Water-retaining element, system and method for forming a temporary water-retaining structure

The invention relates to a system for creating a temporary water-retaining construction in accordance with the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] US-5,511,902 discloses a block that is part of a system for creating a temporary water-retaining construction. The system contains many blocks, connecting pins and posts. The block has an upper surface, a bottom surface, four side walls and vertical rollers for accommodating connecting pins and posts. The connecting pins and corresponding rollers connect the stacked blocks together in a vertical direction. The posts can be inserted by means of a suitable roller through the block into the ground in order to anchor the block. The block is hollow and can be filled with water through a hole in the upper surface of the block. Said opening is closed by a plug after filling, so that in use the block has a closed upper side. The space in the rollers is not connected to the space in the block filled with water.

[0003] A disadvantage of US-5,511,902 is that in practice the execution of a temporary dam may take too long. The result is that the known system is not very suitable in situations where a temporary water-retaining construction is needed quickly.

[0004] An arrangement for creating a water-retaining construction in accordance with the preamble of claim 1 and a method for creating a temporary water-retaining construction in accordance with the preamble of claim 15 are known from DE-201.09.417-U1.

The object of the present invention is to at least partially overcome the aforementioned disadvantage or at least provide a useful alternative. In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide a system for forming a water-retaining construction that allows a temporary, temporary water-retaining construction to be made relatively quickly.

[0006] The invention achieves this object by means of the system according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0007] The water retaining element of the system according to the invention for forming a temporary water-retaining construction comprises a bottom part, a plurality of side walls and connecting means. A plurality of side walls are fixedly connected to the bottom part and extends upward from the bottom part to form a water filling tank. The connecting means are intended to connect the water retaining element in a water-retaining manner with at least one adjacent water-retaining element. The water-filling tank is open at the top so as to receive a second water-retaining element during transport and / or storage.

[0008] Due to the fact that the water retaining elements of the system according to the invention are open on the upper part so as to receive a second water retaining element during transport and / or storage, the water retaining elements can be stacked in a compact stack. This means that more water retaining elements of a certain size can be stored in the storage area, and more water retaining elements can be transported in the means of transport of a certain size. This allows, in time of threatening water shortages, to provide larger quantities of water retaining elements in a shorter time, such that a temporary water-retaining structure can be formed faster than for blocks from US-5,511,902, while water retention elements do not need to be stored. in place of,

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[0009] EP-A1-1.614.811 describes a dam structure for forming a temporary water-retaining construction that can be formed in the case of threatening floods. The elements of the dam structure comprise a flexible bottom part, side walls extending vertically upwards from the bottom part and a cover with one opening. Each side wall consists of many fixed panels that are flexibly connected to each other. The element is equipped with a watertight cladding in the form of a foil. On the underside of the lower part there are protrusions by means of which the elements rest on the ground. The space between the projections forms a channel network for draining water that can reach the area below the element.

[0010] The water retaining element disclosed in EP-A1-1.614.811 has the disadvantage that it must be very wide under different conditions, which means that in some cases many elements must even be arranged one behind the other.

[0011] The disadvantage is overcome by a further aspect of the invention that can be used either alone or in combination with other aspects of the invention.

[0012] The water retaining element of the system according to the invention for forming a temporary water-retaining construction comprises a bottom part, a plurality of side walls and connecting means. A plurality of connecting walls extends upwardly from the bottom part to form a water filling tank. The connecting means are intended to connect the water retaining element in a water-retaining manner with at least one adjacent water-retaining element. The water retaining element may comprise at least one cutting plate that extends downwardly from the bottom part.

[0013] In use, the water retaining element will be placed on the substrate. The cutting plate will sink into the ground, and the water retaining element thus provides high resistance to the lateral forces exerted by the water on the water retaining element. Such cutting plates further provide tilting resistance. The water-retaining element may thus be narrower than the prior art elements which must provide resistance to lateral forces on the basis of rubbing on the substrate and tilt resistance based on their weight and width.

[0014] The invention relates to a system in which the water retaining means for forming a temporary water-retaining construction comprise a bottom part, a plurality of side walls and connecting means. A plurality of side walls extend upwards from the bottom part to form a water-filled tank. The connecting means are intended to connect the water retaining element in a water-retaining manner with at least one adjacent water-retaining element. The water-retaining element may comprise a water-permeable cover, which water-permeable cover rests on at least two side walls and is designed to dampen the waves.

[0015] By virtue of the wave damping effect of the water-permeable cover, the water-retaining element may be narrower than what is the case in the prior art. The waves will at least partially flow into the reservoir through the water-permeable cover, so that washing with the waves of the upper part of the water-retaining element is reduced or even prevented. In the prior art, the same degree of reduction of the overflow can only be obtained by means of higher and / or wider elements.

