U.S. patent application number 11/282653 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-15 for barrier.
Invention is credited to Clive Keedwell.
Application Number | 20060124913 11/282653 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33548575 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060124913 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Keedwell; Clive |
June 15, 2006 |
Barrier
Abstract
Disclosed is a flood barrier which, in one embodiment, comprises
a resiliently deformable barrier mounted removably via frame
members on post footing. At least some embodiments of the barrier
may be more rapidly and easily deployable and may be considerably
lighter and cheaper to manufacture and yet provide surprising
durability and resistance to water flows compared to conventional
barrier constructions.
Inventors: |
Keedwell; Clive; (Bristol,
GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STITES & HARBISON PLLC
1199 NORTH FAIRFAX STREET
SUITE 900
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314
US
|
Family ID: |
33548575 |
Appl. No.: |
11/282653 |
Filed: |
November 21, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
256/12.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02B 3/102 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
256/012.5 |
International
Class: |
E01F 7/02 20060101
E01F007/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 19, 2004 |
GB |
0425544.4 |
Claims
1. An environmental protection barrier for providing protection
from a moving body of water, said barrier comprising a resiliently
deformable barrier portion mounted on substantially rigid frame
members adapted to be located between a plurality of substantially
rigid upwardly extending posts, so as to secure said barrier
portion in the path of said body of water, said posts being
removably deployable onto post footings extending at least 50 cm
below ground level; wherein said resiliently deformable barrier
portion has a thickness of between 5 and 50 mm and a mass per unit
area of between 5 and 20 kg per square metre, and wherein said
barrier portion is adapted to deform or move reversibly from an
initial configuration to absorb or deflect energy from said moving
body of water.
2. An environmental protection barrier according to claim 1,
wherein said posts include channels into which said frame members
can be slid.
3. An environmental protection barrier according to claim 2,
wherein said channels extend vertically, and whereby said frame
members are located by vertical sliding.
4. An environmental protection barrier according to claim 3,
wherein said frame members are secured to said posts by said
vertical sliding alone.
5. An environmental protection barrier according to claim 1,
wherein said frame members include a rigid blade at the base
adapted to be inserted into the ground.
6. An environmental protection barrier according to claim 1,
wherein said post footings include a substantially flat plate
adapted to be secured to the ground by bolts or pins.
7. An environmental protection barrier for providing protection
from a moving body of water, said barrier comprising a resiliently
deformable barrier portion secured in the path of said body of
water by a plurality of substantially rigid upwardly extending
posts, wherein said resiliently deformable barrier portion has a
thickness of at least 5 mm and a mass per unit area of at least 5
kg per square metre, and wherein said barrier portion is adapted to
deform or move reversibly from an initial configuration to absorb
or deflect energy from said moving body of water.
8. An environmental protection barrier according to claim 7,
wherein said posts are removably deployable onto post footings.
9. An environmental protection barrier according to claim 7,
wherein said post footings extend at least partially below ground
level.
10. An environmental protection barrier according to claim 1,
wherein said posts are further supported by stays which extend from
said posts to the ground, at an angle to the posts
11. A method for erecting a deployable flood barrier comprising the
steps of: securing a plurality of posts to a corresponding
plurality of post footings; attaching a plurality of frame members
to said posts; and attaching a substantially impermeable,
resiliently deformable layer to said frame members, said
resiliently deformable layer having a thickness of between 5 and 50
mm and a mass per unit area of between 5 and 20 kg per square
metre
12. A method according to claim 11, wherein attaching said frame
members to said posts is achieved by sliding motion of the frame
members.
13. A method according to claim 11, wherein said method further
includes partially inserting an elongate blade into the ground.
14. A method according to claim 11, wherein said method further
includes aligning one or more footings in relation to an existing
footing, and maintaining the footing(s) in alignment in a
horizontal plane whilst said footing(s) are driven into the
ground.
15. A method according to claim 14 wherein maintaining the
footing(s) in alignment further includes maintaining the footing(s)
substantially parallel to an existing footing whilst said
footing(s) are driven into the ground.
