Collaborative Project
Wilsiana Luna, Kristela Loci, Mohammed Draoui, Huanyan Wu, Ruiheng Lei, Mark Kim, Mariama Diallo, Moiz Atiq
Department of English, The City College of New York
ENGL 21007: Writing for Engineering
Professor Crystal Rodwel
November 27th, 2023
Summary – Kristela Loci
Introduction – Moiz Atiq
Technical Description – Huanyan Wu, Mariama Diallo
Innovation Processes – Ruiheng Lei, Mark Kim
Appendices – Wilsiana Luna
Summary
Floods have always been a global problem for many years as a result of climate change. They have a huge effect on the environment around us and on our lives as well.
To overcome this issue we came out with an idea to prevent long lasting effects for our houses.
We present to you the “Flood Barrier alarm system”…
The design is an adjustable ABS plastic residential flood barrier(very durable and thought) that can be installed in a short amount of time, 5 minutes or less, in the event of flooding.People would install these barriers during flood season and store them somewhere the other seasons..
The barrier will have a square shape 1mX1mX1m.
The barrier will have a water alarm sensor when the water reaches a certain height will give a warning sign to evacuate. The system will send severe weather alerts.
Introduction
Our innovation is a Flood barrier prevention system. Floods have been a very damaging cause in housing for property damage, for farms that can destroy a year of hard work and produce for people. Climate change has been attributed to the rise in Coastal floods. There are flood walls in the market already but none of them are strong enough or big enough compared to our product. Our group designed an adjustable ABS plastic residential flood barrier that can be installed in a short amount of time in the event of flooding. The barrier will have a square shape 1 meter height, 1 meter width, and 5 centimeters thick. There will be a water alarm attached to each top corner of the barriers that will turn on if the water rises and reaches a dangerous level if it is about to breach the wall. The usage of ABS plastic is because of its strength and durability. The plastic is cheap to make but the strength and quality will make it immensely better and help make a reasonable price since the materials used are cheap and very strong. The wall will protect the homes or as a farmer the crops from being damaged as long as the water doesn’t rise but if it were to the rise the alarm would help the home owner know the water is coming through.
Technical description
An adjustable flood barrier with a water alarm sensor is a cutting-edge solution to the escalating challenge of coastal flooding caused by climate change. Unlike traditional plain plastic flood walls, our design focuses on adaptability, ease of installation, and incorporates water alarm sensors for enhanced functionality. The flood barrier is made of ABS plastic, which was chosen for its excellent durability and toughness. ABS is known for its shock, weather and chemical resistance and is well suited to withstand harsh conditions during flood events.
ABS plastics are cost-effective, making flood barriers an affordable solution for residential use. ABS plastics ensure long-lasting performance and can withstand the rigors of floods and environmental conditions. The barrier is adjustable to accommodate different flood levels. The design allows for quick and easy installation, reducing response times in flood emergencies. And users can easily connect multiple obstacles to extend the length according to the specific needs of their property. This design addresses the shortcomings of existing flood defenses and provides a reliable defense against the growing threat of coastal flooding.
The base size of the flood barrier is 3 cm thick, 1 m high and 1 m wide. The height, as well as the width, provides stability and is easy to store when not in use. Our flood barriers are also standardized in size according to common residential needs. If customers need to customize different sizes, you can consult an engineer to get the best size.
Figure 1
Adjustable flood barrier with water alarm sensor
Note. “The front of adjustable flood barrier with water alarm sensor”
The adjustable flood barrier with water alarm sensor features a sturdy frame material in metal PVC, waterproof barrier material in ABS, adjustable legs or braces, and hinges for adjustable cross sections. By designing a sturdy frame, it can be easily adjusted to different heights. This may involve a telescopic design or a set of adjustable legs. It is basically the water alarm sensor is located in the 75cm position. A switch for the water level sensor can also be installed depending on the desired height on the barrier. The sensor will detect when the water reaches a certain level. When the water reaches 75 cm, water will enter some water through the oval hole to trigger the sensor. So that the alarm and LED indicator sound at the same time. The sound system of the alarm is located at the top, so that the sound will not be affected by the water. It is also necessary to take into account the potential flood level and place the water level sensor at the desired height.
