Search Results (42)

The paper presents a case study on the impact of a shallow landslide in overconsolidated clays, which was triggered during the winter of 2004–2005 due to exceptionally high pore pressures, on the operativity and serviceability of a key road artery in Sicily. During the period from 2004 to 2021, the landslide experienced several reactivations, particularly during the winter months when increased rainfall led to rising pore water pressures. These recurrent events resulted in temporary road closures and continuous restoration efforts, causing significant inconvenience for local communities and substantial economic losses for commercial, tourism, and agricultural activities in the area. In 2018, a comprehensive study was launched to reconstruct the detailed geotechnical model of the landslide, analysing its mechanical and kinematic characteristics, pore pressure regime, the depth and geometry of the sliding surface, and the causes of the landslide. The study indicates that the primary causes of both the initial landslide and its subsequent reactivations were the poor mechanical properties of the involved soils and seasonal fluctuations in pore water pressures. To ensure long-term stabilisation, the most suitable interventions were identified as the permanent reduction of pore pressures through the installation of drainage trenches and the construction of a road embankment using gabions, which also serve as drainage structures. These measures are highly effective, relatively cost-efficient, easy to implement, and environmentally sustainable. Full article

Wooden or bamboo fences, commonly used for coastal protection, have limited effectiveness in reducing wave height due to their porous structure, which provides only moderate wave damping. To address this issue, our study proposes a modification that retains these fences while strategically incorporating submerged rocks, similar to gabions, to exploit friction and achieve significant wave height reduction. We employed a mathematical model based on modified Shallow Water Equations to investigate the wave attenuation. A key measure, the wave transmission coefficient ($K_t$), for quantifying wave height reduction was determined using both analytical and numerical methods. The numerical $K_t$ obtained from simulations was $0.2831$, whereas the analytically computed $K_t$ value was $0.2622$, which indicates a reduction of over 70% in the initial wave amplitude due to the combined effect of submerged rocks and wooden fences. These results, which align closely with experimental data, validate the credibility of our approach. A detailed sensitivity analysis illustrates the effectiveness of both wooden fences and submerged rocks in attenuating wave height, which depends on structure dimensions and friction coefficients. Optimization studies present various optimal structures, underscoring the critical role of the structure’s friction coefficient in minimizing the wave transmission coefficient, and recommend the use of rough materials for optimal wave height reduction. In summary, our paper offers a robust exploration of an innovative coastal protection strategy that integrates wooden fences and rocks. The validated model, supported by analytical, numerical, and experimental evidence, has the potential to provide practical insights for coastal engineers seeking efficient wave attenuation solutions. Full article

To reveal the mechanical behavior and deformation patterns of geotechnical reinforcement materials under tensile loading, a series of tensile tests were conducted on plastic geogrid rib, fiberglass geogrid rib, gabion steel wire, plastic geogrid mesh, fiberglass geogrid mesh, and gabion mesh. The full tensile force–strain relationships of the reinforcement materials were obtained. The failure modes of different geotechnical reinforcement materials were discussed. The standard linear three-element model, the nonlinear three-element model, and the improved Kawabata model were employed to simulate the tensile curves of the various geotechnical reinforcement materials. The main parameters of the tensile models of the geotechnical reinforcement materials were determined. The results showed that a brittle failure occurred in both the plastic geogrid rib and the fiberglass geogrid rib subjected to tensile loading. The gabion steel wire presented obvious elastic–plastic deformation behavior. The tensile resistance of fiberglass geogrid mesh was higher compared to that of plastic geogrid, which was mainly caused by the difference in the cross-sectional areas of these two types of geogrid. Due to a hexagonal mesh structure of gabion mesh, there was a distinct stress adjustment during the tensile process, resulting in a sawtooth fluctuation pattern in tensile curve. Compared to the strip geogrid material, hexagonal-type gabion mesh could withstand higher tensile strain and had greater tensile strength. Brittle failure occurred in both the plastic geogrid rib and the fiberglass geogrid rib when subjected to tensile loading. The gabion steel wire presented obvious elastic–plastic deformation behavior. The standard linear and nonlinear three-element models as well as improved Kawabata model could all well reflect the tensile behavior of geotechnical reinforcement materials before the failure of the material. Full article

