An article for use in damming or channeling surface water flow is comprised of a non-woven polymer fabric sleeve which is encased in a sheath made of polymeric mesh. The sleeve contains a water absorbent material. When water passes through the sheath and sleeve, the absorbent swells up, to change the barrier from a flattened article to a bulky shape article. Preferably, the sleeve is black or brown and the sheath is a mesh comprised of highly visible bright orange fibers; the sheath has a regular pattern of openings nominally equivalent in area to 4 to 5 mm diameter holes; and the sheath has about 25 to about 60 percent open area.

A cellular structure includes a plurality of interconnected cells of fabric material. The cells are at least partially filled with a composite fill material that includes a particulate material and a bonding agent. A cellular unit made up of a plurality of the interconnected cells may have an associated load-bearing frame to enable lifting and/or transportation of the structure. The fill material is preferably resilient.

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 cellular structure includes a plurality of interconnected cells of fabric material. The cells are at least partially filled with a composite fill material that includes a particulate material and a bonding agent. A cellular unit made up of a plurality of the interconnected cells may have an associated load-bearing frame to enable lifting and/or transportation of the structure. The fill material is preferably resilient.

A geotextile tube includes a bag unit, an extending unit, a main stitch seam, and two auxiliary stitch seams. The bag unit includes a tubular wall and an end wall cooperatively defining a filling space. The extending unit includes two extending parts respectively extending from opposite lateral sides of the end wall and each defining a buffering space. The main stitch seam extends from one of the extending parts to the other one of the extending parts for sealing the filling space. The auxiliary stitch seams intersect the main stitch seam, and are respectively disposed at the lateral sides of the end wall such that the end wall is substantially flat. Each auxiliary stitch seam separates an adjacent buffering space from the filling space.

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.

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. Adjacent modules are interconnected by fastening mechanisms, such as loops attached to fronts or sides of the modules and connected by straps or clamps. Automatic valves can seal openings between the filled cells, so that a punctured cell will not cause cells below and behind to deflate. In embodiments, the barrier can be initially filled with air, positioned, and then filled with water while the air escapes through a pressure valve. A manifold can be used to simultaneously fill a plurality of cells. A flexible sheet can be installed beneath and in front of the assembled barrier so as to inhibit leakage of water under or between the cells.

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.

A portable, water-filled barrier system includes a water-fillable module that is internally divided into cells that emulate a section of a sandbag dike or wall, the module being fixed to an underlying base having front and rear boundaries that extend up from base and horizontally restrain the module. The base can be flexible and water filled, or rigid, and can be installed at or below grade. A lid can extend between the front and rear boundaries of a rigid base to cover the unfilled module, enabling the assemblies to be stacked when stored and transported. The lid can be hinged and, when open, can be supported by at least one brace extending from behind the lid to underlying terrain, where it can be wedged or staked in place. Adjacent bases can be joined at the front and rear to maintain contact between adjacent modules.

The absorption device includes a hydrophilic powder and a casing which is permeable to a liquid, the casing being composed of an upper layer which is superimposed on a lower layer, the lower and upper layers being connected to each other by strong connections which delimit a confinement zone for the hydrophilic powder in the casing. Advantageously, the lower and upper layers are connected to each other by first weak connections. The first weak connections delimit a plurality of adjacent cells in the confinement zone, each cell enclosing a quantity of hydrophilic powder sufficient to bring about the breakage of the first weak connections which delimit the cell when the hydrophilic powder absorbs a liquid.