Figure 2
Adjustable flood barrier with water alarm sensor
Note. “The side of adjustable flood barrier with water alarm sensor”
Figure 3
Alarm sensor
Note. “The water alarm sensor”
Innovation process：
The flood barrier is made of ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), which is very useful when it comes to impact resistance due to its high tensile strength of 4,100 psi. The barrier’s frame is also made of metal PVC to give the barrier an extra layer of sturdiness. The metal PVC is made of anodized aluminum laminated to the PVC, reinforcing the PVC, making an incredibly lite and affordable material more durable to chemicals and abrasions. The alarm sensor consists of an LED light, motherboard, batteries, audio system, electrical wiring, wireless receivers, and (material that the sensor is made of).
The time it would take to 3D print a single barrier would be two hours, and putting the metal pvc frame around the barrier would take an hour to complete. In addition to the alarm sensors and the adjustable arm for the barrier, it would take 30 minutes to get the sensors onto the barrier and another 30 minutes to attach the adjustable arms to the barrier. The alarm sensors would come already manufactured since we are buying in wholesale along with the metal PVC. The only product we would be manufacturing are the flood barriers due to the low cost of ABS filament for the 3D printer.
We would need to hire a software engineer who has experience with wireless receivers and the alarm sensors as a whole, to make a program to activate the alarm sensor once the water has reached a certain level and to relay the message to the LED lights and audio system to signal the water reaching an alarming level.
The cost analysis of the Flood Barrier Alarm System reveals a meticulous allocation of resources across various segments. For the core materials, ABS plastic incurs a cost of $50 per unit, reflecting its prominence in the construction. Metal PVC, essential for reinforcing the barriers, adds another $20 per unit. The intricate alarm system, encompassing LED lights, a motherboard, batteries, an audio system, electrical wiring, and wireless receivers, contributes $50 per unit. A significant portion of the cost comes from labor, amounting to $80 per unit. This includes not only the manual assembly and installation but also accounts for the hiring of a software engineer to program and test the alarm system, ensuring its functional accuracy and reliability. Collectively, these expenses culminate in a total cost of $200 per unit, a figure that balances material quality, technological sophistication, and skilled labor to deliver an efficient flood protection solution.
Initially, the physical durability of the ABS plastic barriers reinforced with metal PVC is tested. This involves subjecting the barriers to different environmental conditions, such as extreme temperatures, UV exposure, and varying degrees of mechanical stress, to simulate real-world scenarios. The aim is to ensure that the barriers maintain their integrity and functionality over time, even in harsh weather conditions.
Next, the efficiency of the alarm sensor is critically assessed. The sensor, equipped with LED lights, a motherboard, batteries, an audio system, electrical wiring, and wireless receivers, is tested for its responsiveness to rising water levels. Controlled laboratory experiments are conducted, where the sensor is submerged in water at varying levels and rates. The objective is to confirm that the sensor accurately detects specific water levels and promptly triggers the alarm system. The alarm’s audibility and visibility, particularly in challenging conditions such as heavy rain or at night, are also evaluated to ensure it can effectively alert residents.
Furthermore, the system undergoes field testing in real-world flood-prone areas. This stage is vital for assessing the practical application of the flood barriers and the alarm system. The barriers are set up in these areas, and the performance is monitored over time, especially during heavy rainfall or potential flooding events..
Lastly, feedback from these tests is used for continuous refinement. This includes making adjustments to the design for better durability, enhancing the sensitivity and reliability of the alarm system, and improving the overall user experience. The aim is to ensure that the final product not only meets the safety requirements but is also user-friendly and easy to maintain.
Appendices:
Appendix A
Durability of Flood Barriers
This appendix consists of an analysis of how durable the flood barriers are based on the materials used.
Frame Material: Metal PVC – This material is an anodized aluminum laminated to PVC. This is an extremely durable combination. This is because this product has a high tolerance for chemicals used to clean drains and clogs.
Waterproof Barrier: ABS Material – Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene is a material that is made by polymerizing styrene and acrylonitrile. This product had benefits in the areas of impact resistance, structural strength and stiffness, chemical resistance, excellent high and low temperature performance, electrical insulation properties and it’s easy to paint and glue. This product also has limitations such as that it is damaged by sunlight, solvent resistance, hazardous when burned, can’t have certain associations with food industries, and it has a higher price than an alternative which is polystyrene or polyethylene.
Presentation:
