The invention relates to a spreader bar for picking up and laying down soil erosion prevention mats formed by connecting a matrix of soil erosion preventing blocks with cable or the like through passageways therein.

The invention provides an apparatus for and a method of constructing a concrete block mat consisting of unit concrete blocks interlocked together in the form of a mat by way of connections for adjacent interlocking members of those unit concrete blocks. There are also provided an apparatus for and a method of planarizing the ground under water using the concrete block mat. The apparatus for constructing a concrete block mat includes a frame, a plurality of frame, a plurality of block mat. The planarizing apparatus includes a configuration for maintaining those of the unit concrete blocks positioned at opposite ends of the concrete block mat to be inclined with respect to a plane of the concrete block mat in such a fashion that the concrete block mat has resistance reducing surfaces.

Interlocking concrete blocks for controlling erosion of banks of bodies of water are provided with improved wave resistance by providing pairs of spigots on one side of the block and a slot or slots on the other side of the block so as to allow longitudinal movement of courses in a bed formed from the blocks while also allowing relative angular movement of adjacent blocks.

The revetment mat comprises at least two webs joined together at aligned perimeter edges. Each web comprises a plurality of (a) interior blocks disposed side-by-side in rows and (b) a plurality of edge blocks defining a pair of perimeter edge rows of the web. The interior and edge blocks are interlinked together by threading a revetment cable through tunnels defined in the blocks. Each of the edge blocks defines a recess in one end thereof and further defines a pair of coaxial bores which extend from a first side to an interior face in the recess and from an opposing face in the recess to a second side of the edge block. An elongated rod is received in the bores and thereby extends across a gap in the recess between the opposing interior faces. A plurality of couplers are used to join a first web to a second web, which webs are positioned side-by-side. Each coupler is disposed within one of the recesses. The couplers are received on the elongated rods in recesses of the respective aligned edge blocks of the webs. Each of the couplers joins at least a portion of the first and second webs together along the aligned edges.

A block having a semicircular male lobe and a semicircular female recess on opposing sides thereof. On other opposing sides of the block, there is formed a side edge shape such that when neighboring blocks are placed together, a circuitous water channel is formed between the blocks. The block includes cable channels formed therethrough, with the cable channels opening at the side edges into cable cavities. The cable cavities facilitate access to ends of the cables when the blocks are placed side by side.