Modular Landslide Barrier with Adjustable Hinged Posts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing modular barriers for landslide masses are inflexible, prone to movement on uneven terrain, and lack adaptability to irregular slopes, requiring mechanical leveling and offering limited structural and aesthetic variations.
Innovation Solution
A modular barrier system with adjustable, pre-constructed metal elements that can be assembled in any direction, featuring bearing tie posts cemented into the substrate for stability, and equipped with camouflaging options like geomats and vegetation containers, allowing for flexible alignment and use on various terrain types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If simple prefabricated rectangular modules are used, then the structure is easy to manufacture and assemble, but the modules cannot adapt to uneven or irregular ground, requiring mechanical leveling
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier structure incorporates adjustable elements that allow dynamic adaptation to terrain variations. The modules can be positioned at different heights and angles to conform to irregular ground surfaces, eliminating the need for mechanical leveling while maintaining ease of assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention allows modification of geometric parameters (height, angle, position) of the barrier modules to adapt to different terrain conditions. This enables the same simple rectangular modules to be configured for various ground irregularities without changing the basic module design.
2Device complexity
If modules are rested on the ground surface without foundation posts, then the structure is simpler and easier to assemble, but the modules are subject to settling movements, wash-out, sinking and slipping
Solution Approach 1:
Foundation posts are installed in advance to reach the compact ground layer before the barrier modules are assembled. This preliminary anchoring action prevents subsequent settling, wash-out, and slipping by establishing stable support points that bypass unstable surface strata.
Solution Approach 2:
Foundation posts act as intermediary elements between the barrier modules and the compact ground layer. These posts transfer loads from the surface-level modules to the deeper, more stable substrate, preventing direct contact between modules and unstable surface soil.
3Device complexity
If modules are constrained only at a central point, then the structure is simpler, but the modules become unaligned, slide and rotate on themselves due to settling movements
Solution Approach 1:
The constraint system is segmented into multiple independent foundation posts distributed at different locations along each module. This segmentation provides multiple constraint points that prevent rotation and sliding while allowing individual posts to accommodate local terrain variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The constraint system extends from a single central point constraint to a distributed three-dimensional arrangement of foundation posts at different depths and horizontal positions. This multi-dimensional constraint distribution prevents alignment issues by providing stability in multiple directions simultaneously.
4Ease of manufacture
If pre-mounted modules with fixed shape and dimensions are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but the number of structural and aesthetic variants is extremely limited
Solution Approach 1:
The same simple rectangular module design serves multiple functions and can be configured in various arrangements to create different structural configurations and aesthetic appearances. The modules can be stacked, angled, and positioned in different patterns to suit various functional and visual requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier structure incorporates adjustable elements that allow dynamic adaptation to terrain variations. The modules can be positioned at different heights and angles to conform to irregular ground surfaces, eliminating the need for mechanical leveling while maintaining ease of assembly.
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 sturdy, adaptable barrier that can resist landslip movements, maintain alignment on unstable surfaces, and offer customizable solutions for slope stabilization and erosion protection while blending seamlessly into the environment.
Implementation Method 1
bearing tie posts cemented into the compact part of the substrate
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The barrier comprises: a series of bearing posts (10), emerging from the ground, having a lower portion (12) planted in the ground, a plurality of longitudinal members (15) which run transversally of the posts (10) each having ends thereof constrained to two consecutive posts (10), constraining devices (20) which connect the longitudinal members (15) to the posts (10), each having a first hinge component (21) constrained to the respective post (10), and being free to oscillate with respect to the post (10) about the axis of the post (10), and a second hinge component (22) constrained to a longitudinal member (15) by means of a pin which enables the longitudinal member (15) to oscillate about an axis that is perpendicular to a plane defined by the two consecutive posts (10) which are connected to one another by the longitudinal member (15); a containing means (30), able to retain the landslide mass, placed against an uphill side of the longitudinal members (15), in turn retained by the posts (10) and by the longitudinal members (15).