Positive Buoyancy

LSA 327 Part II Interface

B. Parian | A. Scalisi

Rudbeckia spp. Eloda spp. Eleocharis spp. Eutrochium spp. Fragaria spp. Heteranthera spp. Nuphar spp. Cornus spp. Asclepias spp. Myriophyllum spp. Carex spp. Iris spp.

100 Year Storm

Dry Meadow Soils

Soils are typically strongly acidic to circumneutral sandy loam or occasionally loamy sand with moderate water retaining capacity

50 Year Storm 5 Year Storm

Wet Meadow Soils

Organic soils such as well decomposed saparic peat but can also be saturated mineral soil. Usually ranges from strongly acid to neutral.

Emergent Soils
1 Year Storm Consists of glacial sediment including rock, gravel, sand, silt, or clay. Usually an accumulation of circumneutral- alkaline, fine organic sediments overlying the mineral soil.

Submergent Soils
Loose, poorly consolidated organic soils.

Gradual Slope

Moderate Slope

Steep Slope

The gabion based structure is laid out to cover a proportionally higher amount of horizontal distance in order to meet existing grade.

The gabion based structure is laid out in an equal ration of horizontal and vertical distance in order to meet existing grade.

The gabion based structure is laid out with a proportionally higher vertical distance to horizontal distance in order to meet existing grade.

System Components and Characteristics:

Gabion based structure- standard gabion cages would be filled with removed concrete from demolition sites. They would serve to reduce erosion along the water-soil interface and filter sediments from run off coming into the water way. Future development: Gabions can be layered with fine, inorganic or organic materials in order to provide habitat and promote the establishment of a greater variety of species. This would facilitate bioremediation of incoming run off as well as water already flowing through.

Vegetation Platforms- there are four types of platforms: fixed, partially buoyant, fully buoyant with wet soil zone, and fully buoyant with dry soil zone. This allows for varied plant communities along the water-soil interface. Buoyancy is achieved through a combination of floating concrete and sealed air chambers within the platform. During a storm event, the platforms rise to a predetermined height, which is defined by the plant community it supports. Depending on the scale, vegetation platforms can be occupied during a flood event. Further development: Vegetation platforms can be taylored to support endangered or novelty species valued for aesthetics, function, or even food production.

Anchor Posts- the posts main function is to secure the vegetation platforms during a change in water levels. Not only do they serve as an art installation during low water conditions, but they also serve as a visual indicastor to the current water levels. The color changes along the post give it an approximate measurement of the water level, but the posts will also be marked documented storm events for more precise record keeping. Future development: Depending on scale, posts can be outfitted with light fixtures to create a habitable environment as a public space.

Plan View: Effects on Water Flow

Perspective of Possible Application

By orienting the systems components on a 45 degree angle, with regard to the water-soil interface. The water current is slowed as it encounters the obstacles causing sediments to be deposited and preventing erosion. As the sediments increase, naturalized plant communitues can live and thrivein these areas.