Fiber Block Check Dam with Wing Sections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional check dams with circular cross-sections suffer from water flow bypassing, leading to inadequate sediment settlement and inefficient performance due to insufficient contact and downward pressure, requiring additional installation steps and anchoring methods that can compromise effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A fiber block system with a central rectangular section and wing sections, utilizing compressed natural fibers and ties to create a stable, reconfigurable barrier that effectively directs water flow and promotes sediment settlement, featuring a central section with a height greater than its width and wing sections with specific height-to-width ratios, all encased in natural fiber sleeves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional circular check dams are used, then they are easy to manufacture using standard stuffing methods, but they provide insufficient contact with the ground and allow water flow bypassing
Solution Approach 1:
The check dam is divided into multiple modular sections (central section with wing sections) that can be individually manufactured and assembled. Each section contains fiber blocks enclosed in mesh sleeves, creating standardized units that ensure consistent ground contact when installed in sequence along the ditch
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from circular cross-section to rectangular cross-section with extended wing sections. This dimensional change increases the contact area with the ground from a line contact (circular) to a broader surface contact (rectangular with wings), preventing water bypassing while maintaining manufacturability
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional circular logs are used, then manufacturing is simple, but additional installation steps such as trenching and anchoring with ropes are required
Solution Approach 1:
The check dam system is segmented into modular sections that can be installed sequentially without requiring extensive trenching or anchoring. Each section stands independently on the ground surface, reducing installation complexity while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of burying conventional circular logs in trenches and anchoring them with ropes (complex installation), the rectangular fiber block sections are designed to stand upright on the ground surface with their broad faces providing stable contact, inverting the traditional installation approach and simplifying the process
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional circular wattles are used, then they are easy to construct, but water flows between the log and ground, undercutting the structure
Solution Approach 1:
The transition from circular to rectangular cross-section with extended wing sections creates a broader contact footprint with the ground. This dimensional change prevents water from flowing underneath the structure by extending the barrier laterally, thereby maintaining structural stability without compromising ease of manufacture
Solution Approach 2:
The rectangular cross-section with extended wing sections creates an asymmetric profile that optimizes ground contact and water flow redirection. The extended wings extend laterally beyond the central section, creating an asymmetric barrier that effectively blocks water bypassing while maintaining construction simplicity
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 fiber block system provides enhanced contact with the ground, reduces water flow bypassing, and improves sediment settlement efficiency, offering a more effective and environmentally friendly solution for check dam applications compared to conventional methods.
Implementation Method 1
Settling of sediment carried by the water flow is intended to occur when the water flow encounters the check dam and flows over it
Data Source
AI summary
A fiber block system suitable for check dam applications is described that comprises a central section flanked by two shorter wing sections. Each section comprises a fiber block enclosed in a sleeve of mesh. The fiber block, mesh, and ties can be made of coir fibers.