Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02743538 2011-06-16
MODULAR FLUID CONTAINMENT BERM
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application
No. 61/355,839 filed June 17, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference
in its entirety.
FIELD
The present disclosure relates generally to fluid containment systems. More
particularly, the present disclosure relates to a modular fluid containment
system.
BACKGROUND
Both temporary and permanent bulk fluid containers are required to have a
secondary
fluid containment system (or berm) to contain fluid spills. As used in this
Background, the
term "berm" encompasses any enclosure positioned about a fluid container and
used to
contain fluid spills. Use of berms offers many benefits, including the
following examples:
protection of the environment, possible reclamation of spilled fluid, and
safety, for example
by containing flammable fluids.
There is a need for temporary fluid stations in many industries. Temporary
fluid
stations typically require secondary fluid containment systems. There is thus
a requirement
for a portable secondary fluid containment system (PSCS). While a PSCS is
portable, it is
ideally also suitable for permanent installation.
Fluid storage tanks may be placed in an area having uneven terrain, obstacles,
or
other irregularities. This may be due to lack of funding or time available to
fully prepare the
site, in contrast with preparation of a permanent installation requiring
secondary fluid
containment. If a fluid storage tank is placed in such a location, it is
possible that a
secondary fluid containment system surrounding the fluid storage tank may have
to
accommodate irregular terrain. Further, it is not uncommon that terrain under
heavy loads
will settle, potentially introducing further irregularities into the terrain.
The abstract of Canadian Patent Application 2,536,011 reads as follows: "A
modular
containment system having a plurality of like sections, each extending between
a male end
and a female end, the male end having a protuberance extending therefrom, the
female end
having at least two female receptacles, one of the at least two female
receptacles adapted to
receive the protuberance of an adjacent section."
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The abstract of US Publication 2007/0278225 reads as follows at publication:
"A
transportable all-terrain berm for collecting and retaining fluid. The berm
includes flexible
impervious sheeting generally formed of a coated fabric. The sheeting is
shaped to include a
floor area surrounded with opposed end and side wall sections forming a
containment area.
The end and side wall sections include adjacent their outer edges spaced
retaining and
support members. The berm includes a plurality of brace members arranged in
vertical
positions about the flooring and adjacent the end and side wall sections. Each
brace
member includes a hook adjacent its upper edge. Also, stabilizer members are
engaged
with the upper ends of adjacent braces and about the berm. The retaining
members are
engaged over the brace members and with the hooks while the support members
are
engaged with the stabilizer members holding the end and side wall sections in
elevated
positions forming the containment area."
A berm may, for example, be assembled from perimeter sections that have a flat
bottom (a "closed-form" perimeter section). A closed-form perimeter section
may be filled
with aggregate or fluid to increase the mass of the perimeter section and
provide greater
stability to a berm assembled from the closed-form perimeter sections. This
may be
necessary depending on the magnitude of forces acting on the perimeter
sections. For
example, if a berm contains fluid at a depth of three feet, the force acting
on the inside
perimeter of the berm would be 280 lbs per foot of length. A seven-foot
perimeter section
must weigh approximately one ton in order to remain stationary when subjected
to the
horizontal the force created by three feet of fluid. Thus, each perimeter
section must have a
relatively large mass to remain stationary if the berm fills with fluid. The
mass requirement
forces operators to deploy heavy perimeter sections or move a significant
quantity of
aggregate or fluid, incurring temporal and other expenses in either case.
It is, therefore, desirable to provide a berm that is assembled from
lightweight
components, amenable to simple and rapid assembly, and which will contain a
large mass of
fluid. Desirable features of a berm include accommodation of uneven terrain,
minimizing
protrusions, portability, and ease of assembly. It is further desirable that a
berm
accommodate changes in terrain over time without effort on the part of a user
of the berm.
SUMMARY
It is an object of the present disclosure to obviate or mitigate at least one
disadvantage of previous berms. The present disclosure provides a fluid
containment berm
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module for assembling a fluid containment berm on terrain. A support member
extends from
the fluid containment member to support the fluid containment member in an
upright position.
A joint component is on one or more of the joining sides for forming an
articulatable joint with
another berm module.
In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a fluid containment berm
module for
assembling a fluid containment berm on terrain, the berm module including:
a fluid containment member having a first side defining a terrain engaging
edge, a second side opposite the first side, and two joining sides each
extending
between the first and second sides;
a support member extending from the fluid containment member to support
the fluid containment member in an upright position; and
a joint component on one or more of the joining sides for forming an
articulatable joint with another berm module.
In an embodiment, the joint component is a flange extending from one of the
joining
sides.
In an embodiment, the joint component is a flange extending from substantially
the
entire joining side.
In an embodiment, the first and second sides are substantially perpendicular
to the
joining sides.
In an embodiment, the support member extends from the fluid containment member
along the second side.
In an embodiment, the support member extends from the fluid containment member
along substantially the entire second side.
In an embodiment, the fluid containment member is a rectilinear plate.
In an embodiment, the fluid containment member is a rectangular plate.
In an embodiment, the support member extends from the fluid containment member
at an angle of between about 10 degrees and about 170 degrees.
