GB2376258A

GB2376258A - Water containment structure

Info

Publication number: GB2376258A
Application number: GB0113710A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Peter Gaines
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-06-06
Filing date: 2001-06-06
Publication date: 2002-12-11
Also published as: GB0113710D0

Abstract

A water containment structure comprises a plurality of spaced upright support members 1 secured at their bases and each capable of receiving a plurality of containers 2 stacked successively along its length. The spacing of the uprights and the dimensions of the containers is such that corresponding containers on adjacent poles are in touching contact, with any spaces between said containers being filled with particulate solid material. The containers may be scrap vehicle tyres with at least some of the adjacent tyres being secured to each other with rivets 3. The structure may be used to prevent river bank erosion, to control tidal flow on the coastline or in flood prevention schemes.

Description

STRUCTURE FOR, AND METHOD OF, CONTROLLING WATER FLOW AND CONTAINING WATER This invention relates to a structure for, and method of, controlling or influencing a flow of water and/or containing water, particularly river, flood and marine water.

There are various situations in which a need arises to be able to control or influence the flow of rivers, tides or flood water. In the context of marine water the erosion of the coastlines caused by the continual battering received from tidal flows is a very significant problem in many countries. It has proved very difficult and expensive to provide long-lasting protection against the relentless coastal erosion effect of the tides. The problem is so difficult and expensive to deal with that on many coastlines it has been accepted that there is no economically effective solution to the problem and the coastline land is being allowed to fall into the sea. If the current predictions of global warming are correct the problem of coastal erosion will become much more significant in the future. There are likely to be situations where it would be economically inadvisable to adopt the policy of allowing nature to take its course, and where it would be necessary to provide a defence against erosion by the sea.

Land erosion is not limited to coastlines, and problems of riverbank erosion can occur, particularly when the rainfall is such as to cause abnormally high flow rates. There are situations where there is a need for an Inexpensive construction that provides an increased resistance to riverbank erosion.

The structures of the present invention can also be employed to help control flood water. Excessive rainfall, particularly over long periods, can result in severe flooding, when the existing water channels and drainage facilities are unable to cope with the amount of water that presents itself. This flooding can not only damage arable land, but is a major problem for householders and industrial concerns situated in areas which are prone to flooding. The structures of the present invention may be constructed to form barriers against flood water or may be constructed in the form of channels for conducting flood water away from areas at risk to flooding to reservoirs or existing water channels that are able to cope with the dispersal of flood water to safe locations.

The incidence of flooding appears to have increased globally in recent years. Whether or not changes in global weather conditions are responsible, many areas of the world have been reporting flooding conditions that have not been known in living memory. In the UK it has been estimated that 1.3 million homes with a current combined value of E35 million are situated in locations, known as flood plains, which may be subject to a greater frequency of flooding than has been experienced in the past. This problem is likely to be exacerbated by a U. K. Government aim of building 3 million more homes before 2016. The recent flooding experiences are causing a re-evaluation of where such houses could be built without adding to the numbers of houses already at risk of periodic flooding. It is expected that new regulations will require housing to be built in areas where there is no risk of flooding, or where adequate defences have been provided against the risk. Because of the limited availability of building land it is inevitable that some development will have to occur in flood plains. Adequate provision of defences against flooding will be a priority in these areas.

The invention is also useful for providing a means of containing large volumes of water, for example, in the form of artificial lakes or lagoons for recreational purposes, both in inland and coastal regions.

The present invention is also concerned with a further environmental problem, namely the disposal of used vehicle tyres. It is estimated that about 40 million tyres per annum are currently discarded in the UK alone. It is uneconomic to attempt recycling of these on any significant scale and they are simply stored in dumps. In the USA the problem is even more severe because of the higher numbers involved. The vast dumps of worn-out tyres are considered to be a considerable environmental hazard because of the risk of fire.

The present invention seeks to provide solutions to alleviate both these classes of problem.

As indicated above, conventional means for preventing coastal erosion are so expensive that they are not being applied in those situations where the cost of Installation is considered to be unwarranted in relation to the value of the property being protected. There will also be areas of land, previously considered as having building potential, where in the light of recent flooding experience, such building

would be inadvisable without building defence walls against flooding, and where the present estimated cost of such defences would be not recoverable against the value of the buildings to be erected. The present invention provides an inexpensive means of protection, particularly in that the materials of construction can be of low, or zero, cost.

