by-side relationship and stacked to form retaining walls for earthen formations, with rods received within the grooves of the blocks to hold the blocks in alignment and the grids extending from the blocks to serve as soil reinforcements.

Abstract: An ecological fiber roll element for use in protecting a shoreline to prevent erosion and to the protected shoreline. The roll element comprises a generally cylindrical roll, with or without aquatic plants therein, the roll element consisting essentially of coir material. The roll element includes a netting material about the exterior surface of the roll. A plurality of the roll elements are arranged on a shoreline and secured usually by stakes to the shoreline.

Abstract: The embankment element serves to stabilize a slope. A box element has at least one lateral cultivation surface which is provided with a material layer which promotes the growth of plants. The factory-produced embankment element may be brought to the building site, if need be in an already cultivated state. It comprises a prismatic body (10) having at leat one self-supporting side wall (2). The further side walls (3, 4) are formed by a load-bearing single-piece mat (8) which is provided with through-passages (7) and also encloses the self-supporting side wall (2). The self-supporting side wall (2) and the other side walls (3, 4) enclose, with the interposition of said mat (6), a core (9) consisting of a humus-like composition. The end parts of the mat (8) are connected to one another and may be suspended on a bearing element (12).

Abstract: The invention relates to a revetment and a revetment system and method for the protection of the banks of water courses, canals, flowing and still water bodies or the like. The revetment consists of chambers with a net-like encasement on all sides, filled with particulate substrate material and bound together into a single unit.

Abstract: A structure that prevents beach erosion and that builds-up the existing beach and shoreline is disclosed. The structure has a plurality of blocks that are configured into a matrix configuration. Each block has a pair of longitudinal rods extending from the block sides. The longitudinal rods have a hook at a first end and a loop at a second end. The blocks cooperate with each other so that the blocks become flexibly connected by placing the rod hook from a first block into the rod loop of a second and adjacent block. The process is repeated until a matrix is in place covering the area desired. Anchors are attached to the matrix assembly and buried in the sand to keep the matrix configuration in place at the assembly site.

Abstract: An armor unit for protecting coastal, river, lake, and reservoir banks, shorelines, and other structures from the damaging hydrodynamic forces of waves and water currents. The armor unit has a central elongate member having a longitudinal axis and first and second outer elongate members connected with the central elongate member on opposite sides thereof. The first and second outer elongate members have parallel longitudinal axes extending normal to the longitudinal axis of the central elongate member. The elongate members may each have an octagonal cross section decreasing from an intermediate portion toward the opposite ends. When a plurality of units are interlocked to define a protective array, a high degree of wedging is afforded between the octagonal members.

Abstract: A water permeable erosion control bag having a flexible mesh wall with openings through which water can flow. Discrete hammer-milled wood fragments within the bag.

Abstract: A ground cover for controlling soil erosion and retarding vegetation growth on sloped ground includes a plurality of spaced apart water control baffles and a series of thin, sheet-like membranes between pairs of the water control baffles. The ground cover is secured to the ground by a plurality of ground engaging fasteners. The water control baffles preferably include a vertical leg having a plurality of apertures therethrough, and a ground engaging leg, which is substantially horizontal to the ground, for receiving the ground engaging fasteners. The membranes allow water to flow through the membrane while preventing erosion of the soil underneath the membrane.

Abstract: The artificial reef of the present invention is constructed from a plurality of structural units each of which is a tetrahedron-shaped sandbag, which are arranged in a talus pile. The reefs are formed by dropping the structural units in the desired locations. The tetrahedron-shape of the structural units provides a self-interlocking structure which can be placed en mass on the sea floor without individual alignment of each bag. The geometry of the reef structure is a sloped bar, a parallel bar, or a V-shaped bar, or combinations thereof. The parallel bars, which run parallel to the shoreline, trap standing waves between the bars to reinforce the incoming waves with a maximum energy focused where the rays of trapped waves cross the wave rays of the incoming swell. A multiple V-shaped bar configuration, with the apex of the V pointing diagonal to the incoming waves creates Bragg reflection patterns which cause crossing wave rays to form local concentrations of wave energy.