The 2015 seismic events in Nepal highlighted critical challenges in constructing earthquake-resilient, self-built stone masonry houses in rural mountain areas. The Department of Urban Development and Building Construction (DUDBC), however, provided designs that failed to preserve the local architectural landscape and craftsmanship while adding unfamiliar knowledge and technology. To address the shortcomings of DUDBC model houses related to architecture, structure, and socio-economic concerns in designing and implementing post-earthquake houses, a need-based building development framework is required for standardized practice. This study proposes a novel framework to assess, design, and implement a self-built house after a disaster, consisting of five stages: (1) post-disaster problem assessment, (2) need identification, (3) material selection, (4) design development, and (5) validation and implementation. Based on this framework, we proposed a novel gabion building construction technology for two-story stone masonry structures that effectively mitigate post-disaster challenges such as logistic, resilience, and socio-economic aspects while improving disaster resiliency specifically in the high-elevation rural areas of Nepal. The proposed two-story gabion building preserves local architectural values, enhances structural integrity, and provides cost-effectiveness when compared with its DUDBC peer models while providing much-needed relief to the vulnerable community. The proposed resilient house, G-2.1, utilizes locally sourced materials and craftsmanship, and innovative gabion technology that ensures affordability and facilitates knowledge transfer. The contribution of this study includes a multi-objective framework for a two-story gabions house that is most suitable for self-built resilient homes that preserves the local architecture and socio-economic conditions while providing structural integrity and safety. Full article

This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of research on bank erosion and control measures, utilizing the Scopus database and VOSviewer software. Key terms such as “bank”, “erosion”, “control”, and “protection” frequently appear in the literature, underscoring their importance in studies on riverbank erosion. Since 2000, scientific production has steadily increased, particularly in disciplines such as Environmental Sciences and Earth and Planetary Sciences, driven by growing concerns about climate change and sustainable water resource management. Countries with substantial research resources, such as the United States and China, lead in the production of studies, reflecting their commitment to addressing this global issue. In parallel, the evaluation of erosion mitigation practices in Colombia revealed that, although effective techniques such as gabion walls and riparian vegetation exist, 40% of respondents do not implement specific measures. This lack of implementation is attributed to insufficient knowledge, limited resources, and misconceptions about the effectiveness of these techniques. The findings highlight the need to promote proven practices and enhance professional training. Future research should focus on developing more accurate predictive models, integrating interdisciplinary approaches, and assessing the impacts of climate change on bank erosion. Addressing barriers to applying effective techniques at the local level and improving access to resources and knowledge are critical steps to reducing bank erosion and ensuring sustainable water management. Full article

In order to explore the sediment deposition characteristic of ecological riverbanks associated with vegetation restoration in the deep waterway regulation scheme of Yangtze River, two kinds of typical ecological riverbanks and a traditional riprap riverbank (TRR) in engineering areas were investigated. The vegetation community characteristics, sediment aggregate compositions, nutrient contents, total organic carbon (TOC), sediment microbial biomass carbon (MBC), sediment microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN), and sediment microbial biomass phosphorus (MBP) were determined. The results indicated that the ecological restoration effect of the lattice gabion ballasted vegetation mat riverbank (LGBVR) was best, followed by the mesh grid riverbank (MGR), and that of the TRR was relatively poor. In different ecological riverbanks, the sediment aggregated compositions were not significantly varied. The sediment contents of NH₄⁺-N, available phosphorus (AP), and TOC in ecological riverbank areas were relatively higher than those of the TRR. In the LGBVR, the sediment contents of MBC were relatively higher than those of the others. The sediment deposition characteristics and ecological restoration effects in the study area should be monitored for a long time. Full article

With emphasis on constructing low-carbon cities, the renovation of the riverbank highlights energy conservation and carbon reduction. However, methods and standards for quantifying carbon emissions during ecological river channel construction are currently lacking. There is a scientific gap in research into carbon footprint assessment and reduction potential in ecological revetment technologies in water networks of China. This study attempts to clarify the carbon emission factors of different ecological revetment technologies and explore the carbon reduction potential during the construction stage of ecological rivers from the river revetment design, construction process and materials. The results show that in the carbon emission factors of six ecological revetment technologies, building materials have the largest adjusting potential for carbon reduction. The concrete material is responsible for 55.37–95.86% of carbon emissions in six ecological river technologies, with an average proportion of 69.96%. Accordingly, the concrete material emerges as the primary contributor to carbon emissions in ecological river engineering, followed by gasoline truck transportation and earthwork excavation. Moreover, the carbon emissions from ecological frame structures were the largest, followed by those of block structures, gabion structures, planted concrete and interlocking blocks and the wooden stake structure has the smallest carbon footprint. The choice of ecological revetment technologies is not only related to the realisation of regional water conservancy functions, but it also affects the carbon emissions of water conservancy projects. Engineers and decision-makers should pay great attention to the optimal design of the project, selection of low-carbon materials, energy saving and emission reduction in the construction process. This research not only provides guidance for design units in selecting appropriate river revetment technologies but also offers a theoretical foundation and data support for construction units to optimise their construction process management. Full article

