Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates generally to a modular flood defence barrier system and finds particular, although not exclusive, utility in providing a passive flood defence barrier suitable for use in place of conventional property perimeter fencing.

Background

Fencing is widely used to enclose a plot of land or to provide a barrier between two adjacent properties. Typically, a fence includes several ground mounted posts and a number of panels held between the posts to provide a physical barrier to people, animals and vehicles. However, conventional fencing is not watertight. Accordingly, flood waters may pass through the fencing and flood the plot of land enclosed by the fence. In particular, flood waters may pass through the panels, between the panels and the posts or under the panels. Furthermore, widely used residential fence panels, such as feather edge panels or overlap panels, are typically not strong or robust enough to withstand forces applied by flood water and may bow, bend or break. A fence panel that fails in this way will provide an unrestricted route for flood water to flow through the line of fencing.

In areas prone to flooding, temporary flood defence barriers may be deployed to contain and redirect flood waters when rain and a flood is predicted. Typically, these flood defence barriers include a number of barrier sections that interlock or are connected via barrier connectors to form a continuous barrier. Prior known flood defence barriers include hollow barriers that may be filled with sand or water, and solid barriers such as concrete barriers. However, known flood defence barriers are not suitable or desirable for permanent use around commercial and residential properties. Furthermore, solid barriers, such as concrete barriers, typically require a crane or some other form of lifting device to position the barriers.

Aspects of the present disclosure seek to provide a flood defence barrier system that alleviates these problems with prior known systems. In particular, aspects of the present disclosure seek to provide a flood defence barrier system that is suitable and desirable for permanent use around commercial and residential properties. Summary

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a modular flood defence barrier system comprising: a foundation configured to be mounted in or on a ground substrate; a first post and a second post, wherein each post is attachable to the foundation such that the posts extend away from the ground substrate, further wherein each post comprises a post attachment part; at least one panel comprising a first panel attachment part at a first end thereof and a second panel attachment part at a second end thereof; and a seal comprising a first seal member and a second seal member; wherein the first panel attachment part is configured to interlock with the post attachment part of the first post and the second panel attachment part is configured to interlock with the post attachment part of the second post to hold the panel between the two posts; and further wherein the first seal member is arranged to cover a first gap between the panel and the first post, and the second seal member is arranged to cover a second gap between the panel and the second post, such that the two posts and the panel form a watertight barrier.

A key advantage of the first aspect is that the system may be used to provide a permanent fencing solution for a commercial or residential property that is able to prevent flood waters from entering the property.

The modular flood defence barrier system may comprise any number of posts, panels and seals as necessary to provide the required length of barrier. In use, the system may be arranged in any shape and may be dictated by a boundary shape of a property.

The foundation may be pre-formed or may be formed in situ. For example, the foundation may comprise a polymer section that is moulded or otherwise formed off site, before being positioned where necessary. The foundation may comprise attachment points for a crane or other lifting equipment to position the foundation. In some examples, the foundation is lightweight and can be positioned by hand, before being filled with ballast to provide the necessary weight. Alternatively or additionally, the foundation may comprise a section that is cast on site. For example, a concrete section may be cast on site in or on the ground substrate.

The ground substrate may be earth, soil, or any other organic or inorganic substrate into or onto which a barrier system may be placed. Alternatively, the ground substrate may be a man-made substrate such as a road, a pathway, or any other known substrate. The first post and the second post may be substantially identical. Alternatively, the first post and the second post may be different. In particular, the first post and the second post may have different lengths and/or different cross-sectional shapes. The posts may have any cross-sectional shape. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the posts may be square, rectangular, triangular, hexagonal or any other shape. The posts may be permanently or releasably attached to the foundation. The posts may be supplied in a predetermined length or set of lengths and may be cut or otherwise reduced in size.

The posts may extend away from the ground substrate at any desired angle. In particular, the posts may extend away from the ground substrate such that the posts are vertical, in use. The posts may extend away perpendicularly from the foundation. As such, the foundation may be arranged relative to the ground substrate such that the posts extend away from the ground substrate in the required orientation or direction.

