GB2533948B

GB2533948B - Flood defence apparatus and method

Info

Publication number: GB2533948B
Application number: GB1500228.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thornbury Anthony
Original assignee: FLUDS Ltd
Current assignee: FLUDS Ltd
Priority date: 2015-01-08
Filing date: 2015-01-08
Publication date: 2019-06-12
Anticipated expiration: 2035-01-08
Also published as: WO2016110673A1; GB2533948A; GB201500228D0

Description

Flood Defence Apparatus and Method

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for protecting land or buildings from rising surface liquid, such as flood water. In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for installing in the vicinity of land or buildings which are susceptible to flooding.

Conventional flood defence apparatus typically make use of complicated mechanical, electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic systems to raise and lower a moveable barrier in the event of flood water, for example, approaching land or buildings.

For example, EP0726364 provides apparatus for a watercourse, such as a dike, having a moveable barrier. In times of high water, the barrier can be transferred from a low, retracted position towards a high, deployed position by water flowing into a chamber within the dike body down an inclined filling channel. As the water level lowers, wafer flows from the chamber via a discharge channel and the barrier moves towards the retracted position. The filling channel is provided in an upper part of the dike body and the discharge channel is provided in a lower part of the dike body. However, this apparatus requires a permanent, above ground structure, such as a dike body. The dike body is both intrusive and an eye sore and is a permanent barrier when water is not present. Pedestrians and/or vehicles are prevented from moving over the dyke body when there is no risk from flood water and when the barrier is in the low position. Installation of the apparatus is expensive and time consuming and is limited in its application. Flood water must rise significantly above ground level before the flood barrier is raised.

Another example of a conventional flood defence mechanism is described in GB2464959 which provides apparatus that utilises surface water to raise and lower a barrier and which addresses a number of the problems associated with conventional apparatus as described above. However, the barrier of this known apparatus is substantially wedge-shaped and engages a single abutment surface when in the deployed position. This arrangement can result in an unbalanced barrier when being moved between retracted and deployed positions by rising or falling flood water.

Furthermore, rising flood water will apply a substantial force to a wet side of the barrier when in the deployed position which will result in a significant moment acting about a lower portion of the barrier. These loads are transferred through the barrier and into the channel and can lead to damage of the barrier and/or channel and can cause inefficient movement of the barrier between the retracted and deployed positions.

In addition, such conventional apparatus will require maintaining or cleaning from time to time. For example, the channel may become blocked with debris, such as silt and leaves, or the channel or barrier may need repairing or replacing. It may also be desirable to adjust the operating height of the barrier and also lock the barrier in a desired position. This is not possible with the above described conventional apparatus.

Summary of the invention

It is an aim of the present invention to at least partly mitigate the above-mentioned problems.

It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide flood defence apparatus that can withstand relatively high loading from rising flood water whilst being efficient during operation and requiring low maintenance.

It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide flood defence apparatus that is easy to install, maintain and clean if required, and which is adjustable, lockable and/or tamperproof.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for providing protection from flood water, comprising: an elongate channel body comprising a base and first and further side walls extending substantially upwardly from the base to define a channel opening between the side walls to receive and transfer surface liquid; a channel dividing member located between the side walls and extending substantially downwardly towards the base to divide an interior of the channel body into a drainage portion for receiving surface liquid and a chamber portion in fluid communication with the drainage portion; and at least one buoyant barrier member located in the chamber portion and moveable between a first position in which the barrier member is substantially located in the chamber portion and a further position in which the barrier member at least partially extends from the chamber portion; wherein the barrier member comprises a first shoulder region located at a first side of the barrier member and a further shoulder region located at a remainder side of the barrier member for respective engagement with first and further spaced apart abutment surfaces disposed in said chamber portion when the barrier member is in the further position and wherein first and further abutments elements that respectively comprise the first and further abutment surfaces are removably mounted to the channel dividing member and the further side wall respectively to define a gap therebetween for accommodating the barrier member.

Aptly, the first and further abutment surfaces are located proximal the channel opening and extend Into the chamber portion from the channel dividing member and the further side wall respectively.

Aptly, the first and further abutment elements are selectively adjustable in height with respect to the base of the channel body.