There are also situations where it is possible to turn the natural flow of water, such as tidal flow, to advantage, for example, to create recreational areas for surfing or other activities. Yet again, it would be useful to provide an inexpensive structure for containing and channelling a flow of water.

According to the invention there is provided a structure for controlling or influencing a flow of water and/or containing water, particularly tidal, river or flood water, comprising a plurality of spaced supporting upright members, each upright being secured at its base and disposed so that each upright is capable of receiving a plurality of open-ended containers stacked successively on each upright, wherein the containers comprise flexible, tough, open and drainable containers stacked up at least part of the length of each upright, the spacing of the uprights and the dimensions of the containers being such that corresponding containers on adjacent poles are in close proximity, and preferably in touching contact, and wherein spaces between and within the closely proximate containers are at least partially filled with particulate solid material. Preferably, the structure comprises a plurality of lines of spaced uprights, each provided with a plurality of stacked containers.

By the term"upright"is meant a rigid member, such as a pole, which is disposed in a vertical or near-vertical position.

The shape or contour of the structure can be readily varied to meet the requirements of the use to which the structure is to be put. When a plurality of lines of uprights is provided the number and size of the containers on the uprights can be arranged, by progressively increasing the height of stacked containers on adjacent lines of uprights, so that the contour of the stacked containers takes the form of a graduated slope on at least one side of the structure. The same procedure can be used to provide a structure contoured in two directions, that is, having sloped contours on two sides of the structure. If it is desired that the structure IS contoured in the direction of the lines of upnghts, the desired contour or contours can be achieved by

progressively varying the height of the stacked containers along the lines of containers to provide the desired contour.

In a preferred aspect of the invention the open-ended containers are worn or scrap car tyres. The uprights may be purpose made, such as metal poles, but are preferably of wood. Preferably, the uprights are suitably treated to resist decay in the environment In which they are to be employed. It is noted that wood is remarkably resistant to decay when immersed in sea water.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of controlling or influencing a flow of water and/or containing water, particularly tidal, river or flood water comprising providing at a chosen site, a structure comprising a plurality of spaced supporting upright members, each upright being secured at its base and disposed so that each upright is capable of receiving a plurality of openended containers, preferably car tyres, stacked successively on each upright, wherein the containers comprise flexible, tough, open and drainable containers stacked up at least part of the length of each upright, the spacing of the uprights and the dimensions of the containers being such that corresponding containers on adjacent uprights are in close proximity, and preferably, in touching contact, and at least partially filling spaces between and within the containers with particulate solid materials.

The structure of the invention may be erected along a stretch of coastline or riverbank to provide protection against erosion resulting from the tides or flow of the river respectively. It IS envisaged that such a protective wall comprising an array of uprights and containers will rapidly become stabilised by the action of sand, shingle and other sea-borne or river-borne rubble being deposited in the spaces between and within the containers with the action of successive tides or continuous river flow.

The relatively loose arrangement of open-ended containers will permit ingress and accumulation of such solid material into the spaces in the structure, particularly in and between the open, drainable containers. It may be necessary during the construction of the wall to at least partially fill the containers so as to give a measure of initial stability against the action of incoming tides or rising river flows. It is also preferable to give added stability to the structure by securing adjacent containers to each other. It is particularly useful to secure those containers on poles adjacent to each other. Containers adjacent to each other In a vertical stacked arrangement on

the same pole may also be secured to each other, but this is unlikely to be necessary If the stabilising effect of the entrained solid material occurs relatively rapidly. In any event, the containers can be prevented from being dislodged or washed off the uprights by providing means to prevent the highest of the containers on each upright from being dislodged. Thus, restraining members, particularly vertically adjustable restraining members, can be secured to individual uprights above the highest of the containers. Alternatively, a means, taking the form of a chain, can be placed over a line of adjacent upright members to prevent the highest of each of the containers from being detached from its upright.

A particular advantage of the invention is that the nature of the structures provided ensures a much higher degree of energy absorption than can be achieved from a wholly rigid structure, such as a concrete defence wall, with the result that the structure will be longer lasting than rigid structures.

