An Improved Means for Protecting River Embankments.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Dec., 1899-Accepted, 1st Dec., 1900
An Improved Means for Protecting River Embankments.
I, WILHELM BAUDISCH, of Unter Donaulände, 29, Fabrikstrasse, Linz a/D, in the
Empire of Germany, Master Pavior, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:--
This invention relates to improved means of protecting embankments by means
of walls constructed of concrete, the foundation of such walls being secured by
piles driven in and supported moreover by tubes or rods provided within the walls.
The invention is represented in the accompanying drawing in which
Figure 1 is a cross section through the embankment wall whilst,
Figure 2 represents a partial longitudinal section thereof.
Figure 3 is a plan of the wall seen from above.
Figure 4 is a modification of the protecting-wall in cross section,
Figure 5 the same in partial longitudinal section,
Figure 6 is a plan of the wall slightly above the water level.
The essential feature of the invention is that all along the embankment to be
protected from damage caused by the water, piles are driven in at short distances
apart.
The length of these piles and the depth to which they are rammed in is depen-
dent upon the nature of the soil and of the water course. If the water level is so
low that the work can be carried out upon the dry bottom of the river the piles
may be rammed in so as to be flush with level of the river.
a and
In the accompanying drawing the piles are marked a. When these piles have
been driven in to a sufficient depth the tops are cut off so as to lie in one and the
same plane, a quadrangular beam 6 of oak or the like is then placed over the top
of the piles. A deep hole is then bored through the oak beam into the piles
iron tubes c or rods inserted in the said holes. Along the beams a wall of
concrete is then built up so as to surround the iron tubes or rods c. Thus the iron
tubes support the concrete wall d serving at the same time as an efficient connec-
tion between the foundation and the piles a.
If the embankment is to be protected in the presence of a higher water level, and
if the work is to be carried out partly under water, then the piles a (Figures 4,
5, and 6) are only driven in to such a depth that the top is flush with the water
level. Then as in the former case, holes are bored into the piles and rods or
tubes c inserted.
As however, it is difficult to erect a foundation wall of concrete under water
properly shaped stone blocks c are used for building up the masonry, these blocks
being inserted between the piles under water, their lateral edges being rounded.
The shape of these blocks is illustrated in Figure 6.
After the blocks have been piled up to the height of the water level, on the top
thereof the concrete wall is constructed in the manner above described. The hollow
spaces of the tubes are likewise filled up with concrete.

page_text: To ensure a greater stability, the walls thus erected may in addition be con-
nected by grappling irons.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. Means for protecting river embankments, the characteristic feature being that
into the soil of the embankment to be protected piles are driven the top ends of
which are made level, and over them a cross beam or beams of suitable material are
placed holes being bored through these cross beams into the piles, and rods or
tubes inserted into the holes; this frame being then being backed by a wall of
concrete or like material.
2.. A modification of the means specified in the first claim the characteristic
feature being that in case the work is to be carried out under water, the piles are
rammed in so that their top is flush with the water level, the intermediate spaces
between the piles under water being filled up by properly shaped blocks.
3. Means for protecting river and like embankments provided substantially as
herein before described.
Datal this 97th day of Decemben 1900
EDWARD EVANS & Co.,
Lonsdale Chambers,
27, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.