Cooperating protection units having both convex and concave walls are disclosed that have the potential to create lengthy protections structures that may be used in the protection of coastal areas. Certain versions of those protective units are configured to have semi-cylindrical wall faces that may cooperate with one another in a lengthy structure and certain other protective units have semi-spherical wall faces that may cooperate with one another in a lengthy structure. Soil and vegetation may accumulate in central cavities of the units.

Cooperating protection units having both convex and concave walls are disclosed that have the potential to create lengthy protections structures that may be used in the protection of coastal areas. Certain versions of those protective units are configured to have semi-cylindrical wall faces that may cooperate with one another in a lengthy structure and certain other protective units have semi-spherical wall faces that may cooperate with one another in a lengthy structure. Soil and vegetation may accumulate in central cavities of the units.

An erosion prevention system, a cell assembly and a kit of parts for such a system, and methods of making and installing such an erosion prevention system is disclosed. A cell assembly (2501) may comprise a plurality of cells (2520a, 2520b, 2520c) for containment of rock pieces, each cell having a bottom, sides/ends and a top each formed from wire mesh. A continuous length of wire mesh may wrap around and defines the upper, lower (2502) and end faces (2503a, 2503b) of the cell assembly (2501), the ends of the length being fastened together at an overlapping join positioned on the upper and/or end of the cell assembly. The continuous length of chain-link wire mesh may extend beyond at least one side face (2503d) of the cell assembly, thereby being configured to overlap at least a portion of the lower, upper and end faces of a corresponding second cell assembly when positioned side by side. The wire mesh may be chain-link wire mesh.

A revetment block for reducing the energy of water flowing over a levee. The revetment blocks each have a tapered top surface that tapers upwardly from a downstream end of the block to an upstream end of the block. The upwardly tapered top surface terminates in an abrupt downward transition edge. When plural tapered top blocks are installed together in a mat on a surface of the levee, the oncoming water surge encounters the many abrupt transition edges and reduces the energy of the water surge. The tapered top revetment blocks can be installed on the water side of the levee, or on the land side of the levee, or both sides.

A revetment block for reducing the energy of water flowing over a levee. The revetment blocks each have a tapered top surface that tapers upwardly from a downstream end of the block to an upstream end of the block. The upwardly tapered top surface terminates in an abrupt downward transition edge. When plural tapered top blocks are installed together in a mat on a surface of the levee, the oncoming water surge encounters the many abrupt transition edges and reduces the energy of the water surge. The tapered top revetment blocks can be installed on the water side of the levee, or on the land side of the levee, or both sides.

High-density bales for erosion control or for forming a flood barrier are made by the compaction of tree leave material. The bales are made substantially from tree leave material that retains at least a portion of the vein structure. The vein structure improves the structurally integrity of the bale. A baler may be used to form the bale and it may compact the leave material up to an 8:1 compaction ratio, forming bales with a density of 0.3 to 0.8g/cc or more. The bales may have a retainer wire or mesh configured around a portion of the bale to retain the bale shape. The bales may contain seeds for growing plants directly from the bales as the leave material degrades to provide the nutrients for plant growth. This plant growth from the bale provides an aesthetically appealing bale that blends into the natural environment.

An erosion-preventing laminate mat may include a first layer of slivers of a natural material, a second layer of slivers of a synthetic material, and, in embodiments, a third layer of an open mesh. A system for utilizing the erosion-preventing laminate may include a movable frame having an upper surface shaped to pass beneath a substantially flat sheet of tied block mat, the frame including a spindle below the upper surface for supporting a roll of the first mat, the first mat including the first layer of slivers of a natural material, the second layer of slivers of a synthetic material, and the third layer of an open mesh. In embodiments, a system for forming the mat includes a movable frame shaped to pass beneath a substantially flat sheet of the tied block mat, and including a spindle below the upper surface for supporting a roll of the first mat.

The disclosed systems, methods, and apparatuses may combat coastal erosion using a shell module shaped to enable retention of sand on a beach and shore face. The shell module may be shaped to minimizing interference with recreational use of the beach and providing a beneficial environment for desirable sea life. The modular shell can be conveniently transported and emplaced in shell reefs. These shell reefs may comprise multiple, optionally interlocking shell modules. These shell reefs can prevent fill, such as sand, de-watered sand, or sand slurry from being scoured and sluiced out to sea. The disclosed systems and methods harness the energy of incoming and returning waves, including tidal and surf action, to assist in spreading the fill, recreating a natural beach, complete with layers of sand capable of resisting the scouring force of ocean waves and currents.

This disclosure provides methods, systems, and kits for building seawalls using mechanically interlocking blocks. The interlocking blocks have interiors that can be filled with sand, gravel, or cementitious material after formation of a wall. The interlocking blocks that can be connected on any side to form a structure, wall, foundation, floor, building, flotation device, gardening structure, or toy. The interlocking blocks typically comprise center openings and connecting openings on each side and can be connected with hardware through the connecting openings. The center openings allow for materials such as pipes, wires, conduit, and rebar to pass through interlocked blocks. Connected blocks can also be filled with fortifying material to strengthen the structure. Sides of connected blocks can be covered with faceplates to direct flow of fortifying material and aid in the creation of desired configurations. Also provided are connectors for connecting sides of the interlocking blocks.

This disclosure provides methods, systems, and kits for building seawalls using mechanically interlocking blocks. The interlocking blocks have interiors that can be filled with sand, gravel, or cementitious material after formation of a wall. The interlocking blocks that can be connected on any side to form a structure, wall, foundation, floor, building, flotation device, gardening structure, or toy. The interlocking blocks typically comprise center openings and connecting openings on each side and can be connected with hardware through the connecting openings. The center openings allow for materials such as pipes, wires, conduit, and rebar to pass through interlocked blocks. Connected blocks can also be filled with fortifying material to strengthen the structure. Sides of connected blocks can be covered with faceplates to direct flow of fortifying material and aid in the creation of desired configurations. Also provided are connectors for connecting sides of the interlocking blocks.