Barrier fortification enhancement and building structural units

Abstract

A barrier fortification structure includes a sidewall having an interior surface and an exterior surface opposite the interior surface, the interior surface surrounding an interior volume, a filling material within the interior volume, thereby forming a barrier, and a foam disposed on at least a portion of the exterior surface of the sidewall.

1 . A barrier fortification structure comprising:
 a sidewall having an interior surface and an exterior surface opposite said interior surface, said interior surface surrounding an interior volume;   a filling material within said interior volume, thereby forming a barrier; and   a foam disposed on at least a portion of said exterior surface of said sidewall.   
   
   
       2 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein said sidewall is transformable between a flattened condition and an erected condition, wherein in said erected condition, said sidewall is filled with said filling material, and in said flattened condition, said sidewall is flattened or collapsed upon itself without said filling material therein. 
   
   
       3 . The structure of  claim 1 , further comprising a layer of material covering said interior surface of said sidewall between said sidewall and said filling material. 
   
   
       4 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein said sidewall has a plurality of holes or is formed of a mesh-like material. 
   
   
       5 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein said foam comprises a rigid closed cell foam that comprises (a) a blowing agent, and (b) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of: a polyurethane, a polyisocyanurate polymer and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       6 . The structure of  claim 5 , wherein said blowing agent is at least one selected from the group consisting of: 1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane (HCFC-141b); 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a); 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134); 1-chloro-1,1-difluoroethane (HCFC-142b); 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluorobutane(HFC-365mfc); 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane (HFC-227ea); difluoroethane (HCFC-142b); 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane (HFC-245fa), 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroprop-1-ene (HFO-1234yf), 1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoroprop-1-ene (HFO-1225ye), 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoroprop-1-ene (HFO-1233zd, trans and/or cis isomer), 1,1,1,3-tetrafluoroprop-1-ene (HFO-1234ze, trans and/or cis isomer), water, formic acid, carbon dioxide, esters, chlorocarbons, ethers, fluoroethers and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       7 . The structure of  claim 5 , wherein said blowing agent is selected from the group consisting of: 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane, 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluorobutane, and mixtures thereof. 
   
   
       8 . The structure of  claim 7 , wherein said blowing agent is 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane. 
   
   
       9 . The structure of  claim 8 , wherein said foam comprises at least one compound selected from the group consisting of: co-blowing agent, surfactant, polymer modifier, toughening agent, colorant, dye, solubility enhancer, rheology modifier, plasticizing agent, flammability suppressant, antibacterial agent, viscosity reduction modifier, filler, vapor pressure modifier, nucleating agent, catalyst, and a combination thereof. 
   
   
       10 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein said foam has a density from between about 1.5 to about 10.0 pounds per cubic foot. 
   
   
       11 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein said foam is coated with a UV resistant material. 
   
   
       12 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein said foam is coated with an insect and/or pest resistant material. 
   
   
       13 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein said foam is an insulation material that insulates said interior volume. 
   
   
       14 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein said foam is a blast mitigation material and/or an energy absorption material. 
   
   
       15 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein said foam is a color that camouflages the structure with its surrounding environment. 
   
   
       16 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein said foam is waterproof. 
   
   
       17 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein said foam maintains a connection to said sidewall during freeze and thaw of said filling material. 
   
   
       18 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein said foam connects a component selected from the group comprising electrical wiring, lighting to said sidewall, a barrier deterrent, and an additional structure, to said sidewall. 
   
   
       19 . The structure of  claim 3 , wherein said layer of material has a hole therethrough, and wherein said foam is further applied over said hole. 
   
   
       20 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein said foam is permeable and drains liquid out of said interior volume.