16. A method according to claim 14, wherein aligning is achieved
using an alignment tool.
17. A method according to claim 14, wherein more than one footing
can be aligned and driven into the ground simultaneously.
Description
[0001] This invention relates to environmental protection barriers,
and particularly, but not exclusively to barriers for protection
against coastal erosion and flooding.
[0002] The problems associated with coastal erosion and flooding
are only too familiar, and damage caused by flooding and erosion
runs into hundreds of millions of pounds each year. In extreme
circumstances the damage can extend to human injuries and
fatalities.
[0003] Many different types of coastal defence schemes and wave
erosion barriers have been proposed in the past. Such schemes
typically rely on the use of massive constructions to dissipate the
wave energy. Examples include concrete sea walls, rock revetments
and groynes. Such defences typically cost over .English Pound.3000
per metre to employ.
[0004] Prior art flood protection measures include very large
scale, high expenditure schemes, such as earthworks or reinforced
concrete walls. At the other end of the scale sandbags are often
used in flood situations, however these offer very limited
resistance, especially to fast flowing water, and once breached,
the sand can actually add to the weight of the flood water,
increasing the possible damage caused.
[0005] It is an object of one aspect of the present invention to
provide an improved environmental protection barrier which
overcomes or ameliorates disadvantages in prior art barriers. It is
a further object to provide an environmental protection barrier
which is inexpensive and quick and simple to employ.
[0006] In a first aspect the invention provides an environmental
protection barrier for providing protection from a moving body of
water, said barrier comprising a resiliently deformable barrier
portion and means for securing said barrier portion in the path of
said body of water, wherein said barrier portion is adapted to
deform or move reversibly from an initial configuration to absorb
or deflect energy from said moving body of water.
[0007] In this way, energy from water impacting onto the barrier is
dissipated as the resilient portion flexes or moves. Although prior
art barriers have typically relied on having a very large mass, the
novel arrangement of this invention has been found to be
surprisingly effective at dissipating energy, despite being
relatively lightweight and quickly deployable. The material for the
resiliently deformable portion is suitably chosen to have high
hysteresis for maximum energy dissipation. It is advantageous that
the resilient portion does not undergo permanent deformation. At
the same time sufficient structural rigidity is provided by the
securing means to maintain the deformable portion in the path of
the fluid. It should be understood that references to water will
include any sediment and debris carried in the water, and may
extend to slurries and mud flows for example. In one embodiment the
barrier portion is substantially impermeable
[0008] In one embodiment, the means for securing comprises a
plurality of substantially rigid upwardly extending posts. This
arrangement is advantageous for providing a flood barrier with the
posts securing the deformable barrier substantially perpendicular
to the ground. Such an embodiment has been found to be able to
withstand lateral pressures of the order of 100 tonnes per square
metre.
[0009] Said means for securing may additionally comprise a
plurality of substantially rigid frame members, each frame member
adapted to be located between said posts. The frame members are
suitably include a number of horizontal and/or vertical braces. The
barrier portion, as flat sheets, can advantageously be attached
directly to the frame members by adhesive or screws or such like.
The frame members may merely provide a means for attaching the
resilient portion to the posts, and may not be intended to add any
structural rigidity to the barrier. Of course the resilient portion
could be secured to the posts directly if desired.
[0010] In this way a composite structure is effectively formed
having a substantially rigid matrix with deformable portions
between the posts and cross braces.
[0011] In one embodiment the posts include channels to allow the
frame members to be located by sliding. Suitably the channels
extend vertically, and the frame members and are located by sliding
vertically downwards into locating channels of adjacent posts. In
certain arrangements nothing further is required to attach the
frame members to the posts. The posts need not be arranged in a
straight line, and can be offset so as effectively to provide a
curved barrier. The vertical sliding arrangement is advantageous in
this respect, since each frame member can be angled relative to the
next, without requiring any, or only very little modification to
post or frame member.
