Flood control dam system

Abstract

A flood barrier system comprising: a flood barrier bag (10) incorporating a base wall (1) having an outer face intended to be at least partially in contact with the ground; a filling opening (2) opposite the base wall (1), this filling opening (2) having a surface area smaller than the surface area of ​​the base wall (1); a first lateral wall (3) connecting the base wall (1) and the filling opening (2), this first lateral wall (3) being intended to face an area liable to flooding, the first lateral wall (3) forming, when the bag (10) is deployed, an acute angle with the base wall (1); and an adhesion and sealing strip (7) intended to be placed between the ground and the outer face of the base wall (1). Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Flood control barrier system

[0001] The present invention relates generally to modular flood protection dams and more particularly to a flood protection dam system.

[0002] To combat flooding, whether due to abnormally heavy rainfall or a sharp rise in the level of a body of water, barriers are often used in the form of modules or compartments assembled together to act as a barrier in the event of a flood. These modules are most often flexible or rigid waterproof containers filled with earth or sand placed directly on the ground. A disadvantage of these modules is that, under the effect of water currents and / or rising water levels, they slide and / or small gaps occur at their bases or between the modules. Water can then pass through these gaps and compromise the reliability of the dam.

[0003] Anchoring the modules to the ground or to a permanently installed infrastructure (such as a concrete foundation) and / or reinforcing the inter-module connections requires a lot of resources and time.

[0004] An object of the present invention is to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0005] Another object of the present invention is to improve the ground adhesion and the sealing of modular flood barriers.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a flood barrier system that can be easily and simply deployed.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a simple and easy to erect flood barrier with improved strength and watertightness.

[0008] For this purpose, a flood barrier system is proposed comprising - a flood barrier bag incorporating a bottom wall having an outer face intended to be at least partially in contact with the ground; a filling opening opposite the bottom wall, this filling opening having a surface area smaller than the surface area of ​​the bottom wall; a first side wall connecting the bottom wall and the filling opening, this first side wall being intended to be turned towards an area likely to be flooded, the first side wall forming, when the bag is deployed, an acute angle with the bottom wall; - an adhesion and sealing strip intended to be placed between the floor and the exterior face of the back wall.

[0009] Various additional features may be provided, alone or in combination. combination: - the adhesion and sealing strip is made of rubber or elastomer; - the adhesion and sealing strip comprises a first face intended to be directed towards the ground, this first face incorporating at least one first longitudinal rib; - the adhesion and sealing strip comprises a second face opposite the first face, this second face incorporating at least one second longitudinal rib; - the width of the bottom wall, measured along an axis substantially perpendicular to the first side wall, is substantially equal to one and a half times the height of the bag measured along an axis substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall; - the bag is provided with a stiffener comprising a plurality of rods assembled together corresponding to edges of the bag; - at least said first side wall is made of rot-proof waterproof fabric coated with polyurethane or PVC; - the first side wall is curved; - the first side wall is curved with a concavity facing towards the outside of the bag at its central part connecting the bottom wall and the filling opening, and with a concavity facing towards the inside of the bag at its edges on either side of said central part of the first side wall; - said acute angle is between 45 and 75 degrees, between 50 and 70 degrees, or between 55 and 65 degrees.

[0010] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly and concretely on reading the following description of embodiments, which is given with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0011] Figure [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of a flood barrier system comprising a first flood barrier bag and an adhesion and sealing strip according to various embodiments;

[0012] Figure [Fig.2] schematically illustrates an adhesion and sealing strip according to various embodiments;

[0013] Figure [Fig.3] is a perspective view of a stiffener equipping said first flood barrier bag according to various embodiments;

[0014] Figure [Fig.4] is a perspective view of a flood barrier system comprising a second flood barrier bag and an adhesion and sealing strip according to various embodiments;

[0015] Figure [Fig.5] is a perspective view of a third flood barrier bag according to various embodiments;

[0016] Figure [Fig.6] schematically illustrates a flood barrier according to various embodiments.

[0017] Referring to [Fig.l], there is shown a flood barrier system comprising a flood barrier bag 10 for protecting a land area against flooding. By "bag" is meant, herein, a container assembled on the sides and the bottom and provided with an opening at its upper part.

[0018] The flood barrier bag 10 comprises, in fact, a bottom wall 1 having an outer face intended to be at least partially in contact with the ground, and a filling opening 2 opposite (facing or opposite) the bottom wall 1. The surface area of ​​the filling opening 2 is smaller than that of the bottom wall 1.