Abstract: An erosion control block of octagonal shape, having a pair of arms extending from a peripheral side edge thereof, and a pair of cavities formed in the block with openings to the peripheral side edge. The block interlocks with other similar blocks and provides an effective interlocked matrix of such blocks. The arms have enlarged ends that loosely fit within the cavities, thereby allowing rotation about a vertical axis of one block with regard to another block. When two blocks are interlocked and rotated to the fullest extent, peripheral edges of the blocks abut, thereby placing a radial tension strain on the neck of the arm, rather than a lateral strain, thereby reducing the possibility of breakage of the arms.

Abstract: The present invention describes a cylindrical armor unit for use in a revent structure, herein referred to as Vatia Stone. These units are shaped for: i) optimal strength, positional stability and durability; ii) interlocking along all major axes; iii) flexible interlocking capability with each other for abrupt transitions in shorelines; and iv) natural aesthetic qualities. These qualities in combination provide a significant improvement over existing structures. The Vatia Stones are uniformly placed over an erosion controlled shoreline surface and have an optimal interlocking capability between individual units for maximum stabilization. Each unit has an upper and lower surface which can be shaped geometrically to fit the natural surroundings, e.g. look like natural stone as one example.

Abstract: A dam spillway system for embankment dam overtopping protection comprising a layer of free-draining, angular, gravel filter material, a plurality of rows of overlapping, tapered, concrete blocks assembled over the filter material in shingle-fashion, from the toe of the dam, up the slope to the top of the dam, and a plurality of fixed concrete toe blocks located at the toe of the dam, usually beneath the tailwater, and supporting each of the rows of concrete blocks.

Abstract: An adjustable erosion control wall includes a plurality of individual panels, each panel having a tongue projecting from one end and a groove formed in the opposing end. The panels of the retaining wall are pivotally and vertically slidably connected with the tongue of one panel engaged within the groove of an adjacent panel. Preferably, the tongue and groove have a generally cylindrical shape, and the panels have perforations therethrough of a diameter to permit water to flow therethrough but prevent the passage of soil therethrough.

Abstract: An instant block levy system, for constructing a levy, comprising a plurality of blocks, a plurality of connecting pegs, and a plurality of stakes. The block has a top surface and bottom surface, upper shaftways extending vertically into the top surface, and lower shaftways extending vertically into the bottom surface. The block has a ballasting chamber, and a fill hole in fluid communication with the ballasting chamber. The blocks may be stacked, such that a lower shaftway from a top block is concentric with a upper shaftway from a bottom block, so that the upper and lower shaftways can be connected with the connecting peg. The block has stake shaftways, extending through the block from the top surface to the bottom surface, so that the stake may be inserted therethrough, to anchor the block to the ground.

Abstract: The subject invention is directed to a beach-front ecosystem erosion prevention system which can be comprised of the combination of a sand ladder located at a sand dune of the beach-front ecosystem and a sand ladder reef submerged in the water of the beach-front ecosystem. The sand ladder has a curved surface facing the water, while the sand ladder reef has at least one such curved surface facing the shore-line of the beach-front ecosystem. Each of the curved surfaces of the sand ladder and/or sand ladder reef is comprised of a plurality of individual plank members arranged in an overlapping, non-touching manner so that openings between the plank members are created. The curved surfaces of the sand ladder and sand ladder reef are concave in shape and act to work with the force of the approaching wave, or retreating undertow wave.

Abstract: A system of concrete blocks is provided for use as a revetment for preventing soil erosion in which individual blocks are sized and shaped to be cable interconnected to form a matrix or mats. The matrix or mat or blocks overlies and holds in place a layer of porous and permeable geo-textile overlying the protected soil area. The shape of the individual blocks is such as to permit growth of vegetation therethrough and to channel water flowing over the surface of the blocks to increase the downward pressure on the geo-textile layer.