Aptly, each of the abutment elements comprises an elongate box section.

Aptly, the apparatus further comprises a seal member located on the first and further shoulder regions and/or the first and further abutment surfaces.

Aptly, the barrier member comprises a lower portion that is substantially wider than an upper portion of the barrier member to define the first and further shoulder regions.

Aptly, the lower portion of the barrier member comprises first and further lower engagement surfaces that slidably engage with the channel dividing member and the further side wall of the channel body respectively.

Aptly, the first and further lower engagement surfaces of the barrier member are substantially parallel.

Aptly, the first and further shoulder regions of the barrier member are substantially perpendicular to the first and further lower engagement surfaces of the barrier member.

Aptly, the upper portion of the barrier member comprises first and further upper engagement surfaces that slidably engage with first and further guide surfaces respectively that are disposed in the chamber portion,

Aptly, the first and further abutment elements respectively comprise the first and further guide surfaces for guiding the barrier member between the first and further positions.

Aptly, the first and further upper engagement surfaces of the barrier member are substantially parallel.

Aptly, the first and further upper engagement surfaces of the barrier member are substantially parallel with the first and further lower engagement surfaces of the barrier member.

Aptly, the barrier member comprises at least one bulkhead portion laterally oriented inside the barrier member to define two or more barrier compartments.

Aptly, one or more of the barrier compartments is filled with a plastics material. Aptly, the plastics material provides additional buoyancy to the barrier member and/or prevents fluid ingress into the barrier member. Aptly, the plastics material comprises at least one polystyrene body or a plurality of bodies such as balls or the like.

Aptly, the barrier member has a substantially symmetrical cross section.

Aptly, at least one of the channel dividing member and the further side wall comprises at least one guide member for the barrier member to engage when moving between the first and further positions.

Aptly, the at least one guide member comprises a rail or track.

Aptly, the channel body comprises at least one flange extending outwardly from at least one end portion of the channel body for connecting two or more apparatus together.

Aptly, the at least one flange comprises a plurality of spaced apart flanges each extending outwardly from a respective one of the base and side walls of the channel body.

Aptly, the at least one flange comprises a first flange portion angularly oriented with respect to a further flange portion.

Aptly, the barrier member comprises a closure member that engages with an upper surface of the apparatus when the barrier member is in the first position.

Aptly, the apparatus further comprises at least one spacer element to space the barrier member from the base of the channel body when in the first position.

Aptly, the apparatus further comprises a locking member to lock the barrier member in at least one of the first and further positions.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a flood defence system comprising a plurality of apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of installing a flood defence apparatus, comprising: locating a channel body in a trench, wherein said channel body comprises a base and first and further side walls to define a channel opening between the side walls to receive and transfer surface liquid; providing a channel dividing member between the side walls to extend substantially downwardly towards the base and divide an interior of the channel body into a drainage portion for receiving surface liquid and a chamber portion in fluid communication with the drainage portion; locating at least one buoyant barrier member in the chamber portion to be selectively moveable between a first position in which the barrier member is substantially located in the chamber portion and a further position in which the barrier member at least partially extends from the chamber portion; wherein the barrier member comprises a first shoulder region located at a first side of the barrier member and a further shoulder region located at a remainder side of the barrier member for respective engagement with first and further spaced apart abutment surfaces when the barrier member is in the further position; and removably attaching a first abutment element to the channel dividing member and a further abutment element to the further side wall to respectively provide the first and further abutment surfaces.

Aptly, the method further comprises: pouring concrete into the trench and around the base and side walls of the channel body.

Certain embodiments of the present invention may provide a strong, well balanced and efficient flood defence apparatus that requires minimal maintenance.

Certain embodiments of the present invention may provide a flood defence apparatus that is easy to maintain and clean if required and which is adjustable in operating height, which is lockable and/or which is tamperproof.

Brief Description of Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 illustrates apparatus according to certain embodiments of the present invention wherein the barrier member is in a retracted position;

Figure 2 illustrates the apparatus of Figurel wherein the barrier member is in a deployed position;

Figure 3 illustrates the channel body and channel dividing member of the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 illustrates the barrier member of the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 5 illustrates an abutment element of the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2; and

Figure 6 illustrates a system of channels connected together in series.

