Conformable fascine

Claim 2

A conformable fascine including a core (1) comprising a multiplicity of tubular core members (2) each capable of elastic cross-sectional deformation when subject to transverse compression forces, and all freely disposed in axially parallel relationship, and a sleeve (3) circumjacent the core comprising a multiplicity of axially parallel tubular sleeve members (4) all transversely and continuously interconnected by at least two axially spaced flexible tie means (10, 13) each disposed as a continuous loop; characterised in that the sleeve members (4) are conjointly maintained in transverse compression by the tie means (10, 13).

Claim 3

A fascine as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the sleeve members (4) are of circular cross-section, each having diametral perforations (5) through which the flexible tie means (10, 13) are threaded, thereby to maintain the sleeve members in diametral compression.

Claim 4

A fascine as claimed in either one of the preceding claims characterised in that the core members (2) have less resistance to cross-sectional deformation than the sleeve members (4).

Claim 5

A fascine as claimed in claim 3 characterised in that the core members (2) and the sleeve members (4) are all of similar material, all of circular cross section and all of substantially equal external diameter, the core members being of thinner wall thickness than the sleeve members.

Claim 6

A fascine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the sleeve members (4) contain reinforcement liners (14) located interjacent the axially spaced tie means (10, 13).

Claim 7

A fascine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the core members (2) are restrained from axial egress from the sleeve (3) by retaining nets (18) secured so as to extend across each end of the sleeve (3). -

Claim 8

A fascine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims characterised in that recovery fittings (15) are attached to the sleeve (3) at three or more equally spaced perimetral locations.

Claim 9

A method of constructing the conformable fascine claimed in Claim 2 including the steps of:- 8 a. arranging the sleeve members (4) side by side on a level surface with their diametral perforations (5) in alignment, b. threading a length of chain through each aligned set of perforations (5), c. securing one protrusive extremity of one of the chains to a tensioning means operative against the adjacent end sleeve member and applying an open-ended, slotted stop plate (17) to the other protrusive extremity, d. straining the chain into tension with the tensioning means so as to compress all the sleeve members conjointly, e. applying a second open-ended slotted stop plate (17) to the chain adjacent the end sleeve member nearest the tensioning means so as to maintain the compression, f. removing the tensioning means and the excess chain beyond the stop plates, g. repeating the steps c to f for each chain, h. bringing the two stopped ends of each chain together and joining them to form the continuous loop tie means (10-13) and thereby to provide the sleeve (3), i. removing the slotted stop plates from each chain, and j. loosely filling the interior of the sleeve (3) with a multiplicity of the core members (2).