This study explored the three-dimensional flow characteristics in a recirculation zone near a permeable buttress in curved channels with varying curvatures. Understanding these characteristics is crucial for managing natural river bends, as rivers often meander, with backwater zones formed behind obstructions, such as mountains in the riverbed. The direct comparison of the recirculation zones across different bend types revealed the correlation between the flow characteristics and bend curvature. However, previous studies have focused on flow velocities and turbulent kinetic energy without a probability density analysis. This analysis provided a more comprehensive understanding of the flow characteristics. Gaussian kernel density estimation was applied in this study to observe the distribution of the flow velocities, turbulent kinetic energy, and turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rate. The results indicated that the longitudinal time-averaged flow velocity in the recirculation zone typically ranged from −0.2 m/s to −0.8 m/s, with all the skewness coefficients exceeding 0. The horizontal time-averaged flow velocity in the recirculation zone fell between −0.175 m/s and −0.1 m/s. The skewness coefficients were negative at water depths of 16%, 33%, and 50% within the 90° and 180° bends, indicating a non-normal distribution. The probability density distribution of turbulent kinetic energy in the recirculation zone was skewed, ranging from 0 to 0.02 m²·s⁻², with the skewness coefficient almost always greater than 0. The plot demonstrated multiple peaks, indicating a broad distribution of turbulent kinetic energy rather than a concentration within a specific interval. This distribution included both the high and low regions of turbulent kinetic energy. Although the overall rate of turbulent kinetic energy dissipation in the recirculation zone was relatively low, there were multiple peaks, suggesting the localized areas with higher dissipation rates alongside the regions with lower rates. These findings were significant for managing the meandering river channels, restoring the subaqueous ecosystems, understanding the pollutant diffusion mechanisms in backwater areas, the sedimentation of nutrient-laden sediments, and optimizing the parameters for spur dike design. Full article

The present research aims to propose resilient urban-design strategies to mitigate the risk of landslides in Huaraz. This study addresses the growing challenge of climate change and its influence on the occurrence of avalanches in Huaraz, Peru. The methodology employed included a literature review, site analysis using digital tools, and the formulation of resilient urban-design strategies. As a result, a Master Plan for Urban Resilience is proposed, using a detailed literature review, climate studies, and topographic evaluation to design urban strategies that enhance the city’s sustainability and safety. The proposed interventions, including channel expansion, installation of gabions and containment meshes, reforestation, and strategic relocation of housing, demonstrate significant potential to reduce vulnerability to avalanches. This multidisciplinary approach underscores the necessity of integrating urban adaptations in response to extreme climate variations in the Andean regions. The proposal stands out for its innovation and resilience, precisely aligning with the unique characteristics of Huaraz. The comprehensive strategy not only focuses on urban regeneration and risk prevention but also aims to significantly improve the community’s quality of life. Full article

Recently, heavy rains caused by climate change have resulted in dam failures due to overtopping. This study presents a design method aiming to prevent overtopping failures by applying gabion retaining walls at the dam crest. Simulations, experiments, and measurements were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of this design. The design framework aims to establish a system in which gabion retaining walls prevent overtopping when water levels exceed the crest of the dam, efficiently draining seepage water into the dam body through vertical filters. Research findings indicate that implementing dam crest core and geomembrane design effectively prevents seepage and saturation of the downstream slope during overtopping events. Notably, the reservoir dam operates in a stable manner, as seepage water passing through the dam body is directed solely to the toe drain. Overall, this design approach suggests its potential as a practical solution by significantly reducing hazards resulting from heavy rainfall. Full article

Cases of rockfalls that occurred on a slope in the Selendi District of Manisa Province are evaluated in this article. Field studies are evaluated and different measures are examined to reduce rockfall risk. Drone flights are used to evaluate previous studies and obtain 1/1000 scale digital topographic maps. These maps are used to create a 3D (three-dimensional) solid model of the project site, and on-site surveys are conducted to identify source rock locations and free blocks that pose a risk. Those 3D analyses are used to determine the paths, jump heights, and energies of the blocks in motion. The data from the 3D maps are used to determine the most appropriate remediation methods. The structural behavior of the recommended gabion wall, which is designed at a certain height and width as a result of rockfalls, has been examined. Structural behavior is determined by simulation based on the finite element model. Within the scope of this study, the ANSYS Workbench program is used. The “Explicit Dynamics” analysis type in ANSYS Workbench was chosen to examine the rockfall effect. Full article

