Abstract: Disclosed is a crest element in an armor layer assembly of a breakwater. The crest element includes: a central part; two wings extending from the central part in opposing directions along, when placed on a breakwater, the length direction of the breakwater; and a nose extending from the central part in a forward direction transverse to the length direction of the breakwater. The backside of the central part is a vertically oriented, back face facing in a backward direction opposite to the forward direction. The crest element may in particular be used as crest element for armor layers including armor elements of the type having a central part from which: two wings extend in opposing directions, and a tail and nose extend in opposing directions transverse to the direction of extension of the wings. Also disclosed is an armor layer, a breakwater and methods using the crest elements.

Abstract: Stabilized structures and fills are disclosed relating to erosion control that include multiple interlock units and fibers that interact with those interlock units. Combinations of interlock units, fibers, and other optional fill materials may be used to stabilize a vulnerable earthen slope. Various fiber tensions act on the interlock units tending to hold the interlock units together and tending to hold the interlock units in position on the slope.

Abstract: A parabolic trough collector having a supporting construction which is connected in an articulated manner to a substructure carrying the parabolic trough collector. In order to provide a parabolic trough collector which is simply designed, easy to assemble and which, therefore, can also be transported in sections while at the same time ensuring a highly accurate parabola with high rigidity and greater maximum overall length, a complicated supporting construction at the underside of the parabolic trough collector is eliminated, and the static and dynamic forces that occur at the parabolic trough collector are conducted away in an optimal manner.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for disrupting a hurricane are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a plurality of interconnected slabs. The slabs are connected using a series of cables. Cushions placed between the slabs prevent damage to the slabs during use. In practice, the interconnected slabs are towed to a position in the anticipated path of a hurricane. Once the interconnected slabs are positioned at a pre-determined location within the hurricane, they are maneuvered with the hurricane such their position remains generally fixed relative to the hurricane. The slabs form a partial barrier between the ocean and atmosphere thereby interfering with the critical mechanics, namely the rise of warm, moist air, of hurricane formation. The interconnected slabs are maneuvered with the hurricane for extended time periods such that they constantly disrupt the mechanics of hurricane formation.

Abstract: An artificial ground reef has an attached implanting body to allow seaweed to readily attach and inhabit the artificial ground reef. The artificial ground reef has a main body having an upper member and lower member. Seawater flows in all directions through a plurality of through-holes on a lower part of the lower member. A detachment groove is formed on a plurality of locations of the upper face of the main body. An implanting body has a lower part detachably connected to the detachment groove. The implanting body is separated from the main body and connected detachably to the detachment groove of the main body when seaweed is attached and inhabiting the outer periphery. The main body and implanting body are porous concrete to aid with attachment and inhabitation of the seaweed.

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 protective element for a breakwater or wave-retarding construction comprises a body that has at least two opposing projections. The projections are on either side of a flat base and extend transversely thereto. The periphery of the base is non-circular, so that rolling of the protective element under the influence of the beating of the waves is resisted.

Abstract: An erosion protection device is described which is made of two or more components. Each component has an edge, surfaces on respective sides of the edge and at least one joining portion (a joining portion of a component comprises a recess in the edge and receiving portions on respective sides of the edge). Each recess has a base which is indented relative to the edge, and sidewalls which diverge as they extend from the base out to the edge. The receiving portions diverge relative to each other with the same slope as the sidewalls as they extend from adjacent the base of the recess away from the edge towards the respective surfaces. When joining two components together, a bonding medium is applied to the joining portion on one or both components.

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: An erosion protection device is described which is made of two or more components. Each component has an edge, surfaces on respective sides of the edge and at least one joining portion (a joining portion of a component comprises a recess in the edge and receiving portions on respective sides of the edge). Each recess has a base which is indented relative to the edge, and sidewalls which diverge as they extend from the base out to the edge. The receiving portions diverge relative to each other with the same slope as the sidewalls as they extend from adjacent the base of the recess away from the edge towards the respective surfaces. When joining two components together, a bonding medium is applied to the joining portion on one or both components.

Abstract: The invention relates to an armor unit to construct armor layers of mound breakwaters, revetments and groins for shore protection or hydraulic and maritime structures featuring a cubic or parallelepiped shape (2) and having one or more protrusions (1) on its faces to prevent coupling between the different armor units and to increase interlocking with the underlayer (3) of the armor layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an embankment block. There are provided a base frame 30 having a center with a through hole, and a plurality of connection members 32 that are downwardly extended from an outer surface of a rim of the base frame 30 wherein a front end of the same has an outwardly bent connection part 38. A plurality of through holes 34 are formed in a rim of the base frame 30 wherein said through holes 34 vertically pass through by the partition plate 36. The connection member 32 is widened in an outer direction of the rim of the base frame 30 and is slanted at a certain slope.

