Abstract: The shore side of a shore line water barrier is protected from flooding caused by storm surge over-topping the barrier. Water overtopping the barrier, such as from wind waves crashing against the barrier, is trapped, impounded and accumulated between a parapet atop the barrier and walls on the sides of a buoyant gate unit taller than the parapet and walls and normally resident below grade on the shore side of the barrier, hinged about an axis generally parallel to the barrier and spaced from the parapet by a distance not less than the height of the gate unit. The accumulated overtopping water is applied to rotationally float the gate unit from the horizontal position initially principally by buoyancy and then principally by hydrostatic pressure to drive the gate unit to an upright position to oppose storm surges having a water level higher than the parapet.

Abstract: A cellular confinement system for soil, sand or other filler material comprises a number of sub-assemblies each made up of a plurality of interconnected open cells of fabric material. The sub-assemblies are stackable one on top of the other to provide a structure having at least one generally vertical side or end wall. The system further comprises sealing means such as one or more skirt portion(s) which are arranged between vertically juxtaposed sub-assemblies in use. The skirt portions substantially prevent or minimize the escape of finer aggregate material from between the stacked sub-assemblies.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a concrete structure used for bank protection and scour prevention of river bank and coast. Its construct is a hollow circular truncated cone and concrete flat plates are plugged on the hollow circular truncated cone. By tearing, dispersing and stirring up water flow, the energy of local water flow is dissipated, and the scouring strength of the water flow is weakened, achieving the aim of scour prevention and bank protection. It has good mechanical property, not easy to be destroyed, has good stability in water and big overhead rate, and can save materials. Compared to previous various structures for scour prevention, the present invention has better effects of energy dissipation and scour prevention. It not only can be used in bank protection and scour prevention, but also can be used for supplementary energy dissipation when plugging and closure.

Abstract: Slope surfaces of land can be eroded by rain and wind. It is necessary to vegetate a bared slope surface of land for the purpose of erosion control and environmental conservation. The present invention provides a vegetation base soil composition and a method of growing vegetation on a sloped surface for erosion control and vegetating on cut rock slope surface, such as weathered rock surface and barren soil surface. The vegetation base soil includes peat, bio-solids formed by the treatment of urban sewage, for example water treatment plant sediment, woodchip, bark, animal waste compost and clay or loam. The vegetation base soil with a microbes active material, a root activation fertilizer, an adhesive material and seeds are applied over a mesh that is secured over the sloped surface. Plants are grown in the layer of vegetation base soil.

Abstract: Disclosed is a manufactured three-dimensional convex-concave fairing with attached vortex generators, for hydraulic structures such as bridge piers and abutments, whose shape prevents the local scour problem around such hydraulic structures. The device is a conventionally made concrete or fiber-reinforced composite, or combination of both, vortex generator equipped hydrodynamic fairing that is fit or cast over an existing or new hydraulic structure around the base of the structure and above the footing. The vortex generators are positioned so as to energize decelerating near wall flow with higher-momentum outer layer flow. The result is a more steady, compact separation and wake and substantially mitigated scour inducing vortical flow.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for creating an outer surface effect of a structure wherein at least one wall of the structure defines a support surface, the apparatus comprising means defining a covering surface which overlies the support surface but is movable therefrom, so that a quantity of material to create the outer surface effect can be positioned between the support surface and the covering surface, and wherein the covering surface is in the form of a panel.

Abstract: A biomechanical structure for coastline remediation includes one or more structural assemblies. The structural assemblies include a distribution of one or more members; one or more anchors connected to each of one or more members; and one or more connection members. The anchors employed by the biomechanical structure may be fixed, floating, or a combination of fixed and floating anchors. The structural assemblies may be staggered, inline, or semi-random in configuration. The biomechanical structure may include metals, composites, polymers, biodegradable materials, or combinations thereof in its components. The biomechanical structures may incorporate one or more components for mechanical or material power generation. The biomechanical structures may include one or more seed capture devices, such as baskets or mesh. A biomechanical system for coastline remediation includes one or more biomechanical structures.

