Method for erosion and torrent control and shore protection works and structure for erosion and torrent control and shore protection

CA 02401992 2002-09-03 ~ 1 DESCRIPTION METHOD FOR EROSION AND TORRENT CONTROL AND SHORE PROTECTION WORKS AND STRUCTURE FOR EROSION AND TORRENT CONTROL AND SHORE PROTECTION Field of the Invention This invention relates to a method and a structure for easily and effectively performing erosion and torrent control and shore protection works for a torrent located between mountains , a river, and the like, without damaging the natural environment.

Description of the Prior Art The bed of a torrent, stream, or river (hereinafter called a "torrent bed") is always eroded by sand and stones that are carried down by the stream.

Especially, in case of a flood, a rapid and powerful avalanche of sand and stones is generated, and it greatly erodes the torrent bed.

If no control strategy is taken for such erosions, the base of the shore of a torrent, a riverbank, or an embankment (hereinafter just called a "shore" ) is deeply excised, as well as the torrent bed being excised.

This causes the shore to collapse and hence causes a large amount of earth, sand, and the like to be deposited on the torrent bed.

This further increases the risk of the generation of an avalanche of sand and stones.

Conventionally, to prevent the shore and bed of a torrent from collapsing due to such an avalanche of sand and stones, torrent works such as debris barrier works , consolidation works , shore protection works , or the like have been carried out in a river basin.

Debris barrier ( dam ) works , which have been most widely constructed from olden times, are to provide a series of dams, CA 02401992 2002-09-03 2 fences, or the like at proper intervals on a torrent bed transversely of a torrent to cause earth, sand, and gravels to be deposited upstream of the series of dams, etc., and to raise and consolidate the torrent bed to weaken the power of the water flow and any avalanche of sand and stones.

Consolidation works are to solidify a torrent bed by using gravels or concrete .

Shore protection works are to cover the sidewall of the shore by concrete or the like.

By performing these works the bed and shore of a torrent have been protected from erosion .

However, a torrent bed extends over a long distance in its river basin, and it becomes broader as it goes downstream.

Therefore, if the conventional methods are used to solidify a torrent bed to weaken the power of the water flow, many large-scale dams must be constructed, and the sidewall of the shore must be covered with concrete.

This is a problem since it requires a huge number of works and huge costs.

This invention was conceived to solve that problem.

It aims to provide a method of construction works for preventing the bed and shore of a torrent from being eroded by using steel cables and steel nets, without requiring a huge number of works or huge costs .

Since a net has less resistance against a water flow and the like that flow down, but it has great resistance against any force that tends to push it up, it is extremely effective to resolve the problem.

Summary of the Invention To resolve the problem discussed above, one aspect of the present invention is a method for erosion and torrent control works to prevent a torrent bed from being eroded, comprising the steps of fixing at least two longitudinal cables directly or indirectly to lodgments ( fixing points or places ) ;

CA 02401992 2002-09-03 3 connecting the longitudinal cables by at least two lateral cables at proper intervals; and providing at least two nets, the number of nets corresponding to the number of lateral cables , and mooring the at least two nets by the longitudinal cables and the lateral cables, or by the longitudinal cables and mooring cables that are connected to the longitudinal cables so that the nets are arranged at proper intervals in the direction of a water flow, and so that the nets face the water flow.

The lodgments may be trees, rocks, or artificial structures.

The step of fixing the longitudinal cables indirectly to the lodgments may include the steps of connecting two lodgments by an auxiliary cable and connecting the longitudinal cables to the auxiliary cable.

Further, the method of the present invention for erosion and torrent control works may include a step of connecting fence members to the nets and/or the longitudinal and lateral cables .

Each fence member may be a series of concrete blocks connected by elongated concertina wires filled with stones.

Another aspect of the present invention is a method for shore protection works to protect a shore, a riverbank, an embankment, etc., from erosion, comprising the steps of providing at least two lodgments along the shore, riverbank, or embankment of a torrent, or outside thereof; providing a net so that the net extends in the direction of the water flow of the torrent and connecting an upper side of the net to the lodgments so that the net hangs down on the surface of the shore, riverbank, or embankment; and fixing a lower side of the net to a second lodgment that is provided on a torrent bed.

