Stabilised earth structures

A stabilised earth structure at least partly under water, in which an under water base unit supports a facing unit to which is attached at least one elongate flexible reinforcement for stabilising the earth behind the facing unit, at least one guide member for the facing unit being connected to the base unit, wherein the base unit comprises an elongate box containing support material which supports the lower edge of said facing unit horizontally, the guide member being substantially rigid and adjusted relative to the elongate box to a vertical orientation.

A base unit for an under water stabilised earth structure, having connected thereto a guide member for a facing unit, wherein the base unit comprises an elongate box for containing support material to support a facing unit, the guide member being substantially rigid and connected to the elongate box such that the orientation of the guide member is adjustable.

A method of constructing a stabilised earth structure under water, comprising lowering a base unit on to a site under water, lowering into a position immediately above said base unit a facing unit to which is attached at least one elongate flexible reinforcement for stabilising the earth, the facing unit being guided during lowering by at least one guide member connected to the base unit, and said least one reinforcement being supported by means disposed at a location along its length spaced from the facing unit such that both during and after lowering the unit into position the at least one reinforcement is supported substantially horizontally, and backfilling the base and facing units with earth to cover said at least one reinforcement, wherein the base unit comprises an elongate box to provide means for supporting said facing unit with its lower edge horizontal, the guide member being substantially rigid and connected to the elongate box such that the rigid guide member is adjustable to a vertical orientation.

A stabilised earth structure at least partly under water, comprising an under water base unit, a facing unit supported by the base unit, at least one elongate flexible reinforcement attached to the facing unit for stabilising the earth behind the facing unit, support means for the at least one reinforcement disposed at a location along the length thereof at a spacing from the facing unit such that the at least one reinforcement is supported substantially horizontally during construction, and at least one guide member for the facing unit connected to the base unit, wherein the base unit comprises an elongate box containing support member which supports the lower edge of said facing unit horizontally, the guide member being substantially rigid and adjusted relative to the elongate box to a vertical orientation.