Abstract: A transportable wave suppressor and sediment collection (WSSC) system, including a method of installing same, the system installed to suppress wave action and provide land restoration along the shore of a body of water, such as a coastline, which includes a plurality of interconnected sections of the system, each section including a base, a forward wall, and a rear wall, having a plurality of fluid flow pipes extending from the forward wall to the rear wall, for allowing water including sediment to flow into the pipes at the forward wall and exit the pipes at the rear wall. There is further provided a one-way valve member at the rear wall exit of each pipe, so that water carrying sediment cannot return through the pipe as the wave action recedes from the coastline. There is provided a flow opening including a weir between multiple sections so that water can flow therethrough.

Abstract: A construction block includes a pair of base members and a pair of side wall assemblies. Each base member defines first and second upper channels and comprises a first plurality of ribs positioned within the first upper channel and a second plurality of ribs positioned within the second upper channel. Each side wall assembly defines a hollow load chamber having an open top and an open bottom and includes a plurality of hingedly interconnected panels, each including a thermoplastic material. A first side wall assembly is releasably engaged with at least some of the first plurality of ribs of a lower one of the base members, and a second side wall assembly is releasably engaged with at least some of the second plurality of ribs of the lower one of the base members. Each side wall assembly is releasably engaged with an upper one of the base members.

Abstract: A recoverable gabion is disclosed. The gabion comprises opposed side walls connected together at spaced intervals by a plurality of partition walls such that spaces between neighboring pairs of partition walls define, together with the side walls, individual compartments of the gabion, adjacent side and partition walls being connected to one another by pivotal connections wherein at least one partition wail comprises at least three partition wall elements, a first partition wall element being pivotally connected to a first side wall and a second partition wall element being connected to a second side wall, and the partition wall comprising at least a third partition wall element between said first and second partition wall elements acting as a spacer element therebetween to extend the width of the gabion compartment and being releasably connected to the first and second partition wall elements.

Abstract: Armor units for rubble mound structures including breakwaters, revetments, groins, jetties, and the like. Embodiments are appropriate for ocean, river, lake and reservoir structure armoring, to prevent erosion from damaging hydrodynamic forces resulting from waves and water currents, and the like. An embodiment includes a central rectangular section, three “half H-shaped” appendages, two identical frusta (end members), and a flat bottom with two extrusions, nominally smaller than other appendages and frusta. An embodiment is symmetric about two perpendicularly intersecting vertical planes extending through the centroid of the unit. The three half H-shaped members are connected to outer parts of a side defined as the top and the two longitudinal sides of the central section. The three half H-shaped members and the two end members comprise four-sided frusta that taper from a base at the central rectangular section to four-sided distal ends. For select embodiments, the frusta are generally symmetric.

Abstract: A concrete revetment block having interlocking arms and sockets and an array of vegetation holes. Two arms and two sockets are formed in the block to provide interlocking capabilities with neighbor blocks of a mat. One arm of the block is constructed with a partial thickness and one socket is constructed with a partial depth, thereby providing vertical interlocking capabilities with the neighbor blocks. An array of holes is formed through the block to allow vegetation to grow therethrough. Various holes are located in the block to allow easy grasping of the block by a workman for lifting the same. The holes are formed in the core square of the block, with respective diameters related to the thickness of the block to maximize the hydraulic stability of the block.

Abstract: A concrete interlocking revetment block having a pair of arms and a pair of sockets. The arms have enlarged ends and the sockets have enlarged cavities to interlock similar blocks together and prevent lateral separation. The arms extend outwardly from respective side edges of the block, with radial axes orthogonal to each other so as to be adjacent to each other. The sockets are formed into respective side edges of the block, with radial axes orthogonal to each other so as to also be adjacent to each other. The depth of at least one socket is less than the thickness of the block. A portion of the socket is thus covered with concrete to thereby provide reinforcement between adjacent sockets of the block, and reduce incidences of breakage. At least one arm is also formed with a thickness less than the thickness of the block.

