Method, waterproof liner and waterproof panels for installation in basins and canals

Abstract

A method, a waterproof liner and waterproof panels for installations in basins and canals) both dry and with stationary and flowing water. The liner consists of a plurality of prefabricated panels, including at least one flexible waterproof membrane, made of geosynthetic material, provided with side anchor bands for anchoring to the ground and with side sealing flaps. The panels that are rolled up into rolls are sequentially unrolled and extended by fixing provisionally along at least one anchor band, by joining simultaneously the flaps of adjoining panels by means of an intermediate zip fastener. Subsequently, the individual panels are firmly anchored by friction to the bottom and/or to the banks of the basin or canal, by means of a permanent ballast. The individual panels can be removed and replaced by operating underwater, restoring the seal between panels of the entire waterproof liner.

Claims

1-33. (canceled)

34. A method for installation and laying of a waterproof liner on the bottom and/or side banks of a canal or water basin, wherein the waterproof liner consists of a plurality of tubular panel anchored to the bottom or side banks of the channel or basin, each panel comprising at least a waterproof membrane, wherein the method comprises the following steps: manufacturing a plurality of waterproof tubular panels in which each tubular panel comprises at least a tubular ballast chamber and flexible sealing flaps extending along opposite side edges of the panel; sequentially positioning a number of tubular waterproof panels on the bottom and/or on the side banks of the canal or water basin; fastening in advance each waterproof panel to the bottom and/or to the side banks of the canal or water basin during laying; removably connecting in a sealing fashion opposite flaps of adjoining waterproof panels by an intermediate watertight connecting device, during laying of the panels; and ballasting and frictionally anchoring each individual waterproof panel to the bottom and/or to the side banks of the canal or water basin by injecting a concrete mixture in the ballast chamber after each panel has been laid.

35. The method for installation and laying down of a waterproof liner according to claim 34, comprising performing the fastening step of each panel, and the watertight connection of the intermediate connecting device during underwater laying of each waterproof panel into the canal or water basin.

36. The method for installation and laying of a waterproof liner according to claim 34, comprising connecting opposite watertight flexible side flaps of two adjoining waterproof panels by a watertight zip fastener.

37. The method for installation and laying of a waterproof liner according to claim 36, comprising closing the zip fastener connecting adjoining panels simultaneously with the fastening to the bottom and/or side banks of side anchor bands, or of the flexible sealing flaps, during underwater laying of the waterproof panels.

38. The method for installation and laying of a waterproof liner according to claim 34, comprising configuring the intermediate watertight connecting device between panels, with opposite overlapped sealing flaps of adjoining panels, and positioning an expandable sealing element between the overlapped flaps pressing the sealing element by a ballast member.

39. The method for installation and laying of a waterproof liner according to claim 34, comprising configuring each waterproof panel with at least one tubular chamber or a plurality of cells in which a ballast is injected consisting of a concrete mixture at a fluid state.

40. The method for installation and laying of a waterproof liner according to claim 39, comprising injecting the ballast material from at least one end or from at least one internal zone of the panel.

41. The method for installation and laying of a waterproof liner according to claim 40, comprising injecting the ballast material by one or more tubular members which extend into the tubular chamber or the plurality of cells towards different internal zones of the panel.

42. The method for installation and laying of a waterproof liner according to claim 34, comprising configuring the panel with a bottom waterproof membrane and an upper waterproof membrane sealingly connected along peripheral edges, in which at least one of the waterproof membranes is made of a geosynthetic material.

43. The method for installation and laying of a waterproof liner according to claim 34, comprising configuring the panel with a first waterproof membrane made of a geosynthetic material and a second waterproof membrane, folded in a tubular shape, having its side edges sealingly joined along a sealing line, at a first end, said second waterproof membrane being superimposed and welded to the first waterproof membrane, the tubular chamber being defined inside the second waterproof membrane.

44. The method for installation and laying of a waterproof liner according to claim 39, comprising injecting the ballast material into the tubular chamber or cells of the panel, by flexible feeding conduits connected to openings of the upper waterproof membrane, or of the second waterproof membrane.

45. The method for installation and laying of a waterproof liner according to claim 34, comprising providing a watertight connection device between flexible flaps of adjoining waterproof panels, wherein each waterproof panel consists of a single waterproof membrane in geosynthetic material.

46. The method for installation and laying of a waterproof liner according to claim 34, comprising providing a watertight connection device between flexible flaps of adjoining waterproof panels, wherein each waterproof panel consists of a first waterproof membrane in geosynthetic material and a second waterproof membrane folded in a tubular shape.

47. The method for installation and laying of a waterproof liner according to claim 34, wherein the waterproof panel comprises a bottom waterproof membrane and an upper waterproof membrane providing one or more tubular chambers or cells for a permanent ballast material, comprising the step of providing a plurality of flexible inner tie members configured to maintain at a prefixed space the bottom waterproof membrane and the upper waterproof membrane during injection of the ballast material.