[0016] According to the invention, the side walls diverge from the lower part relative to each other in such a way that the water retaining element is stacked so as to nest in a substantially identically shaped water retaining element.

[0017] Due to the propagating shape and the resulting nesting, the water retaining means can be stored in a compact manner. The possibility of compact storage is

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It is achieved by means of a more robust water retaining element than that known in the prior art, because, for storage, the element disclosed in EP-A1-1.614.811 has a folding structure in which the various rigid elements are flexibly connected to each other. In addition, these known elements require lining.

[0018] The invention further relates to a temporary water retaining construction comprising an arrangement for creating a temporary water-retaining construction.

[0019] Finally, the invention relates to a method for creating a temporary water-retaining construction as defined in the independent patent claim.

[0020] Preferred embodiments of the system and method are defined in the dependent claims.

[0021] The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a three-dimensional view of the water retaining element and the two connecting parts;

Fig. 2 shows a three-dimensional view of two connected water-retaining elements;

Fig. 3 shows a corner connecting part; and

Fig. 4 shows a schematic view of an alternative embodiment in use.

[0022] The temporary water-retaining structure is designated in its entirety by the reference number 1 in Figs. 1 and 2. The temporary water-retaining structure 1 comprises a plurality of water-retaining elements 2 and a plurality of connecting portions 4. For clarity, one of the connecting portions 4 is shown as disconnected from the water retaining element 2 in Fig. 1. Similarly for clarity, the water retaining element 2 is shown in the cut-off state in Fig. 2.

The water retaining element 2 comprises a bottom part 6 and side walls, in particular longitudinal side walls 8 and lateral side walls 10. The longitudinal direction is defined here as the direction of the water retaining element or connecting parts to be described below, extending substantially parallel to the direction a longitudinal temporary structure retaining water 1 to be formed. The transverse direction is defined as the direction of the water retaining element or connection parts to be described below, extending substantially transversely to the longitudinal direction of the temporary water holding structure 1 to be formed.

[0024] The side walls 8 and 10 are fixedly connected to the bottom part and extend upwards from the bottom part 6 to form a tank for filling with water 12. The water filling tank 12 is open on the upper part and is covered by a movable cover 14. Cover 14 is provided with openings, in this embodiment oval openings 16. The openings 16 make the lid 14 permeable to water. In this embodiment, from 20 to 30% of the lid surface is open. The openings 16 are arranged over substantially the entire surface of the water-permeable cover 14. In this embodiment, the openings 16 are evenly distributed over substantially the entire surface of the water-permeable cover 14 in a system of 7 holes. During use,

[0025] The side walls 8 and 10 extend upwardly from the bottom part 6. This allows, after removing the cover 14, stacking a plurality of water retaining elements 2 nested one inside the other. The term "nested" means that the water retaining element 2 on the upper part does not rest

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Completely on the water retention element 2 below it, but that it rests substantially in the water retaining element 2 below it. In this case, the water retaining element 2 on the upper part will rest with the outside of its side walls 8 and 10 and / or the bottom side of its lower part 6 respectively on the inner side wall part 8 and 10 and / or the inner side of the bottom part 6 of the stop element. water 2 below.

[0026] The water retaining element 2 further comprises connecting means 20, which in this embodiment are provided on transverse side walls 10. The connecting means 20 are arranged to connect the first water retaining element 2 in a water-retaining manner with the second water retaining element 2, in this embodiment by means of the coupling part 4 as shown in fig. 2. The connecting means comprise first and second protruding wall portions 22, 24. The first protruding wall portion 22 extends substantially parallel to the respective transverse side wall 10. The second protruding part of the wall 24 forms, in plan view, an obtuse angle with the transverse side wall 10 and with a first protruding part of the wall 22. The connecting means 20 furthermore comprise rubber sealing strips 26,which extend substantially vertically and are provided on the second protruding parts of the wall 24 and on the transverse side wall 10.

The water retaining element 2 is provided on the underside of its lower part 6 with two cutting plates 30. In this embodiment, the cutting plates 30 lie in the same plane with the longitudinal side walls 8 and in this case form an integral part thereof. The cutting plate 30 is considered to be part of a longitudinal side wall 8 extending below the level of the lower part 6. The cutting panel 30 is permeable to water, in this embodiment because it is provided with water-permeable holes 32. Although in this embodiment both the cutting plates 30 are provided with such openings 32, it would suffice to provide such openings with only one cutting plate. The drainage mat 34 extends below the bottom portion 6 of the water retaining element between the two cutting plates 30.