Abstract: A Mobile Environmental Berm assembly provides an immediately deployable offshore contain and absorb area to stop primary waterborne contaminates before these contaminates spread to secondary and tertiary areas such as shorelines, wetlands or fresh water supplies. Each Mobile Environmental Berm assembly has a plurality of Berm Arms that are made of a strong rigid material where each Berm Arm has a plurality of planar surfaces provided for vertical and/or horizontal close-coupled stacking with other surfaces such as those on other Berm Arms, on relatively horizontal or vertical surfaces or for connection to other accessories. Filter nets attach to the Mobile Environmental Berm assembly to allow for water column filtering below or adjacent to a floating or submerged Mobile Environmental Berm. Filter nets vary in size according to the application for filtering macro-, micro or nanoscopic particles such as oil, chemical or biological contaminates.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling water flow, soil erosion, and/or sediment flow in and around a construction site. The apparatus includes a three-dimensional, water-permeable polypropylene filled geotextile pocket that is secured to the ground with a supporting structure. The apparatus includes a tail portion that is placed flat against the ground, facing upstream against the direction of water flow. The tail portion can be secured with pins that provide protection against movement of the tail portion and reduce an amount of sediment passing under the apparatus.

Abstract: Triple dewatering pipe recovery lines with dual pumping stations are installed underneath and along 1,000 feet of beach face on a predetermined centerline. The recovery lines are positioned at different depths with an overall length of approximately 1,400 linear feet each. This length will include a needed length to connect with the pumping stations located away from the beach. The triple lines will be spaced vertically over a height of approximately 6 feet and extend to a maximum depth of 8-12 feet and will be an 8-inch diameter HDPE well screen covered with a two ply filter fabric. The lines are also spaced laterally in a pattern of the adjacent receding coast line. Each progressively lower line will be approximately two feet closer to the ocean. The trench width will be approximately 18 inches and will be backfilled with the natural beach sands below ground surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for creating an outer surface effect of a structure wherein at least one wall of the structure defines a support surface, the apparatus comprising means defining a covering surface which overlies the support surface but is movable therefrom, so that a quantity of material to create the outer surface effect can be positioned between the support surface and the covering surface, and wherein the covering surface is in the form of a panel.

Abstract: Seabed scour about a seabed-mounted foundation or renewable energy device or anchor therefore, especially a wind-turbine monopile may be prevented or reduced by installing on or in the seabed area about the foundation or device an arrangement of interconnected sedimentation elements, which by virtue of the elemental structure or interconnective arrangement themselves do not cause or worsen seabed scour by substantially displacing seabed material on which the elements are placed. Elements having a specific gravity, either in situ or inherent, of substantially similar to the seabed material or mobilized seabed material in which they are placed are capable of achieving this. An ideal arrangement of elements (or mat) is one formed of used or discarded vehicle tyres.

Abstract: An inflatable tube (10) in a fascine is provided with a cover (11) of a braided material to provide significant strength. An outer cover (12) of KEVLAR™ may also be provided. The braided cover (11) and the inflatable tube (10) are held at the ends of the tube by a clamping mechanism (17, 18, 19) and a cylinder (40) of inflation gas is supported within the tube (10), when the tube (10) is inflated.

Abstract: The invention provides processes for coating the surface of substrates such as a sheet, film, foam, fiber, etc., with a curable liquid resin or solution of curable resin, then in one embodiment, stably attaching a superabsorbent polymeric powder to such resin, and then curing the resin to form a coated superabsorbent product. Such substrates may include polymeric materials. Other process embodiments utilizing curable and thermoplastic resinous powders may be used instead of curable liquid resins and resulting products are included in the invention. The coated product may be utilized for water and nutrient retention in combination with irrigation, erosion control, to direct plant root growth, and to clean up standing water and petroleum spills.

