Abstract: A tire clad concrete log and method and apparatus for forming a tire clad concrete log. The method includes the steps of providing a plurality of used tires which are made into a form by placing them in sidewall-to-sidewall contact, providing a quantity of a waste ash which is mixed as a binder in a manner making a concrete material, and filling the form with the concrete material while also maintaining the used tires in sidewall-to-sidewall contact. The tire clad concrete log thus comprises a plurality of used tires disposed in sidewall-to-sidewall contact wherein a concrete material formed at least in part by waste ash is interlockingly disposed within the used tires.

Abstract: A method provides and apparatus for recovering and revegetating shorelines subjected to low to moderate wave energy and other terrains subject to erosion processes. Biodegradable, cardboard sheet material formed with an array of projections and depressions over the entire surface of the material is utilized. A plurality of plant-receiving and letting apertures are formed in the sheet in accordance with predetermined plant density requirements. The sheet material is formed with plant nutrients suspended in it and is further provided with a hydrophobic composition coating for delaying biodegradation. The surface pattern formed on the sheet dissipates wave energy, traps sand and sediment, and prevents plant washout. The sheet material is secured to the surface by a plurality of biodegradable stakes.

Abstract: A Subsurface Dune Protection System making use of a wedge-shaped geotextile container of such size it must be filled with a sand slurry or water in situ. The wedge-shape permits provision of a slope to an upper wave impacting surface for dissipation of wave forces and accretion of sand on a dune surface being protected. The container can be divided into cells so that each cell presents a particular wave impacting surface as the cells increase in height as they progress landward. The cells are formed by walls of impermeable material for filling with water in rapid emergency installations and can later be filled with wet sand as the water is displaced for a permanent installation. The impermeable walls cause the sand to remain wet substantially increasing weight of the container. The substantial length, width and weight of the container provide significant resistance to storm wave forces.

Abstract: A cellular earth confinement material having texturized surfaces in the cells provides improved structural integrity and reduced long-term settlement in single layer and multilayer filled cell structures. The texturized earth confinement structures can be used with a wide variety of fill materials including sand, soil, cement, asphalt and gravel. The optimum texture of the surface varies depending on the size, shape, and type of fill particles, and the density of the fill.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device, especially for stabilizing soil material and other moldable compositions such as uncured concrete or the like, comprising a substantially elongated web sheet mounted on a support which forms a plurality of cells or pockets which can be manufactured from inexpensive raw material, which possibly can easily decompose, and requires a minimum transport volume. The device provides favorable anchoring in the ground which is to be soil stabilized and forms pockets or cells having walls extending vertically independent of the slope angle of the ground for stabilizing the soil even during heavy rain.

Abstract: A flexible revetment mat used to control soil erosion comprised of a plurality of blocks each having a hexagonally shaped grid held firmly together by tongue and cavity coupling means. The tongues and cavities are shaped to allow limited movement of each tongue within its associated cavity. The blocks may be placed into position with or without connecting cables. The shape of the blocks and location of through tunnels allows the use of cables. The blocks are preferably hexangular to resist horizontal hydraulic forces at various directions.

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: A support band (10) may be vertically mounted by piles (11) at the steep surface (3) of a bank before the latter is covered by filling materials (6) consisting substantially of soils appropriate to cultivation, in order to form a grid which covers the surface (3) of the bank. The support band is comprised of a cloth (20) of which the warp and weft yarns (21, 22 respectively) are made of a fibrous material of vegetable origin.

Abstract: A stair-like revetment structure is formed by using sloping blocks. At the rear end of the block main body having an approximately rectangular and a rearwardly sloping flat step are provided rear engagement pods opening like a wedge at the rear of the main body and front engagement pods having an approximately same shape as the rear engagement pods extending adjacent a concave portion at the center bottom of the front of the main body, the concave portion being provided between the front and the rear engagement pods. This results in a low cost simplified sloping block structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device, especially for stabilizing soil material and other moldable compositions such as uncured concrete or the like, comprising a substantially elongated web sheet mounted on a support which forms a plurality of cells or pockets which can be manufactured from inexpensive raw material, which possibly can easily decompose, and which requires a minimum transport volume. The pockets or cells having walls extending vertically independent of the slope of the ground for stabilizing the soil even during heavy rain.

Abstract: A block for a revetment is disclosed. It comprises a square-shaped block member having a slant under-surface, leg members having the same height and provided at four corner portions of the slant under-surface of the block member, a through hole formed at a central portion of an upper-surface of the block member all the way down to the under-surface thereof, a concave groove having a generally half dimension as that of the through hole and formed on both left and right side portions of the block member, a recess formed on both front and rear surface portions at locations spaced apart by 1/4 of the length of the block member from the left and right sides respectively and an iron reinforcing bar buried in the block member and projecting within the recess.

