Hydraulic and earth engineering – Bank – shore – or bed protection – Revetment
Utility Patent
1998-09-21
2001-01-02
Lillis, Eileen D. (Department: 3673)
Hydraulic and earth engineering
Bank, shore, or bed protection
Revetment
C405S033000, C405S035000, C405S272000, C405S284000
Utility Patent
active
06168349
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to systems for lining the banks or shores of a flood conveyance facility, river, or other waterway to control erosion of the banks or shores. More particularly, the invention relates to a multi-level bank lining system that provides significant erosion control, even in extreme weather conditions.
2. Description of the Related Art
The banks of flood conveyance facilities, rivers, and the like (hereinafter “waterways”) are dynamic in nature due, among other things, to variations in the water level and flow rate of water through those waterways. High water levels and/or high flow rates can cause significant erosion of the waterways' banks, especially during severe storms, for example during those storms attributed to the El Nino weather phenomenon that intermittently plagues large portions of the United States, and in particular the western states. The erosion of the waterway's banks not only harms ecosystems located in close proximity to the banks, but also damages personal, business, and governmental properties located adjacent to the waterway. Thus, there exists a need to prevent waterway bank erosion, for the above and other reasons.
One method currently practiced is to simply line the banks of the waterway with concrete. Such a method is relatively expensive, and does not permit any vegetation to grow and line the banks. Thus, such a system is not only aesthetically unappealing, it also requires that any vegetation growing along the banks be removed.
Another prior art method is to create what is commonly referred to as a “rip-rap” channel, which essentially consists of a piling of boulders along a waterway's banks. This type of system is also somewhat expensive, in terms of both materials and labor, and does not prevent the bank from deteriorating since the boulders do not provide a water-tight cover over the banks. In addition, because the rip-rap channel covers the bank, native vegetation is not permitted to grow along the bank.
Yet another prior art method is to form a soil cement embankment along the banks of the waterway. Such a method is similar to the concrete embankment described above, in that it covers over the banks and therefore does not permit vegetation to grow along the bank.
Still another prior art method involves the use of spurs, groins, or overbank grade control structures, which are embankments that project into the waterway from its banks, either perpendicular to the bank or at some other angle with respect to the bank. By deflecting the current from the bank and causing sediment deposition behind them, the spurs serve to protect the bank to some extent.
Accordingly, it will be apparent that there continues to be a need for a bank reinforcing system that is only minimally invasive, is relatively inexpensive to implement, and provides significant protection against erosion during both normal conditions and severe weather conditions. The present invention addresses these needs and others.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly, and in general terms, the present invention is directed to a multi-level system for protecting the banks of a waterway from the erosive forces of the passing water. The system includes at least two soil-cement linings or levels that are positioned at selected, spaced apart locations relative to the waterway. Each lining is at least partially buried into the bank, with the linings cooperating to substantially prevent erosion of the bank, both during normal conditions and extreme weather conditions. At least one over-bank grade control structure is provided and is interposed between the respective linings to provide an added measure of erosion protection along the over-bank area between the respective linings. The multi-level system provides a large, unified mass to substantially prevent erosion in the area between the respective linings.
Thus, in one illustrative embodiment, the present invention is directed to a bank-lining system for reducing erosion along a bank of a waterway, the system comprising: a first lining located at a preselected location with respect to the waterway, the first lining being formed of soil cement; a second lining spaced from the first lining at a preselected location, the second lining being formed of soil cement; and at least one over-bank grade control structure interposed between the first and second linings.
In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a bank-lining system for lining the banks of a waterway and comprising: a first lining located at a preselected location and extending generally parallel to the waterway, the first lining being formed of soil cement; a second lining spaced a predetermined distance from the first lining and extending generally parallel to the waterway, the second lining being formed of soil cement; and at least one over-bank grade control structure interposed between the first and second linings and extending generally perpendicular to the respective linings.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the features of the present invention.
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Geoweb Cellular Confinement System, Presto Products Company, Geosystems Products, 1996, 8 pages.
Krebs Mark E.
Perslow Johan A.
Christie Parker & Hale LLP
Hartmann Gary S.
Lillis Eileen D.
Pacific Advanced Civil Engineering, Inc.
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