The first lodgments may be artificial structures or trees , and the second lodgment may be an artificial structure or a CA 02401992 2002-09-03 . ~ 4 rock.

The method of the present invention for shore protection works may further include the steps of connecting at least two longitudinal cables directly or indirectly to third lodgments and mooring the net by the longitudinal cables and mooring cables that are connected to the longitudinal cables.

The third lodgments may be trees , rocks , or artificial structures .

A further aspect of the present invention is a method for erosion and torrent control and shore protection works to prevent the bed and shore of a torrent from being eroded, comprising the steps of fixing at least two longitudinal cables directly or indirectly to first lodgments; providing at least two nets so that the nets are arranged at proper intervals in the direction of the water flow of a torrent and mooring the nets by the longitudinal cables and mooring cables that are connected to the longitudinal cables so that the nets face the water flow; providing at least two second secured lodgments along the torrent shore or outside thereof; fixing the upper sides of the nets to the second lodgments so that the nets hang down on the surface of the torrent shore; and connecting lower sides of the nets to a third lodgment that is provided on the torrent bed or to one of the longitudinal cables.

The method for erosion and torrent control and shore protection works may include a step of providing an auxiliary member to be moored between the second lodgments and the third lodgment or one of the longitudinal cables before the step of fixing the upper sides of the nets to the second lodgments.

The auxiliary mooring member may be a cover in the form of a bar blind, or a grating, using bars of wood, concrete, or plastic, or may be a sheet of cloth.

The first lodgments may be trees , rocks , or artificial structures; the second lodgments may be artificial structures CA 02401992 2005-08-03 66757-88 or trees; and the third lodgment may be an artificial structure or a rock.

A further aspect of the invention is a method for controlling a torrent and preventing a torrent bed from being 5 eroded, comprising: fixing at least two longitudinal cables to at least one lodgment; connecting the longitudinal cables by at least two lateral cables at proper intervals; providing at least two nets, the number of nets corresponding to the number of lateral cables; and mooring the at least two nets by the longitudinal cables and the lateral cables such that (i) the nets are arranged at the proper intervals in a direction of a water flow of the torrent and (ii) each net is placed on the torrent bed so that meshes of the net engage with gravel on the torrent bed and gravel that comes down from upstream regions onto the net.

A still further aspect of the invention is a method for controlling a torrent and preventing a torrent bed from being eroded, comprising: fixing at least two longitudinal cables to at least one lodgment; providing at least two nets; and mooring the nets by the longitudinal cables and mooring cables connected to the longitudinal cables so that (i) the nets are arranged at the proper intervals in a direction of a water flow of the torrent and (ii) each net is placed on the torrent bed so that meshes of the net engage with gravel on the torrent bed and gravel that comes down from upstream regions onto the net.

A yet further aspect of the invention is a structure for controlling a torrent and preventing a torrent bed from being eroded, comprising: at least one lodgment; at least two longitudinal cables connected to the at least one lodgment; at least one lateral cable connecting the longitudinal cables at proper intervals; and at least one CA 02401992 2005-08-03 66757-88 5a net, the number of nets corresponding to the number of lateral cables, moored by the longitudinal cables and the lateral cable such that (i) the at least one net is arranged at proper intervals in a direction of a water flow of the torrent and (ii) that the at least one net is placed on the torrent bed so that meshes of the net engage with gravel on the torrent bed and gravel that comes down from upstream regions onto the net.

Another aspect of the invention is a structure for controlling a torrent and preventing a torrent bed from being eroded, comprising: at least one lodgment; at least two longitudinal cables connected to the at least one lodgment;

at least one net; and mooring cables for connecting the at least one net to the longitudinal cables so that (i) the at least one net is arranged at proper intervals in a direction of a water flow of the torrent and (ii) the at least one net is placed on the torrent bed so that meshes of the net engage with gravel on the torrent bed and gravel that comes down from upstream regions onto the net.