[0019] A first side wall 3 intended to be turned towards an area likely to be flooded connects the bottom wall 1 and the filling opening 2. This first side wall 3 corresponds to the side of the bag 10 intended to come into contact with the water. The first side wall 3 forms, when the bag 10 is deployed, an acute angle with the bottom wall 1. In other words, the first side wall 3 is, when the bag 10 is deployed, inclined towards the inside of the bag 10. This angle is between 45 and 75 degrees, preferably between 50 and 70 degrees, or more preferably between 55 and 65 degrees. In one embodiment, this angle is substantially equal to 60 degrees or 63 degrees.

[0020] A second side wall 4 intended to be turned towards the area to be protected against flooding (i.e. in the opposite direction to the area likely to be flooded) connects the bottom wall 1 and the filling opening 2. The first side wall 3 and the second side wall 4 are opposite each other. The second side wall 4 forms, when the bag 10 is deployed, an acute or right angle with the bottom wall 1. In one embodiment, the first side wall 3 and the second side wall 4 are of opposite obliqueness. The filling opening 2 is smaller than the bottom wall 1 so that the first side wall 3 and the second side wall 4 of the bag 10 approach each other or converge going from the bottom wall 1 towards the filling opening 2.

[0021] The bottom wall 1 and the filling opening 2 are also connected by a first and a second joining wall 5, 6 on either side of the first side wall 3 (or, equivalently, of the second side wall 4). The bottom wall 1, the first and the second side wall 3, 4 and the first and the second joining wall 5, 6 together define an interior space of the flood barrier bag 10 accessible via the filling opening 2.

[0022] Each of the two junction walls 5, 6 is intended to allow the junction of the flood barrier bag 10 to another similar bag 10 which is adjacent to it. The two junction walls 5, 6 are, in one embodiment, superimposable. In another embodiment, the two junction walls 5, 6 are, when the flood barrier bag 10 anti-flooding is deployed, substantially parallel to each other and / or substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall 1.

[0023] When deployed, the bag 10 has, in one embodiment illustrated by the attached figures, the general shape of a trapezoidal prism (i.e. with a trapezoidal base or a trapezoidal section), the junction walls 5, 6 being of substantially trapezoidal shape. In other embodiments, the barrier bag 10 has the general shape of a prism with a truncated triangular base, the junction walls 5, 6 having the shape of a truncated triangle.

[0024] In certain embodiments, the bottom wall 1, the filling opening 2, the first side wall 3 and / or the second side wall 4 are substantially rectangular. Each of the opposite joining walls 5, 6 has, in one embodiment, the general shape of a trapezoid, in particular, isosceles, rectangular or any other.

[0025] The flood barrier bag 10 is advantageously made of a flexible material so that it can be flattened and / or folded and then return to its use shape, thereby facilitating its transport to a deployment site. More generally, the flood barrier bag 10 is foldable.

[0026] The walls 1, 3-6 of the bag 10 or at least the first side wall 3 are made of or coated with a liquid-impermeable material. The bag 10 is preferably waterproof over the entirety of its walls 1, 3-6. In one embodiment, the walls 1, 3-6 of the bag 10 or at least said first side wall 3 are made of - rot-proof waterproof fabric (polyester, for example) coated with polyurethane or PVC; - made of aramid fabric coated with polyurethane or PVC; or, more generally, - made of any fabric having the strength and watertightness required for bag 10.

[0027] The walls 1, 3-6 of the bag 10 are, in one embodiment, assembled by a waterproof seam and / or glued with a waterproof glue. In another embodiment, the bag 10 is formed from a single piece of fabric. Advantageously, the bag 10 has the qualities of rot-proofness and waterproofness to ensure its durability.

[0028] The width of the bottom wall 1, measured along an axis substantially perpendicular to the first side wall 3 (or substantially parallel to a junction wall 5, 6), is between 1.3 and 1.7, preferably between 1.4 and 1.6, or more preferably substantially 1.5 times the height of the bag 10 measured along an axis substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall 1. The length of the bottom wall 1 is, in one embodiment, 2 meters. Bags 10 with different heights can, of course, be envisaged (for example, 0.6m, 0.9m or 1.2m) with a different thickness of the fabric of the walls 1, 3-6 depending on the desired height.

