Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Stabilized damping element, as well as water barrier having such damping
elements
The invention relates to a damping element comprising a head part, neck part
and foot part of concrete adjoining one another in the longitudinal direction,
wherein,
transversely to the longitudinal direction, the neck part has a smaller cross
section than
the head part and the foot part.
A damping element of this type is known, for example, from Dutch patent
2004345. Damping elements can be used, for example, in water barriers in
connection
with the damping of the wave action. Between the mutually adjacent head parts
of the
damping elements remain openings, via which the water crashing against the
water
barrier can drain away. A significant damping effect is thereby obtained. The
water
which is thus collected can be evacuated via the system of channels which is
formed
between the mutually adjacent, narrower neck parts, whereby the damping is
further
promoted.
In order to the stabilization of the damping elements, such that these can
withstand the water forces which are exerted thereon by the wave action, the
upright
sides of the foot parts are usually constructed somewhat narrower in the
upward
direction. In the wedge-shaped gaps which are thus formed, stone chippings,
grit or
gravel, for example, can be received. A material of this type ensures that the
foot parts
are firmly stabilized relative to one another. As a result of the wedge shape
of the gaps
between the foot parts, a strong mutual clamping effect of the foot parts is
thus
obtained.
An object of the invention is to provide a damping element of the type
described
above, which, as a part of a row of such damping elements, produces still
better
stability. A further object of the invention is to provide a water barrier
having improved
stability. These and other objects are achieved by virtue of the fact that the
foot part of
the damping element has, over at least a portion of the periphery thereof, a
recess
directed transversely to the longitudinal direction.
An important effect of the recess in the periphery of the foot part is that
the
above-described stabilization particles, such as grit and the like, can make
their way
therein. When the stabilization particles are present in the recess, they have
only a
limited possibility, or none at all, of upward or downward displacement along
the said
periphery. As a result thereof, the stabilization particles can better secure
the mutually
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adjacent foot parts of the damping elements against the effect of the wave
action. This
will in particular be the case if, given two mutually adjacent damping
elements, a
stabilization particle makes its way both into the recess of one damping
element and
into the recess of the other damping element.
The direction transversely to the longitudinal direction of the recess is
important, because the displacement of the damping elements relative to one
another in
the longitudinal direction is thereby prevented. Nevertheless, it is also
possible to make
a recess run virtually or wholly in the longitudinal direction in order to
prevent mutual
twisting or displacement, transversely to the longitnainAl direction of the
adjacent
damping elements, relative to one another.
Preferably, the recess extends all the way round the periphery of the foot
part.
The foot part can be provided with the recess on all sides, preferably on the
sides on the
outer periphery of the foot part. In that case, the damping element can be
stabilized on
all sides, viewed in the peripheral direction, relative to neighbouring,
adjacent damping
elements. Preferably, the recess has the form of a groove. This recess or
groove can
extend continuously over the whole of the periphery, though that is not
necessary. The
recess or groove can also be interrupted at one or more places in the
peripheral
direction.
The shape of the foot can also vary. Preferably, the periphery thereof has a
plurality of mutually differing sides, which, two by two, are directed
transversely to
one another. Preferably, the periphery of the foot part has a plurality of
sides, which,
two by two, enclose an angle greater than 0 and less than 180 . This can be a
case of
three sides, four sides or more sides. Such shapes approximate to a polygonal.
Preferably, two sides directed transversely to each other enclose an angle of
approximately 900. In that case, the foot part of the damping element can form
a square
or rectangle.
Furthermore, sides of the foot part can possess a shape which is convex in the
peripheral direction. In the case of a square or rectangular shape of the foot
part, such
sides then enclose a somewhat greater angle than 90 . The advantage of a
slightly
convex shape of this type is that it offers the possibility of positioning the
damping
elements in a somewhat twisted arrangement relative to one another, without
the
formation of undesirably large gaps. Preferably, the recess is located at a
distance from
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the bottom side of the foot part and from the transition between the foot part
and the
neck. This distance is preferably other than O.
Preferably, the foot part possesses on the bottom side a base, by means of
which
the damping element can be placed firmly on a foundation. The periphery of the
foot
part extends upwards from this base in the longitudinal direction. The foot
part can
further have a shape which is tapered in the longitudinal direction.
The damping element can preferably be made wholly of concrete. According to
an alternative, preferred embodiment, however, two damping element parts,
preferably
of concrete, which join together via an interface running in the longitudinal
direction
are provided. Damping element parts of this type are easier to produce in an
open
mould. This applies all the more so if the damping element parts are
identical.
The damping elements can be constructed with different external shapes. They
can thus, for example, be rotationally symmetrical, for example in a design in
which,
when rotated respectively through 90 about the longitudinal direction, same-
shaped
regions always exist. However, it is also possible to give the head part and
the foot part,
for example, different shapes. Preference is for an embodiment in which, in a
first
principal direction transversely to the longitudinal direction, the transverse
dimension
in this direction of the head part is greater than the transverse dimension in
this
direction of the foot part.
