EP2909385B1 - Subterranean drainage structure and base unit therefor - Google Patents
Subterranean drainage structure and base unit therefor Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2909385B1 EP2909385B1 EP13760085.4A EP13760085A EP2909385B1 EP 2909385 B1 EP2909385 B1 EP 2909385B1 EP 13760085 A EP13760085 A EP 13760085A EP 2909385 B1 EP2909385 B1 EP 2909385B1
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- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- chamber
- access
- cells
- platform
- base
- Prior art date
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- 238000007689 inspection Methods 0.000 claims description 23
- 239000004746 geotextile Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 230000007704 transition Effects 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 6
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 6
- 239000003673 groundwater Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000011800 void material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000002352 surface water Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000002745 absorbent Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002250 absorbent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000004075 alteration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000006261 foam material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001771 impaired effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002401 inhibitory effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004576 sand Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
- E03F—SEWERS; CESSPOOLS
- E03F1/00—Methods, systems, or installations for draining-off sewage or storm water
- E03F1/002—Methods, systems, or installations for draining-off sewage or storm water with disposal into the ground, e.g. via dry wells
- E03F1/005—Methods, systems, or installations for draining-off sewage or storm water with disposal into the ground, e.g. via dry wells via box-shaped elements
Definitions
- the invention relates to a subterranean drainage structure according to the preamble of claim 1.
- Drainage structures such as groundwater attenuation structures (or soakaways) are typically used to capture and retain surface water, for instance to prevent surface flooding.
- Such structures are typically constructed from a lattice or mesh type structure which is structurally robust under a distributed load, but which has a large void fraction to accommodate the water.
- a system of modules or cells may be used to construct a drainage structure.
- horizontal inspection channels can be provided. Such horizontal access channels may conveniently be formed as part of the drainage structure.
- specific cells may be used in which a horizontal through channel is defined, providing access for an inspection car.
- Such horizontal through channels may extend through a central region of each cell.
- the present invention seeks to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art.
- the fixing means may be provided to fix the base to at least one of the cells at the first and opposite sides of the chamber
- the platform may be arranged to enable a wheeled access car to move freely across the inspection chamber, between the access channels of cells at the first and opposite sides of the chamber.
- the platform may be arranged to provide a smooth transition from the platform to an access channel.
- the platform may comprise comprises a trough shaped profiled portion that communicates with an access channel.
- the subterranean drainage structure may further comprise a geotextile wrapped around the external surface of the grid.
- the platform may be arranged to interconnect, across the inspection chamber, an access channel opening in a central region of the first wall with an access channel opening in a central region of a second, opposite wall.
- the groundwater attenuation structure is wrapped in a geotextile.
- This can limit the ingress of slit and particles.
- Such geotextile wrapping may be stably supported against the pressure of the material surrounding it by the groundwater attenuation structure.
- a system of pipes may be connected to the drainage structure, for instance to direct surface water thereto.
- a drainage structure 50 which may be used to control groundwater.
- the drainage structure 50 comprises a plurality of cells 30, 40 and a base 20.
- the drainage structure is, in use, wrapped in a geotextile (or geomembrane) layer which communicates water while inhibiting the ingress of silt and solid matter.
- Each of the cells 30, 40 is formed from a lattice or mesh like structure with a high void fraction.
- the cells 30, 40 thereby can accommodate a large internal volume of water, and are mechanically strong enough to support large compressive loads.
- the cells 30, 40 in this embodiment are substantially rectangular cuboidal, and comprise a 4x4x8 repeating arrangement of a substantially cube shaped structural sub-cell.
- Each cell 30, 40 thereby has a long axis that is twice the length of each of the two orthogonal remaining axes, and has four rectangular external faces and two substantially square external end faces.
- the invention is not limited to such dimensions.
- each of the cells 30, 40 comprises two identical symmetric sections, coupled together by an intermediate section.
