Prefabricated levee apparatus and system

Abstract

A levee apparatus and system for impeding and controlling the flow of fluids, primarily the flow of water as experienced in a flood or storm surge consisting of a light weight concrete structure with reinforcing steel rebar depending on the application. It is constructed from prefabricated sections with the tongue and groove ends designed to fit together which, when used in conjunction with a rubber gasket, will produce a water tight seal. The structure would be hollow with an opening along the unprotected face to provide a location for the surge water to enter. The structure would have flap-gates on the protected side and on the unprotected side. This would allow flood waters from the protected side to push open the flap-gate and exit the protected side based on the pressure equalization of the flood waters. Once inside the structure any water would then drain from the structure through the flap-gate on the unprotected side when the surge water diminishes. The structure could be placed simply on top of the existing soils or anchored in place to prevent potential changes in alignment. Two main modifications to this design include utilization of a rubberized base which would allow the top portion of the structure to rise into position, and the adjustment of the flap-gate position to change the use of the structure from solely a flood protection system to a retention control system.

1 . A levee apparatus for impeding and controlling the flow of water as experienced in a flood or storm surge, comprising a plurality of adjacent prefabricated hollow sections each with a right end and a left end, each of said sections placed against an adjacent section with the right end of each of said sections sealed with the left end of the adjacent section to form a continuous watertight hollow structure and system for impeding and controlling the flow of water from an unprotected side to a protected side, each of said sections having a protected surface adjacent to the protected side, an unprotected surface adjacent to the unprotected side, a top side, a bottom side, a continuous grated opening above the horizontal surface on the unprotected surface to allow water from the unprotected side to enter the continuous hollow structure formed by said sections. 
   
   
       2 . The levee apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of protected side flap-gates on the protected surface of each of said section to allow water flow from the protected side to the continuous hollow section, and a plurality of unprotected side flap-gates on the unprotected surface to allow water flow from the continuous hollow section to the unprotected side. 
   
   
       3 . The levee apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the right end and left end of each sections further comprise either a tongue or groove configuration for engagement with the respective tongue or groove configuration on the right end or left end of the adjacent section and said tongue or groove configuration further comprise a resilient gasket to create a watertight seal between adjacent sections. 
   
   
       4 . The levee apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the right end and left end of each sections further comprise either a tongue or groove configuration for engagement with the respective tongue or groove configuration on the right end or left end of the adjacent section and said tongue or groove configuration further comprise a resilient gasket to create a watertight seal between adjacent sections. 
   
   
       5 . The levee apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising an anchoring system to prevent movement of the sections. 
   
   
       6 . The levee apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising an anchoring system to prevent movement of the sections. 
   
   
       7 . The levee apparatus of  claim 3  further comprising an anchoring system to prevent movement of the sections. 
   
   
       8 . The levee apparatus of  claim 4  further comprising an anchoring system to prevent movement of the sections. 
   
   
       9 . The levee apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the bottom side further comprises a rubberized base. 
   
   
       10 . The levee apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the bottom side further comprises a rubberized base. 
   
   
       11 . The levee apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the sections are reinforced lightweight concrete. 
   
   
       12 . The levee apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the sections are reinforced lightweight concrete. 
   
   
       13 . The levee apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the sections are reinforced lightweight concrete. 
   
   
       14 . The levee apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the sections are reinforced lightweight concrete.