d3 Natural Systems Design Competition

PRINCIPLES & FORM

A TUSNAMI WAVE

• The measlant barrier is swung into place when water surges are expected. it has a unique bowed shape which isv incorporated into the final design.

• Tsunami waves occur as a result of seismic activity along subduction zones. The wave extends the full depth of the ocean acting like a typical shallow-water wave. A wave

tens of meters high is produced as the wave interacts with the continental shelf. it is compressed, slows down and builds height.

Steep Slope Less Run-Up

Shallow Slope Long Run-Up

Shoreline

Continental Shelf 150 feet

NATURAL PRINCIPLES-FLOW & DRAG

• Mangroves provide natural tsunami defense. The leaves, branches, trunk and roots all cause DRAG in the water making the wave slow and die down.

POPULATION & NATURAL OCCURRENCES • We looked at the history of where tsunamis tend to happen.

The places that have repeatedly been affected are often heavily populated, and have a high projected population growth over the next fifty years. We chose Japan (more specifically Sendai) as our site due to their tsunami history and recent events.

protected area

LIMITED FUNCTIONABILITY:SUPER LEEVES • The super levees in Japan are effective but only to an extent.

They can only be placed in certain areas and cannot be built high enough to be 100% failsafe.

sendai

12 Miles

E.T.A.S.

EXPANDABLE TSUNAMI ABSORPTION SYSTEM

3d natural systems design competition 2011

DESIGN CONCEPT STATEMENT Our primary goal was to take an existing solution to controlling natural forces by examining how these control devices failed and then show how these devices could be improved upon.

Our design for Japan uses the properties of flow and drag found in mangrove systems to control tsunami impact. Our design is meant to benefit highly populated Pacific Rim countries such as JAPAN. The parachute form for these units has been derived from their functional need to dissipate the force of tidal waves sourced from a tsunami. Utilizing attributes of perforation and drag, the concept of an anchored buffering device was developed to allow flow while maintaining the structural stability of the unit.

In the event of a tsunami, the E.T.A.S is activated. During deployment, the surface area expands so that it may dampen the impact forces of the incoming wave. The ‘parachute’ modules sit on the bottom of the ocean floor in their collapsed form. After an earthquake hits and the water reseeds the units become exposed. The water then surges back hitting the device and causes it to activate at water travels through.

The unit is comprised of four major components; anchor, cables, collapsible cage, and series of fabric tubes. The water traveling through the tubes expands the device while causing drag at the same time. Once the wave is dampened and loses energy it continues to dissipate until dying completely. Tying it down with cables allows a certain amount of mobility enabling the water to move the units to where the current is strongest.

BUFFERING TUBES: • A fabric tube system is connected to the cage, allowing water to flow through its funneled formwork and dissipate the tidal wave energy.

STRUCTURAL FRAMEWORK: • Each unit is comprised of a folding cage that expands when met with the force of a tidal wave. Its hinges pivot to allow compression and expansion of the frame.

E.T.A.S. DEPLOYMENT • The system remains in a neutral state until an earthquake occurs (1). After the event, the ocean recedes in advance of the approaching tsunami wave (2). The force of the incoming wave expands the apparatus, imposing drag force on the wave. The height and energy of the wave are reduced due to turbulent flow (3).

E.T.A.S.

EXPANDABLE TSUNAMI ABSORPTION SYSTEM

3d natural systems design competition 2011