geosynthetics and geosystems

Developments in Design and Application

of Geosynthetics and Geosystems
Critical Review of Geosystems
in Hydraulic and Coastal Engineering
in Hydraulic and Coastal
Engineering

Krystian W. Pilarczyk Krystian W. Pilarczyk

Former: Rijkswaterstaat, Road and Hydraulic Engineering Institute,
Delft, the Netherlands HYDROpil Consultancy, Zoetermeer
HYDROpil Consultancy, Zoetermeer, the Netherlands the Netherlands
krystian.pilarczyk@gmail.com 1
k.pilarczyk@casema.nl 2

Why
Geosynthetics & Geosystems Why geosynthetics/geosystems?
What
Critical review of geosystems in hydraulic/coastal
How
engineering
Getting older
I understand more and more
how little I know (how little my Geosynthetics applications are associated mainly with
knowledge is) ground engineering (soil mechanic engineers)
Therefore Geosynthetics have already transformed geotechnical
I have to disappoint you engineering to the point that it is no longer possible to
do geotechnical engineering without geosynthetics
I have more to say on (Giroud, 1987)
What we do not know Why not (or less) in hydraulic and coastal
than engineering ?!
(see also CEM 2006, What we do know 3 4

Rock Manual 2007)

Why geosynthetics/geosystems?
Why not in hydraulic and coastal engineering?
Why geosynthetics/geosystems?
Design process
The design of geosystems was in the past based the modern design approach is
more on rather vague experience than on generally characterized by making a choice from
valid (accepted) calculation methods. a number of suitable alternatives
the shortage of natural resources
sometimes necessity (filters under
Contrary to research on traditional materials and water)
systems there was little systematic research on the (often) cheaper and/or easier execution
design, stability and performance of geosystems available in a wide range of properties
5 6

1
 Why geosynthetics/geosystems? Critical Review of Geosystems
Why not in hydraulic and coastal engineering? in Hydraulic and Coastal
Past and recent research in the Netherlands, USA, Germany,
Japan on a number of geosystems has provided results which
Engineering
can be of use in for preparation of design guidelines and
design
We should convince the design engineer that geotextile Introduction
systems can be a good and usually cheaper alternative to the Overview of systems
more traditional materials and systems Stability criteria
Therefore: Performance
Geosynthetics and Geosystems in Conclusions and
Hydraulic and Coastal Engineering recommendations
7 8

Systems & Materials

examples
Why design methodology?
integrated design: geotextiles and geosystems
are only a part (or a component) of the total
structure/project and they should be treated and
integrated in the total prespective of a given
project
basic knowledge of total design (aspects and
principles) and basic knowledge of
geosynthetics properties/specifications
9 10

Wave attack and

Initial considerations
Environmental
conditions
Functional pre-
design alternative
Selection of preferred scheme
Design Starting Points Interactions with
In the design process one has to distinguish Breaker index
structures
between functional design (solve the
= tan / s and s = 2 H = H
problem) and structural design. 2
gT L
Functional design concerns the impacts and L=gT2/2=1.56T2
performance of the coastal alternative with
respect to coastal protection, improvement
of recreational conditions and conservation
of natural living resources.
Structural design concerns the resistance of the
coastal structure to the actions of waves and Llocal =T (gh)^0.5
currents h= local depth in front of structure

Detailed design
11 12

2
Overview of geosynthetics/ reality Manufacturing , Products
geosystems and Specifications
(design methodology)
(geosynthetics: properties&specifications)

Revetments
Fill-containing geosystems
Geocontainers
Geotextile forms for sand
Screens and curtains
Inflatable dams
Wovens
In dams and dikes
Erosion control
13 Non-wovens 14

Geosynthetics: Conventional Applications

types and properties
Terrafix non-woven
Wovens vs. Non-wovens composite

15 16

cracked matress
Alternative revetment systems D
or blocks WAVE ATTACK
conventional ??? Uplift of block
lift
breaking wave b mat or mattresses
Block mattresses bkD PERM :
Geotextiles in revetment structures qy = k
Concrete geomattresses How to avoid failure ? b(q+ q)
k'
filter
Sand mattresses bq MATTRES k
y
Sand bags D FILTER

b
leakage length, characterises the structure
Wave load: At certain wave load: bk
/ D =
small leakage length => low uplift pressure Dk '
Cover layer stability
(high k gives pressure relief) 0.33
Geotechnical stability of subsoil D k
large leakage length =>high uplift pressure H scr -0.67
=f 18 op
Load by high flow currents 17
D b k