In an embodiment, the support member extends from the fluid containment member
at an angle of between about 30 degrees and about 90 degrees.
In an embodiment, the support plate extends from the fluid containment plate
at an
angle of between about 45 degrees and about 75 degrees.
In an embodiment, the support member extends from the fluid containment member
at an angle of about 60 degrees.
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In an embodiment, the support member defines an aperture for attachment of a
connector to secure a liner to the berm module.
In an embodiment, the support member is hingedly connected to the fluid
containment member.
In an embodiment, a connecting member is interposed between the fluid
containment
member and the support member.
In an embodiment, a connecting member is interposed between the fluid
containment
member and the support member and the connecting member extends between the
terrain
engaging edge and the support member.
In an embodiment, a foot extends from the terrain engaging edge for
stabilizing the
berm module in the upright position.
In an embodiment, a foot extends from the terrain engaging edge along
substantially
the entire terrain engaging edge.
In an embodiment, the support member is a support plate, the support plate
comprising a first support side defining a terrain engaging support edge, a
second support
side opposite the first support side, and two joining support sides each
extending between
the first and second support sides.
In an embodiment, the support member is a support plate, the support plate
comprising a first support side defining a terrain engaging support edge, a
second support
side opposite the first support side, and two joining support sides each
extending between
the first and second support sides, and the joint component is a flange
extending from one of
the joining sides and one of the joining support sides.
In an embodiment, the support member is a support plate, the support plate
comprising a first support side defining a terrain engaging support edge, a
second support
side opposite the first support side, and two joining support sides each
extending between
the first and second support sides, the joint component is a flange extending
from one of the
joining sides and one of the joining support sides, and the flange extends
from substantially
the entire joining side and substantially the entire joining support side.
In an embodiment, the support member is a support plate, the support plate
comprising a first support side defining a terrain engaging support edge, a
second support
side opposite the first support side, and two joining support sides each
extending between
the first and second support sides, and the first and second support sides are
substantially
perpendicular to the joining support sides.
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In an embodiment, the support member is a support plate, the support plate
comprising a first support side defining a terrain engaging support edge, a
second support
side opposite the first support side, and two joining support sides each
extending between
the first and second support sides, and the support plate is rectangular.
In an embodiment, the support member is a support plate, the support plate
comprising a first support side defining a terrain engaging support edge, a
second support
side opposite the first support side, and two joining support sides each
extending between
the first and second support sides, and the terrain engaging support edge is
defined by
substantially the entire first support side.
In an embodiment, the support member is a support plate, the support plate
comprising a first support side defining a terrain engaging support edge, a
second support
side opposite the first support side, and two joining support sides each
extending between
the first and second support sides, and the terrain engaging support edge is
serrated.
In an embodiment, the support member is a support plate, the support plate
comprising a first support side defining a terrain engaging support edge, a
second support
side opposite the first support side, and two joining support sides each
extending between
the first and second support sides, and the support plate extends from the
second side at the
second support side.
In an embodiment, the support member is a support plate, the support plate
comprising a first support side defining a terrain engaging support edge, a
second support
side opposite the first support side, and two joining support sides each
extending between
the first and second support sides, and the support plate extends from the
fluid containment
member along substantially the entire second support side.
In an embodiment, the support member is a support plate, the support plate
comprising a first support side defining a terrain engaging support edge, a
second support
side opposite the first support side, and two joining support sides each
extending between
the first and second support sides, the support plate extends from the fluid
containment
member along substantially the entire second support side, and the fluid
containment
member and the support plate define an aperture for lifting the berm module,
the aperture
defined on and proximate to the second side and the second support side.
In an embodiment, the support member is a support plate, the support plate
comprising a first support side defining a terrain engaging support edge, a
second support
side opposite the first support side, and two joining support sides each
extending between
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the first and second support sides, and a connecting member is interposed
between the fluid
containment member and the support plate.
In an embodiment, the support member is a support plate, the support plate
comprising a first support side defining a terrain engaging support edge, a
second support
side opposite the first support side, and two joining support sides each
extending between
the first and second support sides, a connecting member is interposed between
the fluid
containment member and the support plate, and the connecting member extends
between
the terrain engaging edge and the support plate.
In an embodiment, the support member is a support plate, the support plate
comprising a first support side defining a terrain engaging support edge, a
second support
side opposite the first support side, and two joining support sides each
extending between
the first and second support sides, a connecting member is interposed between
the fluid
containment member and the support plate, and the connecting member extends
between
the second side and the second support side.
In an embodiment, the support member is a support plate, the support plate
comprising a first support side defining a terrain engaging support edge, a
second support
side opposite the first support side, and two joining support sides each
extending between
the first and second support sides, and a foot extends from the terrain
engaging edge for
stabilizing the berm module in the upright position.
In an embodiment, the support member is a support plate, the support plate
comprising a first support side defining a terrain engaging support edge, a
second support
side opposite the first support side, and two joining support sides each
extending between
the first and second support sides, a foot extends from the terrain engaging
edge for
stabilizing the berm module in the upright position, and the foot extends from
the terrain
engaging edge along substantially the entire terrain engaging edge.
