3D printed multi-level fish pass

Abstract

Fish passes with successive pools and additive manufacturing process for a fish pass with successive pools. Figure for the abstract: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: 3D printed multi-level fish pass

[0001] The invention relates to fish passes with successive pools, in particular fish passes with successive pools constructed by additive manufacturing. The invention also relates to a method for additive manufacturing a fish pass with successive pools.

[0002] We already know in the state of the art the document "Fish passes; expertise and design of crossing structures" by Messrs. Larinier, Porchet, Travade and Gosset - Collection mise au Point, 1996, which constitutes a reference work in the field of fish passes.

[0003] For the proper progression of the main phases of their life cycle, certain fish species require different habitats and must move to reach their spawning or rearing grounds. Maintaining free movement of these habitats is essential for these species to avoid disrupting their migration, as this is a crucial phase for their survival; this applies to both downstream migration (from upstream to downstream) and, especially, upstream migration (from downstream to upstream). However, the construction of obstacles, such as navigation dams, water intake dams, and river weirs, has been and remains the primary factor responsible for the decline and even disappearance of migratory fish species.

[0004] The field is complex because it requires consideration of a very large number of factors related to the obstacle to be overcome, whether for an existing or new structure. While essential, the geometric characteristics and knowledge of the hydraulic conditions on and at the base of the structure, particularly the drop height, must be accompanied by numerous other data, knowledge, and studies to successfully complete any fish passage project. The constraints will be as much structural (topography, bathymetry, equipment and networks, available space) as functional (hydrology, hydraulics, hydrobiology, environmental assessment, fish passage, etc.) as legislative and / or regulatory, requiring multidisciplinary teams for each fish passage project. The function of a fish passage device is to ensure the passage of fish over the obstacle, "fish passage continuity."The principle is either to open a waterway to bypass the obstacle, for example the dam (fish pass), or to trap the fish before transporting and releasing them upstream of the structure (fish lift, etc.).

[0005] Solutions for maintaining or restoring longitudinal connectivity of rivers include basin and pre-dam passes, speed-reducing passes, "natural" passes, lifts and locks and eel passes.

[0006] The invention relates to fish passes with successive basins.

[0007] The principle of a fish pass with successive pools is to divide the total drop of the obstacle, for example a dam, into a series of falls, in order to form a hydraulic staircase compatible with the swimming capacity of the fish, said capacity being a function of the species, the size of the individuals, and the water temperature. The falls are controlled by vertical partitions that separate the pools, said pools dissipating the energy of the fall and providing a resting area for the fish.

[0008] The invention aims in particular to meet the various constraints of making fish passes with basins by a single manufacturing method while providing many advantages as will be described in the following description.

[0009] To this end, the invention relates to a fish pass with successive basins having walls formed of more than 25% curved surfaces in relation to their total surface area, said walls being made up of a superposition of layers of mortar and / or concrete by additive manufacturing.

[0010] According to a particular optional feature of the fish pass, the layering is a superposition of layers of at least one double extrudate of mortar and / or concrete produced by additive manufacturing. A double extrudate layer of mortar and / or concrete is an important optional feature, as illustrated in the following text and figures; its production by additive manufacturing makes it possible to create walls that meet mechanical strength and water flow objectives while also satisfying requirements related to fish passage. The fact that the walls are thus made up of superimposed double extrudate layers implies that the walls are in fact double walls, as illustrated in the following text and figures. In one embodiment, the fish pass with successive pools is characterized in that the double extrudate is contiguous.In another embodiment, the fish pass with successive basins is characterized in that the double extrudate includes a space between the extrudates which can be filled with mortar and / or concrete; the function of the mortar and / or concrete, which will be different for illustrative purposes from that used for the additive manufacturing of the wall extrudates, will be to give the double wall a structural resistance which meets particular constraints encountered in the field.

[0011] According to a particular optional feature of the fish pass, the extrudate is essentially continuous, preferably continuous. By essentially continuous, it is understood that the implementation of the additive manufacturing process of the extrudate avoids any discontinuity in the extrudate. Exceptional discontinuities, generally related to additive manufacturing malfunctions, may be tolerated without departing from the invention. By way of illustration, fewer than ten, or even five, extrudate discontinuities will be tolerated per tank, for example, fewer than four, fewer than three, fewer than two, or even no discontinuities per tank. By way of illustration, fewer than ten, or even five, extrudate discontinuities will be tolerated per pass, for example, fewer than four, fewer than three, fewer than two, or even no discontinuities per pass.