Description of Embodiments

In the drawings like reference numerals refer to like parts.

Figure 1 illustrates a flood defence apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated apparatus can provide protection from rising surface liquid such as water or the like. Aptly, the rising surface liquid is flood water. As illustrated in Figure 1, the apparatus includes a channel body 102, herein referred to as a channel, formed from a rigid material, such as stainless steel or plastic or the like, having a base 104 and two opposing side walls 106, 108. The channel is placed in a trench and defines an opening at surface level for receiving surface liquid, such as flood water, and transferring the liquid in the channel towards an outlet (not shown). The outlet may be connected to an existing drainage system or may simply flow to ground via a soak away. The french floor and/or base 104 may be sloped in a longitudinal direction to direct liquid towards the outlet. The base may optionally be sloped transversely to direct liquid and any silt, debris or the like towards the drainage portion to ensure liquid and such debris is drained away from the channel under at least normal drainage conditions. A channel dividing member 110 is located between the side walls 106, 108 and extends from the opening towards the base 104. The channel dividing member 110 divides the channel into a drainage portion 112 and a chamber portion 114, Surface liquid enters from surface level into the drainage portion 112 via a first opening 116 of the channel and is transferred along the channel towards the outlet under gravity.

The channel dividing member 110 extends substantially vertically in the channel and divides the channel width into about around a quarter and about around three quarters for the drainage portion and chamber portion respectively. However, the channel dividing portion may be orientated differently and may divide the channel into other sized portions, such as in half to provide a drainage portion and a chamber portion having the same width. A buoyant barrier member 118 is located in the chamber portion 114. The barrier member 118 has a lower portion 120 and an upper portion 122. The lower portion 120 is wider than the upper portion 122 to define a shoulder 124 on each side of the barrier member. Each shoulder 124 is substantially flat and horizontally orientated. The lower portion 120 of the barrier member 118 has opposed elongate sides 426 and the upper portion 122 of the barrier member 118 has opposed elongate sides 428, The barrier sides 426, 428 are substantially flat and parallel with each other. The elongate sides 426 of the lower portion 120 are parallel with the elongate sides 428 of the upper portion 122. The shoulders 124 are substantially perpendicular to the elongate sides 426, 428 of the upper and lower barrier portions 120, 122. The barrier member 118 may have an open lower portion in that the barrier has no bottom. Alternatively, the barrier member 118 may be a closed and hollow structure. The barrier 118 may include one or more legs 470 (shown in Figure 4) to space the lower portion of the barrier member from the base of the channel when in a retracted position as shown in Figure 1. Alternatively, a spacer element may be provided on the base of the channel for the same purpose. This allows liquid to flow under the barrier member during normal drainage conditions and to wash away any dirt or undesirable objects such as silt or leaves which may enter the channel during use. The barrier member 118 may comprise stainless steel and/or a plastics material or the like. For example, the barrier member 118 may comprise a steel hollow main body and an outer plastics layer to seal and protect the underlying main body. The barrier member may optionally include one or more laterally oriented bulkhead portions to provide two or more compartments inside the barrier member. Such bulkhead portions ensure that the barrier member remains buoyant if the barrier member becomes punctured and a compartment is filled with liquid for example. The bulkhead portions also add strength and bending stiffness to the barrier member, particularly where the barrier member is relatively long. Additionally or alternatively, the barrier member may be double skinned. One or more of the compartments may be filled with a particularly buoyant material, such as a plastics material like polystyrene for example.

As illustrated in Figure 2, the drainage portion 112 is in fluid communication with the chamber portion 114 via at least one aperture 230. The aperture 230 may be covered by a mesh, grid or filter or the like, to allow liquid to flow from the drainage portion and into the chamber portion, whilst preventing debris, such as silt and leaves or the like, entering the chamber portion 114. Alternatively, the channel dividing member 110 may be supported above the base 104 of the channel 102 to provide an elongate space below the channel dividing member 110 to allow liquid to flow from the drainage portion and into the chamber portion. The aperture 230 may be selectively opened and closed via a manually or automatically operated gate valve for example.