In an embodiment,
an angle 8 between the fluid containment member and the terrain;
a height x at which the support member extends from the fluid containment
member;
and
a length L of the fluid containment member between the joining sides;
are selected such that
a center of pressure yp of the fluid containment member is selected according
to the
following relationship:
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yp = 0.5x / cosO + x / 6cos6;
a force FS on the fluid containment member when assembled into the berm and
the
berm is substantially filled with a fluid having a specific weight y, is
selected according to the
following relationship:
Fs = 0.5yLx2sin9 / cos26; and
wherein:
a horizontal component Fsz of Fs;
a vertical component Fsx of Fs;
a reactive vertical force F40 on the support member when the berm is
substantially
filled with the fluid;
a vertical distance x2 between the terrain engaging edge and the center of
pressure
yp of the fluid containment member;
a horizontal distance z2 between the terrain engaging edge and yp; and
a distance z between the terrain engaging support edge and the terrain
engaging
edge;
are selected such that the sum 7-M of moments acting on the berm module at the
terrain engaging edge when the a berm is substantially filled with the fluid,
is equal to zero
according to the following relationship:
7-M = Fszx2 + Fsxz2 - F40z = 0.
In an embodiment,
an angle 0 between the fluid containment member and the terrain;
a height x at which the support member extends from the fluid containment
member;
and
a length L of the fluid containment member between the joining sides;
are selected such that
a center of pressure yp of the fluid containment member is selected according
to the
following relationship:
yp = 0.5x / cosO + x / 6cos8;
a force FS on the fluid containment member when assembled into the berm and
the
berm is substantially filled with a fluid having a specific weight y, is
selected according to the
following relationship:
Fs = 0.5yLx2sine / cos2A; and
wherein:
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a horizontal component Fsz of Fs;
a vertical component Fsx of Fs;
a reactive vertical force F40 on the support member when the berm is
substantially
filled with the fluid;
a vertical distance x2 between the terrain engaging edge and the center of
pressure
yp of the fluid containment member;
a horizontal distance z2 between the terrain engaging edge and yp; and
a distance z between the terrain engaging support edge and the terrain
engaging
edge;
are selected such that the sum EM of moments acting on the berm module at the
terrain engaging edge when the a berm is substantially filled with the fluid,
is equal to zero
according to the following relationship:
EM = Fszx2 + Fsxz2 - F40z = 0; and
F40 is selected such that for a given coefficient of friction p between the
terrain
engaging support edge and the terrain, F40p > Fsz.
In a further aspect, the present disclosure provides a corner berm module for
assembling a fluid containment berm on terrain, the corner berm module
including:
two corner fluid containment members, each corner fluid containment member
having a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a joining side
extending between the
first side and the second side, and a corner side opposite the joining side
extending between
the first side and the second side, the corner fluid containment members
extending from one
another along their respective corner sides at a corner angle;
two corner support members, each corner support member extending from
one of the corner fluid containment members, each corner fluid containment
member having
a first support side, a second support side opposite the first support side, a
joining support
side extending between the first support side and the second support side, and
a corner
support side opposite the joining support side and extending between the first
support side
and the second support side, the corner support members extending from one
another along
their respective corner support sides at the corner angle; and
a joint component extending from one of the joining sides and from one of the
joining support sides for forming an articulatable joint with another berm
module.
In an embodiment, the corner angle is about 90 degrees.
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In a further aspect, the present disclosure provides a fluid containment berm
module
for assembling a fluid containment berm on terrain, the berm module including:
a fluid containment plate having a first side defining a terrain engaging
edge, a
second side opposite the first side, and two joining sides each extending
between the first
and second sides;
a support plate extending from the fluid containment plate to support the
fluid
containment member in an upright position, the support plate having a first
support side
defining a terrain engaging support edge, a second support side opposite the
first support
side, and two joining support sides each extending between the first and
second support
sides; and
a flange extending from one of the joining sides and from one of the joining
support sides for forming an articulatable joint with another berm module.
In an embodiment, the flange extends from substantially the entire joining
side and
the joining support side.
In an embodiment, the support plate extends from the fluid containment plate
at an
angle of between about 10 degrees and about 170 degrees.
In an embodiment, the support plate extends from the fluid containment plate
at an
angle of between about 30 degrees and about 90 degrees.
In an embodiment, the support plate extends from the fluid containment plate
at an
angle of between about 45 degrees and about 75 degrees.
In an embodiment, the support plate extends from the fluid containment plate
at an
angle of about 60 degrees.
In an embodiment, the support plate defines an aperture for attachment of a
connector to secure a liner to the berm module.
In an embodiment, the support plate is hingedly connected to the fluid
containment
plate.
In an embodiment, the terrain engaging support edge is serrated.
In an embodiment, the support plate extends from the second side at the second
support side.
In an embodiment, the support plate extends from the second side at the second
support side and the support plate extends from the fluid containment plate
along
substantially the entire second support side.
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In an embodiment, the support plate extends from the second side at the second
support side and the fluid containment plate and the support plate define an
aperture for
lifting the berm module, the aperture defined on and proximate to the second
side and the
second support side.
