MX2008001406A - An artificial reef and a method of constructing an artificial reef - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of constructing an artificial reef. The method includes attaching a reef element (2) to a support structure (100). The support structure (100) and the attached reef element (2) are then transported to a location on the surface of a body of water above an installation location on the seabed. The support structure (100) is secured to the seabed using a coupling means (4) while the support structure (100) and the reef element (2) are at the surface location. The support structure (100) and the reef element (2) are then moved from the surface to the installation location on the seabed using the coupling means (4).

Description

ARTIFICIAL ARRECIFE AND METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION OF AN ARTIFICIAL ARRECIFE Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an artificial reef assembly and a construction method of an artificial reef.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Multi-purpose reefs and offshore breakwaters are used for coastal protection and / or recreational purposes, such as surfing. Typically they are built in deep water of 2-15 m around 100-4? m sea of the low tide line. However, it may vary in some locations. The reef design is usually established from physical and numerical laboratory studies which determine the optimum seabed shape that produces the required wave quality. Difer-entities form a seabed create different types of wave. One problem with these sophisticated computer-generated forms is that techniques are not available to build them exactly. In the past, breakwaters have been built by simply dropping large rocks to form the Ref. 190007 barrier. However, these rocks are dangerous for surfers and have large undulations on the surface that can destroy the quality of the surfing wave. In an attempt to improve construction quality, geotextile containers up to 3-5 m in diameter and approximately 20 m in length were adopted. These were filled in the hull of a dredge and then dumped to the seabed to form the reef. About 300 containers can be dropped. The lack of accuracy in this method, however, also leads to large variations and undulations in the reef surface and a reduction in the quality of the surfing wave. Laboratory tests have shown that irregular reef shapes cause "eddies" on the surface of the water or the "tube" of the wave partially or completely collapses, degrading the surfing path. Other methods that have been adopted include divers and ropes to place geocontainers also known as mega-containers, on the seabed, and then fill each geocontainer in position. The cost of doing this with a large number of individual containers is high, particularly if the careful placement of each is required. Another problem occurs if there are openings between mega-containers. The constant wave action can lead to erosion of sand between the containers and eventual subsidence of the reef in the sand. Therefore, the exact placement of the containers is highly important for the quality of the surfing wave, and for the future durability of the reef shape. The term "seabed" is used in the present to denote the floor of a body of water, whether it is sea, lake, artificial or otherwise. The term "artificial reef" as used herein includes any artificial construction that is placed in a body of water and adapted or proposed to alter the wave configuration in a body of water, such as artificial breakwaters, as well as artificial reefs, and can be completely submerged or submerged only partially. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and claims, the words "comprise", "understand" and the like will be constructed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense, ie , in the sense of "include", but limit ".

Brief Description of the Invention An object of the present invention is to provide an artificial reef and / or a method for constructing an artificial reef which will allow the reef to be deployed more easily and more accurately than the artificial reefs of the prior art. An alternative object of the invention is to provide an artificial reef mount and / or a method for constructing an artificial reef mount and / or an artificial reef and / or a method for constructing an artificial reef which will exceed one or more of the problems of the prior art, or the child will provide a useful choice. Other objects of the present invention may become apparent from the following description, which is given by way of example only. According to a first aspect of the present invention, an artificial reef assembly including a plurality of containers adapted to receive a filler material is provided, each container is connected to at least one other container by means of connection, where in use, the connecting means hold the plurality of containers in a required configuration and the containers are filled with a required amount of filler material to form a required shape of the reef. According to a second aspect of the present invention, an artificial reef assembly comprising at least one reef element and a supporting structure is provided, at least one reef member is coupled to the supporting structure, and the structure of support is adapted to support at least one reef element while being transported to an installation location and to be secured to the seabed to locate at least one reef element on the seabed at a desired location to form at least a portion of a artificial reef. Preferably, the artificial reef assembly further comprises coupling means connected to the support structure, the coupling means being adapted to couple the support structure to the seabed. According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an artificial reef assembly comprising at least one reef element and coupling means for coupling the reef element to the seabed while the reef element is on the surface and for making It is then possible for at least one reef element to be moved to the seabed using the coupling means. Preferably, the reef assembly additionally comprises a support structure, at least one reef element is coupled to the support structure and the support structure is connected to the coupling means. Preferably, the artificial reef assembly comprises a number of reef elements. In one example of the invention, two or more reef elements are coupled to a support structure. However, alternatively, a support structure may be provided for each reef element. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an artificial reef that includes a plurality of containers filled with a required amount of filler material, each container being connected to at least one other container by means of connection, wherein connecting means hold the plurality of containers in a required configuration so that the containers form a required shape of the reef. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for constructing an artificial reef assembly comprising: i) determining a shape required for an artificial reef that is created from the reef assembly; ii) determining a required configuration of a plurality of containers to create the required shape when filled with a required amount of sizing material; iii) connecting the plurality of containers together with connecting means, so that each container is connected to at least one other container, wherein the connecting means are adapted to hold the plurality of containers in the required configuration when in use. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for constructing an artificial reef, the method comprising: (i) coupling coupling means to a reef element located on the surface of a body of water; (ii) ensure the means of coupling to the seabed while the reef element is located on the surface; and (iii) moving the reef element from the surface to the seabed using the coupling means. Preferably, the reef member is attached to a support structure and the coupling means is attached to the support structure. According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for constructing an artificial reef, the method comprising: (i) attaching a reef element to a support structure; (ii) transporting the support structure and the reef element attached to a location on the surface of a body of water above an installation location on the seabed; (iii) securing the support structure to the maiorino bed using a coupling means while the support structure and the reef element are in the surface location; Y (iv) moving the support structure and the reef element to the installation location on the seabed using the coupling means. Preferably, the method further comprises determining a shape required for the artificial reef. Typically, the size and shape of the reef element can be determined from the required form. Preferably, the reef member may comprise a container, which is preferably flexible and may be formed of a cloth material, such as geotextile material. Typically, the container is a mega-container. Typically, the reef element can have a volume of between 30m3 to 1600m3.