Abstract: Sediment control devices (SCDs) include an apertured threshold member and an apertured outflow member, and optionally a filter member between the threshold and outflow members. In some SCDs1 the outflow member has a smaller aperture size than the threshold member, or vice versa. In some SCDs, a filter is placed in front of the threshold member. In some SCDs, there is a substantially hollow sediment control chamber (SCC) between the threshold and outflow members; in others, there is little or no hollow space between the threshold and outflow members. The SCDs can be constructed so that they are resistant to damage by wheeled traffic. The SCDs can be used to control sediment in run-off from a construction site, as drain covers, or as retaining members for lawns or planting areas. A number of SCDs can be joined together to form assemblies which are useful for stabilizing a land mass, for example a gully or river bank.

Abstract: A construction block is provided that includes at least one base member that includes a plurality of lower side wall receptacles. The construction block further includes a plurality of side wall assemblies. Each of the side wall assemblies includes a plurality of interconnected panels. Each of the panels is hingedly connected to each adjacent one of the panels of the respective one of the side wall assemblies. Each of the side wall assemblies defines a hollow load chamber having an open top and an open bottom. At least some of the panels of each of the side wall assemblies are angled relative to one another. Each of the lower side wall receptacles receives one of the side wall assemblies.

Abstract: A gabion deployment system comprising: a container (30) for retaining a gabion (22) and a gabion (22) of the folding type comprising hingedly attached, connected side walls (16 & 18) and cross-members (12) such that it can be folded for storage and deployed for use; a retaining means (50) associated with the container (30) for retaining the gabion (20) in the container; and at least one releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means (66) for attaching, connecting or retentively engaging at least one part of the gabion (22) to the retaining means (50); wherein the at least one releasable attaching, connecting or retentively engaging means (66) is adapted to attach, connect or retentively engage a part of the gabion (22) to the retaining means (50) when the gabion (22) is folded but to release the gabion (22) from the retaining means (50) when the gabion (22) is deployed.

Abstract: A gabion deployment system comprising: a container (30) for retaining a gabion (22) and a gabion (22) of the folding type comprising hingedly attached, connected side walls (16 & 18) and cross-members (12) such that it can be folded for storage and deployed for use; a retaining means (50) associated with the container (30) for retaining the gabion (20) in the container; and at least one releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means (66) for attaching, connecting or retentively engaging at least one part of the gabion (22) to the retaining means (50); wherein the at least one releasable attaching, connecting or retentively engaging means (66) is adapted to attach, connect or retentively engage a part of the gabion (22) to the retaining means (50) when the gabion (22) is folded but to release the gabion (22) from the retaining means (50) when the gabion (22) is deployed.

Abstract: A geotextile tube is provided. The geotextile tube includes a first sheet and second sheet that both have first portions with a first weave pattern and second portions with a second weave pattern. The first portion of the first sheet covers a larger surface area than the second portion of the first sheet. Likewise, the first portion of the second sheet covers a larger surface area than the second portion of the second sheet. A seam contacts and attaches the second portion of the first sheet to the second portion of the second sheet.

Abstract: The invention provides a gabion which may be used to protect military or civilian installations from weapons assault or from elemental forces, such as flood waters, lava flows, avalanches, soil instability, slope erosion and the like, the gabion comprising side walls connected together at spaced intervals by partition walls, the side walls comprising at least one substantially closed side wall element panel, which acts in use of the gabion to prevent a gabion fill material from falling through the side wall, the said action of the substantially closed side wall element panel being effective without the aid of a gabion lining material.

Abstract: A gabion deployment system comprising: a container (30) for retaining a gabion (22) and a gabion (22) of the folding type comprising hingedly attached, connected side walls (16 & 18) and cross-members (12) such that it can be folded for storage and deployed for use; a retaining means (50) associated with the container (30) for retaining the gabion (20) in the container; and at least one releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means (66) for attaching, connecting or retentively engaging at least one part of the gabion (22) to the retaining means (50); wherein the at least one releasable attaching, connecting or retentively engaging means (66) is adapted to attach, connect or retentively engage a part of the gabion (22) to the retaining means (50) when the gabion (22) is folded but to release the gabion (22) from the retaining means (50) when the gabion (22) is deployed.

