Provided is a water-absorbent resin that quickly absorbs water, even in sandbag in which a large amount of the water-absorbent resin has been used, that does not easily form unswollen lump, and that has a high gel swelling volume when water is used to swell the water-absorbent resin. This water-absorbent resin is configured from a polymer of water-soluble ethylenic unsaturated monomers. The physiological-saline absorption capacity of the water-absorbent resin is 40-60 g/g. When a cross-sectional image of the water-absorbent resin is observed by x-ray computed tomography, the fraction of the area of the cross-sectional image that is hollow portions (the hollow area ratio of the cross-sectional image), as calculated on the basis of formula (I), is no more than 10%. (I) Hollow area ratio [%]={total cross-sectional area (B) of hollow portions of the water-absorbent resin/(total cross-sectional area (A) of resin portions of the water-absorbent resin+total cross-sectional area (B) of hollow portions of the water-absorbent resin)}100%.

A shape-retaining hoist type rectangular parallelepiped bag includes: a rectangular parallelepiped bag that is a generally rectangular parallelepiped-shaped bag that has an internal space to accommodate an accommodated object; a bottom surface holding mechanism configured to hold a bottom surface by application of a tensile force thereto; a side surface holding mechanism configured to hold a side surface by application of a tensile force thereto; a central hanging body configured to extend in a vertical direction with one end thereof being fixed to a center of the bottom surface of the rectangular parallelepiped bag and hold the bottom surface holding mechanism and the side surface holding mechanism at intermediate positions in the vertical direction; and a ring-shaped hook holding portion connected to the other end of the central hanging body, to which a hook is to be attached. This provides a rectangular parallelepiped bag that is less likely to tear despite its small aspect ratio and large height, can compact soil particles by stages in its height direction, has a stable strength even when the bag has a large height as in a case where the bag has a ratio between a height and a width of the bag exceeding 1:1, for example, and is less likely to be deformed when lifted upwardly in the vertical direction.

A portable, water-filled barrier system includes a plurality of water-fillable modules, each module being internally divided into cells that emulate a section of a sandbag dike or wall. Automatic valves can seal openings between the filled cells, so that a punctured cell will not cause cells below and behind to deflate. A manifold can be used to simultaneously fill a plurality of modules. The barrier system further includes at least one anchoring support base having an underlying portion that extends under at least one of the modules. A vertical portion of the support base extends upward behind and abuts at least one of the modules, and an anchoring portion includes openings that enable attachment of the anchoring support base to the underlying ground by stakes and/or spikes. A flexible sheet can be installed beneath and in front of the assembled barrier to further inhibit horizontal displacement of the modules.

An erosion control apparatus includes a flexible, container and a cord. The container includes a container upper side, a container lower side opposite the container upper side, a container trailing end, a container leading end opposite the container trailing end, and a container mouth toward the container leading end. The container mouth provides an opening to a container interior. The cord is attached between the container mouth and an attachment point toward the container trailing end. The cord draws the container mouth toward the container trailing end due to a length of the cord between the container mouth and the attachment point being shorter than a length of the container between the container mouth and the attachment point. The cord further draws the container mouth toward a closed position as sediment enters the container mouth, fills the container interior, and urges the container leading end away from the attachment point.

A method, a waterproof liner and waterproof panels for installations in basins and canals) both dry and with stationary and flowing water. The liner consists of a plurality of prefabricated panels, including at least one flexible waterproof membrane, made of geosynthetic material, provided with side anchor bands for anchoring to the ground and with side sealing flaps. The panels that are rolled up into rolls are sequentially unrolled and extended by fixing provisionally along at least one anchor band, by joining simultaneously the flaps of adjoining panels by means of an intermediate zip fastener. Subsequently, the individual panels are firmly anchored by friction to the bottom and/or to the banks of the basin or canal, by means of a permanent ballast. The individual panels can be removed and replaced by operating underwater, restoring the seal between panels of the entire waterproof liner.

To fill bags, a hopper is used to stored fill material. Bag holders are mounted on a transport mechanism. At one or more operator stations, an operator attaches a bag to one of the bag holders. At one or more fill stations, fill material from the hopper is used to fill a bag attached to a bag holder. A conveyer mechanism conveys the bag, after it has been filled, away from the transport mechanism. The transport mechanism transports the bag holder with the attached bag from an operator station to a fill station. The transport mechanism also transports the bag holder from a fill station to an operator station.

A portable, water-filled barrier system includes a plurality of water-fillable modules, each module being internally divided into cells that emulates a section of a sandbag dike or wall. The modules include a first plurality having a rectangular base shape and at least one wedge module having a triangular or trapezoidal shape. In embodiments, the wedge modules can be installed in a front-forward or front rear-ward orientation according to a desired bending direction of the barrier. Automatic valves can seal openings between the filled cells, so that a punctured cell will not cause cells below and behind to deflate. A manifold can be used to simultaneously fill a plurality of cells. A flexible sheet or a plurality of interlocking sheets can be installed beneath and in front of the assembled barrier so as to protect the barrier from damage and inhibit leakage of water under or between the cells.

An erosion control apparatus is disclosed herein comprising a filtering member defining a looped portion; a guide member positioned within the looped portion of the filtering member; and a support member insertable in the looped portion of the filtering member. The guide member facilitates insertion of the support member into the looped portion of the filtering member.

A sand bag shovel having an elongated rod connected to a connecting member and the connecting member attached to a scoop. The scoop has a pair of sidewalls and a front wall with tapered panels that form a peak. A funnel is used with the scoop that has a flange that extends outwardly from a top opening.

The present invention relates to a building module to be used for the construction of structures. The building module includes a fabric sheet, a filling material and a holding means. The fabric sheet wraps around the filling material to form folds over the filling material, with the edges of the wrap's folds to be held in place by the holding means. The wraps can be continuously filled from above to make building modules in a continuous and simplified manner, rather than as a series of difficult, labour-intensive steps. Structures can accordingly be constructed quickly and in a cost-effective way.