Defence works against hydrogeological instability
The prevention of risks associated with hydrogeological instability involves, not least, maintaining the efficiency of structures such as banks and shores, which need to be suitably protected against possible damage caused by current-induced erosion. It can often happen, following significant rises in water levels, that action must be taken to reinstate or improve defence works wherever they are installed, and especially in areas acknowledged to be most at risk.
In certain cases, attention must also be focused on the aspect of the natural surroundings, reflected in the use of solutions having a low impact on the environment and/or landscape. The creation of a reinforcement at the base of banks, and temporary repairs to collapsed shores, or the protection of river bed structures such as bridge piers, can be accomplished with FILTER UNITS — flexible gabions made of polymer material and filled with stones — which adapt readily to the contours of the ground and are able to offer advantageously long-term durability.
Reinforcement of port quays and man-made canals
In certain situations, for example man-made canals or port quays, where erosion is more intense (due to the rotation of propellers on watercraft), a more robust type of protection is required, such as that provided by SINTEXMATTRESS envelopes. These are textile moulds that can be filled with cement mixes and positioned along shorelines or quays, suitably anchored, so as to form a protective barrier of appreciable thickness, typically tens of centimetres.
Control of surface erosion
The sloping surfaces of banks or embankments are exposed to the weather and consequently to water run-off, which can jeopardize their integrity. The most readily available method of preventing run-off-related erosion is to green the slope, so that the particles of soil can be held in place by grass roots. This said, it can be advantageous, especially during the early stages of the works when the vegetation is not yet grown, to install a covering of protective material that will attenuate the effects of run-off immediately and help the grass to take root. Solutions offered by GEOSINTEX for this purpose include SINTEXMAT biomats and biodegradable products such as JUTENET or STRAWMAT.
