A liquid dam is a portable dam that can be filled with water on site and can be used wherever water flow needs to be controlled, managed, and manipulated. The liquid dam consists of two basic parts: the inside is two watertight polyethylene pipes to hold the water, and the outside or "main pipe" is made of polypropylene-coated heavy-duty geotextile, which can hold the two water-filled pipes inside. The outer tube plus the inner tube make up the liquid dam. The image below shows a partial section to better illustrate how the internal and external pipes of a typical water-filled liquid dam are constructed.
When the liquid dam needs to be inflated, precipitation is pumped into the two tubes inside. The durable fabric outer tube wraps around the two water-filled inner tubes and organizes them to break apart. There is opposite friction/water pressure between the inner pipe and the outer pipe. The direction of force follows the gathering force and gravity of the water, which generates pressure and stabilizes the liquid dam to offset the side water pressure. Due to the inherent elasticity of the materials used in the construction, the liquid dam can adapt to most types of surfaces, providing excellent sealing and minimizing water seepage.
Liquid dams can be built in a variety of sizes, from 0.3 to 5 meters (after inflation). Liquid dams were constructed to be standard 1.3 meters or 2.5 meters long to facilitate direct transport. However, any length can be assembled and spliced, and shorter, longer or non-standard lengths can be customized. Two or more liquid dams can be joined together using matching fasteners to form a dam bag of any desired size. Liquid dams are connected using patented connection fasteners (standard for each liquid dam). Liquid dams of different sizes can also be connected to each other, almost indefinitely long. Can be applied in a straight line, can also form an arc, can even form a ring. The liquid dams may also be angularly connected to each other as necessary for the project. Liquid dams are usually rolled up in the factory and prepared for installation at the construction site. However, large liquid dams are generally no longer assembled on site. A standard liquid dam consists of a "main tube" and a pair of internal tubes wrapped around a wooden or metal shaft. In most cases, the reel plays an important role in the installation, rolling up and transportation of the liquid dam.
 

Scope of use of liquid dam

The original method, soil fill discharge and expensive sheet pile method are all traditional methods of ditch operation. These methods are environmentally hazardous, time consuming, and expensive due to the need to rely on heavy equipment.
Water-filled dykes and weirs create the ideal building location for water control structures. On-site water intake is pumped into the liquid dam, which is deployed due to the incoming water pressure. In most applications, the installation can be completed within 1 hour without causing water environmental damage. It is possible to obtain complete drainage in the working position, fix the liquid, then dredge and install the geotextile.
For example, when used to control flooding and extend levees, liquid dams are more effective than sandbags. They can be installed quickly, the value is that there is no need to sandbag a lot of labor, the most valuable is that can be reused.
The standard 1.22-meter liquid dam is capable of storing large amounts of water, one 3 meters wide and 30 meters long (maximum fill), and can hold approximately 9.5 cubic meters of water. Liquid dams are durable, can be properly installed, can be transferred and stored, and can be used again and again. Even if the internal pipe leaks, the use of tape can be quickly repaired. If desired, replaceable tubes are provided by liquid dams. Liquid dam installation and repair are very simple. Just one pair of hand-held pumps, on-site water, more than 2 workers (skilled depending on liquid dam size).

 

Specification for dimensions of liquid dam