In a further aspect, the present disclosure provides a corner berm module for
assembling a fluid containment berm on terrain, the corner berm module
comprising:
two corner fluid containment plates, each corner fluid containment plate
having a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a joining side
extending between the
first side and the second side, and a corner side opposite the joining side
extending between
the first side and the second side, the corner fluid containment plates
extending from one
another along their respective corner sides at a corner angle;
two corner support plates, each corner support plate extending from the
second side of one of the corner fluid containment plates, each corner fluid
containment plate
having a first support side, a second support side opposite the first support
side, a joining
support side extending between the first support side and the second support
side, and a
corner support side opposite the joining support side and extending between
the first support
side and the second support side, the corner support plates extending from one
another
along their respective corner support sides at the corner angle; and
a flange extending from one of the joining sides and from one of the joining
support sides for forming an articulatable joint with another berm module.
In an embodiment, the corner angle is about 90 degrees.
In a further aspect, the present disclosure provides a T-intersection berm
module for
assembling a fluid containment berm on terrain, the T-intersection berm module
comprising:
a fluid containment plate having a first side defining a terrain engaging
edge, a
second side opposite the first side, and two joining sides each extending
between the first
and second sides;
a support plate extending from the fluid containment plate to support the
fluid
containment member in an upright position, the support plate having a first
support side
defining a terrain engaging support edge, a second support side opposite the
first support
side, and two joining support sides each extending between the first and
second support
sides, the support plate extending from the second side at the second support
side;
two dual-purpose plates extending from the fluid containment plate, each dual-
purpose plate having a first dual-purpose side defining a terrain engaging
dual-purpose
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edge, a second dual-purpose side opposite the first dual-purpose side, a
joining dual-
purpose side extending between the first and second dual-purpose sides, and a
corner dual
purpose side opposite the joining dual-purpose side and extending between the
first and
second dual-purpose sides, the two dual purpose plates extending from one
another at their
respective second dual-purpose sides, and the two dual purpose plates
extending from the
fluid containment plate at their respective corner dual-purpose sides; and
a flange extending from one or more end, the end selected from the group
consisting of a joining side and a joining support side, and the joining dual-
purpose sides.
In a further aspect, the present disclosure provides a four-way intersection
berm
module for assembling a fluid containment berm on terrain, the four-way
intersection berm
module comprising:
eight dual-purpose plates, each dual-purpose plate having a first dual-purpose
side defining a terrain engaging dual-purpose edge, a second dual-purpose side
opposite the
first dual-purpose side, a joining dual-purpose side extending between the
first and second
dual-purpose sides, and a corner dual purpose side opposite the joining dual-
purpose side
and extending between the first and second dual-purpose sides;
each dual purpose plate extending from another dual purpose plate at their
respective second dual-purpose sides;
each dual purpose plate extending from another dual-purpose plate at their
respective corner dual-purpose sides at a corner angle; and
a flange extending from joining dual-purpose sides of two dual purpose plates
joined at their second dual-purpose sides.
In a further aspect, the present disclosure provides system for assembling a
berm
comprising:
a plurality of the berm modules for assembling into the berm; and
a liner to cover the berm and contain fluid.
In an embodiment, the system also includes a plurality of corner berm modules.
In an embodiment, the system also includes a plurality of connectors for
securing the
liner to the berm modules.
In an embodiment, the system also includes a plurality of module caps for
placing on
the berm modules to hold the liner in place and protect the liner.
In an embodiment, the system also includes at least one T-intersection berm
module.
In an embodiment, the system also includes at least one four-way intersection.
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In a further aspect, the present disclosure provides a fluid containment berm
module
for assembling a fluid containment berm on terrain, the berm module including:
a rectangular fluid containment plate having a first side defining a terrain
engaging edge, a second side opposite the first side, and two joining sides
each extending
between the first and second sides;
a rectangular support plate extending from the second side at an angle of
substantially 60 degrees to support the fluid containment member in an upright
position, the
support plate having a first support side defining a terrain engaging support
edge, a second
support side opposite the first support side, and two joining support sides
each extending
between the first and second support sides, the rectangular support plate
extending from the
second side along substantially the entire second support side; and
a flange extending from substantially the entirety of one of the joining sides
and from substantially the entirety of one of the joining support sides for
forming an
articulatable joint with another berm module;
wherein the support plate defines an aperture for attachment of a connector to
secure
a liner to the berm module; and
wherein the fluid containment plate and the support plate define an aperture
for lifting
the berm module, the aperture defined on and proximate to the second side and
the second
support side.