[0012] Depending on other optional features of the fish pass taken alone or in combination:

[0013] - each basin consists of walls, a bottom, an inlet opening and a outlet;

[0014] - over the entire height of the wall above the height of the inlet and outlet openings, The two opposite ends of the double extrudate form a continuous curved surface. Additive manufacturing will thus be controlled to avoid generating angular zones during the formation of the double extrudate. This characteristic has proven relevant not only for improving water flow but also for the longevity and overall efficiency of the fish pass at the point where fish must pass between the pools;

[0015] - the walls of the pass basins are formed of more than 50% curved surfaces, more than 75%, or even more than 99%, of their total surface area. This characteristic of getting as close as possible to an absence of sharp angles in the design of the basin walls has proven relevant for improving water flow as well as for the longevity and overall efficiency of the fish pass;

[0016] - the top view (horizontal projection) of the walls of each basin is a closed curve with variable curvature; for example, the curve may include positive and negative curvature; for example, the curve will include less than 50% straight part, or even less than 25% straight part, or even no straight part;

[0017] - the top view (horizontal projection) of the outer walls of the pass is a closed curve with variable curvature; for example, the curve may include positive and negative curvature; for example, the curve will include less than 50% straight part, or even less than 25% straight part, or even no straight part;

[0018] - the walls of the basins are essentially vertical, for example vertical;

[0019] - the inlet opening of a basin corresponds to the outlet opening of the basin which it precedes in the direction of water flow;

[0020] - two successive basins share at least part of their wall.

[0021] The invention also relates to an additive manufacturing process for a fish pass with successive pools having walls formed of more than 25% surfaces curves in relation to their total surface and made up of a superposition of layers of at least one double extrudate of mortar and / or concrete, the double extrudate being formed by essentially continuous extrusion of mortar and / or concrete by layer.

[0022] By essentially continuous, it is understood that the implementation of the additive manufacturing process of the extrudate avoids any discontinuity of said extrudate. Exceptional discontinuities, generally related to additive manufacturing malfunctions, may be tolerated without departing from the invention. By way of illustration, fewer than ten, or even five, extrudate discontinuities will be tolerated per basin, for example, fewer than four, fewer than three, fewer than two, or even no discontinuities per basin. By way of illustration, fewer than ten, or even five, extrudate discontinuities will be tolerated per pass, for example, fewer than four, fewer than three, fewer than two, or even no discontinuities per pass.

[0023] Additive manufacturing, also called "3D printing", is a method in which a computer-controlled robot manufactures three-dimensional objects by continuously depositing material layer by layer.

[0024] In this text, the terms concrete and mortar are used interchangeably to refer to a material comprising a hydraulic binder and aggregates. Generally, wet mortar, obtained by mixing dry mortar and mixing water, is pumped and conveyed to a printing head attached to a robot or gantry whose movement is computer-controlled. A layer of wet mortar is deposited onto a previously deposited layer of mortar, generally by being extruded through a nozzle. The printing head is continuously moved according to a predetermined pattern to build the walls layer by layer, each layer being formed of a double extrudate contiguous or with spacing between each extrudate by essentially continuous extrusion of mortar and / or concrete. The nozzle is advantageously guided along three axes x, y, z to enable the fabrication of the walls.The different layers are created by translation, vertically along the z-axis, or rotation of the print head and therefore the nozzle. This translation along the Z-axis by a defined distance allows the appropriate quantity and thickness of material to be deposited at each increment.

[0025] The process therefore preferably includes a step of mixing a dry mortar composition with water to obtain a wet mortar with a paste-like consistency. The wet mortar is preferably pumped and conveyed, generally through a pipe, to the print head of a printer. The print head includes, in particular, a nozzle through which the wet mortar is extruded. The extrusion nozzle is preferably located less than 100 mm from the underlying layer. The printer is, for example, an industrial robot or a gantry, carrying the print head, and whose movement is controlled by a computer. The computer includes, in particular, a support a record in which a set of data or 3D model is stored along with instructions, which when executed by the computer lead the latter to control the movement (trajectory, speed...) of the print head.

[0026] Depending on other optional features of the additive manufacturing process of a fish pass with successive pools, taken alone or in combination:

[0027] - the double extrudate, the double extrudate layers and the corresponding walls are formed using a single extrusion head with a single extrusion nozzle;

[0028] - the printing (or extrusion) speed is typically from 30 to 1000 mm / s, in particular from 50 to 300 mm / s;

[0029] - the thickness (or height, since this refers to the dimension in the direction vertical) of the mortar layers is between 5 and 40 mm, in particular between 10 and 20 mm;

[0030] - the width of a mortar extrudate is between 10 and 300 mm, in particular between 20 and 100 mm;

[0031] - in section in a plane transverse to the walls, in other words in the plane of the The mortar layers have wall thicknesses ranging from 20 to 600 mm, particularly between 60 and 240 mm. Greater thicknesses are possible, especially when spacing between extrudates to act as formwork. Brief description of the figures

[0032] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0033] [Fig-1] is a three-dimensional view of a fish pass.

