AU2015258319B2

AU2015258319B2 - Erosion prevention arrangement

Info

Publication number: AU2015258319B2
Application number: AU2015258319A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Colin Simpson
Original assignee: Simpson David Charles
Current assignee: Simpson David Charles
Priority date: 2014-11-21
Filing date: 2015-11-20
Publication date: 2021-04-01
Anticipated expiration: 2035-11-20
Also published as: AU2015258319A1; NZ714385A

Abstract

EROSION PREVENTION ARRANGEMENT Abstract The present invention relates to an erosion prevention arrangement that assists in preventing erosion of a bank by moving water, for example along a seawall by dissipating kinetic energy of the moving water. 0 00 o a r-I 0 rl

Description

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EROSION PREVENTION ARRANGEMENT

Field of the Invention

[1] The present invention relates to an erosion prevention arrangement, and more particularly but not exclusively to an erosion prevention arrangement for preventing erosion by water currents or waves.

[2] The invention has been developed primarily for use in/with soil erosion along the banks of rivers or seas, and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use.

Background of the Invention

[3] Erosion by water, and in particular erosion caused by waves or strong currents, is typically reduced by providing "storm breaks" in the form of extremely large boulders and/or precast cement or concrete blocks, and piling these on a seaward side of a zone to be protected from soil erosion.

[4] However, as storm surges, especially in seas or oceans, can be exceptionally powerful, and therefore very large storm breaks are required. Further, in order to install these "storm breaks", large cranes may be required to lift them into position, and large vehicles required to transport them to the site. Using ships to deliver the storm breaks is only an option where the storm breaks are required to be installed next to very deep water. Ships cannot be used to deliver the storm breaks where the storm breaks are to be installed alongside shallow water or beaches. This limits of the instances in which installation of storm breaks is possible.

[5] Further, storm breaks may not be aesthetically appealing,

[6] The present invention seeks to provide a X, which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

[7] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Invention

[8] According to a first aspect, the present invention may be said to consist in an erosion prevention arrangement for preventing erosion of a bank by moving water, the erosion prevention arrangement comprising a. a frame arrangement configured for containing energy dissipation members; b. a plurality of energy dissipation members contained within the frame arrangement.

[9] In one embodiment, the erosion prevention arrangement comprises a fabric layer extending at least partly about an answer of the frame arrangement.

[10] In one embodiment, the fabric layer is composed of geotechnical fabric.

[11] In one embodiment, the fabric layer is composed of woven plastic material.

[12] In one embodiment, the erosion prevention arrangement comprises an anchoring arrangement for securing the arrangement at or towards the bank.

[13] In one embodiment, the anchoring arrangement comprises at least one or more piles.

[14] In one embodiment, the anchoring arrangement comprises a plurality of piles.

[15] In one embodiment, the plurality of piles are arranged in one or more lines.

[16] In one embodiment, the plurality of piles are arranged in two parallel lines.

[17] In one embodiment, the plurality of piles are arranged in a seaward side line and a landward side line.

[18] In one embodiment, the frame arrangement comprises a plurality of interlocked poles secured to one or more piles.

[19] In one embodiment, the interlocked poles comprises at least one or diagonally extending poles.

[20] In one embodiment, the interlocked poles and piles together form a cage arrangement for containing energy dissipation members.

[21] In one embodiment, the fabric layer extends around at least one or more of the poles.

[22] In one embodiment, the energy dissipation members are boulders.

[23] In one embodiment, the energy dissipation members are cementitious castings.

[24] In one embodiment, the frame arrangement is at least partly composed of pipes filled with settable cementitious material.

[25] In one embodiment, the pipes are composed of plastic.

[26] In one embodiment, the erosion prevention arrangement comprises a walkway arranged along an upper portion operationally.

[27] In one embodiment, the frame arrangement and walkway together form an enclosed cage arrangement for containing energy dissipation members.

[28] In one embodiment, the walkway comprises parallel elongate support members.

[29] In one embodiment, the walkway comprises a poured settable layer.

[30] In one embodiment, the poured settable layer is concrete.

[31] According to a further aspect, the present invention may be said to consist in a method of preventing erosion of a bank by moving water, the method comprising the steps of

a. constructing a frame arrangement configured for containing energy dissipation members; and

b. at least partially filling frame arrangement with energy dissipation members.

[32] In one embodiment, the method includes the step of laying a fabric layer at least partly around the outside of the frame arrangement.

[33] In one embodiment, the step of constructing a frame arrangement the step of installing an anchoring arrangement for the frame arrangement

[34] In one embodiment, the step of installing an anchoring arrangement comprises the step of driving at least one or more piles into the earth at or towards the bank.

[35] In one embodiment, the piles are arranged into two parallel lines.

[36] In one embodiment, a step of constructing a frame arrangement comprises the step of securing at least one or more interlocking poles to the anchoring arrangement.

