Abstract: Collapsible gridworks for confining fluent materials within cells defined by the gridworks to form stable columns capable of withstanding substantial vertical and horizontal loading are each made up of a plurality of interwoven/intermeshed longitudinal and latitudinal strips. In the preferred embodiment, the strips include slots formed on alternating sides thereof, with the gridworks being formed by interweaving the slots on one side of the longitudinal strips with corresponding slots on the opposite side of the latitudinal strips such that the gridwork is defined by mechanically interlocking joints which permit motion for collapsing the gridwork into both a multilayer strip and a substantially flat sheet. The open state of the gridwork and both of its collapsed states are similarly stable and can be freely handled without fear of the gridwork falling apart.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for protecting a shoreline from erosion, damage, flooding and the like from fluctuations in the water level in various bodies of water such as lakes, rivers, oceans and the like and for quickly and efficiently closing a breach in a levee, dam or other water containment barrier and includes a series of watertight, hollow fabricated structures that can be quickly filled with various materials for retaining the hollow structures in a desired position. The hollow structures are relatively lightweight and can be easily transported to a use site by various transportation modes. The system and apparatus also includes a mat closure device to close gaps between adjacent ends of the hollow structures to provide a continuous barrier.

Abstract: A backshore sill beach and dune erosion control system including a supporting apron of a permeable fabric spread across a shoreline area of beach and dune being protected and held in place by a toe scour protection tube and further including a plurality of sand-filled geotextile containers which are placed upon the supporting apron in an end to end relationship along the shoreline providing a predesigned soft force absorbative horizontal surface decreasing water velocity upon impact therewith.

Abstract: An anti-scour apparatus and method for preventing, reducing or repairing scour in the vicinity of a structure extending vertically from the floor beneath a body of moving water. The anti-scour apparatus comprises one or more deflectors, a spacer for maintaining the positional relationship of the deflectors and for maintaining the positional relationship of the deflectors and the floor beneath the body of water, and a plurality of hydraulic trips operatively associated with the structure. The method for preventing scour including the steps of deflecting a downwash at a location adjacent the structure and above the floor, deflecting a downwash at a location adjacent the structure and adjacent the floor, inducing the turbulent flow of water adjacent the structure, and capturing the suspended sediment for filling prior scour.

Abstract: A flow-training structure for use in rivers and streams to minimize bank erosion, and to control bed degradation and aggradation. The structure consists of single vanes or arrays of vanes of a particular double-curved design. The vanes are installed in the river bed in designed arrays to produce changes in the local directions of the near-bed velocity, without changing the sediment-transport or flow-conveyance capacities of the channel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for restoring a beach by raising the level of the beach between the high tide line and the low tide line of the beach in which an elongated rectangular net of nylon cord is suspended from a temporary supporting structure generally perpendicular to the high tide line of the beach and extending from the high tide line to at least the low tide line, said net having a uniform mesh sized to prohibit passage through said net of the larger rocks, coral and shells present on the sea floor and having a weighted bottom edge resting upon the sea floor and a top edge suspended above the high tide level of the sea, wherein said net remains suspended between the high tide line and the low tide line for a period of at least twelve hours, and then said net and its supporting structure are removed from the beach.

Abstract: A beach building block which is formed with a single passageway extending in a vertical inclination therethrough and which presents a solid wall at the rearward side of the block for containment of sand and the like behind the block and thereby build a beach. The blocks are positioned in row parallel to the shoreline, and while they permit the wave to flow through the block, they dissipate the energy of the wave, and they also retard the return flow of the water with the suspended sand, and thus the beach is built behind the block by the deposit of the sand.

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 forming and extending the width of an existing sand beach at an ocean sea shore by raising the level of the beach. The method includes the construction of a barrier, preferably from concrete, in a configuration having a cross section in the form of a substantially equilateral triangle but with a rounded apex at the top. The barrier is constructed at the low tide water level and the apex is approximately 12 to 18 inches below the high tide water level. As water flows over the barrier to the high tide level sand is deposited on the land side of the barrier and builds up to the level of the apex. The process can be expedited by dredging and pumping sand and sea water over the barrier. As the sand builds up to the level of the apex on the land side sand also is deposited on the ocean side, thereby totally submerging the barrier so that the barrier does not interfere with bathers or sea turtles or the like.