Other aspects and features of the present disclosure will become apparent to
those
ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description in
conjunction with the
accompanying figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example
only, with reference to the attached Figures, wherein:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a berm of the present disclosure assembled
around a
fluid storage tank;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a berm of the present disclosure ;
Fig. 3 is an elevation view of the berm of Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a module cap of the present disclosure ;
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a berm module of the present disclosure ;
Fig. 6 is an elevation view of the berm module of Fig. 5;
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Fig. 7 is a further perspective view of the berm module of Fig. 5;
Fig. 8 is a plan view of the berm module of Fig. 5;
Fig. 9 is a perspective view of an articulatable joint of the berm of Fig. 1;
Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a berm of the present disclosure
accommodating a
change in a vertical plane;
Fig. 11 is an elevation view of the berm of Fig. 10 accommodating a change in
a
vertical plane;
Fig. 12 is an elevation view of a berm of the present disclosure accommodating
a
change in a vertical plane;
Fig. 13 is a plan view of the berm accommodating a change in a horizontal
plane;
Fig. 14 is a plan view of an oval-shaped berm of the present disclosure;
Fig. 15 is perspective view of a berm of the present disclosure being
assembled;
Fig. 16 is a perspective view of berm modules of the present disclosure
stacked upon
each other;
Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a berm module of the present disclosure with
a
serrated edge;
Fig. 18 is a diagram illustrating values that allow determination of the force
on a plane
of a berm module assembled into a berm;
Fig. 19 is a diagram illustrating values that allow determination of the
center of
pressure of a berm module assembled into a berm;
Fig. 20 is a diagram illustrating values that allow determination of the
intrinsic static
moment requirement of a berm module assembled into a berm;
Fig. 21 is perspective view of a T-intersection berm module of the present
disclosure;
Fig. 22 is perspective view of a four-way intersection berm module of the
present
disclosure;
Fig. 23 is a plan view of the four-way intersection berm module of Fig. 22;
Fig. 24 is a perspective view of a berm module of the present disclosure
having a top
plate;
Fig. 25 is a perspective view of a berm module of the present disclosure
having a
bottom plate;
Fig. 26 is a perspective view of berm module of the present disclosure having
an
intermediate plate; and
Fig. 27 is a perspective view of berm module of the present disclosure having
a foot.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Generally, the present disclosure provides a modular fluid containment berm.
As
used below, the term "berm" encompasses any enclosure and used to contain
fluid, for
example to contain fluid spills from a fluid container positioned within the
enclosure. In
addition, the term "berm" as used below also encompasses a dike or other non-
enclosed
embankment to prevent overflow of fluids and to retain fluids, for example in
a flood.
Berm
Fig. 1 is a schematic of one embodiment of a berm 10 assembled on terrain 15
from
berm modules 20. The length of a berm side 175 of the berm 10 is a function of
the number
of berm modules 20 placed along the berm side 175 and the length 35 of the
berm modules
20. The berm 10 may be assembled around a fluid storage tank 25. The fluid
storage tank
25 is interchangeable with a cistern, vat, or other containment vessel.
A liner 270 is present in the berm 10 to contain fluid (element 60 in Figs 17-
19). The
liner 270 is attached to the berm 10 by connectors 335. The connectors 335 may
be
turnbuckles. The connector 335 may engage with the berm modules 20 at
apertures 93 in
the berm modules 20. Connector 335 are not necessary for the berm modules 20
to remain
in place. Module caps 45 may be placed on the berm modules 20 to hold the
liner 270 in
place and to protect the liner 270 from wear along the top of the berm modules
20.
Figs. 2 and 3 are respectively perspective and elevation views of the berm
modules
20 assembled into the berm 10 without a liner 270 or any modules caps 45.
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a module cap 45.
Berm Modules
Figs. 5 to 8 are various views of a berm module 20. The berm module 20
includes a
support member 79 and a fluid containment member 76. Collectively, the support
member
79 and the fluid containment member 76 are referred to below as legs 55. The
dual-purpose
members 182 (Figs. 22-23) are also legs 55. The legs 55 may be generally
rectangular
plates, each having a length 35 along its long axis (equal to the length of
the berm module,
excepting the joint component 70 described below) and a width 67 along its
short axis. The
legs 55 may alternatively be square, generally rectilinear, or any other
suitable shape of
plate.
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The fluid containment member 76 has a first side 71, a second side 72 opposite
the
first side 71, and two joining sides 77 each extending between the first side
71 and the
second side 72. The first side 71 and the second side 72 may be substantially
parallel. The
joining sides 77 may be substantially parallel. The first side 71 and the
second side 72 may
collectively be substantially perpendicular to the joining sides 77.
The support member 79 has a first support side 81, a second support side 82
opposite the first support side 81, and two joining support sides 83 each
extending between
the first support side 81 and the second support side 82. The joining support
sides 83 may
be substantially parallel. The first support side 81 and the second support
side 82 may
collectively be substantially perpendicular to the joining support sides 83.
The legs 55 are positioned at an inter-leg angle 65 with respect to one
another. The
inter-leg angle 65 may be between about 101 and about 170 , between about 30
and about
90 , between about 45 and about 75 , or about 60 . The legs 55 may be joined
along the
second side 72 of the fluid containment member 76 and the second support side
82 of the
support member 79, and may be joined along the entire lengths 35 the legs 55.
The legs 55
may be hingedly connected to one another by hinges 25 (Fig. 13).
When the berm modules 20 are in an upright position, they contact the terrain
15 at a
terrain engaging support edge 40 and a terrain engaging edge 50. The terrain
engaging
support edge 40 is at the first side 71 of support member 79 and the terrain
engaging edge
50 is at the first support side 81 fluid containment member 76. Collectively,
the terrain
engaging support edge 40 and the terrain engaging edge 50 are referred to as
edges 30.