[37] In one embodiment, the method of preventing erosion comprises the step of constructing a walkway at or towards an upper portion of the frame arrangement.

[38] In one embodiment, the step of constructing a walkway comprises the step of pouring a settable fluid into prearranged moulds to form the walkway.

[39] This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

[40] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[41] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, a preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[42] Figure 1 shows a top front perspective schematic view of a frame arrangement secured to a bank, with a fabric layer installed; and

[43] Figure 2 shows a side elevation view of an erosion prevention arrangement secured to a bank;

[44] Figure 3 shows a cutaway front view of the Erosion Prevention Arrangement of Figure 2, with one site cut way to show the energy dissipation members;

[45] Figure 4 shows a cutaway top view of the erosion prevention arrangement of Figure 2, with one side having the energy dissipation members removed to show the fabric layer;

[46] Figure 5 shows a top view of a second embodiment of an erosion prevention arrangement; and

[47] Figure 6 shows a top front schematic perspective view of a third embodiment of an erosion prevention arrangement including a walkway.

Description of Embodiments

[48] It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features.

[49] And erosion prevention arrangement according to a first aspect of the invention is generally indicated by the numeral 1000.

[50] In one embodiment now described, there is provided an erosion prevention arrangement 1000. The erosion prevention arrangement 1000 is configured for preventing erosion of a bank 5000, such as a riverbank, or a seashore, by moving water such as a river, tidal water movement or waves.

[51] The erosion prevention arrangement 1000 comprises a frame arrangement 1100, within which is contained many energy dissipation members 1200. The energy dissipation members 1200 are envisaged as being concrete blocks or boulders of a size that are movable by medium-sized earthmoving equipment.

[52] The frame arrangement 1100 includes an anchoring arrangement 1110 for securing the erosion prevention arrangement 1000 to the bank 5000. The anchoring arrangement 1110 is preferably in the form of two parallel lines of piles 1120. One line of piles 1120 is preferably arranged to the waterward side, while one line of piles is arranged to the landward side. It is envisaged that each of the lines of piles 1120 will be driven into the ground either partway up the bank 5000, or proximate to the bank, and extending parallel to the bank. It is envisaged that the waterward side line of piles 1120 will be driven deeper into the ground than the landward side line of piles 1120, since this line of piles 1120 can be expected to have to deal with increased buffeting from moving water such as waves.

[53] It is envisaged that the anchoring arrangement 1110 could be provided by alternative arrangements and/or formations, including the provision of concrete foundations or the like. However, these not preferred due to the complexities of installing these while being subject to issues such as tides, the collapsing of holes due to the ingress of water, and the like.

[54] The frame arrangement 1100 further comprises interlocked poles 1130 that secured to the piles 1120, preferably by fasteners (not shown) such as nut and bolt arrangements. The interlocked poles 1130 and piles 1120 together with the bank 5000 form a cage arrangement 1140 for containing the energy dissipation members 1200. The interlocked poles 1130 are preferably composed of plastic pipes that have been filled with concrete. In one possible embodiment, the plastic pipes can include steel reinforcing bar (not shown) around which concrete has been set, in order to make the poles 1130 more resistant to bending. The applicant believes that poles 1130 will be resistant to ingress of seawater through micro cracks in the concrete, and will assist in preventing rusting of reinforcing bars within the concrete. Further, the poles 1130 will be resistant to bending, and to damage by water.

[55] It is envisaged that in an alternative embodiment (not shown) frame arrangement could further comprise diagonally extending interlocked poles.

[56] In the preferred embodiments shown, erosion prevention arrangement further comprises a fabric layer 1300 that extends preferably along a lower portion of the frame arrangement 1100, and along the landward side of the frame arrangement 1100. The fabric layer is preferably composed of geotechnical fabric, for example in the form of woven polypropylene material. The fabric layer 1300 preferably extends around, and is folded around some of the interlocking poles 1130 (as shown in figure 1).

[57] The fabric layer 1300 serves to prevent erosion of relatively fine soil and gravel from being eroded from the bank between the relatively large energy dissipation members 1200. In this way, the bank 5000 will not be eroded out from under the energy dissipation members 1200, which can create holes in the frame arrangement 1100 through which the energy dissipation members 1200 can be lost, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the erosion prevention arrangement 1000.

[58] In a preferred embodiment shown in figure 6, it is envisaged that the erosion prevention arrangement 1000 further comprise a walkway 1400 arranged along an upper portion operationally. It is envisaged that the walkway 1400 could comprise a series of elongate support members 1410 in the form of timber or concrete slabs arranged parallel to each other (as shown in figure 6). In an alternative embodiment, the walkway 1400 could be composed of poured concrete. In order to provide a poured concrete walkway 1400, it is envisaged that concrete could be poured directly onto underlying energy dissipation members 1200, or into moulds (not shown) built specifically for that purpose above the energy dissipation members 1200.