[0029] The flood barrier system further comprises an adhesion strip 7 and sealing intended to be arranged between the ground and the outer face of the bottom wall 1. In one embodiment, this adhesion and sealing strip 7 is intended to be arranged between the ground and a central part of the bottom wall 1 so that this adhesion and sealing strip 7 extends over the length of the bottom wall 1 substantially parallel to the first side wall 3. In certain embodiments, the adhesion and sealing strip 7 is fixed to the outer face of the bottom wall 1, in particular in a central part thereof.

[0030] The adhesion and sealing strip 7 is made of rubber, PVC, elastomer or the like. The adhesion and sealing strip 7 is a flexible membrane or, more generally, an impermeable profile having mechanical and elastic properties making it possible to ensure perfect hydraulic sealing and to withstand mechanical stresses. For example, the adhesion and sealing strip 7 is of the type known as a “waterstop joint” or the like. The width and / or thickness of the adhesion and sealing strip 7 are, in one embodiment, chosen according to the dimensions of the bag 10, for example proportionally to its volume.

[0031] In an embodiment illustrated by [Fig. 2], the adhesion and sealing strip 7 comprises a first face 71 incorporating at least one first longitudinal rib 72 (a projection, a protuberance, a relief, or a bead) (i.e. extending in the longitudinal direction of the strip) intended to be directed towards the ground. The second face 73 opposite the first face 71 of the adhesion and sealing strip 7 is intended to be directed towards the outer face of the wall 1 of the bottom of the bag 10. This second face 73 comprises at least one second longitudinal rib 74 (a projection, a protuberance, a relief, or a bead) (i.e. extending in the longitudinal direction of the strip). Alternatively, the second face 73 is substantially flat.

[0032] The adhesion and sealing strip 7 is applied against the outer face of the bottom wall 1 to rest on the ground. For this, the bottom wall 1 is preferably placed on a flat surface free of plants and roughness such as stones and / or wood residues. For this purpose, simple stripping of the ground is most often sufficient.

[0033] The adhesion and sealing strip 7 deforms elastically under the effect of the weight of the bag 10 filled with a filling material and the force exerted by the water on the first side wall 3 and thus ensures a seal between the bottom wall 1 and the ground by reducing water leaks under the bag 10. The ribs 72, 74 advantageously improve this seal. The adhesion and sealing strip 7 advantageously makes it possible to compensate for irregularities in the ground, and thus achieve reliable sealing.

[0034] Thanks to the force exerted by the water on the first side wall 3, the adhesion and sealing strip 7 is pressed against the ground, thus improving the adhesion to the ground and the stability of the bag 10 at an anchoring point. This stability is promoted, among other things, by the obliquity of the first side wall 3 which makes it possible to crush the adhesion and sealing strip 7 against the ground under the effect of external pressure.

[0035] This advantageously results in a self-locking effect of the bag 10 where the pressure exerted by the water on the first side wall 3 is transformed into an ally to improve the adhesion to the ground of the bag 10 and the seal between the bag 10 and the ground. In other words, the force exerted by the water on the first side wall 3 is advantageously used to reinforce the sealing and adhesion to the ground of the bag 10 by means of the adhesion and sealing strip 7. The latter thus ensures an anchoring point and a perfect seal between the bag 10 and the ground. The ribs 72, 74 advantageously make it possible to improve the adhesion to the ground of the bag 10.

[0036] The rise of the flood waters further improves the sealing and adhesion to the ground of the bag 10. By acting as a gravity dam, the mass of the bag 10 in combination with the pressure of the water on the first side wall 3 improves the adhesion and sealing with the ground, in particular via the adhesion and sealing strip 7.

[0037] The flood barrier bag 10 is provided with a stiffener 11 (or a stiffening means) allowing it to be maintained in a substantially vertical position facilitating its filling. As shown in [Fig. 3], the stiffener 11 comprises a plurality of rods assembled together corresponding to edges of the bag 10. In one embodiment, these rods are PVC tubes reproducing the outline of the filling opening 2 and the edges connected to it.

[0038] Once placed on the ground previously prepared on either side of the adhesion and sealing strip 7 and to maintain the rigidity of the bag 10 during its filling, the stiffener 11 holds the bag 10 in its use shape. Fastening means intended to receive the rods of the stiffener 11 are, in one embodiment, provided on the walls, corners, and / or edges inside and / or outside the bag 10. These fastening means may comprise any suitable fastening means, such as fastening eyelets, clips, Velcro® hooks or hooks. The bag 10 may then be filled with a filling material, preferably naturally available on the site on which a flood barrier is to be deployed (earth, earth with small pebbles, rubble, sand, or a combination of two or more of these).As filling progresses, the filling material is compacted, for example, every 10 cm manually or hydraulically. The same stiffener 11 can be used successively for filling several bags 10.

