Mitigation of flooding by improved dams and dykes

Abstract

Following past flood disasters in Europe, safe and modern levee cross-sections have been implemented using geosynthetics. The use of filter nonwovens between the levee core and drainage and up-lift ballast berms at the inner levee embankment, or the arrangement of geosynthetic clay liners (bentonite mats, GCLs) at the outer levee embankment are included along with well-established alternatives in current guidelines. The efficiency of stabilisation measures with geosynthetics integrated into the levee has been investigated and the high stability of these construction methods in the case of overtopping has been documented. Erosion at the inner levee embankment and unexpected levee failures can be prevented or delayed. The likelihood that such levees will break is minimal because the earthen levee cannot be eroded. This approach to dramatically improving the safety of levees by integrating geosynthetics into the levee cross-section could significantly reduce danger and potential flood damage in many parts of the world.