The Blindeo system has blow-up panels made of tough rubberised textile, braced with steel Acrow-style screw props. It was developed in France, where it is manufactured under license by Pronal Elastomer Engineering.
Each Blindeo panel comprises two tough sheets linked together internally by thousands of closely-spaced polyamide threads. When inflated, these threads ensure a constant thickness of approximately 135mm between the two outer shells, keeping the panel flat and rigid.
The Blindeo system is designed specifically for use in excavations up to 2.0m deep in reasonable, self-standing ground. It is suited to utilities and streetworks applications. Despite being inflated to only 650mbar (less than 10 psi), Groundforce says that the system is strong and rigid enough to offer a safe working panel pressure of 15kN/m2.
Each panel weighs only 13kg, making it easy to handle. When deflated, the panels measure 2m by 1.4m and can be folded or rolled up for carrying and storage. Although light and flexible, the tough Kevlar-reinforced rubberised fabric is resistant to abrasions, tearing and cutting and will withstand normal site wear and tear, Groundforce says.
Blindeo is supplied in kits comprising four panels, an inflation line, a Venturi inflating/deflating valve and connecting straps, all packed in a box. Eight steel screw props are also required for lateral support.
Several kits can easily be carried in a standard Transit-type van and all that is required to deploy the system is a standard site compressor.
The Blindeo system is now being offere for hire by Groundforce Shorco, part of the Vp group.
“We believe this innovative product is truly ground-breaking in the field of trench support and will provide a supremely light and convenient method for supporting minor excavations where portability and speed of deployment is essential,” said Groundforce asset manager Richard Foster.
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