STRUCTURE FOR THE CONSOLIDATION OF BANK SIDES AND EMBANKMENTS OF WATERCOURSES AND THE LIKE

Abstract: The structure for the consolidation of banke sides and embankements of watercourses and the like comprises a plurality of concrete platelike elements (2) arranged in an adjoining relationship and provided,on opposite edges,with elongated slots (7) to be engaged by metal rods (10),longitudinally extending on the banke sides,and foundation means for affixing the consolidation structure to the banke side.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a structure for the consolidation of bank sides and embankments of watercourses and the like. As is known in making works for the consolidation or strengthening bank sides and embankments for watercourses and the like there are generally encountered great difficulties for arranging the lining elements, since these elements can be hardly affixed. These difficulties are particularly felt as, in making the consolidation works, water is present, since the conventional consolidation techniques do not provide for the use of prefabricated lining elements. Another drawback of the known consolidation solutions is that the consolidation works can be hardly properly fitted to the environment. The document EP-A- 0 143 752 discloses a structure for the consolidation of bank sides, embankments of watercourses and the like which comprises a plurality of reinforced concrete plate-like elements, arranged in an adjoining relationship and provided, on opposite edges, with loops for engaging metal members longitudinally extending on said bank sides, foundation means being moreover provided for affixing the structure to the bank side. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the task of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks by providing such a consolidation or strengthening structure, for the consolidation or bank sides and embankments of watercourses and the like, which may be quickly and easily applied, independently from the morphology of the bank side. Within that task, it is a main object of the present invention to provide such a consolidation or strengthening structure which may be efficiently used for watercourses with water therein, as well as in watercourses without water. Another object of the present invention is to provide such a consolidation structure which may be easily "embedded" in the bank side so as to form an integrating portion thereof, which does not prevent plants from growing, to further hold said consolidation structure. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a consolidation structure which may be easily constructed starting from easily available elements and materials and which,moreover, is competitive from a mere economical standpoint. According to one aspect of the present invention, the above task and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent thereinafter, are achieved by a structure for the consolidation or strengthening of bank sides and embankments of watercourses and the like, having in combination the feature of the characterizing part of the claim. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent hereinafter from the following detailed description of a structure for the consolidation or strengthening of bank sides and embankments of watercourses and the like,according to the invention,being illustrated,by way of an indicative but not limitative example in the accompanying drawings,where: fig.1 schematically represents a top plan view of a possible configuration of the concrete plate-like element; fig.2 illustrates the connecting region of adjoining plate-like elements; fig.3 is a front view illustrating a consolidation structure provided with beam foundation; fig.4 is a broken away view illustrating the consolidation or strengthening structure of fig.3; fig.5 illustrates a consolidation structure provided with a spile or pile foundation known per se; and fig.6 illustrates a broken away view of the consolidation structure shown in fig.5. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to the above mentioned figures, the structure for the consolidation or strengthening of bank sides or embankments of watercourses and the like according to the present invention,which is indicated overally at the reference number 1, comprises a plurality of plate-like elements 2,which are preferably made of vibrated reinforced concrete, and which are provided with an inner reinforcement frame indicated at 3. Moreover, these elements are provided on a face thereof, i.e. the face provided for facing the water surface, with recessed portions 4 which provide a thickness reduction for the plate like element, thereby reducing its weight. At two opposite edges,the plate-like element 2 is provided with a male coupling element 5 and,on the opposite edge,with a female coupling element 6 for easily coupling,by insertion,a plurality of adjoining plate-like elements. In order to hold the adjoining elements in their positions,on the two other opposite edges, perpendicular to the edges having the coupling elements 5 and 6, elongated loops 7 project which are generally made by means of the framing rods 3 to anchor the plate-like elements with respect to the metal rods 10 longitudinally extending of the bank sides,so as to hold in their positions the plate-like element rows,made by insertion between the insertion elements 5 and 6 thereof. To anchor to the ground the consolidation or strengthening structure,different foundation means are provided,depending either on the presence or absence of water in the watercourse. In the case in which water is absent,as shown in figures 3 and 4,the foundation is provided with plinth members 20 adapted to be driven into the ground,which operate as beam 21 supporting elements, which beams parallely extend to the rods 10 and affix the consolidation structure at the bottom of the bank side. If water is present in the watercourse,as shown in figures 5 and 6, the consolidation structure provides for the use of spile elements 30,provided with respective insertion pointed ends 31,which are driven into the ground and which are provided with elements for latching the rod 10,arranged at the bottom,so as to provide a firm anchoring with the ground. From the above disclosure it should be apparent that the invention fully achieves the intended task and objects. In particular the fact should be pointed out that prefabricated plate-like elements have been provided which afford the possibility of easily lining the bank side,so as to provide consolidation of it. Moreover,the provision of the recessed regions 4,in addition to lightening the reinforced concrete structure,affords the possibility of forming seats for receiving sand and other rubble for growing plants which,in addition to concealing to view the consolidation work,provide an additional anchoring function. Moreover the above disclosed consolidation structure may be applied to the bank side in a vary simple and quick way,thereby solving all of the mentioned problems related to the installation of the consolidation structure of the prior art.

Claims: A structure for the consolidation or strengthening of bank sides, embankments of watercourses and the like, comprising a plurality of reinforced concrete plate-like elements (2), arranged in an adjoining relationship and provided, on two opposide edges, with elongated loops (7) for engaging metal rods (10), longitudinally extending on said bank sides, said plate like elements including male and female coupling elements (5,6) on the two other opposite edges thereof, foundation means being moreover provided for affixing the structure to the bank side, characterized in that said plate-like elements (2) are provided on a water facing surface thereof, with a plurality of lightening recessed zones (4), defining seats for receiving sand and rubble for growing plants and shrubs, and in that said foundation means comprise spaced apart plinth members (20) to be driven into the embankment and supporting beam members (21) connected to one of said metal rods (10).

Inventors: PINAZZI, ITALO SICEP INDUSTRIALE
Applicants: SICEP INDUSTRIALE DI PINAZZI ITALO & C. S.N.C.
Application year: 1987
Main classification: E02B3
IPC codes: E02B3