- the drainage cells 30, 40 comprise a plastics material. In alternative embodiments, other relative dimensions of the cells can be used and they may be formed from materials other than plastics.
- drainage cells 40 and drainage access cells 30, Two forms of cell are provided. These are drainage cells 40 and drainage access cells 30, the latter of which include a substantially horizontal access channel 32 which extends through each access cell 30 between openings 31 which are disposed in a central region of the opposite end faces of the cell 30.
- the access channel 32 extends parallel to the long side of the cuboidal access cell 30 and has a sectional perimeter comprising two opposite arcs linked by a straight and vertical central region.
- the section of the channel 32 thereby has a curved lower profile, the bottom of which is offset from the lower edge of the cell 30.
- the access channel 32 is not bounded by a continuous sheet of material, but is instead defined by the lattice or mesh like structure of the cell 30. Drainage cells 40 do not have an access channel, although further access cells 30 could be used instead of drainage cells 40 of the present embodiment.
- the drainage structure 50 has a vertical access chamber which is defined by the omission of a cell 30, 40. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments the drainage structure 50 may comprise a plurality of stacked layers of cells, and that the vertical access chamber may be defined by the omission of a substantially vertical stack of cells. One or more cell may be omitted from each layer of cells. A substantially cuboidal void is thereby defined in the drainage structure 50 which is suitable for obtaining access, for instance for inspections.
- the inspection chamber is bounded on each of two opposite sides by an access cell 30 with an internal channel 32 with an opening 31 facing into the inspection chamber. In an alternative embodiment, the inspection chamber may be bounded by a different number of access cells 30.
- the horizontal channel opening 31 is provided in a central region of the access cell end wall, and the edge of the channel 32 is thereby offset from the base of the access cell 30. Omitting a cell 30, 40 to define the vertical access chamber therefore results in a step down transition from the channel 32 to the bottom of the structure where the horizontal channel exits to the chamber wall (which is formed by the end of the cell next to the chamber), and a similar step up in the other direction.
- the base 20 of Figure 1 comprises two identical sections 10, and extends from the face of the access cell 30 in which the opening 31 is disposed, to the opposite face of the access chamber.
- Each section 10 extends horizontally halfway across the access chamber.
- a plurality of bases may extend across the chamber.
- a base of a larger dimension may be used in such cases to extend across the chamber.
- Figure 2 shows a base section 10 in more detail.
- a single such section 10 may be used as a base 20 in its own right, and is accordingly an embodiment of the invention.
- the access chamber may be dimensioned to be bridged with a single section 10.
- a single section 10 may, for example, be used to bridge across the short dimension of a chamber formed by the omission of the modules 30, 40 of the example embodiments.
- the base 20 may comprise a single section 10, that is dimensioned to be the same length as the example cells 30, 40 (in the long direction).
- Each section 10 comprises a platform 11, a lower portion 2, fixing means 3, 3a, 4, and a shoulder profile 5.
- the platform 11 has a trough shaped profiled portion 1 that defines a channel across the section 10.
- the lower portion 2 is joined on two opposite sides to a substantially flat portion 6 of the platform 11 by upwardly extending respective shoulder profiles 5.
- Each shoulder profile 5 is stepped to improve the strength of the section 10.
- the flat portion 6 is provided with indents 7 and corresponding protrusions 7a that cooperate when two sections 10 are stacked with their platforms 11 adjacent. This would allow the upper side of the channel formed by the profiled portion to be closed by another corresponding section mounted on top of the section and inverted relative thereto.
- the lower portion 2 is joined on the two remaining opposite sides to the platform 11 by respective vertical end walls 12 that are substantially flat. Horizontally spaced either side of the centre of the end wall 12 are first and second holes 4, which form part of a fixing means for engaging the base sections 10 with each other and adjacent drainage cells 30.
- the lower portion 2 is joined on the two remaining opposite sides to the platform 11 by respective vertical end walls 12 that are substantially flat.
