Lightweight protection element and filter of the mattress type

Abstract

A lightweight protection element and filter of the mattress type comprises an external containment structure (10, 20), a three-dimensional internal structure (30) with a high cavity index and a granular filler material which is inserted inside the containment structure. Engagement means (50, 52) of the mechanical type are distributed over the external containment structure in order to engage predetermined portions of those structure with each other.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of prior U.S. application Ser. No. 12 / 928 921, which was filed on Dec. 22, 2010, which is a continuation of prior U.S. application Ser. No. 11 / 921 068, filed Nov. 26, 2007, now abandoned, which was the National Stage of International Application No. PCT / IB2006 / 001467, filed May 24, 2006.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to a lightweight protection element and filter of the mattress type, and in particular, though in a non-limiting manner, to a ballasted filtering mattress for protecting and covering terrain, more preferably a seabed.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]It is known from various documents, also including some from the same Applicant, to use flexible protection elements of parallelepipedal form in order to immobilize and protect, for example, underwater pipes, canal banks and beds. Those elements comprise a flexible external cover which coats a gabion which is constructe...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015]Preferably, a reinforcement element 48, for example, a metal net and / or a geogrille, can be engaged with the bottom sheet 10 so as to increase the resistance to traction of the whole mattress.

[0017]Granular filler material, for example, gravel, sand, silt, finely crushed stone or any other natural element which is preferably available in situ, is inserted inside the three-dimensional internal structure 30 with a high cavity index. The granular filler material serves as an auxiliary in the filtering action of the three-dimensional draining structure 30, to maintain the thickness of the three-dimensional geosynthetic even under great loads and to weigh down the whole lightweight protection element and filter.

Problems solved by technology

One of the main limitations of the elements of known type is constituted by their great thickness and their heaviness, which make the installation operations extremely complex and troublesome.

Another limitation of the elements of known type is constituted by their limited overall dimensions, which are linked to the dimensions of the gabions and / or the forms which are used for constructing them.

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