Extendible Flexible Flood Barrier with Modular Anchoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flood mitigation systems are labor-intensive, time-consuming to deploy, prone to improper assembly, and often require significant logistical planning and infrastructure modifications, while also being limited in their ability to effectively seal against hydrostatic pressure and adapt to varying environments.
Innovation Solution
An extendible flexible flood barrier system utilizing textile and membrane materials, attached to vertical anchor and receiver posts, with a ground skirt that compresses to seal against the ground, and deployable intermediate posts or bollards to support longer spans, allowing for quick deployment and adaptation to irregular surfaces and shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If deployable mechanical wall systems are used, then flood protection is provided, but deployment is labor-intensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier is divided into multiple modular panels that can be independently stored and deployed. Each panel contains integrated anchoring components, allowing rapid assembly without requiring extensive manual intervention or coordination, thus reducing deployment time while maintaining protection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier panels are pre-assembled with integrated anchoring mechanisms and sealing components before storage. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex on-site assembly operations, enabling quick deployment when flooding threats arise without compromising the structural integrity or protection effectiveness
2Reliability
If deployable mechanical wall systems are used, then flood protection is provided, but improper assembly can result in leakage or failure
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple critical components including panels, anchors, seals, and connection mechanisms are merged into integrated modular units. This integration ensures that all components are pre-coordinated and compatible, eliminating assembly errors and ensuring reliable flood protection without requiring complex assembly procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier system incorporates self-aligning and self-latching mechanisms that automatically ensure proper assembly configuration. The integrated design includes built-in alignment features and automatic engagement systems that prevent improper assembly, allowing even untrained personnel to assemble the barrier correctly and achieve reliable flood protection
3Ease of operation
If rigid flood doors are used, then point-of-use storage is achieved, but significant infrastructure modification is required
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier uses flexible membrane panels instead of rigid door structures. These flexible membranes can conform to various opening shapes and sizes without requiring precise infrastructure modifications, while still providing effective flood protection. The flexibility allows the same barrier design to be stored at point-of-use and installed in diverse locations with minimal site preparation
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier system is designed as a universal solution that can protect various types of openings (doorways, windows, ventilation shafts, elevator shafts) without requiring location-specific customizations. The modular panels and adaptive anchoring system can be configured for different opening dimensions and shapes, eliminating the need for significant infrastructure modifications while maintaining point-of-use storage capability
4Reliability
If rigid flood doors are used, then flood protection is provided, but storage space is required for concealment
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible barrier panels are designed to nest within each other when not in use, similar to a telescoping structure. The panels can be folded or rolled and stored inside the structural elements they protect (such as door frames, wall cavities, or dedicated mounting structures), minimizing the storage volume required while maintaining the ability to provide comprehensive flood protection when deployed
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 provides a reliable, leak-proof barrier against flooding by distributing hydrostatic pressure effectively, reducing the need for extensive logistical planning and infrastructure modifications, and can be easily stored and deployed to protect a wide range of structures and openings.
Implementation Method 1
compresses to seal against the ground
Implementation Method 2
distributing hydrostatic pressure effectively
Data Source
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Figure 5
AI summary
A novel Extendible Flexible Flood Barrier manufactured from textile and membrane materials has been developed which comprises a textile/membrane wall and support posts configured to be movable between a slowed position and a deployed position and wherein, in the deployed position, forms a leak-free barrier against flood water or other fluids. The flexible wail is stored in a container on one side of the opening to be protected and extended to the receiver on the opposite of the opening to deploy the barrier. Structural members, such as posts or a building itself will react to the load from the flood water impinging on the wail, intermediate posts or bollards can be added to lengthen the wall so larger spans can be closed-off with the flexible wall. The flexible wall can be configured for use in many applications including entire buildings, building entrances, transit system passages, such as ventilation shafts or elevator shafts, stairwells, and other openings that can be threatened by flooding.