Still another aspect of the invention is a method for controlling a torrent and preventing a torrent bed and shore from erosion, comprising: fixing at least two longitudinal cables to at least one first lodgment; mooring at least two first nets by the longitudinal cables and mooring cables connected to the longitudinal cables so that (i) the first nets are arranged at proper intervals in the direction of a water flow of the torrent and (ii) each first net is placed on the torrent bed so that meshes of the net engage with gravel on the torrent bed and gravel that comes down from upstream regions onto the net; providing at least two stable second lodgments alongside the torrent;

connecting at least two second nets at upper sides thereof to the second lodgments so that the second nets hang on a CA 02401992 2005-08-03 66757-88 5b surface of the shore; and connecting the second nets at lower sides thereof to a third lodgment fixed to at least one of the shore, the torrent bed, and any one of the longitudinal cables.

Yet another aspect of the invention is a structure for controlling a torrent and preventing a torrent bed and shore from being eroded, comprising: at least one first lodgment; at least two longitudinal cables connected to the at least one first lodgment; at least one first net moored by the longitudinal cables and mooring cables connected to the longitudinal cables so that (i) the at least one first net is arranged at proper intervals in the direction of a water flow of the torrent and (ii) the at least one first net is placed on the torrent bed so that meshes of the net engage with gravel on the torrent bed and gravel that comes down from upstream regions onto the net; at least two stable second lodgments provided alongside the torrent; at least one second net connected at upper sides thereof to the second lodgments so that the at least one second net hangs on a surface of the shore; and a third lodgment fixed to at least one of the shore, the torrent bed, and any one of the longitudinal cables for fixing a lower side of the at least one second net.

CA 02401992 2005-08-03 66757-88 5c According to the present invention, since mooring members that are made of steel nets are used for a torrent bed and/or shore, etc., for erosion and torrent control and/or shore protection, they can protect the torrent bed and shore, etc. , without requiring a huge number of works or huge costs.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a schematic view of the first embodiment of the present invention, i.e., a structure for erosion and torrent control works.

,Figure 2 is a schematic view of the second embodiment of the present invention, i.e., a structure for erosion and torrent control works.

Figure 3 is a schematic view of the third embodiment of the present invention, i.e. , a structure for shore protection works.

Figure 4 is a schematic view of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, i.e., a structure for shore protection works.

Figure 5 is a schematic view of the fifth embodiment of the present invention, i.e., a structure for erosion and torrent control and shore protection works.

Figure 6 is a schematic view of the sixth embodiment of the present invention, i.e., a structure for erosion and torrent control and shore protection works Preferred Embodiments of the Invention The preferred embodiments of the present invention are now explained by reference to the accompanying drawings .

In the embodiments , steel cables and steel nets , etc . ( nets , etc . , CA 02401992 2002-09-03 made of steel or iron wire, hereinafter called "nets" ) are used for easily and effectively protecting a torrent bed from erosion.

In Figures 1 and 2 the first embodiment of the present invention, i.e., a construction method and structure for erosion and torrent control works, is explained.

Figure 1 is a schematic view of the structure of the first embodiment, showing the construction method and structure for erosion and torrent control works .

Figure 1 shows a plurality of longitudinal cables 1, two lodgments (trees in this embodiment ) 2 , two members 3 to be moored, an auxiliary cable 4, and two lateral cables 5.

The longitudinal cables 1 are connected to the auxiliary cable 4, which is secured to the lodgments 2 located at the opposing riverbanks or shores.

Thus the longitudinal cables 1 are fixed to the lodgments 2 through the auxiliary cable 4.

Each member 3 to be moored is a net, which is the characteristic part of the present invention, and which is connected, for covering the torrent bed, to the longitudinal cables 1 ( three cables in the embodiment) and one lateral cable 5.

In the present invention the material of the longitudinal cables 1, auxiliary cable 4 , lateral cable 5 , and the members 3 to be moored is not limited to a special one and may be any one that has the desired strength, and that is durable, especially against water.

For example, the longitudinal cables 1, the auxiliary cable 4, and the lateral cable 5 may be steel cables , and the nets may be steel nets .

