COASTAL INTERBLOC REINFORCED MEDIUM VARIABLE GEOMETRY VARIABLE DENSITY MODULAR REVETMENT SYSTEM

Abstract

The Coastal INTERBLOC Unit and the Coastal INTERBLOC Reinforced Medium Variable Geometry Variable Density Modular Revetment System, represent a flexible revetment system designed to: be vertical or sloping, incorporate one or several slopes, be straight or curvilinear; be constructed on competent or soft sub-soils; absorb wave energy by virtue of its high void porosity ratio; be installed using manual labor and light construction equipment; settle differentially without structural or functional distress; be transported cost efficiently in containers; be space efficient in transport; be scaled up or scaled down to suit the coastal energy environment; be theoretically analyzed through numerical modelling; and which can co-exist with any coastal riverine or reservoir environment and which can be adapted for installation in any variety of seabed or subsoil conditions.

Claims

1-22. (canceled)

23. A new Revetment System having as a primary component a new concrete structural facing unit being manufactured of high strength concrete reinforced only by synthetic fibers comprising: a plurality of pinholes sized and spaced to accommodate pins which permit connecting with other structural units said pinholes spaced to permit the creation of varying revetment cross section configurations and alignments when assembled said pinholes having concentric rebates at the upper surface of the structural unit; a plurality of vertical voids both for the reduction of weight and for the dissipation of wave energy when assembled in the revetment structure; three asymmetrical frontal faces, oriented in such a manner that an incident wave impacting the revetment will strike the leading two faces of the structural unit simultaneously thereafter flowing past the third face; dimensions such that a void is created between adjacent units of any one layer of structural units when assembled in the revetment structure for wave energy dissipation; rebated upper surfaces, as described to permit the accommodation of any features of other structural components including the flanges of connecting pins or tensile reinforcing strips which may prevent the intimate concrete to concrete contact with overlaying structural units; raised dimples where needed to permit the accommodation of any features of other structural components which may prevent the intimate concrete to concrete contact with overlaying structural units; relatively small unit volume and resultant light weight when compared to legacy and other revetment systems with geometry and proportions enabling manufacture in large numbers, ease of handling and speed of assembly by humans and efficiency of stacking for transport; and a unit design which creates a durable, attractive, uniform facing when assembled in the revetment structure.

24. The Revement System of claim 23, further comprising: a flexible foundation comprising aggregates encased in and confined within a high tensile strength confining non-corroding medium installed upon a filtration geotextile, a part of which is embedded on the surface of the native soil encountered at or below the seabed, waterway an alignment and levelling template installed within the said flexible foundation manufactured of a stable material that is heavier than water, and configured with blind holes drilled in a predetermined alignment with uniform spacing so as to accommodate locating pins which permit the rapid installation of the first plurality of concrete structural unit courses of the revetment system particularly as it applies to installation in the tidal fluctuations of the oceans taking advantage of a low tidal window, the hours immediately before and after the low tide to enable the largest quantum of installations of the first plurality of concrete structural units; locating pins of non-corrodible material proportioned to fit snugly in the blind holes of the alignment levelling template and also proportioned with a taper from its top so as to enable rapid installation of the first plurality of concrete structural units and having a exposed length for insertion into the vertical pinholes of the first plurality of concrete structural units; connecting pins manufactured of non-corrodible material comprising: a lower sector, an intermediate flange, and a tapered upper sector, wherein: the upper and lower sectors have lengths adequate to provide secure embedment in pinholes, of both a lower plurality of concrete structural units and an upper plurality of structural units, the intermediate flange having a thickness and diameter to preclude movement within the concrete structural unit when installed, the upper sector is tapered for ease of assembly of the upper plurality of concrete structural units and a diameter that enables adjustment of the upper plurality of concrete structural units using a spacing tool to precise spacing for the rapid installation of a further plurality of concrete structural units; backfill medium, being an integral component of the revetment system with the spectrum of usable materials ranging from precast lightweight concrete slab of any shape or dimensions but no larger than would be permitted for road or rail transport and having any unit weight and having any shape as required for use as backfill medium for constructing a revetment in soft, weak or marginal subsoils to naturally occurring soils placed and compacted in layers; a plurality of high tensile non corrodible reinforcing strips arranged in horizontal layers installed in a manner whereby the strips are connected to the connecting pins and thereby are fixed between two adjacent pluralities of concrete structural units and placed within the medium, used to backfill the revetment and having a sufficient length for embedment within the backfill medium, and vertical spacings within the backfill medium as determined by the design considerations for the revetment; a graded coarse layer comprising durable rock fragments placed immediately behind the concrete structural unit of a minimum size that is contained behind the voids between any two concrete structural units to permit the dissipation of the residual wave energy its secondary purpose being to allow the free downward passage of the any water column vertically, through its medium for continuous drainage of the revetment back to the seabed; and a plurality of filtration geotextiles arranged so as to separate the backfill medium, from the coarse graded layer of durable rock fragments in a manner that also permits any two layers of the tensile reinforcing strips to extend from the connecting pins to its designed embedment into the backfill medium.