Typically, the reef element can have a length of 10m to 80m and preferably 30m to 60m. Typically, the cross-sectional area of the reef element can be from lm2 to 25m2. Preferably, the cross-sectional area is substantially constant along the length of the reef element. However, it is possible that the cross-sectional area may vary along the length of the reef element. Preferably, the support structure is in the form of a mesh that supports the reef elements. Where the reef element is a container, the container is filled with a filler material. Preferably the container is filled with the filler material when the container is located at the installation location on the seabed. Preferably, the artificial reef is constructed of a number of reef elements. In one example of the invention, a reef element is attached to a support structure. However, in an alternative example of the invention two or more reef elements are attached to the support structure. The artificial reef can be constructed from a number of reef element and support structures, for example, a reef element by support structure or a number of support structures with two or more reef elements by support structure. According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, a method for constructing an artificial reef is provided, the method includes: i) determining a shape required for the artificial reef; ii) determining a required configuration of a plurality of containers to create the required shape when filled with a required amount of filler material; iii) connecting the plurality of containers together with connecting means, so that the container is connected to at least one other container, wherein the connecting means is adapted to hold the plurality of containers in the required configuration when in use; iv) move the containers in the required configuration - in a required location; v) fill each container with the required amount of filler material. Preferably, the filling step can be preceded by the step of temporarily holding at least one of the plurality of containers to anchoring means anchored adjacent to the required location.

Preferably, the connecting means can be provided with tie lines and the method can include the step of anchoring a plurality of anchoring means adjacent to the required location and using the anchoring means as pulley means for the tie lines. Preferably, at least one of the connection means may be elongate flexible connection means. Preferably, the connection means may include ropes and / or belts and / or chains and / or steel cables. Preferably, a plurality of connection means can be connected to form a mesh. Preferably, each container can be a flexible container. However, it is possible that the containers may be rigid or semi-rigid. It is also possible that any combination of flexible, rigid and semi-rigid containers can be used in the same reef assembly or to build an artificial reef. Preferably, a mat can be provided and attached to the connecting means. This feature has the advantage of preventing or minimizing the collapse of the containers and / or sand leakage. Additional aspects of the invention, which should be considered in all its new aspects, will become evident from the following - description given by way of example of possible embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Examples of an artificial reef assembly and a method for constructing an artificial reef according to the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a first example of a support structure in the form of a mesh of connecting means for an artificial arr-ecife; Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of a first example of a reef assembly using the support structure shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic isometric view of a section of the artificial reef assembly of Figure 2 prior to installation; Figure 4 - is a schematic plan view of an artificial reef formed of the reef assembly of Figure 2; Figure 5 is a schematic isometric view of a section of the artificial reef of Figure 3 as viewed along line AA of Figure 3; Figure 6 is a plan view of the reef assembly located at an installation location on the seabed and showing an array of anchors; Figure 7 is a schematic cross section of the artificial reef of Figure 3 through the line AA; and Figure 8 is a schematic plan view of a second example of an artificial reef assembly with a second example of a support structure.