When employed as a sea defence the structure would normally be constructed so that the seaward side of the structure took the form of a slope towards the sea. When the structure is built against a stable cliff face it is possible to construct it so that the rear or coastal side of the structure is vertical or near vertical. However, it is also advantageous to construct the rear face in the form of a slope when the coastline being protected is known to be inherently unstable and prone to drop in to the sea. Such a arrangement will provide greater resistance to forces building up behind the defence wall as a result of crumbling or slippage of the cliff face. Whatever the nature of the cliff face being protected, it is preferred that both faces of the defence wall slope progressively towards the sea and land respectively.

A further use of the structure is in creating offshore reefs which can influence tidal flow to provide recreational areas, creating opportunities for activities such as surfing, sheltered swimming and other water sports.

In the context of helping to control flood water and preventing water reaching areas where extensive damage and spoilage would occur to residential or industrial buildings, the structures of the invention should be constructed in locations where recent historical experience has shown that flood water has occurred, or is likely to occur as a consequence of excessive rainfall. The source and direction of flow of the flood water will be apparent from this recent experience, and the positioning and

extent of the defensive structure required to reduce the risk of future flooding, or to channel the flood water to safe outlets, can be estimated from this experience The nature of the uprights providing support for the flexible containers will depend on the nature of the terrain or sea bed at the location where the structure is to be erected. Where the terrain or bed is sufficiently penetrable wooden poles may be dnven into the bed to secure them. In situations where the underlying bed is essentially of a rock-like nature it may only be possible to secure uprights in the bed by driving in metal uprights. Alternatively, holes may be excavated, for example by drilling. These holes may subsequently be used as the sockets to receive suitable poles, such as wooden, metal or reinforced concrete poles, which are suitably secured in the sockets. It is not essential that every upright is secured into the bed of the sea or river. Particularly in the case of specially fabricated metal or concrete uprights, more than one upright can be secured on a base member provided with one or more bayonet members or members for driving into the bed or locating in sockets. This will provide economies in construction where there are difficulties in driving poles into the underlying substrate in that a number of poles on a base member may be secured in position in the structure under construction using only one bayonet member or socket locating member, or at least fewer securement points than the number of poles.

The material of the poles should be chosen with a mind to the corrosive nature of the environment, particularly where they are to be contacted with sea water. Suitably treated wood is remarkably resistant to decay when submerged in sea water. In this context, a particularly cheap source of poles is the type of treated pole used for telegraph poles. Redundant telegraph poles are particularly suitable as a cheap source of upright.

The construction of the structure, that is, its shape and dimensions, the number of lines of spaced upnght members, the number of containers stacked on the individual upright members, and other details of its makeup will depend on the intended purpose and location of the structure.

In an offshore location, where the intended purpose is to create an artificial reef, the structure would be constructed so as to have a crest or summit line at about the high tide level. The structure would be relatively unobtrusive because, as indicated, the

free space in and between the containers would be filled with sand or shingle or a mixture thereof, either during construction or as a result of sea-borne solids being deposited during successive ebb and flow of the tides.

In the case of a structure erected along a coastline to provide protection against the effect of tidal erosion it will be necessary to have a succession of lines of upright members, the uprights in a given line preferably being staggered in relation to the adjacent line of upright members. As previously indicated, in a preferred form of the structure the height of each successive line of uprights, and the heights of the stacks of containers on each successive line of uprights, will increase from the seaward side towards the coastline to provide a shelved structure, sloping towards the sea. A similar shelved shape of structure may be used for providing protection along a river bank, but such a shape is considered to be less relevant to the river bank situation because the flow of water will be essentially parallel to the direction of the line or lines of poles along the riverbank.

Where the structure is provided as a defence against tidal erosion the height of the uprights may be such as to take account of a need to extend the height of the protection at some future date. Thus, the height of the poles may be significantly higher than is considered necessary for protection at the time of construction. This permits the height of the stacks of containers to be made appropriate to the perceived risk from tidal erosion at the time of the initial construction, but allows for the height of the protection to be extended should circumstances require this at a later date.

