REVETMENT FOR A BANK

REVETMENT POUR RIVES

English Abstract

A revetement for bank, water-retaining structure
and the like comprises elements (1) made of
concrete or a similar material, which elements are
approximately prismatic in the height direction and
each have two transverse faces (7, 8) and two
longitudinal faces (5, 6) which run parallel to their
height direction. One transverse face (7) of each
element is made a concave shape, and the other
transverse face (8) is made a corresponding convex
shape, in such a way that the elements can
rest with their transverse faces against each other
in various rotated positions.

French Abstract

Un revêtement pour rives, structures de rétention d'eau et analogues, comprend des éléments (1) en béton ou en un matériau similaire, lesquels éléments sont approximativement prismatiques dans le sens de la hauteur et présentent chacun deux faces transversales (7, 8) et deux faces longitudinales (5, 6) parallèles à leur hauteur. On donne à une face transversale (7) de chaque élément une forme concave et on donne à l'autre face transversale (8) une forme convexe correspondante de manière que les éléments puissent reposer par leurs faces transversales les uns contre les autres dans diverses positions tournées.

Claims

4
Claims
1. Revetment for a bank or water-retaining structure, comprising elements (1)
of
concrete or a similar material resting against each other, which elements are
approximately prismatic in a height direction and each have two transverse
faces (7,
8) and two longitudinal faces (5, 6) between a top face (3) and a bottom face
(2),
which revetment has open spaces between the elements extending between planes
formed by the top faces (3) and bottom faces (2) of the elements, for allowing
water
to pass through, characterized in that one transverse face (7) of each element
is made
a concave shape and the other transverse face (8) is made a corresponding
convex
shape, at least one of the transverse faces (7, 8) and the longitudinal faces
having a
recess (9, 10), in such a way that the elements rest with their transverse
faces against
each other in various rotated positions, and the recesses (9, 10) each bound
one of the
open spaces with an opposite wall (5-8) of the recess (9, 10) of an adjacent
element.
2. Revetment according to claim 1, in which the elements (1) form rows (12) in
which transverse sides (7, 8) in each row rest against each other and elements
(1) from
adjacent rows rest with their longitudinal faces (5, 6) against each other.
3. An element for a revetment having open spaces formed exclusively between
the elements according to one of claims 1 and 2; which element is
approximately
prismatic in the height direction and has two transverse faces (7, 8) and two
longitudinal faces (5, 6) between the top face (3) and the bottom face (2),
and
whereby the transverse face is made a concave shape and the other transverse
face (8)
is made a convex shape, characterized in that at least one of the transverse
faces (7, 8)
has the recess (10) in such a way that the elements (1) can rest with their
transverse
faces (7, 8) against each other in various rotated positions, and the recess
(1) bounds
the open space with an opposite wall of the recess of the adjacent element
(1).
4. An element according to claim 3, in which the transverse faces (7, 8) have
a
corresponding round shape parallel to the height direction.
5. An element according to claim 4, in which the transverse faces (7, 8)
correspond approximately to a part of a cylinder.

5
6. A revetment according to claim 3, 4 or 5, in which the longitudinal faces
(5, 6)
are essentially flat.

Description

CA 02254348 1998-11-10
WO 97/43487 PCT/NL97/OOZ70
Revetment for a bank
The invention relates to a revetment for a bank, water-
retaining structure and the like, comprising elements made of concrete or
a similar material resting against each other, which elements are
approximately prismatic in the height direction and each have two
transverse faces and two longitudinal faces between a top face and a
bottom face, which revetment has open spaces extending between the top
faces and the bottom faces, for allowing water to pass through.
Such a revetment is known from NL-C-122279. This known
revetment is made of identical elements of a polygonal, convex shape.
This shape produces a revetment which has open spaces, which has the
advantage that at the underside of the revetment no water pressure which
would have a tendency to lift the elements can occur. Such a design is
advantageous particularly in the case of revetments of a slope of the
type which occurs in the case of sea dikes or river banks. Although the
water constantly flowing in waves against the slope can enter by way of
said open spaces, at the same time it flows back again unimpeded, in such
a way that it cannot grip the elements, and the revetment remains intact.
The disadvantage of this known revetment is, however, that the
desired ratio between open and closed surface thereof is found only in
the straight parts of a slope. As soon as the slope undergoes a
curvature, larger open spaces are bound to remain open, owing to the fact
that the known elements then no longer butt up well against each other.
The larger open spaces could, of course, be reduced by skilled
rearrangement or by filling up with smaller pieces, but skilled personnel
is required for this, and such personnel is not always available.
The object of the invention is to provide a revetment which, on
the one hand, is simple to lay using machines and unskilled personnel and
which, on the other hand, still allows the correct ratio between open and
closed parts to be achieved, even in curved parts of the slope. That
object is achieved by the fact that one transverse face of each element
is made a concave shape and the other transverse face is made a
corresponding convex shape.
Owing to the concave/convex shape of the elements, said
elements can be laid so that they butt up well against each other, even
in the curved parts of a slope. Moreover, such an advantageous result can
be obtained in the case of various gradients, while quay walls can also
be revetted with the elements according to the invention. Owing to the

