FM Approval
Muscle Wall FM Approval
Muscle Wall FM Approval
2-Foot, 3-Foot, & 4-Foot Flood Barriers
2-Foot, 3-Foot, & 4-Foot Flood Barriers
We are proud to announce that Muscle Wall was recently awarded FM Approval, as well as passed all testing by the United States Army Corps of Engineers for 2-foot, 3-foot, and 4-foot Muscle Wall.
Muscle Wall is the only product on the market to receive FM Approval for a flood control barrier at 4 feet high.
FM Approvals Background
FM Approvals Background
FM Approvals is an international leader in third-party testing and certification services. They test property loss prevention products and services—for use in commercial and industrial facilities—to verify they meet rigorous loss prevention standards of quality, technical integrity and performance. They do so by employing a worldwide certification process backed by scientific research, testing, and over a century of experience.
The FM APPROVED mark is recognized and respected worldwide. This certification instills confidence and commands respect in the marketplace.
Testing Location
The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center test facility was configured specifically for innovative flood-fighting experiments by allowing levees to be constructed against two wall abutments with a 30-ft. opening between the 4 foot high walls. A geometric testing zone footprint was laid out on the concrete floor and all levees are required to be constructed within this given footprint. One side of the footprint abuts the concrete wall at a 90-deg angle, and the other side abuts the concrete wall at a 63-deg angle. The purpose for having two different angles is to simulate real-world geometric variability and demonstrate constructibility and geometric flexibility of each vendor’s product. Additionally, the unsymmetrical geometry allows wave loading variability during hydrodynamic testing, and causes an apparent current along the 63-deg wall.
Inside the test area (leeward side of the levee), an 8-ft. diameter by 8-ft.-deep circular pit was installed to catch any seepage or overflow water from the structure. Two 4-in.-diameter pumps were installed in the seepage pit to pump the accumulated water back into the wave basin. Two 12-in.-diameter pumps (12 in. intake and 10 in. output) were also installed to pump excess water out of the seepage pit when the capacity of the 4-in. pumps was exceeded.
The test area was instrumented with a series of lasers to measure any movement of the flood-fighting barrier, a laser to measure changes in water surface elevation within the seepage pit, and an additional laser to measure water surface elevation within the basin.
Evaluation of 4-Foot Muscle Wall Flood Fighting Barrier, US Army Engineer Research and
Development Center Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory, Efrain Ramos-Santiago, Curtis Blades
and James D. Gutshall, May 2020.
Series of Rigorous Testing
1. Time of Assembly
Total assembly time was monitored by FM Approval reps from start to finish, noting all tools and equipment required for full installation.
2. Hydrostatic Tests
One foot depth - seepage & movement
Two foot depth - seepage & movement
100% depth - seepage & movement
3. Hydrodynamic Tests
Low water, small waves
Low water, medium waves
Low water, large waves
High water, small waves
High water, medium waves
High water, large waves
Overtopping
4. Debris Impact Tests
12"x10' log (610lbs dry) - 5mph
16.5"x10' log (790lbs dry) - 5mph
5. Riverine Current Test
7 ft/sec channel flow velocity for one hour
6. Post Hydrostatic Test
100% depth - seepage & movement
Report Conclusions
Report Conclusions
"The 4-Foot Muscle Wall barrier system proved to be an expedient and effective flood barrier. Compared to the baseline sandbag barrier of comparable length and height, the 4-Foot Muscle Wall barrier system was faster to construct and remove with fewer people and less equipment, had less seepage, and was more resilient to waves and overtopping. Under the conditions required by the Standard Testing Protocol, the 4-Foot Muscle Wall outperformed or met the performance of the baseline sandbag test in every way."
Evaluation of 4-Foot Muscle Wall Flood Fighting Barrier, US Army Engineer Research and
Development Center Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory, Efrain Ramos-Santiago, Curtis Blades
and James D. Gutshall, May 2020.
Gallery
Gallery
