Method and apparatus providing internal structural reinforcements for canal and levee walls

Abstract

A levee, canal or aqueduct wall is internally supported by tensional members such as cables which stretch across the width of the waterway. In embodiments the tensional members may leave a space between the topmost member and the water level, so as to allow for passage of sea vessels above the cables. Vertical or horizontal struts or individual anchors attached to the ends of the cables may be positioned within, partially within or outside of the walls. Due to the strength of the device, the waterway wall may even be constructed at an angle to the vertical, even leaning outwards. External guying tensional members may be anchored and may connect to the wall or the internal tensional members to provide tensional support to prevent motion in the inward direction, either temporarily (such as during construction) or permanently.

1 . A waterway comprising:
 first and second parallel facing sidewalls having a first thickness, two proximally open sides and a bottom, defining therebetween an extended longitudinal water course through which water may flow for a first distance;   at least one tensional member firmly secured to and bearing load in tension from both sidewalls.   
   
   
       2 . The waterway of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 two ends of the tensional member; and   at least one anchor firmly securing at least one end of the tensional member to at least one sidewall.   
   
   
       3 . The waterway of  claim 1 , wherein the tensional member further comprises:
 a cable.   
   
   
       4 . The waterway of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second tensional member firmly secured to and bearing load in tension from both sidewalls at a second distance from the first tensional member.   
   
   
       5 . The waterway of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a vertical navigation clearance distance, the vertical navigation clearance distance greater than the second distance.   
   
   
       6 . The waterway of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 two ends of the perpendicular tensional member; and   at least one horizontal anchor strut firmly securing at least one end of the tensional member to at least one sidewall.   
   
   
       7 . The waterway of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 two ends of the perpendicular tensional member; and   at least one vertical anchor strut firmly securing at least one end of the tensional member to at least one sidewall.   
   
   
       8 . The waterway of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one guying tensional member external to the water course, the at least one guying tensional member having a first end secured to the first wall.   
   
   
       9 . The waterway of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a second end of the at least one guying tensional member, the second end secured to an anchor located separate from the first wall.   
   
   
       10 . The waterway of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 two ends of the tensional member; and   at least one anchor firmly securing at least one end of the tensional member to at least one sidewall, the anchor having a U-shaped body, the U-shaped body having an internal diameter, the internal diameter substantially equal to the first thickness.   
   
   
       11 . The waterway of  claim 4 , wherein the second distance between the first and second tensional members further comprises:
 an intermediate navigation clearance distance.