During normal weather conditions, rain water for example may flow into the drainage portion 112 of the channel 102 via the first opening 116 and drain away along the channel towards the outlet. During flood conditions, excess surface liquid entering the drainage portion 112 enters and rises up the chamber portion 114. As the flood water rises up inside the channel, the buoyant barrier member 118 is moved from a retracted position (as shown in Figure 1) towards a deployed position (as shown in Figure 2). Spaced apart rails 320 are provided on the channel dividing member 110 and the side wall 108 that defines a part of the chamber portion 114. The barrier member 118 includes vertically oriented and spaced apart grooves 450 (as shown in Figure 4) that correspond with and receive the rails 320. Each groove 450 may be provided by spaced apart elongate members 452 provided on the lower sides 426 of the barrier member 118 or may comprise an elongate recess in the barrier member itself. The optional rails 320 and corresponding grooves 450 may help to guide the barrier member 118 as it moves between the retracted and deployed positions.

The barrier member 118 has a substantially symmetrical cross section and a relatively low centre of gravity which provides a well-balanced barrier member that moves efficiently with rising and falling liquid in the channel without imparting unnecessary loads on the apparatus such as side loading of the channel dividing member or side wall of the channel which may cause unnecessary wear, frictional losses, locking, buckling, jamming and/or noise as the barrier member moves between the retracted and deployed positions.

The apparatus 100 further includes a pair of spaced apart abutment elements 140, 142 located in the chamber portion 114 proximal the opening of the channel. A first abutment element 140 is attached to an upper portion of the channel dividing member 110. A second abutment element 142 is attached to an upper portion of the side wall 108 of the channel 102. A gap is provided between the abutment elements 140, 142 to accommodate and guide the upper portion of the barrier member 118 as it moves between the retracted and deployed positions. Each abutment element 140, 142 includes a substantially flat and horizontally oriented lower abutment surface 144 that correspondingly engages with a respective one of the shoulders 124 of the barrier member 118. An optional seal (not shown) may be located on one or both of the lower abutment surfaces 144 and shoulders 124 to prevent liquid from passing between the barrier member 118 and either abutment element 140, 142.

As shown in Figure 5, each abutment element includes an elongate box section that provides substantially flat outer surfaces. Each abutment element 140, 142 includes inwardly extending flanges 560 having a number of spaced holes 562 and a side, such as the top side 570 as shown in Figure 5, of a respective abutment element may be attached to the flanges 560 using suitable fasteners to close the box section of the abutment element 140, 142. This allows for easy access into each abutment element 140, 142 for attaching or detaching a respective abutment element to or from, or adjusting a respective abutment element with respect to, the channel dividing member 110 or the side wall 108 of the channel 102. Alternatively, or additionally, access to suitable fasteners for removing abutment element 140 may be provided by removing one or more of the grates (as shown in Figure 6) that cover the channel opening to the drainage portion 112. Furthermore, outer box sections (not shown) may be located on the outside of the channel wall 108 and in alignment with each abutment element 142. Each outer box section may include a top plate for closing off the box section whilst allowing access therein for access to fasteners holding each abutment element 142 in place inside the channel 102, This may be desirable if the barrier member 118 is in a retracted position for example and it is not possible to raise the barrier member 118 to gain access into each abutment element 142. Such outer box sections may also provide a lip for containing concrete poured around the outside of the channel 102 during installation, as later described. Each outer box section may have similar dimensions to the abutment elements 142.

With the abutment elements removed from the channel, the barrier member 118 can be lifted out of the channel for easy replacement, repair or cleaning or the like of the channel and/or the barrier member, for example. To allow for selective height adjustment of the abutment elements 140, 142, the corresponding channel dividing member 110 and side wall 108 of the channel 102 may optionally include more than one set of spaced apart holes 380 wherein each set extends further downwardly into the channel to allow for each abutment element to be located in the channel at a desired height corresponding to the set of holes chosen for attaching the abutment elements to the channel. Each abutment element 140, 142 may extend the entire length of the channel 102 or may be formed of a number of abutment elements connected together. Each abutment element 140, 142 may have a length of about around 1000mm, a height of about around 145mm and a width of about around 170mm.