[0028] The connecting part 4 comprises a lower part (shown indicatively by reference number 36, but in fact invisible in three-dimensional views). The connecting portion 4 further comprises longitudinal side walls 38 and lateral side walls 40. The longitudinal side walls 38 and the lateral side walls 40 extend from the bottom part 36 to form a water filling container 42. The longitudinal side walls 38 are spaced apart here, viewed from each other. from the bottom part 36. The transverse side walls 40 converge with respect to each other as viewed from the bottom part 36.

[0029] The connecting part 4 is in the embodiment provided with a cover 44, provided with oval water-permeable holes 46. The cover 44 is movable on the edges of the side walls 38 and 40.

[0030] The connecting part 4 is provided with coupling means 50, which are complementary to the connecting means 20 of the water retaining elements 2. The connecting means 50 of the connection part 4 comprise retracted portions 52 and 54. The withdrawal portions 52 and 54 are complementary in in relation to the protruding parts of the wall 22, 24 of the water retaining element 2. The connecting means 50 of the connection part 4 further comprise grooves 56, which are complementary to the rubber strips 26 of the water retaining element 2.

[0031] The side walls 8 and 10 of the water retaining element 2 form with the bottom part 6 an angle of substantially 96 °. More generally, the side walls 8 and 10 of the water retaining element 2 form with the bottom part 6 an angle of 90 plus x degrees, x is greater than 0 and preferably less than 25 °.

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EP 2 188 454 B1

The longitudinal side walls 38 of the connecting part 4 form with the respective lower part 36 of the connecting part 4 the same angle as the longitudinal side walls 6 of the water retaining element 2. The lateral side walls 40 of the connection part 4 form with a corresponding lower part 36 a connecting part 4 an angle of 84 °. More generally, the transverse side walls 40 of the engaging portions 4 form with their bottom portion 36 an angle which is complementary to the angle formed by the transverse side wall 10 of the water retaining element. Where the lateral side walls 10 of the water retaining element 2 form with the lower part 6 an angle of 90 plus x degrees, the lateral side walls 40 of the connection part 4 form an angle of 90 - x degrees.

[0032] The water retaining elements 2 and the connecting portions 4 together form a system for forming a temporary water retaining structure. One or more stacks, each with a plurality of water-retaining elements 2, are supplied by means of transport, such as a truck or a ship. The temporary water-retaining structure 1 is formed by placing the first water-retaining element 2 on the ground and arranging the connecting portion 4 with respect to one transverse side wall or both lateral side walls 10. The connecting part 4 is here provided with its transverse side wall 40 relative to each other. an appropriate, shaped cross-section of the lateral wall 10 of the water-retaining element 2. In the folded-up state, respective lateral side walls 10, In this way, they rely on themselves substantially parallel to each other. In an appropriate manner, the protruding wall portions 20 lie with respect to the retracted wall portions 52 and the protruding wall portions 24 with respect to the retracted wall portions 54. In addition, the rubber strips 26 are arranged in properly shaped grooves 56. In this way, between the water retention element 2 and the part connecting 4, a water-retaining seal is obtained.

[0033] The next water retaining element 2 is then placed on the connecting part 4. When placed in this way, the transversal side walls and the receding and protruding parts of the wall ultimately lie opposite each other as described above. After placing the next water retaining element 2, the connection part 4 can no longer be removed, as it is limited by protruding portions 24 and 54 in a direction transverse to the water retaining elements 2 that extend in the longitudinal direction. In the upward direction, the connection portion 4 is delimited by the lateral side walls 10 and the protruding wall parts 22 and 24 of the water retaining element 2.

[0034] When several, preferably all, of the water-retaining elements 2 and the connecting portions 4 are placed, the respective vessels 12 and 42 are at least partially filled with water. Alternatively, or in addition, the tanks 12 and 42 can also be filled with another heavy material such as sand. By the combined weight of the water retaining elements 2 and the water, the cutting plates 30 veto the substrate. Said cutting plates 30 are preferably wetted so far into the ground that the water retaining element 2 also presses with its lower part 6 to the ground. It is pointed out here that the pressure is exerted by the drainage mat 34. The cutting plates 30 provide resistance to the lateral displacement of the water retaining elements 2 relative to the ground. This strength, combined with the weight of the filled tank 12, ensures

[0035] Before or after filling the water retaining elements 2, the movable water-permeable cover 16 is mounted on the side walls of the water-retaining element. If necessary,

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Before inserting the water retaining elements, a drainage mat 34 is placed on the substrate.