- a first and second circular hole 4 which form part of the fixing means for engaging the base sections 10 with each other and adjacent drainage cells 30.
- the fixing means of the section 10 comprises recesses 4 or protrusions 3, 3a, 9 arranged to cooperate with corresponding features of an adjacent section 10 or cell 30, so as to fix the section 10 and adjacent section 10 or cell 30 together.
- each section 10 (or assembled base 20) may be provided with a fixing means comprising both one or more protrusions and one or more recesses.
- FIGS 3 and 4 show more clearly how the two section base 20 of Figure 1 is assembled, with the corresponding protrusions and recesses of the fixing means of each section 10 cooperating with each other to fix the base 20 together.
- the platform 11 and lower portion 2 of each section 10 combine to form a single platform 11 and lower portion 2 of the assembled two section base 20.
- Protrusions 9 for fixing each section 10 (and hence the base 20) to an adjacent cell 30 are placed in the recesses 4 of one end wall of each section 10.
- the protrusions 9 cooperate in use with corresponding fixing means of the adjacent cell 30 to fix the section 10 (and base 20) to the adjacent cell 30.
- Cooperation between fixing means may be enhanced by an interference fit between corresponding features.
- the corresponding fixing means of a cell 30 which comprises two recesses 33, that have a spacing that corresponds with that of the fixing means of the base section 10.
- the fixing means of the cell 30 and base section 10 are arranged to cooperate to position the platform 11 in communication with the channel opening 31.
- the protrusions 9 have an interference fit with the recesses 33, thereby securing the section 10 (and base 20) to the cell 30 in use.
- the recesses 4 in the base section 10 have a larger diameter than the recesses 33 of the cell 30, necessitating the different design of the protrusion 9 for fixing the base 20 to the cell 30. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments matching fixing means may be used, facilitating interchangeable protrusions for either purpose.
- the base 20 has a number of functions in use, as shown in Figures 1 and 7 .
- the platform 11 communicates with the opening 31 of the channel 32 in the cell 30, thereby enabling access for inspection to the channel 32 from the chamber.
- the platform 11 further enables communication of inspection means across the chamber, between access channels 32 of the two opposite access cells 30.
- it has a lower portion 2 that mechanically supports the adjacent geotextile material by bridging between the opposite walls of the inspection chamber.
- the lower portion 2 of the base 20 is arranged to be at substantially the same height as the base of the adjacent cells 30, 40 in use.
- the trough shaped profiled portion of the platform 11 defines a substantially horizontal channel linking the opposite access channel openings 31 of the chamber.
- the profiled portion 1 is arranged at the same height as the corresponding curved lower profile of the channel opening so as to provide a smooth transition from the platform 11 of the base 20 into the channel 32 of the adjacent cell 30. This smooth transition allows an inspection car to travel between the base 20 and channel 32 without needing to traverse a step, which might otherwise prevent movement of the inspection car.
- the platform 11 provides a convenient surface from which to inspect the drainage structure 50. Because the access channel opening 31 is relatively close to the lower edge of the cell 30, the height of the platform 11 is correspondingly relatively low in relation to its length and width.
- the base section 10 has a longitudinal axis parallel to the axis of the channel 32 with which the platform 11 communicates in use.
- the lower portion 2 is substantially rectangular and flat, but is provided with lateral corrugations 8 that increase the flexural stiffness thereof.
- the section 10 is dimensioned to extend fully halfway across the length of the access chamber in the longitudinal direction, not to extend fully across the chamber in the lateral direction.
- the assembled base 20 thereby abuts the opposite walls of the access chamber in the longitudinal direction, but a gap is provided between the edges of the base 20 and the walls of the chamber (again formed by sides of the cells adjacent the chamber) that are parallel to the longitudinal direction, as is shown in Figure 1 .
- the base may extend such that no such gap is provided.
