Global warming and climate change are realities. With increasing frequency the media reports on the consequences – storms and floods of an unprecedented nature, even in regions that were previously considered safe. Research by the Inter-governmental Panel for Climate Change also suggests that extreme flood events will become more frequent.

Whilst it is not possible to build defences against all flood risk, in particular permanent defence, other initiatives which can be used to mitigate the impact of floods include demountable flood defence systems. One such system which has been established in Germany for over 10 years is the BAUER-IBS Demountable Flood Defence System, for which BAUER Inner City Limited have been nominated as the sole agent for the system in the UK and Ireland.

The Company

BAUER Inner City Ltd is the UK arm of the international Bauer organisation, best known for their advanced civil engineering technologies. The UK division operates within specific specialist product areas, these including Flood Defence Systems (the BAUER-IBS DEMFLOOD™ Demountable System), Bauer Ductile Iron Piling System, Diaphragm and Sheet Pile cut-off walls and Environmental Engineering.

Demountable Flood Defence Systems are a new area of activity for Bauer in the UK, providing a unique alternative solution to traditional defence designs. The System has been used in over 300 locations around the world with complete success. Ductile Piles are also a recent innovation, replacing traditional piling techniques and allowing demonstrable time savings on site and a reduced overall project cost.

Service

BAUER Inner City Ltd work with a diverse range of clients from Government Departments, Local Authorities, Developers, Engineers and Contractors. Works involving Flood Defence Systems can involve all these parties. We cover all of the UK and Ireland and offer a comprehensive design and technical and advisory service - from the earliest feasibility stage through to completion - backed by the technical expertise of an international organisation. We offer a superior, client-focused service based strongly on an uncompromising approach to quality and customer care.

The BAUER-IBS Demountable Flood Defence System

The BAUER-IBS Demountable Flood Defence System is a state-of-the-art system, which comprises lightweight extruded aluminium profiles, including supporting posts and dam beams. The demountable central support post consists of a support core and the post base. The post base, comprising galvanised steel, is permanently bolted to the aluminium support core during use and in line with static requirements and flood height. The distance between the supporting posts is typically between 2.0m and 4.0m. The post base can be manhandled (with assistance from small plant and machinery for higher flood protection heights) and positioned over the anchor plates. The anchor plates are permanently cast into a ground beam foundation. When the first supporting posts are placed and bolted, a subsequent team can start inserting the dam beams. As a rule the dam beams always have the same length and the ground seal can be pressed into any dam beam.

After first partial installation of the dam beams has been complete the ground seal is compressed by means of a pressing tool. Flood defence height up to 5 metres is possible. For flood defence heights of greater than about 1.5m - 1.6m back supports are generally installed to comply with static requirements.

When the system is not in use only the small anchor plates, which are flush with the top of the permanent ground beam / ground level foundation are visible. Below are a number of images that demonstrate the effectiveness of the BAUER-IBS system.

Locations of Previous Projects

• Numerous projects in Germany on the Rivers Rhine and Mosel
• Bewdley Bridge and Shrewsbury, along the River Severn in the United Kingdom
• MRTA Southline Subway in Bangkok, Thailand
• Linz Kunstmuseum in Austria
• Realp in Switzerland

Environmental Impact

The system is manufactured from minimum 75% recycled aluminium within the European Union with no pollution threat from the components, which are stable and inert.

Applications

• Protection against flooding from rivers in cities, towns and villages
• Protection to industrial, commercial and housing developments
• Protection to roads, pavements, railways, underpasses/subways
• Closing off gates, doors, windows and the like
• Coastal Flood Defence (Inter-tidal zone)
• Containment Barriers
• Industrial Installations (Stop Logs)
• Canal De-watering Systems
• Sewage Treatment Works (Stop Logs)

Particular Advantages of the BAUER-IBS Demountable Flood Defence System

• The system is unique in the United Kingdom and Ireland
• The system is easy to install and, in the event of a flood warning, can be installed in a short period of time, using suitably trained personnel
• Seals are intentionally kept small, which minimises potential damage or vandalism
• In the event of a flood warning the system can be installed quickly and easily
• As the components are symmetrical incorrect installation is virtually impossible
• Where demountable flood defence systems are installed in Historic locations, BAUER-IBS have developed methods of addressing the issue of minimising the need to install permanent fixings to structures, such as listed historic buildings
• The system is fully demountable, thus when not in use the scenic outlook and aesthetics are not compromised, as would be the case with permanent flood defences
• A partial installation of the system is achievable, therefore it is possible to release the pressing tool and increase the flood height protection with additional dam beams whilst the system is in use, without compromising its integrity or water tightness
• The system has been subjected to various tests under extreme conditions an is able to withstand impact load of up to around 20 kN/m2, in the event of a tree being uprooted upstream and impacting with the demountable flood defence system, for example.

Storage Recommendations

During dismantling of the demountable system and prior to storage it is sufficient to hose / wash down the components with clean water – the use of detergents should be avoided. All mobile components are stored on special pallets, with no contact between the parts. This storage system prevents electrolytic action and encourages good air circulation and quick drying out after use. Ideally the posts are stored vertically on the pallets, which enables quicker assembly during the next flood warning. Handling and transfer of the pallets can be undertaken with a stacker truck for most applications.

About Us

BAUER Inner City Limited was formed and became part of the BAUER Group of Companies in 2000. Although BAUER are widely known globally as foundation and ground improvement engineers, the UK division operates within specific specialist product areas, such as the DEMFLOOD™ Demountable Flood Defence System, and the company aims to introduce into the country new and innovative technologies that have hitherto been unavailable, and which broaden technical horizons for our clients in both private and commercial sectors.

We work with a diverse range of clients including Government departments, local authorities, developers, engineers and contractors. From our Manchester base, the company covers all of the United Kingdom and Ireland, offering unique and always cost-effective technical solutions, backed by the resources of a major international organisation.

Innovative Solutions

Our technical support provides advice and assistance from the earliest feasibility stages of a project through to completion, and design and cost estimates are provided for both specifiers and users alike. BAUER’s extensive technical capability allow us to examine many design possibilities based on experiential learning, and offer the most economic and effective solution, allowing the client to achieve an outcome that represents best value and a sound solution.

We aim to

Provide a superior, client-focused service and set the highest available standards within our sector, based strongly on innovation, quality and an uncompromising approach to customer care. BAUER Inner City Limited welcome a collaborative approach in order that both ourselves and our clients can demonstrate exemplars and provide the optimum of service and quality.