Multicellular wire mesh structure for civil engineering works

Abstract

A multicellular wire mesh structure for civil engineering works comprises two sidewalls (12a, 12b) made of respective flexible wire mesh sheets and at least one intermediate diaphragm wall (13) made of a flexible wire mesh sheet. The two sidewalls are secured in a staggered manner with respect to the intermediate wall along junction lines which are mutually parallel so as to define, in an installation configuration of the multicellular structure, lenticular shaped cells (14) intended to be filled with a filler material for the construction of works such as barriers, embankments, river banks and the like. The multicellular structure (10) can be supplied flattened or in rolls to the installation site. The construction method involves joining at least three wire mesh sheets, two of which constitute the sidewalls and the latter, with a longer length, constituting the intermediate diaphragm wall.

Description

[0001] MULTICELLULAR WIRE MESH STRUCTURE FOR CIVIL ENGINEERING WORKS

[0002] Field of the invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a multicellular wire mesh structure for civil engineering works suitable in particular, though not exclusively, for works such as barriers , embankments , river banks and the like , for example , in emergency or rapid-response situations in which it is necessary to construct or erect such works rapidly .

[0004] Technological background

[0005] It has been known for some time to use multicellular metal net structures of substantially parallelepipedal form which are transported to a location in which it has become necessary to erect containment or protection works which are erected and filled with stones , earth and similar materials which are available in situ . Frequently, such multicellular wire mesh structures present an internal lining which is constituted by geotextile sheets , for example , a non-woven fabric, serving the dual purpose of , on the one hand, allowing the multicellular structure also to be filled with stones or earth having particle si zes smaller than the wire mesh openings , thereby preventing them from being spilled from the multicellular structure , and, on the other hand, allowing water to drain out of the structure itsel f .

[0006] An example of such a known multicellular structure is described in US 5677016 by the same Applicant . The multicellular structure comprises two sidewalls , two base walls which are articulated to the sidewalls and a series of dividing walls which are also articulated to the sidewalls in order to compartmentalise the structure into a series of cells which are internally lined with geotextile sheets . All the walls are made of a wire mesh of the type with hexagonal mesh openings . This multicellular structure can initially be folded according to a flattened configuration, in which the sidewalls are pressed one on the other . Subsequently, the structure can be further bent in a zig- zag manner so as to take up a compact configuration for transport . A structure which is constructed according to the teachings of US 5677016 and known under the commercial name of FlexMac® is manufactured by the same Applicant , Of ficine Maccaferri S . p .A.

[0007] Another example of a known multicellular structure made of a wire mesh is described in WO 90 / 12160 . This structure comprises a plurality of cells , the sidewalls of which are subdivided into two portions which are articulated in such a manner that the entire structure can be compacted by bending it like an accordion, resulting in a compact configuration for transport .

[0008] The possibility of readily transporting the above-mentioned multicellular structures and of installing them rapidly in situ are fundamental requirements because the ef fectiveness in use as a barrier depends on them, especially in situations involving emergencies or immediate danger, in order to face , for example , floods , landslides , and generally to defend housing or production installations .

[0009] In this regard, the known multicellular structures present a number of limitations . For example , in order to install the multicellular structure from the above-mentioned document US 5677016 , it is first necessary to unfold the structure to extend it from the zig- zag configuration requiring a speci fic force which substantially increases with an increase in the total length of the multicellular structure . For this reason, this structure cannot reach very great lengths which limits the possible applications thereof . Furthermore , each cell of this multicellular structure is lined with its own geotextile lining which does not allow a continuous geotextile lining over the entire length of the multicellular structure . This aspect reduces the ef fectiveness thereof as a barrier for hydraulic works .

[0010] The multicellular structure described in WO 90 / 12160 also presents limitations of use since , being opened in the manner of an accordion, in order to extend it completely from the compact transport configuration it is necessary to pull one of the two base walls over a distance equal to the entire length of the structure . Alternatively, it is possible to extend this multicellular structure by causing it to gradually leave the body of a lorry, as described in US 2008 / 156683 , but naturally this solution cannot be used i f there is no lorry provided for the purpose available or i f the place of use is not suitable for vehicles .

[0011] Statement of invention

[0012] An obj ect of the invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a multicellular wire mesh structure which can be readily transported and deployed at the installation site .