- Figure 7 clearly illustrates the substantially smooth and continuous transition provided by the profiled portion 11 of the base 20 between the respective channels 32 of cells 30 that are adjacent to opposite sides of the vertical access chamber.
- An inspection means for example a wheeled inspection car, is thereby able to pass smoothly across the inspection chamber, without becoming stuck due to a sudden step, which arises at the edge of the chamber in the absence of the base 20.
- the base 20 is engaged securely by the fixing means with a first and second cell 40 on opposite sides of the chamber.
- the protrusions 9 and corresponding recesses 33 resist upward loads on the base 20.
- the relatively long protrusions 3 of the fixing means that couple each section 10 of the base 20 together provides sufficient flexural strength in the central coupling of the base 20 to adequately resist upward pressure on the base 20.
- the fixing means also serves to counteract any buoyancy that the base 20 may have when submerged.
- each section 10 is substantially continuous, which may for instance allow each section 10 to be filled with a ballast material such as sand.
- ballast may be used to enhance the ability of the base 20 to support the adjacent geotextile under pressure and prevent bulging of the base 20.
- the platform may comprise perforations or openings.
- other portions of the base 20 may comprise perforations or openings.
- the base may be formed from an open lattice, for example of substantially vertical baffles, webs or the like.
- the base 20 may comprise a unitary body. not claimed variants, the base 20 may provide access to only a single wall.
- each section 10 is an embodiment of the invention.
Description
- The invention relates to a subterranean drainage structure according to the preamble of
claim 1. - Drainage structures, such as groundwater attenuation structures (or soakaways) are typically used to capture and retain surface water, for instance to prevent surface flooding. Such structures are typically constructed from a lattice or mesh type structure which is structurally robust under a distributed load, but which has a large void fraction to accommodate the water. Conveniently, a system of modules or cells may be used to construct a drainage structure.
- It may be necessary to provide access to the drainage structure to inspect it, for example to ensure that it is not impaired by silt or scale. In order to accomplish this, horizontal inspection channels can be provided. Such horizontal access channels may conveniently be formed as part of the drainage structure. In a modular system, specific cells may be used in which a horizontal through channel is defined, providing access for an inspection car. Such horizontal through channels may extend through a central region of each cell.
- International patent application number
WO2009/030896 describes a latticework structural module for water drainage structures which contains an absorbent foam material to retard and retain water flow. Multiple modules can be used in a variety of configurations for various water flow control functions. - It is sometimes difficult to access inspection channels. The present invention seeks to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art.
- According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a subterranean drainage structure according to
claim 1. - The fixing means may be provided to fix the base to at least one of the cells at the first and opposite sides of the chamber
- The platform may be arranged to enable a wheeled access car to move freely across the inspection chamber, between the access channels of cells at the first and opposite sides of the chamber.
- The platform may be arranged to provide a smooth transition from the platform to an access channel.
- The platform may comprise comprises a trough shaped profiled portion that communicates with an access channel.
- The subterranean drainage structure may further comprise a geotextile wrapped around the external surface of the grid.
- The platform may be arranged to interconnect, across the inspection chamber, an access channel opening in a central region of the first wall with an access channel opening in a central region of a second, opposite wall.
- Preferably, the groundwater attenuation structure is wrapped in a geotextile. This can limit the ingress of slit and particles. Such geotextile wrapping may be stably supported against the pressure of the material surrounding it by the groundwater attenuation structure. A system of pipes may be connected to the drainage structure, for instance to direct surface water thereto.