Abstract: A corner block unit for a masonry retaining wall structure, comprising a pair of block members each having an inclined vertical edge portion, the block members having their respective edge portions held in contact with each other to form an inclined vertical edge of the corner block unit and being angularly spaced apart from each other about a vertical axis located at the front end of the corner block unit, rigid joint members rigidly interlocking the block members together and comprising at least one pair of rigid joint members one projecting from the inner surface of one of the block members and the other projecting from the inner surface of the other block member, each of the joint members being formed with an opening, and a bolt and a nut fastening the joint members together through the openings respectively provided in the joint members.

Abstract: A mattress-type gabion for ground stabilization is formed from a base sheet of wire mesh by providing the sheet with folds from spaced apart transverse ribs and having the panels of the folds tied together at transversely spaced locations along each rib. Cuts in the base sheet flanking each rib zone can define other folds which can be tied to the ribs when edge strips of the sheet are folded up, thereby forming stably upwardly open compartments which can be filled with ballast and then closed by a mesh cover.

Abstract: A mat comprising an elastic material which serves as an underlay for a ballast bed of crushed stone, metallic particles, or the like is provided with a plurality of projections on its underside and with an upper layer of a material different from the elastic material. This upper layer on the upper side of the mat advantageously comprises a strong fabric. Particularly the upper layer may comprise a multilayered fabric with inlay layers of elastic material positioned between the individual layers of the multilayer fabric as well as a coverying layer of a softer material on the upper surface of the upper layer of the mat. The fabric of the upper layer of the mat advantageously comprises a water and rot resistant plastic material, such as a polyamide.

Abstract: Erosion control and soil retaining apparatus is disclosed and constitutes a block having a pair of first arms extending generally opposite one another and generally parallel to the first axis and a pair of second arms extending generally parallel to the second axis that is normal to the first axis, with those second arms forming a socket therebetween. An extended soil retention apparatus may be formed by interlocking assembly of a plurality of such blocks.

Abstract: A textile fabric employs a corrugated synthetic flat yarn having a plurality of filaments arranged in side-by-side relationship and being integral with adjacent filaments. The tape is corrugated tape woven or knitted with other yarns in a flat, substantially untwisted attitude. The tape is fabricated without fibrillation but controlled splitting may occur during subsequent fabric sewing or stitching operations. The fabric is particularly suited for use as geotextiles, woven intermediate bulk containers, woven explosive bags, and strapping (webbing).

Abstract: A soil erosion control blanket formed from a mat of interlocking woodwool fibres, the mat of woodwool being retained as a coherent structure by means of longitudinal rows of stitching giving the blanket a quilted appearance.

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: Each disc of a plurality of strings of concrete discs is pinned at opposite edges to a connecting link, a link between adjacent discs to form a chain. Alternate discs in the string lie substantially in the same plane, adjacent discs lying in intersecting planes. The discs stand on edge to prevent substantial erosion of soil from one side of the string to the other.

Abstract: Textile sheets of a cellular structure assure the consolidation of the soil, and at the same time, its improvement by drainage. They are formed by strips of imputrescible textiles, woven or not woven, joined together in such a manner as to form a net of the honeycomb type, which can receive in its cells materials of every kind. These materials contribute in rendering rigid the aforesaid cellular sheets, and to the immobilization of the adjacent soil, in relation to its upper and lower layers, thus also reinforcing the soil with an actual armature. The invention can be utilized in public, maritime or agricultural works, for distribution of loads, for blocking of surfaces and slopes, to prevent the creeping of unstable infrastructures of roads, to drain and strengthen the slopes and create beds.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improvement in constructions having a controllable previous structure and consisting of modular blocks for carrying out breakwaters, harbor dams and the like. Such blocks are premanufactured by casting a standard mix and include two base elements: a male element having a substantially cylindric shape and a wing arranged substantially at half height of the cylindric body provided with an open cavity arranged to embrace the cylindric element of similar blocks; a substantially female element having two open cavities arranged to embrace the cylindric body of the first blocks for carrying out an enchaining of the first type blocks in the entire construction.

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 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: The erosion control system of the present invention typically includes at least first and second primary elements each having at least three sides and a height H. Each primary element includes a truncated conical aperture located in alignment with the midsection of each side and set back into the interior of each primary element. The conical aperture includes a lower diameter d.sub.1 and an upper diameter d.sub.2 less than d.sub.1. A link interconnects the first and second primary elements and includes a height h<H. The link includes first and second truncated conical end sections each having a lower diameter d.sub.3 .ltoreq.d.sub.1 and an upper diameter d.sub.4 .ltoreq.d.sub.2. The conical side surfaces of the end sections are oriented generally parallel to the conical side surfaces of the apertures of the primary elements. A strut is coupled to the first and second end sections of the link to maintain a fixed distance between the end sections.