[0039] In one embodiment, stakes may be envisaged to stabilize the bag 10 during its filling so as to maintain the adhesion and sealing strip 7 substantially in a central part of the bottom wall 1.

[0040] The bag 10 is further provided with a lid adapted to the filling opening 2 and intended to prevent accidental removal of the filling material, for example, by water or wind. The lid is formed or coated with a liquid-impermeable material. Once the bag 10 is filled, the lid is arranged at a slight slope towards the first side wall 3. In one embodiment, the lid is tightly attached to the bag 10 by means of self-gripping fasteners, such as Velcro®.

[0041] In another embodiment, the flood barrier bag 10 is, in addition, provided with gripping means such as handles allowing the bag 10 to be moved or removed. These gripping means may be provided in the stiffener 11 (in particular in the frame delimiting the filling opening 2) and / or in the walls of the bag 10 near the filling opening 2.

[0042] To enable it to be fixed in a sealed manner to another similar adjacent bag 10, its joining walls 5, 6 comprise detachable sealed fixing means of the Velcro® fastener type (preferably treated with a silicone seal) or a zipper arranged at least partially along the edges of the joining walls 5, 6, and / or rope seals 8 or, more generally, sealing profiles made of rubber, elastomer or the like glued to the joining walls 5, 6. Alternatively or in combination, these detachable sealed fixing means comprise covering strips 9 which extend in the extension of the side walls 3, 4 and / or belts, straps or fasteners fixed to the side walls 3, 4. More generally, one or more fixing means capable of removably connecting two bags 10 by their adjacent joining walls 5, 6 may be envisaged.

[0043] In one embodiment, the sealing of the junction between two bags 10 is ensured by polyurethane foam seals. A first and a second polyurethane foam cord seal 8 arranged with a slight offset relative to each other on, respectively, the first and second junction walls 5, 6 are intended to come into contact with a polyurethane foam cord seal 8 provided on an adjacent junction wall 6, 5 of a second bag 10. These cord seals 8 preferably extend over the entire height of the bag 10, for example in a central part of the junction walls 5, 6. In the lower part, the returns of these cord seals 8 are crossed and folded under the bag 10, bearing on the waterstop seal (the adhesion and sealing strip 7).

[0044] In some embodiments illustrated by [Fig. 4], the first side wall 3 is curved. The first side wall 3 comprises, in one embodiment, at least one concave portion extending from the bottom to the top of said first side wall 3 (i.e. in the direction of the height of the bag 10). For example, the first side wall 3 is curved with a concavity facing outwards from the bag 10 at its central part 31 connecting the bottom wall 1 to the filling opening 2 and with a concavity facing inwards from the bag 10 at its edges 32, 33 on either side of its central part 31 (i.e. at its edges 32, 33 adjoining the joining walls 5, 6). The edges 32, 33 of the first side wall 3 which connect the bottom wall 1 and the filling opening 2, when the bag 10 is deployed, project laterally in a direction substantially parallel to the bottom wall 1. Such a shape of the first side wall 3 advantageously makes it possible to transfer the water pressure onto the central part 31 so as to protect the joining between the bags 10, including in particular the sealing.

[0045] In one embodiment, a curved shape of the first side wall 3 is obtained by means of a plurality of stitches, one or more fasteners (pins, staples or brooches for example), one or more frame rods and / or different elastic portions of the first side wall 3.

[0046] To protect a land area from flooding and / or to retain water in an area likely to be flooded, a flood barrier 20 may be constructed by joining in a longitudinal direction a plurality of the individual bags 10 shown above next to each other, as illustrated in [Fig.6]. Indeed, once unfolded, the bags 10 are filled with site filling materials and joined end to end via their respective joining walls 5, 6 so as to form a continuous line of bags 10 on the perimeter delimiting the area to be protected. This advantageously results in a continuous length of waterproof material which extends along the first side walls 3 and a continuous length of the adhesion and sealing strip 7 which extends along the bottom walls 1 in direct contact with the ground.In one embodiment, the adhesion and sealing strip 7 extends continuously over the entire perimeter to be protected.