- Embodiments of the invention will now be described, purely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
Figure 1 is a schematic of a drainage structure according to an embodiment of the invention; -
Figure 2 is a schematic of a base for an inspection chamber according to an embodiment of the invention; -
Figure 3 is an exploded diagram of a base for an inspection chamber comprising two sections according to an embodiment; -
Figure 4 is a schematic of an assembled two section base according to an embodiment of the invention; -
Figure 5 is a schematic showing a base section adjacent to a drainage cell according to respective embodiments of the invention; -
Figure 6 is a schematic showing a detail view of a drainage cell according to an embodiment of the invention; and -
Figure 7 is a further schematic of a drainage structure according to an embodiment of the invention. - Referring to
Figure 1 , adrainage structure 50 is shown which may be used to control groundwater. Thedrainage structure 50 comprises a plurality ofcells base 20. The drainage structure is, in use, wrapped in a geotextile (or geomembrane) layer which communicates water while inhibiting the ingress of silt and solid matter. - Each of the
cells cells cells cell - In the present embodiment, each of the
cells drainage cells - Two forms of cell are provided. These are
drainage cells 40 anddrainage access cells 30, the latter of which include a substantiallyhorizontal access channel 32 which extends through eachaccess cell 30 betweenopenings 31 which are disposed in a central region of the opposite end faces of thecell 30. Theaccess channel 32 extends parallel to the long side of thecuboidal access cell 30 and has a sectional perimeter comprising two opposite arcs linked by a straight and vertical central region. The section of thechannel 32 thereby has a curved lower profile, the bottom of which is offset from the lower edge of thecell 30. Theaccess channel 32 is not bounded by a continuous sheet of material, but is instead defined by the lattice or mesh like structure of thecell 30.Drainage cells 40 do not have an access channel, althoughfurther access cells 30 could be used instead ofdrainage cells 40 of the present embodiment. - The
drainage structure 50 has a vertical access chamber which is defined by the omission of acell drainage structure 50 may comprise a plurality of stacked layers of cells, and that the vertical access chamber may be defined by the omission of a substantially vertical stack of cells. One or more cell may be omitted from each layer of cells. A substantially cuboidal void is thereby defined in thedrainage structure 50 which is suitable for obtaining access, for instance for inspections. The inspection chamber is bounded on each of two opposite sides by anaccess cell 30 with aninternal channel 32 with an opening 31 facing into the inspection chamber. In an alternative embodiment, the inspection chamber may be bounded by a different number ofaccess cells 30. - The
horizontal channel opening 31 is provided in a central region of the access cell end wall, and the edge of thechannel 32 is thereby offset from the base of theaccess cell 30. Omitting acell channel 32 to the bottom of the structure where the horizontal channel exits to the chamber wall (which is formed by the end of the cell next to the chamber), and a similar step up in the other direction. - For clarity, some of the
cells cells - The
base 20 ofFigure 1 comprises twoidentical sections 10, and extends from the face of theaccess cell 30 in which theopening 31 is disposed, to the opposite face of the access chamber. Eachsection 10 extends horizontally halfway across the access chamber. Where the access chamber is defined by omission of more than onecell -
Figure 2 shows abase section 10 in more detail. A singlesuch section 10 may be used as abase 20 in its own right, and is accordingly an embodiment of the invention. For example, in other embodiments the access chamber may be dimensioned to be bridged with asingle section 10. Asingle section 10 may, for example, be used to bridge across the short dimension of a chamber formed by the omission of themodules base 20 may comprise asingle section 10, that is dimensioned to be the same length as theexample cells 30, 40 (in the long direction). - Each
section 10 comprises aplatform 11, alower portion 2, fixing means 3, 3a, 4, and ashoulder profile 5. - The