Steel cables and nets that are available from commercial markets have enough strength to moor the nets by the cables if the nets are properly moored, so that the cables are not cut by any natural forces, or so that the moored members are not shifted by a large amount by the natural forces, to allow a large number of stones CA 02401992 2005-08-03 66757-88 7 deposited in the members to flow down.

The cables may be selected from those specified by Japanese Industrial Standard No. G 3525, 1998 Edition, established by the Government of Japan, etc., which have various fracture strengths depending on their surfaces, whether the surfaces are treated or untreated, and their method of being twisted and their diameter.

Accordingly, the cables may be selected by considering various conditions such as the size of the sand, gravels and stones in the site where the structure of the present invention is to be installed, the speed of the water flow of a torrent, etc.

Trees, or rocks that are completely fixed or immovable, or artificial structure such as concrete blocks may be used as the lodgments 2.

In this embodiment trees are used as the lodgments 2.

The trees, which act as the lodgments, need not be large ones, but they must be ones that have roots extending widely to some degree.

If it is doubted whether two trees (like in this embodiment) have enough strength to support the structure of the invention, the auxiliary cable 4 may be connected to more than two trees.

This strategy can be applied to the other embodiments explained below.

Especially, trees can be effectively used as the lodgments 2 in erosion and torrent control and shore protection works for a torrent.

The auxiliary cable 4 can be secured to the lodgments 2 in any known manner, such as by encircling trees, by tying it to trees, and by using fixing hardware.

Known clamps or the like can be used to easily connect the longitudinal cables 1 and the auxiliary cable 4.

Further, the members 3 to be moored can be moored by the longitudinal CA 02401992 2005-08-03 66757-88 7a cables 1 by using any known method.

In conclusion, any method can be used if the desirable strength of cables is utilized and if the members to be moored and the sand and stones in the torrent bed do not flow down.

Generally, sand flows out from a torrent bed, and there CA 02401992 2002-09-03 many large and small hard gravels are deposited.

In this embodiment the torrent bed is covered with some nets, which are moored members 3, to stop the gravels from flowing down, to thereby form the natural and stable torrent bed, while longitudinal cables 1 that are connected to stable lodgments are disposed inside and outside the torrent and connected t~ each other by lateral cables 5 to moor and fix the nets by the longitudinal and lateral cables 1, 5.

Although the size and shape of the gravels, sand, and stone, which are caught in the nets, are various and not uniform, almost all of the gravels, etc., will engage the mesh of the nets if the size of the mesh is properly selected.

Accordingly, the flow down of gravels, etc. , is greatly confined as a whole.

Further, once the nets are installed, other gravels that flow down from upstream are deposited on the nets .

Thus the gravels , etc., that are covered by the nets are further fixed in the torrent bed, thereby forming a stable torrent bed.

If a more stable torrent bed is required to be formed, two or three nets of the structure may be superimposed.

In that case, the number of trees as lodgments must be increased.

According to the embodiment, the structure explained' above prevents the gravels deposited in the torrent bed from flowing down, thereby making the torrent bed stable and preventing it from being eroded.

If lesser number of gravels exist in the torrent bed where the nets are installed than the required number, rocks or timbers, etc., may be artificially placed there.

Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the second embodiment of the present invention, for explaining a method and structure for erosion and torrent control works for a torrent or a river.

This second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the lodgments 2 are located on one side of a mountain, CA 02401992 2002-09-03 9 and in that fence members 6 are used, instead of the auxiliary cable 4, to moor the members 3 to be moored by longitudinal cables 1.

In Fig. 2 the longitudinal cables 1 and lateral cables 5 that are connected to the longitudinal cables 1 at proper intervals moor the members (nets) 3.

The longitudinal cables 1, which moor the members 3, are connected to the lodgments located on one side of a mountain beside which the torrent or river extends.

The longitudinal cables may extend beyond the lodgments, which are located at the mountainside, and beyond the top of the mountain so that they may be also fixed to one optional lodgment or lodgments that are located on the opposite side (not shown) of the mountain.

The size, location, material, etc., of artificial structures available as the lodgments 2 may be selected on a case-by-case basis .