[0047] In one embodiment, corner bags may be used for a polygonal dam or, more generally, one comprising corners. As shown in [Fig. 5], a flood barrier bag 10 comprising non-parallel joining walls 5, 6 may constitute a corner bag. By arranging a plurality of flood barrier bags 10 next to each other along a curved line, the flood barrier 20 may have several shapes such as oval, circular or substantially rectilinear.

[0048] The installation of the flood barrier 20 includes the following steps: - laying of the adhesion and sealing strip 7 on the floor; - placing bag 10 on the adhesion and sealing strip 7; - mounting the stiffener 11 on the bag 10 to keep it in a substantially vertical position facilitating its filling; - filling the bag 10 with a filling material; - joining bag 10 to any adjacent bag; - removing stiffener 11.

[0049] Preferably, this installation method further comprises a preliminary step of stripping the ground forming the perimeter to be described by the anti-flood barrier 20. A step of temporarily fixing (by stitching, for example) the bag 10 on either side of the adhesion and sealing strip 7 to ensure that it remains in position during its filling can also be envisaged.

[0050] The flood barrier 20, once constructed, may be clad on one or both sides with a vegetated screen or by an embankment. A suitable coating color allows the barrier 20 to blend into its surroundings. In another embodiment, a reflective material is applied to the flood barrier 20 at any suitable position to improve its visibility in the dark.

[0051] Advantageously, the flood barrier 20 is removable. Each individual bag 10 can be removed separately from the site, emptied of the filling material, and reused elsewhere. In one embodiment, the stiffener 11 can be used to handle the bag 10 filled with a filling material, for example to move or empty it.

[0052] To allow access to an area delimited by the flood barrier 20 (in particular, during periods of non-flooding), a U-shaped metal profile is intended to be anchored to the ground in a sealed manner between two bags 10 of flood barrier. A seal is provided between the metal profile and the ground. Such a metal profile is, in one embodiment, with an opening of 3 meters so as to allow access to vehicles in the perimeter delimited by the flood barrier 20. A stiffened panel, for example, made of PVC acting as a door can be embedded or, more generally, arranged in the opening of the U-shaped metal profile.

[0053] Advantageously, the modular flood barrier described above is simple and easy to install, particularly in the event of a flood threat. In addition, the embodiments described above allow the construction of a flood protection perimeter at reasonable cost, which is waterproof and durable.

[0054] Although the flood barrier bag 10 is described above in relation to embodiments and variations, those skilled in the art will understand that these embodiments and variations are not limiting and may be combined with each other and / or with any other equivalent embodiment.

Claims

Claims

1. Flood barrier system comprising - a flood barrier bag (10) incorporating a bottom wall (1) having an outer face intended to be at least partially in contact with the ground; a filling opening (2) opposite the bottom wall (1), this filling opening (2) having a surface area smaller than the surface area of ​​the bottom wall (1); a first side wall (3) connecting the bottom wall (1) and the filling opening (2), this first side wall (3) being intended to be turned towards an area likely to be flooded, the first side wall (3) forming, when the bag (10) is deployed, an acute angle with the bottom wall (1); - an adhesion and sealing strip (7) intended to be arranged between the ground and the outer face of the bottom wall (1).

2. System according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the adhesion and sealing strip (7) is made of rubber or elastomer.

3. System according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the adhesion and sealing strip (7) comprises a first face (71) intended to be directed towards the ground, this first face (71) integrating at least one first longitudinal rib (72).

4. System according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the adhesion and sealing strip (7) comprises a second face (73) opposite the first face (71), this second face (73) integrating at least one second longitudinal rib (74).

5. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the width of the bottom wall (1), measured along an axis substantially perpendicular to the first side wall (3), is substantially equal to one and a half times the height of the bag (10) measured along an axis substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall (1).

6. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bag (10) is provided with a stiffener (11) comprising a plurality of rods assembled together corresponding to edges of the bag (10).

7. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least said first side wall (3) is made of waterproof, rot-proof fabric coated with polyurethane or PVC.

8. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first side wall (3) is curved.

9. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first side wall (3) is curved with a concavity facing towards the outside of the bag (10) at its central part (31) connecting the bottom wall (1) and the filling opening (2), and with a concavity facing towards the inside of the bag (10) at its edges (32, 33) on either side of said central part (31) of the first side wall (3).

10. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said acute angle is between 45 and 75 degrees, between 50 and 70 degrees, or between 55 and 65 degrees.

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