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 apparatus for mounting adjacent the bottom of a waterway having a current for impeding the deposition of suspended sediments upon the bottom of the waterway. A buoyant wing member having leading and trailing edges with substantially flat top and bottom surfaces includes a flap member spanning the wing member and extends at a predetermined upward angle away from the top surface towards the leading edge. The apparatus is mounted with the flap member facing the bottom of the waterway wherein the fluid in the wake is accelerated upwards away from the waterway bottom so as to resuspend fine sediments. When the wing member is mounted with the flap member directed away from the waterway bottom the wake is directed downwards against the bottom causing scouring of the waterway bottom.

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: In a sea, lake or other body of water, sedimentation of sedimentary solid material may be obtained in desired areas by reducing the hydraulic pressure in the sea floor or lake bottom layer in the respective area. Such reduction of the hydraulic pressure causes water to flow from the lake or sea into the porous bottom or floor layer whereby material suspended in the water or transported along the bed settles on the floor or bottom. The reduction of the hydraulic pressure is obtained by pumping water from underground drain tubes or other drainage devices extending along and adjacent to the coastline. The method may be used for coast protection and reclamation of land.

Abstract: A system and method for slope stabilization applicable to a wide range of slopes comprised of a variety of soils. A layer of geosynthetic fabric is deployed upon the surface of the slope to be stabilized and is anchored to the stable earth region which underlies the potential slip zone of the slope. The system actively maintains the potential slip zone between the geofabric layer and the underlying stable earth region.

Abstract: An underwater backfilling apparatus which can be used by undersea divers provides a sediment intake which is randomly movable by a diver over the ocean floor for removing sediment material from the seabed which is to be used in underwater backfilling. A handheld discharge dispenses the sediment material into a selected void space to be backfilled with the sediment which is removed by the intake from the seabed. A conduit connects the intake and the discharge with a bore so that sediment can be transmitted from the intake to the outlet. A fluid drive is positioned in the conduit between the inlet and the outlet for moving a mixture of sediment and seawater through the conduit.

Abstract: A fascine capable of conforming to the contours of a supporting surface, comprises a core of cylindrical pipes loosely disposed within a surrounding flexible sleeve comprised of similar pipes transversely and continuously interconnected by tensioned flexible ties. All the pipes are capable of elastic cross-sectional deformation, the sleeve pipes being held in diametral compression by the flexible ties to provide increased resistance to external compression forces acting substantially perpendicularly to the direction of diametral compression, and the core pipes being selected to have less resistance to deformation than the sleeve pipes so as to absorb external point loading forces acting on the sleeve pipes. The fascine is suitable for use by both wheeled and tracked vehicles.

Abstract: A structure which inhibits erosion of a hillside having a grade includes an upwardly open trough extending down the grade of the hillside, the trough having lateral skirts buried in the hillside to a depth below the lowermost trough depth measured transversely. The skirts and the trough are impervious to water and sealed together in watertight fashion and the trough forms a channel which is transversely lowermost in a valley extending down the grade of the hillside. The valley has sidewalls which slope gently toward the trough and are covered with sod. Runoff is directed by the valley to the trough in noneroding manner and the trough conducts runoff down the hillside.

Abstract: A buoyant high aspect ratio delta wing having an inverted airfoil shape for producing a downward lift force is anchored at a negative angle of attack adjacent the bottom of a waterway having a current. The net vertical deflection and turbulent trailing wake generated as the water flows past the wing prevents sediments from depositing on the bottom of the waterway for a predetermined distance downstream of the wing. Cascading arrays of such wings may be anchored in succession along the waterway to resuspend sediments and thereby maintain sufficient water depth for navigation while avoiding the cost and environmental drawbacks of dredging.

