GEOMETRIES TO PREVENT OVERFLOWS

CHALLENGES OF STREAMS AND RIVERS FOR GEOMIDS

In torrential events, the normal depth of a stream increases, generating an increase in the tractive forces of the flow. Sometimes, when the section does not have the hydraulic capacity to channel the flow, overflow is generated, causing havoc in the surrounding areas.

For this reason, dissipative structures must be implemented in the course of the flow in order to reduce the speed, drag force and overflow that occurs in the channel, designing downstream control.

GEOESTERAS considered as dissipative structures at water's edge and under water, are manufactured with GEOMALLA / HYDROMALLA GEOESTERA and are filled with rock or gravel pebbles that can range in size from 4″ to 8″ in diameter.

Depending on the hydraulic conditions, 4 different specifications are known, GEOESTERA 50, GEOESTERA 80, GEOESTERA 150 and GEOESTERA 300. Their size is selected taking into account the tractive forces of the riverbed. As for their conformation as rockfill mattresses, they can have different thicknesses, ranging from 15 cm to 60 cm. However, its use is not limited there and that is why the GEOMALLA / HIDROMALLA GEOESTERA can be contemplated as containment structures such as gabion modules, which allow forming flexible and highly resistant protection elements, without corrosion damage, being highly resistant to abrasion and achieving unconventional dimensions, as the common gabion has, guaranteeing a higher performance on site, at the time of its execution. Consequently, it is considered a versatile solution in comparison with other types of coating or protection such as RipRap and conventional gabion.

The effectiveness of the system is achieved by confining the rockfill in GEOMILLA / GEOESTRAL HYDRIMILLA containers, achieving a continuous mass of high porosity that helps dissipate the energy of the water, offering durability and long-term resistance capacity, because it has a coating with a copolymer that improves its mechanical and hydraulic properties, as a flexible alternative in hydraulic structures.

Being a continuous mass alternative with high porosity, it is recommended in this type of structure to implement a woven geotextile on its backing that helps prevent the migration of fines. In this way, FORTEX BX is implemented, with a white appearance, which due to its high drainage capacity, durability and ease of construction, presents hydraulic stability in any tension or confinement scenario, providing a layer of soil separation and reinforcement.