Aquatic construction module and method of forming thereof

[57] ABSTRACT

A wall structure formed of a plurality of bags which can be stored in collapsible form and which expand when filled with an aggregate such as concrete. The bags have an inlet through which the aggregate can be inserted. The bags also have a portion which can interlock with an adjacent bag so as to prevent movement of the bags due to water energy, action or erosion. Reinforcing means such as rods or wire mesh can also be used in conjunction with the concrete. The bags can be stored and then rapidly filled at the site of a desired protective structure such as a dam, breakwater, or levee.

Claims, 6 Drawing Figures

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Patented June 3/1975

3,886,751

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3,886,751

AQUATIC CONSTRUCTION MODULE AND METHOD OF FORMING THEREOF

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Art

The field of art to which the invention pertains includes the field of aquatic wall structures and method of manufacture thereof, particularly with respect to a wall structure which can be formed directly at the site of a levee utilizing interlocking bags which can be stored until needed for use.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Conventional levees, breakwaters and temporary type dams which are constructed of elements such as rocks or quarry also prefabricated concrete elements all of which have been transported at the desired position using costly and heavy construction equipment.

Small bags hand filled with sand and transported to the site have been used for emergency works against floods, storms and war defenses.

Alternative type arrangements include the use of bags which are filled with water themselves at the dam site. Such a structure is normally only good for a temporary period of time and utilizes a structural system which interties each of the bags. Moreover, since the material in the bags is approximately the same weight as the material which the bag is tending to stop the flow of i.e. the water, the net result is a relatively inadequate type structure.

Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,213,628 and 3,614,866.

In order to overcome the attendent disadvantages of prior art water blocking type wall structures, the present invention provides a structure which can be easily formed directly at the site. The structure comprises a plurality of bags each of which can be collapsed for storage and expanded when filled with the desired type material. Interlocking devices are provided so that each of the bags can be interlocked with an adjacent bag and thus prevent movement of the bags due to water.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A wall structure formed of a plurality of collapsible bags. Each of the bags are collapsed for storage, ease of transportation and can expand for filling the bags with aggregates located at the wall site. Each of the bags have an inlet for filling the bags at the site of the wall structure with the aggregate. Means are formed on the bag for interlocking adjacent filled bags with each other and preventing movement of the bags due to water movement against the bags.

The advantagaes of this invention, both as to its construction and mode of operation, will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing in which like referenced numerals designate like parts throughout the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical wall structure constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, partially broken away of a pair of collapsible bags constructed in accordance with principles of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view, partially broken away of an alternative embodiment of collapsible bags forming a wall structure;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view partially broken away il5 lustrating the technique for storing the bags of FIGS. 1 through 3;

FIG. 5 is a planar view of a typical wall site utilizing the bags of FIGS. 1-4; and

FIG. 6 is a view of the wall site of FIG. 5 after soil 1° movement has occurred.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings there is shown in FIG. ¹⁵ 1 atypical wall 12 constructed in accordance with principles of the invention. The wall 12 can be used as a dike, or levee or other similar-type water break or dam structure.

The wall 12 comprises a plurality of bags 14 each of ²⁰ which have been filled at the wall site with an aggregate such as sand, rock, gravel, concrete mortar or similartype mixtures enabling the bags to be weighted sufficiently so that movement and energy of water against ₂₅ the bags will not harm the wall structure to any significant degree. Each of the bags contain protuberances 16 which interlock with indentations 18 in adjacent bags. It should be understood that the protuberances and indentations may be formed in either a random pattern ₃₀ or in an arbitrary manner. The main purpose of the indentations and the protuberences is to interlock with adjacent bags sufficiently that movement between the bags is minimized.

Referring now to FIG. 2 there is illustrated one type 35 of bag construction. FIG. 2 illustrates a pair of bags 22 and 24 which are interlocked by means of a protuberance 26 on the bag 24 which fits into an indentation 28 formed on the bag 22. The bag 24 further contains a second protuberance 32. The bag 22 is constructed 40 similar to the bag 24 and is of generally rectangular configuration and contains a first protuberance 34 and a second protuberance 36 extending from a top surface 38 of the bag.