The post attachment part and the panel attachment part may be any attachment means or mechanisms that are able to interlock or connect and hold the panel between the posts. In a preferred embodiment, the post attachment part and the panel attachment part are fixingless. However, in some embodiments, the post attachment part and the panel attachment part may comprise fixings.

The panel may have a solid surface such that water is unable to pass through the panel.

The panel may be substantially planar. The system may comprise any number of panels. If the system is arranged in a single linear length, the number of panels may be one fewer than the number of posts. Such an arrangement may include a substantially looped or enclosed arrangement wherein an access gap is left for a user to access the property. If the system is arranged in a loop or other enclosed arrangement, the number of panels may be equal to the number of posts.

The posts and/or panel may comprise a rigid and waterproof material. The posts and/or panel may comprise a reprocessed polypropylene polymer such as a reinforced grade MMMf9016 and/or an unfilled grade MM1215. The reinforced grade polymer may be used for improved structural performance, where necessary, and the unfilled grade polymer may be used where relatively low structural performance is acceptable. In this way, recycled polymer materials may be used to produce the posts and panel. Other materials are envisaged, such as any other polymer, metal, composite, or any other class of material. The system, and in particular the foundation, panel and/or post may have a density greater than the density of water. In this way, the system may not float on water. The system may have an overall height of 50cm, 100cm, 150cm, 180cm, 200cm, 210cm or any other suitable height.

The first end and the second end of the panel may be opposite sides of the panel. In use, the first end and the second end of the panel may be right and left sides of the panel.

The seal may comprise a resilient and waterproof material. The seal may comprise a rubber such as recycled car tyres. Additionally, the seal may comprise a carrier material such as a thermoplastic urethane. Other materials are envisaged such as silicone or any other known sealing material. The first and second seal members may act to seal the gaps between the panel and the posts to form a single watertight structure, in use.

The foundation may be configured to be at least partially buried in the ground substrate. The foundation may be configured to be fully buried in the ground substrate. In this way, a permanent and well secured base for the system may be provided. Alternatively, the foundation may be configured to be positioned on the ground substrate, in use. In this way, the foundation may be deployed, temporarily or permanently, to an area requiring flood defence. The foundation may be wedge-shaped. The foundation may be configured to be positioned, in use, such that a width of the foundation reduces as the foundation extends away from the ground substrate. Accordingly, a relatively large surface area may be in contact with the ground substrate, and a portion of the forces applied by flood water against the foundation may act to increase the frictional forces between the foundation and the ground substrate to prevent movement of the foundation. The wedge-shaped foundation may have a height of 200mm, 300mm, 400, 500mm, 600mm, 700mm, or any other suitable height. The posts and panels may extend from a top surface of the wedge-shaped foundation to provide the required height.

The foundation may comprise at least two post sockets. The post sockets may be configured to receive and retain the at least two posts therein. In this way, the posts may be attached to the foundation and simultaneously correctly positioned by positioning the posts in the post sockets. The post sockets may have a depth of 100mm, 200mm, 300mm, 400mm, 500mm or any other suitable depth. Post retaining mechanisms may be provided to retain the posts within the post sockets. Any suitable fixing or other mechanism may be provided. Each post socket may have an internal cross-sectional shape that corresponds to an external cross-section shape of the posts. In this way, the posts may fit snugly within the post sockets to reduce or prevent movement of the posts within the sockets. The modular flood defence barrier system may further comprise an access panel. The access panel may be securable to the foundation and/or the post socket to cover a post socket when a post is not positioned in the post socket.

The foundation and/or the panel may comprise a watertight reservoir. The reservoir may be filled with water to act as ballast for the system. The reservoir may be at least partially positioned below ground level, in use. In this way, a relatively large mass of water may be provided in the reservoir, even when flood waters are at a relatively low level. The watertight reservoir may comprise a non-return valve configured such that the watertight reservoir is automatically fillable with flood water. In this way, as flood water rises, the reservoir may be filled with flood water to act as ballast for the system. As such, a user may not necessarily be required to fill the reservoir prior to a flood. The non-return valve may be positioned, in use, at or near to ground level. In this way, the reservoir may be filled by relatively low depths of water.