The edges 30 are present along at least a portion of the length of the legs 55
and may be
present along the entire length of the legs 55. The fluid containment member
76 supports
the liner 270 (Fig. 1) to contain fluid within the berm. The support member 79
supports the
fluid containment member 76 when the berm 10 is assembled and filled with
fluid 60. The
liner 270 is supported by the entire surface area of the fluid containment
member 76. The
aperture 93 for attachment is in the support member 79.
The berm modules 20 include one or more joint components 70 on at least one of
the
joining sides 77. Joint components 70 are present along the widths of both
legs 55 at one
end and may be present along the entire width of the legs 55. The joint
component 70 may
be a flange 73 extending from both the legs 55. Joining sides 77 of the legs
55 lacking joint
components 70 are receiving ends 80. The joint component 70 is sized to nest
within the
receiving end 80.
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Joints
Fig. 9 is a joint 90 formed between a first berm module 100 and a second berm
module 110. A first joint component 120 is nested within a second receiving
end 130. The
joint 90 may accommodate movement of the first joint component 120 with
respect to the
second receiving end 130 within either or any combination of a horizontal
plane 85 and a
vertical plane 95 (Fig. 8). The first joint component 120 may engage the
second receiving
end 130 to varying degrees along the length of the berm module 20, allowing
each joint 90 to
lengthen or shorten. The ability of the joints to lengthen or shorten allows
flexibility in the
relative length of each berm side 175.
Figs. 10 to 13 collectively depict articulation of the joint 90. Articulation
of the joint 90
allows each berm module 20 to be off-angle from adjacent berm modules 20.
Adjacent berm
modules 20 may be off-angle in the horizontal plane 85, the vertical plane 95
(Fig. 8), or a
combination of the two, allowing the berm modules to conform to an uneven
terrain profile.
The length of berm modules 20 determines in part the maximum grade that the
berm may
rest on. For example, grades of up to about 8.8 degrees may be tolerated in
building the
berm 10 with berm modules 20 that are about 120 inches long (plus the
extension of the joint
component 70), about 33 inches wide (between the edges 30), and about 32
inches tall when
in an upright position. Where the berm 10 is assembled from similarly sized
berm modules
20, horizontal curves of up to about 6 degrees may be tolerated.
The smaller the length 35 of the berm modules 20, the greater the grade
tolerance of
a berm 10 assembled from the berm modules 20. A system of berm modules 20 may
include berm modules 20 of varying length. Berm modules 20 with a smaller
length 35 could
form portions of the berm 10 that rest on more heavily graded terrain or are
more likely to
settle unevenly. Conversely, berm modules 20 with a greater length 35 could
form portions
of a berm side 175 that rest on less heavily graded terrain or are less likely
to settle
unevenly. Similarly, berm modules 20 with greater length 35 could form
portions of a berm
wherein less horizontal curvature in a berm side 175 will be necessary to
assemble the
berm 10.
A void (not shown) is a space between a liner 270 and the terrain 15. One
advantage
of following a terrain profile closely is that the presence of voids will be
minimized. Voids are
undesirable since the liner 270 within the berm 10 may protrude through the
void as a
protrusion (not shown). The protrusion may tear when exposed to elevated
hydrostatic
pressure by accumulated fluid 60 in the berm 10.
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Fig. 14 is a plan view of an oval-shaped berm 150. The oval-shaped berm 150 is
assembled from long berm modules 152 with a first length 154 and short berm
modules 156
with a second length 158. The long berm modules 152 are used to assemble the
straight
portions of the oval-shaped berm 150 and the short berm modules 156 are used
to assemble
the curved portions of the oval-shaped berm 150.
Assembly and Storage of Berm Modules
Fig. 15 shows assembly of a berm 10 as the final berm module 20 to be
assembled
into the berm 10, herein referred to as the "ultimate berm module 202", is
assembled. An
ultimate joint component 200 of the ultimate berm module 202 is nested within
an adjacent
receiving end 210 of a first adjacent berm module 220. An ultimate receiving
end 240 of the
ultimate berm module 205 is lowered onto an adjacent joint component 250 of a
second
adjacent berm module 260 (in this case a corner berm module 170), completing
the berm 10.
Alternatively, a berm module 20 having two receiving ends 80 may be lowered in
between
two berm modules 20 such that two components 70 are available to form two
joints 90.
Once the perimeter of the berm 10 is assembled, the liner 270 may be
positioned about the
berm modules 20, the module caps 45 placed on the berm modules 20, and the
connector
335 attached to support members 79 at the apertures 93 (Fig. 1).
Fig. 16 illustrates a stack of berm modules 20. Stacking berm modules 20 on
top of
each other provides advantages in transport, deployment, and storage of the
berm modules
20. The berm modules 20 may include one or more lifting holes 96. The lifting
holes may
facilitate transport and stacking of the berm modules 20. Similarly, the
hinged berm 20 of
Fig. 13 may be collapsed by closing the legs 55 and provides advantages in
transport,
deployment, and storage of the berm modules 20.