[0036] In this way, a temporary water-retaining structure 1 may be provided, for example on a shaft back that is not of sufficient height to withstand the predicted water level. The temporary water-retaining structure 1 can, however, also be provided around an area that is intended as a temporary object for storing water. The temporary water-retaining structure 1 can even be provided on a substantially horizontal ground, but can of course also be provided on an already existing shaft ring to raise this shaft ring. To create a temporary water storage facility, the temporary water-retaining structure 1 preferably forms a closed circuit in which a part of this closed circuit can optionally also be formed by other water-retaining means, including solid, current constructions. The temporary water retaining structure 1 can also form a closed circuit around objects, such as buildings, e.g. homes or farms in the flood plain. Instead of securing the entire object, the temporary water-retaining structure 1 can also be used to seal water-permeable openings in such a facility.

The cutting edge 30 preferably extends so deeply in the substrate that it stops or at least partially prevents leakage of water flowing past the temporary water retaining structure 1. To prevent an upward force exerted by the leaking water on the water retaining elements 2, the water-permeable openings 32 are provided on at least one of the cutting edges. This means that only a limited amount of leaking water can flow under the water retaining element 2, so that excessive pressure is avoided. The drainage mat 34 is provided to prevent localized accumulation of leaking water under the water retaining element

2. By means of drainage mat 34, leaking water can flow into water-permeable openings 32.

[0038] At the time of use, water may be present on the water side of the temporary water retention structure 1. Said structure serves here to prevent water overflow through, through or beneath the temporary water holding structure 1 to the land side of the temporary water retaining structure 1. Longitudinal wall side 8 located on the water side will be referred to below as the first longitudinal side wall. The longitudinal side wall 8 located on the ground side will be referred to below as the second longitudinal side wall.

[0039] It is understood that the temporary water-retaining structure 1 can be subjected not only to a static water pressure load but also to waves on water. If such waves flow over the top of the first transverse side wall 8, a portion of the wave will flow into the water permeable cover 14. This portion of the wave will then flow at least partly through the openings 16 into the tank 12. In a suitable manner, a portion of the wave may also enter the tank 42 parts connecting 4, although this is not necessary for the proper operation of this aspect of the invention. Thanks to the water-permeable cover 14, a large part of the wave energy will be dispersed before the water passes through the openings 16 and into the tank 12. The residual wave energy from the water entering the tank 12 can lead to a local wave formation in this tank.

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[0040] In this way, it is ensured that the flow of waves over the upper part of the temporary water retention structure is impossible or at least reduced in an efficient manner. This effect is achieved by means of a water retaining element 2 which may remain narrower than the water retaining structure which is not provided with a water-permeable cover. In order to be supplemented, it should be emphasized that the water coming from the waves may cause an increase in the level of the solid water in the tank 12. To prevent the tank 12 from being filled in such a way that it still threatens to overfill, on the water side of the temporary water retaining structure 1 drainage devices are provided (not shown). Such a drain device can be easily formed by making the end of the longitudinal side wall 8 at a lower level than the longitudinal side wall 8 opposite. Alternatively, the respective longitudinal side wall 8 can be provided with drain holes at the desired maximum water level.

[0041] Fig. 3 shows a particular embodiment of a connecting part, which is denoted by reference numeral 60. The connecting corner 60 has lateral side walls 40 and connecting means 50, which are comparable, in particular identical, to the respective parts of the connection part 6. Transversal the side walls 40 and their connecting means 50 are provided at an angle to each other in a top view, in this case at an angle of 90 °. Alternatively, other angles between 0 and 180 ° may be used. By providing such corner connecting portions 60, the temporary water-retaining structure can form angles, e.g. to mimic the perimeter of an existing shaft or to form a closed circuit. It is advantageous here to have a number of corner connecting parts in the stack, which transverse side walls 40 are at different angles in relation to each other. In a variant that has not been shown, such a corner of the connecting portion may have a wedge shape, in other words the corner connecting portion has an elongated lateral wall that is longer than one longitudinal side wall opposite to it.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic cross-section of an alternative water retaining element 70. The water retaining element 70 is provided with more than two, in this case seven, cutting plates 30. At least six of the cutting plates 30 are provided with water-permeable holes (not shown). In an embodiment, the cutting plates 30 are not aligned with the longitudinal side walls 8, but extend downwardly from the bottom part.

[0043] Fig. 4 further shows schematically how a temporary water retaining construction 1 is created. On the water side 72 of the temporary water retaining structure 1, the water is stopped by a respective first longitudinal side wall 8 of the water retaining element 70 facing the water side. In order to ensure that they can withstand the water pressure, the cutting plates 30 are placed in the substrate 74.