Abstract: A construction article including a compacted mixture that includes soil and a crop plant biomass microorganism-expressed enzyme composition. A method of stabilizing soil including: (i) mixing together soil, water and a crop plant biomass microorganism-expressed enzyme composition to form a mixture; (ii) causing the mixture to be shaped into a selected structure; and (iii) causing the structure to be compacted.

Abstract: A gabion 10 comprising side walls 12 defining a cavity 20 suitable for retaining a quantity of fill material 36 and a base 14 connected to at least one side wall 12 for substantially closing the bottom of the gabion 10, said base 14 comprising two or more apertures 27 defining channels 22 arranged to receive lifting means therethrough.

Abstract: A check tube is sealed on one end and may be open on the opposite end. The check tube may have a cape, a flap and/or a hood attached to the check tube to, among other things, anchor the check tube and/or to prevent water flow, and thus erosion, between adjacent check tubes, beneath the check tube and/or downstream of the check tube. A temporary pocket defining a subset of the volume of the check tube is provided in the check tube and filled with fill material that expands after being introduced to water. Just prior to, during or after installation of the check tube, the pocket is opened, broken or dissolved and the check tube is introduced to water thereby allowing the fill material to expand to the full volume of the check tube.

Abstract: A construction block is provided that includes at least one base member that includes a plurality of lower side wall receptacles. The construction block further includes a plurality of side wall assemblies. Each of the side wall assemblies includes a plurality of interconnected panels. Each of the panels is hingedly connected to each adjacent one of the panels of the respective one of the side wall assemblies. Each of the side wall assemblies defines a hollow load chamber having an open top and an open bottom. At least some of the panels of each of the side wall assemblies are angled relative to one another. Each of the lower side wall receptacles receives one of the side wall assemblies.

Abstract: Novel prefabricated structural components such as precast concrete boxes having forms including rectangular parallelepipeds and hexagonal cylinders are disclosed which can be assembled together and/or with structural shapes disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,697,736 and 6,491,473 to form waterfront structures such as seawalls, levees and breakwaters. Novel methods of waterborne transport and installation of the boxes and arrays thereof are disclosed, including modular vessels having bow and stern sections which can be connected directly together or mounted to a mid-section containing assemblies of such boxes, other structural elements or other vessels such as floating drydocks. Modular vessels can be assembled with any or all of the bow, midship and stern sections comprising honeycomb arrays of vertically-oriented hexagonal boxes.

Abstract: A transportable and reusable silt fencing system for use at a construction site to prevent sediment and soil erosion comprises tension rods, a male section, a female section, and a fencing material having sleeve supports for the rods to slide in and support the fencing material. The tension rods are collapsible. The rods collapse when a truck drives over the fence, but re-assume their original form once the truck has passed. If a fence longer than the fencing section is required, additional fencing sections may be attached by connecting a male section of one fence section with the female section of another fence section.

Abstract: A reinforcing fabric for use in various applications, including retaining walls. Artificial grass is strategically provided on the fabric so that, when the fabric is positioned in the retaining wall installation, the artificial grass is at least visible on the vertical face of the wall.

Abstract: An environmental barrier device includes a first member and a second member. The first member may be constructed of a first sheet material. The first member may have a memory retaining shape. The first member may be normally oriented in a generally upright position and resiliently deflectable from the generally upright position. The second member may be secured to the first member. The second member may be constructed of a second sheet material. The second sheet material may be flexible and may define a filter media. The filter media may allow the passage of water and preclude the passage of dirt and silt. The environmental barrier device includes a lower portion for positioning below ground level and an upper portion for positioning above ground level. The environmental barrier device may be driven over or otherwise deflected from a generally upright orientation and the first member may automatically return the environmental barrier device to the generally upright orientation.