Leg Edges
The open-form profile of the berm modules 20 provides greater contact force
per unit
length between the edges 30 and the terrain 15 than would be the case if the
berm modules
20 included a flat bottom surface (not shown) that touches the terrain 15. The
greater
contact force is due to the terrain engaging support edge 40 and terrain
engaging edge 50
pressing down on the terrain. The terrain engaging support edge 40 and terrain
engaging
edge 50 may dig into the terrain. Thus, friction between the berm module 20
and the terrain
is greater than would be the case if the berm modules 20 were to have flat
bottom surfaces.
The open-form structure of the berm modules 20 allows a berm 10 to contain a
given amount
of fluid 60 where the berm 10 is assembled from berm modules 20 that have a
smaller mass
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than would be necessary if the berm 10 were assembled from comparable modules
having a
flat bottom surface.
Fig. 17 is a serrated terrain engaging support edge 42. A serrated terrain
engaging
support edge 42 may provide advantages depending on the terrain 15, for
example where
the terrain 15 is soft.
In contrast to the berm modules 20 herein disclosed, similarly sized closed
form
components are either heavier or must be filled with aggregate or fluid in
order to have
sufficient mass to contain fluid 60. The decreased mass necessary for a berm
module 20
compared to a similarly-sized closed-form component allows setup of the berm
10 to be
accomplished more easily and therefore with less cost.
Geometry of Berm Modules
Figs. 18 to 20 are schematics of relevant geometrical features of a berm
module 20.
Without wishing to be bound by any theory, appropriate geometry for a berm
module 20 to
contain a given fluid 60 at a given depth may be selected at the time of
manufacture. The
selection may be based on the expected force on the plane area of the fluid
containment
member 76 (Fs), and of the distance to the center of pressure of the fluid
containment
member 76 (yp). Fs and yp allow determination of the intrinsic static moment
requirement
that will apply to the berm module 20. The intrinsic static moment requirement
is a condition
of static equilibrium wherein a berm 10 assembled from berm modules 20 will be
stable when
fluid 60 is present at any depth within a berm 10.
Force on the Plane Area of the Fluid Containment Member (F5)
Fs is calculated according to the following equation:
FS=yh.A (Eq.1)
In Eq. 1, y is the specific weight of the fluid 60, he is the depth of the
scalar centroid,
and A is the plane area of the fluid containment member 76 of the berm module
20. y is
determined empirically. A and he are respectively calculated according to the
following
equations:
A = Lx/ cosh (Eq.2)
he = ycsin6 (Eq. 3)
In Eq. 2, L is the length of the legs 55, x is the height at which the support
member
extends 79 from the fluid containment member 73, and 8 is the angle between
the fluid
containment member 76 and the terrain 15; x and 8 are illustrated in Figs. 18
to 20. In Eq. 3,
yc is the length to centroid, which may be calculated according to the
following equation:
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Yc = (p, + p2) / 2 (Eq.4)
In Eq. 4, p1 is the pressure on the surface of the fluid containment member 76
at the
top of the fluid and p2 is the pressure on the surface of the fluid
containment member 76 at
the bottom of the fluid 60. Alternatively, yc may be calculated according to
the following
equation:
y, = 0.5x / cos9 (Eq. 5)
Eq. 1 may be combined with Eqs. 1, 2, 3, and 5, allowing calculation of Fs
according
to the following equation:
FS = 0.5yLx2sin6 / cos20 (Eq. 6)
Distance to the Center of Pressure of the Fluid Containment Member (yp)
yp is calculated according to the following equation:
Yp=YC+lc/(YcA) (Eq.7)
In Eq. 7, Ic is the moment of inertia about a centroidal axis, which is
calculated
according to the following equation:
Ic = Lh3 / 12 (Eq. 8)
In Eq. 8, h is the slope length of the fluid containment member 76. h is
calculated
according to the following equation:
h = x / cose (Eq.9)
Eq. 7 may be combined with Eqs. 5, 8, and 9, allowing calculation of yp
according to
the following equation:
yp = 0.5x / cosh + x / 6cose (Eq. 10)
The location of yp is shown schematically on Fig. 19.
The horizontal component of Fs (Fsz) and the vertical component of Fs (Fsx) at
the
center of pressure of the terrain engaging edge 50 are calculated according to
the following
equations:
Fs, = Fscos9 (Eq. 11)
FsX = Fssin6 (Eq. 12)
Sum of Moments (EM)
Once Fsz and Fsx are known, the sum of moments acting on the berm module 20 at
the terrain engaging edge 50 (FM) is calculated according to the following
equation:
EM = FsZx2 + FSXz2 - F40z = 0 (Eq. 13)
In Eq. 13, F40 is the reactive vertical force on the terrain engaging support
edge 40, z
is the distance between the terrain engaging support edge 40 and the terrain
engaging edge
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50, x2 is the vertical distance between the terrain engaging edge 50 and yp,
and z2 is the
horizontal distance between the terrain engaging edge 50 and yp; F40, Fsz,
Fsx, z, x2, and
z2 are illustrated in Fig. 20. F40 is calculated according to Eq. 13. The
intrinsic static
moment requirement for a stable berm 10 assembled from berm modules 20 is
fulfilled when
7-M is equal to 0. A berm 10 will contain fluid up to a depth of x where the
following
relationship is true:
F40p > Fsz (Eq. 14)
In Eq. 14, p is the coefficient of friction between the terrain engaging
support edge 40
and the terrain 15; p may be determined empirically.