[0013] Another obj ect of the invention is to provide a multicellular wire mesh structure which can reach signi ficant dimensions , in particular in length, without this having a signi ficant impact on the time or di f ficulty of deploying the multicellular structure in situ . Another obj ect is to provide a multicellular structure which can be used with a geotextile lining which forms a substantially continuous barrier over the entire extent of the multicellular structure so as to form an ef fective barrier for hydraulic works .

[0014] Another obj ect of the invention is to provide a multicellular wire mesh structure which can also be readily and rapidly installed by non-specialist operators .

[0015] Another obj ect of the invention is to provide a multicellular wire mesh structure which can be produced and assembled readily and rapidly with equipment and machines which are generally known and readily commercially available .

[0016] Another obj ect of the invention is to provide a method for rapidly and readily deploying a multicellular wire mesh structure for civil engineering works , especially in rapidresponse situations .

[0017] At least some of these obj ects , or other obj ects which will be evident to an expert in the field from reading the present description, are achieved by a multicellular wire mesh structure having the features defined in the appended claims .

[0018] According to a first aspect , it is described a multicellular wire mesh structure for civil engineering works which comprises two sidewalls made of respective sheets of a flexible wire mesh, for example , a wire mesh with hexagonal mesh openings . The multicellular structure further comprises at least one intermediate wall with diaphragm functions which is also made of a sheet of flexible wire mesh which may also be a wire mesh with hexagonal mesh openings , preferably but not necessarily identical to the wire mesh of the sidewalls . The two sidewalls are secured in a staggered manner to the intermediate wall along j unction lines which are mutually parallel so as to define , in an installation configuration for the multicellular structure , a series of cells which are defined between a portion of sidewall and a portion of diaphragm wall and which are intended to be filled with a filler material , preferably a granular material , for the construction of works such as barriers , embankments , river banks and the like . The filler material may consist in stones , cobbles , construction waste , debris , earth, sand or other similar materials , which are preferably available at the installation site of the multicellular structure , or a combination of such materials . This multicellular structure is simple and rapid to manufacture with conventional , well known and tested weaving machines in the wire mesh sector . The assembly of the sidewalls on the intermediate wall is carried out in a simple and rapid manner by means of clips , bindings , metal coils or rings , in accordance with well established techniques in the sector of wire mesh structures , such as , for example , so-called gabions . The multicellular structure is easy to store and transport since it can be rolled up about itsel f . It may further be readily installed with simple operations which can also be carried out by nonspecialist operators .

[0019] The cells may have a substantially cylindrical shape and be open at the two sides or may be closed at one or both sides by additional sheets of wire mesh and / or geotextile .

[0020] According to a particular aspect , the cells of the multicellular structure can assume a lenticular form in plan view in the installation configuration, with two arcuate sides j oined at the ends in the region of two of said j unction lines . This shape of the cells has proven to be particularly resistant to the thrusts of the filler material with respect to the planar configuration of the walls of the cells of the known multicellular structures . The cells can therefore be substantially cylindrical with a lenticular plan and can be open at the two bases .

[0021] According to another particular aspect , the sidewalls of the multicellular structure are each lined with a respective geotextile sheet which in some cases can be replaced by an impermeable geomembrane . This allows a fine-grained material , with grains smaller than the wire mesh openings , to be used as filler, which in this case can be contained within the cells . Preferably, the geotextile sheets internally line the sidewalls of the multicellular structure and are interposed between them and the intermediate wall . In this manner, the geotextile sheets are naturally urged against the sidewalls by the pressure of the filler material and therefore do not have to be secured in a particularly solid manner to the sidewalls .

[0022] According to another particular aspect , the wire mesh sheets which form the sidewalls and the intermediate wall of the multicellular structure feature reinforcing elements , preferably in the form of metal bars which are inserted into the mesh openings of the wire mesh in correspondence with at least said j unction lines . These reinforcing elements are advantageous for connecting the wire mesh sheets to one another, being able to be secured, for example , two by two with bindings , clips , metal rings , coils or other known connection elements of the type . The reinforcing elements can further act as a connection location for sti f fening tie rods or brackets of the cells of the multicellular structure in the installation configuration thereof .