Abstract: A concrete armor or erosion prevention module for the protection of river, lake, and reservoir banks, shorelines and other structures is characterized by a central elongate concrete member and two outer elongate concrete members connected on opposites sides of the central member. The outer members have parallel longitudinal axes extending normal to the longitudinal axis of the central member. These elongate members all have an octagonal cross-section and are further configured such that their cross-sectional area decreases from an intermediate portion towards opposite ends thereof. A plurality of the modules may be interlocked to form a cohesive array or barrier which protects shorelines and other structure from erosive hydrodynamic forces.

Abstract: An interlocking grid matrix system is adapted for placement over terrain for use as a revetment. The grid matrix system includes a plurality of substantially identical revetment blocks which are interconnected to allow for omnidirectional movements relative to each other. Each revetment block includes a precast grid body having a first major surface, a second major surface, and an edge extending between the major surfaces to define a periphery for the grid body. The grid body further includes a plurality of spaced ears which are joined to and extend from the edge and a plurality of locking channels disposed inwardly of the edge between the ears. Each channel opens to each major surface and the edge and is specifically configured to releasably interlock with an ear of an adjacent grid body such that movement in any direction is permitted between adjacent revetment blocks while maintaining an interlocking relationship therebetween.

Abstract: A plant riprap material for use in a shoreline to prevent erosion, which plant riprap material comprises a felt material, a substrate within the felt material, a plurality of aquatic plants in the substrate, a geotextile material over the top of the felt material and a netting material to retain the plant riprap material in shape.

Abstract: A reinforced civil engineering structure is formed by embedding in soil one or more horizontal layers of a flexible, integral, plastics material mesh structure having oriented strands and transverse members with relatively large mesh openings. In the mesh structure, the orientation of the strands penetrates into the zones of the intersections of the strands and transverse members but the intersection zones have portions which are unorientated or substantially less orientated than the mid-points of the strands. The mesh structure has been formed by stretching a sheet of starting material having a thickness of not less than 1.5 mm and a pattern of holes whose centers lay on a square or rectangular grid, the stretching being parallel to one of the axes of the grid. The soil engages in the mesh openings, and the mesh structure provides good slip resistance properties and good stress transmission paths.

Abstract: An underground agricultural irrigation system in which annular semi-cylindrical or concave-convex water reservoirs, formed by splitting used or abandoned vehicle tire casings in half, are buried concave side up at appropriate subsurface depths to trap and retain moisture used to nurture overgrowing plant roots. In a modified version concave moisture retaining caps are mounted over the open centers of each reservoir to increase moisture retention capacity.

Abstract: A beach stabilizer for minimizing erosion of sand and soil is disclosed. The device comprises a plurality of elements having first and second spaced apart surfaces on opposite sides of a center plane extending therethrough. The elements are interconnected to form at least one string and are arranged on a surface defined by the sand so that the center planes of adjacent elements are disposed in transverse relation to each other. At least one vertical pile is partially submerged in the sand and is associated with the at least one string so as to permit vertical adjustment while maintaining the location of the at least one string on the sand.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided an erosion barrier, and revetments made therefrom, for reducing erosion of shoreline and building shoreline including a plurality of vehicle tires connected together by cables to form a mat or mesh which may be placed along a shoreline or the bottom of the marsh or sea.

Abstract: Mattress Gabions are provided for soil stabilization revetments, designed to halt erosion and/or to consolidate the soil. A protective revetment consisting of a structure of vegetable matter forms a mattress gabion which retains the soil inside each of a multiplicity of individual cells. Each cell of the container can be filled with earth or a soil or soil-forming mixture, encouraging the growth of vegetation inside the mattress, in order to afford a natural protection to the soil of banks or excarpments, etc. Once it has been filled, the mattress is closed by a top cover in double twist steel mesh, after laying a geosynthetic sheet between the two to keep in fine materials.

Abstract: A geotechnical mat for stabilizing soil and controlling erosion comprising a plurality of flat strips of tire tread oriented in a planar array, and means for connecting said strips to one another in said planar array.

