Articulated structure for soil protection and reinforcement

Abstract

Disclosed is a structure as a ‘blanket’ constituted by blocks preferably of concrete linked (in orthogonal directions) through chords, wires, strings made of materials resistant to strengths, and the chemical environment wherein it is placed, all in order to resist hydraulic actions. The blocks basically constitute a body formed by two truncated-conic linked by their bases and located (bonded) one beside the other in a same plane, allowing the blanket to intimately adapt to the shape of the underlying surface. This layout allows the blankets to pile up one upon the other, since the block hemi-bodies fit in the empty spaces of the blankets. This geometrical advantage allows the distribution of hydraulic forces in the three directions of space, where de layers behave as a sole flexible structure. This latter aspect is the fundamental innovation (vertical fitting), like the block geometry, with disposition thereof upon a resistant mesh (articulations).

1 - 6 . (canceled) 
   
   
       7 . Articulated multilayer structure for the protection and reinforcement of soils, formed by blocks or monolithic bodies of polyhedric truncated-cones with cylindrical shape, which are linked themselves in two orthogonal directions on the same plane. The linking devices are resistant cables, chords or connection wires, which are designed to serve as articulations and link the blocks to create a flexible structure. This structure, taking into account its geometric design, can be placed on the surface to be protected in several over-imposed layers. Consecutive layers are shifted each other such that the base of each truncated-cone of a flexible layer is placed in the remaining voids, between the cones, of its immediately lower layer. The physical contacts between the blocks of each repeated layer form an interlocked device which transfer and distribute the acting forces and loads. Lateral forces in this multilayer articulated mat is supported partially by friction and partially by the interlocking between successive layers. 
   
   
       8 . A structure according to  claim 7  which is formed by monolythic blocks of precast concrete, in which its shape is composed by an upper volume and a lower volume which can be configured by different arrangements that serve as filter for granular materials. 
   
   
       9 . Multilayer structure according to  claim 7  formed by monolythic blocks with perpendicular or oblique perforations on the same plane, linked between them. Each layer is additionally connected to the next upper and lower layer by the interlocking between blocks. 
   
   
       10 . Structure according to  claim 7  formed by more than one layer of blocks linked by wired elements forming a flexible mat. 
   
   
       11 . Structure according to  claim 7  which can be located on the sides or on the top of the surfaces, where the cover finally adopts the form according to the morphology of the surface. 
   
   
       12 . Structure according to  claim 7  which can be stacked in several layers, by distributing the loads in such a way that the vertical forces are taken by the blocks and the substrate, while the lateral forces are transmitted by the friction and interlocking between consecutive layers of linked blocks. 
   
   
       13 . Multilayer structure according to  claim 8  formed by monolythic blocks with perpendicular or oblique perforations on the same plane, linked between them. Each layer is additionally connected to the next upper and lower layer by the interlocking between blocks. 
   
   
       14 . Structure according to  claim 8  formed by more than one layer of blocks linked by wired elements forming a flexible mat. 
   
   
       15 . Structure according to  claim 9  formed by more than one layer of blocks linked by wired elements forming a flexible mat. 
   
   
       16 . Structure according to  claim 8  which can be located on the sides or on the top of the surfaces, where the cover finally adopts the form according to the morphology of the surface. 
   
   
       17 . Structure according to  claim 9  which can be located on the sides or on the top of the surfaces, where the cover finally adopts the form according to the morphology of the surface. 
   
   
       18 . Structure according to  claim 10  which can be located on the sides or on the top of the surfaces, where the cover finally adopts the form according to the morphology of the surface. 
   
   
       19 . Structure according to  claim 8  which can be stacked in several layers, by distributing the loads in such a way that the vertical forces are taken by the blocks and the substrate, while the lateral forces are transmitted by the friction and interlocking between consecutive layers of linked blocks. 
   
   
       20 . Structure according to  claim 9  which can be stacked in several layers, by distributing the loads in such a way that the vertical forces are taken by the blocks and the substrate, while the lateral forces are transmitted by the friction and interlocking between consecutive layers of linked blocks. 
   
   
       21 . Structure according to  claim 10  which can be stacked in several layers, by distributing the loads in such a way that the vertical forces are taken by the blocks and the substrate, while the lateral forces are transmitted by the friction and interlocking between consecutive layers of linked blocks. 
   
   
       22 . Structure according to  claim 11  which can be stacked in several layers, by distributing the loads in such a way that the vertical forces are taken by the blocks and the substrate, while the lateral forces are transmitted by the friction and interlocking between consecutive layers of linked blocks.