The watertight reservoir may comprise a water release valve. The water release valve may be operable to drain the watertight reservoir. In this way, water contained in the reservoir, such as flood water, may be stored in the reservoir and released from the reservoir by a user. For example, a user may release the water from the reservoir to water their garden. The water release valve may comprise a hose attachment point. A hose may be attached to the water release valve to convey the water in the reservoir to a desired location. A pump or other ancillary equipment may also be provided to empty the reservoir.

The post attachment part or the panel attachment part may comprise an elongate protrusion and the other of the post attachment part and the panel attachment part may comprise a corresponding attachment slot. The attachment slot may be configured to receive and retain the elongate protrusion therein. The protrusion may have a relatively narrow neck and the slot may have a relatively narrow jaw, such that movement of the protrusion within the slot is limited to movement along a single axis. The axis may be parallel to a longitudinal axis of the post. The seal may be configured to be positioned between the elongate protrusion and a surface of the slot. The seal may be configured to cover the elongate protrusion. In this way, a seal may be provided around all sides of the protrusion. The panel may comprise two or more panel slats configured to be stacked, in use, to form the panel. The panel slats may have a width that is equal to the width of the panel and a height that is a portion of the height of the panel. Each panel slat may have an equal height. For example, each panel slat may have a height of 100mm, 200mm, 250mm, 300mm, 350mm, 400mm, 500mm, or any other suitable height. Preferably, each panel slat has a height of approximately 300mm. The panel may comprise any number of panel slats, such as two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, or any other suitable number of slats.

The number of slats may be dependent on the desired height of the panel and the slat height used. The seal may comprise a third seal member arranged to cover a third gap between the two panel slats. The seal may comprise a plurality of third seal members if the panel comprises more than two panel slats. The panel slats may be configured to interlock. Each panel slat may comprise an elongate protrusion on an upper or lower edge and a corresponding depression on the other of the upper and lower edge. Each panel slat may comprise an extruded panel slat section and two panel slat end caps configured to cover opposing ends of the extruded panel slat section. In this way, a user may reduce a width of the panel slat by removing a slat end cap, cutting the extruded panel slat section to size, and replacing the slat end cap.

All edges or connection points may be chamfered, bull nosed, curved or otherwise non sharp. Sharp edges, such as an internal edge with a radius of curvature of approximately zero, will concentrate stresses and result in a vulnerable or weak portion of the system. Accordingly, smoothing sharp edges results in a more resilient and/or stronger panel.

The foundation may comprise an elongate depression configured to receive an edge of the panel therein. In this way, a bottom edge of the panel may supported along the length of the panel. Accordingly, the bottom edge of the panel, which will experience the greatest forces from flood waters, may be less likely to fail and leak water. Alternatively, the foundation may comprise an elongate protrusion, and the bottom edge of the panel may comprise an elongate depression configured to receive the elongate protrusion of the foundation therein. The seal may comprise a fourth seal member configured to seal a gap between the panel and the foundation. In this way, water may be prevented from passing under the panel.

The modular flood defence barrier system may further comprise a post cap. The system may comprise a number of post caps equal to the number of posts. The post cap may be attachable to a free end of a post. The post cap may comprise a fixing such as a bolt or screw configured to attach the post cap to a top surface of the post. The post cap may have a width greater than at least the lowest width of the post. The post cap may have a width greater than a largest width of the post. For example, the post may be 100mm square and the post cap may be 110mm square. Other arrangements are envisaged. The post cap may be configured to prevent movement of the panel past the post cap. In this way, the post cap may prevent removal of the panel from the post. The system may be arranged such that the post cap urges the panel towards the foundation. The system may be arranged such that the panel is compressed between the foundation and the post cap. As such, a better seal may be provided between the panel and the foundation. Additionally, if the panel is formed of a number of panel slats, a better seal may be provided between the panel slats.

Each post may comprise at least two post attachment parts. The post attachment parts may be provided on different sides of the post. In this way, the barrier may be continued beyond the post. Each post may have a quadrilateral cross-sectional profile and may include a post attachment part on each side of the quadrilateral cross-sectional profile. In this way, the barrier may be continued substantially rectilinearly, or may divert at an angle, such as 90°, from the post. Posts with the necessary angle between post attachment parts may be used.