The bags 22 and 24 are generally constructed of in45 dustrial ployester, polypropylene, polyethylene, or similar materials. Typically, such material enables the bag to be collapsible when not in use as well as being flexible. Each of the bags are illustrated as containing at least two indentations. The purpose of the indentations ⁵⁰ is twofold. First the indentations are utilized to fill the bags with an aggregate type mixture such as sand, rock or concrete. One protuberance is used as an inlet and the second protuberance normally is used as a safety outlet for excess pressure when filling the bag. Addi⁵⁵ tionally, it should be understood that the bags could be formed with more than two protuberances and the protuberances need not be formed on the top surface only of the bags but along any bottom surface or side edge as well.

Each of the protuberances formed in the bags 22 and 24 of FIG. 2 are illustrated as containing a rod such as the rod 42 positioned in the protuberance 26 of bag 24. The rod performs the useful purpose of enabling a mouth 44 in the bag to be open when the bag is being filled. Additionally, when concrete is being used, the rod is typically made of metal such as steel and is used as a reinforcing bar.

3,886,751

Plastic or steel mesh layers 46 and 48 can also be provided in the bag. The number of steel mesh layers for use with reinforced concrete is of course a matter of choice or design with any number of layers from one through a maximum depending upon the thickness of the bags 22 and 24 possible. Of course it should be understood that the bags could be fdled with concrete or mortar without use of the steel rod 42 or the mesh layers 46 or 48.

In normal installation, the bags are placed as close to the site where erosion protection wall 12 is to be provided. The bags are then filled with the material such as the gravel or concrete. In certain instances conveyer or tubular type members can be used to fill the bag directly where the bag is to be placed, so that the bag need not be moved once it is filled. Additionally, it should be understood that the bags could even be filled underwater by divers.

Referring now to FIG. 3 there is shown an alternative configuration for the bags illustrated in FIG. 2. The bag 52 contains a base 54 of generally elongate, rectangular configuration and a plurality of upstanding legs two of which legs 56 and 58 at either end thereof are shown in their entirety. The legs are spaced from each other to define an indentation 62 in the bag 52 which is equal in thickness to one of the legs 56 and 58. Therefore, a bag 72 which is positioned on top of the bag 52 can have one of its legs 74 positioned between the legs 56 and 58 of the bag 52. Additionally, it should be noted that the bag 72 contains protuberances 76 and 78 on one of its sides. These could be used as inlet and outlets in a similar manner as the bag 22 protuberances 34 and 36 of FIG. 2. In addition, the protuberances 76 and 78 could also be used to interlock with indentations in an adjacent sidemounted bag (not shown). The bags 52 and 72 can also contain plastic or steel mesh layers 82 and 84 respectively, as illustrated in the bag 52. Once again, of course, the layers are optional, dependent on whether or not reinforced concrete is desired.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, there is shown a bag of the type shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 in its collapsed state and partially rolled up for storage. The bag 92 contains a pair of plastic or wire mesh member 94 and 96 therein. The bag material is folded between the layers and then the bag is rolled up in the direction shown by the arrow. The protuberances in the bag are normally folded in or tucked in and therefore minimize storage problems.

While the wall structure of FIG. 1 has been illustrated as being formed of a single row of bags, it should be understood that a plurality of rows could be used as well. Additionally, certain of the bags could be utilized to interlock adjacent rows of the wall structure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a typical wall construction utilizing the bags of FIGS. 1-4. In FIG. 5 a main wall structure 102, is interlocked with a wall section formed of a bag 104. The bag 104 can be a single elongated bag such as the bag 52 or 72 of FIG. 3, or can be a plurality of such bags. Further, additional similar interlocking bags (not shown) could be placed on top of the bag 104.

The bag 104 (or bags) are positioned on the sand bottom 106. As can be seen in FIG. 6, when erosion occurs, the bag 104 follows the shape of the eroded bottom and tends to prevent sedimentary erosion under the main wall structure 102. Further, the unions between the bag 104 and adjacent bags act as axes enabling the structure to provide greater flexibility.