Temporary water barrier structure

Abstract

A structure for forming a barrier for an adjacent level of water comprises a plurality of “A” panels and a plurality of “X” panels. The A panels have at least two slots each extending from one of first and second long edges of the A panel to a slot terminus between the two edges. The X panels each have at least two slots each extending from an intersection with one of first and second edges of the X panel to a slot terminus between the two edges. Placing the X panels in a crossed and interlocked relationship with the A panels forms four sides of at least one cell. A container filled with water is within each of the cells. The container is formed of flexible material impervious to water and defining a closed volume having an unstressed shape approximating that of the cell's four sides.

1 . A structure for holding a plurality of volumes of water to form a barrier for an adjacent level of water, comprising:
 a) at least first and second semi-rigid “A” panels having a predetermined A panel thickness, each A panel having first and second opposite edges having a predetermined spacing, and each A panel having at least two slots each extending from one of the first and second edges of the A panel to a slot terminus between the two edges, each A panel slot having a width of at least a predetermined X panel thickness and a predetermined depth;   b) at least first and second semi-rigid “X” panels each having the predetermined X panel thickness, each X panel having first and second opposite edges having a predetermined spacing, and each X panel having at least two slots each extending from an intersection with one of the first and second edges of the X panel to a slot terminus between the two edges, each X panel slot having a width of at least a predetermined A panel thickness and a predetermined slot depth;   wherein the X panels are in a crossed and interlocked relationship with the A panels to form four sides of at least one cell, said cell comprising portions of two A panels forming two opposing sides thereof and portions of two X panels forming two opposing sides thereof, with each A panel within a X panel slot and each X panel within slots of at least two A panels, and with each X panel slot in alignment with an A panel slot, and with the termini of each pair of aligned A and X panel slots in proximity with each other, and further comprising   c) within each of the at least one cell, a container formed of flexible material impervious to water and defining a closed volume having an unstressed shape approximating that of the cell's four sides.   
     
     
         2 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein each of the slots in each of the A panels intersects the panel's first edge and each of the slots in each of the X panels intersects the panel's first edge. 
     
     
         3 . The structure of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second edges of the A panel are parallel, and the first and second edges of the X panel are parallel, wherein each slot in each of the X and A panels are of depth substantially equal to the space the container includes a top and a first side wall, a sealable filler opening in the top, and a sealable drain opening in the first side wall. 
     
     
         3 . The structure of  claim 2 , wherein each A panel has adjacent to the second edge and between each pair of slots, an aperture in alignment with the drain opening. 
     
     
         4 . The structure of  claim 2 , wherein the filler opening is adjacent to the first side wall. 
     
     
         5 . The structure of  claim 1  wherein the A and X panels each contain at least three equally spaced slots. 
     
     
         6 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the A panels have at least four equally spaced slots. 
     
     
         7 . The structure of  claim 6  wherein the A and X panels comprise plywood. 
     
     
         8 . The structure of  claim 6  wherein the A and X panels comprise a plastic composite material. 
     
     
         9 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the A and X panels are each rectangular, wherein the predetermined first and second distances are substantially equal, and wherein the A panels projecting past an end X panel each have in a lower corner thereof, a hole in a predetermined position adjacent to one X panel and in alignment with each other, and further comprising a brace rod passing through each hole. 
     
     
         10 . The structure of  claim 9 , wherein the brace rod comprises one of steel and wood 
     
     
         11 . The structure of  claim 1  wherein the A and X panels comprise plywood. 
     
     
         12 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the X panel slot widths are at least twice the A panel predetermined thickness, and wherein end slots of two A panels share a slot of at least one X panel in the structure with the remaining portions of said A panels extending in opposite directions, to thereby create a structure of predetermined length longer than a single A panel. 
     
     
         13 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of the containers each include a sealable filler port in a top surface of the container. 
     
     
         14 . The structure of  claim 13 , wherein a plurality of the containers each include a sealable drain port in a side surface of the container and near the bottom thereof., and wherein an adjacent A panel includes a drainage access opening in alignment with the drain port. 
     
     
         15 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the structure includes a buffer sheet below the container in a plurality of cells. 
     
     
         16 . The structure of  claim 1  comprising an upper level barrier portion and a lower level barrier portion, where each of the upper and lower barrier portions comprise a plurality of X panels and a plurality of A panels cooperating to form a plurality of cells, and within each cell, a container for holding water, said upper level barrier and the containers within the cells of the upper level barrier supported at least in part by the A panels of the lower level barrier portion. 
     
     
         17 . The structure of  claim 16 , including a support panel interposed between the upper and lower level barriers. 
     
     
         18 . The structure of  claim 1 , including a water container having a relatively thick and stiff bottom forming an integral part thereof.