Abstract: A protective element for a breakwater or wave-retarding construction comprises a body that has at least two opposing projections. The projections are on either side of a flat base and extend transversely thereto. The periphery of the base is non-circular, so that rolling of the protective element under the influence of the beating of the waves is resisted.

Abstract: A three-dimensional multi-pod windblown particle control device is used to control the deposition, accumulation and retention of windblown particles. The multi-pod device is formed by connecting beams to create legs which intersect one another at a crossing area. The ends of some of the legs contact the earth surface to support the device while the ends of the other legs extend in three dimensions to interact with the wind. The device may be formed by substantially identical X-shaped frame structures which intersect and connect with one another. The optimal spacing for using the devices in an array is within a range of approximately 0.5–1.5 of a transverse dimension across the surface area occupied by each particle control device.

Abstract: A variety of types of wood matter may be used as a starter material. The starter material is processed into wood pieces in the range of about twenty mesh to six inches to form a base product. The base product is installed in windrows along the beach. A fence may be installed between the windrow(s) and the water.

Abstract: A modular unit intended for use as an artificial reef, marine habitat and/or sea wall which can be placed in stacked structures along the floor of an ocean, bay, or other body of water comprises a top wall, bottom wall, opposed side walls and opposed end walls which are interconnected to form a hollow interior. Each of the walls is formed with one or more openings whose position and size is designed to allow access of marine life into the interior of the units, permit the passage of sunlight therein, direct the flow of sea water into and through the units in a way which increases stability of the units when placed on the ocean floor, and permit alignment of the holes of one unit with those of another when stacked together.

Abstract: A frame structure for use as a portable dam. Each frame structure is comprised of a support beam, a base beam and at least one brace beam connected together in pivoting relationship so that the beams may be folded down together for quick assembly and disassembly. The collapsed beams are configured to lie parallel to each other in a folded arrangement to permit efficiency in stacking multiple units together for storage and transportation. The erected frame structures are connected to each other and held in a spaced relationship through the use of couplers that are adapted to slide over the ends of the beams forming the frame structures. The individual frame structures may be erected in place in the water, or a section comprising several connected frame structures may be pre-fabricated and lifted and placed as a unit in the water. A stiffener member is affixed to adjacent frame structures to hold them together in rigid relationship.

Abstract: A wave dissipating concrete block for covering an inclined surface facing seaside on a breakwater for the purpose of dissipating waves. The concrete block of the present invention includes a cylindrical body, tapered lump legs projecting from the cylindrical body and branch legs cylindrically projected through a circular base disposed on the cylindrical body. Projections are disposed on the branch legs and extend parallel or perpendicular to the cylindrical body.

Abstract: A variety of types of wood matter may be used as a starter material. The starter material is processed into wood pieces in the range of about twenty mesh to six inches to form a base product. The base product is installed in windrows along the beach. A fence may be installed between the windrow(s) and the water.

Abstract: An artificial root system for gabions to control soil erosion has an anchor which has a nose cone threadable onto a threaded rod and deployable stainless steel blades. On deployment of one or more anchors on each of a series of rods, connectors are attached to the rods. These connectors have four couplers to receive the ends of threaded rods or bars, and a central coupler to receive one (passing through) or two (meeting) threaded rods or bars. Threaded cross bars or rods are attached to the connectors to form a framework to support geotextiles attached to the cross bars or rods to form a gabion, or gabion array. The gabions are then filled with suitable material, to repair, or replace eroded shoreline, river frontage, lake frontage, etc.

Abstract: This invention relates to a middle armor block for a coastal structure and a method of placement of its block with a hydraulic stability of a slope surface and an economical construction cost. The middle armor block of the half-loc comprises a body forming an octagon column with a rectangle side and a perforated hole at the center, a leg integrally formed and attached to alternatively each side of the body and a protruding foot at a lower portion of the leg and each corner of the leg and the foot is chamfered. For a placement type of the blocks, the middle armor block of the half-loc are tilted with a certain angle and each side portion of the leg of the block is contacted to the other side portion of the leg of neighbor block all around directions in series.