[0023] According to another aspect , the multicellular structure can be flattened and wound for storage and transport . In this manner, rolls of the multicellular structure with contained dimensions can be produced and readily stacked and moved by common movement machines .

[0024] According to a di f ferent aspect , it is possible to construct a multicellular structure complex comprising a plurality of multicellular structures of the type indicated above which are j oined consecutively one after the other . When the sidewalls of these multicellular structures are lined with corresponding geotextile sheets , these sheets extend adj acently with continuity along the entire extent of the multicellular structure complex . As a result of these characteristics , it is also possible to construct very long and resistant engineering works which provide continuity of protection, for example , for constructing barriers , river banks and similar works for protection, for example , from floods or landslides , in addition to the construction of walls both from stone and from earth and for consolidating foundation earth .

[0025] It is further described a method for the construction of a civil engineering work suitable in particular for works such as barriers , embankments , river banks and the like , even in emergency or rapid-response situations , in which it is provided at least one multicellular structure of the type mentioned above . The multicellular structure can be provided in a configuration which is either flat , possibly folded up, or in rolls , for transport to the installation location . Subsequently, the multicellular structure is extended on a plane and, keeping it in the resulting flattened configuration, is then erected . Subsequently, the sidewalls are pulled in order to extend them laterally so as to form the cells which are then filled with a filler material .

[0026] According to a particular aspect , this method may comprise an additional step, which precedes the filling of the cells with the filler material , wherein the cells are sti f fened with tie rods or brackets which keep the sidewalls of the multicellular structure extended .

[0027] According to another aspect , it is described a method for constructing a multicellular structure of the type mentioned above . The construction substantially comprises the steps of : providing two sheets of wire mesh with a first predetermined length which are intended to form the sidewalls of the multicellular structure ;

[0028] - providing at least one sheet of wire mesh with a second predetermined length longer than the first predetermined length which is intended to form the at least one intermediate wall of the multicellular structure ; j oining the wire mesh sheets of the sidewalls to the opposite sides of the at least one sheet of wire mesh of the intermediate wall according to alternately staggered j unction lines .

[0029] This construction method is simple , rapid and does not require any particular equipment , it being possible to use the known plants and machines for manufacturing wire meshes , for example , wire meshes with hexagonal mesh openings . The assembly of the wire meshes and the geotextile sheets can conveniently take place both in a factory and in situ at the installation location of the multicellular structure . The fact that only three sheets of wire mesh, which may also have a considerable length, in the order of several metres , are used to construct the multicellular structure constitutes a substantial simpli fication with respect to the manufacturing of the known multicellular structures which require more complex working operations and the manufacturing of the wire meshes one cell after another . The multicellular structure can be constructed with a modular length such that each unit is easy to move and at the same time convenient to assemble with other units of the same type so as to form a continuous barrier without any geotextile interruptions .

[0030] According to a particular aspect , the method for manufacturing the multicellular structure may comprise the additional step of providing two geotextile sheets and securing them to the two sheets of wire mesh of the sidewalls , interposing the geotextile sheets between the sidewalls and the intermediate wall . The resultant multicellular structure can thereby be filled with a material having a particle si ze which is also finer than the mesh openings of the wire mesh . Furthermore , the geotextile can advantageously be secured along the entire extent of the wire mesh without any need to cover each cell individually, as normally occurs for the multicellular structures of the prior art .

[0031] Brief description of the Figures

[0032] Additional features and advantages will be appreciated from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment , with reference to the appended drawings , which are given merely by way of non-limiting example , in which : - Figure 1 is a perspective view of a multicellular wire mesh structure , incorporating aspects of the present invention in an installation configuration, in which the multicellular structure is erected and ready to be filled with a material such as stones , earth or the like ;

[0033] - Figure 2 is a perspective view of the wire mesh sheets which form the multicellular structure of Figure 1 before being assembled during production;

[0034] - Figure 3 is a perspective view, similar to Figure 2 which shows the multicellular structure of Figure 1 with the wire mesh sheets shown in Figure 2 assembled together ;

[0035] - Figure 4 is a side view of one of the two outermost wire mesh sheets of the multicellular structure of Figure 1 ;

[0036] - Figure 5 is a side view of the intermediate wire mesh sheet of the multicellular structure of Figure 1 ;

[0037] - Figure 6 is a plan view of the multicellular structure of Figure 1 in the open configuration thereof , in which it is shown how a similar multicellular structure can be connected thereto consecutively and additionally in order to extend the overall extent of the protection work; and

[0038] - Figure 7 is an exemplary view of a tie rod which can be used in the installation configuration of the multicellular structure of Figure 1 .