platform 11 has a trough shaped profiledportion 1 that defines a channel across thesection 10. Thelower portion 2 is joined on two opposite sides to a substantiallyflat portion 6 of theplatform 11 by upwardly extending respective shoulder profiles 5. Eachshoulder profile 5 is stepped to improve the strength of thesection 10. Theflat portion 6 is provided withindents 7 and correspondingprotrusions 7a that cooperate when twosections 10 are stacked with theirplatforms 11 adjacent. This would allow the upper side of the channel formed by the profiled portion to be closed by another corresponding section mounted on top of the section and inverted relative thereto. Thelower portion 2 is joined on the two remaining opposite sides to theplatform 11 by respectivevertical end walls 12 that are substantially flat. Horizontally spaced either side of the centre of theend wall 12 are first andsecond holes 4, which form part of a fixing means for engaging thebase sections 10 with each other andadjacent drainage cells 30. - The
lower portion 2 is joined on the two remaining opposite sides to theplatform 11 by respectivevertical end walls 12 that are substantially flat. Horizontally spaced either side of the centre of the eachend wall 12 are a first and secondcircular hole 4, which form part of the fixing means for engaging thebase sections 10 with each other andadjacent drainage cells 30. - The fixing means of the
section 10 comprisesrecesses 4 orprotrusions adjacent section 10 orcell 30, so as to fix thesection 10 andadjacent section 10 orcell 30 together. - In
Figure 2 acylindrical protrusion 3 is shown engaged with the firstcircular hole 4, and the position of a secondidentical protrusion 3a to be engaged with thesecond hole 4 is indicated. It will be appreciated that if anadjacent section 10 orcell 30 comprises only recesses, it is appropriate for thesection 10 to comprise only corresponding protrusions and vice versa. Similarly, each section 10 (or assembled base 20) may be provided with a fixing means comprising both one or more protrusions and one or more recesses. -
Figures 3 and 4 show more clearly how the twosection base 20 ofFigure 1 is assembled, with the corresponding protrusions and recesses of the fixing means of eachsection 10 cooperating with each other to fix the base 20 together. Theplatform 11 andlower portion 2 of eachsection 10 combine to form asingle platform 11 andlower portion 2 of the assembled twosection base 20.Protrusions 9 for fixing each section 10 (and hence the base 20) to anadjacent cell 30 are placed in therecesses 4 of one end wall of eachsection 10. Theprotrusions 9 cooperate in use with corresponding fixing means of theadjacent cell 30 to fix the section 10 (and base 20) to theadjacent cell 30. Cooperation between fixing means may be enhanced by an interference fit between corresponding features. - Referring to
Figures 5 and 6 , the corresponding fixing means of acell 30 is shown, which comprises tworecesses 33, that have a spacing that corresponds with that of the fixing means of thebase section 10. The fixing means of thecell 30 andbase section 10 are arranged to cooperate to position theplatform 11 in communication with thechannel opening 31. Theprotrusions 9 have an interference fit with therecesses 33, thereby securing the section 10 (and base 20) to thecell 30 in use. As is shown inFigure 6 , therecesses 4 in thebase section 10 have a larger diameter than therecesses 33 of thecell 30, necessitating the different design of theprotrusion 9 for fixing the base 20 to thecell 30. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments matching fixing means may be used, facilitating interchangeable protrusions for either purpose. - The
base 20 has a number of functions in use, as shown inFigures 1 and7 . Firstly, theplatform 11 communicates with theopening 31 of thechannel 32 in thecell 30, thereby enabling access for inspection to thechannel 32 from the chamber. Theplatform 11 further enables communication of inspection means across the chamber, betweenaccess channels 32 of the twoopposite access cells 30. Secondly, it has alower portion 2 that mechanically supports the adjacent geotextile material by bridging between the opposite walls of the inspection chamber. Thelower portion 2 of thebase 20 is arranged to be at substantially the same height as the base of theadjacent cells - In use, the trough shaped profiled portion of the
platform 11 defines a substantially horizontal channel linking the oppositeaccess channel openings 31 of the chamber. In this embodiment, the profiledportion 1 is arranged at the same height as the corresponding curved lower profile of the channel opening so as to provide a smooth transition from theplatform 11 of the base 20 into thechannel 32 of theadjacent cell 30. This smooth transition allows an inspection car to travel between the base 20 andchannel 32 without needing to traverse a step, which might otherwise prevent movement of the inspection car. Theplatform 11 provides a convenient surface from which to inspect thedrainage structure 50. Because theaccess channel opening 31 is relatively close to the lower edge of thecell 30, the height of theplatform 11 is correspondingly relatively low in relation to its length and width. - The