Abstract: A gabion deployment system comprising: a container for retaining a gabion and a gabion of the folding type comprising hingedly attached, connected side walls and cross-members such that it can be folded for storage and deployed for use; a retaining means associated with the container for retaining the gabion in the container; and at least one releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means for attaching, connecting or retentively engaging at least one part of the gabion to the retaining means; wherein the at least one releasable attaching, connecting or retentively engaging means is adapted to attach, connect or retentively engage a part of the gabion to the retaining means when the gabion is folded but to release the gabion from the retaining means when the gabion is deployed.

Abstract: A levee apparatus is constructed of base panels connected end to end and supported by an underlying support such as the earth's surface. Side panels interlock with the base panels and with each other to form a generally triangular transverse cross section and a hollow interior that can be filled with a selected fill material. Interlocking projections on the side panels interlock with apertures of the base and with notches or recesses of other side panels.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one methodology of the present disclosure, an excavating machine (e.g., excavator, backhoe, bulldozer, etc.) moves an excavating apparatus (e.g., a bucket, blade, etc.) such that the excavating apparatus skims the underwater surface of a beach close to the shoreline to gather sand thereby forming a shallow trench in such surface. The depth of trench is small so that the effects of the sand removal to the contour of the beach is quickly compensated by the wave action of the ocean. Although the depth of the removed layer of sand is small, a significant amount of sand can be gathered by continuing the skimming operation over a much longer horizontal distance relative to the vertical depth of the removed sand. Moreover, by repeating the skimming operation along a shoreline, large amounts of sand can be gathered from the underwater surface of a beach close to the shoreline without a significant prolonged impact to the beach's underwater surface contour.

Abstract: A method of using beach wattles formed of straw or like material to replenish and renourish a beach area or to create or replace sand dunes removed by storm erosion or the like, the method comprising the steps of placing wattles to entrap sand to build up a replenished mound, then positioning additional wattles on top of the replenished mound to create a higher mound, and repeating these steps as necessary until a mound or dune of desired bulk and height is created. The wattles entrap blowing or deposited sand within the interstices of the fibrous filler material to define an anchor member. The wattles can be placed end-to-end, arranged in patterns, layered or stacked in pyramidal manner.

Abstract: Reactive gabion/geocomposite articles, and their methods of manufacture, for controlling contaminants in soil, sediment or water that allow the passage of essentially non-contaminated water therethrough. The articles and methods described herein utilize gabions, which are box shaped cages or grids (see FIG. 2) made of either steel wire mesh or plastic. In one embodiment, the reactive geotextile mats are lined on the top major surface with a gabion cage or grid. In other embodiments, the cages or grids surround a geocomposite containing reactive material. The gabion/geocomposite articles can be constructed in-situ (at the site of deployment) or remotely (on land or barge) and set in place. They are typically placed side-by-side and, in a preferred embodiment, are configured to cover a target sediment area, underwater. The gabion/geocomposite articles may be filled with clean sediment, silt, sand and/or concrete block or rock to hold the reactive geocomposite in place and for armoring.

Abstract: An erosion control system for reducing shoreline erosion resulting from wave action, run-off and hydrostatic pressure. The system includes a flexible geotextile provided over a shoreline. A plurality of rigid erosion control mats are provided over the flexible geotextile and secured in place by a plurality of anchors secured into the shoreline. The geotextile, erosion control mat and anchors may be adjusted to accommodate shorelines of varying slopes and susceptibility to erosion.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one methodology of the present disclosure, an excavating machine (e.g., excavator, backhoe, bulldozer, etc.) moves an excavating apparatus (e.g., a bucket, blade, etc.) such that the excavating apparatus skims the underwater surface of a beach close to the shoreline to gather sand thereby forming a shallow trench in such surface. The depth of trench is small so that the effects of the sand removal to the contour of the beach is quickly compensated by the wave action of the ocean. Although the depth of the removed layer of sand is small, a significant amount of sand can be gathered by continuing the skimming operation over a much longer horizontal distance relative to the vertical depth of the removed sand. Moreover, by repeating the skimming operation along a shoreline, large amounts of sand can be gathered from the underwater surface of a beach close to the shoreline without a significant prolonged impact to the beach's underwater surface contour.

