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Metalith H2O testingThe Metalith H2O flood control barriers were tested at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Engineering Research and Development Center (ERDC) in Vicksburg, Mississippi to determine their ability to withstand a wide variety of flood-related issues. In late April and early May of 2007, Infrastructure Defense Technologies (IDT) contracted through the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) to have the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Engineering Research and Development Center (ERDC) in Vicksburg, Mississippi conduct extensive, multi-week, testing on our Metalith H2O flood control barriers. They performed all the evaluation and testing of the product materials used to assemble the Metalith H2O. They also performed all water-related testing over a two-week period. Major items include:
Infrastructure Defense Technologies personnel assembled the Metalith H2O flood fighting barriers in the wave tank at the Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), Waterways Experiment Station (WES) in Vicksburg, Mississippi. The results were very positive. Observed strengths included:
Testing protocol requirement highlightsThe USACE had a very specific protocol for testing flood fighting barriers. The most critical points of the testing protocol included:
ConstructionThe USACE recorded via videotape and documented information concerning construction. These included:
The USACE reported that the flood fighting barrier was erected in 1.73 man hours and took 2.80 man-hours to prepare before fill could be added. This is by far the fastest any USACE tested flood fighting barrier has been erected ready for testing. Other products currently available take a minimum of 2 to 3 times longer to assemble! The use of traditional sandbags takes nearly 20 times longer.
Hydrostatic testing
As noted in the official USACE report, a 65-foot-long, 3-foot-high by 4-foot deep section of Metalith H2O flood control barriers were subjected to the pressures induced by slowing rising water in the test facility on the "wet" or simulated river side of the barrier. Water was added to achieve three testing levels. They were:
For each test the USACE was looking for movement of the barrier At each increment of the hydrostatic test, the water level was held at a constant stage for a minimum of 22 hours. Continuous measurements were made of seepages through the interface and the body of IFFS. Any observable movement of the Metalith H2O flood protection barriers were documented and recorded on video. The barriers were measured for any lateral deflection at up to eight different locations in order to determine whether they remained sound as the static loading increased. Measurements, in terms of average volumetric quantity per unit of time, were used to calculate amounts of water flowing under or through the barrier.
Wave induced hydrodynamic testingThe USACE personnel conducted wave tests at two different still water depths, 2.0 feet and 2.4 feet. The USACE generated waves two inches tall, continuously, for 7 hours. The next day, the USACE personnel generated waves 7 to 8 inches tall, allowing the waves to impact the Metalith H2O flood barriers for 30 minutes in 3 10-minute increments. They next generated 10-12 inch tall waves that impacted the Metalith H2O barriers for a 10-minute span. USACE personnel measured seepage rates and displacement. The Metalith H2O flood control barriers displayed some of the best seepage rates recorded for any flood fighting barrier product tested, especially for products not built for the test itself, but rather commercial product.
Static overtopping testing
The USACE testing personnel slowly raised the water level on the "wet" river side of the Metalith H2O barriers to the height of the barriers plus 1 inch. The test was conducted for 1 hour. USACE test personnel indicated that if a barrier fails at any time the test is terminated. Test personnel videotaped the barrier to determine if any movement occurred. The Metalith H2O barriers lost minimal sand and no problems were noted in the initial reporting.
Debris impact testing
The testing personnel filled the facility to 2/3s the height of the wall, or 2 feet. During the debris impact test, test personnel direct a 12-inch and a 17-inch diameter log into the flood fighting barrier at 5 miles per hour. Each log was pulled by an electric winch to impact the barrier at a 75° angle. Each log was 12-feet long. The purpose of this test was to evaluate the structural response of the Metalith H2O flood protection barriers against a simulated debris load. USACE test personnel measured the movement and noted any damage made to the barrier. The Metalith H2O flood fighting barriers moved approximately 1/4 inch during the log impact test. The test “pass/fail” criteria for the log impact test is 6 inches so the Metalith H2O flood control barriers passed this test with flying colors.
SummaryThe Metalith H2O flood fighting barriers performed to our highest expectations, resisting over 72,000 wave cycles, debris impacts with extremely minimal deformation (only very minor metal bending during the log impact test) and low barrier underseepage. Any issues that were noted during the construction process that were videotaped were to be mentioned in the final testing report. THEY WERE NO ISSUES NOTED. For more information about Infrastructure Defense Technologies' flood barriers and erosion control barriers and applications, please call us at 1-800-379-1822, email us at info@metalithH2O.com, info@infrastructure-defense.com or fill out our contact form.
Product Info | Benefits | Applications | FAQs | Resources The Metalith H2O Copyright ©2003-2008 Infrastructure Defense Technologies.
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For more information about the Metalith H2O flood fighting barriers, please request our FREE BROCHURE by mail. Or you can DOWNLOAD it here.
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