[0034] [Fig.2] is a set of top views of an illustration of a strategy of Additive manufacturing implementation of the fish pass in [Fig.1].

[0035] [Fig.3a] is a top view of the fish pass of [Fig.3b].

[0036] [Fig.3b] is a three-dimensional view of a fish pass.

[0037] [Fig.3c] is a cross-sectional view of the fish pass of the [Fig.3b] along the AA axis shown in [Fig.3a]. Detailed description

[0038] Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional illustration of a fish pass comprising an upstream basin, six successive basins, and a downstream basin in the direction of water flow. In this illustration, the upstream and downstream basins do not necessarily form part of the fish pass as claimed, as they could very well represent the entry and exit points (for example, of the river or stream) which are connected by the fish pass to six successive basins.

[0039] The six successive basins consist of walls, a bottom, and an entrance opening and an outlet sluice. The inlet sluice of a basin corresponds to the outlet sluice of the preceding basin in the direction of water flow. The walls of the six successive basins in the channel are vertical and have curved surfaces. In one embodiment, the difference in vertical elevation of the upper parts of the basin walls is generally between 15 and 70 cm between two successive basins.

[0040] In the illustration according to [Fig. 1], the bottoms of the basins are not shown; in reality, their vertical elevation will depend on the design of the fish pass and its requirements, including the volume of water that each successive basin must contain. In one embodiment, the difference in vertical elevation of the upper parts of the basin bottoms is generally between 15 and 70 cm between two successive basins.

[0041] The height of the walls of each pool will depend on the design of the fish pass and its requirements, including the volume of water that each successive pool must hold; the total height of the walls may then depend on the ground and / or the support on which the structure must be placed, as illustrated in [Fig. 1], in which the construction of all the walls begins at the same vertical elevation, which we will call elevation zero for descriptive purposes. This illustration demonstrates the importance of using additive manufacturing in the design and construction of the fish pass, as explained in [Fig. 2].

[0042] Figure 2 is a set of top views of an illustration of the additive manufacturing strategy for the fish pass of Figure 1. Figure 2 comprises 16 sub-figures, read first from left to right and then from top to bottom, illustrating 16 manufacturing steps for the fish pass, each corresponding to the additive manufacturing of a specific height of all the pass walls relevant to that height. The first step, represented by the first sub-figure, is a top view of the fish pass, as it represents the first height of all the pass walls located above the zero elevation; this first height of the walls will also be referred to as the first section in this text.

[0043] As shown in the first figure in relation to the second figure, the 16 superimposed slices of the walls correspond to the 16 printing steps, each successive step corresponding to a wall height with identical elevation; thus, the sixteenth slice corresponds to the sixteenth printing step during which the last wall elevation is achieved, in this case that of the upstream basin as shown in the figures.

[0044] Continuous printing between each step is preferred to avoid any discontinuity in the extrudate during the printing of all the basin walls. This continuity ensures the geometry of the curved wall surfaces; it also allows the two opposite ends of the double extrudate to form a continuous curved surface over the entire height of the wall above the height of the inlet and outlet openings.

[0045] Although the double extrudate is preferred, it is evident that the walls could be made with multiple extrudates, for example with triple or quadruple extrudates, in a particular embodiment depending on the mechanical resistance constraints related to the design of the fish pass structure to be built.

[0046] The double extrudate principle illustrated in the figures made it possible to meet the requirements of continuity and curved surfaces of the walls.

[0047] The figures and, in particular, the top views (horizontal projection) of the walls of each basin, illustrate the principle of a closed curve with variable curvature, of essentially vertical walls and of the fact that two successive basins share at least part of their wall.

[0048] The mortar preferably comprises a hydraulic binder and aggregates.

[0049] Wet mortar, of a pasty consistency, is formed by mixing dry mortar with water. Dry mortar is understood to be a powdery mixture. After setting and hardening, the final mortar is called hardened mortar, or simply "concrete".

[0050] The mixing ratio, i.e., the ratio between the quantity of mixing water and the quantity of dry mortar (by weight), can be adjusted as necessary or be the same for all walls. The mixing ratio is preferably no more than 0.5, in particular between 0.05 and 0.20. The wet mortar has a pasty consistency and can be pumped and conveyed to the printing head. Pumping is carried out, for example, using a screw pump. Conveying is typically done through a hose. The conveying device therefore preferably includes a pump, in particular a screw pump, and at least one hose.