The modular flood defence barrier system may further comprise an accessory member. The accessory member may comprise an accessory attachment part configured to interlock with a post attachment part such that an accessory extends away from the associated post. The accessory may comprise a hook for a hanging basket or other ornament, a bird bath, a bird feeder, or any other desirable garden or outdoor accessory. The accessory member may be height adjustable relative to the post. For example, the accessory member may comprise a number of spacers that are positionable below the accessory member to increase the height of the accessory member.

The modular flood defence barrier system may further comprise an entrance barrier. The entrance barrier may be configured to be releasably attachable to two adjacent posts and form a watertight seal between the two adjacent posts. In this way, a gap may be left between two posts to serve as an entrance or access point, and the entrance barrier may be positioned to cover the entrance should a flood be predicted. The entrance barrier may be rotatably attached to a post such that the entrance barrier operates as a gate or door. The entrance barrier may be similar in construction to the panel.

The modular flood defence barrier system may further comprise a roof member. The roof member may be attachable to the posts and may be configured to be arranged, in use, to overlap the ground substrate and provide a roof structure. In this way, the system may be used to provide a shelter or enclosed structure, such as a shed, garage or other building. The roof member may be similar in construction to the panel.

When not required, the system may be palletised and stacked in discrete storage pods. In this way, a relatively long length of flood defence barrier may be stored and may be deployed to an area in which a flood is predicted.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a flood defence barrier erection method comprising the steps: providing the modular flood defence barrier system of the first aspect; mounting the foundation in or on the ground substrate; attaching the first post and the second post to the foundation; interlocking the first panel attachment part with the post attachment part of the first post; interlocking the second panel attachment part with the post attachment part of the second post; arranging the first seal member to cover the first gap between the panel and the first post; and arranging the second seal member to cover the second gap between the panel and the second post.

Additional method steps related to the optional features of the first aspect of the disclosure are envisaged.

Example System

An example system has been modelled and tested. The example system includes post sockets, posts and a panel as described herein. The panel comprises seven panel slats 300mm in height and 1400mm in. The panel slats are stacked to form a panel having a total height of 2100mm. The panel slats comprise extruded middle portions and end caps, as discussed herein, and rubber seals were positioned between the slats. A talc filled polypropylene with an isotropic elasticity of 827 MPa and a Poisson’s ration of 0.344 was used for the extruded portions and end caps. A neoprene rubber having an initial shear modulus of 0.027104 MPa and an incompressibility parameter D1 = 0.14429 MPa ¹ was used for the seals. All contact surfaces were assumed to be frictional contact with a coefficient of friction of 0.1. The left and right vertical edges of the panel were bounded to simulate attachment to the posts. The upper and lower horizontal edges of the panel were not bounded. The panel was tested against 2100mm depth flood water. The highest hydrostatic pressure observed was 0.02078 MPa exerted on the bottom edge of the panel. The central point of the bottom edge of the panel had the largest out of plane deflection of 14.26 mm. The largest stress values observed was 19.248 MPa at a connecting region of the end caps of the lowest panel slat, between the post and the extruded panel section, as the end caps are subject to significant bending or torsion forces.

The system was found to successfully withstand the 2100mm depth flood water. No separation of the extruded portion and end caps, nor of the end caps and posts, was observed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The disclosure will be further described with reference to examples depicted in the accompanying figures in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a modular flood defence barrier including a first foundation;

Figure 2 is schematic perspective view of a modular flood defence barrier including a second foundation;

Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the second foundation shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a first schematic perspective view of a third foundation;

Figure 5 is a second schematic perspective view of the third foundation shown in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is an exploded view of a first portion of a post and panel slat of the modular flood defence barrier shown in Figure 1;

Figure 7 is an exploded view of a second portion of the post and panel slat of the modular flood defence barrier shown in Figure 1 ; and

Figure 8 is an exploded view of the post shown in Figures 6 and 7 and post socket shown in Figures 2 to 5. Detailed Description

The following description presents particular examples and, together with the drawings, serves to explain principles of the disclosure. However, the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to the precise details of the examples, since variations will be apparent to a skilled person and are deemed to be covered by the description. Terms for components used herein should be given a broad interpretation that also encompasses equivalent functions and features. In some cases, alternative terms for structural features may be provided but such terms are not intended to be exhaustive.