base section 10 has a longitudinal axis parallel to the axis of thechannel 32 with which theplatform 11 communicates in use. Thelower portion 2 is substantially rectangular and flat, but is provided withlateral corrugations 8 that increase the flexural stiffness thereof. - In use, the
section 10 is dimensioned to extend fully halfway across the length of the access chamber in the longitudinal direction, not to extend fully across the chamber in the lateral direction. The assembledbase 20 thereby abuts the opposite walls of the access chamber in the longitudinal direction, but a gap is provided between the edges of thebase 20 and the walls of the chamber (again formed by sides of the cells adjacent the chamber) that are parallel to the longitudinal direction, as is shown inFigure 1 . In an alternative embodiment, however, the base may extend such that no such gap is provided. -
Figure 7 clearly illustrates the substantially smooth and continuous transition provided by the profiledportion 11 of the base 20 between therespective channels 32 ofcells 30 that are adjacent to opposite sides of the vertical access chamber. An inspection means, for example a wheeled inspection car, is thereby able to pass smoothly across the inspection chamber, without becoming stuck due to a sudden step, which arises at the edge of the chamber in the absence of thebase 20. - In use (as shown in
Figures 1 and6 ) thebase 20 is engaged securely by the fixing means with a first andsecond cell 40 on opposite sides of the chamber. Theprotrusions 9 andcorresponding recesses 33 resist upward loads on thebase 20. The relativelylong protrusions 3 of the fixing means that couple eachsection 10 of the base 20 together provides sufficient flexural strength in the central coupling of the base 20 to adequately resist upward pressure on thebase 20. The fixing means also serves to counteract any buoyancy that the base 20 may have when submerged. - The external surface of each
section 10 is substantially continuous, which may for instance allow eachsection 10 to be filled with a ballast material such as sand. Such ballast may be used to enhance the ability of the base 20 to support the adjacent geotextile under pressure and prevent bulging of thebase 20. - In other embodiments, the platform may comprise perforations or openings. Similarly, other portions of the base 20 may comprise perforations or openings. Alternatively, the base may be formed from an open lattice, for example of substantially vertical baffles, webs or the like.
- Although a base 20 with a sectional construction has been described it will be appreciated that, in other embodiments, the
base 20 may comprise a unitary body. not claimed variants, thebase 20 may provide access to only a single wall. For example, eachsection 10 is an embodiment of the invention. - Although a profiled
portion 11 has been described, this is not essential. Where thebase 20 comprises a profiledportion 11, it is not essential that it is trough shaped. - It will be appreciated that a wide range of modifications and alterations may be made to the arrangements described hereinbefore without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.
Claims (6)
- A subterranean drainage structure (50) comprising:a plurality of similarly dimensioned drainage cells (30, 40) formed into a regular grid comprising one or more substantially horizontal layer;a substantially vertical access chamber for inspection formed by omission of at least one cell (30, 40) from the or each layer;a base unit (20), positioned at the lower end of the chamber, wherein the base unit (20) extends substantially from a first side of the chamber to an opposite side in at least one direction; andfixing means (3, 3a, 4, 9) for fixing the base unit (20) to at least one of the cells (30, 40) adjacent the chamber, wherein a bottom of the base unit (20) is in substantially the same horizontal plane as the bottom surfaces of the lowermost cells (30, 40) in the grid, andwherein cells at the first and opposite sides of the chamber are access cells (30), each comprising a substantially horizontal access channel (32) therein, wherein each horizontal access channel (32) has an opening (31) in a wall of the access cell (30) facing into the chamber thereby enabling access for inspection to the access channel (32) from the chamber,characterised in that the base unit (20) comprises a platform (11) which extends from a base of the access channels (32) across the chamber such that the platform (11) communicates with the openings (31) of the access channels (32)
- A subterranean drainage structure according to claim 1, wherein the fixing means (3, 3a, 4, 9) are provided to fix the base unit (20) to at least one of the cells (30, 40) at the first and opposite sides of the chamber.