Abstract: A nonconductive bridge element is secured to a pair of end plates in a conduit retainer apparatus in a trench. The pair of end plates are secured to a trench wall by dowels extending through holes in the end plates and the bridge element is disposed in the trench on top of conduits. The end plates are two piece elements, a plate and an insert pin extending through the plate. The center bridge element comprises a nonconductive tube, the ends of which receive the insert pins.

Abstract: A landscape roll layer attaches to a three-point hitch on a tractor. The landscape roll layer cooperates with a tractor in order to apply at least one roll of a mat to a desired area. Such rolls can protect an area to be landscaped for erosion control or may cover an area that has been seeded.

Abstract: The protective wall (5) has a flat, tabular or cubic configuration which has a section of a water-impermeable building material. The building material of the protective wall is a compound of compacted, mineral aggregates and an organic adhesive. Mineral aggregates such as sand or gravel are building materials which occur in plentiful amounts in nature and can be acquired simply and inexpensively in large quantities on-site. Mixed with an organic adhesive, the building material has a viscous consistency and can be produced and processed easily. By means of appropriate shaping, the protective wall can be configured in a variety of dimensions, frequently curved. The protective wall is suitable for sealing dykes to protect them against erosion in coastal or liquid-side high-water protection.

Abstract: In various embodiments, panel forms can be used to control erosion or retain dirt walls. Each panel form can be comprised of a substantially rigid body that is adapted to be mounted to the ground and can include connectors configured to receive mounts which mount the panel form to the ground. A plurality of panel forms can be used to form a fence, or a retaining wall, where the connectors extending from each panel form can be configured to mate and connect the panel forms together. In various embodiments, the mounts can be inserted through apertures in the mating connectors to provide a pivot about which the adjacent panel forms may be hingedly connected. In various embodiments, each panel form may include a tab extending therefrom which is configured to be received in a corresponding slot in the adjacent panel to reduce, or even eliminate, gaps between adjacent panel forms.

Abstract: An erosion-control element for making erosion-control structures comprises a plurality of sandbags attached together by closed-loop attachment members which extend through holes positioned near the bag edges and not connected to the fill-holding chamber in the bag. The erosion-control elements can be used to form structures for protecting underwater shorelines or other ground subject to water erosion.

Abstract: Sediment collection devices (SCDs) which can be used to collect sediment from sediment-bearing liquid, for example runoff from construction sites, and which have improved durability, particularly when wheeled vehicles pass over them. The SCDs include a horizontal location member; and a generally vertical member comprising (1) a filter which has relatively small apertures therethrough, and (2) threshold and outflow members each of which have relatively large apertures therethrough and which together provide a sediment control chamber (SCC) between them. The height of the SCC is at least 1.5 times its width; and/or the SCC is shaped so that a vehicle wheel approaching the SCD contacts the SCD at a defined height and angle; and/or one or both of the threshold member and the outflow member has a bending or stiffening line such that different parts of the SCD respond differently to bending forces. Precursors and methods for making such SCDs are described.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for creating an outer surface effect of a structure wherein at least one wall of the structure defines a support surface, the apparatus comprising means defining a covering surface which overlies the support surface but is movable therefrom, so that a quantity of material to create the outer surface effect can be positioned between the support surface and the covering surface, and wherein the covering surface is in the form of a panel.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for creating an outer surface effect of a structure wherein at least one wall of the structure defines a support surface, the apparatus comprising means defining a covering surface which overlies the support surface but is movable therefrom, so that a quantity of material to create the outer surface effect can be positioned between the support surface and the covering surface, and wherein the covering surface is in the form of a panel.