Descriptive terms should also be given the broadest possible interpretation; e.g. the term "comprising" as used in this specification means "consisting at least in part of" such that interpreting each statement in this specification that includes the term "comprising", features other than that or those prefaced by the term may also be present. Related terms such as "comprise" and "comprises" are to be interpreted in the same manner. Directional terms such as “vertical”, “horizontal”, “up”, “down”, “top”, “bottom”, “upper” and “lower” are used for convenience of explanation usually with reference to the illustrations and are not intended to be ultimately limiting if an equivalent function can be achieved with an alternative dimension, orientation and/or direction.

The description herein refers to examples with particular combinations of features, however, it is envisaged that further combinations and cross-combinations of compatible features between embodiments will be possible. Indeed, isolated features may function independently as an invention from other features and not necessarily require implementation as a complete combination.

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a modular flood defence barrier 100 including a first foundation 110. The foundation 110 is substantially wedge-shaped or triangular in cross-section, with a relatively large and flat surface arranged lowermost such that a width of the foundation 110 reduces as the height increases. The foundation 110 includes several foundation modules 111 that are arranged to abut at their ends to form a continuous foundation structure. The foundation 110 is configured to sit on a ground substrate 120 which may be earth, soil, a road, a pathway or any other suitable substrate.

The foundation 110 may be solid and may be formed of concrete, plastic, metal, any other suitable material or any combination of such materials. The foundation may comprise lifting points such as eyelets to allow a crane or other lifting equipment to lift the foundation modules 111. Alternatively, the foundation 110 or foundation modules 111 may comprise a reservoir configured to be filled with water to act as ballast. The foundation or foundation modules 111 may comprise a non-return valve configured to allow the reservoir to be filled with flood water.

A post 130 is attached to the foundation 110 at each end of each foundation module 111.

The posts 130 are arranged such that the posts 130 extend vertically from the foundation 110 away from the ground substrate 120. Panels 140 are arranged between the posts 130 to form a continuous barrier. The posts 130 and panels 140 each include mutually interlocking attachment parts that are discussed in more detail with reference to Figure 6 below. The panels 140 are each made up of mutually interlocking panel slats 141 with seals (not shown) positioned between the slats 141. The slats 141 extend along the entire width of the panel 140 between the posts 130 such that each slat 141 is attached at each end to a post 130. The slats 141 are only a portion of the height of the overall panel 140. A user may tailor the height of the panel 140 by providing more or fewer slats 141.

To erect the modular flood defence barrier 100, a user may first place the foundation modules 111 on the ground substrate 120 to form a continuous foundation 100. Then, the user may attach the posts 130 to the foundation 110, before attaching the panels 140 to the posts 130 to form a continuous barrier. Seals (not shown) are provided between each of the components such that the modular flood defence barrier 100 is watertight. The first foundation 110 is particularly applicable in scenarios in which emergency or reactive flood defence is required.

Figure 2 is schematic perspective view of a modular flood defence barrier 100 including a second foundation 210. The posts 130 and panels 140 are as described with reference to Figure 1 above. The second foundation 210 is configured to be buried in the ground substrate 120. Accordingly, the second foundation 210 is particularly applicable to scenarios in which permanent flood defence barriers are required. The foundation 210 is again formed of a plurality of foundation modules 211 that are placed to abut each other and form a continuous foundation structure. Each foundation module 211 includes a substantially cuboidal upper portion 212 which is attached to a lower portion 213. The lower portion 213 has a larger cross-sectional area than the upper portion 212. The lower and/or upper portions may be formed off site and buried in the ground substrate 120, or they may be formed in situ such as by pouring concrete or another curable material. Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the second foundation 210 shown in Figure 2. The foundation 210 includes two foundation modules 211-1, 211-2 that are staggered in height. Such an arrangement may be used when a difference in height or depth of the system is required, such as on sloping ground. The ground substrate 120 is landscaped to be stepped such that the foundation modules 211-1, 211-2 placed on the ground substrate 120 are also stepped in height. Each foundation module 211-1, 211-2 includes a post socket 214 configured to receive and retain a post (not shown) therein. The post socket 214 is described in more detail with reference to Figure 8 below.

