Laminated Sand Boil Mitigation Pad for Levee Seepage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional support mats fail to effectively mitigate sand boils, which can lead to levee failure due to the upward movement of groundwater and the formation of sand boils, causing erosion and structural instability.
Innovation Solution
A multi-layered laminated support mat system comprising a deck, runners, and bars, interconnected with chains and hooks, is designed to be placed over sand boils, reducing the discharge velocity of seepage water and preventing the upward movement of alluvial material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional support mats are used, then the structure is simple and easy to deploy, but the mats fail to effectively mitigate sand boils and allow upward movement of alluvial material
Solution Approach 1:
The support mat system is divided into multiple functional layers: a deck layer for distribution, runner layers for directional control, and bar layers for vertical reinforcement. Each layer segments the load-bearing function to address specific aspects of sand boil mitigation, with the deck distributing horizontal loads, runners controlling vertical flow paths, and bars providing structural stability against upward alluvial movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-plane support mat to a three-dimensional multi-layered structure. The deck, runners, and bars are arranged in vertical stacking with specific spatial relationships, creating a volumetric reinforcement system that addresses sand boils from multiple dimensional perspectives simultaneously.
2Reliability
If a multi-layered laminated support mat system is used, then sand boil mitigation effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple laminated support mats are merged into a single integrated multi-layered assembly where the deck, runners, and bars function as a unified system. The mats are interconnected through overlapping edges and mechanical fastening systems, combining the strength of individual components to create a cohesive structure that prevents levee failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The support mat system uses composite construction combining multiple layers of laminated wood members with different orientations and functions. The deck uses horizontally laminated members for load distribution, runners use vertically oriented members for flow control, and bars provide additional structural reinforcement, creating a composite material system optimized for sand boil mitigation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the discharge velocity of seepage water is reduced, then alluvial material discharge is prevented, but the system requires complex structural reinforcement
Solution Approach 1:
The support mat system applies local reinforcement strategies where runners are positioned perpendicular to the deck at specific intervals to control vertical flow paths, and bars are placed at strategic locations to reinforce areas experiencing highest upward alluvial movement. This localized quality enhancement prevents alluvial material discharge without requiring uniform complex reinforcement across the entire structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A sand boil mitigation pad includes a first layer including a plurality of laminated support mats nested and attached together, and defining a deck. A second layer includes a plurality of the laminated support mats configured as runners, wherein the runners are positioned perpendicular to the laminated support mats of the deck and are attached thereto, and wherein adjacent ones of the runners are spaced apart. A third layer includes a plurality of the laminated support mats configured as bars, wherein the bars are positioned perpendicular to the runners and are attached to one or both of the runners and the deck.