Abstract: Porous groynes for land reclamation which includes a plurality of spaced stanchions and at least one screen grid means having a plurality of openings therein through which fluid and fluid conveyed solids may pass and wherein the screen grid means is formed of a self supporting high density polyethylene, polypropylene, polymers, co-polymers, polymer mixtures or laminates.

Abstract: The artificial reef module for coral reef remediation of the present invention includes a central body having an upper settling plate, a middle settling plate, and a lower settling plate. Extending from the central body is a plurality of primary tines which further include a plurality of secondary tines extending from them. The primary tines include the supporting tines, the stabilizing tines, and the space filling tines. The branching of the tines closely replicates the appearance of natural branching coral. Over time the individual artificial reef modules for coral reef remediation would slowly degrade and allow the tines to break off. This degradation closely approximates the fragmentation that occurs with natural branching coral.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wave dissipating concrete block for covering a an inclined surface facing seaside on a breakwater for the purpose of dissipating waves securely and effectively. The concrete block of the present invention includes a cylindrical body, tapered lump legs projecting from the cylindrical body and branch legs cylindrically projected through a circular base disposed on the cylindrical body and having projections disposed thereon parallel to the cylindrical body.

Abstract: An engineered wood structure is shown that can be placed in an aquatic or other environment. It is particularly useful in environmental enhancement efforts as a resting place for various avian and aquatic species. The structure is preferably made from small logs. A number of logs are placed side-by-side to form a deck surface. A single log is spaced apart from and generally centered below the deck logs. A pair of spaced apart struts depend from the lower surface of each deck log and are connected into the keel log to form a unitary structure.

Abstract: An engineered wood structure is shown that can be placed in an aquatic or other environment. It is particularly useful in environmental enhancement efforts as a resting place for various avian and aquatic species. The structure is preferably made from small logs. A number of logs are placed side-by-side to form a deck surface. A single log is spaced apart from and generally centered below the deck logs. A pair of spaced apart struts depend from the lower surface of each deck log and are connected into the keel log to form a unitary structure.

Abstract: In an underwater truss structure including a large number of mutually nonparallel rods 11 provided with brims 32′, the shape of the brims 32′ is made a polygonal shape that enables gaps 33, 34 between adjacent brims to be adjusted between touching and a desired size. This enables shield factor to be markedly improved to effectively achieve diverse interference control and to be made freely adjustable.

Abstract: The improved revetment system is created using a plurality of substantially identical blocks which comprise a body having at least one channel therein leading to a slot and at least one arm extending outwardly of the body and terminating in a locking ear. The ear engages in a slot of an adjacent block and is of less depth than the slot, with the arm being of a length at least equal to and preferably greater than that of the channel, the slot including a removable spacer tab therein which abuts a terminal edge of the ear to keep the blocks spaced apart and an area of the block defined by the arm and ear having an arcuately downwardly sloped top surface with a terminal edge of the ear defining a lowermost position along the arcuate surface.

Abstract: An equilateral tetrahedral frame, comprising six concrete beams inserted through the center of a number of automotive tires. The ends of the concrete beams are fastened together at four points. These four points are covered by a cap of concrete to seal the fastening points. The reef device may be of any size. The design permits ease of transport due to its ability to stack one upon another uniqueness of this reef is in the design. Once the reef is transported to its desired location, it can lowered or dropped to the sea floor.

Abstract: The formation of artificial reef modules which are primarily cast from concrete. Optionally, tire chips may be added to the concrete is disclosed. Most desirably, the concrete is "waste" concrete obtained from ready mix trucks which have a portion of their load to discharge at the termination of any given job. When tire chips are employed they, of course, are a product of salvaging automobile tires whether for crumb rubber, or otherwise. The modules are formed in an open mold which resembles various geometric solid shapes. Desirably the sides are roughened to have a washboard corrugated type configuration to cause undulations in the module itself which has been demonstrated to be further means of attracting marine life. A related aspect of the present invention looks to the provision of lifting means on each such module to permit the same, with relatively crude equipment, to be moved about in a factory site, onto trucks, onto barges, and off the barge to its ultimate resting place at the bottom of the sea.

Abstract: The invention is an engineered wood structure especially well suited to act as large woody debris in stream and lake rehabilitation projects. It is made using a number of small logs, typically about six to ten, assembled into a cylindrical or frustroconical structure. Normally, spaced apart opposing log pairs are joined by spars mortised into them at each end. Adjacent logs may additionally be doweled together at their ends. The spars are sufficiently displaced longitudinally so that they do not interfere spatially with each other although they may be in contact. Radial protrusions may be placed at one end or along the structure to simulate the root wad or limbs of a fallen tree and to provide anchoring when the structure is in place. A central cavity may be filled with rocks to reduce buoyancy and provide further anchoring. The structure can be field assembled in any location using only hand tools.