Detailed Description of the Invention Figure 1 shows a support structure formed of a plurality of connection means 1 which are connected together to form a mesh or network, generally. referenced 100. In this example, the connection means 1 is a woven belt or fabric belt. However, the connecting means may be any suitable material, such as rope or cable. Attached along the peripheral edges of the mesh 100 are a number of coupling means 4 in the form of ends. A first example of an artificial arr-ecife assembly 300 is shown in Figures 2 and 3. The reef assembly 300 is formed by attaching containers 2 to the mesh 100 in a configuration which is such that when the mesh 100 is clamped at a required position and the containers 2 are filled with a required or predetermined amount of filler material, a predetermined required reef shape, generally referenced 200 is formed, as shown in figures 4, 5 and 7. It will be understood that although the containers 2 are shown schematically in Figure 5 having a round cross section, in practice the containers will typically adopt an oval cross section as shown in Figure 7. Each container 2 is connected to at least one other container 2 by connection means 1. Typically, containers 2 are flexible containers and can be manufactured from a geotextile material. The containers 2 can be of any size but are preferably mega-containers. Typically, containers 2 have a length of 10m to 80m, preferably 30m to 60m. The containers can have a volume in the range of 30m3 to 1600m3. The containers can have a cross-sectional area in the range of lm2 to 25m2. However, any suitable material may be used for the containers and the containers may be of any suitable size, which may depend on the particular location of an artificial reef and any of the installation requirements. The deformations due to breakage of the various connection means 1 may vary depending on the anticipated load in each of the particular connection means 1 when they are in use. The containers 2 are attached to the mesh 100, preferably by means of fixed connections 3, for example being sewn, along their sides, to form the reef assembly. The connections 3 can preferably be spaced between lm and 10m apart, although other spaces may be suitable. The manufacture of the reef assembly can be done on the coast, which saves time and reduces costs. In use, the reef assembly, generally referenced 300, is transported to a bent-desirable location, preferably in a boat or other flat surface easy to deploy. The mesh 1? 0 is then stretched, preferably at the surface of the water by tie lines 4 which are connected to the mesh 100 at predetermined intervals. Winches (not shown) can be used to stretch the 100 mesh. Other ropes or lines (not shown) can be used to tie the containers 2 more securely to the 100 mesh to provide stability to the containers 2 under wave action. These additional lines or lines may be untied later during or after the containers 2 are filled with filler material. An array of suitable anchoring means, for example anchors 5, are anchored to the seabed adjacent to the required location of the reef. The connecting lines are fed through the anchors 5 and the anchors are used as pulley means to pull the reef assembly down onto the seabed and at its required location. The connecting lines 4 can be fed through the anchors 5, and then to a surface vessel such as a boat, so that the lines can be tensioned by suitable tensioning means on the boat, thus making it possible for the reef assembly to be pulled at its installation location on the seabed. The anchors 5 can be used as permanent anchors for the reef and / or as attachment points to temporarily hold the reef assembly 300 in position before the containers 2 are filled. Tensioned straps (not shown) can also be placed through the reef assembly 300 in the case of wave action to improve stability prior to filling the containers. Temporary sandbags (not shown) can also be placed on top of reef mount 300 if wave conditions require them. With the mesh 100 in position on the seabed, the containers 2 are fastened in a required configuration predetermined by the connecting means 1. The containers 2 are then filled with filler material by any suitable means. As can be seen from Figures 4 and 7, the containers 2 can be placed in the mesh 100 so that they overlap, minimizing the gap formed between the adjacent containers 2 when using flexible containers of oval cross section 2. A superposition of Up to about 1/8 of the maximum width 11-ENA of containers 2 can be adequate. This also helps to ensure that there are no openings between the containers 2. To prevent a container 2 from rolling when filled due to the force of its full neighbor, each second container 2a is preferably filled first and then the intermediate containers 2b (see figure). 7) are filled. In many embodiments the artificial reef, generally referenced 200, will be stable under its own weight and the anchors 5, if used, can be removed once the containers 2 have been filled. If required, a mat (not shown) can be provided between the 100 mesh and the containers 2. The mat can prevent the leakage of sand from between the containers 2 which may result otherwise in the containers 2 sinking in the seabed. If required, a row-of additional connections (not shown) can be provided above the first row of connections. This can strengthen the connection between containers 2 and 100 mesh, and can also help reduce the tendency of containers to move when they are empty or partially full. A second example of a reef mount 500 is shown in Figure 8. In this case a second example of a support structure in the form of a 600 mesh is used. The 600 mesh is manufactured in the same way as the 100 mesh of connection means 1. However, in this example only one container 602 is attached to the 600 mesh. The container 602 is attached to the 600 mesh in the same way as the containers 2 are joined to the 100 mesh. That is, using connections 3 (not shown in Figure 8). In this example, the reef assembly 500 can be used where only one container is required to construct an artificial reef. However, reef assembly 500 also has applications where the facility is in an area of high currents, great swell or other difficult environmental conditions which makes it difficult or impossible to construct the artificial reef using a single 100 mesh with multiple containers 2. In this case, a number of 500 reef mounts can be installed to build the artificial reef. This has the advantage that the surface time, installation time and filling time are reduced which makes it easier to install the reef assembly and fill the container 602 in difficult environmental conditions. The reef assembly 500 may also have applications where the space for the construction of the reef assembly and / or deployment of the reef assembly is restricted.

