Abstract: A safety mat for protection against erosion and/or undermining consisting of a number of parallel tubular members containing a filling material and being interconnected by cross-binding ribbons placed at right angles to the tubular members. As filling material is used a granulated material of an average density of at least 1.6 Kg/dm.sup.3, and the tubular members have a degree of filling of substantially 75%. Using a relatively heavy filling material that is introduced relatively loosely a mat is obtained having great flexibility, being able, therefore, to lie close up against even a domed bottom.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for forming cast-in-place structures includes the use of a sheet of fabric having a plurality of pockets for receiving support rods. The pockets are formed between an inner side surface of the sheet of fabric and a plurality of strands of material. The support rods are used to hold the fabric in place while a slurry of a cementitious material is poured into a cavity between the sheet of fabric and a base. The cementitious slurry flows between the strands of material into the support rod receiving pockets. The resulting concrete structure extends around the support rods to prevent them from being exposed to the environment. The strands of material are advantageously connected with the sheet of fabric by interweaving them with the threads of the fabric.

Abstract: A weighted water bag for forming levees or dikes, in order to hold back rising flood water, the bag being woven of fiber and including a waterproof or sand inner liner; rings and clips at corners allowing bags to be locked together, a water filler opening at one end, and fiber handles for each side of the opening for easy handling, including forms having portions of the bag filled with sand.

Abstract: A form for erosion control structures, which is made of at least two sheets of flexible material joined about their entire periphery forming a space adapted to receive a flowable material therein, is provided with a fluid transmitting material attached to one of the sheets about its periphery for equalizing hydrostatic pressure developing between the form and the surface upon which the form rests.

Abstract: An erosion control mat of textile material formed of a series of contiguous frame units each comprising a tubular perimeter adapted to be filled with concrete and a center area circumscribed by the tubular perimeter, provided with filter means capable of preventing the loss of erodible material from the center area while permitting the cultivation of plant life within the center area.