In an embodiment of this type, lithe damping elements are placed side by side
in the said direction, the head parts will therefore abut one against another,
whilst the
foot parts are then located at a distance apart, enclosing a gap. This
embodiment makes
it possible to place neighbouring damping elements somewhat obliquely relative
to one
another, wherein the head parts define a concave shape, whilst both the head
parts and
the foot parts of adjacent damping elements abut one against another. Such a
placement
is suitable, for example, in the transition of a water barrier from an
inclined portion to a
flat portion, as in the crown of a dike.
The longitudinal directions of the mutually adjacent damping elements enclose
in these cases a small angle. However, in the non-curved, straight portions,
the damping
elements stand, however, closely abreast, wherein the longitudinal directions
thereof
are directed mutually parallel. The head parts then abut one against another,
whilst, as
already stated above, the foot parts mutually enclose gaps. However, as a
result of the
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grooves in the foot parts and the interaction thereof with the grit particles,
a stable
lining can be obtained, however, in these regions too.
At least those sides which are directed transversely to the first principal
direction are provided with a recess. The recesses into which the
stabilization particles
penetrate then make the desired contributions to the stability of the row both
in the
curved regions and in the straight regions.
Furthermore, in a second principal direction which is directed transversely to
the longitudinal direction and which is directed transversely to the first
longitudinal
direction, the dimension of the head part can be equal to the dimension of the
head part
in the first principal direction. Further preferably, in a second principal
direction which
is directed transversely to the longitudinal direction and which is directed
transversely
to the first longitudinal direction, the dimension of the head part can be
equal to the
dimension of the foot part in the second principal direction. In that position
of the
damping elements in which the longitudinal directions are parallel, then both
the head
parts and the foot parts abut one against another. A mutual position of this
type is
useful over sections which are straight without the presence of a significant
curvature,
such as sections in the longitudinal direction of a dike body.
The invention further relates to a row of damping elements as described above,
wherein at least the foot parts of neighbouring damping elements are held one
against
another, enclosing hard stabilization particles such as grit or gravel. In
this case,
stabilization particles are present in the recess of the said foot parts held
one against
another. Preferably, the dimensions of the stabilization particles are greater
than the
depth dimension of the recess. An advantage thereof is that stabilization
particles can
be present both in the recess of a damping element and in the recess of an
adjacent
damping element. This has an improved stabilizing effect.
As stated, the respective longitudinal directions of can enclose an angle
greater
than zero, such that the said neighbouring damping elements are directed
obliquely
relative to one another and the head parts of these neighbouring damping
elements
define a concave shape. In this case, the head parts of neighbouring damping
elements
and foot parts of the said damping elements which define the concave shape can
abut
directly one against another, such that, in addition to the effect produced by
the grooves
and the grit particles, a stable lining is obtained.
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The invention further relates to a water barrier, comprising a barrier body
covered by a lining consisting of a row of damping elements as described
above.
In the above, talk has been of a damping element having a foot part which,
over
at least a portion of the periphery thereof, has a recess directed
transversely to the
5 longitudinal direction. This recess can be located locally on the foot
part. A row of
local recesses is also possible. It is further possible for the foot to have a
plurality of
recesses located one above another, which are provided continuously or
locally.
Combinations of continuous recesses and rows of local recesses are also
possible. A
recess can be sunk in the outer side of the foot part. However, it is also
possible to form
a recess between two prominent ridges or projections on the foot part.
The invention will be described in greater detail below on the base of the
figures.
Figure 1 shows damping elements placed side by side.
Figure 2 shows a top view of a damping element according to II of Figure 1.
Figure 3 shows a cross section through the foot part of a damping element
according to III of Figure 1.
Figure 4 shows a vertical cross section through a water barrier.
Figure 5 shows the enlarged detail according to V of Figure 1.
Figure 6 shows a detail of a foot part having various possible recesses.
The water barrier or dike represented with reference numeral 1 in Figure 4
consists of the dike body 10, as well as a lining 2 consisting of a large
number of
damping elements 6. This lining extends both in the longitudinal direction of
the dike
body 10 and in the transverse direction represented in Figure 3. In the
transverse
direction, the damping elements 6 are placed in this example side by side in a
row. In
the longitudinal direction too, the damping elements 6 can be arranged in
rows. Placed
in a known manner at the foot of the dike 1 is rock fill 11, which is located
below the
level of the water body 12.
The water body 12 reaches up to a certain height of the lining 2; when the
waves on the water body 2 break, the lining 2 is exposed to water forces. This
means
also that the individual damping elements 6 are subjected to load. It is hence
of great
importance that the damping elements 6 present in the lining 2 are secured as
well as
possible such that they can offer resistance to the force of the water.
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As also represented in Figures 1 and 4, each damping element 6 consists of a
head part 3, a neck 4 and a foot part 5. These parts adjoin one another in the
longitudinal direction, indicated schematically by reference numeral 7. The
neck part 4
has a considerably smaller cross section than the head part 3 and the foot
part 5. As a
result, a system of channels 8 is formed between the mutually adjacent damping
elements 6. The foot part 5 possesses on the bottom side a base 17, by means
of which
the damping element 6 can be placed firmly on a foundation. The periphery 18
of the
foot part 5 extends upwards from this base 17 in the longitudinal direction 7
and
possesses a shape which is tapered somewhat in the longitudinal direction 7.
