Modular Drainage Element With Gradient Permeability Filter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drainage systems are costly and difficult to adapt to local soil conditions, leading to inefficient water retention and release, and can cause ground displacement or landslips due to high preferential flow and static pressure issues.
Innovation Solution
A modular drainage system with a filter fabric having zones of different liquid permeability, including a gradient, to control water intake and discharge, and a non-woven geotextile material for easy handling and filtration, allowing for adaptation to various soil types and infiltration rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a uniform filter fabric is used around the storage space, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the water retention and release cannot be adapted to local soil conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The filter fabric is divided into different zones with distinct permeability characteristics: a first zone with first permeability and a second zone with second permeability. This allows different parts of the drainage element to perform different functions - one zone for water intake and another for controlled release - enabling adaptation to varying local soil conditions without requiring a completely different structure for each location.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter fabric is segmented into functionally distinct zones with different permeability properties. This segmentation allows the drainage element to be tailored for specific soil types (e.g., sandy soil requiring higher retention versus clay soil requiring faster drainage) while maintaining a single overall structure design.
2Reliability
If the drainage system is designed to retain water effectively, then flooding is prevented, but the system becomes expensive and difficult to adapt to different soil types
Solution Approach 1:
By incorporating zones with different permeability within the same filter fabric structure, the system achieves reliable water retention where needed while allowing controlled drainage in other areas. This eliminates the need for completely different drainage element designs for different soil types, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effectiveness.
3Productivity
If high static pressure is applied to force water through the drainage system, then water release is controlled, but ground displacement or landslips may occur
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying on high static pressure to control water discharge, the system changes the permeability parameter of the filter fabric itself by using zones with inherently different permeability characteristics. This allows controlled water release through the second zone without requiring high pressure, thereby preventing ground displacement and landslips while maintaining productive water discharge control.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively absorbs, retains, and releases water while reducing the load on sewage systems, improving water management by controlling infiltration rates and preventing soil pollution, thus enhancing soil moisture retention and reducing flooding risks.
Implementation Method 1
the filter fabric is provided with at least two zones, which zones are provided with a mutually different liquid-permeability
Implementation Method 2
a non-woven geotextile material for easy handling and filtration
Implementation Method 3
The system effectively absorbs, retains, and releases water
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Drainage system, for use in the ground (3) below ground level (4), the system comprises at least one modular drainage element (2) provided with a storage space (5), wherein the storage space is at least partly surrounded by a filter fabric (6), wherein the filter fabric (6) is provided with at least two zones (12, 15), which zones are provided with mutually different liquid-permeability.