SECONDARY CABLE
STRUCTURE
FABRIC ANCHOR
POINTS
INTEGRAL FABRIC
FORMWORK
3” x 3.5” CORD SPACING
4” AVERAGE
THICKNESS
P R O G R E S S
Innovation and Transferability
Innovative Use of Existing Technology
Poreform takes a cue from an existing cost-effective, site-
specific concrete erosion control technology, but reimagines
its deployment in an innovative setting.
The concrete
surface, which is cast between two pieces of poly-
blend fabric formwork, was originally designed
to prevent erosion on river banks and revetments.
Poreform seeks to engineer this technology as a flood
prevention tool.
This method of fabric-formed concrete surface was pioneered
by Fabriform, and has been adopted worldwide for large-scale
civil engineering projects because of its ability to channel
water and relieve hydrostatic pressure, and because of its
ability to be efficiently customized to any site.
The two-layers of fabric quilted together are pumped full
of concrete on site with minimal waste. Surface drains are
sewn into the fabric in the factory and the concrete is pumped
around them.
In order to maintain a dynamic topography for the concrete
surface, it is structured by either sitting directly on sculpted
grade or, where it caps a subterranean basin, draped over
a cable structure. A suspended cable grid spans across the
S U R F A C E T E C H N O L O G Y
concrete detention basin, while a secondary cable netting is
run between the primary cables. The netting then supports the
surface during and post installation.
Material
When developing innovative infrastructure typologies,
concrete is a particularly appropriate material for arid
climates where typical vegetation solutions are not
viable.
The durability, prevalence and limited maintenance
required for concrete is a sustainable choice for public agencies
sensitive to operational efficiency. As a ‘lid’ for the basins
below, Poreform’s concrete surface significantly limits water lost
to evaporation.
Customizable and Scalable
The Poreform surface can be used in a variety of sites and at
varying scales in combination with sub-surface water storage
tanks. Because it is cast-in-place, and made from fabric
formwork, it can fit within existing urban conditions and can tap
into existing infrastructure at any scale. Aided by hydrological
modeling and flood mapping, Poreform can be designed and
customized for the specific conditions of any site. Surface area,
volume capacity, runoff coefficient, and porosity can all be
modulated according to the unique needs of each site.
THORNY DEVIL LIZARD
FABRIFORM
Transferable
Though designed specifically with Las Vegas in mind,
Poreform is an applicable and customizable intervention
for any city where flood water needs to be collected
quickly and efficiently.
The surface system is especially
useful in locations where the existing urban context is complex
and dense, or where the percentage of impervious surface is
very high.
Thorny Devil Lizard
(right)
Taking a cue from one biological system that is expert at
collecting water during times of scarcity, Poreform is an
intelligent surface that mimics the skin of a desert lizard. The
Thorny Devil lizard has highly articulated scales that allow it to
gather water against gravity and without energy expenditure.
Much like the desert lizard, Poreform maximizes the collection
surface area and provides channels for water to travel without
evaporation, collecting via underground basins and existing
water pipes.
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