- A subterranean drainage structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the access cells (30) are positioned in at least one horizontal line to form the access channel therethrough across the grid.
- A subterranean drainage structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the platform (11) is arranged to provide a smooth transition from the platform (11) to the access channel and/or wherein the platform (11) comprises a trough shaped profiled portion (1) that communicates with the access channel (32).
- A subterranean drainage structure according to any preceding claim, further comprising a geotextile wrapped around the external surface of the grid.
- A subterranean drainage structure according to any preceding claim, wherein the platform (11) is arranged to interconnect, across the inspection chamber, an access channel opening (31) in a central region of the first wall with an access channel opening (31) in a central region of a second, opposite wall.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB1215681.6A GB2505503B (en) | 2012-09-03 | 2012-09-03 | Subterranean drainage structure and base unit therefor |
PCT/GB2013/052308 WO2014033485A1 (en) | 2012-09-03 | 2013-09-03 | Subterranean drainage structure and base unit therefor |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP2909385A1 EP2909385A1 (en) | 2015-08-26 |
EP2909385B1 true EP2909385B1 (en) | 2022-04-13 |
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EP13760085.4A Active EP2909385B1 (en) | 2012-09-03 | 2013-09-03 | Subterranean drainage structure and base unit therefor |
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EP (1) | EP2909385B1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2505503B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2014033485A1 (en) |
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---|---|---|---|---|
NL2031593B1 (en) * | 2022-04-14 | 2023-11-06 | Pipelife Nederland Bv | Panels for Drainage Structures |
CN115506330B (en) * | 2022-09-30 | 2024-03-08 | 衢州市鑫宏土工格栅有限公司 | Drain board with high strength and flatness |
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Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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AUPM294493A0 (en) * | 1993-12-14 | 1994-01-13 | Urriola, Humberto | Underground drainage system |
DE10123754A1 (en) * | 2001-05-16 | 2002-12-05 | Kirchner Fraenk Rohr | Trench arrangement and trench component for its construction |
EP1607534A1 (en) * | 2004-06-18 | 2005-12-21 | Wavin B.V. | Infiltration block |
MX2007009327A (en) * | 2005-02-04 | 2007-11-14 | Cubeco Systems Ltd | Subsurface stormwater system. |
DE202005010090U1 (en) * | 2005-06-24 | 2005-09-22 | Hauraton Betonwarenfabrik Gmbh & Co Kg | Drainage element for percolating surface water comprises column elements spaced and arranged in rows |
NL2000638C2 (en) * | 2007-05-09 | 2008-11-11 | Pipelife Nederland Bv | Box-shaped device for receiving water, such as a rainwater box. |
GB2453713A (en) * | 2007-09-03 | 2009-04-22 | Univ Coventry | Structural drainage module |
WO2009140295A1 (en) * | 2008-05-12 | 2009-11-19 | Cudo Stormwater Products, Inc. | Modular underground water management systems |
DE102010045001A1 (en) * | 2010-09-10 | 2012-03-15 | Auer Packaging Gmbh | Drainage system, process for its manufacture and components therefor |
-
2012
- 2012-09-03 GB GB1215681.6A patent/GB2505503B/en active Active
-
2013
- 2013-09-03 WO PCT/GB2013/052308 patent/WO2014033485A1/en active Application Filing
- 2013-09-03 EP EP13760085.4A patent/EP2909385B1/en active Active
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EP2909385A1 (en) | 2015-08-26 |
GB201215681D0 (en) | 2012-10-17 |
GB2505503A (en) | 2014-03-05 |
WO2014033485A1 (en) | 2014-03-06 |
GB2505503B (en) | 2017-04-12 |
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