The present invention relates to an erosion control apparatus and methods of using and installing the apparatus. The apparatus is constructed to prevent erosion of soil during typical weather or tidal conditions and adverse weather events. The apparatus can include a plurality of anchored rolls and soil lifts operative to stabilize the shoreline.

A system for rolling up a flexible sheet may include a frame; a friction element mounted on the frame, the friction element having an endless friction outer surface with a sheet-engaging portion positioned to engage an end of the flexible sheet lying in a substantially horizontal position relative to the frame; and a drive connected to the friction element to move the endless friction outer surface such that the sheet-engaging portions thereof move upwardly to engage the end of the flexible sheet and lift up and roll the end of the flexible sheet over on itself to form a roll.

A geomaterial web includes a first organic structural material and a second structural material that is different from the first structural material, which is bonded together with the first structural material to form a sheet-like composite material web extending in two mutually perpendicular directions. The first structural material and the second structural material are organic materials, where the first structural material has a first biodegradability and the second structural material has a second biodegradability that is different from the first biodegradability. The second biodegradability may be less than the first biodegradability.

Processes for making weather resistant, slow-decaying, durable natural fiber/coir geotextiles produce geotextiles having flexibility, permeability, light weight and cost-effective characteristics. In this process an in situ chemical grafting using a mixture of Cashew Nut Shell Liquid and aminoalkyl trialkoxysilanes with cellulose was done followed by curing in presence of sunlight, UV light or heat. The developed product showed durability and strength more than that of natural fiber/fabric and retaining natural fiber/fabric/geotextiles characteristics. The geotextiles have delayed bio-deterioration having wider long-term end use/applications. This process of making durable geotextiles is eco-friendly and retains the desired characteristic.

A concrete mat apparatus, including a plurality of elongated concrete members, each member being aligned with and next to another concrete member. Each of the concrete members has an upper generally flat surface, a lower generally flat surface, and a plurality of inclined surfaces that each extend away from an upper or lower surface. Reinforcement extends from a first end portion of each concrete member to a second end portion thereof, the reinforcement including a plurality of longitudinally extending reinforcement bars and a plurality of encircling tie bars at spaced apart intervals. Cabling connects each of the elongated concrete members to another of the elongated concrete members. The combination of elongated concrete members has a width and a length that is at least twice as long as the width. The upper inclined surfaces of one of the elongated concrete members forms a plane with the lower inclined surface of an adjacent elongated concrete member. A plurality of loops are provided along opposed edges of the mat, each loop formed by a portion of the cabling. The loops can be spaced between about one and three feet (30.5 and 91.4 cm) apart.

The present application relates to the technical field of ecological environment remediation, and in particular to a breathable geosynthetic clay liner and a production process therefor. The breathable geosynthetic clay liner of the present application includes an upper breathable layer, a lower breathable layer, and a breathable and impermeable sand layer sandwiched between the upper breathable layer and the lower breathable layer; and the breathable and impermeable sand layer includes breathable and impermeable particles and expansive particles. The breathable geosynthetic clay liner of the present application is convenient to construct, high in production efficiency, and free of dust during a construction process.

A frame for cradling a rolled surface covering during installation onto a ground surface, including first and second spaced-apart end panels, a surface covering support base extending between the first and second spaced-apart panels and adapted for holding the rolled surface covering during installation. At least one lower roller extends along the support base between the first and second spaced-apart end panels at a level above the support base, and at least one upper roller extends along the support base between the first and second spaced-apart end panels at a level above the support base and is vertically spaced-apart from the at least one lower roller. The space defines a gap extending along a length of the at least one lower roller and the at least one upper roller through which a free end of the rolled surface covering is extended during installation onto the ground surface.

A system and method for rolling up a flexible sheet includes a frame; a friction element mounted on the frame and having an endless friction outer surface with a sheet-engaging portion to engage an end of the sheet; and a drive connected to the friction element to move the endless friction outer surface such that the sheet-engaging portions thereof move upwardly to engage the end of the flexible sheet and lift up and roll the end of the flexible sheet over on itself to form a roll. The method for rolling up the flexible sheet includes rotating the friction element and engaging the end of the flexible sheet with the endless friction outer surface such that the sheet-engaging portions move upwardly to engage the end of the flexible sheet and curl the end of the flexible sheet upwardly back over on itself to form a roll.

A concrete mat apparatus, including a plurality of elongated concrete members, each member being aligned with and next to another concrete member. Each of the concrete members has an upper generally flat surface, a lower generally flat surface, and a plurality of inclined surfaces that each extend away from an upper or lower surface. Reinforcement extends from a first end portion of each concrete member to a second end portion thereof, the reinforcement including a plurality of longitudinally extending reinforcement bars and a plurality of encircling tie bars at spaced apart intervals. Cabling connects each of the elongated concrete members to another of the elongated concrete members. The combination of elongated concrete members has a width and a length that is at least twice as long as the width. The upper inclined surfaces of one of the elongated concrete members forms a plane with the lower inclined surface of an adjacent elongated concrete member. A plurality of loops are provided along opposed edges of the mat, each loop formed by a portion of the cabling. The loops can be spaced between about one and three feet (30.5 and 91.4 cm) apart.

The EPX2 Resilient Waterfront Platform is a new and useful process, a resilient building technology that provides for the efficient adaptation and safeguard of waterfronts against adverse events. It is an optimized, elevated Waterfront Resiliency infrastructure solution that is legible, practical, high quality, highly efficient, and deployable, and provides a timely go-to standard for new and existing Waterfront communities and historic districts at risk to Climate Change. One purpose of this resilient building technology is to improve public safety and minimize property damage in response to accelerating climate change forces, including seismic, flooding, and sea level rise. The platform assembly is comprised of several components including elevated sea walls, wharves, piers, buildings, accessways and the rehabilitation of historic architecture components, as applicable. It is an effective, practical, and permanent solution to resist natural forces, while providing a modernized platform for a variety of waterfront experiences.