25. The Revetment System according to claim 23 for protecting coastlines, shorelines, waterways and reservoir banks from the destructive and erosive forces of the ocean's waves and currents, and any energy imparted to any body of water with several possible varying embodiments of installation methods, height, aesthetic configurations, dimensions, slopes, and materials of manufacture which taken together, and used with other fit for purpose materials represent a durable, lasting, attractive, and flexible revetment system, that can be vertical or sloping; that can incorporate one or several slopes; that allows easy access to the beach, sea or waterfront below; that causes waterborne sediments to accrete at its toe; that can be straight or curvilinear; that can be constructed on competent or soft sub-soils; that will absorb copious amounts of wave energy by virtue of its high ability to dissipate wave energy, its void porosity ratio; that can be installed using unskilled manual labor and light construction equipment; that is relatively easy to install; that can settle differentially with no structural distress; that can be transported cost efficiently in containers; that is space efficient in transport; that can be theoretically analyzed through numerical modelling; that contains nominal proportions of steel reinforcement thereby minimizing distress to concrete by corrosion of steel.

26. The Revetment System according to claim 23, further comprising a flexible confined aggregate foundation, as the primary support for the said Revetment System featuring ease and speed of assembly, a design which minimizes differential or other settlement allowing any such settlement to be without distress to the superstructure or structural adequacy for the supported revetment in its maritime coastal environment.

27. The Revetment System according to claim 23, further comprising a concrete block armor unit, with a design incorporating vertical holes called pinholes having concentric rebates, voids, features, weights, orientation, surface angles, indentations, protrusions, other rebates, materials of manufacture and dimensions that can be scaled up or scaled down to suit the coastal energy environment and the varying embodiments presented as possible in the said Revetment System.

28. The Revetment System according to claim 23, further comprising an alignment and levelling template with the preferred embodiment of being manufactured from heavier than water hardwood, machined with blind holes drilled at the precise longitudinal spacing of the pinholes in the overlying concrete structural unit and of a diameter or dimension to accommodate the lower sector of a locating pin.

29. The Revetment System according to claim 23, further comprising a spacing tool of any rigid durable material comprising vertical rods, of any shape spaced at the precise spacing of the pinholes of the Concrete Block Armor Unit according to claim 25, which vertical rods would have close negative tolerance with respect to the size of the said pinholes of the said Concrete Block Armor Unit for ease of installation and removal, for use in rapidly assuring the spacing of pinholes in adjacent Concrete Block Armor Units for facilitation of the easy and rapid installation of the Concrete Block Armor Unit which is placed above the said two adjacent units, straddling the two adjacent Concrete Block Armor Units below, thereby permanently interlocking the said two adjacent Concrete Block Armor Units.

30. The Revetment System according to claim 23, further comprising locating pins of non-corroding material for use in the Revetment System designed with lower and upper sectors including either a cylindrical or square lower sector and a tapered upper sector, the upper and lower sectors having lengths adequate to provide secure embedment in the blind holes cited as a feature of the alignment and levelling template, the upper sector tapered for ease of assembly of superseding concrete Block Armor Units.

31. The Revetment System according to claim 23, further comprising a connecting pin of non-corroding material and including either a cylindrical or square lower sector, an intermediate flange and a tapered upper sector the upper and lower sectors having lengths adequate to provide secure embedment in the pinholes of the concrete structural unit, the upper sector tapered for ease of assembly of superseding concrete block armor units, and a diameter that is smaller than the pinholes for ease of adjustment of revetment alignment considerations including opposite horizontal slots immediately adjacent to and above the flanged intermediate sector, which slots accommodate a specific embodiment of tensile reinforcing strip without distortion.

32. The Revetment System according to claim 23, wherein the concrete structural facing unit further comprises vertical through holes of either circular or any shape to a predetermined pattern located in the concrete structural facing unit called pinholes to enable the rapid locating and installation of the said concrete unit when installed over the alignment and levelling template or when installed over lower courses of the concrete block armor unit to create a permanent interlocking mechanism connecting any two lower concrete block armor units permanently to the straddling upper concrete block armor unit by virtue of accommodation of vertical non corroding connecting pins.

33. The Revetment System according to claim 31, wherein the concrete structural facing unit further comprises pinholes with plus tolerances as clearance from vertical non corroding connecting pins to permit ease of adjustment to varying curvilinear alignments.

34. The Revetment System according to claim 23, wherein the concrete structural facing unit further comprises concentric rebates in the top surface of the unit surrounding and concentric with the pinholes according to claim 31 and having sufficient depth to accommodate the flanges of the Connecting Pins.