The interface friction mechanics of reinforcement material with filler is an essential issue for the engineering design of reinforced soil structure. The interface friction mechanics is closely associated with the properties of filler and reinforcement material, which subsequently affects the overall stability. In order to investigate the interface mechanism of a double-twisted hexagonal gabion mesh with a coarse-grained filler derived from a weathered red sandstone, a large laboratory pullout test was carried out. The pullout force–displacement curve was obtained by fully mobilizing the gabion mesh to reach the peak shear stress at the interface between the gabion mesh and the coarse-grained filler. The change of force–displacement characteristics and the distribution of tensile stress in gabion mesh during the pullout process were obtained. A 3D numerical model was established based on the pullout test model, and the model for analyzing the interface characteristic between the gabion mesh and the coarse-grained filler was modeled using the FLAC3D 6.0 platform. The interface characteristics were further analyzed in terms of the displacement of soil, the displacement of reinforcement, and the shear stress of soil. The strength and deformation behaviors of the interface during the entire pullout process were well captured. The pullout force–displacement curve experiences a rapid growth stage, a development transition stage and a yielding stabilization stage. The critical displacement corresponding to peak pullout stress increases with the increase in normal stress. The normal stress determines the magnitude of shear stress at the reinforcement and soil interface, and the displacement distribution of a gabion mesh is not significantly affected by normal stress when the applied normal stress is within a range of 7–20 kPa. The findings are beneficial to engineering design and application of a gabion mesh-reinforced soil structure. Full article

Applying rock-filled gabion to buildings in cold regions with mountainous climates has multiple potentials, such as utilizing rock resources, improving building sustainability and saving building energy. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the thermal performance of gabion buildings. Based on the CFD method, this paper establishes a numerical model of buildings with gabion enclosure structures, analyzes the influence of the gabion structure on the external convective heat transfer coefficient (CHTC), wind pressure, air infiltration, room temperature and building load, and further uses the building energy consumption simulation method to analyze the heat load of gabion buildings. The results showed that the adverse impact of climate on the building thermal performance is significantly diminished by the gabion. Under different weather conditions, the CHTC, the maximum wind pressure difference on the exterior surface, and the air infiltration rate are reduced by different rates. Further, the room base temperature increases throughout the heating season, and the maximum heat load and the cumulative heat load of the building are, respectively, reduced by 10.6% and 24.8%. This work revealed that the gabion is an eco-friendly and adaptive measure to improve thermal performance and indoor thermal comfort. Full article

Double-twisted hexagonal gabion wire mesh is a type of reinforced soil material that is used in gabion retaining walls to stabilize the soil slope in geotechnical engineering. In this study, a series of tensile tests were conducted to investigate the tensile behavior of hexagonal gabion wire mesh. Meanwhile, numerical models of gabion wire mesh were built to investigate the whole tensile loading-strain process. The influence of wire diameter, mesh width, and mesh length on the tensile strength of hexagonal gabion wire mesh were evaluated based on laboratory tests and numerical simulation. The quantitative relationship of tensile strength versus wire diameter, mesh width, and mesh length was typically fitted by a quadratic function, linear function, and monotonically decreasing exponential function. The numerical result presents a good consistency with those obtained from the experiment. The result of the loading-strain curve obtained by both experiment and simulation exhibits an “S” shape with a distinct serrated characteristic. The loading-strain curve can be divided into the following four stages: mesh distortion stage, wire stretching stage, overall yield stage, and wire fracture stage, which well reflects the tensile behavior of double-twisted hexagonal wire mesh. The tensile behavior of gabion wire mesh is influenced by the structure pattern of wire mesh and the mechanical characteristic of steel wire. Full article

Modified Denil fishways have a centred gabion containing gravel and are intended to enable the free passage of riverbed-oriented species and invertebrates. An experimental plant was built at a small hydropower station which provided a newly arranged Denil fishway and a pool and weir fishway parallel to one another. It was possible to alternately operate the systems for monitoring purposes owing to the parallel design, allowing an appropriate comparison and analysis of the results to be carried out. The primary objective of this study is to qualitatively and quantitatively compare the size selectivity and ascent numbers between the new development and the conventional construction type. An important component of this study is the test to prove the passage of bullheads in the modified Denil fishway using an experimental set-up. The results of this study depict a similar size distribution of ascended fish in both construction types and thus provide no evidence of selectivity for small fish sizes. Likewise, no deficit of the modified Denil fishway compared with the pool and weir fishway could be proven within the scope of a monitoring. The successful passage of bullheads could be demonstrated in the experiment as well as during monitoring. Full article