Breakwater antierosion barrier obtained by assembling modular joined components

Abstract

 A breakwater antierosion barrier is proposed. The present barrier is advantageous for it is modular and assembled by utilizing very simple cheap components while the barriers according to the known solutions are built by utilizing very cumbersome, bulky, big blocks of concrete difficult to move.
In general, the barrier according to the present invention is carried out by assembling polygonal components (1). In particular, each polygonal component is shaped as a holed octagon. The octagon has a substantially flat face but it shows also a certain thickness.
Each barrier component (1) shows holes (2) and particularly shaped openings (3). A face of the octagon shows bevelled edges (4) which facilitate the assembling operation of the barrier components.

Description

[0001] The present invention proposes a breakwater antierosion barrier which peculiarity is to be obtained by assembling modular joined components.

[0002] The present barrier is advantageous for it is modular and assembled by utilizing very simple cheap components while the barriers according to the known solutions are built by utilizing very cumbersome, bulky, big concrete blocks difficult to be moved.

[0003] As is known, many sea coasts are subjected to the erosion owing to several reasons.

[0004] The causes of the erosion include for instance the removal of inert material from the river beds, which causes a reduction of the quantity of sediments that flow into the sea. Another cause is the extinction of the Posidonia prairies. The Posidonia plants dispersed the energy of the waves and their lack has caused an increase in the erosion. Another cause of the erosion is a great lowering of the quantity of solid substances that flow into the sea from the rivers. This phenomenon is due to the lowering of the river level and flow (in some instances the river level and flow is reduced to 0) caused by the water taking for the hydric supply, which involves a great lowering of the quantity of solid substances that flow into the sea from the rivers.

[0005] Artificial barriers are utilized to safeguard coastlines and seaboards. The artificial barriers are utilized in particular to safeguard sandy shores. The said artificial barriers are utilized above all in case the coast above sea level is a built-up area and therefore, it is necessary to defend it.

[0006] The building of artificial defence works has contributed considerably to enlarging the sandy beaches on which such defence works are located.

[0007] However, these defence works are a sedimentary trap on the side lashed by the waves and therefore, prevent the solid material to reach the opposite side, which causes an endless erosion process.

[0008] In addition, the building of the said defence works gives rise to a water pollution and turbidity because the limited actions of the wave motion behind the barriers do not permit a washing of the sediments and the removal of polluting organic and chemical substances.

[0009] Another drawback of the known barriers is the difficulty in carrying out them in case concrete wall barriers must be cast on the shore or in case barriers consisting of very cumbersome, bulky, artificial components must be built in the building yard and then, transported to the shore.

[0010] The aim of the present invention is to conceive and carry out a system for protecting the shores, which system consists of a barrier obtained by utilizing simple cheap components which do not prevent a washing of the sediments and do not damage the coast ecosystem.

[0011] The barrier according to the present invention is carried out by utilizing substantially flat manufactured articles showing an octagonal shape or the like and made of reinforced concrete, which articles are assembled together to build structures which are statically stable on sea or lake bottoms thereby creating ideal conditions for an antierosion barrier which prevents an erosion of the shore and preserves the aquatic ecosystem.

[0012] Further features and details of the invention will be better understood from the following description which is given as a non-limiting example on the hand of the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a schematic front view of a modular component according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic sectioned side view of the modular component of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a schematic detailed view of an angular joined connection and connecting means thereof.

[0013] With reference to the accompanying drawing, number 1 denotes a modular component according to the present invention on the whole. By assembling together the modular components (1) it is possible to carry out structures which are statically stable on sea or lake bottoms thereby creating ideal conditions for an antierosion barrier which prevents an erosion of the shore and preserves the aquatic ecosystem.

[0014] In general, the modular component 1 according to the present invention shows a polygonal shape or the like and is made of reinforced concrete by utilizing the present techniques (not described here since these techniques are already known).

[0015] As said, the modular component 1 shows a polygonal shape and in particular, each polygonal component is shaped as a holed octagon. The octagon has a substantially flat face but it shows also a certain thickness. Each barrier component 1 shows holes 2 and particularly shaped openings 3. A face of the octagon shows bevelled edges 4 which facilitate the assembling operation of the barrier components.

[0016] In fact, each modular component shaped like a holed octagon must be connected with other modular octagon-shaped components. To this end, each modular component 1 is provided with brackets 5 at the middle points of its outward sides. Each bracket is made of steel or other suited metal and shows a slot 6 in which a screw or the like is inserted.