The apparatus may further include a locking member to securely lock the barrier member in the retracted position. A locking member (not shown) may be provided inside or above one or both abutment elements 140, 142 to cooperate with the top plate 250 of the barrier member 118. For example, one or more projections may extend from the top side 570 of one or both abutment elements 140, 142 and through corresponding apertures in the fop plate 250 when the barrier member 118 is in the retracted position. A padlock or other locking device may pass through a locking hole in a distal end of the projection to prevent the barrier member moving towards the deployed position. Alternatively, for additional security, a remotely controlled or automatic locking member, such as a solenoid, may be located inside one or both abutment elements 140, 142 to cooperate with a locking portion of the top plate 250 that extends into the abutment element 140, 142 when the barrier member 118 is in the retracted position. In this manner, the locking mechanism is tamper proof when the barrier member is in the retracted position. Furthermore, access into each abutment element via the removable top plate 570 may allow for a locking member to be selectively engaged with the barrier member 118 when in the deployed position. Such an operation may again be manual or automatic. Locking the barrier member 118 in the deployed position may be advantageous for flushing the channel or for preventing pedestrians and/or vehicles passing over the apparatus for a determined period of time, for example whilst standing flood water is removed and/or damage to buildings or land is repaired.

The substantially flat and parallel sides 426 of the lower barrier portion 120 engage with a respective one of the channel dividing member 110 and the channel side wall 108 and help to guide the barrier member as it moves between the retracted and deployed positions. The sides 426 of the lower barrier portion 120 also provide a relatively large surface area for efficiently transferring a load being applied to a wet side of the barrier member by rising flood water to the channel. For example, rising flood water will apply a load on the left side (wet side) of the barrier member when the barrier member is in the deployed position which will result in a moment about the lower portion of the barrier member. The relatively large surface area of at least one of the sides 426 of the lower barrier portion 120 help to transfer this load through the barrier member 118 and info the channel 102.

The barrier member 118 includes the top plate 250 mounted to the upper portion. The plate 250 may form a top side of the barrier. As shown in Figure 4, the upper portion 122 of the barrier member 118 may be open and include a pair of inwardly extending flanges 460 each having a plurality of spaced apart holes 462. The plate 250 may be attached with suitable fasteners to the flanges 460 via the holes 462 to close the top of the barrier member 118. The plate 250 extends laterally beyond the upper portion of the barrier member 118 such that the plate 250 engages an upper surface of each abutment element 142,144 when the barrier member 118 is in the retracted position (as shown in Figure 1). The plate 250 prevents ingress of dirt or liquid between the barrier member 118 and the abutment elements 142,144 which may cause the barrier member to lock or jam during use or cause unnecessary wear or damage to a seal. The plate 250 also provides a safe and secure surface for pedestrians and vehicles to pass over the apparatus when the barrier member 118 is in the retracted position. A seal member may be provided between the top plate and the abutment members to prevent the ingress of liquid and dirt between the barrier member and the abutment elements.

The channel 102 includes outwardly extending flanges 360 at each end of the channel. Both side walls 106, 108 and the base of the channel have a flange extending therefrom. The flanges 360 may be provided by one continuous flange around each end of the channel or the flanges may comprise separate flanges extending from each of the base and side walls. The flange(s) 360 add stiffness to the channel. Each flange 360 has a plurality of holes 362 for receiving a suitable fastener to connect two or more channels together in series to form a flood defence system. The barrier member 118 includes end plates 470 each having a plurality of spaced holes 472 for connecting two more barrier members together in the system.

Each flange 360 comprises a return end portion 364 that extends perpendicularly from a main portion of the flange towards an opposite end of the channel. The return end portions 364 provide a wall for containing and securing to concrete that is poured into a trench and around the channel to securely locate the apparatus in the trench.