[0039] Detailed description

[0040] In the following exemplary embodiments are described features which allow the invention to be carried out . The described features can be combined with each other in various manners and are not necessarily limited to the precise embodiment to which the drawings and the relevant description refer . In greater detail , in the present description any combination of any two features which are expressly described must be understood to be expressly described even in the case in which the features are individually taken from the speci fic context in which they can be near each other or combined with each other . The materials , forms and functions which are described and illustrated do not limit the present invention, but are merely set out to allow an expert in the field to understand and carry out the invention according to preferred though non-exclusive construction methods .

[0041] Now with reference to Figure 1 , it is illustrated a multicellular wire mesh structure 10 for civil engineering works suitable particularly, though not exclusively, for works such as barriers , embankments , river banks and the like , for example , in emergency or rapid-response situations in which it is necessary to construct or erect these works rapidly . The multicellular structure 10 is illustrated in Figure 1 in an installation configuration, erected and ready to be filled with a material such as stones , earth or the like .

[0042] The multicellular structure 10 is formed by two opposite sidewalls 12a, 12b which are formed by respective relatively flexible wire mesh sheets . An intermediate wall 13 which acts as a diaphragm, and which is also constructed from a relatively flexible wire mesh is interposed between the two sidewalls 12a, 12b . The term "relatively flexible" is intended to be understood to mean a wire mesh which can be bent , curved or rolled up without excessive force . The intermediate wall 13 defines with the sidewalls 12a, 12b a series of cells 14 which are intended to be filled, when the structure is completely installed, with a filler material , for example , of the granular type , such as stones , cobbles , earth, sand or other similar material which is generally available or can be obtained at the installation site of the multicellular structure 10 . The cells 14 are arranged in two formations of cells which are aligned and staggered with respect to each other . In embodiments which are not illustrated, the multicellular structure 10 comprises more than one intermediate diaphragm wall 13 , for example , two or three intermediate walls which form diaphragms between them and with the sidewalls 12a, 12b, thereby defining more than two parallel formations of cells 14 .

[0043] In the erected configuration of Figure 1 , the cells 14 assume a virtually lenticular shape in plan view with arcuate sides j oined at the ends along vertical j unction lines 15 in the region in which the intermediate diaphragm wall 13 encounters one or the other of the sidewalls 12a, 12b . In the region of the vertical j unction lines 15 , the sidewalls 12a, 12b and preferably also the diaphragm wall 13 are reinforced, for example , by means of metal bars 16 which are preferably inserted in the mesh openings of the wire meshes , for example , during the manufacture thereof . The metal bars 16 of the sidewalls 12a, 12b are j oined to the intermediate diaphragm wall 13 , for example , to the corresponding bars thereof , by means of metal binding rings or interlacings , or metal wire coils or with other connection members which are commonly known and used in the field of manufacturing gabions made of wire mesh and the like .

[0044] Other reinforcing bars 16 are provided approximately hal f-way up the arcuate side of each cell 14 , on the sidewall 12a or 12b, which is opposite the sidewall 12b or 12a, respectively, to which the intermediate diaphragm wall 13 is j oined . Tie rods , bars or brackets 17 are fixed to the reinforcing bars 16 ; these keep the arcuate sides of the cells 14 spaced apart from each other until they are filled with the filler material and can contribute , once the cells 14 have been filled, to reinforce the lateral sides of the cells which are formed by the sidewalls 12a, 12b, on which the pressure of the filler material which is directed towards the exterior of the multicellular structure 10 acts . In the exemplary embodiment of Figure 1 , the reinforcing tie rods , poles or brackets 17 are illustrated positioned at the upper and lower ends of the multicellular structure 10 , that is to say, in the region of the opposite ends of the cells 14 , but naturally it is possible to provide for di f ferent configurations , in which these reinforcing elements can be arranged in intermediate positions , in terms of height , along the development of the cells 14 . In one embodiment which is not illustrated, there may be two reinforcing elements in the form of tie rods , poles or brackets 17 for each cell , being positioned, for example , at a distance from the ends of the cells 14 of a quarter of the height of the cells 14 . In another embodiment which is not illustrated, there are three reinforcing elements , positioned equidistantly so as to subdivide the cells 14 height into four identical parts .