Figures 4 and 5 are first and second schematic perspective views of a third foundation 310. The third foundation 310 is identical to the second foundation 210 shown in Figures 2 and 3 save for elongate protrusions 314 arranged on the upper surface of each foundation module 311. The protrusions 314 extend along the entire length of the foundation module 311. The protrusions 314 are configured to be received within an elongate slot on a lower edge of the panel (not shown) such that the lower edge of the panel is supported against bending forces. A seal member may be provided to seal the gap between the elongate protrusion 314 and the slot on the panel. The protrusion 314 is shown to have a rounded or bullnose upper edge, but any shape of protrusion 314 may be provided. Alternatively, each foundation module may comprise an elongate slot and the lower edge of the panel may comprise an elongate protrusion, to achieve the same effect.

Figure 6 is an exploded view of a first portion of a post 130 and panel slat 141 of the modular flood defence barrier 100 shown in Figure 1. The post 130 has a substantially square cross- section with a groove 131 running along the length of the post 130 on each of the four sides of the post 130. Each groove 131 is rounded and has a maximum width or diameter that is set back from the surface of the post 130. As such, the groove 131 has a relatively narrow entrance.

The panel slat 141 comprises an extruded slat portion 142 having a substantially rectangular cross-section. An end cap 143 is provided at each end of the slat portion 142. The end cap 143 comprises a rounded protrusion 144 that extends across the height of the panel slat 141 and corresponding in cross-sectional shape to the cross-sectional shape of the groove 131. Accordingly, the protrusion 144 has a relatively narrow neck arrangeable, in use, adjacent to the narrow entrance of the groove. In this way, the protrusion 144 may be slid into the groove 131 from the top of the post 130, and movement of the panel slat 141 away from the post 130 may be prevented.

The panel slat 141 comprises an elongate protrusion 145 extending from the upper surface of the panel slat 141. The lower surface of the panel slat 141 also includes a corresponding depression or slot configured to receive the protrusion 145 of the slat 141 below such that two adjacent panel slats 141 interlock. A first seal member 146 is provided to cover the protrusion 145 and seal the gap between two adjacent panel slats 141. A second seal member 147 is provided to cover the top of the end cap 143 such that the gap between two adjacent end caps 143 is sealed. A press fit or other suitable attachment means may be provided between the extruded slat portion 142 and the end caps 143.

Figure 7 is an exploded view of a second portion of the post and panel slat of the modular flood defence 100 barrier shown in Figure 1. A post cap 132 is provided to cover the top surface of the post 130. A bolt or screw 133 passes through the post cap 132 and is securable in a threaded socket 134 in the top of the post 130. Other fixing means are envisaged. Once the post 130 has been installed on the foundation, the panel slats 141 may be installed by sliding the end caps 143 into the post groove 131. As described previously, several panel slats 141 are used to form the panel. The post cap 132 is larger than the cross-section of the post 130 and has a shaped bottom surface that corresponds to the shape of the post 130 cross-section, such that the post cap 132 and post 130 interlock. The post cap 132 is configured to press down on the uppermost panel slat 141 such that the panel slats 141 are compressed between the post cap 132 and the foundation, thereby improving the seal between the panel slats 141.

Figure 8 is an exploded view of the post 130 shown in Figures 6 and 7 and post socket 214 shown in Figures 2 to 5. As discussed with reference to Figure 6 above, the post 130 includes grooves 131 on each of the four sides of the post 130. The post socket 214 is substantially cuboidal and has an interior cross-section that corresponds to the exterior cross-section of the post 131 , such that the post 130 and post socket 214 mate. The post socket 214 includes rounded protrusions 215 configured to be received within the grooves 131 of the post 130 such that a stable support is provided for the post 130.

The examples depicted and described herein are provided for reference only. Each or any of the depicted examples may include a greater or lesser number of features, as will be apparent from the entirety of the present disclosure.