EVENT DETAIL

Dams, dikes, and levees (embankments) are all water barrier systems used for flood protection. These systems are similar but can be used in different scenarios to effectively control the flow of water and serve a critical role in protecting lives and property. Geosynthetics are commonly used in these structures for separation, filtration, drainage, reinforcement and as moisture barriers. Such systems are constructed to confine streams or prevent flooding, waves or tide changes. These structures should be resistant to hydrostatic pressure of floods, erosion, piping failure and seepage. By containing flows within embankments, impeding seasonal floodplain inundation, the floodplain area exposed to inundation is restricted. Since dams, dikes, and levees cannot guarantee absolute flood prevention, they should be designed to provide a “known” level of protection. This degree of protection is generally driven by economic and environmental factors which will be discussed. This lecture will address concerns with water barrier systems and include specific recommendations to be considered for improving the technology going forward.

Participants will become familiar with details of geosynthetics used in flood protection systems. Case histories will illustrate (i) idiosyncrasies of flood protection systems (ii) major circumstances which challenge these structures over the long term (iii) various weaknesses of soil-geosynthetic interaction which can be overcome by proper design and testing.