35. The Revetment System according to claim 23, wherein the concrete structural facing unit further comprises vertical through voids in the concrete block facing unit of either circular, triangular, rectangular oval square trapezoidal or of any irregular shape located in the concrete block armor unit to permit the dissipation of wave energy.

36. The Revetment System according to claim 23, wherein the concrete structural facing unit further comprises a horizontal rebate to the rear of the said unit to accommodate any variation in thickness of any tensile reinforcing strip and enable the intimate concrete to concrete contact between the concrete block armor units when

37. The Revetment System according to claim 23, wherein the concrete structural facing unit further comprises raised dimples or protrusions located at the rear of the concrete block armor unit to prevent any abrasive deterioration of any high tensile reinforcing strip which is an integral structural component of the revetment of which the concrete block armor unit is a component.

38. The Revetment System according to claim 23, wherein the concrete structural facing unit further comprises vertical rebates on both vertical sides of the concrete block facing unit to the rear of the unit to accommodate a fit for purpose tri-hex unit used to keep other components being materials of a coarse cobble layer in place behind the said concrete block armor unit.

39. The Revetment System according to claim 23, further comprising a plurality of front (facing the sea) faces of the concrete block armor units each characterised by comprising three discrete angles with respect to the longitudinal axis of the block unit having preferred embodiments being L-10.000, R-70.460 and R-11.600 to the axis of the concrete block facing unit for presenting a progressively reducing void between armor units thereby the void porosity of the revetment having the preferred embodiment when assembled with the leading edge of the revetment having a theoretical void porosity of 127.05% reducing to 42.82% and thence to 21.88% being the minimum void ratio between adjacent Units.

40. The Revetment System according to claim 23, further comprising a concrete block armor unit according to claim 23 of the preferred embodiment having the dimension of its width being such that when assembled a clear void having as its width being 86 mm is created for wave energy dissipation and a terminal void porosity of the said preferred embodiment being 21.88%.

41. The Revetment System according to claim 23, wherein the concrete structural facing unit further comprises dimensions which permit efficient stacking, ease of packing and discharge so as to effect shipment of at least 40 square meters of revetment face measured vertically in one 20 ft shipping container with spare room for other revetment components.

42. The Revetment System according to claim 23, further comprising a concrete block armor unit called a corner unit and having pinholes shape and dimensions which permit efficient transitioning between great changes in revetment alignment whilst ensuring the continuity of the integrity of any course of a plurality of concrete block facing units according to claim 23 with any other course of a plurality of concrete structural facing units at the same level but having a significantly differing alignment.

43. The Revetment System according to claim 23, further comprising backfill comprising precast lightweight concrete mass slabs of any shape or dimensions but no larger than would be permitted for road or rail transport and having any unit weight and having any shape as required for use as lightweight backfill medium for constructing a revetment in soft, weak or marginal subsoils.

44. A method for constructing the Revetment System according to claim 24 for protecting coastlines, shorelines, waterways, river and reservoir banks from the destructive and erosive forces of the oceans' waves and currents, from riverine flows and any energy imparted to any body of water, comprising: a. constructing a plurality of concrete block armor units established on a flexible confined aggregate foundation; b. using an alignment and levelling template; c. using a plurality of locating pins for rapid installation below the seabed level of the first course of concrete block armor units; d. using thereafter, a spacing tool for the rapid further positioning of the first course of a plurality of concrete block armor units; e. receiving the plurality of connecting pins for receiving a second and subsequent courses of pluralities of concrete block armor units; f. using other fit for purpose materials like tri hex concrete units; g. using a coarse cobbled layer of any durable, non-corrosive material behind the concrete block armor units; h. using high tensile strips connected to connecting pins as anchoring strips for the revetment against the hydrodynamic forces of the sea ocean or lake using soil other earthen or other material for the purpose of providing said anchorage of the high tensile strips; and i. using and incorporating an overtop drainage detail with an associated in situ concrete coping in situ concrete diaphragms and an in situ concrete apron as the finishing components at the top of the revetment.

45. The method for constructing a Revetment System according to claim 44, further comprising construction a lightweight revetment, using any lightweight medium with a preferred embodiment being lightweight concrete mass slabs, for the purpose imposing reduced loads and forces on the subsoils and for the purpose of requiring a smaller footprint of the revetment width.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0118] Drawing Sheet 1 is a top plan view of the Coastal INTERBLOC Unit according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0119] Drawing Sheet 2 is a top plan view of the Coastal INTERBLOC Unit according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0120] Drawing Sheet 3 is a top plan view of the Coastal INTERBLOC Unit according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0121] Drawing Sheet 4 is a top plan view of the Coastal INTERBLOC Unit illustrating the relationship with the preferred embodiment of a High Tensile Reinforcing strip and the preferred embodiment of a Connecting Pin.

