Embankment Support

Abstract

This invention relates to an embankment support (10), and more particularly to an embankment support (10) for the protection and stabilisation of sea embankments against wave impact and erosion. According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an embankment support (10) comprising an anchoring portion for anchoring the support in an embankment, connecting means for allowing interlocking of the embankment support with an adjacent embankment support, and an operatively upper side connected to the anchoring portion for receiving flowing water and directing the water along the operatively upper side of the embankment support, thereby dispersing the water in a desired direction and reducing erosion of the embankment.

Description

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND[0001]This invention relates to an embankment support, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to an embankment support for the protection and stabilisation of sea embankments against wave impact and erosion.[0002]Embankment supports are often required to prevent excessive erosion of the natural embankment, which is primarily caused by waves during tidal movement and storms driving waves against the embankment.[0003]The natural embankment along the shoreline commonly occurs in the form of sand dunes. Plants usually aid in protection of the sand dunes by covering the exposed surface of the sand dune and extending root systems into the sand dune, which assists in preventing erosion of the sand dune due to waves and often severe coastal winds. These plants have highly specialised root systems, and are often rare and protected plant species.[0004]Tidal changes, flooding, storms and other severe weather occurrences such as hurricanes and typhoons often dama...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a device that helps to direct water flow on an embbankment support, reducing erosion and promoting stability. This device helps to disperse water in a desired direction, improving the performance of the embankment.

Problems solved by technology

Tidal changes, flooding, storms and other severe weather occurrences such as hurricanes and typhoons often damage the natural embankment, causing the coastline to erode, and jeopardising the structural integrity of coastal structures and features, albeit man-made or naturally occurring.

Damage to the natural embankment is also caused by human interference, including smaller scale occurrences such as pedestrian trampling, construction of footpaths and off road vehicle activity.

More significant factors that damage the natural embankment include the construction of roads, car parks, houses and other tourist attractions, and also the use of sand dunes for ground water extraction, the conversion of sand dunes to land for farming, forestry and waste disposal, and mining of sand from sand dunes.

A disadvantage experienced with the above measures is that it is largely aimed at limiting human influence on the natural embankment.

However, the natural embankment is still susceptible to damage by natural forces, and it often takes years and even decades and significant human effort and financial resources to repair damage to the natural embankment.

A further disadvantage experienced with physical barriers aimed at protecting the coastline is that the barriers are manufactured with the view of breaking the wave force, and therefore have to be of a significant strength to combat the wave force, both during changes in tide and during storms and other natural occurrences.

The effect hereof is that, due to the significant size thereof being necessitated by the physical demands placed thereon, the barriers are often unsightly features that detract from the natural beauty of the coastline.

These barriers are also expensive to install, and frequently require significant excavation and expensive constructional intervention, and can cause further damage to the natural embankment and shoreline that it aims to protect.

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