Method and apparatus for building up beaches and protecting shorelines

Patent · Tue Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:5480047

Laier, J E

This patent describes a system for controlling erosion of a beach at a seabed through sedimentation of sand caused by wave action. The system comprises interconnected compartments disposed under the water on the seabed in an array extending generally parallel to the shoreline of the beach. The compartments are formed by plural flexible wall portions, each formed of an open mesh, buoyant material. The wall portions are anchored to the seabed in a generally vertical orientation by anchoring means. The anchoring means comprises means for holding the wall portions on the seabed. The wall portions flex towards the beach with incoming waves. The anchoring means also comprise means for precluding the wall portions from flexing backwards substantially beyond the vertical orientation with backwash waves. The mesh of the wall portions decrease the velocity of the water flowing therethrough on backwash waves, whereupon sand suspended in the water is enabled to drop out of suspension within the compartments during the backwash waves to settle therein and thus automatically fill the compartments.

• Assignee: NOV; NOV-88-094401; EDB-88-051864
• Patent Number(s): US 4710057
• OSTI ID: 5480047
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
423000 -- Engineering-- Marine Engineering-- (1980-)
510500* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Site Resource & Use Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ANCHORS
DESIGN
EROSION
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
RESOURCE CONSERVATION
SEA BED
SHORES
SOIL CONSERVATION
SUPPORTS
WALLS
WAVE FORCES