It is also possible that a number of reef assemblies can be used to construct an artificial reef, each reef assembly comprising a bearing structure with one or more containers (or reef elements) attached to the respective supporting structure.

Materials • Containers 2 can be made from any suitable durable material. Examples include geotextiles, reinforced polypropylene, curable plastic or concrete. • The containers may be in the form of a tube and may be circular, oval, rectangular, triangular or any other suitable form in plan or cross section. • Containers can be flexible, rigid or partially rigid (for example, semi-rigid). • The filling material is preferably sand, but may be mud, stones, pavers, etc. • Preferably at least one of the connecting means 1 is an elongated flexible connection means, which can be any suitable material including rope, belts, chains, steel cables. In alternative embodiments some of the connection means may be substantially rigid. • The connections can be made of straps or any suitable material and are placed with straps, ropes, shackles. • The mat can be made of fabric, polypropylene, geotextile or any other suitable material. While the connection means have been shown in the form of a mesh in the embodiment shown, in some embodiments the containers may be strong enough, or may be reinforced, so that the connecting means connect only adjacent containers. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention presented herein is a new method for improving the construction accuracy of an artificial reef, while also keeping the cost of construction low. Standard mega-containers can be used but much of the construction can be done on land, significantly reducing the costs of expensive sea installation and minimizing the dependence on low wave periods for the work to be undertaken. With this method, the containers can be deployed: • Exactly in relation to one another; • Simultaneously; and • More quickly, saving on divers and time at sea. The method does not require many days of low waves and therefore the entire reef can be completed in a single period of low swell. Safety for divers is also greatly improved without requiring that many anchor weights be placed and moved on the seabed. The reef can be deployed in a period as a unit, although the reef can also be deployed in stages, in separate sections of mesh. Where in the above description, reference has been made to specific components or complete entities of the invention having known equivalents, then such equivalents are incorporated as if they were individually described. Although this invention has been described by way of example and with reference to the possible modalities thereof, it will be understood that modifications and improvements can be made to it without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims (47)

CLAIMS Having described the invention as above, the contents of the following claims are claimed as property:

1. Artificial reef mount, characterized in that it comprises at least one reef element and a supporting structure, at least one reef element is coupled to the supporting structure, and the supporting structure is adapted to support at least one reef element while it is transported to an installation location and secured to the seabed to locate at least one reef element on the seabed at a desired location to form at least a portion of an artificial reef.

2. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that additionally comprises coupling means connected to the support structure, the coupling means are adapted to couple the supporting structure to the seabed.

3. Assembly of artificial reef, characterized in that it comprises at least one arr-ecife element and coupling means for coupling the reef elements to the seabed while the reef element is on the surface and subsequently making it possible for at least one element of reef is moved to the seabed using the coupling means.

Assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that it additionally comprises a support structure, at least one reef element is coupled to the support structure and the support structure is connected to the coupling means.

5. Assembly according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the artificial reef assembly comprises a number of reef elements.

Assembly according to claim 5 when dependent on claims 1, 2, or 4, characterized in that two or more reef elements are coupled to the support structure.

7. Assembly according to claim 5 when dependent on claims 1, 2, 4 or 6, characterized in that there are a number of support structures.

Assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that a reef element is coupled to each support structure.

9. Assembly according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the reef element has a volume between 30m3 to 16O0m3.

10. Assembly according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the reef element has a length of 10m to 80m.

Assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that the reef element has a length of 30m to 60m.

12. Assembly according to any of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the reef element has a cross-sectional area of lm2 to 25m2.

13. Assembly according to any of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the reef element has a cross-sectional area that is substantially constant along the length of the reef element.

Assembly according to any of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the reef element comprises a container adapted to be filled with a filler material.

15. Assembly according to claim 9, characterized in that the container is flexible.

16. Assembly of conformity - with the claim 15, characterized in that the container is formed of a cloth material.

17. Assembly in accordance with the claim 16, characterized in that the container is formed of a geotextile material.

18. Assembly according to any of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that the container is a mega-container.