48. The method for installation and laying of a waterproof liner according to claim 34, comprising the step of providing inside the tubular chamber a plurality of flexible inner tie members configured to maintain opposite inner walls of the tubular chamber at a prefixed distance during injection of the ballast material.

49. The method for installation and laying of a waterproof liner according to claim 42, comprising configuring the bottom waterproof membrane and/or the upper waterproof membrane with synthetic material having a permeability coefficient K equal to or lower than 10.sup.−10 cm/s.

50. The method for installation and laying of a waterproof liner according to claim 43, comprising configuring the first waterproof membrane and/or the second waterproof membrane with synthetic material having a permeability coefficient K equal to or lower than 10.sup.−10 cm/s.

51. A waterproof liner for a canal or water basin suitable to be installed and laid down by the method of claim 34, wherein the liner comprises: a plurality of side by side arranged independent waterproof panels which extend on a bottom and/or side banks of the canal or water basin, wherein each panel comprises at least a waterproof membrane and is configured with at least a ballast chamber and wherein each panel is provided with flexible flaps which extend longitudinally along opposite side edges of the panel; an intermediate watertight connecting device between opposite flexible flaps of waterproof panels facing each other; each panel comprising at least an opening for injecting cementitious mixture for ballasting and frictionally anchoring each panel to the bottom or the side banks of a canal or water basin.

52. The waterproof liner according to claim 51, wherein each waterproof panel is provided with flexible anchor band, wherein at least one flexible anchor band of each panel if fixed to the bottom or the side banks of the channel of water basin.

53. The waterproof liner according to claim 51, wherein at least one flexible flap of each panel is fixed to the bottom or the side banks of the channel of water basin.

54. The waterproof liner according to claim 51, wherein the intermediate watertight connecting device between flexible watertight flaps comprises a watertight zip fastener.

55. The waterproof liner according to claim 51, wherein the watertight flexible flaps of adjoining panels are connected to each other in a slack manner.

56. The waterproof liner according to claim 51, wherein the intermediate watertight connecting device between the flexible watertight flaps comprises an expandable watertight member positioned between overlapped flexible watertight flaps, and a permanent ballast positioned to press said expandable watertight member between the overlapped watertight flaps.

57. The waterproof liner according to claim 56, wherein the expandable watertight device comprises a material which expands in contact with water.

58. The waterproof liner according to claim 57, wherein the expandable watertight device is positioned between two side spongy members.

59. The waterproof liner according to claim 58, comprising a first water leakage detecting chamber, respectively a second chamber for injecting a sealing-material, said first and second chamber being disposed between the expandable watertight member and the side spongy members.

60. A waterproof panel suitable for installation and laying of a waterproof liner for canals and water basins according to claim 51, wherein the panel is configured as a tubular panel comprising: at least one waterproof membrane made of geosynthetic material, having side edges extending in a longitudinal direction of the panel; a flexible watertight flap along opposite side edges of the panel; wherein each watertight flap of a panel may be connected to a watertight flap of another panel by means of an intermediate watertight connecting device.

61. The waterproof panel according to claim 60, comprising a bottom waterproof membrane and an upper waterproof membrane sealingly welded along peripheral edges, and a plurality of flexible internal tie members between the bottom membrane and the upper membrane.

62. The waterproof panel according to claim 60, comprising a first waterproof membrane and a second waterproof membrane, folded in a tubular shape, having superimposed side edges sealingly joined along a sealing line, said second waterproof membrane being superimposed and welded to the first waterproof membrane, at least one tubular chamber, having opposite inner surfaces, being defined inside the second waterproof membrane, a plurality of flexible internal tie members being provided between opposite inner surfaces of the tubular chamber.

63. The waterproof panel according to claim 61, wherein at least one of the waterproof membranes is made of a geosynthetic material.

64. The waterproof panel according to claim 61, wherein the internal tie members comprise a plurality of eyelets on an inner side of each bottom and upper waterproof membrane and a plurality of cord members alternately threaded in the eyelets of the upper waterproof membrane and the bottom waterproof membrane of the panel.

65. The waterproof panel according to claim 62, wherein the internal tie members comprise a plurality of eyelets on each inner wall of the tubular chamber and a plurality of cord members alternately threaded in the eyelets of inner walls of the tubular chamber.