Abstract: An armor unit for protecting coastal, river, lake, and reservoir banks, shorelines, and other structures from the damaging hydrodynamic forces of waves and water currents. The armor unit has a central elongate member having a longitudinal axis and first and second outer elongate members connected with the central elongate member on opposite sides thereof. The first and second outer elongate members have parallel longitudinal axes extending normal to the longitudinal axis of the central elongate member. The elongate members may each have an octagonal cross section decreasing from an intermediate portion toward the opposite ends. When a plurality of units are interlocked to define a protective array, a high degree of wedging is afforded between the octagonal members.

Abstract: The artificial reef of the present invention is constructed from a plurality of structural units each of which is a tetrahedron-shaped sandbag, which are arranged in a talus pile. The reefs are formed by dropping the structural units in the desired locations. The tetrahedron-shape of the structural units provides a self-interlocking structure which can be placed en mass on the sea floor without individual alignment of each bag. The geometry of the reef structure is a sloped bar, a parallel bar, or a V-shaped bar, or combinations thereof. The parallel bars, which run parallel to the shoreline, trap standing waves between the bars to reinforce the incoming waves with a maximum energy focused where the rays of trapped waves cross the wave rays of the incoming swell. A multiple V-shaped bar configuration, with the apex of the V pointing diagonal to the incoming waves creates Bragg reflection patterns which cause crossing wave rays to form local concentrations of wave energy.

Abstract: The present invention describes a cylindrical armor unit for use in a revent structure, herein referred to as Vatia Stone. These units are shaped for: i) optimal strength, positional stability and durability; ii) interlocking along all major axes; iii) flexible interlocking capability with each other for abrupt transitions in shorelines; and iv) natural aesthetic qualities. These qualities in combination provide a significant improvement over existing structures. The Vatia Stones are uniformly placed over an erosion controlled shoreline surface and have an optimal interlocking capability between individual units for maximum stabilization. Each unit has an upper and lower surface which can be shaped geometrically to fit the natural surroundings, e.g. look like natural stone as one example.

Abstract: A concrete armor or erosion prevention module for the protection of river, lake, and reservoir banks, shorelines and other structures is characterized by a central elongate concrete member and two outer elongate concrete members connected on opposites sides of the central member. The outer members have parallel longitudinal axes extending normal to the longitudinal axis of the central member. These elongate members all have an octagonal cross-section and are further configured such that their cross-sectional area decreases from an intermediate portion towards opposite ends thereof. A plurality of the modules may be interlocked to form a cohesive array or barrier which protects shorelines and other structure from erosive hydrodynamic forces.

Abstract: An underwater truss structure is formed by continuously linking a plurality of unit structures. Each of the unit structures is formed by assembling a plurality of shafts and ball members so as to form a triangle with the ball members respectively positioned at the vertexes of the triangle to connect the shafts at their ends. The shaft includes a compression-resistant tubular member and a tension-resistant tension rod extending inside the tubular member in the axial direction thereof. The tubular member is divided into a plurality of tubular pieces in the longitudinal direction thereof so that they are movable relative to each other in the longitudinal direction of the tubular member and the overall length of the tubular member can be varied by moving the tubular pieces relative to each other in the longitudinal direction of the tubular member. The tension rod is divided into a plurality of rod pieces in the longitudinal direction thereof and the rod pieces are respectively connected to said tubular pieces.

Abstract: A method for forming an oyster reef, includes setting seed oysters on cultch material, placing the cultch material containing the seed oysters in water permeable panels to form a vertical permeable wall of cultch material through which water may flow, and placing the panels in water having favorable conditions for oyster growth. The apparatus includes water permeable panels for holding cultch material in a vertical permeable wall to expose the entire column or wall of cultch to water having favorable conditions for oyster growth, and blocks formed from the panels.

Abstract: An essentially equilateral tetrahedron having essentially four equilateral sides, each of which, in turn, an equilateral triangle is disclosed. The reef module may be any size, but for practical purposes in excess of one foot on an edge, and not necessarily exceeding six feet on an edge by a significant amount. The medium primarily employed to hold the implanted tire chips in place is cement, or its equivalent. Desirably a hydraulic cement is employed because of its high strength capability as well as durability. A related aspect of the present invention looks to the provision of lifting means on each such equilateral tetrahedron to permit the same, with relatively crude equipment, to be moved about in a factory sight, on to trucks, on to barges, and off barge to its ultimate resting place at the bottom of the sea. In connection with the method of forming the modules, an open-ended three sided mold is formed in the shape of a tetrahedron with the open end up.