Figs. 18 to 20 illustrate an example wherein a liner 270 is not present below
the berm
modules 20 at the terrain engaging support edge 40. If liner is present
between the berm
modules 20 and the terrain 15 at the terrain engaging support edge 40 (not
shown), p may
be adjusted accordingly.
Shape of Berm Modules
A corner berm module 170 has four legs 55 arranged in two sets, the respective
sets
are separated by a corner angle 185 (Fig. 15). The corner angle 185 may be
about 90
degrees. Each set includes a corner fluid containment member 172 and a corner
support
member 174. The corner fluid containment member 172 has a first side 71, a
second side
72 opposite the first side 71, a joining side 77 extending between the first
side 71 and the
second side 72, and a corner side 177 opposite the joining side 77 extending
between the
first side 71 and the second side 72. The corner support member 174 has a
first support
side 81, a second support side 82 opposite the first support side 81, a
joining support side 83
extending between the first support side 81 and the second support side 82,
and a corner
support side 179 opposite the joining support side 83 extending between the
support side 81
and the second support side 82. The corner fluid containment members 172 of
the two sets
are joined along their respective corner sides 177 and the corner support
members 174 of
the two sets are joined along their respective corner support sides 179. Joint
components 70
or receiving ends 80 are present along the joining sides 77 and joining
support sides 83.
The berm modules 20 may be adapted to link multiple berms together, for
example
when assembling multiple berms 10 for a tank farm.
Fig. 21 is a perspective view of a T-intersection berm module 180. The T-
intersection
berm module 180 includes a fluid containment member 76 and a support member
79. The
T-intersection berm module 180 also includes two dual-purpose members 182
extending
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from the fluid containment member 76. Each dual-purpose member 182 both
contains fluid
within the berm 10 and supports another dual-purpose member 182. Each dual-
purpose
member 182 has a first dual-purpose side 184 defining a terrain engaging dual-
purpose edge
186, a second dual-purpose side 187 opposite the first dual-purpose side 184,
a joining dual-
purpose side 188 extending between the first dual-purpose side 184 and the
second dual-
purpose side 186, and a corner dual-purpose side 189 opposite the joining dual-
purpose side
188 extending between the first dual-purpose side 184 and the second dual-
purpose side
186. The two dual-purpose members 182 extend from one another at their
respective
second dual-purpose sides 187 and at an inter-leg angle 65, and the two dual
purpose
members 182 extending from the fluid containment member 76 at their respective
corner
dual-purpose sides 189. The dual purpose members 182 may be plates. The
joining dual-
purpose sides 188 of dual-purpose members 182 extending from one another at
their
respective second dual purpose sides 188 may include a flange 73 or may define
a receiving
end 80.
Figs. 22 and 23 are respectively perspective and plan views of a four-way
intersection
berm module 190. The four-way intersection berm module 190 is comprised of
eight dual-
purpose members 182. Each dual purpose member 182 extends from another dual
purpose
member 182 at their respective second dual-purpose sides 187 and at an inter-
leg angle 65.
Each dual purpose member 182 also extends from another dual-purpose member 182
at
their respective dual-purpose corner sides 189 at a corner angle 185. The dual
purpose
members 182 may be plates. The joining dual-purpose sides of dual purpose
members 182
extending from one another at their respective second dual purpose sides 188
may include a
flange 73 or may define a receiving end 80.
Figs. 24 to 26 illustrate embodiments of berm modules 20 including a
connecting
member interposed between the two legs 55. In Fig. 24, the connecting member
is be a top
plate 340 that extends between the legs 55 at the second side 72 and the
second support
side 82. In Fig. 25, the connecting member is a bottom plate 350 that extends
between the
terrain engaging edge 50 and the support member 79. The bottom plate 350 is
attached to
the support member 79 at a point between the terrain engaging support edge 40
and the
second support side 82. In Fig. 26, the connecting member is an intermediate
plate 360
extending between the legs 55. The intermediate plate 360 is attached to the
support
member 79 at a point between the terrain engaging support edge 40 and the
second support
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side 82, and to the fluid containment member 76 at a point between the terrain
engaging
edge 50 and the second side 72.
Fig. 27 is a perspective view of a berm module 20 including a foot 370 along
the
terrain engagement edge 50. The foot 360 provides additional stability for
keeping the berm
module 20 in an upright position.
The top plate 340, bottom plate 350, or intermediate plate 360 may be present
along
the entire length 35 of the legs 55. The foot 370 may be present along the
entire length 35 of
the fluid containment member 73. Berm modules 20 having the bottom plate 350,
intermediate plate 360, or foot 370 may not stack as depicted in Fig. 16.
Examples Only
In the preceding description, for purposes of explanation, numerous details
are set
forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the
invention.
However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that these specific
details are not
required in order to practice the invention.
The above-described embodiments of the invention are intended to be examples
only. Alterations, modifications and variations can be effected to the
particular embodiments
by those of skill in the art without departing from the scope of the
invention, which is defined
solely by the claims appended hereto.
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