Tension Membrane Water Retaining Structures

Since the first recorded use of mitre gates in a canal in Milan during the 15th century there is a consistent aspect to all gate styles. Whether the gate style is mitre, flap, or sector, the main structural element is rigid. From the earliest gates that were constructed from structural timber to be followed by iron and currently to steel, gates are all designed to be rigid. Rigid in that the design assumes an elastic deformation, perhaps with plastic design applying appropriate factors of safety with bending moments, shear forces and axial loading: compression and components of beam, struc and/or arch. These fundamental structural components are well established in not only gate design, but also for building design, bridge design, etc. However, there would be an outcry if the design of a sail for a boat were rigid. Sails are flexible to allow their easy storage, maneuvering into position and freedom to best respond to wind loading. As there are fundamental similarities to gas and fluid physics why not use a flexible membrane in a structural context to control water levels in maritime uses such as lock gates? The following sections will consider the established gate forms and their inefficiencies in retaining water levels together with the changing operational maritime environment of such structures. Also to be discusses is the use of an alternative, innovative form of gate structure as a way forward in water retention for maritime uses.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/1845640101
• Corporate Authors:

  WIT Press

  Ashurst Lodge
  Ashurst, Southampton  United Kingdom  SO40 7AA
• Authors:
  • Cullen, M
• Conference:
  • Maritime Heritage and Modern Ports. Second International Conference on Maritime Heritage and the Fourth International Conference on Maritime Engineering, Ports and Waterways
  • Location: Barcelona , Spain
  • Date: 2005-4-18 to 2005-4-22
• Publication Date: 2005-3

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: pp 427-436
• Monograph Title: Maritime Heritage and Modern Ports

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Beams; Bridge design; Elastic deformation; Gates; Membrane curing; Plastics; Retaining walls; Safety; Steel; Tension; Water supply structures
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Marine Transportation; Materials; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01001453
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 1845640101
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 29 2005 1:00PM