The spacing of the uprights along a given line and the spacing between lines of uprights will be determined by the dimensions of the containers to be placed over the uprights. Optimally, the spacing of the array of uprights will be such that when the containers have been stacked over the poles the containers are in approximately close-packed contact. The containers need not all be of the same size and closer packing can be achieved with containers of different sizes. It is not necessary to use containers which provide perfect packing because it is envisaged that a major means of stabilising the eventual defence wall after construction will result from filling of any space by the sand, shingle and debris carried by successive tides.

The flexible, tough, open and drainable containers may be of any construction providing they are sufficiently tough to withstand the forces that they are likely to be subjected to, particularly immediately after construction, when the action of the sea has had time to improve the stability of the wall, by the action of retaining solid materials carried by the sea in the containers and the spaces between them. The containers should be open and drainable in the sense that solid materials can be placed or collected within the containers, particularly solid materials carried in river or sea water, the water being able to drain from the container leaving at least some of the solid materials in the containers. In the course of a relatively short time it would be expected that the containers and any spaces between them would be filled with solid materials and would provide a stable defence wall against erosion of sea or river flow. The shape of the containers is not critical, but preferably are of a shape that can be stacked on the plurality of poles to provide contact or near contact of the walls of the containers on adjacent poles. It is preferred that the containers have a circular perimeter because this provides the most convenient form of container for stacking on the poles. The spaces between contacting or near-contacting containers will readily become filled in the same way as the filable volume within the containers so that a stable defence wall is provided.

It is a particular feature of this invention that a very suitable form of flexible, tough, open and drainable container are vehicle tyres. Previously used or worn car tyres are not only ideally suited for use in this invention but the use of such used tyres in an application which effectively buries the tyres in an environmentally friendly manner would be of major use in overcoming the very substantial problem of the disposal of used car tyres. This is a particular problem in the industrialised countries, such as the USA, where vehicle ownership, and the consequent creation of large quantities of used vehicle tyres, is high. The opportunity for recycling the materials in used tyres is very limited, and the creation of dumps of large quantities of tyres represents a severe environmental problem, not least from the risk of such large quantities of tyres accidentally catching fire. The invention, consequently, not only permits the use of inexpensive materials of construction, but simultaneously provides a solution to the major problem of disposal of used vehicle tyres. It would be expected that these materials of construction could be obtained at negative cost, i. e. that the constructor of the structure would be paid for disposing of the tyres.

Accordingly, in a third aspect of this invention there is provided an environmentally friendly method of disposing of used vehicle tyres comprising using the tyres as the flexible, tough, open drainable containers in the structure and method of the present invention.

Used tyres are available in a variety of sizes. The nature of the disposition of the poles in the array would need to take the size of the tyres into account to some extent, but as indicated above it is unnecessary for the containers to be positioned in a perfect close contacting arrangement.

It is preferred that tyres on adjacent poles be secured to each other. Adjacent tyres on the same pole may also be secured together. This may be effected by any convenient means, such as stapling. As previously indicated, the initial stabilisation of the structure by connecting the containers or tyres is necessary to an extent that the action of the sea or river should not destroy the structure before the stabilisation of the structure by filling with sand, shingle and other debris carried by the sea or river takes effect.

During construction the open spaces of the structure may be at least partially filled for added stability. This may be done using any convenient debris, and in particular, gives an opportunity for the disposal of suitable non-toxic waste, such as builders' rubble. This is another opportunity to use construction materials of negative cost, in that disposal sites for such waste command a substantial price.

The construction of structures according to the invention also provides a means of disposing of sand and silt dredged from the estuaries and harbour entrances. Such recovered material may be readily pumped into the free space in or between the containers of the structures of the invention during construction.

In suitable locations, particularly along river banks, additional stability to the structure may be provided by planting the containers with vegetation, such as willows, that will withstand the conditions pertaining in the surrounding environment. Such planting will enhance the appearance of the defence. For structures situated along coastlines similar advantages may be obtained using suitable maritime plants.

Other additional features may be employed depending on the location and purpose of the structure. For example, where a prime purpose of the structure is to contain water, or channel water away from a sensitive site, means may be added to the structure which enhance the water retaining capability of the structure. Thus, it may be beneficial to include a water impermeable sheet in at least part of the structure to improve water retention in a given area.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of a structure according to the invention, Figure 2 is a section through the line A-A of Figure 1 and Figure 3 shows a support member containing a plurality of spaced support upright members mounted on a base member provided with a single anchoring point.