[0051] The hydraulic binder is preferably selected from Portland cements, aluminous cements, sulfoaluminous cements, hydrated lime, ground granulated blast furnace slags, fly ash, and mixtures thereof. The hydraulic binder preferably comprises Portland cement. It is advantageously composed of Portland cement.

[0052] The aggregates are preferably chosen from siliceous, calcareous, dolomitic aggregates and mixtures thereof. The maximum size of the aggregates is preferably at most 3 mm, in particular at most 2 mm and even at most 1 mm, taking into account the reduced cross-section of the pumping device and the nozzle of the print head.

[0053] The dry mortar preferably comprises at least one additive, in particular selected from superplasticizers, thickeners, accelerators, and retarders. The dry mortar advantageously comprises inorganic thickeners, for example, swelling clays, capable of increasing the rest yield strength of the wet mortar. The accelerators and retarders allow adjustment of the setting time and the Hardening of the hydraulic binder. The composition of the dry mortar is preferably adjusted so that the wet mortar exhibits thixotropic behavior. Preferably, the viscosity of the wet mortar increases by a factor of at least 50 only one second after it leaves the printing nozzle. The wet mortar then exhibits low viscosity at high shear rates, allowing it to be easily pumped and conveyed, but shows an immediate increase in structural stability as soon as it leaves the nozzle of the printing head, thus enabling it to support the overlying layers before setting and hardening. This deposition on a still-wet mortar layer improves adhesion between successive layers, and therefore the final mechanical strength of the wall.In contrast, conventional processes use accelerators to greatly speed up the setting and hardening of the mortar so as to deposit it on layers of mortar that have already set or hardened, which ensures dimensional stability during printing but at the expense of adhesion between successive layers.

[0054] Continuous deposition also improves adhesion between each extrudate when they are contiguous, which contributes to the mechanical strength of the double wall.

[0055] The process comprises the successive deposition of superimposed layers of mortar. As previously stated, the layers are preferably deposited on an underlying layer that has not yet set or hardened.

[0056] The mortar layers are advantageously dense and capable of fulfilling their structural role. Preferably, the density after hardening (in particular after 28 days) of the mortar layers of the walls is at least 2000 kg / m³, in particular at least 2100 kg / m³. This density is preferably less than or equal to 2500 kg / m³.

[0057] In a particular embodiment, additive manufacturing has made it possible to produce a fish pass whose wall roughness characteristics have proven useful in improving water flow as well as the longevity and overall efficiency of the fish pass. This roughness was measured using the conventional roughness parameters Ra, Rq, and Rz. The profilometer used is a Keyence LJ-X8400. The zero point is arbitrarily set relative to the sample-to-laser distance. The laser's lateral pitch is 100 pm with a total width of 29 mm. The laser scan pitch is 75 pm with a total scan length of 81.7 mm. The scan area is approximately 3 x 8 cm with about 300 lines, each 8 cm long.This type of measurement demonstrated that a roughness having values ​​between plus or minus 30% of the following values ​​could advantageously be used in the present invention: a value of Ra (pm) of 85 and / or a value of Rq (pm) of 106 and / or a value of Rz (pm) of 442.

[0058] Figures 3a, 3b and 3c show another fish pass, respectively by means of a top view, a three-dimensional view and a cross-sectional view along the axis AA shown in [Fig.3a].

[0059] These representations correspond to a practical case of implementation of a fish pass, the characteristics of which are indicated in the following table

[0060] [Tables 1] : $ 1 f 1 ‘ Cote L . . 1 1, ( L- «. . J Puissance § IVamme sL i.t^ rrss . . 5 j Cote rond Cote eau | .. Ivmumoüp iBasw § Surface (mj fâchancrw^. . .. . Id eau OP^pnO^ L 1 6M twmj i 1 1 p— i :¾ 1L1A 584.>583.] s 584“““““^ [_____________583^_____________ 1 583.1 582 J 5§2S| 381J i 584,58 | | | 584. 1,12 78170.2fl58.91221 581 L3A$ 0 2F1Î3 48351 t 583,68 1 559Q4 0 M 1205341 583 4 1 236 & ù 3| UT 0024] 1 SP-s O 1 0 z4 12 3. / 3814 i Ü LL 582.s 581.] 582.4 2 09152 C> 2$ 8 S 693031 _________9_________J ___________ââlJ 582,¾| 0.1J]

[0061] Basins 7 and 0 are respectively the upstream and downstream basins, which are in reality a representation of the entry and exit points (for example of the river or stream in the direction of water flow) which are connected by the fish pass to six successive basins.

