Geotube With Releasable Coupling Teeth For Coastal Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing geotubes for coastal protection barriers face limitations in strength and versatility due to stitched seams, which affect their ability to withstand pressure and stresses during filling and installation, leading to reduced strength and increased material waste, while also being difficult to adapt to specific installation requirements.

Innovation Solution

A geotube design featuring tubular modules with releasable coupling teeth that can be easily assembled on-site, eliminating the need for stitched seams, and using a multilayer sheet with natural fibers for strength and permeability, allowing for modular construction and easy filling with a fluid mixture of sand and water.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If geotubes are constructed using stitched seams to form tubular shape, then the geotube can be manufactured with defined geometry, but the strength and reliability are reduced due to seam weakness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetubular shapeVSAvoidstrength

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The geotube is divided into multiple tubular modules that can be assembled together. Each module is formed from a sheet with edges coupled to create a tube, and multiple such tubes are joined end-to-end to form the complete geotube structure, eliminating the need for weak stitched seams while maintaining defined geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple tubular modules are coupled together through their ends to form a complete geotube. The coupling mechanism integrates the modules into a unified structure that maintains the required tubular shape while avoiding stitched seams, thereby preserving the full strength of the material throughout the entire structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If geotubes are made as fixed installations with stitched seams, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability to site-specific requirements is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidadaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The geotube system is segmented into modular units that can be easily assembled and disassembled. This segmentation enables the structure to be adapted to various site configurations and requirements while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized module designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The geotube structure incorporates releasable coupling mechanisms that allow the modular components to be dynamically assembled and disassembled. This dynamic capability provides adaptability to different installation requirements while keeping the manufacturing process simple and standardized.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Quantity of substance

If geotubes use stitched seams for construction, then material usage is optimized, but material waste increases due to seam-related failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial usageVSAvoidmaterial waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the geotube into modular sections joined by mechanical couplings rather than stitched seams, the structure eliminates weak points where material failure and waste would occur. The seamless construction ensures full utilization of material strength throughout the entire geotube.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular design with releasable couplings allows for easy replacement of individual modules if damage occurs, rather than compromising the entire structure. This reduces material waste by enabling targeted replacement rather than total structure replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 solution provides a geotube that is both tough and versatile, reducing material waste, enhancing strength, and allowing for easier adaptation to site-specific requirements, while maintaining a low environmental impact and cost-effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

using a multilayer sheet with natural fibers for strength and permeability

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPermeability: Porosity

Data Source

PatentEP3969667B1Geotube for coastal protection barrier and coastal protection barrier comprising the geotube

Publication Date: 2023.09.27 RINA CONSULTING SPA

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AI summary

A tubular modular structure (geotube) for coastal protection, wherein the geotube is provided by means of a sheet provided with opposite longitudinal edges (32, 33) provided at least partly with releasable coupling teeth designed to cooperate with each other in order to provide a mechanical coupling between the longitudinal edges (32, 33).