Modular Security Barrier With Tie-Bar Couplings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing security barriers are either not portable, interfere with underground utilities, or lack the ability to effectively resist both vehicle collisions and explosive blasts without requiring costly upgrades or scrapping of materials.
Innovation Solution
A massive security barrier system featuring tie-bars passing through tunnels within solid blocks of material, allowing for easy assembly and upgrade of barriers without ground anchoring, with coupling devices and retainers to maintain structural integrity during collisions and blasts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ground-anchored barriers (earthen berms, sand-filled steel walls, concrete walls) are used to provide protection against terrorist vehicles and bombs, then protection effectiveness is improved, but portability is lost and risk of interfering with underground utilities increases
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier system is divided into multiple discrete barrier units that can be independently positioned and assembled. Each unit contains embedded tie-bars that extend from opposite sides, allowing individual barriers to be coupled together to form a complete barrier wall without requiring ground anchoring.
Solution Approach 2:
Coupling devices serve as intermediaries that connect the tie-bars of adjacent barriers. These coupling devices (such as pins, bolts, or mechanical connectors) enable the transmission of forces between barriers while allowing the entire system to remain portable and avoid ground penetration.
2Strength
If tie-bars are cast permanently within concrete or solid material to provide structural strength, then strength is improved, but adaptability is reduced as they cannot be changed out or upgraded without removing and replacing the solid material
Solution Approach 1:
The tie-bars are extracted from the solid material during the manufacturing process, creating tunnels through the barriers. The tie-bars are then reinserted through these tunnels and secured with coupling devices, separating the structural reinforcement function from the solid material itself. This allows the tie-bars to be independently replaced or upgraded without replacing the entire barrier unit.
3Ease of operation
If cables are used to couple adjacent barriers side-against-side to avoid ground anchoring, then portability is improved, but ability to resist lateral displacement decreases compared to rigidly coupled tie-bars
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system combines rigid tie-bars (made of high-strength steel) with flexible coupling devices. The tie-bars provide rigid lateral support and force resistance, while the coupling devices allow for some flexibility and ease of assembly/disassembly, creating a composite system that achieves both portability and structural integrity.
4Reliability
If massive concrete or plate steel walls are used to shield against terrorist vehicles and bombs, then protection effectiveness is improved, but portability is lost and installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The massive barrier wall is segmented into standardized, modular units that can be manufactured off-site and transported to the installation location. Each unit is self-contained with embedded tie-bars, allowing for simplified assembly by coupling units together rather than pouring and forming large concrete structures on-site.
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 durable, portable, and cost-effective barrier that can absorb mechanical and thermal energy, allowing for rotation between adjacent blocks while maintaining structural integrity and avoiding damage to underground utilities.
Implementation Method 1
the tie-bar(s) can be selected at the time barriers are assembled into a barrier wall... forces from the terrorist event can be strong enough to cause at least some of the coupled barriers to slide across a supporting surface, and can cause breakage of solid material where the solid material interferes with rotation between adjacent barriers
Implementation Method 2
enablement of mutual rotation between adjacent blocks caused by a colliding vehicle or explosive blast
Implementation Method 3
forces from the terrorist event can be strong enough to cause at least some of the coupled barriers to slide across a supporting surface
Data Source
AI summary
Barrier elements provide security from terrorist threats by ability to withstand both vehicle collisions and explosive blasts. Each barrier element is prefabricated to include a massive block of durable material, preferably of high strength concrete, with at least one tunnel extending at least partially between respective cavities in two opposite sides of the block. Each barrier element also includes at least one beam that is preferably made of steel and extends through one such tunnel. Multiple blocks are positionable slidably on top of the ground side-against-side with their beams coupled longitudinally to one another at least approximately end-to-end. Retainer means can be used to block coupling means from entry into the tunnels. Forces from a vehicle collision or an explosive blast can cause barrier elements to rotate relative to one-another when the couplings between beams hinge or bend as the durable material that interferes with the rotation breaks away.