[0012] A rigid blade member can usefully be fitted to the base of
each frame member, adapted to be inserted into the ground In one
embodiment the blade is driven into the ground when the frame
member is slid into position, the weight of the frame providing a
driving force. The blade member suitably extend the length of the
frame, and when driven into the ground helps prevent water flowing
under the barrier and/or washing away the surface layer. An
alternative arrangement is to provide a deformable lip at the base
of each frame to engage the ground, most simply achieved by
extending the barrier portion below the edge of the frame.
[0013] While in the majority of embodiments each post must be
substantially parallel to the next, these features allow slight
variations in height between posts, the lip or blade arrangement
accommodating a slight slope.
[0014] The posts are advantageously removably deployable onto post
footings, to allow the barrier to be quickly and easily assembled,
and disassembled as and when required. In one embodiment the post
footings include a substantially flat plate adapted to be secured
to the ground by bolts or pins. The post footings may be embedded
or partially embedded in the ground, either permanently or
temporarily. Alternatively the footings may be secured to any
sufficiently rigid anchor surface (eg bolting to a concrete
surface). It may be advantageous for footings to be substantially
flush with the ground level so that they are unobtrusive when in
place. Different posts in the same barrier may use different types
of footings as desired.
[0015] In one embodiment the posts are further supported by stays
which extend from the posts to the ground, at an angel to the
posts.
[0016] In one embodiment the posts and frame portions are modular,
allowing substantially any number of barrier portions to be erected
on top of one another and side by side. Thus a simple kit of common
modular parts can be employed to erect a barrier of any width or
height within practical limits.
[0017] Different embodiments of the invention may employ a
resiliently deformable barrier portion having thicknesses specified
as follows:
[0018] Greater than 5 mm
[0019] Less than 50 mm
[0020] Between 10 and 20 mm
[0021] Although the thickness may vary these figures are intended
to refer to a representative measure of thickness such as average
thickness, or the thickness of a representative portion. Different
embodiments of the invention may employ a resiliently deformable
barrier portion having a mass per unit area specified as
follows:
[0022] Greater than 5 kg per square metre.
[0023] Between 5 and 20 kg per square metre
[0024] Approximately 10 kg per square metre
[0025] In a second embodiment, the barrier portion is adapted to be
fastened to a surface to be protected, secured by one or more
pinning members adapted to be driven into said surface. Such an
embodiment can usefully be employed as a defence against coastal
erosion. The barrier portion can be pinned directly to an area of
coast, such as a cliff face, to provide protection against wave
erosion.
[0026] The said barrier portion suitably comprises a number of
individual resilient elements. Different embodiments of the
invention have resilient elements specified as follows:
[0027] Area greater than 1 square metre
[0028] Area greater than 2 square metres
[0029] Area between 2 and 10 square metres
[0030] The individual elements can be secured abutting one another
or partially overlapping one another. It may be desirable for the
elements to interlock, for example by having complementary profiled
edges.
[0031] Pins or pinning members used may be simple nails or stakes,
but large bolts or specialist fastenings may be employed, depending
on the surface to be protected. Pinning members will suitably have
appropriately shaped heads to secure the elements in place. In one
embodiment the pinning members are adapted to be driven at least 20
cm into said surface to be protected.
[0032] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the barrier portion
is formed of an elastomeric material produced from recycled vehicle
tyres. This provides a low cost, environmentally friendly material
source.
[0033] In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a
method of producing an environmental barrier including a
resiliently deformable sheet of elastomeric material, said method
comprising the steps of: [0034] breaking one or more vehicle tyres
into fragments; [0035] heating said tyre fragments; [0036] adding a
resin substance to said heated tyre fragment; [0037] forming said
mixture into substantially planar sheets
[0038] Any manner of vehicle tyres can be used, car and truck tyres
being most readily available. Breaking the tyres into fragments can
be performed using any suitable method such as cutting or grinding.
In one embodiment the tyres are broken into fragments of 2 to 10 mm
in size. The forming step may comprise pressure forming such as
pressure moulding, but other pressure forming techniques, such as
rolling could be employed.
