Sustainable Use of Geosynthetics in Dykes

Pietro Rimoldi, Jonathan Shamrock, Jacek Kawalec and Nathalie Touze
Additional contact information
Pietro Rimoldi: Geosynthetic Consultant, 20121 Milano, Italy
Jonathan Shamrock: Tonkin & Taylor Ltd., Auckland 1142, New Zealand
Jacek Kawalec: Department of Geotechnics & Roads, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
Nathalie Touze: SDAR, Université Paris-Saclay INRAE, 78352 Jouy-en-Josas, France

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 8, 1-31

Abstract: Dykes, or levees, are structures designed and constructed to keep the water in a river within certain bounds in the event of a flood. In relation with climate change, more frequent floods, of higher intensity, can be expected due to anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The objective of this review paper is to address the many ways in which geosynthetics contribute to sustainable construction of dykes and thus to water systems management. This review paper, prepared by the four Technical Committees and the Sustainability Committee of the International Geosynthetics Society, briefly describes geosynthetics and their function, dykes and dyke failure modes, before presenting the main focus of the use of geosynthetics for the design and construction of durable dykes to ensure the protection of life and infrastructure. The optimization of dyke construction with geosynthetics to increase their resilience not only results in performance advantages, but also in economic advantages. The way geosynthetics can contribute to mitigating greenhouse gas emissions for a sustainable river management is discussed. This is done not only by allowing more economic construction methods to be implemented, but also solutions with increased resilience to face the extreme stresses related to climate change, while at the same time bringing about a positive contribution to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions during the construction process itself. Finally, it is shown that by following state of the art standards and design practice any possible risk associated with the use of geosynthetics in dykes can be mitigated.

Keywords: geosynthetics; dykes; levees; protection; reinforcement; stabilization; drainage; erosion control; barriers; emission reductions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:8:p:4445-:d:537066

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