Bollard Wall Installation System for Flood-Prone Areas

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional bollard walls with sheathing are limited in installation proximity to water sources due to the risk of floodwaters and debris causing structural compromise, necessitating installation away from flood plains.

Innovation Solution

A bollard setting and installation system that includes a vehicle with a lifting frame and clamps to position and secure bollards in a setting frame, allowing for the bollards to be lowered into the ground and encased in concrete, eliminating the need for sheathing and enabling installation near water sources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sheathing is added to bollard walls to prevent climbing, then security against climbing is improved, but the risk of floodwater and debris causing structural compromise increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity against climbingVSAvoidrisk of floodwater and debris damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the sheathing component from the bollard wall structure entirely, extracting the element that caused vulnerability to flood damage while maintaining the core bollard structure for security purposes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent discards the sheathing component that proved harmful during flooding events, keeping only the essential bollard elements that provide security while allowing water and debris to pass through

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Reliability

If sheathing is installed on bollard walls, then climbing resistance is improved, but installation proximity to water sources is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclimbing resistanceVSAvoidinstallation location flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The sheathing component is removed from the bollard wall design, eliminating the restriction it imposed on installation locations and allowing bollard walls to be installed directly at water's edge

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If sheathing is used to create a solid barrier, then climbing difficulty is increased, but the structure becomes vulnerable to flood forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclimbing difficultyVSAvoidresistance to flood forces
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The bollard wall is designed with gaps between individual bollards, creating a porous structure that allows water and debris to pass through while maintaining climbing resistance through the vertical bollard elements themselves

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Data Source

PatentUS11708705B2Bollard setting and installation system
Publication Date: 2023.07.25 TGR CONSTRUCTION INC
  • US11708705B2 patent drawing
  • US11708705B2 patent drawing
  • US11708705B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A bollard setting and installation system for efficiently installing a bollard wall without any restrictions relating to proximity to water or flood plains. The bollard setting and installation system generally includes a setting frame which is positioned on a ground surface. A plurality of bollards is positioned on the setting frame in a desired spacing and orientation to form a bollard wall. A vehicle having a vehicle arm connected to a lifting frame is positioned such that the bollards are secured to the lifting frame by clamps in the desired spacing and orientation. The vehicle may then move the lifting frame to position the lower ends of the bollards in an opening in the ground surface. Concrete may be poured to encapsulate the lower ends of the bollards. The lifting frame may then be removed, with the bollard wall being free-standing in the ground surface.