66. The waterproof panel according to claim 60, wherein each watertight flap is provided with a toothed strip constituting part of a watertight zip fastener.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] These and further features of the method, of the waterproof liner and some embodiments of waterproof panels according to the invention will be illustrated below with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0048] FIG. 1 is a top view of a portion of a canal of water, provided with a waterproof liner according to the invention;

[0049] FIG. 2 is a cross section, according to line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

[0050] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross section of a first embodiment of a waterproof panel according to the present invention;

[0051] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross section of a first solution of a waterproof joint between panels of FIG. 3, according to line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

[0052] FIG. 5 is a cross section similar to the cross section of FIG. 4 of a second solution;

[0053] FIG. 6 is an enlarged detail, top viewed, of the joint in FIG. 4 comprising a watertight zip fastener;

[0054] FIG. 7 shows, schematically, the immersion and the laying underwater of a waterproof panel in the canal of FIG. 1;

[0055] FIG. 8 is an enlarged detail of FIG. 7 that shows the step of supplying the cementitious mixture of permanent ballast to a waterproof panel according to FIG. 3;

[0056] FIG. 9 shows an enlarged detail of FIG. 8;

[0057] FIG. 10 shows a version for supplying a ballast cementitious mixture to the panel of FIG. 3;

[0058] FIG. 11 shows, schematically, a second embodiment of a waterproof panel;

[0059] FIG. 12 shows, schematically, a third embodiment of a waterproof panel;

[0060] FIG. 13 shows two possible versions of the connecting tie rods between the lower waterproof membrane and the upper waterproof membrane of the panel of FIG. 3;

[0061] FIGS. 14 and 15 show two further possible versions of the tie rods for the panel of FIG. 3;

[0062] FIG. 16 shows a system for anchoring a panel to a concrete structure;

[0063] FIG. 17 shows an enlarged detail of a further embodiment of the waterproof panel and of the watertight joint according to the invention.

[0064] FIGS. 18 to 20 show a still further embodiment of a waterproof panel according to the invention;

[0065] FIG. 21 is a flow diagram of a method for laying the panels, in the installation of a waterproof liner according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0066] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, a first embodiment of a waterproof panel will be disclosed that is suitable for the installing and laying down dry or underwater of a waterproof liner in a canal; obviously, what will be said below with reference to both FIGS. 1 to 5 and to the subsequent figures must not be understood restrictively with regard to the conformation and laying of the waterproof panels; in fact, the waterproof panels, in the shown conformation or in any other equivalent conformation, can be used to form waterproof liners in any type of hydraulic canal, for irrigation, or for any hydraulic application different from the one shown.

[0067] Lastly, it is pointed out that in some figures the same reference numbers will be used, with the possible addition of an index, to indicate similar or equivalent parts.

[0068] In FIGS. 1 and 2 a top view is shown of respectively a cross section, of a portion of a hydraulic canal or irrigation canal; the canal, which is indicated overall with 10, comprises a bottom 11 and two side banks 12 for conveying a flow of water in the direction of the arrow 13, which, according to the flow regime, can have a higher or lower level that the level shown, both over time and along the canal.

[0069] With the reference number 14 individual waterproof panels have been indicated that overall constitute the waterproof liner according to the invention.

[0070] As during underwater installing and laying of the waterproof panels 14, in the case of the canal 10 the flow of water can have a speed that is variable over time, that can be, locally, for example, a speed that is the same as or greater than 0.5 m/s, and as the canal 10 can have a considerable length, of the order of tens or hundreds of kilometres, the individual waterproof panels 14 have to be configured and a laying method has to be defined that are such as to enable waterproof panels to be manufactured beforehand in the factory such panels having constant waterproof and structural features that are closely checkable; it is also necessary for the individual panels 14 to be configured in such a way as to permit laying with simple methods so as to reduce significantly both the cost and time of installing and/or anchoring the waterproof liner along an affected portion of canal or in any water basin or hydraulic structure. Lastly, with the reference number 15 stakes have been indicated for fixing the two ends 14′ of each waterproof panel 14 to the two banks 12 of the canal 10.

[0071] With reference now to FIGS. 3 to 5 a first embodiment of a waterproof panel 14 according to the present invention will be disclosed. As shown in FIG. 3, the panel 14 comprises a lower waterproof membrane 16, consisting of a geomembrane, and an upper waterproof membrane 17, joined in a watertight manner along the peripheral edges, defining a tubular chamber 18 of any desired length or width. In the case shown, the panel 14 has a rectangular shape that extends longitudinally over the entire width of the canal 10; nevertheless, the panel 14 could have any other shape and/or dimension that are different from those shown.

[0072] The lower membrane 16 and/or the upper membrane 17 can be made of any geosynthetic material that is suitable for forming an efficient barrier to water.

[0073] The lower membrane 16 material or upper membrane 17 material can consist of a waterproof membrane in PVC or other synthetic resin, for example a geomembrane SIBELON CNT™ having a thickness comprised between 1 and 5 mm, and a low permeability coefficient K according to the law of Darcy, for example a coefficient K that is equal to or lower than 10.sup.−10 cm/s. The membrane 16 is coupled with a geotextile layer 19 that is suitable for contact with the ground, configured for providing protection against perforation and a suitable friction coefficient against the ground.

[0074] The use of a synthetic resin geomembrane having a low permeability coefficient K, in the prefabrication of waterproof panels according to the present invention, with respect to waterproof panels in bentonite or of another type, proves to be extremely suitable as it enables a very high degree of waterproof to be obtained, and constant and accurate control of the structural waterproof features thereof, which in this manner remain substantially constant over the entire lining to be made, regardless of the type and of the features of the ballast that will be used to anchor the individual panels to the bottom and/or to the banks of a canal or water basin.

