Modular Flood Barrier with Sealing for Long-Term Refuge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flood protection technologies face challenges such as space and height restrictions, labor-intensive assembly, and inability to prevent inundation through windows or other openings, especially during prolonged floods, limiting their effectiveness in providing safe and long-term refuge.
Innovation Solution
A flood-resistant building design featuring a permanent, watertight flood barrier that encloses the building periphery, with an opening sealing mechanism to maintain a tranquil interior, and includes emergency equipment like generators and septic tanks to ensure prolonged safety during floods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cutoff plates or waterproof retaining walls are used, then inundation prevention is achieved, but space and height restrictions limit their effectiveness against severe floods
Solution Approach 1:
The flood barrier is divided into multiple modular panels that can be stacked vertically to achieve the required height. Each panel is a self-contained unit with standardized dimensions, allowing flexible assembly to match different inundation depth requirements without being constrained by single-piece height limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from two-dimensional cutoff plates to three-dimensional modular panel structures that can be stacked vertically. This dimensional expansion allows the barrier to achieve greater heights by utilizing the vertical stacking capability rather than relying on single-piece height.
2Reliability
If manual assembly of waterproof retaining walls is performed, then inundation prevention is achieved, but labor-intensive assembly reduces response speed
Solution Approach 1:
The modular panels are pre-assembled with integrated connection mechanisms and pre-installed sealing components during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex on-site assembly operations, allowing rapid deployment by simply stacking the pre-configured panels together.
Solution Approach 2:
The panels incorporate self-aligning features and automatic sealing mechanisms that engage when panels are stacked together. The connection system automatically secures adjacent panels without requiring manual fastening operations, enabling the barrier to assemble itself with minimal human intervention.
3Reliability
If conventional cutoff devices are installed, then entry point inundation is prevented, but openings such as windows remain vulnerable to water penetration
Solution Approach 1:
The modular panel system is designed to seal all types of openings including entrances, windows, and ventilation points. Each panel type is configured for specific opening geometries, and the standardized connection system allows the same basic panel structure to adapt to various opening types, providing comprehensive sealing coverage.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If permanent flood barriers are constructed, then long-term refuge is enabled, but impact on building appearance and operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flood barrier system transitions from a static permanent structure to a dynamic deployable system. The modular panels can be rapidly assembled when flood threats are detected and just as quickly disassembled and stored after the threat passes, allowing the building to maintain normal operations and appearance during non-flood periods while providing protection when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The flood barrier is extracted as a separate, removable system rather than being integrated into the building's permanent structure. The modular panels are stored off-site or in designated storage areas during normal conditions, eliminating any visual impact on the building's appearance and allowing unobstructed access to all building openings for normal operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A flood-resistant building is equipped with a flood barrier which enables safe and long-term refuge during floods. In a site surrounding a building, a flood barrier is constructed which encloses nearly the entire periphery of the building. An opening sealing means is connected to an entrance hall and another section serving as an entrance and exit at normal times. The opening sealing means seals the openings of these sections in a watertight manner where the openings are sealed via the opening sealing means. The flood barrier is watertight and at least as tall as the inundation depth estimated to occur in a target area when flooding or storm surges arise. In order to enable long-term refuge, an emergency-use water receiving tank 4 and an emergency-use generator are installed on the roof of the building, and an emergency-use septic tank is installed underground on the site.