Abstract: A process and fabric for controlling soil erosion which comprises an erosion control mat formed of a scrim having a lightweight web secured thereto to be utilized by applying the erosion control mat to a soil surface. A method of producing such erosion control mat is also disclosed.

Abstract: An arrangement for the construction, maintenance and protection of a shoreline having a variable level of water is disclosed. The arrangement utilizes a plurality of ecological-botanical elements (12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 26, and 30 implanted among construction materials (10, 11, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 31, and 32) for stabilization and maintenance of shoreline shape and location. The ecological-botanical elements comprise precultivated, emergent aquatic plants (14) called plant plugs (12) whose roots are held within a water-permeable, biodegradable vegetative carrier system (13). Another ecological-botanical element is a fiber roll (17) comprising slowly decaying fibrous material in which are rooted precultivated, emergent aquatic plants (14). Appropriately arranged combinations of ecological-botanical elements implanted among construction materials stabilize and maintain shorelines.

Abstract: Improved wood fiber mat comprised of a mixture of thermo-mechanically processed wood fibers and synthetic fibers.

Abstract: A tubular rubber structure is made from a plurality of tire sidewalls joined together in a stacked array over which a tire, being split or having a sidewall removed, is fitted and secured to it. A further structure is made from two tires and up to about 20 sidewalls. The structures have a variety of uses as energy attenuators, erosion stabilizers and as a means for tire disposal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ascertaining and implementing the permeability effective for preventing and repairing scour or erosion in a control zone associated with a river or shoreline having a bank and a bed associated with a moving fluid. The method provides for preventing and repairing scour or erosion in a control zone associated with a river or shoreline having a bank and a bed associated with a moving fluid. Associated therewith, a variably permeable jetty system (Palisade.TM. system) is provided for preventing and repairing scour or erosion in a control zone associated with a river or shoreline having a bank and a bed associated with a moving fluid.

Abstract: A ground support system for providing a stabilizing surface in conjunction with loose soil is disclosed. The system finds particular utility in agricultural applications, such as where horses, cows or bulls and the like are kept. The support system comprises a number of interlockable planar sheets, each planar sheet including a number of conical projections disposed on its bottom side. The conical projections are hollow and open-ended and, in combination with apertures defined in the planar sheet, permit fluids to pass through the system. Traction on the upper surface of each sheet is optionally provided by either scoring or by adhered reground material such as a plastic. The planar sheets may be anchored to the ground by a stake having at one end a conical plug attached thereto, the plug being matable with the inside of one of the conical projections.

Abstract: The multiple-layer net structure has a first layer of mutually parallel wires which is rigidly associated with a second or intermediate layer of substantially mutually parallel wires, which are inclined with respect to the wires of the first layer. A third layer of wires is rigidly associated with the intermediate layer, on the opposite side thereof with respect to the first layer, and has substantially mutually parallel wires which are inclined with respect to the wires of the second or intermediate layer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of using sidewalls from discarded automobile, truck, and other tires to manufacture drainage culverts. It also relates to the culverts manufactured by this process, and to assembly devices useful for assembling and holding together such culverts. These culverts are made by means of a simple cutting operation which removes both sidewalls from a discarded tire. The tread portion is made available for any other desired use, and is not further involved herein. The two sidewall portions are laid flat together and drilled with holes which allows them to be mounted on parallel bars which have been welded to a circular steel base plate having roughly the same dimensions as the sidewalls. When a suitable number of sidewalls (such as about 50 to 150) have been mounted on the bars, a steel closure plate having matching holes is slid onto the bars, pressed hard against the sidewalls using a press, and welded to the protruding bars.

Abstract: Revetments are constructed using a plurality of revetment units which are arranged on river bed or the like. Each revetment unit comprises a stem and a disc-like head. The stem is stepped so that it has a relatively short larger diameter part and a relatively long smaller diameter part. The heads of units in each upper course lie behind the heads of the units in the course below and rest on the larger diameter parts. The heads and stems are preferably circular in cross-section but can be multi-facetted.