[0045] Figure 7 illustrates an example of a tie rod 17 ' which can be used to space apart and sti f fen the arcuate sides of the cells 14 . The tie rod 17 ' has a Z-like shape with a straight central portion 24 and two engaging ends 25 which are orientated in opposite directions . The two engaging ends 25 present a number of undulations 26 for insertion in the mesh openings 19 of the wire mesh sheets which form the flanks of the cells 14 so as to remain engaged and to act both as struts , that is to say, thrust elements when the cells 14 are still empty, so as to maintain them in a widened state , and as tie rods , that is to say, as traction elements , when the cells 14 are filled with a filler material . The sidewalls 12a, 12b are lined, preferably at the internal side thereof facing the intermediate wall 13 , with two respective geotextile sheets 18a, 18b, for example , a nonwoven fabric with draining or filtering capabilities , that has the ability to retain the particles of material and instead allowing water or humidity to pass through .

[0046] The wire mesh of the sidewalls 12a, 12b and the intermediate diaphragm wall 13 is preferably a wire mesh with hexagonal mesh openings 19 of the type commonly referred to as doubletorsion or triple-torsion mesh, which are formed by means of torsion of adj acent wires in pairs , which alternately form a torsion to the right and a torsion to the left , the term "torsion" being understood to be a tight helical winding of two wires which rotate in a single direction, as set out in the European standard UNI EN 10223-3 . The metal wires are preferably coated with a protective and / or anti-corrosion coating, for example , a metal coating of zinc or a zinc and aluminium alloy known as Gal fan and, additionally or alternatively, with a plastics coating, for example , polyvinyl chloride ( PVC ) , polyamide ( PA) , polyethylene ( PET ) , polyester ( P ) or other coatings known in the sector of wire mesh production for geotechnical applications .

[0047] The direction of the hexagonal mesh openings 19 of the wire mesh, that is to say the direction in which the metal wires which form it mainly develop, is orientated in a hori zontal direction, that is to say in the direction of the length of the multicellular structure 10 . Therefore , the metal bars 16 develop vertically, that is to say in the transverse direction of the mesh, contributing to reinforcing the wire mesh in that direction . Naturally, this does not exclude that the direction of the hexagonal mesh openings of the wire mesh may be orientated in the vertical direction, it being possible, for example , to form a multicellular structure having a length of 4 metres using wire mesh sheets in weaving machines which allow wire meshes of such a width to be woven . The arrangement of the hexagonal mesh openings in the hori zontal direction is in any case preferred because in this manner there is theoretically no limit on the length of the multicellular structure which can be formed .

[0048] In the illustrated embodiment , the wire meshes which form the sidewalls 12a, 12b and the intermediate wall 13 are of the same type , formed by identical wires and / or ropes and with hexagonal mesh openings 19 having the same dimensions , for example , of the standardised dimensions which are conventionally designated 5x7 , 6x8 , 8x10 , 10x12 as in the standard UNI EN 10223-3 mentioned above . In this manner, the production of the wire meshes to be used to manufacture the multicellular structure 10 is optimi zed .

[0049] In alternative embodiments which are not illustrated, the intermediate wall 13 is made of a sheet of wire mesh which has di fferent characteristics from those of the sidewalls 12a, 12b . For example , in one embodiment the wire mesh sheet of the intermediate wall 13 has the mesh openings which have di f ferent dimensions and / or are formed by wires with a di f ferent resistance from those of the wire mesh of the sidewalls 12a, 12b . In this regard, it may be observed that the intermediate wall 13 is subj ected to a pressure by the filler material which is applied in a substantially identical manner to both faces . For this reason, the wire mesh of the intermediate wall 13 may have a lower resistance than the same resistance of the wire mesh which forms the sidewalls 12a, 12b since they, unlike the intermediate wall 13 , are subj ected to the thrust applied by the filler material only to the internal face thereof .