Aptly, the channel 102 may be any suitable length and a system of connected apparatus may comprise one or more channels and respective barrier members of a first length and spacer sections of a second length that is less than the first length. For example, a single channel and respective barrier member may be about around 7m long and a system of connected apparatus may include a plurality of channels and corresponding barrier members of about around 3m long and a plurality of connecting or spacer channels and respective barrier members of about around 1 m or less in length. Similarly, the height and width of the channel and barrier member may also be selectively determined depending on the application of use for the apparatus. Aptly, the channel 102 may be about around 1100mm deep and about around 665mm wide. The barrier member 118 may be formed of a number of sections each having a length about around 1000mm. The lower portion 120 of the barrier member 118 may have a cross sectional width of about around 550mm and a cross sectional height of about around 400mm, The upper portion 122 of the barrier member 118 may have a cross sectional width of about around 220mm and a cross sectional height of about around 650mm, Aptly, at least the channel 102 and barrier member 118 may be formed from a metal material such as stainless-steel plate having a thickness of about around 4mm. A system 600 of connected apparatus is illustrated in Figure 6 in which a plurality of channels 602 are connected together in series via corresponding end flanges as described above. Alternatively, a number of channels 602 can be welded together. A single length barrier member 618 having an elongate top plate 650 attachable thereon is located in the chamber portions of the connected channels. The top plate 650 may have a length of about around 7000mm, a width of about around 590mm and a thickness of about around 4-10mm. Each end channel of the system includes an end plate 660 comprising a vertically oriented channel member 662 for guiding respective ends of the barrier member 618 as it moves between the retracted and deployed positions. As shown in Figure 6, each end of the barrier member 118 may include a projecting portion that includes the upper portion 122 and a central portion of the lower portion 120 for slidable engagement with a corresponding one of the vertically oriented channel members 662.

The channel 602 is provided with I-beam sections 670 attached in a suitable manner, such as welding or mechanical fastening, to the side walls and base of the channels to provide outwardly extending flanges and return flanges for concrete to key to when poured into a trench and around the channel as later described herein. The I-beam sections also provide strength and stiffness to the system. The I-beam sections are suitably spaced apart by about around 1000mm. Each end of the system 600 may be set in a concrete end structure (not shown) that aptly extends beyond the boundaries of that end. The concrete end structures may be slab-like and have a thickness of about around 250mm and a height and width of about around 1750mm. A method of installing apparatus according to certain embodiments of the present invention will now be described. An elongate trench is provided in the ground and a channel 102 is lowered into the trench. Optionally, the channel 102 is located in spaced relationship from a base of the trench. Concrete is poured into the trench to flow around the base and side walls of the channel 102. Optionally, suitable concrete end structures are formed to a height of each vertically oriented end member 662. A concrete foundation formed under the apparatus may have a length of about around 7500mm, a width of about around 1750mm and a thickness of about around 250mm. The channel dividing member 110 may then be located in the channel to divide the channel into the drainage portion 112 and chamber portion 114 or the channel may already be provided with the channel dividing member. The barrier member 118 is then lowered into the chamber portion to be slidably engaged with the optional guide rails 320 and to sit in spaced relationship from the base 104 of the channel 102 via the one or more legs 470 provided on the bottom of the barrier member 118. The opposed abutment elements 140, 142 are then attached to the channel dividing member 110 and side wall 108 respectively by suitable fasteners. The top side 570 of each abutment element is then fastened in place via the inwardly extending flanges 560 to close and complete the box section of each abutment element. Optionally, the height of each abutment element may be selected relative to the base of the channel prior to securing the abutment elements in place to thereby select the height of the barrier member when in the deployed position. The top plate 250 is then fastened in place on top of the barrier member 118 and a grille member (not shown) is optionally placed or attached over the first opening 116 through which surface liquid passes into the drainage portion to thereby protect against the ingress of debris such as leaves, stones or the like and allow people, animals and vehicles to safely pass over the apparatus when the barrier member is in the retracted position.

Certain embodiments of the present invention therefore may provide flood defence apparatus that is easy to install and inexpensive to manufacture, that is robust and strong to withstand varying heights of flood water, that is easy to maintain, repair and clean, that is adjustable, that is safe, quiet and efficient in operation, and that is suitable for many different applications. Flood protection can be provided automatically in a non-powered manner and the barrier likewise retracts automatically when no longer needed to minimise disruption.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of them mean "including but not limited to" and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