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: The present invention is directed to a method of installing an erosion-preventing lightweight, semi-permeable, semi-flexible structure in the form of a dike for erosion control of a bank along a body of water. The method comprises the excavation of hydraulically placed silty or clay-containing sand fill or existing silty or clay-containing beach sands to form a trench and the placing of a synthetic woven fabric at the base of the excavation. A mixture of shell, sand and cement is then formed and placed in the excavated trench and compacted therein in layers to construct a dike. After covering the dike with a porous synthetic fabric, rock-filled gabions are then placed on the water-side face and crest of the dike.

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 water-bottom rubbles leveling apparatus which includes a main body frame having a plurality of telescopic legs, a first movable frame mounted on the main body frame for movement in the longitudinal direction thereof, and a second movable frame having a plurality of telescopic legs mounted on the first movable frame for movement in the lateral direction of the main body frame. A carrier is mounted on the main body frame for movement in the longitudinal direction of the main body frame. Mounted to the carrier projecting downwardly therefrom are a rake and a leveling roller both for effecting leveling work.

Abstract: A beach erosion jetty configuration is provided wherein the jetties are curved to stop or prevent a vacuum effect which causes beach erosion. Swift currents running in or out of inlets create a Venturi effect that pulls sand-laden waters from nearby and sometimes distant shorelines, and in accordance with the present invention jetties are provided with curved ends that negate the loss of precious sand. Such curved jetties function as erosion control devices and actually stop and prevent erosion.

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: A portable erosion control device for filtering run-off water. Two substantially vertically disposed side members are arranged substantially orthogonally with respect to two vertically disposed end members. The side members and end members form a box-like framework. The side members include a plurality of openings large enough to permit a flow of water therethrough. Said side members are substantially impervious to the flow of water therethrough. Partition members extend between the end walls of the box-like framework and are spaced with respect to each other to form a plurality of compartments within the box-like framework. Gripping members are positioned on the end members for facilitating the lifting and subsequent positioning of the box-like framework relative to ground level. Filtering material is positioned between the partition members and the side members. The box-like framework includes an open bottom and open top.

Abstract: A revetment protecting coasts and structures thereon against erosion from waves and flowing water. The revetment comprises a plurality of heavy and thick plate bodies (1a-1d) located side by side and directly on the inclined surfaces of the coast. Each plate body comprises at a first pair of opposite ends hinge pins (1', 1") for a flexible securing of the plate body (1d) to the adjacent plate body (1c). Furthermore, the plate body comprises a plurality of substantially vertical water penetration holes (4', 4") as well as two hinge openings (2', 2") located at a second pair of opposite ends of said body. The hinge openings are shaped in such a manner that they beyond penetration of water also may receive pins (1', 1") of the adjacent plate bodies (1a). In this manner a revetment is obtained which is water-permeable, coherent, appropriately heavy and flexible, and which furthermore in an easy manner may be mounted by unskilled persons.

Abstract: Interlocking concrete blocks for controlling erosion of banks of bodies of water are provided with improved wave resistance by providing pairs of spigots on one side of the block and a slot or slots on the other side of the block so as to allow longitudinal movement of courses in a bed formed from the blocks while also allowing relative angular movement of adjacent blocks.

Abstract: This is a wave dissipation caisson made of concrete wherein trapezoidal wing pieces having an appropriate number of holes are fixed in combination to the inside of a box-type frame formed only by angled sections of a framework. The caisson has a permeable structure wherein the waves advancing into the frame are shifted and divided by wing pieces so as for the energy of the waves to be dissipated and is placed on a seabed to be utilized as a revetment and a breakwater.

Abstract: A man-made sand and gravel island for Alaskan oil drilling operations, the sides of the island being covered with a porous fabric anchored in place by a layer of heavy (3-ton) sand bags arranged in an imbricated manner between the high and low water levels on the island.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of and apparatus for stabilizing the surface layer of particulate material which is exposed to the elements with the apparatus consisting of dam members which each include sheet material which is formed into an enclosure which may have a plurality of compartments all of which are open top and bottom and the method includes the steps of locating the dam members on or slightly in the particulate material and placing a suitable liquid stabilizing medium in the dam member or its compartments, and allowing the liquid to permeate the zone of particulate material enclosed by the dam member.