Since there may be a case where there is no suitable tree or there is an insufficient number of trees available as lodgments 2, because of a steep gorge where just an insufficient number of trees exist at the lodging place, installing lodgments 2 such as cubic or cylindrical concrete blocks or the like is recommended.

If it is considered that just the nets that are used in the first embodiment are insufficient to prevent the gravels in the nets from flowing down due to the rapid water flow of the torrent, heavy fence members 6 may be provided on the upper surfaces or under the lower surfaces of the nets , perpendicularly to the flow of the torrent .

Each fence member 6 may be a series of concrete blocks jointed by elongated concertina wires filled with stones, and it may be moored by the nets and/or the longitudinal and lateral cables 1, 4 to more effectively prevent the gravels from flowing down.

If just one fence member 6 is provided, many gravels would CA 02401992 2005-08-03 66757-88 lodge at it and an excessive load would be applied to one or more longitudinal cables.

To prevent this problem, installing a plurality of fence members 6 at proper intervals along the torrent and mooring them to the nets or the longitudinal cables 5 is desirable.

According to the first and second embodiments of the present invention, a broad torrent bed is consolidated entirely or partly.

It is considered that performing the works of the embodiments would not produce environmental 10 despoliation.

Further, since after the torrent bed is covered with the nets almost the entire natural convex and concave shape produced by the gravels may be maintained, such a torrent bed is also effective to weaken the power of the stream of the torrent.

Further, according to the present invention, a torrent bed located just downstream of dams, fences, or the like is easily prevented from being eroded by the water pressure of a stream that falls rapidly (i.e., preventing an °erosion phenomena").

A ridge of a mountain, trees, an artificial structure, and dams may be used for providing stable lodgments that can support the great tension applied to the longitudinal cables 1 in the same way as the debris barrier, etc. , which use cables, disclosed in one prior-art publication (W098/17869).

If just one member 3 to be moored is used, it must be long one .

Thus it is desirable to use two or more members and to dispose them in the direction from upstream to downstream.

The members 3 to be moored may be connected to each other by tie cables ( not shown ) .

In that case , stones , etc . may flow CA 02401992 2002-09-03 11 between the members.

However, the force that acts on the members is distributed.

Thus this distribution prevents the structure of the present invention from collapsing.

Further embodiments of the method and structure of the present invention for shore protection works for the shore of a torrent , a riverbank, or an embankment are now explained by reference to Figs. 3 and 4.

Fig. 3 is a schematic view for showing the third embodiment of the method and structure of the invention for shore protection works.

In Fig. 3, nets 3, as members to be moored, are connected at their top sides to stable lodgments 7 that are provided at the shore of the torrent (or outside the embankment ) so that the nets 3 hang on the surface of the torrent and are also connected at their lower sides to other lodgments 7' that are located in the torrent bed so that the nets are fixed on the surface.

The lodgments 7' may be weights, for example, rocks , as long as they can act as the lodgments .

In this third embodiment the structure aims to protect the shore.

Thus the moored members 3 are arranged along the shore.

In other words, the longitudinal direction of the nets 3 is parallel to the flow of the torrent.

Since the shore has various shapes, the shapes of the nets may be such ones that conform to the shapes of the shore .

The nets are preferably long ones arranged along the torrent if they aim to protect the shore as discussed above.

According to the third embodiment, after the nets are placed on the surface to cover it, sand, stones, and gravels have been deposited behind and around the backsides of the nets .

The gravels, etc. , do not flow down, and thus effectively prevent the shore from being eroded.

If the nets are not sufficiently secured to the shore by the method discussed above (for example, if the soil of the CA 02401992 2002-09-03 12 shore is soft clay, or if the speed of the water flow is great) , some other lodgments 2 must be provided.

In that case, two or more trees that are located long the shore may be selected as lodgments 2, and a longitudinal cable may be connected between the lodgments 2.

The longitudinal cable may moor the members 3 so that the moored members hang on ''he surface of the shore.

Fig. 4 is a schematic view for illustrating the fourth embodiment of the method and structure of the present invention for shore protection works.

