Abstract: An apparatus and method for enviornmentally benign beach reclamation comprising the placing of a synthetic gas permeable mat over the area to be reclaimed and covering the mat with a sand or gravel aggregate supplied from a remote source in the form of a slurry. The liquid for the slurry comprises the water from the body of water adjacent to the beach. All heavy equipment for the beach reclamation is placed at a remote location far removed from the lake bottom, beach and upland area to be reclaimed. Only the manually portable materials and apparatus need to be transported to the beach area, thereby virtually eliminating heavy equipment damage to the upland areas adjoining the beach. The apparatus includes slurry mixing equipment and a slurry pump all mounted on a compact trailer towable with a small truck. As a part of the apparatus are small pumps, manually portable to the body of water, and light-weight plastic hoses and plastic pipe.

Abstract: The present invention is a frame for installing a grid section of cells of a grid confinement system for soil. The frame is generally planar having holding members on two sides to engage the grid section of cells. Each holding member can be independently controlled to engage or disengage the grid section of cells. Also, the frame is ventilated. The frame facilitates road center line reference, edge cell interlock and underwater installation.

Abstract: A system for controlling erosion of a slope below the waterline of a shoreline and a method for installing the system wherein a plurality of armorbags are assembled, filled with grouting material, and lowered and accurately positioned as a unit onto the slope.

Abstract: An erosion control structure and method involves placing a large permeable mat with peripheral weighted pockets around and attached to the mat on the bottom of the water body such that at least a portion of the mat extends into a shallow portion of the water body where currents have a velocity sufficient to erode the bottom. The peripheral pockets are filled with a weighted material, such as sand. Large weighted stabilizers are placed on the mat and positioned in the areas where the currents exceed the erosion velocity such that the stabilizers are below the surface of the water.

Abstract: A method of constructing a barrier upon an underwater surface by storing sheet material as a rolled web, unrolling the web, continuously forming the web into a longitudinal hollow of a tube-like configuration, progressively positioning spaced longitudinal slot-defining edge portions defining the underside of the longitudinal hollow upon an underwater surface, thereafter delivering ballast material through and between the spaced edge portions into the longitudinal hollow and into overlying relationship upon the edge portions to hold the edge portions upon the underwater surface, and the ballast material being delivered through a portion of the longitudinal hollow as the web is unrolled but the longitudinal hollow is not yet positioned upon the underwater surface.

Abstract: A method and related revetment system for preventing shoreline slope erosion due to wave and hydrostatic forces. The revetment system includes an elongate, grid-like frame structure of predetermined shape which is set into an excavation in the slope of substantially complementary shape. A filter fabric liner is disposed to overlie the surface of the slope excavation so as to line the excavation beneath the frame structure. The filter fabric liner is sufficiently porous to allow water to pass therethrough while preventing the movement of the soil material of the slope therethrough. The method further includes setting the frame structure into the slope excavation and over the filter fabric liner such that an upper surface portion of the frame structure is substantially continuous with the natural contour of the slope.

Abstract: A device designed to be secured to a chain link fence improves the appearance of the fence and partially closes the openings in the fence so as to provide privacy and wind protection. Decorative blocks, such as of wood or plastic, are installed onto the obliquely angled wires of the fence via a wire-receiving groove formed in one surface of each block. Each block extends partially over each of two adjacent fence openings on either side of the wire. Flexible connectors, such as of light wire, are strung generally in lines to connect the series of blocks and secure their position and orientation. Installation of a large number of the blocks provides the appearance of a closed fence, improves the appearance of the fence and provides some wind protection.

Abstract: A treated fabric is constructed that is capable of withstanding extremely harsh weather and abrasion conditions in low temperature environments. The treated fabric comprises a woven or weft inserted warp knit synthetic fiber fabric which has a generally open construction and is pretreated with a chemical bonding agent to facilitate adhesion of a neoprene coating to the fabric. A neoprene, such as neoprene AD, having a highly crystalline structure and including effective amounts of low temperature plasticizers, antioxidants, and loadings, is applied to the fabric, and it is coated with a highly crystalline acrylic coating. The neoprene coating vulcanizes (cures) in use, such as when used as a geotextile fabric, the highly crystalline acrylic coating protecting the neoprene until it vulcanizes. The fabric may be attached to a nonwoven filter fabric, and formed into a bag which is filled with sand, grout, or the like during actual use of the geotextile fabric in the harsh environment.

Abstract: Aquatic plant growth can be reduced or eliminated in a pond or lake by placing a silicone rubber-coated fabric over the area where such plants want to be eliminated.

Abstract: A method of constructing a barrier upon an underwater surface by storing sheet material as a rolled web, unrolling the web, continuously forming the web into a longitudinal hollow of a tube-like configuration, progressively positioning spaced longitudinal slot-defining edge portions defining the underside of the longitudinal hollow upon an underwater surface, thereafter delivering ballast material through and between the spaced edge portions into the longitudinal hollow and into overlying relationship upon the edge portions to hold the edge portions upon the underwater surface, and the ballast material being delivered through a portion of the longitudinal hollow as the web is unrolled but the longitudinal hollow is not yet positioned upon the underwater surface.

