Gabion type protection structure

Abstract

A free-standing bracing tie is used for reinforcing a mattress type structure constructed with a metal mesh and intended for civil protection works. The bracing tie includes a main structure having a lower portion for connection to a base sheet of mesh of the mattress type structure and an upper portion for connection to a covering sheet of mesh of the mattress type structure. The lower portion and the upper portion are connected to each other by one or more bracing tie branches located in a main plane of the main structure. At least one support member is connected to the main structure so as to extend out of the main plane to produce a three-dimensional bracing tie structure capable of standing alone. The bracing tie can be closed for storage and transport and can be opened at the location for positioning the mattress type structure.

1 .- 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A free-standing bracing tie for reinforcing a mattress type structure constructed with a metal mesh which is intended for civil protection works, comprising a main structure having a lower portion for connection to a base sheet of mesh of the mattress type structure and an upper portion for connection to a covering sheet of mesh of the mattress type structure, the lower portion and the upper portion being connected to each other by one or more bracing tie branches which are located in a main plane of the main structure, at least one support member being connected to the main structure and extending out of the main plane so as to produce a generally three-dimensional bracing tie structure which is capable of remaining standing alone, wherein the at least one support member is connected to the main structure by hooking and/or interlocking. 
     
     
         17 . The bracing tie according to  claim 16 , wherein the support member is connected to the main structure in an articulated manner so as to be able to be folded or flattened in the main plane in which the one or more bracing tie branches are located. 
     
     
         18 . The bracing tie according to  claim 16 , wherein the main structure is constructed with a single folded metal wire. 
     
     
         19 . The bracing tie according to  claim 16 , wherein the upper portion comprises a substantially rectilinear portion, on which there is formed at least one loop, eyelet or curved member for connecting the main structure to the covering sheet of mesh of the mattress type structure and/or for connecting the support member to the main structure. 
     
     
         20 . The bracing tie according to  claim 16 , wherein the lower portion of the main structure and/or a lower end of the support member comprises at least one foot which is configured in a hook-like or clasp-like manner in order to engage with the base sheet of mesh of the mattress type structure. 
     
     
         21 . The bracing tie according to  claim 20 , wherein the at least one foot comprises a corrugated end portion which is folded into a loop for connection to the base sheet of the mattress type structure. 
     
     
         22 . The bracing tie according to  claim 16 , comprising two bracing tie branches which define lateral branches of an inverted U-shaped structure or crossed branches of an X-shaped structure. 
     
     
         23 . A mattress type structure constructed with a metal mesh intended for civil protection works, the mattress type structure comprising:
 a base sheet of mesh;   a covering sheet of mesh; and   a plurality of bracing ties, each bracing tie comprising at least one support member and a main structure having a lower portion and an upper portion, the lower portion of each bracing tie being connected to the base sheet of mesh and the upper portion of each bracing tie being connected the covering sheet of mesh, the lower portion and the upper portion being connected to each other by one or more bracing tie branches, the bracing tie branches being located in a main plane of the main structure, the at least one support member being connected to the main structure and extending out of the main plane so as to produce a generally three-dimensional bracing tie structure capable of remaining standing alone, wherein the at least one support member is connected to the main structure by hooking and/or interlocking.   
     
     
         24 . A method for positioning a mattress type structure for constructing civil protection works, comprising the steps of:
 providing a plurality of bracing ties in a flattened configuration, each bracing tie including at least one support member and a main structure having a lower portion and an upper portion, the lower portion and the upper portion being connected to each other by one or more bracing tie branches located in a main plane of the main structure, the at least one support member being connected to the main structure by hooking and/or interlocking and the at least one support member in the flattened configuration being folded and flattened in the main plane of the main structure;   positioning a base sheet of mesh of a mattress type structure on a ground surface to be protected;   for each bracing tie, extending the at least one support member out of the main plane so as to obtain a bracing tie structure which is generally three-dimensional and capable of remaining standing alone and so as to rise substantially perpendicularly to the base sheet of mesh;   filling the mattress type structure with a filling material; and   covering the mattress type structure with a covering sheet of mesh by securing the covering sheet to each bracing tie structure.   
     
     
         25 . A method for positioning a mattress type structure for constructing civil protection works, comprising the steps of:
 providing a plurality of main structures each having a lower portion for connection to a base sheet of mesh of a mattress type structure, and an upper portion for connection to a covering sheet of mesh of the mattress type structure, the lower portion and the upper portion being connected to each other by one or more bracing tie branches which are located in a main plane of the main structure;   providing a separate plurality of support members,   positioning a base sheet of mesh of a mattress type structure on a ground surface to be protected;   connecting each of a number of main structures to at least one support member to obtain a corresponding number of bracing ties, wherein each bracing tie comprises at least one of the support members which extends out of the main plane to produce a generally three-dimensional bracing tie structure which is capable of remaining standing alone erected on the base sheet of mesh;   filling the mattress type structure with a filling material; and   covering the mattress type structure with a covering sheet of mesh by securing the covering sheet to the number of bracing tie structures.   
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein each bracing tie is produced by hooking and/or interlocking the at least one support member to the corresponding main structure. 
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 24 , further comprising the step of securing each bracing tie structure to the base sheet of mesh. 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 27 , wherein the step of securing each bracing tie structure to the base sheet of mesh comprises the step of securing the main structure in an articulated manner to the base sheet of mesh and arranging the main structure on the base sheet for subsequent transport of the mattress type structure to an installation site. 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 24 , wherein the step of filling the mattress type structure with a filling material comprises the step of filling with filling material a space defined by each three-dimensional bracing tie structure erected on the base sheet of mesh. 
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 25 , further comprising the step of securing each bracing tie structure to the base sheet of mesh. 
     
     
         31 . The method according to  claim 30 , wherein the step of securing each bracing tie structure to the base sheet of mesh comprises the step of securing the main structure in an articulated manner to the base sheet of mesh and arranging the main structure on the base sheet for subsequent transport of the mattress type structure to an installation site. 
     
     
         32 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the step of filling the mattress type structure with a filling material comprises the step of filling with filling material a space defined by each three-dimensional bracing tie structure erected on the base sheet of mesh.