[0050] As can be seen in Figure 2 , in order to produce the multicellular structure 10 , are provided two sheets of wire mesh with an identical height H and length L with hexagonal mesh openings which are orientated in the direction of this length and which are intended to form the sidewalls 12a, 12b of the multicellular structure 10 . It is further provided a sheet of wire mesh with an identical height H and a longer length LI , as will be better described below, which is intended to form the intermediate wall 13 . Two corresponding sheets 18a, 18b of a geotextile which is secured to the wire mesh sheets via known means , for example , clips , hooks , rings or stitches , are positioned on the wire mesh sheets of the sidewalls 12a, 12b .

[0051] The length of the wire mesh sheets may be considerable so as to produce a multicellular structure which also has a great length with a procedure which is much more rapid and economical with respect to the multicellular structures of the prior art . The structure which is given by way of example in the Figures comprises two sheets of wire mesh each having a length L of 6 metres and a height H of 1 metre , but naturally there is nothing to prevent longer lengths , for example of 10 metres or more , from also being reached . The wire meshes are in fact produced with common weaving machines for the production of wire meshes with hexagonal mesh openings . The machines are supplied with metal wires which present a substantial length and which are wound in spools . As the wire meshes gradually leave the weaving machine , they are then rolled up as a result of the flexibility thereof and are cut only when the desired length or an adequate dimension of the roll of wire mesh is reached . The height H of the multicellular structure 10 is instead determined by the width of wire mesh which can be obtained with the above-mentioned weaving machines , which can normally manufacture nets no wider than approximately 4 m . In any case , these wire mesh width dimensions are suf ficient , and even excessive , given that to make the installation of the cellular structure 10 convenient , it is advisable that the height H thereof , and thus the width of the wire mesh used to form the sidewalls 12a, 12b, may not exceed 2 metres and preferably remains between 1 and 1 . 5 m . The exemplary Figures illustrate , by way of example , a height H of 1 m .

[0052] Metal reinforcing bars 16 are inserted at regular distances along the length of the wire mesh which forms the sidewalls 12a, 12b through production methods which are generally known in the sector for wire meshes with hexagonal mesh openings . In the exemplary, non-limiting Figures , the bars 16 can be positioned at regular distances of approximately 1 m from each other so as to subdivide the wire mesh sheet of the example , which measures approximately 6 m and is intended to form the walls 12a, 12b, into six panels . In any case , the distance between the bars determines the depth of the cells 14 , therefore this distance can be selected freely in accordance with the depth of the cells which it is desirable to obtain in the installation configuration of the multicellular structure .

[0053] As can be seen more clearly in Figures 4 and 5 , the wire mesh sheets intended to form the sidewalls 12a, 12b ( Figure 4 ) and the intermediate wall 13 ( Figure 5 ) present selvedges 21 where the wire mesh is wound on the end bars 16 . The selvedges 21 are secured to the main portion of the wire mesh in known manner, for example , by means of clips , interlacings or metal rings , in order to prevent the cut ends of the metal wires which form the net from being able to inj ure the responsible operators or from damaging the respective geotextile sheets 18a, 18b .

[0054] Preferably, the same wire mesh woven in the machines used to manufacture the sidewalls 12a, 12b is also used to construct the intermediate wall 13 which is illustrated in greater detail in Figure 5 . The wire mesh of the intermediate wall 13 presents a length LI longer than the length L of the wire mesh sheets of the sidewalls 12a, 12b . In particular, the appended Figures show how the wire mesh sheet intended to form the intermediate wall is longer by approximately 1 m so that the sheets of wire mesh of the sidewalls 12a, 12b can be secured to it in a staggered manner . In other words , as clearly visible in Figures 2 and 3 , the wire mesh sheet of the sidewall 12a illustrated in a front position in the perspective view of the Figures , is aligned with the lateral edge 21 ' thereof , on the right in the Figures , with the right lateral edge 21 ' of the wire mesh sheet of the intermediate wall 13 . The wire mesh sheet of the sidewall 12b, illustrated in a rear position in the perspective view of the Figures , is instead aligned with the lateral edge 21 ' ’ thereof , on the left in the Figures , with the left lateral edge 21 ' ’ of the wire mesh sheet of the intermediate wall 13 . The left lateral edge 21 ' ’ of the sidewall 12a and right lateral edge 21 ' of the sidewall 12b are respectively secured to the intermediate wall 13 in the region of two respective metal bars 16 ' ' , 16 ' which are positioned spaced apart from the two right and left edges 21 ' and 21 ' ’ of the intermediate wall 13 , in particular the metal bars which define , with the respective edges of the intermediate wall 13 , the outermost wire mesh panels . The wire mesh sheets which form the sidewalls 12a, 12b are then further secured to the sheet of wire mesh of the intermediate wall 13 alternately for each bar 16 . In definitive terms , alternately one or the other of the two sidewalls 12a, 12b will be fixed to each bar 16 of the wire mesh sheet of the intermediate wall 13 in accordance with a staggered sequence , as can be clearly seen in the Figures 1 to 3 .

