TubeBarrier® Reusable Flood Barrier

TubeBarrier® is a reusable flood barrier for temporary flood protection. The system was developed in the Netherlands and is designed for repeated deployment, compact storage, and dependable performance. Each unit consists of 10-metre modules that are unfolded, connected and anchored along the intended line. As water rises, the barrier uses hydrostatic weight to remain in place. The concept has been tested at Dutch research and test facilities and is suitable for use on grass, asphalt and concrete when installed according to the manual.

Why a Reusable Flood Barrier?

Floods cause disruption to communities, infrastructure and industry. Traditional measures such as sandbags require large amounts of material and labour and generate contaminated waste after use. A reusable flood barrier reduces these drawbacks. Because the same components are used in multiple events, logistics and waste volumes are lower and deployment is faster once teams are trained.

What Is a Reusable Flood Barrier?

A reusable flood barrier is a mobile flood defence that can be deployed, removed and stored for the next event. TubeBarrier combines a PVC tunnel body with reinforcement slats, a flood-side front flap with anchor interface, waterproof zippers between sections, and drainage tubes that move seepage water and air to the safe side. The system does not require pumps or electricity for operation.

How the TubeBarrier Reusable Flood Barrier Works

Each 10-metre section is folded accordion-style in a pallet box. During installation the section is placed on the ground and the front flap is oriented towards the flood side. Aluminium anchor profiles slide over a keder piping along the flap. The profiles are fixed to the substrate (pegs for soft ground or bolts/inserts on hard surfaces). Adjacent sections are joined using waterproof YKK® zippers and covered with a Velcro protective flap to keep the joint clean. Below the barrier, perforated drainage tubes discharge seepage water and trapped air from the wet to the dry side. Inside the body, polyester/glass reinforcement slats maintain the tunnel shape and distribute loads.

As the water level rises, water flows onto the flap and into the tunnel, creating hydrostatic weight that presses the barrier against the ground. This principle provides stability and allows the barrier to remain in position even during controlled overtopping within the tested range, provided installation and anchoring are correct.

Reusable Flood Barrier Use Cases

• Urban flooding: deploy along streets to protect buildings and infrastructure during heavy rainfall.
• Rivers and canals: temporary defence during high water.
• Critical assets: ring protection of power, telecom or server rooms.
• Industrial spill control: temporary containment of process or fire-fighting water.
• Construction sites: temporary separation for dry works or water diversion.

Reusable Flood Barrier Specifications (70 cm and 100 cm)

The TubeBarrier is available in two heights. Values below refer to a single 10-m section.

Materials and Components

• Body: PVC tarpaulin ≈ 650 g/m²; UV-resistant, mould/rot free.
• Reinforcement slats: polyester/glass rectangular profiles (approx. 30 mm × 5.5 mm) to stabilise the tunnel.
• Joints: waterproof YKK® zippers with full-length Velcro protective flap.
• Anchors: aluminium profiles over keder piping; fixed with pegs (soft ground) or bolts/inserts (hard surfaces).
• Drainage: perforated tubes beneath the barrier to move air and seepage water to the safe side.
• Operating temperature: about −40 °C to +70 °C.
• Fire behaviour: ISO 3795 (< 100 mm/min).

Durability

Expected service life under proper use and maintenance: PVC segments at least 15 years, anchors around 25 years, zippers around 15 years. In practice, the system is designed for long-term reuse over multiple seasons.

Installing a Reusable Flood Barrier – 6 Steps

1. Position the pallet box along the intended line with the front flap facing the flood side; remove sharp objects from the ground.
2. Unfold the 10-m section accordion-style so the flaps lie flat.
3. Connect sections using the waterproof zipper and close the Velcro cover along the full length.
4. Anchor by sliding aluminium profiles over the keder piping and fixing them with pegs or bolts suited to the substrate.
5. Secure the rear storm flap on the safe side with pegs or suitable ballast.
6. Inspect all seams, joints and anchors; ensure drainage tubes are unobstructed.

Carry out at least one training deployment before the first emergency use. Installation speed depends on crew experience, ground conditions and anchoring method.

Independent Testing and Validation

TubeBarrier has been tested in the Netherlands at academic and field facilities, including TU Delft and the Flood Proof Holland site under EU BRIGAID/Horizon 2020 projects. Programmes included hydrostatic loading, controlled overtopping, debris impact and behaviour on grass, asphalt and concrete. Results confirmed stability within the tested range when installed correctly and the suitability of the system for repeated use. For background on the facilities, see TU Delft and Flood Proof Holland.

Operations, Maintenance and Storage

After use, wash the PVC surfaces (a pressure washer is recommended), clean anchors and drainage tubes, and allow parts to dry before folding. Lubricate zippers according to the manual and inspect seams and slats. Store each 10-m section in a sealed pallet box. Boxes can be stacked up to five high, which allows 50 m of barrier to be stored on approximately 1.2 m² of floor space. Perform at least one inspection per year even if the system has not been deployed.

Minor PVC damage can be repaired with patches or hot-air welding following the manual. Damaged reinforcement slats or drainage hoses must be replaced with original parts. Keep a logbook of deployments and maintenance to plan component replacement.

Good Practice and Responsibilities

• Always orient the front flap towards the water side and avoid longitudinal slopes where the flap would be uphill.
• Check for underground services and obtain permission before drilling anchors in paved areas.
• Keep access routes for emergency services clear.
• Do not use the barrier as a walkway or traffic route.
• Follow local flood guidance and forecasts from competent authorities

Environmental and Economic Considerations

Because the barrier is reusable, material flows and waste are reduced compared with single-use sandbags. Logistics are simpler: no sand filling, fewer transport movements, and compact storage between events. Over multiple deployments this translates into lower total operational costs. The precise cost advantage depends on local labour rates, transport distances and event frequency; the Cost & Impact Calculator on this site helps estimate project-specific scenarios.

Planning and Procurement

Determine total length and required height (70 cm or 100 cm) from local hydraulic scenarios. Add corner pieces and wall connections where necessary. For paved sites, plan anchor inserts in advance. Prepare a deployment plan showing storage locations, transport routes and anchor positions. Train a core team and keep the manual accessible in the storage box.

Reusable Flood Barrier – Frequently Asked Questions

How many people are needed for installation?

Installation can be performed by a small crew. Speed depends on ground conditions and the anchoring solution used. A training deployment is recommended.

Can the reusable flood barrier cope with overtopping?

Yes. Within the tested range in Dutch facilities, the system remained stable during controlled overtopping when installed and anchored according to the manual.

Which surfaces are suitable?

Grass, asphalt and concrete are suitable when sharp objects are removed and anchors are selected for the substrate (pegs for soil, bolts/inserts for hard surfaces).

How is the barrier stored and transported?

Each 10-m unit is stored in a sealed pallet box. Boxes can be stacked up to five high for compact storage and can be handled by pallet truck or forklift.

What is the expected lifetime?

PVC segments at least 15 years; anchors around 25 years; zippers around 15 years under correct use and maintenance.

What temperatures can it withstand?

Approximately −40 °C to +70 °C.

Does the reusable flood barrier require pumps or electricity?

No. The system relies on hydrostatic weight and mechanical anchoring.

Can curves and corners be made?

Yes. Corner pieces and segmented layout allow 90° turns and curved alignments when planned in advance.

How are repairs handled?

Small PVC damage can be patched or welded. Worn zippers, reinforcement slats or drainage tubes are replaceable with original parts.