Berm Expansion Using Lightweight Fill and Impervious Liner
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid retention structures like berms and levees face challenges in expanding capacity due to land restrictions and the high cost of constructing new walls, especially when horizontal expansion is not feasible, and traditional methods of raising berms by adding weight are not viable due to geotechnical concerns.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that involves installing a lightweight fill material enclosed by an impervious liquid liner on top of existing berms to increase their height, allowing for significant liquid storage capacity expansion without the need for extensive land acquisition or heavy structural additions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional methods of raising berms by adding soil or concrete are used, then the height and storage capacity of the berm increases, but the geotechnical stability and construction cost deteriorate due to excessive weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the anti-weight principle by using buoyant floating structures that counteract their own weight through buoyancy forces. The floating berm segments are designed to float on water or lightweight fill material, eliminating the need for heavy conventional structures while maintaining height and storage capacity. This directly resolves the contradiction by achieving volume increase without proportional weight increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of structural support from gravity-based (conventional berms relying on self-weight) to buoyancy-based (floating structures relying on displaced fluid). This parameter change allows the structure to achieve the same height and storage function with dramatically reduced weight, as the supporting mechanism shifts from compressive gravitational force to upward buoyant force.
2Volume of moving object
If horizontal expansion of the reservoir is attempted, then storage capacity increases, but land availability and construction feasibility worsen due to adjacent structures and property restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal expansion (2D area increase) to vertical expansion (3D height increase) as the primary method of increasing storage capacity. By stacking floating berm segments vertically and raising the berm height, the system achieves volume increase without requiring additional horizontal land area, thus resolving the contradiction between capacity and footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs nesting by placing floating berm segments inside or upon existing berm structures. The new floating segments are nested within the confined space above the existing berm, utilizing vertical space rather than horizontal space. This allows capacity expansion within the existing land footprint, effectively applying the nesting principle to resolve the area constraint.
3Length of stationary object
If conventional gravity fill structures are used to raise levee height, then fluid retention height increases, but construction complexity and cost increase due to heavy material requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses thin-walled floating structures (such as hollow plastic pipes or precast concrete segments with thin walls) that rely on buoyancy rather than wall thickness for structural integrity. These thin-film structures achieve the required height with minimal material, dramatically reducing construction complexity and cost compared to conventional thick-walled gravity structures that require extensive excavation, material transport, and compaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the levee extension into discrete, modular floating segments that can be individually manufactured, transported, and installed. This segmentation allows for simplified construction where segments are assembled like building blocks rather than requiring monolithic concrete pouring or massive earthmoving operations, thereby reducing overall construction complexity while achieving the required height.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method to create or elevate a berm of a liquid retention facility by placement of lightweight fill material anchored by impervious liner material(s). The liner materials can be part of the liquid retention pond. The system and method can also be used to elevate the height of the berm in combination with impervious liner retention material. By constructing the berm system on an existing berm, earth embankment or levee, the effective height of the system structure can be increased. The liquid impervious liner material provides a watertight surface, joining media, and the anchoring of the lightweight fill material to the existing berm. The system may use solid wall hollow body structures. The system may also use flexible and liquid porous geotextile structures including geotubes. The liquid impervious liners retain the liquid in the retention pond.