[0122] Drawing Sheet 5 are sectional views through the Coastal INTERBLOC Unit.

[0123] Drawing Sheet 6 are additional sectional views through the Coastal INTERBLOC Unit

[0124] Drawing Sheet 7 is a three dimensional view of the Coastal INTERBLOC Unit looking down to the top surface with the left side of the Unit also exposed and visible the nomenclature left determined with reference to facing the sea or river or other body of water.

[0125] Drawing Sheet 8 is another three dimensional view of the Coastal INTERBLOC Unit looking down to the top surface with the front seaward face the Unit also exposed and visible the nomenclature front determined with reference to facing the sea or river or other body of water.

[0126] Drawing Sheet 9 is a cross section through the Coastal INTERBLOC Reinforced Medium Variable Geometry Variable Density Modular Revetment.

[0127] Drawing Sheet 10 are enlargements of certain cross sections through the Coastal INTERBLOC Reinforced Medium Variable Geometry Variable Density Modular Revetment.

[0128] Drawing Sheet 11 is a cross section through the Coastal INTERBLOC Reinforced Medium Variable Geometry Variable Density Modular Revetment with Lightweight medium as backfill.

[0129] Drawing Sheet 12 is a cross section through the Coastal INTERBLOC Reinforced Medium Variable Geometry Variable Density Modular Revetment with Lightweight medium as backfill and varying geometry attack slopes.

[0130] Drawing Sheet 13 is a three dimensional view of the Coastal INTERBLOC Revetment.

[0131] Drawing Sheet 14 is of the Alignment and Levelling Template with Cross Section and Enlargement. Drawing Sheet 15 is of the Locating Pin with an enlargement of its application.

[0132] Drawing Sheet 16 are of sections through the Locating Pin.

[0133] Drawing Sheet 17 is of the preferred embodiment of a Spacing Tool beingt an integral component in the execution of the Coastal INTERBLOC Revetment installation

[0134] Drawing Sheet 18 are sections of the preferred embodiment of a Spacing Tool being an integral component in the execution of the Coastal INTERBLOC Revetment installation

[0135] Drawing Sheet 19 is of the Connecting Pin with an enlargement of its application.

[0136] Drawing Sheet 20 are of sections through the Connecting Pin.

[0137] Drawing Sheet 21 is of the fit-for-purpose Tri Hex Unit with an enlargement of its application.

[0138] Drawing Sheet 22 is of the Corner Unit, specifically one for a 900 Alignment change.

[0139] Drawing Sheet 23 illustrates the varying porosities of the Coastal INTERBLOC Revetment.

[0140] Drawing Sheet 24 is a Three Dimensional rendition of the Void Porosity.

[0141] Drawing Sheet 25 shows Plan and Sectional views illustrating Wave Energy Dissipation.

[0142] Drawing Sheet 26 shows how Sediments in Suspension accrete.

[0143] Drawing Sheet 27 is a Three Dimensional rendition illustrating Wave Energy Dissipation.

[0144] Drawing Sheet 28 are Three Dimensional renditions illustrating Wave Energy Dissipation Sequence. Drawing Sheet 29 is a Plan View showing Phase 1 of the Revetment Crest Detail illustration.

[0145] Drawing Sheet 30 is a Plan View showing Phase 2 of the Revetment Crest Detail installation.

[0146] Drawing Sheet 31 are three Sectional Views through the Revetment Crest Detail installation.

[0147] Drawing Sheet 32 is a Plan View showing Phase 3 of the Revetment Crest Detail installation.

[0148] Drawing Sheet 33 is a Plan View showing Phase 4 of the Revetment Crest Detail installation.

[0149] Drawing Sheet 34 is a Plan View showing Phase 5 of the Revetment Crest Detail installation showing the Overtopping Drainage Feature, the Revetment Coping and the Apron/Boardwalk.

[0150] Drawing Sheet 35 contain three Sectional Views through the Revetment Crest Detail installation showing the Overtopping Drainage Feature, the Revetment Coping and the Apron/Boardwalk.

[0151] The above are the preferred embodiments only of the present utility model, and are not intended to limit the present utility model in any form. While certain novel features of this invention shown and described herein above and indicated out in the annexed claims, the invention is not intended to be limited to the details specified. Professional and technical personnel, persons of skill in the relevant art will understand that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and 20 details of the utility model presented, illustrated and in its operation may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention within the scope of the technical solution provided by the present invention. No feature of the preswent utility model is critical or essential unless it is expressly stated as being critical or essential. Any simple changes, equivalent changes and modifications made to the above embodiments according to the technical essence of the present invention still fall within the scope of the technical solutions of the present invention and may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.