Patent Publication Number: US-11384525-B2

Title: Construction and monitoring of barrier walls

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-(and claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC 120) of U.S. application No. 62/827,874 filed Apr. 2, 2019. The disclosure of the prior applications is considered part of (and is incorporated by reference in) the disclosure of this application. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a building system, and more particularly to the building process of a wall for security purposes. 
     Border and/or security walls are critical for engineering design because of its Geometry and location. Example is the barrier wall along the United States and Mexico border which is a nationwide topic of discussion. However, the 2-Dimensional approach for the wall design increases the construction cost due to thicker wall sections by using traditional design approach. 
     Additionally, with the length of a barrier wall there is a variety of terrain, unlevel terrain, and various of geographical features which the wall has to be built through or around. This provides for a diverse number of issues if the wall design is not able to be built through uneven terrain or around various obstacles. Construction of the walls such as a barrier wall with concrete has the challenge due to the difficult terrain and the geometry of the structure. 
     Another issue is the length of ground which the wall is to cover may require constant maintenance after the wall is constructed, this would require a modular design to allow for work on specific sections of the wall without affecting the other portions of the wall. More specifically, the reconfigurable barrier system is a system having structural components which may be modularly assembled to quickly and conveniently erect a barrier structure that is highly secure and stable yet adaptable in configuration to the particular property being protected. 
     The wall also needs to provide minimal effect on the geographical and environmental landscape to allow for the ecosystem to be maintained and waterways to be unimpeded. 
     The present invention provides for a solution to these and additional issues which have risen with the discussion of barrier walls and protecting areas in general. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention provides for a barrier wall with a front wall extending upwardly which acts as a barrier between two regions. Buttress walls extending from the rear side of the front wall. The buttress walls provide for lateral support for the front wall. The plurality of Buttress walls are spaced specific distances and provides the 3-Dimensional approach for the load transfer. Horizontal decks positioned between the buttress wall layers. The horizontal decks are positioned at half or a third the height of the front wall. Additional horizontal decks are positioned three quarters or seven eighths of the total height of front wall. Horizontal deck provides the lateral stability by providing the diaphragm action for horizontal load transfer. 
     The present invention provides for additional features of a security system. The barrier wall is embedded with conduit for connection of the monitoring system. Monitoring feature of motion sensor probe is provided inside the footing of foundation. Wire for the motion sensor probe is passing through the conduits and connects with the recording device of the security system. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the foundation for barrier wall with buttress, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the rails laid over foundation for barrier wall, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is an isometric view of the wagons loaded over rails, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is an isometric view of the wagons filled with construction material like concrete and other material, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is an isometric view of the construction of the lower first buttress wall piece, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is an isometric view of the construction of the lower second buttress wall piece, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is an isometric view of the construction of the lower third buttress wall piece, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is an isometric view of the construction of the lower fourth buttress wall piece, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is an isometric view of the lower deck construction, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is an isometric view of the construction of the upper first buttress wall piece, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is an isometric view of the construction of the upper second buttress wall piece, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is an isometric view of the construction of the upper third buttress wall piece, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is an isometric view of the construction of the upper fourth buttress wall piece, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is an isometric view of the front wall construction, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  is an isometric view of the upper deck construction, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 16  is an isometric view of the movement of wagon over rail to next location, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 17  is an isometric view of the construction of the adjacent module, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 18  is an isometric view of the barrier wall with buttress, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 19  is a section view of the barrier wall with buttress, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 20  is a plan view of the barrier wall with buttress, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides for the method of construction a barrier wall and the barrier wall, wherein the barrier wall is designed for an optimized wall height, spacing between buttress and spacing between horizontal deck which results in minimum use of material, provide for a simplified and uniform construction process, and thus a reduction in cost for construction. By uniquely changing the approach from traditional 2-Dimensional design approach to a Multi-Dimensional design, the wall design results in reduction of materials required and also reduce the foundation design requirements in the Multi-Dimensional load transfer as compared to 2-Dimensional load transfer. Different structural elements are put to optimum use in multi-dimensional approach. 
     Present invention simplifies the construction process for barrier wall where the progressive construction of the barrier wall is done with the wagons travelling over the Rails. Rails are resting on the Foundation for the barrier wall construction and the Local dirt. Wagons contains the construction material concrete, cement, formwork etc. This Invention eliminate the need of the separate transport Road construction before the barrier wall construction 
     Buttress walls are used to support the front wall and buttress walls provides the Multi-Dimensional approach for the load transfer. The critical load applied over the barrier wall is wind loaded on the surface from any direction. A multi-dimensional load transfer approach in the barrier wall reduces the thickness of wall, size of foundation and makes it economical as compared to the traditional wall designs. 