Abstract: A barrier system utilizing a plurality of waste tires arranged to control hydrodynamic processes, diminishing the amplitude of waves and controlling sediment migration in bodies of water, in order to prevent shore damage, erosion or the like, while promoting restoration of same. The barrier typically includes a plurality of transversely stacked tires or the like pivotally affixed to a side, anchoring member configured to slidingly communicate with a support column embedded in the sea floor, either in orthogonal or angled fashion, depending upon the conditions and desired effect. The side members may be configured to allow two distinct, side support, hinge-like areas to independently engage with the support column, forming a wall. The present device as installed diminishes wave amplitude by absorbing the rotational movement of the affixed tires about the column.

Abstract: A revetment unit for protecting shoreline or waterway embankments from eron comprising a generally L-shaped web having first and second arm portions converging at an apex and forming a 90.degree. right angle. Each of the first and second arm portions terminate at end portions. Identical cylinder members are associated with the web and extend above and below the plane of the web. The cylinder members have a height substantially less than their width and a single cylinder member is positioned at each of the end portions and at the apex. The web has a width slightly less than the diameter of the cylinder members yet greater than the radius of the cylinder members. The end portion cylinders are equally spaced from the apex cylinder a distance between about 0.10 to about 0.25 of the diameter of the cylinders.

Abstract: A multi-layer article of manufacture includes an intermediate layer of a water-swellable colloidal clay, such as bentonite, sandwiched between two layers of flexible sheet or fabric material wherein the two flexible layers of sheet or fabric material are structurally interconnected through the intermediate clay layer, such as by needle punching, after lubrication of the clay with a liquid, such as water, to interconnect fibers of one fabric layer to the other fabric layer at spaced locations over essentially the entire inner surface areas of both sheet or fabric material layers.

Abstract: This revetment system and device maybe employed in controlling any environmental erosion comprising a matrix of interlocking blocks stabilized through a plurality of openings or any other securing device may pass therethrough.

Abstract: A surface device with erosion control features consisting of uniform T-shaped elements made of various materials (wood, metals, plastics, composites, fiberglass, reinforced concrete etc.) that are secured in a relative position to each other forming a coffer dam erosion containment and loadbearing surface. The securing methods of stapling the T-shaped elements to wire mesh or fabric backing (wood elements) or using connecting cabling, wire, rope, chains, rods, ties, pins, etc. with the (metal, plastic, fiberglass and concrete T-shaped elements) in addition to reinforcing and containment provides a means of prefabbing mats or modules of desired sizes for handling, storage, transportation and application. These mats can be used in highway construction for: stabilizing soils under roadbeds, as highway shoulders, ditch linings and erosion control of embankments. The invention can be used to construct secondary roads, logging roads, nature trails, bike and golf cart paths.

Abstract: A foldable cell structure is formed from water-permeable flexible strips whose width represents the height of the cells and which are connected to adjacent strips at intervals. An integral part of said cell structure is formed by strong stabilizing bands which, in the unfolded state of the cell structure, are arranged in straight lines and are at least predominantly parallel to one another, the cell structure preferably being formed by the unfolding of a water permeable sheet material provided with off-set, mutually parallel incisions of finite length. A further preferred embodiment of the cell structure has some of the water-permeable strips replaced or supplemented by stabilizing bands.

Abstract: Decontamination of a beach or soil area that has hydrocarbon contamination including removing hydrocarbon contaminated sand or soil from an area; mixing the contaminated soil or sand with cement and water; and forming concrete from the mix.

Abstract: Woven geotextile grid for earth reinforcement applications. The grid is formed of woven fabric which is coated with a suitable polyvinylchloride or other plastic coating. The fabric is formed of a plurality of spaced-apart pick yarn bundles which are interwoven with a plurality of spaced-apart warp yarn bundles. The pick yarn bundles are held in place in the warp yarn bundles with locking yarns which run parallel to the pick yarns and which are positioned adjacent to the edges of the pick yarn bundles. The warp yarns extend between the pick yarn bundles and locking yarns to lock the pick yarn bundles into place. A plurality of pairs of leno yarns oriented parallel to the warp yarns additionally strengthen the fabric by interlocking with one another in the spaces between pick yarn bundles and locking yarns. The result is a grid which has wide lateral and longitudinal members that lock together to form large interstices through which soil and water may penetrate.