[0075] Otherwise, the upper sheet material 17, which has mainly the function of confining and covering the ballast that will be injected into the chamber 18, can be made of any watertight material, at low cost, for example of geomembrane of lesser thickness than that of the bottom geomembrane 16, or can consist of any textile material that is coated or provided with a waterproof layer of PVC or another suitable synthetic resin that is compatible with the synthetic resin of the bottom membrane 16, to enable the two layers to be sealingly welded together. As previously mentioned, one or both the waterproof membranes 16 and 17 can consist of a geosynthetic material of suitable thickness; it is nevertheless possible that one of the two waterproof membranes 16 and 17 consists of a geosynthetic material. In certain cases the upper waterproof membrane, intended to come into contact with the moving flow of water, is made of geosynthetic material that is suitable for providing both the necessary waterproof of the panel 14 and relatively low roughness. In this manner, not only are possible repair works to a damaged geomembrane made possible, without removing the waterproof panel, but also greater flow speed and flow rate of a canal are permitted.

[0076] In the case shown, the upper covering sheet 17 is sealingly welded to the lower membrane 17 along the longitudinal edges 21, leaving the two ends 14′ of the panel open, which can in turn be sealingly welded as explained further on, providing suitable air venting valves or openings at the ends 14′ of the panel.

[0077] In positions that are intermediate to the two membranes 16 or 17, there are a number of tie rods or spacers 22, for example consisting of a technical yarn, which have the function of maintaining the two membranes 16, 17 correctly spaced apart from one another when the tubular chamber 18 is filled with a suitable quantity of a ballast material.

[0078] In the case shown in FIG. 3, the tie rods 22 have been schematically indicated in the form of textile yarns that are suitable fixed to the two membranes 16 and 17 along connecting lines that are parallel to one another, that extend longitudinally and/or transversely to the panel; the tie rods 22 can have any length, for example comprised between 10 cm and 20 cm, and any pitch or distance between rows, comprised for example between 10 cm and 30 cm; nevertheless, the tie rods 22 could be otherwise configured and/or arranged, as shown in the examples of the figures that follow.

[0079] A panel 14 that is thus formed takes the shape of a large flat sack having a length, for example, of a few tenths of a metre, which can be easily prefabricated and rolled up for storage and transport, then be subsequently unwrapped for laying and ballasted as explained below. The flat shape of the lower side constituted by the membrane 16, and the flexibility of the membrane promote the adhesion of the panel to the bottom and to the side banks of the canal or water basin to be waterproofed, adapting correctly to the conformation of the underlying ground; otherwise, the flat shape of the upper side of the panel 14 constituted by the sheet 17, if the panel is used to line the bottom and the banks of a canal, as previously mentioned, tends to promote the flowing of the flow of water, reducing loss through friction, thus helping to increase the flow rate of the canal.

[0080] FIGS. 3 and 4 show an innovative feature of the waterproof panel 14 according to the invention, that is suitable for enabling a mechanical seal connection between longitudinal edges of adjoining panels, maintaining the panels structurally and functionally independent of one another, i.e. able to be easily removed if damaged and be replaced with a new panel, restoring the continuity and seal of the waterproof liner. In fact, as can be seen from the aforesaid figures, the lower membrane 16 has a central part, comprised between the two welding lines 21 of the upper membrane 17; the panel 14 on at least one side further comprises a flexible side band 23, also known as an anchor band, that extends longitudinally over the entire length or width of the panel 14.

[0081] The side anchor band or bands 23, as explained below, are used for preliminary anchoring of the panels, for example by means of stakes 15, during laying underwater. The anchor bands 23 can be shaped in any manner; for example in the case shown they consist of an extension of the side edges of the lower membrane 16, beyond the welding line 21 of the upper sheet 17, for a preset width. The anchor bands 23 can be further configured with a series of holes 25 for inserting the anchor stakes 15.

[0082] The panel 14, in addition to the anchor band or bands 23, has on each longitudinal side a flexible flap or sealing flap 26 welded in 27 to the lower anchor band 23 near the weld 21 between the waterproof membrane 16 and the upper waterproof membrane 17.

[0083] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, each of the two sealing flaps 26 is provided with a variably configured watertight jointing device 28; further, the two sealing flaps 26 have a greater width than the width of the anchor bands 23, protruding laterally from the latter so as to form a slack intermediate zone when the facing sealing flaps 26 of two adjoining panels 14 are sealingly connected together as shown in FIG. 4. The conformation and the width of the sealing flaps 26, which are such as to form an intermediate slack zone, enables possible misalignments between adjoining panels 14 to be compensated during laying, enabling in this manner a sealing connection of the joint 28 even if the edges of the flaps 26 of two adjoining panels 14 are not perfectly parallel to one another.

