Floodwalls: Features and Drawbacks
In order to prevent water from rising and seeping into buildings, floodwalls are concrete structures designed to block water from rising and seeping into them. If lakes, rivers, or other waterways rise above normal levels, these flood barriers help contain the water.
There are several types of floodwalls, including cantilever walls, basic I-walls, buttress walls, gravity walls, and sheet pile walls.
Define Floodwalls
Floodwalls and levees are barriers that keep floodwaters away. There is a greater need for land area when building a levee because it is constructed from compacted soil. Typically, floodwalls are constructed from concrete or masonry. An entire structure may be surrounded by these structures or they may tie into high ground at either end.
Floodwalls Features
Floodwalls are made from concrete, masonry, or steel & designed to prevent floodwater from encroaching. Typically, they are built in urban or industrial areas where space is limited.
There are three main functions of a floodwall protect against flooding, protect enclosed areas from hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads, and provide a barrier against inundation. It keeps the building away from flood borne debris.
Floodwalls are typically constructed away from the building to avoid structural defects or modifications to the building.
Floodwalls vary in terms of their location and coverage depending on the type of terrain on which they are built.
It is important to note that the floodwalls surrounding the site are designed with openings for access to the site.
Floodwalls Types
Inverted T-lever Cantilever Floodwalls
Construction and design are less expensive than other floodwalls. As the name implies, the floodwall is made up of a cantilever, where one end is supported by a beam, and another ends up carrying the load.
In addition to the soil weight at the heel portion of the base of the T-type cantilever, its own weight contributes to its stability. Reinforced concrete is usually used for this type of structure. In order to retain the mass behind the wall, the wall uses a cantilever action.
Buttress Floodwalls
There is a transverse support wall on the heel side of the shoe. The concrete buttress is situated on the opposite side of the water retentive structure. Due to the buttress's size, it is not commonly used.
Gravity Floodwalls
Floodwater finds it difficult to move the heavy floodwall structure below ground. Floodwalls of this type are the simplest. This device works by utilizing gravity and its weight.
It is designed at a right angle to hold onto the ground with a larger & heavier base than the top. The construction of this structure requires a lot of concrete.
Counter fort Floodwalls
On the side of the retaining water, there is a traverse support wall. In addition to providing extra space on the other side, the supporting walls are hidden under water or soil. Therefore, it is more widely used than buttressed walls.
I Walls
As there is no need for a base slab, or cantilever, I-walls are cheaper than T-slabs.
There are several types of I-walls, including sheet pile I-walls, modified I-walls, and Type two I-walls.
Merits of Flood Walls
Ensure that the area around the structure is protected from flooding. Prevent structural damage to the building caused by water pressure. Compared to relocating or elevating, it is a better option.
Demerits of Flood Walls
Water related issues can result in areas outside a floodwall when a floodwall affects the local drainage system. Large floods and floods that last for a long time cannot be solved with floodwalls. There are some laws and codes that prohibit the construction of floodwalls.
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