Abstract: An erosion protection device is provided to control erosion in environments prone to water induced erosion. Each individual device includes a central core area, and six generally equally sized legs projecting outward from the core at equal spacing in each direction. Spacers are provided at the interface of the legs and core. Multiple devices are group together to form a protective nested group to form a protective cover.

Abstract: An erosion protection unit (7), comprising a tetrahedral frame comprising six outer elongate members (9) arranged in the outline of a tetrahedron, and a triaxial central strut arrangement (11) comprising three struts (13, 15, 17) arranged mutually perpendicular to one another and passing through the geometric center of the tetrahedron, such that each outer member is braced by a strut passing from its center to the center of a second opposite outer member.

Abstract: A modular breakwater device for placement on the floor in a body of water to alleviate erosion effects. There is a seaward face surface and a landward face surface. A plurality of passages extend between those surfaces permitting water to pass through them. The body has a continuous, uninterrupted lower surface. A number of legs extend from the lower surface and raise it off the floor and define a second passage beneath the lower surface and enables stable footing of the device on the beach floor. Details of the legs, the undersurface and the shaping of the seaward and landward surfaces appear.

Abstract: A multi-conic shell and a process of creating multi-conic shells from flat materials which are bent and thereby forced into the configuration of continuous regions from oppositely oriented, tangential cones to create variably configured building structures and variably configured lightweight structural panels. The process of creating multi-conic shells from connecting cone segments corresponding to a theoretical array of regular (opening downward) and inverted (opening upward) cones provides an unlimited number of variations for the design of building structures and the design of structural panels. Such multi-conic structures achieve excellent strength to weight ratios by distributing loads into tension and corresponding tetrahedron structures which propogate throughout the shell.

Abstract: Erosion control apparatus for controlling erosion of a seashore comprising a plurality of interconnected, symmetrical lakeshore protection members. Each lakeshore protection members includes three equiangularly disposed, generally planar panels, each having one lateral edge portion integrally coupled to a hub. The lake shore protection member comprises hardened cast material having a unique reinforcing system embedded therein.

Abstract: Concrete structures consist of fabric containers which are filled with concrete through an opening in the top thereof while the top of the container is suspended from a portable support frame placed over the container. The support frame supports the container in an open and upward position with the bottom wall of the container resting on the ground while concrete is pumped or chuted into the container through the top opening.

Abstract: A construction element for forming breakwaters. The element includes a massive inner core that is trapezoidal in configuration with the longest base of the trapezoid disposed downwardly. The inner core is supported by four legs. The legs extend above the upper surface, below the lower surface and beyond the outer periphery of the inner core so that the core will be spaced apart from any surface on which it rests, regardless of which face of the construction element is disposed downwardly. The longitudinal cross section of the legs is also trapezoidal with the longest base downward so as to enhance stability. Construction elements may be arranged in either patterned or random array to form breakwaters.

Abstract: A seawall barrier comprising a relatively massive elongate wire cable reinforced concrete structure with a shank and diverging feet that has reinforcing cables embedded in the structure barrier and being threaded through a reinforcing member at the feet portion of the structure.

Abstract: A barrier block for defences protecting coastal and riverside structures, aracterized in that it is constituted by a central core (1) of substantially cubic shape having firstly top and bottom faces (12) provided with respective top and bottom anvil-shaped legs (2), the anvil-shaped legs having respective top and bottom surfaces (20) disposed parallel to one another and to said top and bottom faces of the core, the anvil-shaped legs further including inclined flats (22) stemming from opposite unhidden side faces (11) of the core; the core having secondly opposite front and back faces (13) provided with respective front and back legs (3) in the form of four-sided truncated pyramid, one pair (31) of opposite sides of the pyramid-shaped legs stemming from the sides (21) of the anvil-shaped legs and the other pair of opposite sides (32) having their bases at least partially in common with one edge of the adjoining un-hidden side faces of the core.

Abstract: An improved revetment construction is provided. Each individual revetment unit has a base section and legs extending from its corners, the legs and base sections are so constructed and arranged that the individual units when placed in array interlock with each other, yet permit water inflow and outflow. The interlocking action is provided even though the individual units are not contacting each other. A variety of arrangements may be provided on the base section to control wave action. The units may also be inverted to further provide wave control action.

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.