Stabilized damping element, as well as water barrier having such damping elements

Abstract

A damping element ( 6 ) comprises, adjoining one another in the longitudinal direction ( 7 ), a head part ( 3 ), neck part ( 4 ) and foot part ( 5 ) of concrete. The cross section of the neck part transversely to the longitudinal direction ( 7 ) is smaller than the cross section of the head part transversely to the longitudinal direction and is smaller than the cross section of the foot part transversely to the longitudinal direction, such that a system of channels ( 8 ) is formed. The foot part ( 5 ) has, over at least a portion of the periphery ( 18 ) thereof, a recess ( 15 ) directed transversely to the longitudinal direction. Together with the grit particles ( 16 ) accommodated therein, these grooves ( 15 ) provide a stabilizing effect.

1 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . Damping element comprising a head part, neck part and foot part of concrete material, adjoining one another in the longitudinal direction, wherein a cross section of the neck part transversely to the longitudinal direction is smaller than a cross section of the head part transversely to the longitudinal direction and is smaller than a cross section of the foot part transversely to the longitudinal direction, wherein the foot part has an at least partially tapered periphery, and has a recess directed transversely to the longitudinal direction over at least a portion of said tapered periphery. 
     
     
         26 . Damping element according to  claim 25 , wherein the foot part has a number of sides and the recess is provided on all sides of the foot part. 
     
     
         27 . Damping element according to  claim 25 , wherein the recess has the form of a groove. 
     
     
         28 . Damping element according to  claim 25 , wherein the recess is interrupted in the peripheral direction. 
     
     
         29 . Damping element according to  claim 25 , wherein the recess extends continuously around the whole periphery. 
     
     
         30 . Damping element according to  claim 25 , wherein the foot part has a square or rectangular cross-section. 
     
     
         31 . Damping element according to  claim 25 , wherein the foot part has a number of sides, and at least some of the sides are convex in the peripheral direction. 
     
     
         32 . Damping element according to  claim 25 , wherein the recess is located at a distance from a bottom side or base of the foot part and from a transition between the foot part and the neck part. 
     
     
         33 . Damping element according to  claim 25 , comprising two damping element parts, which abut at an interface running in the longitudinal direction. 
     
     
         34 . Damping element according to  claim 33 , wherein the damping element parts are identical. 
     
     
         35 . Damping element according to  claim 25 , wherein, in a first principal direction transversely to the longitudinal direction, a transverse dimension c of the head part is greater than a transverse dimension a of the foot part. 
     
     
         36 . Damping element according to  claim 35 , wherein sides of the foot part which are directed transversely to the first principal direction are provided with a recess. 
     
     
         37 . Damping element according to  claim 35 , wherein, in a second principal direction which is directed transversely to the longitudinal direction and transversely to the first principal direction, a transverse dimension c of the head part is equal to the transverse dimension c of the head part in the first principal direction and greater than or equal to a transverse dimension b of the foot part in the second principal direction 
     
     
         38 . Damping element according to  claim 25 , wherein the foot part comprises a plurality of recesses one above another. 
     
     
         39 . An installation comprising a plurality of damping elements arranged together, each damping element comprising:
 a head part, a neck part and a foot part of concrete material, wherein a cross section of the neck part transversely to the longitudinal direction is smaller than a cross section of the head part transversely to the longitudinal direction and is smaller than a cross section of the foot part transversely to the longitudinal direction and each foot part has one or more recesses at its outer periphery,   wherein at least the foot parts of neighbouring damping elements are positioned with their recesses facing each other, whereby stabilization particles such as grit or gravel may be retained in the recesses of the said foot parts to prevent mutual shifting of the damping elements.   
     
     
         40 . Installation according to  claim 39 , wherein dimensions of the stabilization particles are greater than a depth dimension of the recesses. 
     
     
         41 . Installation according to  claim 39 , wherein dimensions of the stabilization particles are such that they can extend into the recesses of adjacent damping elements. 
     
     
         42 . Installation according to  claim 39 , wherein the head parts of the damping elements are greater in size than the foot parts, whereby the head parts of neighbouring damping elements abut each other. 
     
     
         43 . Installation according to  claim 42 , forming a convex section of a dike or water barrier, wherein head parts of neighbouring damping elements and foot parts of said damping elements abut directly one against another. 
     
     
         44 . Installation according to  claim 42 , whereby the neck parts form a system of channels and the head parts comprise openings formed between adjacent head parts through which water can penetrate into the system of channels.