A mobile protection system enables the elevation of flood protection systems while leaving the townscape, the sight and the traffic conditions to and across the river largely unchanged. It therefore preserves the identity and appeal of the city as well as the attractiveness and quality of life of the real estate properties close to the river. In order to achieve this added flood protection while leaving the everyday situation largely unchanged under observation of today's safety standards, the construction and operation of a mobile flood protection system has to meet the highest demands.

In principle, the mobile elements of the IBS systems consist of two components. The center support posts, which are mounted at regular distances in case of a flood, and the dam beams that are stacked between the center support posts.

Two additional components are required for activating the protection function: screw fittings and pressing tools. The centre support posts are screwed together with the stationary reinforced concrete construction via tapped bushes. In order to activate the system's high degree of impermeability, the dam beams must be pressed in vertical direction with the pressing tools. This seals the dam beams and ensures that the bottom dam beam is clamped on the installation surface. This system consisting of centre support post, dam beams, screws and pressing tools enables the construction of mobile walls with a height in excess of 4.0 m with just 4 system components.

Radiuses larger than 20 m (with a support post distance of 2.0 m) or larger than 30 m (with a support post distance of 3.0 m) can be formed with standard support posts.
 

Angle supports are used for hinge points.
Inclines of up to 5% with surface unevenness of up to 15 mm can be compensated. Height protrusions (steps) are overcome with flood height transitions. Depending on the post interspaces, it is possible to construct free-standing support post constructions in excess of 2.0 m. Rear support posts are used in case of larger stress on the construction.

• Dam beams made of aluminium extruded sections (AlMgSi)
• Support posts as full-aluminium constructions (AlMgSi) or combinations of aluminium extruded sections (AlMgSi) with hot-galvanised steel foot (S235)
• End profile made of aluminium extruded sections (AlMgSi)
• Pressing tools made of Gk-AlSi12 / V2a (W-no. 1.4301)
• Anchor plates made of stainless steel (V2A, 1.4301 / V4a, 1.4571) with black steel anchoring
• Seals made of EPDM, PE / PUR

The time period required for the assambly of the mobile flood protection system consists of:

• the alarm time - The time from the issue of the alarm and the readiness of the assembly personnel
• the loading time - Time for loading the transport vehicles
• the transport time - driving time from the storage location to the deployment location
• the securing time / unloading time – time to secure the traffic along the flood defence route, unload the vehicles and distribute the storage and transport containers along the defence line
• assambly time – the time for preparing the defence line, placing and screwing down the support posts and inserting/bracing the dam beams

Only the setup time is significantly influenced by the system. However, the local situation, e.g. the area behind the defence line, the placement of support posts level to the ground or on embankments, etc, also have an influence on the assambly time. The construction of a 100 m long, straight mobile flood protection wall with a support distance of 3.0 m and a protection height of 1.20 m requires 1 to 2 hours and 4 to 8 instructed workers on average with a high-quality system configuration. Twice the time has to be calculated for disassambly, removal to the storage containers and cleaning.

The mobile elements (e.g. dam beams, support rods) are stored in transport containers with a maximum weight of approx. 850 kg each. Any lifting equipment (e.g. tractor, fork lift, front loader, etc.) with transport fork or any type of crane (slewing pillar crane, hall crane, truck crane, etc.) are suited for this purpose. All vehicles/trailers with a loading area of at least 2m x 3m can be used for transport. The assembly of the system only requires simple tools (ratchet wrench with the corresponding hexagon sockets).

The following product types are available:

• IBS BSH-I 50 with 50 mm wide and 166 mm or 300 mm high dam beams for application of walls with a maximum height of 1.50 m
• IBS BSH-I 100 light with 100 mm wide and 150 mm high dam beams for application of walls with a maximum height of 3.0m
• IBS BSH-I 100  (heavy duty) with 100 mm wide and 150 mm or 250 mm high dam beams for application of walls with a maximum height of 5.0m
• IBS BSH-I 100 (Köln)  (heavy duty) with 100 mm wide and 150 mm or 250 mm high dam beams for application of walls with a maximum height of 5.0m

These product types provide technical variation options that allow custom-tailored solutions for just about any project situation.

We provide an advanced storage technology for our system. This technology allows the contact-free storage of the dam beams and support posts. The system is stored in hot-galvanised steel palettes equipped with fork tracks, crane stop positions, stackable palette feet and tension belts. Due to the contact-free storage of the individual parts on the steel palettes, these can be simply rinsed off with a water hose after use.

K-system is an abbreviation for catastrophe protection system (german: Katastrophe = catastrophe). This system does not require any preparatory construction measures on asphalt up to a flood height of 1.30 m and can therefore be applied flexibly in different locations.

The special feature of the K-system is that the water pressure applied by the flood water makes a positive contribution to the system's stabilisation.

The protective wall only consists of the following 4 components; there is no mix up during assembly.

1. K-trestle
2. Dam beam
3. Pressing tool
4. Ground seal

Due to its modular design, the system can be extended in any directions depending on the requirements and also optimally adapted to the topographic conditions. The system is capable of compensating ground unevenness of up to 15 mm, curves in the terrain with radiuses larger than 20 m and height differences of up to 190 mm. Please note that selective that exceed these dimensions can easily be sealed with sand bags and foils. Experienced flood fighters are aware of and familiar with this type of flood combating, which provides almost limitless room for improvisations.

Wall connections and corner solutions are standardised or specially adapted to local conditions.

Wall connections

K-trestles, dam beams and pressing tools consist of robust and durable materials like aluminium (AlMgSi) and stainless steel (V2A; 1.4301). All sealing joints are sealed with proven and advanced seals made of PVC foam and EPDM. Due to the high-quality materials, which have been used in flood protection for many years, almost any service life can be achieved with proper storage. This way, the system can be applied any number of times without requiring replacement purchases.

The setup and dismantling of the system requires only limited personnel and time expenditure. Depending on the flood height, 4 to 8 persons can erect 100 m of protective wall in one hour. Due to the fact that the protective wall consists only of 4 components, which cannot be mixed up during assembly, the quality of the protective wall is independent of the deployed personnel. Installation in adverse conditions like limited sight, darkness, rain and wind is also possible without any efforts. 

We carry the following 3 standard systems variants for which we have obtained a static type test from LGA Bayreuth:

Intermediate flood heights of 1100, 740, 370 and 190 can be realised by inserting less dam beams into the standardised K-trestles of the above system variants.

When using a nail plate on bitumen cover layers and roads, the three system do not require additional anchoring. This configuration was subjected to a principle check at LGA Nuremberg. The prerequisite is that the surface is capable of bearing surface pressures of 100, 200 or 400 kN/m².

We do recommend anchoring the system when using it on rough concrete surfaces and pavement to prevent slipping.

We provide an advanced storage technology for our system. This ensures contact-free storage of the dam beams and K-trestles through spacer blocks made of water-proof bonded wood. The system is stored in hot-galvanised steel palettes equipped with fork tracks, stackable palette feet and tension belts. Due to the contact-free storage of the individual parts on the steel palettes, these can be simply rinsed off with a water hose after use.

If the system cannot be stored in a suitable location, it can also be delivered and stored in containers. Depending on the flood height, protective walls with a maximum length from 130 to 280 m can be stored in a 12’ container.