GB2374609A

GB2374609A - Building support comprising reservoir

Info

Publication number: GB2374609A
Application number: GB0116246A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Patrick Smith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-07-05
Filing date: 2001-07-05
Publication date: 2002-10-23
Anticipated expiration: 2021-07-05
Also published as: GB2374609B; GB0116246D0

Abstract

A building support 4 comprises a reservoir 1 for retaining excess fluid, and which has a plurality of load bearing supports 3 therein, and a fluid inlet 5 and outlet (6, Fig 2, not shown). The inlet 5 is arranged so that excess fluid is diverted into the chamber 1 when the fluid level of a source such as a river or sewer reaches a predetermined critical point. Any gas formed may be collected, sensors may monitor fluid levels, and pumps may be provided for fluid removal.

Description

The Building Support with Reservoir Introduction to description The present invention relates to building supports and more particularly to building supports comprising a reservoir for retaining excess fluid to help reduce the risk of overflow and/or flooding.

Background of the invention Land and buildings located close to a river or sewer system are at risk from flooding and contamination if, for example, there has been a prolonged period of heavy rainfall or a blockage of some sort. Depending on the nature of the flooding lives may even be at risk. Sufficient overflow and flood defences are therefore required to reduce the risk. Sandbags may be used to build up a protective wall or the water source/sewer may be pumped to help remove some of the excess fluid. However, these prevention methods take time to implement and the damage may have already occurred before the necessary equipment and manpower has arrived.

Flood defences are particularly important if properties have been built directly alongside a riverbank. Since space is often restricted in this situation the types of defences available are limited, unsightly, intrusive and often expensive to implement.

Also, development on land close to a river or sewer system is often severely restricted due to the potential risk of flooding. Depending on the nature and frequency of flooding this land may even not be suitable for farming and may therefore become redundant.

Summary of the invention The object of the present invention is to provide a convenient solution to some of these problems. It is achieved by providing a building support comprising a reservoir

for retaining fluid to store excess fluid from a water source or sewer system when the fluid level has reached a critical point. This is the point at which the water source is in danger of flooding or a sewer system in danger of overflowing.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a building support comprising a reservoir for retaining fluid whereby the reservoir includes a chamber and fluid inlet and outlet, characterised in that the chamber is provided with a plurality of load bearing support members interspersed therein.

Preferably the reservoir is suitable for storing excess fluid from a water source and/or sewer system. If sewage is stored then preferably the reservoir is adapted to collect gas formed.

Preferably at least one sensor is used to detect the fluid level in a water source or sewer system and enables water to be diverted to the chamber by opening the fluid inlet.

Brief description of the drawing The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 provides a side elevation view of an example of a building support according to the present invention.

Figure 2 provides a perspective view of the building support of figure 1.

Figure 3 provides a side elevation view of the building support of figure 1 embedded within the riverbank.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiment Figures 1 and 2 depict the building support in detail and figure 3 shows the system in operation alongside a river. The reservoir for retaining excess water from the river includes a chamber (1) and fluid inlet (5) and outlet (6). The chamber (1) is constructed substantially from concrete and lined. A network of steel girders (2) and support pillars (3) are interspersed throughout the chamber (1) such that the building support can bear the load of, for example, a concrete lid (4) and at least one building.

The fluid inlet (5) and outlet (6) may be part of a network of pipes such that river water can be diverted to and from the chamber easily. The fluid inlet and outlet is preferably opened and closed using electronic means. The fluid inlet and outlet may also be adapted to be opened and closed manually. The pipes may be made of any conventional material, e. g. plastics, preferably polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The reservoir may also include water collection pumps (7) in case the chamber reaches capacity and needs to be emptied. Also, the fluid outlet (6) may include a pump so that water may be pumped back into the river. At least one airpipe (not shown) will also be provided so that air is not trapped. At least one sensor (not shown) is used to detect the water level of the river and open or close the inlet as necessary. A control box, placed above ground, (not shown) may be used to control the reservoir of the building support. Access and staircases into the chamber may be included so it can be cleaned. An extraction fan system may also be required if the chamber is to be manually cleaned.

The side elevation of figure 3 depicts the building support embedded within the riverbank with pipes extending from the chamber into the river. If the sensor detects the water level of the river has reached a critical point where it is about to overflow the inlet is opened and excess fluid is diverted into the chamber to reduce the risk of flooding. Obviously the chamber is arranged within the riverbank at a greater depth relative to the critical point such that the diverted river water can flow to into the chamber under the force of gravity.

When the water level has dropped to a safe point and the risk of flooding has subsided the water may either be released back into the river through the outlet (6) or held within the chamber to create an underground reservoir. The water stored in this manner could be used as an emergency backup supply in the event of a drought or to supplement the regular municipal water supply.

If the risk of flooding remains over a period of time the chamber may be at risk of filling to capacity. Water pumps (7) may be used to pump out stored river water from the chamber. The water may be diverted to the sewer system or further storage unit.

Thus, the building support may continue to divert the excess fluid from the river and help prevent it from overflowing.

The reservoir may also include a hydroelectric turbine system such that electrical energy may be generated as water flows in and out of the chamber.

It will be appreciated that the chamber of the building support may also be suitable for storing excess fluid from a sewer system in danger of overflowing. The chamber may also be adapted to collect gas that forms as the sewerage decomposes. One of the gases that forms is methane. If this gas is collected it could be used as an inexpensive alternative fuel.

The load bearing support members interspersed throughout the chamber enable the building support to withstand the weight of buildings. This means that the building support can be formed under houses, factories, farmland etc that are close to water sources and sewer systems. Therefore, the building support can be used to help reduce the risk of flooding or overflow without being unsightly, intrusive or taking up valuable space. Also, future development of an area considered to at risk, e. g. a flood plain, may now be considered since building supports can be incorporated easily during the construction phase.

Claims

Claims 1. A building support comprising a reservoir for retaining fluid whereby the reservoir includes a chamber and fluid inlet and outlet, characterised in that the chamber is provided with a plurality of load bearing support members interspersed therein.
2. A building support according to claim 1 in which the reservoir is suitable for storing excess fluid from a water source and/or sewer system.
3. A building support according to claim 2 in which excess fluid from a sewer system is stored and gas formed is collected.
4. A building support according to claims 2 or 3 whereby at least one sensor detects the fluid level in the water source or sewer system and enables the fluid to be diverted to the chamber if it reaches a critical point.
5. A building support according claim 4 whereby the at least one sensor opens the inlet to the chamber when the fluid level reaches a critical point.
6. A building support according to any of the preceding claims whereby the reservoir is provided with at least one pump to pump out fluid from the chamber as it nears capacity.
7. A building support according to any of the preceding claims whereby the chamber is constructed substantially from concrete.
8. A building support according to any of the preceding claims whereby the fluid inlet and outlet are part of a network of pipes.
9. A building support according to claim 8 whereby the network of pipes is made from plastic.

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10. A method of diverting and retaining fluid using the building support according to any of the preceding claims.
11. A storage system substantially as herein described with reference to and/or illustrated in figures 1,2 and 3.