Abstract: An aquatic weed barrier is disclosed which comprises a film having a plurality of incisions therein. Each incision is shaped to form at least one flap adjacent the incision. The film has a light transmittance of less than 50% in the 200 to 650 nm wavelength range.

Abstract: A revetment panel for installation along embankments and other earthen structures, including structures partially or fully covered by water, which utilizes a fabric web having a plurality of compartments separated by selvage. The web is formed of two fabric layers, which are woven separately on the same loom to form the compartments, and interwoven to form the selvage. The fabric layers are separately woven to form slots in the selvage which allow cables to pass through the web, and which allow filler material to flow between compartments during filling. The web is transported to its installation site, and placed. The compartments in the web are then inflated with the filler material, which may be cementitious slurry or mortar consisting in part of sand and gravel found near the installation site, or simply a mixture of sand, gravel, and water. The resulting matrix of forms interconnected by fabric and cable provides a durable, economical and flexible erosion control layer.

Abstract: A rip-rap laying machine designed to lay approximately 270 tons of rip-rap per hour resembles a huge steel bridge frame. The self-propelled unit overlies an acutely angled bank of a waterway, channel, or canal and moves along the bank (40) to lay rip-rap uniformly. The machine uses two cable-controlled hoppers (34 and 36) mounted on rails (20 and 22). An operator rides with the feeder hopper (36) and controls a loading hopper (34) to run between a dump hopper (32) on one end of the bridge and the feeder hopper (36). The loading hopper (34) transfers rip-rap from a dump hopper (32) to the feeder hopper (36). The rip-rap is transferred from the feeder hopper (36) to a vibratory feeder (38), which vibrates the rip-rap onto deflector plate (44) before rolling gently onto sheets of filter cloth placed upon the bank (40). Uniform placement of the rip-rap on the bank (40) occurs as the vibratory feeder (38) travels from the bottom to the top of the bridge.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spreader bar for picking up and laying down soil erosion prevention mats formed by connecting a matrix of soil erosion preventing blocks with cable or the like through passageways therein.

Abstract: A structure for protecting a bank against erosion, the structure including a plurality of sacks of cementitious material which are positioned in side-by-side relationship to form a protective skirt; and a plurality of staples having arms which are impaled into adjacent sacks to connect them together, the staples being resiliently deformable for the protective skirt to be capable of articulation for accommodating ground movement and scouring.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising a vehicle such as a sledge containing a reel, bin, or the like, holding casing material folded flat, is disposed for travel immediately over an underwater object or piece ground to be covered and is towed by a surface vessel. Situated behind the supply of casing material, relative to the direction of travel, is a table comprising two hinged parts sloping down toward the bottom of the body of water, the lower of the two table parts being arranged to slide over the object or piece of ground to be covered. Concrete of plastic consistence coming from the surface vessel by means of a pressure hose is injected into the casing sliding over the table, the nozzle of the hose being inserted through an opening between the two edges of the casing material. This opening, which may be formed in a zipper by means of two zipper slides, is then closed by joining the two long edges to form the casing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for laying a web in a submerged condition on an entrenchment floor includes wrapping a web onto a drum as said drum is floating on a water surface of the entrenchment, navigating the wrapped drum to a beginning section of the entrenchment, and unwinding the drum as it is floating on the entrenchment while further navigating the drum. Water is pumped from a section of the entrenchment already layed with the web, thus imparting an unwinding force to the drum and giving the web a convex shape along the portion of the web which extends from the drum to the entrenchment floor.

Abstract: A revetment panel for installation along embankments and other earthen structures, including structures partially or fully covered by water, which utilizes a fabric web having a plurality of compartments separated by selvage. The web is formed of two fabric layers, which are woven separately on the same loom to form the compartments, and interwoven to form the selvage. The fabric layers are separately woven to form slots in the selvage which allow cables to pass through the web, and which allow filler material to flow between compartments during filling. The web is transported to its installation site, and placed. The compartments in the web are then inflated with the filler material, which may be cementitous slurry or mortar consisting in part of sand and gravel found near the installation site, or simply a mixture of sand, gravel, and water. The resulting matrix of forms interconnected by fabric and cable provides a durable, economical and flexible erosion control layer.