[0055] Once assembled in the manner indicated above , the wire meshes which form the sidewalls 12a, 12b and the intermediate wall 13 form a flattened structure , wherein the two geotextile sheets 18a, 18b are also laid out and interposed between the two sidewalls and the intermediate wall . This assembled structure of the multicellular structure 10 can be readily wound or bent about itsel f so as to be readily stored and transported to an installation location .

[0056] In order to install the multicellular structure 10 , it is initially unwound or unfolded to be extended lengthwise and is then erected keeping it flattened, as can be seen in Figure 3 . By pulling the wire meshes which form the sidewalls 12a, 12b in the region of the sides of the cells 14 , that is to say, in the region of the bars 16 which are not connected to the wire mesh which forms the intermediate wall 13 , in the direction indicated by the arrows A in Figure 3 , the sidewalls 12a, 12b and the intermediate wall 13 curve until forming the cells 14 , as illustrated in Figure 1 .

[0057] The cellular structure 10 formed in this manner can be j oined to an adj acent cellular structure 10 ' , as illustrated in Figure 6 , in order to form a longer cellular structure with sidewalls which are lined consecutively without any interruptions by the geotextiles 18a, 18a' , on one side , and 18b and 18b' on the other side . The end cells 14 of the overall cellular structure 10 which present an exposed, not covered by geotextile , portion of wire mesh of the intermediate wall 13 can be lined with a portion of geotextile which is supplied separately and fixed in situ to the multicellular structure 10 or can be covered by an excess flap of the geotextile 18a, 18b which is provided for the purpose so as to proj ect beyond the edges 21 of the lateral walls 12a, 12b .

[0058] In order to complete the geotechnical protection work, the cells 14 of the multicellular structure 10 , 10 ' are filled with a granular material , preferably available at the installation site , for example , stones , cobbles , earth, sand, construction waste , debris , etc .

[0059] The multicellular structure 10 described and illustrated does not have a bottom . This particular feature constitutes an advantage because , as known in the multicellular structures of the prior art , it is possible to uninstall the protection works realised with such a multicellular structure simply by li fting it with a crane or other similar machines in such a manner that the filler material of the cells 14 falls out of the open bottom .

[0060] I f , on the other hand, it is desired to create a structure with a closed bottom, for example , for works that must also function as filter or drainage in the vertical direction, it is possible to lay a geotextile sheet and erect the multicellular structure on top of it . The geotextile sheet will constitute the bottom of the installed multicellular structure and may eventually be secured at the sides thereof to the sheets of wire mesh which form the sidewalls 12a, 12b, for example , by means of clips , interlacings or metal rings , stitches and other systems known in the sector . Similarly, it is possible to close the multicellular structure at the upper side with a geotextile sheet to be positioned over the upper openings of the cells 14 once they have been filled with the filler material .

[0061] Naturally, the multicellular structure 10 described above can be anchored to the ground as needed, although this is not necessarily required, in various manners , for example , by means of tie rods , bands , anchoring members , ropes or other systems which become necessary or advantageous in accordance with the speci fic use of the multicellular structure .

[0062] The geotextile sheets secured to the sidewalls 12a, 12b can also be replaced, completely or partially, by impermeable sheets , such as , for example , geomembranes . The potential bottom sheet may also be , or comprise , a geomembrane , for example , i f it is desirable to prevent liquids from percolating into the ground under the multicellular structure .

