Abstract:
A floating breakwater structure that can be positioned adjacent to a boat dock or other area to be shielded from the effect of waves, the structure having a framework (26) supported by floating members (24A, 24B) to maintain the framework above the water's surface and a plurality of adjacently positioned weighted rectangular concrete slabs (38) pendulously supported into the water from the framework at least along one side of the structure, the concrete slabs being from about 8 to 12 feet in length, from 3 to 6 feet wide and 3 to 8 inches thick.
Abstract:
A floating device for reducing wave swell is composed of two plates (1, 2) placed over one another and spaced apart at a defined distance, and mechanically integral with one another. The rigid assembly has two associated wave-lessening functions, the upper plate (1) serving to flatten cycloid wave movements, and the lower plate (2) serving as the vertical anchoring member. This movable device is flexibly secured on the bottom, upstream and downstream, in relation to the direction of wave swell. The association of several units in series improves the damping coefficient. Owing to the continuous braking of its vertical movement, the device is efficient over a large range of wave lengths and the structure, being subjected to calculable strains, becomes mechanically reliable. This device affords protection especially to structures, port entrances, beaches and provides stretches of smooth water in the sea.
Abstract:
Sea construction method implementing floating organisms, particularly algae, which are fixed to an artificial bottom of which the floatation level is controlled by a natural structure device. The method enables the arrangement of the sea by a biological process. It may be used for the formation of aquacultural reefs, marine forests, break-waters, floating islands, artificial harbours, and other marine structures for further protection and exploitation of oceans.
Abstract:
The technical field of the invention is that of public works. One of the main applications of the invention is in marine and fluvial structures such as dikes which are exposed to waves and currents and are disposed on unstable ground such as sand. The device for stabilizing the shielding element (14) of the body (15) of a structure (1) with a sloping part comprises a grid (4) for holding the elements secured to the shielding surface (14) by means (5) anchored through the structure (1). Also provided on the ground (12) is a base shoe (2) that accommodates the structure (1) and means for anchoring (7) the shoe (2) in relation to the ground (12), the grid (4) being mounted on the shoe (2). The shoe anchoring means (5) consist of crossties lying across the shield (14) of the structure (1) and are secured opposite the body of said structure (1).
Abstract:
The barrier consists of a plurality of separate floats (11) arranged in one or two rows in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the principal swells propagate. The floats are designed to reflect one part of an incident swell and dissipate another part through internal damping. The barrier can be used for the protection of coastlines, coastal and harbour facilities for tourists, sports or recreational use, and off-shore installations.
Abstract:
There is provided a wave attenuation device for abating waves and therefore erosion of a shorefront or marina of a body of water. The device includes a plurality of spaced apart, elongated plates for receiving waves therethrough. The plates are retained together by a plurality of vertical supports. The device may include a structure to anchor the device in place in a body of water.
Abstract:
Floating body which may be used as floating bridge, diving pontoon, mooring bridge or the like. In order to obtain a rot-resistant floating body, an internal floating body (12) of rigid foam or the like is arranged in a synthetic sheet (13) and is wrapped with a light concrete envelope (14). The floating body may be used as an individual floating body, for example a diving pontoon, as well as in combination to form a mooring bridge or the like.
Abstract:
The invention concerns a fixed caisson type dike (1) partially immersed between an upstream sheet of water (3) and a downstream sheet of water (4) such that water flows beneath the dike. The downstream front part (AB) of the dike which is likely to be affected by the movement of water under the effect of the surge, essentially slopes downstream at an angle ( alpha ) at most equal to 60 DEG and at least equal to 25 DEG with respect to the horizontal line. Said dike is further improved by an upstream front profile (10) specially designed for increasing the effect produced by the downstream front profile and by the addition of a central chamber (11) greatly decreasing the vertical stresses. Said dike amplifies the phenomenon of damping during periods of high surge (T > 8 seconds) and limits the risks of resonance downstream generated by the interaction of the construction with the site to be protected.
Abstract:
An artificial reef is designed for replacing and protecting naturally occurring reef structures. The artificial reef comprises multiple vertically stacked concrete panels (1) separated by spacing blocks (2, 3). The panels and spacing blocks are fixed together by reinforcement rods (7) which are held in place by epoxy grout (14). The concrete panels of the reef have a flat upper surface and an undersurface of a waffled configuration and are stacked in a manner to permit substantially all of the surface area to be exposed to the estuarine environment. The waffled configuration provides a complex shape to the reef and encourages both calm and turbulent water flow within the reef so as to avoid areas of water stagnation. The modular nature of the panels permits wide flexibility in size and shape of the reef. The use of concrete provides an inert, non-corroding composition of the reef and permits on-shore construction of the reef. Lifting rings (4) embedded in the top surface of the artificial reef permit deployment by a crane.
Abstract:
A floatable breakwater consists of an array of flotation units (11) preferably used tyres (12) with a filling of buoyant material (13) flexibly linked together in two mutually orthogonal directions to form a module (21). Successive modules (21, 23, 24) may be linked together to any desired length or breadth. The flotation units are used to support a molluscs culture rope (16) and a gantry (33) may be positioned across the flotation units to work the culture ropes.