[0084] The watertight joint 28 can be configured in any manner; a solution is shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 6, in which use is made of a watertight zip fastener for the joint 28; as shown, the zip fastener 28 comprises a first toothed strip 28.1, welded along an edge of one of the sealing flaps 26.1 of a first panel 14.1, and a second toothed strip 28.2 welded to the sealing flap 26.2 of an adjoining panel 14.2 opposite the preceding one, provided with a suitable cursor, which is not shown, for coupling and disengaging the two toothed strips 28.1 and 28.2 of the zip fastener, in a per se known manner; suitable washers 29 permit waterproof closure of the zip fastener.

[0085] Waterproof zip fasteners are generally known, for example from U.S. Pat. No. 4,513,482 and from U.S. Pat. No. 4,488,338 for various civil uses; nevertheless, the use of a waterproof zip fastener, for this specific application, in addition to being extremely practical and suitable, is also extremely innovative because it enables the flaps 26 of two adjoining panels 14 to be sealingly joined directly during underwater laying thereof, maintaining the structural and functional independence of the panels; in this manner the operations of laying the panels 14 and of both dry and underwater installation of the waterproof liner are enormously simplified and performed in an extremely short time. Further, the use of zip fasteners or of equivalent disengageable sealing devices enables a damaged panel 14 to be removed and replaced easily, with another new waterproof panel 14, always operating extremely rapidly, without interrupting the flow of water into the canal or emptying the water basin.

[0086] FIG. 5 shows a version of FIG. 4, in which the opposite edges of the two anchor bands 23 have been partially superimposed, being fixed by means of stakes 15; for all the rest the solution of FIG. 5 corresponds to the solution of FIG. 4, so the same reference numbers have been used to indicate similar or equivalent parts.

[0087] The advantages that are intrinsic to the system according to the invention for installing and laying a waterproof liner constituted by a plurality of independent panels 14, that adjoin one another and are sealing connected, that extend transversely to a canal or to a water basin, against the bottom and/or on the opposite banks, consist of:

[0088] a) the possibility of prefabricating the panels 14 in a constantly controlled manner, i.e. having identical structural and waterproof characteristics of the individual panels;

[0089] b) the possibility of forming waterproof liners on canals and/or water basins of great extent, maintaining waterproof features for the entire liner that are substantially constant and controlled during laying, that are completely independent of the ground morphological conditions and climatic conditions of the place of installation;

[0090] c) further, as the individual waterproof panels 14 can be made in a controlled manner with flexible sheet material, upon completion of manufacture in the factory of the panels the latter can be rolled up into a roll, stored and sent to the place of laying, and be subsequently installed by unrolling directly underwater, automatically joining sealingly the panels by suitable equipment, which are then suitably ballasted and frictionally anchored to the bottom and to the banks of a canal or water basin.

[0091] The above has been shown schematically in the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8 for the panel of FIG. 3. As previously mentioned, after checking and possibly reprofiling the entire area of the canal, or water basin to be waterproofed, and after preparing the waterproof panels 14 in the factory, rolling the panels 14 up into the rolls already provided with the sealing flaps 26 provided with zip fasteners 18, and with anchor bands 23, in which the panels 14 have a width that is suitable for covering the entire cross section of the canal or water basin, the panels 14 are conveyed to the laying site.

[0092] Then the panels in rolls are loaded onto a boat, where they are positioned individually on special equipment for laying both dry and for laying underwater on the bottom and/or on the banks of a canal or water basin.

[0093] The panels 14 are then laid in sequence, being unrolled progressively from one bank of the canal or water basin 10, as indicated in FIG. 7, where one end 14′ thereof (FIG. 1), is fixed to the ground, above the level of the water, by means of anchor stakes 15.

[0094] Each panel 14 is then immersed in water and unrolled continuously from one bank 12, on the bottom 11 of the canal or water basin, as far as the opposite bank 12, as indicated schematically in FIG. 7, where the other end of the panel 14 is again fixed by means of stakes or anchoring 15.

[0095] During unrolling and laying of each panel 14, one or both the anchor bands 23 are fixed beforehand to the banks 12 and to the bottom 11 by means of stakes or anchoring 15, in particular, to the top band, as shown in FIG. 4, to prevent the flow of water or possible wave movements being able to move the panel, misaligning the side edge thereof and the sealing flap 26 with respect to the edge and to the sealing flap 26 of a previously spread adjoining panel 14.

[0096] After spreading and anchoring a panel 14 by the stakes 15 between the two banks 12, in the same manner another panel 14 that adjoins the preceding panel is unrolled and spread; whilst each panel 14 is unrolled underwater, the waterproof zip fastener 28 is simultaneously and progressively closed, coupling the two opposite toothed strips 28.1 and 28.2 of two adjoining panels 14. Possible misalignments of the panels 14 are compensated by the slack of the two sealing flaps 26, permitting anyway closure of the zip fastener 28 and consequently a waterproof closure; the same procedure can be followed if necessary for dry laying.