3
 Prototype or large-scale verification Blocks
connected to
Evidence of failure geotextile by
pins

uplift

Cabled mat

internal erosion

19 20

Combined resistance/permeability example

0.33
H scr = f D k -0.67 tan
Local geotechnical (in-)stability
op op =
Importance of proper composition/ D b k H s / L op
leakage length

bkD bk
= or / D =
k' Dk '
influence of geotextile
slip circle

slip circle
Compressible pore water +
Pressure fluctuations
Reduced grain contact in sand
21 Local sliding 22
Geosynthetic is only one of the components involved

Design diagram of geotechnical stability Geotextiles as filters in revetment structures

Load: Waves (& gravity
component along slope)
Strength: Weight (cover
layer + filter layer)
Hs
(m) slope
1 :5
1.5
PERM :
1 :3
k
1.0
MATTRES k
1 :2
0.5 D FILTER

b
Designing with geotextiles
23 24
0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8
D+b (m)

4
Filter concepts Index tests
Testing and reality

Hydraulic gradients due to waves 25 (performance) tests in FilterBox26

Design
diagram
for
geotextile
filters

27 28

Geomats and Geomattresses Sand mat (a measure for unstable soils)

PROFIX-sand-sausages mat

Concrete-filled geomattresses

29 30

5
 Erosion Control

Composite mat

Geoweb

31 32

Stability of Concrete mattresses before and after the storm

under wave attack

foto van betonmatras

33 34
Lack of design criteria

Theory of block revetments can be applied to concrete geomattresses Combined permeability of a system
Influence of leakage length
Damage hazards =
bkD
k'
0.33
H scr = f D k -0.67
op
D b k
uplift wave
pressure impact

geotextile
local settlement
filterpoint:
lter of subsoil
or fi relief uplift
sand pressure

35 36

6
 Execution and maintenance Some New Developments
Durability of geomattresses
components vs system ELASTOCOAST PILOTS IN THE NETHERLANDS
STORM SEASON 2007/2008; ELASTOGRAN GMBH German product
Geomattress as a block mat (on a long term); ageing effect
ELASTOCOAST consists of granular material fixed together with a
two-component polyurethane adhesive. In the Elastocoast system each individual
Aging effect rock is covered with a thin film of polyurethane. When cured this film bonds the
rocks together only on their contact points, retaining a highly permeable, open
structure.
Gully/cavity NB. Similarity with open-stone asphalt (Fixtone)
MechanicalAgeing
damage of
effect Taking sample in-site
geotextile
And cross view of structure
58

Open Stone
Asphalt

37 38

Gabions and stone mattresses Stability of Synthetic Gabions in Waves

Cylindrical TUDelft: Master of Science Thesis on the Application of Synthetic Grids in Mattress
RM 5.2.2.7 gabion Gabion Constructions and the Stability in Waves,June 2008

Plastic
gabions

Box gabion and gabion mattress

Sack gabions in closure works in S. Korea (Sack)
friction
(Isbash) long

short
short
Mattress construction

Sack gabion
39 40
Pilarczyks stability relation improved

References online Conclusion

http://www.kennisbank-waterbouw.nl/ Design methods are derived on basis of
theory, giving reasonable results, for
www.tawinfo.nl (select English, downloads)
various alternative revetments:
http://www.wldelft.nl/rnd/publ/search.html Block mattresses (and interlocking blocks)
(insert for Author: Breteler, Gent, or other name) Concrete mattresses
http://www.vandermeerconsulting.nl/ Sand mattresses
Geosystems (sand bags, sand containers etc)
http://www.delftcluster.nl/ Gabions (and Reno-mattresses)

http://www.library.tudelft.nl/ws/search/publications/theses/index.htm?to=
Covering Wave load and Flow load
2008&de=Hydraulic+Engineering&n=10&fr=2008&s=1&p=2 Necessary future research:
experimental verification
http://books.google.nl/books?ct=title&q=Coastal+Protection+,+Pilarczyk&lr=&sa=N&start= 42
0 refining of theory

