Energy absorbing wall assemblies and related methods

Abstract

Energy absorbing wall assemblies, structures including energy absorbing wall assemblies, methods of making energy absorbing wall assemblies, and methods of utilizing energy absorbing wall assemblies are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, energy absorbing wall assemblies may include a first self-supporting wall structure, a second self-supporting wall structure, and an energy absorbing filler material positioned between the first self-supporting wall structure and the second self-supporting wall structure. In additional embodiments, methods of making an energy absorbing wall assembly may include assembling a first self-supporting wall structure, and assembling a second self-supporting wall structure defining a space between the first self-supporting wall structure and the second self-supporting wall structure. The methods may further include flowing an energy absorbing filler material into the space between the first self-supporting wall structure and the second self-supporting wall structure.

1 . An energy absorbing wall assembly, comprising:
 a first self-supporting wall structure;   a second self-supporting wall structure; and   an energy absorbing filler material positioned between the first self-supporting wall structure and the second self-supporting wall structure.   
     
     
         2 . The energy absorbing wall assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the energy absorbing filler material comprises a collapsible material.   
     
     
         3 . The energy absorbing wall assembly of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the collapsible material comprises cellular concrete.   
     
     
         4 . The energy absorbing wall assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the energy absorbing filler material comprises a flowable particulate.   
     
     
         5 . The energy absorbing wall assembly of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the flowable particulate comprises at least one of sand, dirt and gravel.   
     
     
         6 . The energy absorbing wall assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first self-supporting wall structure comprises a first column and panel fence. 
     
     
         7 . The energy absorbing wall assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the second self-supporting wall structure comprises a second column and panel fence. 
     
     
         8 . The energy absorbing wall assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the columns of the first column and panel fence and the second column and panel fence comprise:
 an elongated member having a first end secured to a footing and a second end;   a first column face and an opposing second column face forming at least one channel therebetween sized and configured to receive an end portion of at least one fence panel; and   a cross-piece having a first end coupled to the first column face, a second end coupled to the second column face and an intermediate portion coupled to the second end of the elongated member, the cross-piece and the elongated member being placed in tension by the footing, the first column face and the second column face at least when an end portion of at least one fence panel is positioned in the at least one channel.   
     
     
         9 . The energy absorbing wall assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second self-supporting wall structure is positioned substantially parallel to the first self-supporting wall structure. 
     
     
         10 . The energy absorbing wall assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a permeable fence positioned between the first self-supporting wall structure and the second self-supporting wall structure. 
     
     
         11 . The energy absorbing wall assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the permeable fence extends above the first self-supporting wall structure and the second self-supporting wall structure. 
     
     
         12 . The energy absorbing wall assembly of  claim 11 , wherein a lower portion of the permeable fence is surrounded by the energy absorbing filler material. 
     
     
         13 . The energy absorbing wall assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the permeable fence comprises a chain-link fence. 
     
     
         14 . The energy absorbing wall assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the filler material further comprises discrete energy absorbing structures positioned between the first self-supporting wall structure and the second self-supporting wall structure. 
     
     
         15 . The energy absorbing wall assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the discrete energy absorbing structures comprise used tires. 
     
     
         16 . The energy absorbing wall assembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first self-supporting wall structure and the second self-supporting wall structure have the appearance of a conventional fence. 
     
     
         17 . A method of making an energy absorbing wall assembly, the method comprising:
 assembling a first self-supporting wall structure;   assembling a second self-supporting wall structure defining a space between the first self-supporting wall structure and the second self-supporting wall structure; and   flowing a filler material into the space between the first self-supporting wall structure and the second self-supporting wall structure.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein flowing a filler material into the space between the first self-supporting wall structure and the second self-supporting wall structure comprises flowing an uncured cellular concrete into the space between the first self-supporting wall structure and the second self-supporting wall structure. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein flowing a filler material into the space between the first self-supporting wall structure and the second self-supporting wall structure comprises flowing a particulate into the space between the first self-supporting wall structure and the second self-supporting wall structure. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising assembling a permeable fence between the first self-supporting wall structure and the second self-supporting wall structure. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising flowing the filler material through at least a portion of the permeable fence. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising positioning discrete energy absorbing structures between the first self-supporting wall structure and the second self-supporting wall structure. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising flowing the filler material around the discrete energy absorbing structures.