19. Method for constructing an artificial reef, characterized in that it comprises: (i) coupling coupling means to a reef element located on the surface of a body of water; (ii) ensure the means of coupling to the seabed while the reef element is located on the surface; and (iii) moving the reef element from the surface to an installation location on the seabed using the coupling means.

Method according to claim 19, characterized in that it additionally comprises joining the reef element to a support structure and joining the coupling means to the support structure.

21. Method according to claim 20, characterized in that it additionally comprises transporting the support structure with the reef element attached to the support structure to the location on the surface of the water body.

22. Method for constructing an artificial reef, characterized in that it comprises: (i) joining a reef element to a supporting structure; (ii) transporting the support structure and the reef element attached to a location on the surface of a body of water above an installation location on the seabed; (iii) securing the support structure to the seabed using a coupling means while the support structure and the reef element are in the surface location; Y (iv) moving the support structure and the reef element to the installation location on the seabed using the coupling means.

23. Method according to any of claims 19 to 22, characterized in that it additionally comprises determining a required shape of the artificial reef.

24. Method according to claim 23, characterized in that the size and shape of the reef el-ement are determined from the r-equerida form.

Method according to any of claims 19 to 24, characterized in that the reef element comprises a container and the container is filled with a filler material.

26. Method according to claim 25, characterized in that the container is filled with filler material when the reef element is at the installation location on the seabed.

27. Method according to any of claims 19 to 26, characterized in that the reef element has a volume of 30m3 to 16O0m3.

28. Method according to any of claims 19 to 27, characterized in that the reef element has a length of 10m to 80m.

29. Method according to claim 28, characterized in that the reef element has a length of 30m to 60m.

30. Method according to any of claims 19 to 29, characterized in that the cross-sectional area of the reef element is from lm2 to 25m2.

31. Method according to any of claims 19 to 30, characterized in that the reef element has a cross-sectional area that is substantially constant along the length of the reef element.

32. Method according to any of claims 19 to 31, characterized in that the artificial reef is constructed from a number of reef elements.

33 Method according to any of claims 19 to 32, characterized in that the reef element is attached to a support structure. 3. 4 .

Method according to any of claims 19 to 32, characterized in that two or more reef elements are attached to the support structure.

35 Method according to any of claims 19 to 34, characterized in that the artificial reef is constructed of a number of reef elements and a number of support structures.

36 Method according to any of claims 20 to 22 or any of claims 23 to 35 when dependent on any of claims 20 to 22, characterized in that the support structure comprises connection means.

37 Method for constructing an artificial reef, characterized in that it includes: i) determining a shape required for the artificial reef; ii) determining a required configuration of a plurality of containers to create the required shape when filled with a required amount of sizing material; iii) connecting the plurality of container is together with connecting means, so that each container is connected to at least one other container, wherein the connecting means is adapted to hold the plurality of containers in the required configuration when in use; iv) temporarily securing the connecting means to anchoring means anchored adjacent to an installation location; v) move the containers in the required configuration to an installation location; vi) fill each container with the required amount of filler material.

38. Method according to claim 36 or 37, characterized in that the connecting means can be provided with tie lines and the method can include the step of anchoring a plurality of anchoring means adjacent to the required location and using the means of anchoring as pulley means for the connecting lines.

39. Method according to any of claims 36 to 38, characterized in that the connection means comprise elongate flexible connection means.

40. Method according to claim 39, characterized in that the connection means can include cables and / or belts and / or steel chains and / or cables.

41. Method according to any of claims 36 to 40, characterized in that the connecting means are connected to form a mesh.

42. Method according to any of claims 25, 26, 37, any of claims 27 to 36 when dependent on claims 25 or 26 or any of the claims 38 to 41 when dependent on any of the claims 25, 26, 37, characterized in that the container is flexible.

43. Method according to claim 42, characterized in that the container is formed of a cloth material.

44. Method according to claim 43, characterized in that the container is formed of a geotextile material.

45. Method - according to any of claims 25, 26,. 37, 42 to 44, any of claims 27 to 36 when they depend on claims 25 or 26 or any of claims 38 to 41 when they depend on any of claims 25, 26 or 37, characterized in that the container is a mega -container .

46. Method according to any of the claims 37 or any of the claims 38 to 45 when dependent on claim 37, characterized in that a mat is provided between the connection means and the containers.

47. Method according to any of claims 20 to 22 or any of claims 23 to 36 when depending on any of claims 20 to 22, characterized in that a mat is provided between the support structure and the reef elements.