7
 Project approach and Design process Bed and bank protection
/mattresses/

wide view

Innovation

in

Geosystems 43
Conventional applications
44

Geosynthetics in flood protection Traditional application of

and dike construction geotextiles as flood
Piping boils
protection measures

45 46

Innovative flood protection measures Geosynthetics

using geosynthetics in dikes,
Conventional?? banks and
embankments

47 48

8
Inflatable dams Demontable Inflated Weir

principle

Inflatable
Barrier
Ramspol, NL

49 50

Waterwalls
water-filled bags/tubes Geosynthetics and Geosystems in
Coastal Applications

52

Principe of inclined curtain as a coastal protection

measure

floaters

anchores

Double row of curtains 53 54

9
 Artificial Seaweed (mats) as scour protection Protection submarine pipelines againt scouring
Artificial Seaweed mats, eventually
anchor
in combination with a block mat

Vertical geo-curtains
(i.e. BEROSIN)

55 56

Kliffende House
Geobags Application Geobags
Sylt Island
Usually as temporary
structures/measures
Filled with sand or
concrete

Repair

57 58

Application Geobags Construction of groin or breakwater with geobags

59 60

10
 Filling procedure
Application of large geobags of Mexican system Large bags
for underwater dam at Sylt
Mexican (large) geobags filled with lean concrete

61 62

Geotubes innovation
improvement of design Geotubes
techniques and execution popular structure for shore
protection
stability shape and strength acc. to
Leshchinsky method
main problems: -
durability (if exposed) -
execution /positioning
- stacking geotubes
- filling with silty materials
(consolidation)
- seam strength
63
64

Application
Geotubes

65 66

11
 Design Geotubes Calculation shape
Palmerton method Calculation shape and strength
and strength Similar results using Leshchynskis GeoCops

67 68
Similar results using Leshchynskis GeoCops

Distribution of pressure along geotube Influence of

perimeter
a) Circumferential tension distribution
around a filled geotextile tube
Circumferential tension distribution
around filled geotextile tube
fill-grade
b) Approximation of circumferential
tension distribution in terms of [ Tmax] c
50%-70%[Tmax ]c

Filled geotextile tube Filled geotextile tube

[Tmax]c

10%-15%[Tmax]c 100%[
69 Tmax]c 70

Location of maximum circumferential tension

Filling of
Geotubes

Influence of
submergence

Pocket beach using geotubes

71 72

12
 Example of project: Functional design: wave transmission
AmWaj Island,
Bahrein
Delft Hydraulics, 2000
at low water
Geotubes core+riprap

73 74

Execution

75 76
Thailand

77 78

13
Durability (still a problem) Proper anchoring and
Typical section of
pumping technique
geotextile tube application
Surface protection:
additional sheet ???
(usually does not work
properly)

Usually, surface
protection needed

Example of localized humps

79 80

http://coastal.tamug.edu/am/StudentPowerpointPresentations/Laura_Mullaney_Geotubes_on_Galveston_Island%20ppt/Geotubes_on_
81 Galveston_Island.ppt 82
Holes repaired with HDPE covers http://coastal.tamug.edu/capturedwebsites/cepraconference/glo_coastal_presentations/samplejay/sld001.htm

Nieuw applications and design techniques Leshchinskys PC-model

Dike
heightening
Enclosure and Dewatering
with
dredged materials
geotubes

83 84

14
 Geocontainers - Geocontainers;
a new invention filling procedure

85 86

Application Geocontainers

87 88

procedure INNOVATION Terrafix Soft Rock

Geocontainers
(geocontainers)
Research & non-woven
Development
Dry tests (Nicolon)

Forces and
Deformations
89 90
Test geocontainer

15
 Submerged reef,
Installation and dumping geocontainer Gold Coast
a view

91 92

Dumping loss material and Geocontainer

Dumping trajectory of geocontainer
splitbarge

0.16

0.03
0.28

0.36

0.44

0.16

0.52 leg of
0.28

0.36
splitbarge Accuracy of placement still a
problem (especially for depth
0.44
0.60 0.68
0.52 numbers = time(s)
larger than 10m)
0.76
1.40
0.84
1.08
1.40 t = 2.12 s
0.84
0.92 1.08 1.24 0.92 1.24

0.68 0.76

93 0 10 20 30 40 50 x(cm) 94

Large-scale geocontainer tests Large-scale tests Geotubes Delta Flume

Delta Flume

95 96

16
 Stability large geobags on slopes
(Oumeraci, 2002)
Stability geotubes&geocontainers
- first approximation

0.5 < Hs < 1 On slope
D cr For geotubes parallel to wave attack

Hs For geotubes perpendicular to

= 1.5to 2.0(max .) wave attack; On crest
D cr For L/D > 4

97 98

99 100

Juan Recio 2007

Geocontainers - PhD study by Juan Recio (2007) PhD-study

101 102

17
 Recio 2007 - final
Juan Recio Formulae & comparison
Use thickness D= lc/4 ; min.D = lc/5

Current attack

103 104

Proposed
geocontainers/geotubes
reefs West India

Numerical
simulations by
Recio

105 106

Possible application of
geocontainers and
geotubes (core of
breakwater)

Accuracy of placing ?!

