Abstract: A storm surge protection barrier is provided for a shore line bordering a sea that is prone to storm surges. The barrier includes a plurality of individual wall sections each having a plurality of plastic-based structural beams joined by at least one cross structural cross tie. The wall sections each have an above-grade upper portion of a predetermined first length, LAB and a below-grade lower portion of a predetermined second length LBG, and wherein LAB>2LBG. The wall sections are arranged upright and buried in a trench of the shore line in side-by-side succession to form a continuous barrier wall with the below-grade lower portions disposed in the trench and the above-grade upper portions projecting upwardly out of the trench at a predetermined tilt angle away from the sea of between 1 and 10 degrees.

Abstract: A structural reinforced composite construction mat includes a plurality of composite plastic beams that are ganged together to define the mat, with a plurality of flitch plates disposed between at least some of the plastic beams to provide additional strength and rigidity to the mat. The plastic beams may be made of a composite material have a generally rectangular cross-section. The flitch plates have a width (vertical height) when disposed between adjacent beams that is less than the width (vertical height) of the beams, such that the flitch plates may be recessed below and above the top and bottom surfaces of the mat, respectively. A plurality of rods extend in the lateral direction through the beams and plates to compress the beams and plates against each. The flitch plates may be metal or fiber-reinforced resin and may further include slotted holes to allow the beams to retract lengthwise in response to environmental changes.