     By uniquely changing the approach from traditional construction approach to progressive construction approach, the barrier wall construction results in elimination of approach road required and also reduce the transportation cost for construction material like concrete, cement, formwork etc. The current invention is using progressive approach of construction hence it saves the infrastructure development cost for wall construction. By uniquely changing the approach from traditional security and monitoring approach to in built network of small circular pipes for security and monitoring features, it results in saving of materials required for building additional infrastructure and also reduce requirement of security features and monitoring features. 
     As will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading this disclosure, each of the individual embodiments described and illustrated herein has discrete components and features which may be readily separated from or combined with the features of any of the other several embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particular embodiments described, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the appended claims. 
     Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are now described. 
     All publications and patents cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication or patent were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference and are incorporated herein by reference to disclose and describe the methods and/or materials in connection with which the publications are cited. The citation of any publication is for its disclosure prior to the filing date and should not be construed as an admission that the present invention is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior invention. Further, the dates of publication provided may be different from the actual publication dates which may need to be independently confirmed. 
     It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It is further noted that the claims may be drafted to exclude any optional element. As such, this statement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for use of such exclusive terminology as “solely,” “only” and the like in connection with the recitation of claim elements or use of a “negative” limitation. 
       FIGS. 1-16  depict multiple stages of the construction process of the barrier wall  200 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In the depicted embodiment, a foundation  101  is formed over a predetermined distance based on the level and pitch of the ground. The foundation is formed from a single length of material with a set of protrusions formed to create a solid foundation  101 . The protrusions  102  are spaced a set distance apart based on the buttresses and design of the wall. The foundation  101  is installed to have a relatively level top surface across the entire distance of the foundation  101 . In certain embodiments, provided the incline of the foundation  101  is set known, the barrier wall  200  can be constructed to accommodate the incline, decline, or pitch of the barrier wall  200 . The gaps between the protrusions  102  provide for reduced material needed, and with the foundation meeting the requirements of the depth and height of the wall, the protrusions  102  provide stability for the barrier wall  200 . 
     In the depicted embodiment, a roadway or tracks  103  is constructed across the protrusions to allow for the transportation of materials, vehicles  104 , workers, or the like. In some embodiments, the tracks  103  is a walkway. In the depicted embodiments, the vehicles  103  are used to carry supplies and materials  110  along the construction path of the barrier wall  200 . 
     The construction of the barrier wall  200  begins with the construction of the buttress walls  105  which are placed at each protrusion  102 . The distancing of the protrusions  102  is based on the proper distancing of the buttress walls  105 . In the depicted embodiment, the buttress walls  105  are constructed with apertures to permit the vehicles  103  to travel unimpeded along the tracks  103 . These apertures or openings are designed to limit the reduction in the strength of the buttress walls  105 . Upon the completion of the necessary number of buttress walls  105 , the deck  106  is installed over the buttress walls  105 . In  FIG. 8 , the deck  106  and the buttress wall  105  are a unitary component. In additional embodiments, the deck  106  and the buttress walls  105  may be preassembled as a single element or may be secured together through various methods known to one skilled in the art. Once the deck  106  is installed, another row of buttress walls  111  are installed in line with the previous set of buttress walls  105 . Once the set of buttress walls  111  for the second row are installed another deck  106  is installed on top of those buttress walls  105 , and the front wall  107  is then installed. With the installation of the front wall  107  the section of the barrier wall  200  is completed. Additional barrier wall  200   s  are created to create the entire barrier wall  200 . Shown at the intersection of two barrier wall  200   s , the protrusion  102  is sized to fit both buttress walls  105  for the two barrier wall  200  sections. 
     In the depicted embodiments, the front wall  107  is the same height as the buttress walls  105 . During the construction process the buttress walls  107  are positioned a set distance from the front edge of the foundation  101  to account for the front wall  107  to be plated on the foundation. In some embodiments, the deck  106  height is from the foundation is half of the height of the front wall  107 . In some embodiments, the deck height is a quarter of the front wall  107  height. 
     Depicted in  FIGS. 17-19  are a barrier wall  200  wherein the front wall is separated into a lower section  113  and an upper section  114 . Additionally, the buttress walls  105  are substantially the same from the lower level to the upper level. In the present embodiment, the track  103  is removed as the lower level buttress walls  105  do not have the aperture  108  present. In the present embodiment, extension  114  of the decks  106  provide a gap  114  between the barrier walls  200  when connected. In the depicted embodiment, several components of the barrier wall  200  are assembled as a unitary element. The elements of the barrier wall  200  may implement various reinforcement materials such as rebar and the like to further increase the strength of each element of the barrier wall  200  and the barrier wall as a whole. 
     The design of the present barrier wall  200  provides for the transfer of forces applied to the front of the front wall  107  to be transferred to the buttress walls  105 . The bending moment of the front wall  107  is reduced due to the presence of the buttress walls  105  and thus the thickness of the front wall  107  can be decreased. In some embodiments, over the tradition barrier wall  200  designed, the front wall  107  may have a thickness which is a third or half. 
