Flood Risk Management with Geotextile and Geotube Technology

The annual flood increment rate has increased tremendously in different countries due to recent climate changes. Sea level is rising about 3mm yearly as a result of a billion tons of ice melting every year.

Due to the rise in sea levels worldwide, coastal erosion has become a serious issue, causing heavy damage to public properties and coastlines around the world. Rapid coastal developments were initiated to prevent the exacerbation of erosion hazards.

To address these issues, both structural and non-structural measures have been employed.

Mitigation of flood risks via structural flood measures such as:

dams
amphibious construction
permeable pavement
river dikes
flood-barriers

Mitigation of flood risks via non-structural measures include:

flood risk management
urban design
flood hazard
community involvement
official planning
land use
flood estimation
forecasting warning

In this post, we highlight flood risk management using geotextile and geotube technology.

Rapid growth in development and renovation emphasizes the importance of coastal construction. Now, structures in coastal regions are constructed bearing the quality and ecological functioning in mind.

This is to reduce the environmental threats in such regions. In recent years, the unavailability of natural rock and traditional forms of the river has increased the cost of construction and maintenance of coastal structures.

Therefore, the need for cheaper materials and systems as alternatives is been introduced. Concrete systems and other traditional rubbles are now replaced with cheaper alternatives such as geotextile tube technology.

In the south of Iran, a case study of two breakwater structures in Bushehr and Qeshm was performed and economic advantages of geotube technology were identified.

What is Geotube?

Geotubes or geotextile tubes are long woven polypropylene tubes. They are mainly used as essential ingredients for breakwaters and dams, groins, and longshore protection. The geotextile sheets are permeable, yet soil-tight, in such a way that it drains any excess water from the geotextile tube using various container types.

As a result of this drainage, the tube height is decreased and needs to be pumped severally in order to achieve the desired height. We’ve also seen cases of geosynthetics containers applied as filters, armour, storage, ballast, flood protection, core for hydraulic structures, earth dam improvement, and scour repair and protection.

Environmental Benefits of Geotube Technology Over the Traditional Method of Construction

Geotube installation is not just alternative construction techniques but also the most effective solutions on the planet. It boasts numerous beneficial aspects, making it worthy of consideration.

For example, geotextile installation guarantees positive environmental impacts as it reduces carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions during construction operations. A geotube breakwater would also reduce dredge disposal volume as well as excavating & rock transportation to the site.

Overall, the advantages of geotextile wall are as follows:

Reduces the disturbance of biota due to repair and maintenance during the lifetime of the structure
Reduces fuel consumption and transport of excavated material
Decreases negative impacts on extraneous spices and habitats
Reduces overall CO2 emissions in transport and placement operations
Waste material is used as a resource in a beneficial manner
Reduces excavated material
Reduces disposal at sea for dredged material

Generally, geotextile when installed as a cheaper alternative to the current measures in place to prevent piping has resisted failure.

What the Future Holds

Geotextile tube applications in civil and environmental engineering have been talked of by Koerner and Welsh in 1980 as primarily erosion control applications. When designed in site-specific, geotube technology will benefit coastal development.

As far as protective breakwaters are concerned, geotextile installation will have a positive environmental impact. In this regard, the emission associated with traditional RM will be reduced when geotubes are used.

As emission reduces, the application of geotextile wall will be attractive for engineers and companies considering the installation of a coastal structure where there is a substantial sail distance to the dredged material disposal site.

Final Thoughts

Comparing geotubes and traditional methods, geotube system produces over 85% less carbon II oxide when compared with traditional rock structure.

Thus, using geotube technology is a more economical method of breakwater construction. More so, it offers a better environmental alternative to traditional breakwater systems.