Although the head parts 3, in the represented illustrative embodiment, adjoin
one another, they enclose mutual openings 9 through which water can penetrate
into the
system of channels 8. As a result, on the one hand the force of the water is
damped,
whilst, on the other hand, it can be evacuated to good effect via the system
of channels
8.
As represented in Figure 4, the lining 2 reaches from a straight flank 13 of
the
dike body 10 up to the summit 14 thereof, such that the rows of damping
element 6
undergo a curvature. The mutual position of the damping elements 6 relative to
one
another can thereby vary, wherein at the site of the straight flank 13 the
longitudinal
directions 7 of neighbouring damping elements are mutually parallel, whilst at
the site
of the transition from this straight flank 13 to the summit 14 the
longitudinal directions
7 of neighbouring damping elements 6 enclose a small angle. It is important,
however,
that both at the site of the straight flank, at the site of the summit 14 and
at the site of
the transition between the straight flank 13 and the summit 14, all damping
elements 6
are well stabilized in the same way relative to one another against loosening.
In this context, various measures have been taken. First of all, these grit
particles 16 provide a clamping effect between the adjacent foot parts 5 as a
result of
the somewhat tapered shape of the periphery 18. The damping elements 6 are
constructed such that the transverse dimensions c of the head parts 3 are
equal in the
mutually perpendicular directions as represented in the top view of Figure 2.
The
transverse dimensions in the two corresponding mutual perpendiculars of the
foot part
5 differ, however, as represented in the cross section of Figure 3. In this
case, one
transverse dimension b is chosen equal to the transverse dimensions c of the
head part
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3, yet the other transverse dimension a is chosen somewhat smaller. The
transverse
dimensions a and b are measured close to the base 17 of the foot part 5.
The damping elements 6 are placed on the dike body 10 such that the foot parts
thereof are placed with their relatively small transverse dimensions a along
the flanks
5 13 from low to high, whilst the foot parts 5 are placed with their larger
transverse
dimensions b in the longitudinal direction of the dike body 10. The result of
this is that
the damping elements 6, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the dike body
10, rest
stably one against another both with the head parts 3 and with their foot
parts 5. Along
the straight flank 13 viewed from high to low, however, although the head
parts 3 abut
one against another, a gap is formed between the foot parts 5 owing to the
smaller
transverse dimensions a of the foot parts 5. At the place of the curved
transition
between the straight flank 13 and the summit 14, however, the foot parts 5
also abut
one against another, because there the longitudinal directions 7 of the
particular
damping elements 6 enclose a small angle relative to one another.
A further measure for stabilizing the damping elements relates to the groove
15
provided on the outer side of the foot part 5. In the represented illustrative
embodiment,
this groove 15 extends around the whole of the periphery of the foot part 5,
although
that is not necessary. The groove 15 is directed perpendicularly relative to
the
longitudinal direction 7. As represented in Figure 3 and in particular in the
larger-scale
view of Figure 1, a grit consisting of particles 16 has been deposited between
the foot
parts 5 of neighbouring damping elements 6.
As a result of these grooves 15 filled with grit particles 16, the damping
elements 6 also at the site of the straight flank 13 are nevertheless well
stabilized
relative to one another, despite the gap which exists there between adjacent
damping
elements 6 as a resuk of the smaller transverse dimension a thereof. As shown
in the
enlarged view of Figure 5, the mutual stabilization of the damping elements 6
is further
increased by the fact that particles 16 can have such dimensions that one and
the same
particle can protrude both in the groove 15 of one damping element and in the
groove
15 of the neighbouring damping element The foot parts 5 of the damping
elements are
thereby, in the longitudinal direction thereof, non-displaceable relative to
one another,
which imparts to the lining made up of such damping elements very good
resistance
against the forces of flowing and rolling water. The mutually opposing grooves
15 form
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a system of channels between the mutually adjacent damping elements 6, and in
particular between the side-by-side foot parts 5.
As represented in Figures 1-3, the damping elements 6 preferably consist of
identical damping element parts 20, 21, which abut one against the other via
an
interface 19.
The detail of the foot part in Figure 6 shows various forms of recesses which
can each be used separately, either of the same type one above another or of
different
types one above another. The two grooves 15 placed one above the other are
continuous. As an altemative, or additionally thereto, rows of insulated
recesses or pits
15', 15" can be used. In all recesses of this type also, as a result of the
intrusion of grit
particles therein, a stabilized damping element can be obtained.
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List of reference symbols
1 Water harrier
2. Lining
I 'cad part
Neck part
5.. Foot part
Damping element
Longitudinal direction
System of channels
Opening
Dike body
11. Rock fill
Water body
15 .123,, Straight flank of dike body
14. Summit of dike body
1-5. 15, 15". Groove in foot pail
16. Grit particles
17. Base foot part
20 18.. Periphery of foot part
19. Interface
20; 21. Damping element parts
Relatively small transverse dimension of foot part
11; Relatively large transverse dimension of foot part
25 c Transverse dimensions of head part