[0017] The modular components are assembled together according to an angular mutual arrangement of about 90 degrees so as to form a three-side pyramid-shaped module. The stability of the so-obtained module is very high.

[0018] By connecting a plurality of the said modules it is possible to obtain the wished structure to be placed on the shore.

[0019] As said, the stability of the so-obtained structure is very high, the tangential thrusts being always directed toward the sea or lake bottom. In other words, when a current runs continuously or periodically into the assembled modules, the current pushes the modules downward so that they anchor more and more to the sea or lake bottom.

[0020] In addition, the structure is assembled in such a way as to permit the creation of local inner washing currents on the external and internal surface. The washing currents on the external surface prevent a sanding up of the structure while the washing currents on the internal surface increase the deposit of nutritional substances and the development of sedentary forms of life under water.

[0021] As said, the material utilized for the manufacture of the said modular components is the concrete. In this case it is advisable to utilize a kind of concrete consisting of natural substances such as washed sand and broken gravel and it is better to avoid an utilization of composite materials including cement that has not been integrated with additives and has not been fluidified. The composition of the concrete does not include synthetic disarming agents for the forming operations. Furthermore, the surfaces of the modular element are then washed with salt water in order to lower the pH of the surface. In this way, it is possible to obtain an artificial "stone" which is suited especially to be utilized in the ecosystems of the sea and lake coasts.

[0022] Concerning the anchorages, the mechanical small parts for coupling the modular elements are made of stainless steel, which is absolutely unalterable in water or salt water. The utilization of special metals such as chromium, vanadium, tungsten and titanium is avoided because they are reactive metals which modify both the acidity of the surrounding area and the electrolysis paths of the structure and would be a biochemical hindrance to the proliferation of the underwater flora and fauna.

[0023] The modular components are assembled three by three and create modules to carry out a structure which is simple and quick to be built. In addition, it is possible to simply put a second layer or a third layer of modules on the first layer of modules if the currents and the sea or lake bottom permit to do so. The said pyramids form extraordinary artificial citadels for the repopulation or development of the underwater habitat.

[0024] The assembling operation of the modules is very simple and rapid. The modules can be assembled above ground and then, laid underwater. However, it is also possible to lay the single elements on the seabed and assemble them after.

[0025] Anyhow, the single operations take few time and consist in putting the modular components near each other and screwing the screws and their respective bolts in the brackets 5.

[0026] As previously said, the present modular structure permits to build small, middle and big stable artificial structures in sea and lake areas where there are few natural indentations and areas underpopulated by the fauna. Thus, the utilization of these structures improves the biological complexity of the system.

[0027] Moreover, new ecosystems may be created in unusual areas or where it is more convenient or necessary to do so.

[0028] A skilled artisan can find further possible constructive forms and coupling systems for the modular elements and obtain solutions that are to be considered as included in the scope of protection of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. Breakwater antierosion barrier obtained by assembling modular joined components, characterized by the fact that each modular component (1) is a concrete piece or the like, has an essentially polygonal shape and preferably it is shaped like an octagon, the body of this element being flat and having a certain thickness, the modular component showing openings in its central part, and by the fact that on the edges of the modular components there are provided connecting means for coupling and fixing the modular components each other by means of screws or the like in order to obtain either simple pyramidal modular structures or more complex modular structures.

2. Breakwater antierosion barrier as claimed in the foregoing claim, characterized by the fact that each modular component (1) of the barrier has a polygonal shape, in particular it is shaped as a perforated octagon, it is flat, has a certain thickness and is provided with holes (2) and shaped openings (3), a face of the octagon being provided with bevelled edges (4) for facilitating the mutual coupling of the modular components.

3. Breakwater antierosion barrier as claimed in the foregoing claims, characterized by the fact that each of the perforated octagon components (1) is coupled with other similar components having the same features, and to this end the middle points of its sides turned outwards are provided with brackets (5) or the like made of steel or other proper metal, the brackets being provided with slots (6) for the insertion of screws or the like.

4. Breakwater antierosion barrier as claimed in the foregoing claims, characterized by the fact that the modular components (1) are assembled together according to an angular mutual arrangement of about 90 degrees so as to form a three-side pyramid-shaped module, the stability of the so-obtained module being very high and by connecting a plurality of the said modules it is possible to obtain the wished structure.

Drawing