Claims

1. Apparatus for providing protection from flood water, comprising: an elongate channel body comprising a base and first and further side walls extending substantially upwardly from the base to define a channel opening between the side walls to receive and transfer surface liquid; a channel dividing member located between the side walls and extending substantially downwardly towards the base to divide an interior of the channel body into a drainage portion for receiving surface liquid and a chamber portion in fluid communication with the drainage portion; and at least one buoyant barrier member located in the chamber portion and moveable between a first position in which the barrier member is substantially located in the chamber portion and a further position in which the barrier member at least partially extends from the chamber portion; wherein the barrier member comprises a first shoulder region located at a first side of the barrier member and a further shoulder region located at a remainder side of the barrier member for respective engagement with first and further spaced apart abutment surfaces disposed in said chamber portion when the barrier member is in the further position; and wherein first and further abutments elements that respectively comprise the first and further abutment surfaces are removably mounted to the channel dividing member and the further side wall respectively to define a gap therebetween for accommodating the barrier member,

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and further abutment surfaces are located proximal the channel opening and extend into the chamber portion from the channel dividing member and the further side wall respectively.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first and further abutment elements are selectively adjustable in height with respect to the base of the channel body.

4. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein each of the abutment elements comprises an elongate box section.

5. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising a seal member located on the first and further shoulder regions and/or the first and further abutment surfaces.

6. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the barrier member comprises a lower portion that is substantially wider than an upper portion of the barrier member to define the first and further shoulder regions.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the lower portion of the barrier member comprises first and further lower engagement surfaces that slidably engage with the channel dividing member and the further side wall of the channel body respectively.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first and further lower engagement surfaces of the barrier member are substantially parallel.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the first and further shoulder regions of the barrier member are substantially perpendicular to the first and further lower engagement surfaces of the barrier member.

10. The apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 9, wherein the upper portion of the barrier member comprises first and further upper engagement surfaces that slidably engage with first and further guide surfaces respectively that are disposed in the chamber portion.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the first and further abutment elements respectively comprise the first and further guide surfaces for guiding the barrier member between the first and further positions.

12. The apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the first and further upper engagement surfaces of the barrier member are substantially parallel.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the first and further upper engagement surfaces of the barrier member are substantially parallel with the first and further lower engagement surfaces of the barrier member.

14. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the barrier member comprises at least one bulkhead portion laterally oriented inside the barrier member to define two or more barrier compartments.

15. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein one or more of the barrier compartments is filled with a plastics material.

16. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the barrier member has a substantially symmetrical cross section.

17. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the channel dividing member and the further side wall comprises at least one guide member for the barrier member to engage when moving between the first and further positions.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the at least one guide member comprises a rail or track.

19. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the channel body comprises at least one flange extending outwardly from at least one end portion of the channel body for connecting two or more apparatus together.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the at least one flange comprises a plurality of spaced apart flanges each extending outwardly from a respective one of the base and side walls of the channel body.

21. The apparatus according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the at least one flange comprises a first flange portion angularly oriented with respect to a further flange portion.

22. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the barrier member comprises a closure member that engages with an upper surface of the apparatus when the barrier member is in the first position.

23. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising at least one spacer element to space the barrier member from the base of the channel body when in the first position.

24. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising a locking member to lock the barrier member in at least one of the first and further positions.

25. A flood defence system comprising a plurality of apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim connected together.

26. A method of installing a flood defence apparatus, comprising: locating a channel body in a trench, wherein said channel body comprises a base and first and further side walls to define a channel opening between the side walls to receive and transfer surface liquid; providing a channel dividing member between the side walls to extend substantially downwardly towards the base and divide an interior of the channel body into a drainage portion for receiving surface liquid and a chamber portion in fluid communication with the drainage portion; locating at least one buoyant barrier member in the chamber portion to be selectively moveable between a first position in which the barrier member is substantially located in the chamber portion and a further position in which the barrier member at least partially extends from the chamber portion; wherein the barrier member comprises a first shoulder region located at a first side of the barrier member and a further shoulder region located at a remainder side of the barrier member for respective engagement with first and further spaced apart abutment surfaces when the barrier member is in the further position; and removably attaching a first abutment element to the channel dividing member and a further abutment element to the further side wall to respectively provide the first and further abutment surfaces.

27. The method as claimed in claim 26, further comprising: pouring concrete into the trench and around the base and side walls of the channel body.