Figure 1 shows an array of poles 1 sited in close proximity to a length of coastline to be protected and indicated generally as C. The poles are disposed in three lines indicated generally as X, Y, and Z. Each pole 1 is provided with a plurality of used car tyres 2, located over the poles in a stacked arrangement. The tyres are in a close packed arrangement, with contact being made between tyres on adjacent poles.

Contacting tyres are secured to each other by rivets 3. Waste rubble or aggregate material is added through the openings 4 in the tyres after the array has been assembled.

Figure 2 is a section through the line A-A of the structure of Figure 1 and shows the height of the stack of tyres increases progressively from line X to line Z, nearest the coastline to be protected.

Figure 3 shows a form of support pole that may be used where it is necessary or preferred to minimise the number of points at which it is necessary to secure the poles to the sea or river bed. A plurality of support poles 5 is located on a base member 6. A single bayonet spike securing point 7 is provided on base member 6. In other forms of multiple pole arrangements the base member may carry more than one securing point, which securing points may be identical in dimensions, or alternatively may consist of one long spike to provide the major part of the means of securing the multiple pole arrangement to the sea or river bed. Preferably, for economy of construction, the arrangement carnes a central, single spike, any additional spikes being shorter than the central spike.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A structure for controlling or influencing the flow of water and/or for containing water, particularly tidal, river or flood water comprising a plurality of spaced supporting upright members, each upright being secured at its base and disposed so that each upright is capable of receiving a plurality of open-ended containers stacked successively on each upright, wherein the containers comprise flexible, tough, open and drainable containers stacked up at least part of the length of each upright, the spacing of the uprights and the dimensions of the containers being such that corresponding containers on adjacent poles are in close proximity, and preferably in touching contact, and wherein spaces between and within the closely proximate containers are at least partially filled with particulate solid material.
2. The structure of claim 1 wherein the plurality of upright members comprise a plurality of lines of upright members.
3. The structure of claim 2 wherein the height of stacked containers on a given line of uprights is increased on each adjacent line of uprights to provide at least one graduated slope on at least one side of the structure.
4. The structure of claim 3 wherein the structure is constructed to have a pair of opposing graduated slopes meeting at a peak of the structure.
5. The structure of any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the heights of stacked containers is progressively varied along the lines of upright members to provide contoured slopes in the direction of the lines of upright members.
6. The structure of any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the upright members are of wood or metal.
7. The structure of any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein at least some of the adjacent containers are secured to each other.
8. The structure of any of claims 1 to 7 wherein the containers are scrap vehicle tyres.

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9. A method of controlling or influencing the flow of water and/or containing water, particularly tidal, river or flood water, comprising providing at a chosen site, a structure comprising a plurality of spaced supporting members, each upright being secured at its base and disposed so that each upright is capable of receiving a plurality of open-ended containers, preferably scrap vehicle tyres, stacked successively on each upright, wherein the containers comprise flexible, tough, open and drainable containers stacked up at least part of the length of each upright, the spacing of the uprights and the dimensions of the containers being such that corresponding containers on adjacent uprights are in close

proximity, and preferably, in touching contact, and at least partially filling spaces between and within the containers with solid particulate materials.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the structure is provided at or near a coastline and is effective in controlling or influencing the effect of a tidal flow on the coastline.
11. The method of claim 9 wherein the structure is provided at a river bank or estuary site for controlling the effect of river or estuary flow on the banks thereof.
12. The method of claim 9 wherein the structure is located at a site of potential flooding to control or contain flood water.
13. The method of any of claims 9 to 11 wherein the spaces between and within the stacked containers are at least partially filled with particulate solid materials by the action of such materials being deposited from tidal or river flows and being retained in the structure.
14. The method of any of claims 9 to 13 wherein the spaces within or between the stacked containers are at least partially filled during construction of the structure with recycled waste materials in particulate form of a size capable of entering the spaces.
15. An environmentally-friendly method of disposing of scrap vehicle tyres comprising using them as a component In the construction of an energy

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absorbing structure for controlling or influencing a flow of water and/or containing water, particularly, tidal, river or flood water.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the tyres are used as a component in the structure of any one of claims 1 to 8 or a method according to any one of claims 9 to 14.