Method for assembling artificial reef modular units

Abstract

In the embodiments described in the specification an artificial reef is assembled from a plurality of superposed layers of modules having similarly shaped projections and recesses located at predetermined specific locations on top and bottom surfaces and having a continuous through hole extending through each module. The projections of modules in one layer are received in recesses of modules in an adjacent layer so that the through holes of the modules in adjacent layers are vertically aligned and continuous columns of concrete formed in the vertically aligned through holes unite the modules to provide a unified artificial reef.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A method for forming an artificial reef comprising: 
 providing a plurality of substantially identical concrete modules having opposed top and bottom surfaces containing projections and recesses of corresponding shape at corresponding locations in the opposed surfaces, providing through holes through each of the modules at defined locations with respect to the projections and recesses;    assembling the modules in a series of superimposed layers with projections of modules in one layer received in recesses of modules in an adjacent layer so that through holes in the modules of the adjacent layers are aligned in the direction through the layers to produce continuous through holes through the assembly; and    filling the continuous through holes with concrete to provide reinforced concrete columns bonded to the sides of the through holes, permanently joining assembly of modular units into an artificial reef formation.    
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the through holes and the modules extend vertically through the projections and recesses of the modules.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the through holes are laterally spaced at defined locations with respect to the locations of the projections and recesses on the opposed surfaces of the module.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein end surfaces of the modules are formed with half through holes to form complete through holes when the adjacent end surfaces of two modules are placed in abutting relation.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 4  wherein the modules of adjacent layers are assembled in staggered relation with a through hole of a module in one layer being aligned with a through hole formed by half through holes in facing end surfaces of adjacent modules in an adjacent layer.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the through holes are centrally positioned in the projections and recesses of the modules.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1  including inserting fiberglass reinforcing rods into the continuous through holes extending through the layers before filling the through holes with concrete.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 1  including forming laterally extending openings between adjacent modules in regions surrounding a through hole to permit concrete supplied to the continuous through hole to form lateral projections in a solidified concrete column.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the projections and recesses in each module have a frustoconical shape.  
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the projections and recesses in each module have a hemispherical shape.  
     
     
         11 . A module for use in assembling an artificial reef comprising: 
 a concrete block having top and bottom surfaces and side surfaces;    at least one through hole extending through the module from the top surface to the bottom surface;    at least one projection extending away from one of the top and bottom surfaces at a location defined with respect to the location of the through hole; and    at least one recess extending into the other of the top and bottom surfaces at a location corresponding to that of the projection.    
     
     
         12 . An artificial reef comprising: 
 successive superposed layers of laterally adjacent concrete modules, each module having a projection received in a correspondingly shaped recess of a module in an adjacent layer and having a through hole at a defined specific location with respect to the projection and recess in the module so that the through holes of a plurality of modules when assembled in successive superposed layers will provide an continuous vertical through hole extending through the layers; and    a column of concrete filling each of the vertical through holes extending through the layers.    
     
     
         13 . An artificial reef according to  claim 12 , wherein adjacent modules form a laterally extending opening from the continuous through hole to produce a lateral projection on a concrete column formed in the continuous through hole.