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: The invention relates to a supporting fabric having a width of at least 30 cm, and preferably more than 2-5 m, and containing warp and weft yarns of a synthetic material, for bearing one or more layers of sand, gravel, stones, clay, loam or similar bulk or other material to a height of at least 10 cm, which height is in actual practice often 5-15 m. The yarns extending in the warp direction of the fabric are formed by straight warp yarns and binder warp yarns, the straight warp yarns each having a higher strength than the binder warp yarns.The invention also comprises a method for building a road embankment, a dike, a dam, or some other structure formed from bulk material, such as, for instance, sand, gravel or stones. In such a structure, one or more layers of supporting fabric are incorporated.

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: According to the invention, the articulated connection of a "diaphragm" to the "base panel" of a gabion is carried out by bending divergent portions of pairs of wires twisted together along common sides of the diaphragm's hexagonal meshes in the marginal row of these meshes which is to be connected to the base panel so as to dispose each of these portions within the hexagon of which it constitutes a side so as to be substantially parallel to that portion of the same wire which extends from the other end of the common side of two adjacent hexagonal meshes which the two wires are twisted together to form; the double-hooked structure which is thus obtained is then anchored to meshes of that part of the base panel intended to form the bottom of the gabion, these meshes being in the same row extending between two parallel edges of the panel itself.

Abstract: An articulated erosion control system provides a flexing articulated mat comprising a plurality of blocks which interlock in a three dimensional fashion allowing a mat formed of the blocks to conform to changes in terrain. In the preferred embodiment there is provided at least one "lock block" (FIG. 1) having a plurality of open ended sockets spaced about the periphery thereof and at least one "key block" (FIG. 2) being connectable during operation to the lock block; the key block providing a plurality of locking arms spaced about and integrally formed with a central portion of the key block. Connection of the lock block and the key block can be achieved by relative vertical movement of the key block towards the lock block when the key block locking arm is superimposed over the open ended socket of the lock block--the connection being completed when a portion of the locking arm occupies at least in part the space within the socket.

Abstract: Matting for hydraulic engineering consisting of a gripper layer of melt-spun filaments fused with each other and having a diameter of 0.2 to 1.5 mm and a filter layer of fine fibers, where a layer of grain rearrangement inhibiting material runs through the hollow spaces of the gripper layer.

Abstract: Erosion control units comprising a retaining wall means, sand-gravel collecting means and breaker means are installed substantially parallel to the bank to withstand the water's forces. The erosion control units protect the bank-hillside from erosion, aid in forming beaches and build up sand-gravel sideways along adjacent neighboring property.

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 method of construction of an artificial reef with individual reef elements manufactured from recycled or new materials. Each reef element is constructed, for example, from used tire casings which are cut in one of several different ways. One type of reef element is constructed by cutting a tire casing longitudinally along its tread area leaving a single small web area at one side short of the tire being completely severed into individual loop segments, or a pair of webs on opposite sides of the tread. Tire casings cut in this way are then fanned open and attached to one of two types of bases. The second and third types of reef elements are constructed from several side walls or half tires, also mounted on one of the two types of bases. Enumerable other reef element configurations are possible by cutting the tire casings in other ways.

Abstract: A breakwater, or similar structure, comprising a core of rubble, and an armouring layer overlying said core, said armouring layer being composed of individual armour units of hexagonal outer cross-section arranged in a honeycomb array, each of said armour units having an elongated, concrete body with longitudinal through water-passage means so that the porosity of the exposed face of the armouring layer is solely determined by the ratio of the cross-sectional area of said water passage means to the cross-sectional area of the concrete body.

Abstract: A matting is disclosed for reinforcing underwater terrains. The matting is made of sections of looped intersecting synthetic polymer filaments bonded to one another at their points of intersection, at least one section being temporarily buoyant in water. The matting disclosed may be towed into position and then submerged.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ground stabilization arrangement a structure for dam embankments and other terrain slopes and the like, consisting of interconnected elements of old automobile tires.

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

Abstract: A method and means are provided for stopping erosion of beach areas and restoring the same by wave and wind activated formation of new dunes, by erecting on the beach area an elongate frame and screen structure of lightweight materials and anchoring said structure to the ground. The frame members are arranged and interconnected to form a plurality of tetrahedral units which, in turn, are assembled so as to present to incoming waves a zigzag-shaped wall composed of screen sections inclined upwards and landwards, whereby to subject the structure to forces tending to press it down towards the ground and thus to retain it in position even before it is buried in accumulating sand masses. The invention includes special means for interconnecting the frame members and for anchoring the structure.

Abstract: An articulated erosion control system provides a flexing articulated mat comprising a plurality of blocks which interlock in a three dimensional fashion allowing a mat formed of the blocks to conform to changes in terrain. In the preferred embodiment there is provided at least one "lock block" (FIG. 1) having a plurality of open ended sockets spaced about the periphery thereof and at least one "key block" (FIG. 2) being connectable during operation to the lock block; the key block providing a plurality of locking arms spaced about and integrally formed with a central portion of the key block. Connection of the lock block and the key block can be achieved by relative vertical movement of the key block towards the lock block when the key block locking arm is superimposed over the open ended socket of the lock block--the connection being completed when a portion of the locking arm occupies at least in part the space within the socket.