[0097] After spreading each panel 14 by provisionally fixing each panel 14 with the anchoring elements 15, the panel 14 is permanently anchored to the banks 12 and to the bottom 11 by a ballast that is suitable for pressing the lower membrane 16 against the banks 12 and the bottom 11 of the canal or water basin, where it is firmly frictionally retained against the ground by the possible rear textile layer 19.

[0098] In particular, in the case of the panel 14 of FIG. 3, as indicated schematically in FIG. 8, after laying of the panel, the chamber 18 is filled with a fluid ballast that is able to solidify over a time that is comparatively longer than that of the laying and sealingly connecting the individual panels.

[0099] The ballast can consist of a fluid mixture of cementitious material, of a mass of sand particles, gravel of suitable granulometry or other material, with possible additives and binders, the ballast being pumped from a concrete mixer or storage tank configured for being moved along one or both banks 12.

[0100] The ballast that is suitable for being injected into the panels 14 can be made in any manner; during some tests good results were obtained using a fluid ballast having the following percentage composition: [0101] water 12-18% [0102] cement 12-18% [0103] fine sand 50-70% having a granulometry that is the same as or less than 3 mm [0104] inert load 6-20% [0105] fluidifying additive 1-6 lt/m3 [0106] retardant additive 0.5-2 lt/m3 [0107] modifying viscosity additive 0.5-3 lt/m3.

[0108] The cementitious mixture obtained, depending on the percentages of the various components, had after hardening a weight comprised between 1.8 and 2.2 t/m3.

[0109] Obviously the ballast to be injected into the individual panels 14 can be made in any manner, using sand or another inert material locatable in the place.

[0110] The panel 14 can be filled with ballast in any manner, for example by pumping the fluid ballast 30 into the panel 12 at a pressure that is suitable for overcoming the pressure of the surrounding water, in such a manner that the panel 14 swells gradually to take on a flat shape permitted by the inner tie rods 22 that connect the lower membrane 16 to the upper membrane 17.

[0111] Depending on the features of the waterproof panels 14, the waterproof panels 14 can be filled with ballast in fluid state from one or both ends of the panel, supplying the fluid ballast 30 for example by a flexible pipe 31, as indicated schematically in FIG. 8. The filling of the panel 14 with ballast 30 can be made from the centre of the panel, by progressively moving the flexible pipe 31 as far as the top of the corresponding bank 12. Alternatively, the pipe 31 can be left permanently in the panel 14, being included in the fluid mass that is subsequently solidified by the ballast 30. It is also possible to proceed as shown schematically in FIG. 9, by providing two or more pipes 31.1, 31.2 of different length, to supply dosed quantities of fluid ballast 30 to different zones of the panel 14, so as to obtain complete and homogenous filling.

[0112] Although a homogeneous distribution of the ballast 30 is advisable, this distribution and the quality of the ballast or of the mixture of components used are not essential for the purposes of waterproof. In fact, unlike the bentonite waterproof panels proposed previously in which waterproof was due only or mainly to the thickness of the layer of bentonite or to the special bentonite mixture used, in the case of the present invention the ballast 30 has only the function of firmly frictionally anchoring the panel 14 to the banks 12 and to the bottom 11 of the canal or water basin, as waterproof is provided only by the synthetic material of the membranes 16 and/or 17, in combination with the zip fasteners 28 between adjoining panels 14.

[0113] It is lastly pointed out that a possible ballast 32, consisting of a concrete beam, can be superimposed on the watertight joints 28 between panels 14, as indicated schematically in FIG. 4.

[0114] In the preceding embodiment, the waterproof panel 14 is filled with fluid ballast 30, the ballast being supplied from one or both ends of the panel 14, for example by means of one or more flexible pipes 31 inserted through the open ends of the panel 14, or through suitable openings if the ends of the prefabricated panel are sealingly closed, providing in this case suitable openings or venting valves for the air inside the panel 14.

[0115] Alternatively to the previously disclosed solution, the ballast 30 in fluid state can be supplied to the panel 14 at one or more points, via a respective flexible pipe 33, as indicated schematically in FIG. 10, at a respective opening 34 in the upper waterproof sheet 17; in the case of panels 14 of large dimensions, it will be necessary to use a plurality of feeding pipes 33 that are suitably positioned and connected to the upper membrane 17 during prefabrication of the panel; once filling of the panel 14 with ballast 30 has been completed, the flexible pipe 33 can be cut.

[0116] With regard to the embodiment of the panel 14 of FIG. 3, it has been said that the lower waterproof membrane 16 and the upper waterproof membrane 17 define a single tubular chamber 18 that is totally filled with ballast 30; alternatively to the single tubular chamber 18 of the embodiment of FIG. 3 it is possible to divide the inner space of the panel, into a plurality of tubular chambers or separate cells, or into a plurality of variously configured cells that communicate between one another.