Abstract: A fluid wave energy dissipating and absorbing structure having at least one surface exposed to fluid wave action, said surface comprising an array of alternating three-sided pyramidal protuberances and triangular flat spaces, said protuberances and spaces being alternating in both rows and columns. Erosion caused by fluid wave action may be prevented or mitigated by erecting on a surface subject to such erosion a fluid wave energy dissipating and absorbing structure, and forming on said structure at least one surface exposed to the eroding fluid wave action, said surface comprising an array of alternating three-sided pyramidal protuberances and triangular flat spaces as above described.

Abstract: Method and means for producing an erosion control blanket formed from wood wool fibres retained in a coherent structure with a biodegradable mesh to be secured on a soil surface to ameliorate erosion of that surface and provide a basis for plant regrowth which will subsequently bind the soil surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition and process for grading and immediate stabilization of embankments, for example, in road, levee or canal construction. Use of a mixture of rip rap and loam permits the construction of a steeper embankment than has previously been possible with inexpensive materials and unskilled labor thereby conserving valuable space along the embankment. It also provides for immediate stabilization eliminating erosion during construction. The loam and rip rap may be premixed or, alternatively, the loam may be interjected into preplaced rip rap, for example, in a water slurry. Additional stabilization is provided due to the fact that an embankment made according to this invention will support vegetation and other plant life and ultimately result in an indestructible, interwoven stabilization medium. The planting of vegetation can be varied to suit the climate involved or the particular purpose intended, i.e., wildlife cover and food.

Abstract: A method of making walls which comprises assembling a series of rings in the form of short tubes one above the other. The rings are interlinked one with the other so that a wall is constructed which is capable of resisting overturning forces applied normally to the height of the wall. The rings are arranged so that adjacent rings in a row are closely adjacent to or touch each other and rings in adjacent rows are stretcher bonded so that the contact points between rings in one row and rings in the next row are on any selected ring on radial lines separated by an approximately 60.degree. arc of the face of that ring exposed to view when looking at a retaining wall and the unexposed face of the ring is pressed against soil retained by the retain wall. The cavities within and between the rings may be filled with suitable material such as crushed rock.

Abstract: A fascine capable of conforming to the contours of a supporting surface, comprises a core of loose cylindrical pipes disposed within a surrounding sleeve of similar pipes transversely and continuously inter-connected by flexible ties. Binding straps attached to the sleeve are reeved so as to cause axial pleating of the sleeve when tensioned, thereby to bind the core into rigid cylindrical form. The fascine is transported in bound condition and the binding straps slackened on deployment.

Abstract: The downstream side of earthen dams is provided with relatively non-erodable reticulate reinforcement so that whenever the upstream water level has exceeded dam overtopping level, the reticulately reinforced dam will resist the forces of overtopping water flow and reduce the likelihood of dam breaching and consequent valley floods. Methods of internally reticulately reinforcing existant earthen dams with a plurality of transversely extending concrete check-walls and longitudinally extending embedded concrete spacer-walls are also disclosed.

Abstract: A silt fence is provided which includes an elongated first strip of material which was a relatively uniform porosity and which is fabricated from filaments of relatively small diameter. The first strip is attached to an elongated second strip of material which is fabricated from yarns in a grid pattern, the yarns being of relatively large diameter relative to the filaments of the first strip of material and having from about 2 to 8 yarns per inch in each direction. The composite strip has a Frazier air permeability of from about 100 to 1000 cubic feet per square foot per minute at 1/2 inch of water pressure. The material may be provided with a hem in which is disposed a tensioning member.In use the tensioning member in the hem is attached to posts and the other edge of the material is buried in a trench in the ground.

Abstract: A monolithical revetment made of motor vehicle rubber tires and concrete.