Fabric Flood Panel Structure for Compact Urban Flood Barriers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flood barrier systems, particularly panel systems, occupy significant storage space due to their rigid nature and thickness, making them impractical for urban environments where space is limited.
Innovation Solution
A fabric panel for flood barriers made of a water-impermeable base sheet with a wire mesh covering, using materials like polycarbonate and titanium wire mesh, and belting lines for added strength and impact resistance, anchored by right-angle brackets for deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rigid panel systems are used to provide effective water barrier protection, then water barrier effectiveness is improved, but storage space requirement increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid panels with flexible fabric panels that can be folded and compressed. The fabric panel system maintains water barrier effectiveness while reducing storage space requirements from cubic feet to cubic inches, as the flexible panels can be compacted into a fraction of their deployed volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from static rigid panels to dynamic flexible panels that can change shape between deployed and stored states. The fabric panels can be folded, rolled, or compressed during storage, and then expanded and deployed when needed, providing adaptability in volume while maintaining barrier function.
2Strength
If thick rigid panels are used to ensure structural strength and water impermeability, then strength and water resistance are improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite construction with fabric layers, waterproof coatings, and reinforcement elements combined in a flexible panel structure. This composite approach provides the necessary strength and water resistance without the weight of solid rigid panels, as the flexible materials can be engineered to provide high strength-to-weight ratio.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the barrier material from rigid and thick to flexible and thin. By altering the material state and structure, the system achieves comparable or superior performance in strength and water resistance while dramatically reducing weight, enabling easier handling and deployment.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If rigid panels with thickness of an inch or more are used to provide durable flood protection, then durability is improved, but ease of deployment deteriorates due to installation effort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the flood barrier into segmented flexible panels that can be easily connected and disconnected. These smaller, lightweight segments are much easier to handle, transport, and install than large rigid panels, while maintaining overall system durability through the modular design and connection mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic flexible panels that can be rapidly deployed and configured compared to static rigid panels. The flexibility allows for easier manipulation during installation, adaptation to different barrier configurations, and simpler storage, all while maintaining durability through robust material selection and construction.
Data Source
AI summary
A short-term flood barrier system uses a fabric panel held in place by angle brackets and gaskets along the ground surface and along the vertical surfaces between which the fabric panel is deployed. The fabric panel includes base sheet of woven polyvinyl chloride and para-aramid fiber. A mesh of wire is affixed to one or both sides of the base sheet. Woven straps are then added to one or both sides of the base sheet over the wire mesh.