     Depicted in  FIG. 20  is a barrier wall  200  with a plurality of security features integrated into the barrier wall  200 . For example, a closed-circuit system  300  is integrated into the wall with cameras  301  positioned at various location along the barrier wall  200 . In additional embodiments, lights may also be integrated into the system. In some embodiments, solar panels may be positioned on the various surfaces of the barrier wall  200  to provide power for the electrical system(s). Motion sensors  302  may be integrated into the system both above and below the ground. For the integration of these security and electrical systems, various conduits  303  and apertures are incorporated into the design of the buttress walls  105 , the decks  106 , and the front wall  107 . Through the integration of the conduits within the solid structure there is less opportunity for the system to be tampered with. In some embodiments, the closed-circuit system  300  and the motion sensors  302  are in electronic communication with a computing device or central computing system. This computing system may be wired or wirelessly connected to the closed-circuit system  300 . 
     The barrier wall  200  may be constructed from concrete with minimum reinforcement for thermal resistance. 
     A method of creating a barrier wall  200  depicted in  FIGS. 1-16 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The foundation is constructed for particular length, the length is typically between two points where the approach roads are already available. Rails and Wagons are placed over the foundation. From the approach point the construction material for the barrier wall  200  is loaded on the wagons and wagons travels progressively along the length of barrier wall  200  on the foundation. As the wagons progresses the construct each part of the barrier wall  200  starting with the lower buttress walls  105 , the first deck  106 , the upper buttress walls  105 , and the second deck  106  and then the front wall  107  is installed. The front wall  107  rests unattached, at each end respectively upon one of the two columns. In assembling the barrier wall  200 , earth is piled behind the front of a foundation and over the buttress wall base  105  and against the front wall  107 , to a level that is slightly below the top of the protrusion  102 . 
     In some embodiments, the buttress walls  105 , the deck  106 , and a front wall portion  107  are a modular assembly, which can be stacked to create a barrier wall  200  of various heights. The lower edge of the modular assembly has a design to integrate into the top edge of the foundation  101  or a tope edge of a modular assembly. In some embodiments, this is shiplap type edge design. In other embodiments, the lower edge of the modular assembly terminates at the buttress wall  105  which it is joined with. A downward facing gap therefore is defined by edge surfaces of the buttress wall  105 . When the second modular assembly is stacked over the first modular assembly, installed on the earth fill behind the first modular assembly, the gap allows the top edge of the first modular assembly to extend up in to the gap without binding so that the vertically disposed tiers formed by the stacked modules can move independently. 
     The advantage of the stacked modular assemblies provides for increase relative movement between vertical tiers and assists with reducing bearing stress on the soil below the foundation  101  by creating arches in the soil. This reduces necessary length of the protrusions  102  and the buttress walls  105 . 
     In one embodiment the barrier wall  200  has embedded pipes to form the network of a main pipe and secondary pipes. The monitoring feature is embedded inside the wall members. The wire for a close circuit camera passes from the secondary pipes and connect to main pipe. Monitoring feature of motion sensor probe is provided inside the base of Buttress wall  105  and the protrusions  102 . Wire for the motion sensor probe is passes through the secondary pipe to connect to main pipe. A monitoring system can be connected to the security systems and has access via the main pipe. The main pipe passes from one modular assembly to the next. 
     Present invention: should not be taken as an absolute indication that the subject matter described by the term “present invention” is covered by either the claims as they are filed, or by the claims that may eventually issue after patent prosecution; while the term “present invention” is used to help the reader to get a general feel for which disclosures herein that are believed as maybe being new, this understanding, as indicated by use of the term “present invention,” is tentative and provisional and subject to change over the course of patent prosecution as relevant information is developed and as the claims are potentially amended. 
     The foregoing descriptions of various embodiments have been presented only for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the forms disclosed. Accordingly, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. Additionally, the above disclosure is not intended to limit the present invention. In the specification and claims the term “comprising” shall be understood to have a broad meaning similar to the term “including” and will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. This definition also applies to variations on the term “comprising” such as “comprise” and “comprises”. 
     Although various representative embodiments of this invention have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventive subject matter set forth in the specification and claims. Joinder references (e.g. attached, adhered, joined) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a connection of elements and relative movement between elements. As such, joinder references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other. Moreover, network connection references are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members or devices between network connections of elements. As such, network connection references do not necessarily infer that two elements are in direct communication with each other. In some instances, in methodologies directly or indirectly set forth herein, various steps and operations are described in one possible order of operation, but those skilled in the art will recognize that steps and operations may be rearranged, replaced or eliminated without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims. 
     Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments outlined above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and/or substantial equivalents, whether known or that are or may be presently foreseen, may become apparent to those having at least ordinary skill in the art. Listing the steps of a method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of the method. Accordingly, the embodiments of the invention set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Persons skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is intended to embrace all known or earlier developed alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and/or substantial equivalents. 
     While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.