Coquina Based Underwater Mitigation Reef and Method of Making Same

Abstract

A method of forming a concrete block embedded with coquina stone comprising the steps of positioning a layer of sand on the bottom surface of a concrete block form, then positioning a layer of coquina stone above the layer of sand positioned on the bottom surface, then pouring concrete over the layer of sand and the layer of coquina stone, thereafter allowing the concrete to harden to form a concrete block which is then removed from the concrete block form.

1 . A method of forming a concrete block embedded with coquina stone comprising the steps of:
 positioning a layer of sand on a bottom surface of concrete block form;   positioning a layer of coquina stone above the layer of sand positioned on the bottom surface;   pouring concrete over the layer of sand and the layer of coquina stone;   allowing the concrete to harden to form a concrete block;   removing the concrete block from the concrete block form.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the layer of sand is approximately one inch deep. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the layer of coquina stone is approximately one to two inches deep. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , further including the step, prior to the step of pouring the concrete, of positioning a rope or cable within the concrete block form that extends from a point within the concrete block form to a point outside the concrete block form. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the cable or rope extends through two sidewalls of the concrete block form. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the cable or rope is comprised of polyester. 
   
   
       7 . A method of making a mat of cable concrete including a plurality of concrete blocks embedded with coquina stone, comprising the steps of:
 preparing a plurality of concrete block forms to be poured with concrete;   positioning a layer of sand on a bottom surface of the plurality of concrete block forms;   positioning a layer of coquina stone above the layer of sand positioned on the bottom surface of the concrete block forms;   positioning a rope or cable within the plurality of concrete block forms that extends from a point within the concrete block forms to a point outside the concrete block forms;   pouring concrete over the layer of sand and the layer of coquina stone and the rope or cable in the plurality concrete block forms;   allowing the concrete to harden to form a plurality of concrete blocks;   removing the concrete blocks from the plurality of concrete block forms.   
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the layer of sand is approximately one inch deep. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the layer of coquina stone is approximately one to two inches deep. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the rope or cable extends from one concrete block form into an adjacent concrete block form. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the connecting step is performed by having a cable or rope extend from one concrete block form into an adjacent concrete block form such that when the concrete hardens, the adjacent concrete blocks are connected by the rope or cable. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , further including the step, prior to the step of pouring the concrete, of positioning a first plastic or metal tube within the concrete block form that extends all the way through the concrete block form. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , further including the step, subsequent to the step of positioning the first plastic or metal tube, of positioning a second plastic or steel tube within the concrete block form that is perpendicular to the first plastic or steel tube and that extends all the way through the concrete block form. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , further including the step of threading rope or cable through the first plastic or metal tube. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12 , further including the step of threading rope or cable through the first and second plastic or metal tubes. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the concrete block is connected to an adjacent concrete block that was made in accordance with the same process as the concrete block. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the concrete block is connected to other concrete blocks made in accordance with the same process as the concrete block to form a cable concrete mat. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the coquina stone comprises coral stone. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the coquina stone comprises coral stone.