[0062] The elevations indicated in the table correspond to absolute elevations of the project under consideration. The surface column indicates the free water surface in m² in each basin. The notch elevation corresponds to that of the sluice gates of each basin. The bottom elevation corresponds to that of each basin. The water elevation corresponds to the elevation of the top surface of the water for a water flow rate of 63 liters per second. The water volume in m³ corresponds to that of each of the 6 successive basins. The head from previous basin corresponds to the difference in water level between two successive basins; as illustrated in the second table, it depends on the water flow rate. The volumetric power dissipated is in W / m³. This criterion for energy dissipation per basin corresponds to the formula "Pv = pg Q DH / V" with Pv: Volumetric power dissipation (watts / m3) p: density of water (1000 kg / m3) g: acceleration due to gravity (9.81 m / s2) Q: flow rate in the structure (m3 / s) DH: head between basins (m) and V: volume in the basin (m3 ). .

[0063] The second table differs from the first because the data correspond to a water flow rate of 53 liters per second.

[0064] [Tables2] -------S S----------------- Basin ^Surface I'5'! Bottom height: Water level 53 1 / 4 Water volume 33Vs Previous bass drop Power vùwmsque dtepêe 53: / s (W / mb 58 : > 584.5 J ““““““““ni û an 58. 584.2 ? LÜO 1 O» t oilioé 583. 582 585 9 1 1 3222 4 0 L HO333 1 21^ 58 L 58 / 583 6 î 1.534^ 8 (LL 108.4119 1,0131 583, 582. 583.3 § O 2 oj: 137,648$ l.wt 582.« hxJ sêio | 1.37d 5 012^ ■ 105,780- 1| 1..83¼ 582. £58X, 582.7 5 2.Ô42 5 03 76.36670 ..................................................[......................... 1 582.4 .....0 5

[0065] The positioning of the sluices in the walls of the basins is advantageously carried out so that the orientation of the water flows through the sluices of the basins does not disturb the presence of a stilling zone within each of the basins.

[0066] The invention is not limited to the embodiments presented, and other embodiments will be obvious to those skilled in the art. In particular, it is possible to design passes with more or fewer successive basins depending on local constraints.

Claims

Demands

1. Fish pass with successive basins having walls formed of more than 25% curved surfaces relative to their total surface area, said walls being made up of a superposition of layers of mortar and / or concrete by additive manufacturing.

2. Fish pass with successive basins according to claim 1, the walls of which are made up of a superposition of layers of at least one double extrudate of mortar and / or concrete by additive manufacturing.

3. A fish pass with successive tanks according to claim 2 characterized in that the double extrudate is contiguous.

4. A fish pass with successive basins according to claim 2 characterized in that the double extrudate comprises a space between the extrudates filled with mortar and / or concrete.

5. A fish pass with successive basins according to any one of the preceding claims, the walls of which are formed of more than 50% curved surfaces relative to their total surface area.

6. A fish pass with successive basins according to claim 5, the walls of which are formed of more than 75% curved surfaces relative to their total surface area.

7. A fish pass with successive basins according to claim 6, the walls of which are formed of more than 99% curved surfaces relative to their total surface area.

8. A fish pass with successive basins according to any one of the preceding claims, the top view of the outer walls of the pass being a closed curve with variable curvature.

9. A fish pass with successive basins according to any one of the preceding claims, the walls of the basins being vertical.

10. A fish pass with successive basins according to any one of the preceding claims, each basin consisting of walls, a bottom, an inlet slit and an outlet slit, the inlet slit of a basin corresponding to the outlet slit of the basin preceding it in the direction of water flow.

11. A fish pass with successive basins according to any one of the preceding claims, in which two successive basins share at least part of their wall.

12. A fish pass with successive basins according to any one of the preceding claims, the measured roughnesses of which Ra, Rq and / or Rz are between plus or minus 30% of 85 pm for Ra and / or between plus or minus 30% of 106 pm for Rq and / or between plus or minus 30% of 442 pm for Rz.

13. A method for the additive manufacturing of a fish pass with successive basins according to any one of the preceding claims, the basins having walls formed of more than 25% curved surfaces relative to their total surface area and consisting of a superposition of layers of at least one double extrudate of mortar and / or concrete, the double extrudate being formed by essentially continuous extrusion of mortar and / or concrete by layer.

14. An additive manufacturing method for a successive-basin fish pass according to claim 13, wherein the double extrudate, the double extrudate layers and the corresponding walls are formed using a single extrusion head with a single extrusion nozzle.

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