Self-deploying floodwall

Abstract

A self-deploying apparatus that is constructed onshore as a permanent structure that can protect against intruding seawater and floodwaters without creating a physical and visual obstruction to and from the waterfront during normal times.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to floodwalls and more specifically to improvements thereto for making a floodwall system that is activated and deployed at the onset of flooding upon contact with floodwaters.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Many coastal areas require protection from flooding by the sea during storms and hurricanes or in the case of a Tsunami. Sea level rise due to global warming is increasing the frequency of coastal flooding, particularly in low lying and flat beach areas. Similarly, many developed areas in river floodplains require protection from flooding during high flows. Various types of barricades are used to protect coastal areas and floodplains from flooding. These are either permanent structures in the form of floodwalls, seawalls, dikes, and levees, or are temporary barricades such as sand bags or other portable barriers in various shapes, forms, and materials.[0003]Permanent flood protection structures create a physical and visu...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is a new type of cantilever floodwall that improves upon conventional designs by replacing the fixed stem with a stem that lies flat at or belowground during normal non-flood times. This makes the floodwall feasible in areas where a permanent aboveground floodwall would be infeasible. The stem self-deploys to the vertical upright position, solely by the action of floodwaters, while simultaneously providing flood protection as it rises to its maximum design height. The stem is constructed to be buoyant and pivoted at ground level having freedom of rotation from the horizontal ground level on the water side up to the vertical position and back down. The stem normally resides in a rotated down position within a porous pre-excavated shallow trench, with a small depth of native soil or other cover over it. The stem body is constructed from structural materials to safely withstand the maximum bending moment and shear forces, which occur at the pivot. The stem self-deploys upon start of flooding and can protect against intruding seawater and floodwaters without creating a physical and visual obstruction to and from the waterfront during normal times. The invention provides an improved and cost-effective solution for protecting against floodwalls in areas where they are necessary."

Problems solved by technology

Sea level rise due to global warming is increasing the frequency of coastal flooding, particularly in low lying and flat beach areas.

Permanent flood protection structures create a physical and visual obstruction to and from the waterfront, which makes them infeasible in populated low lying and flat beach areas where flood protection is most needed.

Temporary flood protection structures have limited application, long response time, and entail significant effort and cost for deployment.

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