[0039] The material specification for the sheets is not
particularly stringent, and the entire tyre can be used in the
method, including any wire built into the tyre. This results in a
simplified process with no separation steps required, and reduces
waste. In certain embodiments, fragments of wire in the sheet can
be advantageous, producing a crude fibre composite.
[0040] In one embodiment fragments are heated to approximately 30
to 60 degrees Celsius, although the fragments and resin could be
formed without heating. Sheets are advantageously formed having a
thickness of between 10 and 20 mm. Holes and eyelets may be formed
into said sheets.
[0041] A further aspect of the invention provides a method for
erecting a deployable flood barrier comprising the steps of: [0042]
locating a plurality of posts into a corresponding plurality of
footings; [0043] attaching a plurality of frame members to said
posts; [0044] attaching a substantially impermeable, resiliently
deformable layer to said posts and said cross members.
[0045] In an embodiment where footings are driven into the ground,
the method may further comprise using an alignment tool to align
one or more footings in relation to an existing footing, and to
maintain the footing(s) in alignment while they are driven into the
ground. This feature of the invention may also be provided
independently. The alignment tool may allow footings to be aligned
in a straight line, or may allow footings to be aligned at an
offset angle. Alignment is usually always at a specified distance
from the adjacent footing, and usually also ensures footings (and
hence therefore also posts) are parallel.
[0046] In one embodiment, the method further includes partially
inserting an elongate blade into the ground, and may include
attaching one or more angled stays to one or more of the posts.
[0047] A still further aspect of the invention provides a method
for protecting a surface from coastal erosion, said method
comprising the steps of: [0048] placing a resiliently deformable
layer against said surface; and [0049] securing said resiliently
deformable layer to said surface by driving a plurality of pinning
members through said layer, into said surface.
[0050] In one embodiment the method further comprises aligning a
further deformable layer in relation to an existing layer, and
securing said further layer.
[0051] Another aspect of the invention provides a kit of parts for
flood protection barrier comprising: [0052] a plurality of footings
adapted to receive corresponding posts; [0053] a plurality of posts
adapted to be located into said footings; [0054] a plurality of
frame members adapted to be attached to said posts [0055] one or
more sheets of resiliently deformable material adapted to be
secured relative to said posts and to said cross members
[0056] The kit may additionally comprise one or more alignment
tools for aligning said footings relative to one another. The kit
may further comprise an elongate blade, adapted to be partially
inserted into the ground at the base of said flood protection
barrier. In one embodiment the resilient sheets are pre-attached to
the frame members.
[0057] Yet another aspect of the invention provides a kit of parts
for a coastal erosion barrier comprising: [0058] one or more sheets
of resiliently deformable material [0059] a plurality of pinning
members for securing said one or more sheets to a surface to be
protected
[0060] In one embodiment the sheets include a plurality of eyelets
to receive said pins.
[0061] The invention will now be described, by way of example only,
with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0062] FIG. 1 shows a footing for a deployable flood barrier
according to one aspect of the present invention;
[0063] FIG. 2 shows views of a post assembly for a deployable flood
barrier according to one aspect of the present invention;
[0064] FIG. 3 shows a frame member for a deployable flood barrier
according to one aspect of the present invention;
[0065] FIG. 4 is an assembled side elevation of an embodiment of a
deployable flood barrier according to an aspect of the present
invention;
[0066] FIG. 5 is a front elevation of the embodiment shown in FIG.
4;
[0067] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4;
[0068] FIG. 7 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of a
deployable flood barrier according to an aspect of the present
invention;
[0069] FIG. 8 illustrates patterns in which a barrier according to
the present invention can be deployed;
[0070] FIG. 9 illustrates an alignment tool for use in erecting a
deployable flood barrier according to an aspect of the present
invention
[0071] FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative alignment tool;
[0072] FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of a coastal erosion defence
according to an aspect of the present invention;
[0073] FIG. 12 shows a detail scrap view of a rubber sheet suitable
for use in the present invention.
[0074] Referring initially to FIG. 1, a footing is shown in front
(102) and side (104) views. The footing is generally hollow square
section and has a dull point 106 at the base, and a ground plate
108 welded around the outside close to the top. The footing also
has an internal stop 110 approximately halfway along the length of
the footing, and securing holes 112 above the ground plate, for
receiving a toggle pin.
[0075] FIG. 2a shows an inner post locating member 202. The
locating member is hollow square section and dimensioned to be a
close fit inside the footings and posts which are both of similar
section. The locating member has securing holes 204 which align
with securing holes in the footing and in the posts when the
barrier is assembled.
[0076] FIG. 2b is a side view and FIG. 2c a sectional view (not to
scale) of a post 206. The sectional view shows the post has a
hollow square section body 208 and a `T` profiled rib 210 extending
along the front face of the post. The rib creates two vertically
extending channels 212 on each side of the post, when
assembled.
[0077] FIG. 3a illustrates a frame member 300 having a number of
vertical 302 and horizontal 304 braces. FIG. 3b shows a blade 306
which may be secured to the base of frame member 300.
[0078] Referring to the side elevation shown in FIG. 4, a post 402
is shown affixed to footing 404 extending below the ground level
indicated as 406. An inner locating member 408 extends inside the
hollow footing and rests on stop 410 of the footing. The locating
member also extends up into the post 402, the base of the post
butting against the footing to locate the post vertically. Cross
members 412 (extending into the page as viewed in FIG. 1) of a
frame member are located against the front side of the posts.
Attached to the front of the frame is a sheet of rubber 414. The
sheet of rubber extends down to a lip 416, formed by the base of
the frame member, running along the width of the structure (viewed
into the page) a short distance above the ground. An elongate blade
418 extends vertically downwards from the lip, and is designed to
penetrate into the ground at the base of the barrier, as shown.
[0079] It can be seen from FIG. 4, that a further locating member
could be inserted into the top of any given post, can then
effectively acts as a footing for a further post member, thus
creating a modular structure.
[0080] The footings in FIG. 4 additionally include a base plate 420
adapted to rest on the ground, and secured in place by a number of
pegs 422.
[0081] A compression stay 424 is attached close to the top of post
402 with a stirrup and pin joint. The lower end of the stay is
attached to a secondary base plate 426, which is secured to the
ground by pegs. The secondary base plate is set back from the post,
with the stay angled at approximately 45 degrees to the
vertical.
[0082] FIG. 5 shows a front elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 4.
elements of the frame members 512 can be seen more clearly. The
downwardly extending blade 518 is also more clearly shown attached
to the lowermost part of the frame member.
[0083] The posts, inner locating members and footings are secured
by toggle pins 532 extending through holes which are aligned when
the components are assembled. It can be seen in FIG. 5 that the
footings extend a distance into the ground substantially equal to
the height of the pots when in position.
[0084] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5. It
can be seen that the frame members 602 and associated rubber sheets
604 are located in the channels of each pair of adjacent posts. In
this arrangement the frame members can easily be slid vertically
into position between two appropriately spaced posts.
[0085] While the arrangement of FIG. 6 can accommodate frame
members, and hence post placements, at slight angles, FIG. 7 shows
an arrangement which caters for offsets of a greater angle. The
frame portions include two modified tongue and groove joints 702 to
allow a limited degree of bending. Of course, the rubber portion
attached to the frame does not require modification to allow
bending. Alternatively, rigid frame portions can include fixed
bends. For example, a frame portion could be provided with two 15
degree bends, thereby allowing adjacent posts to have a relative
rotation of 30 degrees.
[0086] FIG. 8a shows a barrier 802 used to form a protective ring
arrangement around a group of buildings. FIG. 8b shows a number of
barriers 804 deployed in a chicane pattern, to dissipate energy
from water moving in the direction indicated by arrow A.