This fourth embodiment is similar to the third embodiment but differs from it in that longitudinal cables 1 are used to secure the members 3 to lodgments.

In the method of the third embodiment ( Fig . 3 ) , in case of a flood the sand and gravels behind the nets may be caused to flow down by a large amount of rapidly running water.

To prevent this problem, using the longitudinal cables 1 that are used in the first embodiment (Fig. 1) has been conceived.

In Fig. 4, since the longitudinal cables 1 are connected to an auxiliary cable 4 that is secured to stable or immovable lodgments ( trees ) , the longitudinal cables 1 are fixed to the lodgments 2 through the auxiliary cable 4.

The longitudinal cables 1, which are arranged along the torrent , are disposed a.n the water of the torrent or in the space above it.

Subjects 3 to be moored, which are similar to those in the first embodiment, are moored by the longitudinal cables 1 and a mooring cable 8.

Thus the members 3 are more securely fixed to the shore.

According to the method of this invention, the shore is protected from erosion and collapse , since the base of the shore (including an embankment) is effectively protected from erosion.

Fig. 5 is schematic view showing the fifth embodiment CA 02401992 2002-09-03 . 13 of the method and structure of the present invention for erosion and torrent control works and shore protection works.

The structure in Fig. 5 has both the structure shown in Fig. 1 and the structure shown in Fig. 3.

In Fig. 5 two members 3, to be moored, that act for protecting the torrent bed are connected, to longitudinal cables 1 and a mooring cable 8 , while two other members 3 , to be moored, that act for protecting the shore are connected to lodgments 7 at their top sides and at their lower sides to one of the longitudinal cables 1 or fixing lodgments 7' (weights that can act as lodgments, for example, rocks) located in the torrent bed.

Thus, according to the method of this embodiment, by using the longitudinal cables 1 for mooring not only the members 3 for the torrent bed, but also the members 3 for the shore, the torrent bed and shore are more stably protected.

Fig. 6 is a schematic view of the sixth embodiment of the method and structure of the invention for erosion and torrent control works and shore protection works .

In the sixth embodiment the structure of it is almost the same as that in the fifth embodiment, but differs from it in that moored auxiliary members 9 cover the shore before or after the two moored members 3 that act to protect the shore cover it.

In the f fifth embodiment ( Fig . 5 ) the shore may be eroded by the flow of water that passes through the net 3 (members ) if the soil of the shore is brittle.

To prevent this, using the auxiliary members 9 to be moored, before or after the placement of the members 3 to be moored, has been conceived.

In Fig. 6 each auxiliary member 9 to be moored has two cables that connect two lodgments 7 located above the member 9 to one of the longitudinal cables 1 and a plurality of wood bars perpendicularly connected to the two cables at CA 02401992 2002-09-03 14 predetermined intervals.

The length of the wood bars is preferably greater than the distance between the two cables, so that they are securely connected to the two cables.

The auxiliary members 9 to be moored are placed on the surface of the shore before or after the members 3 to be moored for covering the shore are placed.

According to this embodiment , since both the auxiliary members 9 to be moored and the members 3 to be moored cover the shore, the shore is well protected from erosion even if the soil of it is brittle.

The wood bars of each auxiliary member 9 may be replaced with a fence member similar to the fence member 6 in the second embodiment, which is made of anticorrosion material, or concrete or plastic bars.

Although the auxiliary member 9 shown in Fig. 6 is a cover in the form of a bar blind, it may be a sheet of cloth having the same size as that of the member 3 to be moored.

Any material that can protect the shore may be used for the cover or sheet.

According to this embodiment of the method for erosion and torrent control and shore protection works of the present invention, since the steel nets are used for protecting the torrent bed and shore, plants can grow in the meshes of the nets .

Thus this structure can more securely protect the bed and shore from erosion and can approximate the appearance of the shore in its natural condition.

According to this embodiment of the method for erosion and torrent control and shore protection works of the present invention, since nets are used as the member to be moored, the size of the mesh of the nets may be properly selected depending on the soil of the torrent bed and shore and the speed of the torrent for the purposes of controlling erosion and approximating the appearance of the torrent in its natural 15 condition.