#10 | Certification tests
FM Global certification testing | US Army Research and Development Center (ERDC)
Halls Ferry Rd, Vicksburg, MS, USA
32.346044, -90,833846
| Features tested | 1. Installation time 2. Reusability 3. Environmental impact 4. Watertightness and stability at 30%, 60% and 100% of dam capacity 5. Resistance to waves at 60%, 80% and 100% of dam capacity 6. Resistance to parallel currents 7. Shock resistance (impacts from tree trunks) 8. Overflow resistance (120% of dam capacity) |
| Length deployed | 40 m (x3) |
| Equipment | 2 WL 3950 barriers + 1 WL 3930 barrier 2 WL 5050 barriers + 1 WL 5030 barrier 2 WL 6050 barriers + 1 WL 6030 barrier |
| Protection height | 100 cm | 127 cm | 152 cm |
| Deployment | 2 people |
| Assembly | Supported by 2 parallel abutments placed 9 metres apart |
| Location | Vicksburg, USA |
The test protocol was developed by the company FM Approvals.
Approval Standard for Flood Abatement Equipment | Class Number 2510
The test site was specifically configured for pioneering flood control experiments, with dykes against two wall abutments and a 30-foot (9.1-metre) opening between the walls.
A geometric test area track is marked on the concrete floor, and all systems must follow this track. One side of the track touches the concrete wall at a 90-degree angle, and the other side abuts the concrete wall at a 63-degree angle. The aim of having two different angles is to simulate the geometric variability of the real world and to demonstrate the constructability and the geometric flexibility of each supplier’s product. Furthermore, this asymmetric geometry allows the wave load to be varied during the hydrodynamic tests and creates a significant current along the 63-degree wall.
Water-Gate barriers received their certificate of conformity on 3rd September 2015.
To date, only 3 mobile systems worldwide have been certified by FM Approvals!