Abstract: A weighed water permeable fabric is laid over a bottom sediment and an adjacent seawall structure. A layer of integral paired star-shaped blocks is laid over the bottom covering fabric in an interrelated pattern in a horizontal and vertical plane. A bore is located within each star-shaped portion of the block and these bores are aligned with corresponding bores in blocks mounted vertically. A concrete piling is drilled or poured in place through the bores to the bottom sediment to hold the structure in place against severe storm surges and resist outward movement of the seawall.

Abstract: The subject of the present invention is a system of vegetation strips for protection of slopes against erosion. The system is made with wire netting strips fixed slantwise (at angles ranging between 20.degree. and 40.degree.) to the base wire netting. Wire netting strips 2 are fixed on the base wire netting 1 at distances ranging from 1 m to 3 m. Bottom edges of the wire netting strips 2 are fixed around the base wire netting 1 with wire. Upper edges of the wire netting strips 2 have to be fixed with wire to the points 4 on the base wire netting 1. The "channel" so formed is filled with earth, turf or similar material to allow growth of the vegetation cover.

Abstract: An erosion protection unit (7), comprising a tetrahedral frame comprising six outer elongate members (9) arranged in the outline of a tetrahedron, and a triaxial central strut arrangement (11) comprising three struts (13, 15, 17) arranged mutually perpendicular to one another and passing through the geometric center of the tetrahedron, such that each outer member is braced by a strut passing from its center to the center of a second opposite outer member.

Abstract: An organization including angular chutes to accommodate waves directed thereon, wherein the chutes direct the water from the waves into a rearwardly directed trough longitudinally oriented and generally parallel relative to a shoreline. The water is directed through oil absorbent material mounted within an elongate trough. The trough includes an apertured floor and forward wall to permit drainage of water from the trough into a housing defined by the organization and drained forwardly thereof through forward slots arranged generally orthogonally relative to a forward edge of the bottom wall of the apparatus.

Abstract: A barrier to be installed on a ground surface includes a tranversely stiff folded longitudinal sheet folded downward about a longitudinal axis to form an apex. The longitudinal edges of the sheet are seated in furrows in the ground surface and secured by bolts to retain the barrier in place. The sheet has a chosen permeability selected according to its intended application. In one embodiment, the barrier may also be longitudinally stiff and include a raised lip for preventing water splashing over the barrier from eroding soil on the downstream side of the barrier. There is also described an apparatus for installing such a longitudinal sheet when the sheet is made of flexible material. The method of installing the barrier includes forming two furrows in the ground, shaping the longitudinal sheet so that it is folded about a longitudinal axis, placing longitudinal edges of the sheet in the furrows and closing the furrows.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for protection against coastal erosion. The protection barrier is formed from a plurality of protection members which are secured together to form a mat of a desired configuration. Each protection member which is formed as a toroidal body, preferably from a discarded tire casing, is at least partially filled with concrete which is deposited about the circumference of the tire casing and occupies not more than one half of the interior chamber formed by the wall of the tire casing. To facilitate preparation of the protection member for use, a conical insert is provided. The tire casing is lowered down over the conical insert, moving towards the wided base of the insert until a lower bead of the casing rim frictionally contacts the wall of the insert. Concrete is then admitted onto the wall of the insert and moves by gravity into the interior chamber, partially filling it.

Abstract: A revetment block for being coupled with other similar blocks to form a flexible revetment mat for controlling erosion of soil, having a grid having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of side surfaces, and wherein a tongue extends from at least one of the side surfaces, each tongue having a height and width less than the total height and width of the grid, and wherein each of the side surfaces which has no tongue has a tongue receiving cavity surrounded by a pair of cavity sidewalls, a cavity backwall and a cavity upperwall, the cavity being of a size sufficient to receive and allow limited vertical and horizontal movement of tongues from other blocks within the cavity.