[59] In this way, a scenic pedestrian pathway may be provided by the installation of a series of adjacent erosion prevention arrangements 1000.

[60] Advantageously, it is envisaged that the frame arrangement 1100 will, together with the walkway, form an enclosed cage arrangement (shown in figure 6) containing energy dissipation members in a manner that prevents energy dissipation members 1200 from being moved by moving water acting on them.

[61] It is envisaged that, in order to construct of the erosion prevention arrangement 1000, contractors will initially locate and install parallel lines of piles 1120 along the length of the bank 5000, preferably using a piledriver (not shown) having an extended reach. After this, the interlocking poles 1130 will be fastened to the piles 1120 fasteners.

[62] The fabric layer 1300 will then be installed to cover the bottom and landward side of the frame arrangement 1100. After this, energy dissipation members 1200 will be used to fill ip the space between the frame arrangement 1100 and the bank.

[63] Lastly, a walkway can optionally be installed at or towards an upper portion of the frame arrangement 1100, for example by laying elongate members 1410 alongside each other and fastening the elongate members to the frame arrangement, or setting up moulds, and pouring concrete into the moulds.

[64] Advantageously, as the energy dissipation members 1200 are effectively held in place by the frame arrangement 1100 in rough weather, relatively smaller size energy dissipation members 1200 can be used, which means that smaller size earthmoving equipment can be used to deliver and install the energy dissipation members 1200. In some embodiments, even manual labour could be used.

[65] At the same time, the energy dissipation members 1200 will dissipate the energy in large waves or the like as it impacts on the erosion prevention arrangement 1000, to thereby prevent erosion of the bank 5000.

Interpretation Markush Groups

[66] In addition, where features or aspects of the invention are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognise that the invention is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

Chronological sequence

[67] For the purpose of this specification, where method steps are described in sequence, the sequence does not necessarily mean that the steps are to be carried out in chronological order in that sequence, unless there is no other logical manner of interpreting the sequence.

Embodiments:

[68] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

[69] Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of example embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

[70] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

Different Instances of Objects

[71] As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", "third", etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

Specific Details

[72] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

Terminology

[73] In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as "forward", "rearward", "radially", "peripherally", "upwardly", "downwardly", and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

[74] For the purposes of this specification, the term "plastic" shall be construed to mean a general term for a wide range of synthetic or semisynthetic polymerization products, and generally consisting of a hydrocarbon-based polymer.

[75] As used herein the term "and/or" means "and" or "or", or both.

[76] As used herein "(s)" following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun.

Comprising and Including

[77] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

[78] Any one of the terms: including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising.

Scope of Invention

[79] Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.

[80] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Industrial Applicability

[81] It is apparent from the above, that the arrangements described are applicable to the construction and environmental engineering industries.

Claims

Claims The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1) An erosion prevention arrangement for preventing erosion of a bank by moving water, the erosion prevention arrangement comprising

a frame arrangement configured for containing energy dissipation members, the frame arrangement comprising one or more poles secured to one or more piles of an anchoring arrangement;

a plurality of energy dissipation members contained within the frame arrangement,

wherein the erosion prevention arrangement comprises a fabric layer extending at least partly along a surface of the bank and along a landward side of the frame arrangement, in use,

wherein the fabric layer extends around at least one or more of the poles, and

wherein the fabric layer is composed of a geotechnical fabric configured for preventing erosion of the bank.

2) An erosion prevention arrangement as claimed in claim 1)), wherein the erosion prevention arrangement comprises an anchoring arrangement for securing the arrangement at or towards the bank.

3) An erosion prevention arrangement as claimed in claim 2), wherein the anchoring arrangement comprises at least one or more piles.

4) An erosion prevention arrangement as claimed in claim 3), wherein the anchoring arrangement comprises a plurality of piles.

5) An erosion prevention arrangement as claimed in claim 4), wherein the plurality of piles are arranged in one or more lines.

6) An erosion prevention arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1) to 5), wherein the frame arrangement comprises a plurality of poles.

7) An erosion prevention arrangement as claimed in claim 6), wherein the poles are secured or securable to one or more piles.

8) An erosion prevention arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 6) or 7), wherein the poles includes at least one or more diagonally extending pole.

9) An erosion prevention arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 6) to 8), wherein the poles and piles together form a cage arrangement for containing energy dissipation members against said bank.

10)An erosion prevention arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1) to 9), wherein the energy dissipation members are one or more selected from boulders and cementitious castings.

11) An erosion prevention arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 6) to 10), wherein the poles are at least partly composed of pipes filled with settable cementitious material.

12)An erosion prevention arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1) to 11), wherein the erosion prevention arrangement comprises a walkway arranged along an upper portion operationally.

13)An erosion prevention arrangement as claimed in claim 12), wherein the frame arrangement and walkway together form an enclosed cage arrangement for containing energy dissipation members against said bank.