[0044] The water retaining elements of the system according to the invention can be manufactured in various sizes and from different materials. The water retaining means are preferably made substantially of plastic, such as a fiber-reinforced plastic. The metal tube can be attached here along the upper edge of the longitudinal side walls 8 for reinforcement. Such reinforcement may be necessary to prevent deformation of the water retaining element under the influence of water pressure. The metal pipe may advantageously be provided with crane hooks. In the embodiment of Fig. 4, this is a steel pipe, schematically indicated as 75. The steel pipe 75 in this embodiment has a cross-section of 0.10 by 0.05 meters. In the embodiment (not shown),

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One of the two longitudinal side walls. The opposite longitudinal edge of the lid is detachably connected to the second longitudinal side wall, e.g. by means of a snap connection. Alternatively, the hinged connection can also be replaced by a detachable locking connection. An advantage of these connection methods is that the cover stiffens the longitudinal side walls so that the bending strength under the influence of the water pressure is increased and the metal tube is not needed or it may have a lighter structure. The completely removable cover makes it easy to stack in the nest. Stacking in a nest with hinged covers is also possible, for example by placing the lid in a converging manner when stacking.

[0045] In one embodiment, the bottom part 6 can have dimensions of 4 by 2 meters, the water tank, due to the propagation of the side walls, reaches dimensions of 4.4 by

2.4 meters. A suitable height here is, for example, 1.1 meters. The alternative tank may have an oblong size of 6 meters, a width of 1.2 meters and a height of 0.7 meters. More generally, the longitudinal size of the bottom part will be between 1 and 10 meters, preferably between 2 and 8 meters. The width dimension will generally be between 0.5 and 4 meters, preferably between 1 and 3 meters. The height will generally be between 0.5 and 2 meters.

The plastic material of the water retaining element preferably has a thickness of 5 to 15 mm, in particular 5 to 10, and more particularly has a thickness of 8 mm. Instead of combining the plastic and metal, it is of course also possible to make the water retaining element of the system according to the invention entirely of plastic or entirely of metal, such as steel or other materials such as wood. The water retaining elements of the illustrated embodiments are rectangular in plan view. Alternatively, the water retaining means may be curved or polygonal, including triangular and hexagonal.

[0047] The cutting plate extends downwards. As is already apparent from the embodiments shown, it should be understood that this includes both a substantially all-vertical orientation and an orientation of several degrees with respect to the vertical plane. This orientation is such that the cutting plate can enter the ground. For this purpose, the orientation is preferably less than 30 degrees, in particular less than 15 degrees, and more particularly less than 10 degrees with respect to the vertical plane. The cutting plate does not have to extend continuously over the entire length of the water retaining element, but may also comprise several shorter plates. The water permeability of the cutting plates can also be achieved in a different way than with the holes shown, for example by providing membranes and / or flow openings at the bottom of the water retaining element along the upper portion of the cutting plates. The water retaining element of the system according to the invention can also be made without a cutting plate. This is particularly advantageous for hard substrates, such as pavement.

[0048] The side walls extend vertically upwards at an angle of> 0 to 45 degrees with respect to the vertical plane. Water-retaining elements with diverging side walls can be stacked so as to nest one in the other. In addition, it is also possible to use connecting means other than those shown here, which also need not be integral with the transversal side walls. For example, mechanical fasteners, such as locks, may be attached to the longitudinal side walls or a tongue and groove joint or completely locking connection means may be used. It can also be provided

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The connection is based on friction or suction power. The connecting part according to the arrangement according to the invention is advantageous in combination with water-retaining elements able to be folded to connect two diagonal (diverging) transverse side walls to provide a water-retaining construction, the connecting portion has complementary transverse side walls diverging and thus differing from the shape of the water retaining elements. The connecting portions shown are short in comparison with the water retention elements, but may also be of the same length.

[0049] The water-permeable cover may also be water-permeable in alternative ways, for example by means of a membrane. The membrane can be considered as a surface with a fine pattern of holes. Although such a pattern in the membrane has in theory a finite number of holes, this quantity is perceived here as infinite. In addition to the hole pattern shown in the embodiment, patterns with more or less holes are also possible. In general, it is advantageous to have a pattern with at least six openings in the transverse direction and a pattern of at least ten openings in the longitudinal direction. At least 10% of the surface area of ​​the water-permeable cover is preferably open. Furthermore, preferably a maximum of 75% and more preferably 50% of the surface area of ​​the lid is open. The cover may also be provided with additional wave spreading means, such as corrugations on the top and / or bottom of the cover. The cover does not have to rest on all the longitudinal side walls, but can, for example, rest only on portions of the longitudinal side walls or on the longitudinal portions of the side walls.

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EP 2 188 454 B1