[0087] An alignment tool in shown in plan in FIG. 9a and in side
elevation in FIG. 9b. The tool is generally T shaped, having a
datum collar 902 at the `base` of the T, an insertion collar 904
roughly at the centre of the tool, and a pair of feet 906 at the
end of the `top` member. The datum collar is designed to fit a
datum post 908, which is inserted into a footing which is already
located in place (not shown). The datum post has a square section
lower portion for locating securely into a footing, and a generally
circular section upper portion, having a dowel rod 910 extending
radially outwards near the top of the datum post. The datum collar
is generally cylindrical and designed to fit closely around the
upper portion of the datum post. The datum collar has a slot 912
cut into the top edge, into which the dowel rod of the datum post
is received. Thus the datum post and collar position the alignment
tool and allow only rotation about the axis of the datum post the
maximum angle of rotation determined by the width of the slot. A
second slot may be provided which does not allow any rotation,
constraining the alignment tool to be perpendicular to the square
section of the datum post.
[0088] The insertion collar 904 has an outer portion 914 which is
rigidly mounted, and an inner portion 916 which is moveable inside
the outer portion. The outer portion is of the form of a hollow
cylinder, and the inner portion has a complementary cylindrical
exterior, and a square section interior to receive and locate a
post footing such as that of FIG. 1, to be driven into the ground.
In a similar fashion to the datum collar and post arrangement, a
dowel rod 918 of the inner portion locates in a slot 920 of the
outer portion to provide a degree of limited rotation about a
vertical axis, relative to the perpendicular position shown in the
figure. Both inner and outer portions of the insertion collar have
an open side to allow footing to be removed from the insertion
collar laterally. The inner portion can be `closed` with toggle
pins 922 passing through a fastening collar as shown.
[0089] This arrangement therefore allows a footing to be located at
the correct distance from a neighbouring footing, and maintained
parallel to that footing while being driven into the ground. The
new footing can be in line with the previous footing or at an angle
(by virtue of the datum collar arrangement) and can itself be
square or oriented at an angle (by virtue of the insertion collar
arrangement). When the footing is mostly embedded in the ground
(the ground plate prevents full embedding while the alignment tool
is in place) the datum post can be lifted out of the existing
footing and datum collar, the toggle pins of the insertion collar
removed, and the alignment tool taken away laterally. The new
footing can then be driven the remaining distance into the
ground.
[0090] FIG. 10 shows a second type of alignment tool, similar in a
number of respects to the first. Again the structure is generally T
shaped with a datum post 1002 and collar 1004 at one end. In this
arrangement however, the datum post and collar constrain the
apparatus to be perpendicular to the existing footing. In this
arrangement three footings 1006 are simultaneously aligned for
insertion into the ground. The insertion collars 1008 are each
fixed to the T structure and each constrain a footing perpendicular
to the structure. A three pronged anvil 1010 can be inserted into
the three footings and can be used to allow the three footings to
be driven into the ground simultaneously.
[0091] The posts, footings, cross members, beams and girders are
made of box section steel or aluminium. Connections between these
members may be clamps, pins, bolts, welds, or any other suitable
means.
[0092] FIG. 11 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention in
use as a defence against coastal erosion. A section of steeply
sloping coastline 1102, such as a cliff face is shown, having a
number of substantially vertical portions. A number of sheets of
rubber 1104 are arranged against the cliff face, and secured by
pins 1106 driven through the sheets into the rockface. The sheets
are secured in the path of the waves as they hit the coastline. The
sheets are shown overlapping, with the pins down abutting edges
securing both sheets to the cliff face.
[0093] FIG. 12 shown a detail of a rubber sheet 1204, having a hole
1206 formed therein, through which securing pins can be driven. A
metal eyelet 1208 is provided around the hole to prevent ripping or
tearing of the sheet at the hole.
[0094] It will be understood that the present invention has been
described above purely by way of example, and modification of
detail can be made within the scope of the invention.
[0095] Each feature disclosed in the description, and (where
appropriate) the claims and drawings may be provided independently
or in any appropriate combination.
* * * * *