US 2022/0010508 A1 · MUDSLIDE EROSION INHIBITOR

Abstract

A barrier structure for impeding erosion due to mudslides allows mud to enter through large holes in a barrier wall, and water separated from soil to drain out through smaller holes in a rear wall. An underlying reservoir can further stabilize the structure by rapidly collect water and/or mud. A backstop wall and/or an extension can be abutted to a top of the barrier wall to enhance mud collection during a mudslide. The structure can further include a penetrating passage enabling a fraction of impacting mud to flow through unimpeded, and/or a diverting wedge uphill of the apparatus diverts some impacting mud and debris while allowing a remainder thereof to pass through to the barrier wall. A plurality of the barrier structures can be installed such that mud flowing past an uphill structure impacts a downhill structure. The barrier structure can be constructed from biodegradable materials.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A barrier structure for reducing erosion due to mudslides on a slope having a slope direction that is inclined at a slope inclination angle, the barrier structure comprising a barrier apparatus that includes:

a barrier wall having a top and a bottom, the barrier wall being inclined at an angle that exceeds the slope inclination angle by least 20 degrees;
a first plurality of holes penetrating the barrier wall;
a rear wall having a top and a bottom, the rear wall being inclined at an angle that is less than the slope inclination angle, the rear wall being located behind the barrier wall with the top of the rear wall extending to an upper region of the barrier wall so that a chamber space is formed between and bounded by the barrier wall and the rear wall;
and
a second plurality of holes penetrating the apparatus rear wall, the holes of the second plurality of holes being smaller in diameter than the holes of the first plurality of holes, the first plurality of holes being configured to allow mud to flow through the barrier wall and into the chamber space, and the second plurality of holes being configured to allow water to flow through the apparatus rear wall out of the chamber space.

2 more elements

A method of reducing erosion due to mudslides on a slope having a slope direction that is inclined at a slope inclination angle, the method comprising:

providing a barrier structure that includes a barrier apparatus, the barrier apparatus comprising:
a barrier wall having a top and a bottom, the barrier wall being inclined at an angle that exceeds the slope inclination angle by least 20 degrees;
a first plurality of holes penetrating the barrier wall;
a rear wall having a top and a bottom, the rear wall being inclined at an angle that is less than the slope inclination angle, the rear wall being located behind the barrier wall with the top of the rear wall extending to an upper region of the barrier wall so that a chamber space is formed between and bounded by the barrier wall and the rear wall;
and
a second plurality of holes penetrating the apparatus rear wall, the holes of the second plurality of holes being smaller in diameter than the holes of the first plurality of holes, the first plurality of holes being configured to allow mud to flow through the barrier wall and into the chamber space, and the second plurality of holes being configured to allow water to flow through the apparatus rear wall out of the chamber space;
installing the barrier apparatus on a slope that is subject to mudslides;
allowing mud to flow through the barrier wall and into the chamber space;
allowing water included in the mud within the chamber space to separate from soil included in the mud within the chamber space;
and
allowing the water within the chamber space to flow out of the chamber space through the second plurality of holes, while the soil within the chamber space is retained therein;
the retained soil thereby being added to the effective weight of the barrier apparatus and thereby increasing a stability of the barrier structure.

9 more elements

A method of reducing erosion due to mudslides on a slope having a slope direction that is inclined at a slope inclination angle, the method comprising:

installing a plurality of barrier structures on the slope, the plurality of barrier structures comprising at least one uphill barrier structure that is uphill of at least one downhill barrier structure, each of the uphill and downhill barrier structures comprising a barrier apparatus that includes:
a barrier wall having a top and a bottom, the barrier wall being inclined at an angle that exceeds the slope inclination angle by least 20 degrees;
a first plurality of holes penetrating the barrier wall;
a rear wall having a top and a bottom, the rear wall being inclined at an angle that is less than the slope inclination angle, the rear wall being located behind the barrier wall with the top of the rear wall extending to an upper region of the barrier wall so that a chamber space is formed between and bounded by the barrier wall and the rear wall;
and
a second plurality of holes penetrating the apparatus rear wall, the holes of the second plurality of holes being smaller in diameter than the holes of the first plurality of holes, the first plurality of holes being configured to allow mud to flow through the barrier wall and into the chamber space, and the second plurality of holes being configured to allow water to flow through the apparatus rear wall out of the chamber space;
allowing mud from a mudslide to impact the uphill barrier structure such that a first portion of the mud enters the chamber space of the uphill barrier structure while a second portion of the mud passes over, around, or through the uphill barrier structure;
and
allowing the second portion of the mud to impact the downhill barrier structure.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Mudslide erosion inhibitor

Life of this patent

Mudslide erosion inhibitor

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17