107 108
Geosystems Applications EuroGeo4
2008 A.Bezuijen et al.

18
 Geocontainers: conclusions
limited number of projects
Conclusions
design and execution based on Remaining questions
past experience and closing remarks:
(still) limited experience
new design criteria are in - durability
development - execution
need for verification
need for well-documented - damage
experience (a.o. accuracy of - quality control
placing, performance)
109 110
A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam www.balkema.nl

Durability/long-term performance ??? Remember

to be or not to be
In general it can be said that geosystems as
50 years
well as all engineering systems and materials
100 years have (some) advantages and disadvantages
which should be recognized before a choice is
200 years made. There is not one ideal system or material.
Each material and system has a certain
application at certain loading conditions and
We have to answer that ! specific functional requirements for the specific
problem and/or structural solution.
international cooperation/joined forces ( IGS !)
111 112

Remember Remember
alternatives
When applying geosystems the major design integrated approach
considerations/problems are related to the integrity
of the units during release and impact (impact
resistance, seam strength, burst, abrasion, durability
etc.), the accuracy of placement on the bottom Geosynthetic is only one of the components involved ,
(especially at large depths), and the stability. and
When applying this technology the manufacturer's Geosystem is only a part of the total structure
specifications should be followed. The installation Design criteria needed, but
needs an experienced contractor or an experienced Experience and engineering judgement play an important
supervision. role in design and construction
113 114

19
 Reliability of design rules ??!!!
Verification of design (design rules)

Engineers are continually required to demonstrate

value for money. Verification of a design is
expensive. However, taken as a percentage of the total
costs, the cost is in fact often very small and can lead
to considerable long-term savings in view of the
uncertainties that exist in geosystem design.
The client should therefore always be informed about
the limitations of the design process and the need for
verification in order to achieve the optimum design
115 116

Monitoring of projects General Conclusions and

Recommendations
Systematic (international) monitoring of realized
projects (including failure cases) and evaluation definitions and procedures
of the prototype data may provide useful materials versus systems
information for verification purposes and further index tests vs performance tests
improvement of prediction methods. research versus practice
It is also the role of the national and international international harmonization
organizations to identify this lack of information
international design guidelines
and to launch a multiclient studies for extended
monitoring and testing programmes. international cooperation
117 118

critical review of geosystems in hydraulic and coastal engineering

Why geosynthetics/geosystems? Closing remarks
in hydraulic/coastal engineering A number of concepts still need further
elaboration to achieve the level of design
the field of geosynthetics is progressing very fast quality comparable with more
more standard applications are related mainly to conventional solutions and systems.
ground engineering (filtration, reinforcement) A number of uncertainties can be solved
there is a number of promissing systems suitable for in the scope of graduation works and
hydraulic/coastal applications (geotubes, doctoral dissertations. However, for a
geocontainers, geocurtains, etc.) number of systems more practical
experience is also still needed under
some incidental (still limited) experience and design
various hydraulic conditions.
methods are available
The realization of this need is only
a growing interest in innovative/low-cost methods
119
possible if manufacturers, clients and
120
researchers cooperate closely.

20
 More information: Contents:
Promotion of geosynthetics is still needed:
1. Introduction
- marketing 2. General design methodology
3. Geosynthetics: properties and functions
- publicity
4. Revetments and bed protections
- good cases 5. Fill-containing geosystems
6. Geocontainers
- quality assurance/control
7. Geotextile forms for sand structures
- education & training 8. Screens and curtains
9. Inflatable dams
students
www.balkema.nl 10. Geosystems in dams, dikes, banks, dunes
engineers (post-academial education) 121
11. Erosion control systems 122
936pages;
12. Remaining questions

Geosynthetics are benefit for our Society

The end

Thank you

123 124

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