[0117] For example, as shown in the detail of FIG. 11, the inner space of the panel 14 confined between the lower waterproof membrane 16 and the upper waterproof membrane 17, has been divided into a plurality of tubular cells 18.1 that extend in the longitudinal direction of the panel, being separated from one another by adjoining inner baffles 34; in this case the various tubular cells 18.1 have to be filled individually with fluid ballast 30, for example by respective feeding pipes 31, or in another manner.

[0118] Alternatively to the solutions of FIGS. 3 and 11, it is possible to adopt the solution of FIG. 12; in this case use is made of tubular cells 18.2 that are interconnected through wide openings 35 in the inner baffles 34 that divide longitudinally, or transversely, every single panel 14. In both the cases of FIGS. 11 and 12 the inner baffles 34 that bound laterally every single tubular cell also perform the function of the inner tie rods 22 disclosed previously.

[0119] The inner baffles 34, or equivalent tie rods, could be configured differently, as shown in the two embodiments of FIG. 13; in particular, on the left side an inner baffle or tie rod 34.1 is shown that is obtained from a strip of plastics made of synthetic resin that is compatible with that of the lower membrane 16 and upper membrane 17.

[0120] In the case of the left baffle or spacer 34.1, the baffle has been obtained by folding into a Z shape the two longitudinal edges that are welded to the waterproof membranes 16 and 17 during the step of prefabricating the panel; otherwise, in the case of the right baffle 34.2, the latter is obtained by folding the longitudinal edges into a C shape.

[0121] The FIG. 14 shows a further solution; in this case the tie rods consist of cords 36 made of synthetic fibres, that are alternatively threaded into slots 37 fixed to a textile web 38 welded to the inner side of the lower waterproof membrane 16 and of the upper waterproof membrane 17; during some tests, this solution proved to be extremely suitable because it enabled a test panel to be filled with ballast extremely quickly.

[0122] The FIG. 15 shows another solution in which the tie rods consist of two textile bands 39 and 40 folded into a U shape, which are welded to the two waterproof membranes 16, 17, that extend longitudinally to the waterproof panel; the two bands 39, 40 are connected together, for example, by a plurality of hooks 41 placed at preset distances.

[0123] The use of the waterproof panels according to the invention, in addition to forming a waterproof liner having the disclosed features, also permits mechanical sealing anchoring of the individual panels 14 at the banks and/or concrete structures; this is shown for example in FIG. 16, where part of a panel 14 has been shown that is similar to that of FIG. 4, in which one edge 23 of the panel is sealingly connected mechanically to a concrete structural element 43, by means of a band 42 and a watertight joint 26, 28 of the disclosed type.

[0124] FIG. 17 shows a further solution for the waterproof panel 14, which is also suitable for installation and laying underwater in canals or water basins according to the present invention; in particular, FIG. 17 shows part of two adjoining panels and a different configuration of the intermediate watertight joint.

[0125] In the case of FIG. 17 each waterproof panel 14 substantially consists of only the waterproof membrane 16, again consisting of a geomembrane having a low permeability coefficient K, as previously defined, comprising a rear protective layer 19 consisting for example of a technical textile or geotextile that is suitable for protecting the waterproof membrane 16 from possible perforations caused by the underlying ground, and suitable for providing the friction necessary for immobilising the panel 14 after it has been ballasted.

[0126] The solution of FIG. 17 differs from the preceding one inasmuch as each waterproof membrane 16 extends on one side of the panel with a first band or flap 23/26 that is suitable for performing both a preliminary function of anchoring the panel during laying, by stakes 15 as in the preceding function, and a complementary sealing function with an opposite flap 26 of an adjoining panel; in fact, on the longitudinal side opposite the preceding one, as shown for the left panel 14 the waterproof membrane 16 extends with a second sealing flap 26. Thus, during laying of the panels, the second sealing flap 26 of each panel 14, is superimposed on the first sealing and anchoring band or flap 23/26 of the right panel, interposing between the two superimposed flaps 26 a compression sealing device, as shown schematically.

[0127] In particular, in the embodiment of FIG. 17 the compression sealing device comprises two spongy bands 44.1, 44.2 that are suitable for being impregnated with water during laying of the panels, and an intermediate band 45 consisting of a textile containing bentonite in powder form; superimposing on the thus formed joint a ballast 46, for example a concrete beam, the water contained in the two side spongy bands 44 wets the bentonite of the central watertight band 45, which thus tends to expand; as the expansion of the bentonite is prevented by the ballast 46, consequently the central band 45 adheres in a watertight manner to the flaps 26 of the two panels 14, providing the necessary seal. The two side spongy members 44.1 and 44.2 are spaced apart from the central band 45, forming two longitudinal chambers 46.1 and 46.2, into which a tubular element 47 and 48 can be inserted, one of which, for example the tubular element 47, is used to monitor possible leaks of the joint through the water that can exit from the tubular element, whilst the other tubular element 48, in the case of loss of watertightness of the joint, can be used to inject bentonite or another sealing material to restore the watertightness of the joint.

[0128] In this case the panels 14, unlike the panel of FIG. 3, can be ballasted with a plurality of concrete blocks or beams 49, or in any other manner.

