WG 166 : Inflatable Structures in Hydraulic Engineering

Published

An inflatable dam is a relatively new gate type, which enables savings to be made on the capital spending and maintenance costs. It consists of a multi-ply rubber membrane, is filled with air or water and clamped to the weir body with one or two fixing bars. Inflatable dams have a number of advantages when compared with steel gates. Inflatable dams are mainly used at movable weirs enabling navigation and hydropower generation, but also at storm surge barriers. Related applications are bulkheads, cofferdams and temporary gates as well as combinations with flap gates.

The objective is gathering the experiences, showing the application range of inflatable structures and developing a compendium. The main objective of the WG is to define a general methodology for the analysis and design of inflatable structures, in particular of the membrane and the anchoring system. Therefore, it is necessary to review the research presenting it in a comprehensive publication to aid designers and operators in their preliminary tasks.

The intent  is to provide a comprehensive summary of best practices that can be incorporated into future design of inflatable structures. Furthermore, a compilation of designs should be created for inflatable structures in conjunction with movable weirs, storm surge barriers and bulkheads. The Working Group will also aim to gather expert analysis on relevant problems in some countries during the implementation of such inflatable structures .

About 18 project reviews are available on the PIANC web site (See Menu "Databases" : http://www.infrastructure.pianc.directory/  )

 

Table of Contents

1 Introduction And Executive Summary

1.1 History And Development

1.2 Aims Of Wg166 And Scope Of The Report

1.3 Relevance Of Inflatable Structures To Waterways

2 Overview

2.1 History Of Inflatable Gates

2.2 Definition

2.3 Main Use Of Inflatable Gates

2.4 Useful Dimensions

2.5 A Comparison Of Inflatable Gates And Flap Gates

2.6 Range Of Application And Filling Media Of Existing Installations

3 Materials & Manufacturing

3.1 General

3.2 Materials

3.3 Equipment

3.4 Special Manufacturing

3.5 Post Manufacture And Logistics

4 General Considerations

4.1 General Function And Application

4.2 Choice Of Filling Medium

4.3 Sedimentation

4.4 Vandalism And Terrorism

4.5 Environmental Issues

5 Design Of Rubber Gates

5.1 Design Considerations

5.2 Design Approach Rubber Fabric

5.3 Clamping System

5.4 Hydraulic Design

6 Design Of Steel-Rubber Gates

6.1 Design Considerations

6.2 Design Approach

6.3 Finite Element Analysis

6.4 Example

6.5 Hydraulic Design

7 Substructure

7.1 General

7.2 Rubber Gate

7.3 Steel-Rubber Gate

8 Mechanical And Electrical Equipment

8.1 General Discussion And Overview

8.2 Air-Filled Structures

8.3 Water-Filled Rubber Gate

8.4 Control And Automation For Air-Filled Structures

8.5 Control And Automation For Water-Filled Structures

8.6 Heating System For Water-Filled Or Air-Filled Inflatable Gates

9 Construction, Commissioning And Warranty

9.1 Introduction

9.2 Construction

9.3 Commissioning

9.4 Warranty

10 Operation & Maintenance

10.1 Operation

10.2 Inspection

10.3 Maintenance

10.4 Bladder Repair Techniques

10.5 Lifetime Monitoring And Replacement

10.6 Example Of Repair Works At Palmer Falls

11.1 Introduction

11.2 Conclusions And Summary Of Case Studies

12 References

 

List of Members

Germany

Michael Gebhardt (Chair)

Jan-Willem Lechtenberg

Thilo Wachholz

France

Julien Aubonnet

Jean-Luc Berterottière

Belgium

Bart De Heyder

Philippe Rigo

The Netherlands

Peter Jansen

Japan

Ichiro Maruyama

United Kingdom

Don Mason

USA

Timothy Paulus

Corresponding Members

Timothee Piré (Belgium)

Pj Henscheid (USA)