Abstract: Artificial "seaweed" or "reefs" for installation on the bottoms of lakes or the like to build up sandbars to reclaim beaches and reclaim coastal land has elongated hollow tubes partially filled with sand, silt or other lake bottom material to lie stationary on the lake bottom in spaced side-by-side relation at a selected orientation relative to the shore line and connectd by anchor means for buoyant sheets or ribbons which will float upright in the water to trap sand and sediment for building up sandbars and reefs on the lake bottom. In one embodiment, the side-by-side hollow tubes are formed along the side edges of a wide sheet of plastics material which is slit at selected intervals and the buoyant sheets or ribbons are threaded through these slits providing a pair of upstanding buoyant legs in spaced relation. In another embodiment, the tube connected by strands or filament receiving looped ends of the buoyant sheets or ribbons in end-to-end relation.

Abstract: A tissue mat protecting against erosion comprising a water-pervious tissue layer provided with anchoring loops. The anchoring loops have the form of a yarn woven across the tissue and protruding from the surface of the tissue. It is possible to use a rugged yarn guaranteeing a satisfactory anchorage to this end. The anchoring loops of the tissue ensure that the mat penetrates into the ground and is thus anchored. It is also possible to anchor concrete blocks of means of the anchoring loops by pouring the concrete on the mat or by pressing it thereon.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method of producing and laying on the ground a ballasted mat defined by two layers of sheet material joined together along parallel lines and enclosing particulate ballast material by providing two sources of sheet material and continuously drawing the sheet material from the sources under the influence of the ballasted mat, continuously leading the sheet material to meet in generally overlapped relationship, seaming the sheet material to enclose at least two parallel compartments, continuously filling the two parallel compartments with particulate ballast material, continuously advancing the sources of sheet material over the ground adapted to be covered by the ballasted mat, continuously lowering the ballasted mat to the ground during the formation thereof and during the advancing of the sources of sheet material in timed relationship to the drawing of the sheet material from the two sheet material sources, and seaming cross-wise the end of each ballasted mat and the adjacent end

Abstract: This invention consists of a flexible type of concrete guard against the erosion of soil by flowing waters and wave action. It consists of rows of comparatively small, identical concrete blocks which form rectangular sections which are placed upon the ground surface which has previously been covered with a filter cloth. The said blocks are held together by a continuous wire cable which is embedded centrally in each block, and which passes through each row of blocks, forming a small loop as it leaves one of said rows to enter its next adjacent row, by means of which one section can be joined with the other, and pinned to the ground.

Abstract: An erodible marine or fluviatile sediment such as a sedimentary layer is stabilized by depositing on the sediment a non-setting paste-like slurry, for example, mud or clay containing a framework of gravel, using a laying head which is towed over the sea bed by a surface vessel. The slurry is mixed on the vessel and conveyed to the laying head through an underwater pipe. Distribution of the slurry from the laying head may be monitored by a television camera on the head.

Abstract: An underwater paving machine for making fillings on the river beds is provided comprising a boat having a platform carrying a working structure comprising a pair of uprights supporting a horizontal shaft driven by a motor and carrying a number of spools on which rolls of cables or wires are wound. Said cables or wires are intended to carry blocks made of vibrated concrete and initially supported by a cage intended to be anchored on the river bed. The cage with the blocks are sinked into the water so as to form the fillings on the river bed. The tension of cables or wires is controlled by independent clutches associated to the spools. The blocks are coupled to each other by fastening means both in horizontal and vertical directions. In the area of the boat mounting the working structure an enlargement of the hull is provided intended to increase the buoyancy of the boat. A pair of lateral tanks serve to stabilize the boat on the sides thereof.

Abstract: A machine for assisting in the laying of courses of blocks to form a ground covering layer in erosion control systems has a flexible apron on which the blocks are laid, a frame attached to one side of the apron, and two spaced and independently actuable pusher bar assemblies, which can act between the frame and the blocks to position the blocks, steer the machine, and withdraw the apron from beneath the blocks.

Abstract: Installation of panels of interlocking blocks for erosion control purposes uses apparatus for hoisting the panels into position comprising parallel suspension cables passing through the panel and a laterally removable support bar releasably locked to the cables which bar sustains the weight of the panel and transfers it to the cables. Upon the release of the support bar, the suspension cables may be drawn out of the panel while drawing permanent reinforcing wires or cables into position behind them. The suspension cables are connected to a top support bar by means for equalizing the loadings on the cables.

Abstract: An earthen structure for holding back a body of water has a sloped surface which is paved with an overlapping arrangement of strips constructed of castable material. Each strip is formed by conveying castable material from a mobile receiving hopper that is propelled adjacent to the base of the earthen structure. A bridge conveyor projects laterally from the receiving hopper over the slope. The bridge conveyor deposits the castable material onto the slope forwardly of a spreader device that is advanced longitudinally relative to the slope by a prime mover. A scraper blade of the spreader device is positioned at a preselected elevation by a forwardly projecting sidewall which is connected to the blade and slidable on a previously formed strip. The sidewall maintains the castable material in front of the blade, as the advancing blade spreads the material in a longitudinal strip of a preselected thickness and having a lateral edge extending a preselected lateral dimension outwardly from the sloped surface.