[0129] FIGS. 18 to 20 show a still further solution for the waterproofing panel, denoted as a whole with the reference numeral 14A, which is also suitable for installation and laying underwater in canals or water basins of a waterproofing liner according to the present invention.

[0130] In particular, FIG. 18 shows a cross section of the panel 14A, whilst FIGS. 19 and 20 show portions of two adjacent panels 14A in two subsequent installation steps.

[0131] The panel 14A comprises a first waterproof membrane 16 made of a geosynthetic material, to be laid on the bottom 11, or on the side banks 12, of a channel or water basin 10, provided with flexible anchor and sealing flaps 26, each of which is configured with a toothed strip 28 which is part of a waterproof zip fastener. The panel 14A further comprise a second waterproof membrane 50, folded in a tubular shape, with its lateral edges joined in a watertight fashion at a first end 51 along a welding line 21, in such a way as to define inside the panel 14A a tubular chamber 18 of any desired length and width.

[0132] The second waterproof membrane 50 is laid upon and welded to the first impermeable membrane 16 and extends longitudinally between the flexible flaps 26. The flexible flaps 26 are used both for a preliminary anchoring of the panels 14A, for example by means of stakes 15, during laying underwater and for connecting together two adjacent panels 14A in a watertight fashion. The flexible flaps 26 extends along lateral edges of the panel 14A and can be shaped in any manner; for instance, in the case shown, they consist of an extension of the lateral edges of the first membrane 16 beyond the end of the second membrane 50, for a pre-established length. The flexible flaps 26 may be provided with a series of holes for the insertion of the anchor stakes.

[0133] Inside the tubular chamber 18 the flexible inner tie rods 22, 34, 36, 39, 40 previously described may be provided, to keep opposite inner walls 53, 54 of the tubular chamber 18 at a pre-established distance during injection of the ballast 30.

[0134] FIGS. 19 and 20 show the installation of adjacent panels 14A.

[0135] First of all, the flexible flaps 26 at the ends of two panels 14A are anchored, for instance, to the bottom 11 of the channel by means of respective stakes 15. While the flexible flaps 26 are anchored, a second end 52 of the second tubular membrane 50, opposite the first end 51, is kept folded back, as shown in FIG. 19, so that it does not interfere with the anchoring operation of the panels 14A.

[0136] When the flexible flaps have been anchored, the second end 52 of each panel 14A is laid on the adjacent panel 14A, as shown in FIG. 20. The tubular chambers 18 of each panel 14A are filled with a ballast material, as previously described.

[0137] With reference now to the flow diagram of FIG. 21, the essential steps S1-S10 of the method of installing and laying the waterproof panels 14 will be disclosed briefly, so as to form a waterproof liner in canals and water basins, characterised by the continuity and homogeneity of the waterproof over the entire area to be covered, and the structural and functional independence of the individual panels 14.

[0138] As previously mentioned, the panels 14 are suitably prefabricated, in all parts, including the zip fasteners or equivalent watertight parts, step S1.

[0139] Once completed, the panels 14 are rolled up into rolls and conveyed to the laying site, step S2; at this point the individual panels can be sequentially unrolled and immersed underwater, step S3, or be laid dry using the laying methodology mentioned previously. During laying, each panel 14 is anchored along one or both bands 23, for example the top band in the case of flowing water, by means of stakes 15, step S4, taking care to keep the opposite anchor bands 23 of two adjoining panels 14 parallel or aligned or superimposed. During laying of the individual panels 14, the individual panels 14 are watertight jointed, step S5, operating according to the type of joint used, with a watertight zip fastener 28, step S6, or through compression of the side bands 23, step S7; if the waterproof joint consists of a zip fastener 28, for example of the type illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the gradual watertight closing of the zip fastener 28 between two adjoining panels 14 is performed automatically with unrolling and laying of each panel.

[0140] After the adjoining panels have been watertight jointed, every single panel is ballasted, step S8, through the injection of a fluid ballast made of cementitious material, step S9, by pumping the fluid ballast into the chambers or into the cells of the panel as disclosed previously, step S9, or by superimposing on the panel 14 concrete beams, step S10.

[0141] The operations of laying, watertight jointing and ballasting the panels are thus continued until the installation and laying underwater, with the disclosed methods, of a waterproof liner for the entire area of the canal or water basin to be covered.

[0142] From what has been said and shown in the embodiments of the attached drawings, it will be clear that a method has been provided for installing underwater a waterproof liner on the banks and on the bottom of hydraulic canals, canals for irrigation and in basins for collecting water, in which use is made of the prefabricated waterproof panels, and of a watertight jointing device between adjoining panels that is configured with anchor and watertight flaps that are suitable for permitting the operations of watertight jointing underwater during the step of immersing and spreading the individual panels; a waterproof panel has also been provided that is suitable for laying underwater and watertight jointing with other panels in the installation of waterproof liners in the presence of water, in which the waterproof liner and the panels have the disclosed features.