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2
open spaces, water cannot make any impression on the revetment.
The elements form rows in which the transverse sides in each
row rest against each other and elements from adjacent rows rest with
their longitudinal sides against each other.
The revetment known from NL-C-1222'79 is made with elements
whose transverse faces and/or longitudinal faces are formed in such a way
that the elements resting against each other leave spaces clear for
allowing water to pass through. In the case of the revetment according to
the invention, in addition to the concave/convex shape, it is also
possible to use the element shapes according to NL-C-122279, which
provide open spaces there.
However, in the case of the revetment according to the
invention at least one of the transverse faces and/or longitudinal faces
preferably comprises a passage opening, which transverse faces and/or
longitudinal faces are formed in such a way that the elements resting
against each other leave open spaces clear for allowing water to pass
through, while the elements can rest with their transverse faces against
each other in various rotated positions, and the passage openings each
bound an open space with an opposite wall and/or passage opening of an
adjacent element.
As an alternative, the elements can contain a passage opening
which does not open onto a transverse face or a longitudinal face.
In particular, the transverse faces of the elements can be of a
corresponding round shape parallel to the height direction, preferably
corresponding approximately to a part of a cylinder. The longitudinal
faces of the elements can be essentially flat, in such a way that they
can be laid in half-brick bond or also in brick bond. In this case the
elements form rows in which the transverse sides in each row rest against
each other.
In order to provide the necessary openings, at least one of the
longitudinal faces or transverse faces can have a recess.
The invention also relates to an element for use in the
revetment according to the invention.
The invention will be explained in greater detail below with
reference to an exemplary embodiment shown in the figures.
Figure 1 shows a concrete element according to the invention in
perspective.
Figure 2 shows a first laying pattern with the element
according to Figure 1, in a straight course.

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Figure 3 shows a second laying~pattern.
v Figure $ shows a laying pattern in a curved course.
The element made of concrete Shawn in Figure 1 for the
revetment of a bank, water-retaining structure and the like, indicated in
its entirety by 1, comprises a bottom face 2 knot visible), a top face 3
and a prismatic~peY~iphery indicated in its entirety by ~. Said periphery
consists of two longitudinal faces 5 (not visible) and 6, and two
transverse faces 7 {not visible) and 8.
The periphery 4 has a slight taper and becomes a little
narrower towards the top face 3~,
The longitudinal faces 5, 6 each have an essentially prismatic
recess 9~,The rear transverse face 7 of each element is concave, while
the front transverse. face 8 is convex. Both the concave face 7 end the
w~; convex face 8 correspond approximately to a part of a cylinder. The convex
face 8 also has an approximately prismatic recess 10.
As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the concrete elements according to
the invention can be used for revetments with different patterns. In
Figure 2 the concrete elements 1 are laid with their longitudinal faces 5
and 6 fully against each other. The recesses 9 in their transverse faces
in this case form openings, while the recesses 10 in their front, convex
transverse face 8 also form an opening. In addition, openings 11 are
present between every four concrete elements 1.
Such recesses can also be found in the case of the half-brick
pattern in Figure 3. Their purpose is to allow water washed by wave
action onto the revetment to pass through the revetment just as easily as
it is washed back out again. This ensures that excess pressure is not
produced underneath the revetment, which would force the elements away or
would cause scour to occur underneath the elements.
According to the invention, the concave transverse faces 7 and
the convex faces 8 fit into each other at various angular positions, as
is clear from the pattern shown in Figure 4. The elements are laid in
various rows 12 one after the other, so that their transverse faces 7, 8
make close contact with each other, irrespective of their mutual angular
position.

Representative Drawing