[0063] In some embodiments , the covering of the sidewalls 12a, 12b may not be necessary, for example , where the filler material has a particle si ze which is on average larger than the dimensions of the mesh openings of the wire mesh which forms those sidewalls .

[0064] In other embodiments , when the multicellular structure is filled, it is possible to install a continuous , straight mesh panel on one of the flanks so as to form a planar front face . The gaps between the undulating surface of the sidewall 12a or 12b and the planar panel which are formed in this manner can then be filled with stone or other materials which improve the aesthetics thereof , for example , i f the multicellular structure is used to construct exposed walls . Numerous variants and additional embodiments can be defined on the basis of what is described and illustrated, by an expert in the field who recognises the innovative and peculiar features of the present invention without thereby departing from the scope of the invention as claimed .

Claims

CLAIMS1. Multicellular structure of wire mesh for civil engineering works, comprising two sidewalls (12a, 12b) made of respective flexible wire mesh sheets and at least one intermediate diaphragm wall (13) made of a flexible wire mesh sheet, the two sidewalls being staggered with respect to each other and secured to opposite sides of the intermediate wall along junction lines (15) parallel to each other so as to define, in an installation configuration of the multicellular structure, cells (14) adapted to be filled with a filler material for the construction of works such as barriers, embankments, river banks and the like.

2. Multicellular structure according to claim 1, wherein the cells (14) assume, in the installation configuration of the multicellular structure, a lenticular shape in plan view, with two arcuate sides joined at their ends in correspondence with two of said junction lines (15) .

3. Multicellular structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sidewalls (12a, 12b) are each lined with a respective geotextile sheet (18a, 18b) .

4. Multicellular structure according to claim 3, wherein the geotextile sheets (18a, 18b) internally line the sidewalls (12a, 12b) and are interposed between them and the intermediate wall (13) .

5. Multicellular structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wire mesh sheets forming the sidewalls (12a, 12b) and the intermediate wall (13) featurereinforcing elements (16) , preferably metal bars, in correspondence with at least said junction lines (15) .

6. Multicellular structure according to claim 5, wherein tie rods or brackets (17, 17' ) for stiffening the cells (14) are connected to the reinforcing elements (16) in the installation configuration of the multicellular structure (10) .

7. Multicellular structure according to any one of the preceding claims, which can be flattened and / or wound for storage and transport.

8. Multicellular structure complex comprising a plurality of multicellular structures (10, 10' ) according to any one of the preceding claims joined consecutively, wherein the sidewalls (12a, 12b) are lined with corresponding geotextile sheets (18a, 18b; 18a' , 18b' ) which extend adjacently with continuity along the entire extent of the multicellular structure complex.

9. Method for constructing a civil engineering work, suitable in particular for works such as barriers, embankments, river banks and the like, even in emergency or rapid-response situations, comprising the steps of: providing at least one multicellular structure (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in a compact configuration for transport to the installation site;- extending the multicellular structure (10) and erecting it in a flattened configuration; laterally extending the sidewalls (12a, 12b) of the multicellular structure (10) so as to form the cells (14) ;- filling the cells (14) thus formed with a filler material.

10. Method for constructing an engineering work according to claim 9, comprising a further step, prior to filling the cells (14) , of stiffening said cells (14) with tie rods or brackets (17, 17' ) which keep the sidewalls (12a, 12b) of the multicellular structure (10) spaced apart at each cell (14) .

11. Method for constructing a multicellular structure according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising the steps of :- providing two wire mesh sheets of a first predetermined length (L) adapted to form the sidewalls (12a, 12b) of the multicellular structure (10) ; providing at least one wire mesh sheet of a second predetermined length (LI) longer than the first predetermined length (L) , adapted to form the at least one intermediate wall (13) of the multicellular structure (10) ;- joining the wire mesh sheets of the sidewalls (12a, 12b) to the opposite sides of the at least one wire mesh sheet of the intermediate wall (13) according to alternately staggered junction lines (15) .

12. Method according to claim 11, comprising the further step of providing two geotextile sheets (18a, 18b) and securing them to the two wire mesh sheets of the sidewalls (12a, 12b) , interposed to the intermediate wall (13) .

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