Secondary Containment Stabilization Plate and Panel Splice
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing secondary containment systems for resource extraction require significant materials and installation time due to inadequate structural support and the need for close post spacing and numerous bolts to ensure water-tightness and resistance to contained materials.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a support assembly with stabilization plates and reinforcing members with a corrugation pattern to secure overlapping corrugated panels, reducing material needs and installation time while enhancing structural support and water-tightness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If posts are anchored with concrete set in the ground to support sidewalls of secondary containment systems, then the posts can be spaced closer together, but the installation time increases significantly due to the large number of concrete footings required
Solution Approach 1:
The support assembly is divided into separate modular components: a post member, a stabilization plate, and a base plate. These segments can be assembled and installed independently, with the stabilization plate providing immediate structural support without requiring time-consuming concrete pouring and curing for each post location.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilization plate is designed to be installed in advance of final system assembly, providing immediate structural support. The plate can be positioned and secured to the post member before the containment system is fully assembled, eliminating the need to wait for concrete to cure at each post location.
2Reliability
If a large number of bolts are used to produce sufficient pressure on overlapping panels against the gasket, then the secondary containment system achieves effective water-tightness, but the installation time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible gasket is used between overlapping corrugated panels to create the water-tight seal. The gasket's flexibility allows it to conform to the panel surfaces and maintain the seal with fewer fasteners compared to rigid sealing methods, reducing installation time while preserving water-tightness.
Solution Approach 2:
The overlap length of the corrugated panels is optimized to provide sufficient sealing surface area for the gasket. By adjusting this geometric parameter, the system achieves effective water-tightness with fewer bolts, as the extended overlap provides more surface area for the gasket to seal against.
3Force
If close spacing of posts is used along the barrier sidewalls to provide adequate structural support, then the containment system can resist the force applied by released material, but the amount of materials required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilization plate extends the support structure into the horizontal dimension, distributing the load from the post over a wider area of the containment system. This dimensional extension allows posts to be spaced farther apart while maintaining adequate structural support, as each post's influence is extended laterally through the plate.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilization plate serves multiple functions: it distributes loads from posts to the containment system, provides additional structural support, and can anchor the containment system to the ground. This multi-functionality allows a single component to address multiple structural requirements, reducing the overall number of components and materials needed.
Data Source
AI summary
This patent pertains to secondary containment systems. One implementation includes a support assembly that includes an elongate post member and a stabilization plate. In one instance, a stabilization plate is mounted on the elongate post member to reduce movement of the elongate post member when the stabilization plate is embedded in the ground. Another implementation includes a panel splice assembly including reinforcing members that secure overlapping, corrugated panels.