Minimizing roadway embankment damage from flooding
By: Consultants Jean-Louis Briaud and Layal Maddah, Texas A & M University College Station, Texas
Contributors: Maddah, Layal, author; National Research Council (U.S.). Transportation Research Board; National Cooperative Highway Research Program; American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials; United States. Federal Highway Administration
Series: NCHRP synthesis -- no. 496; Synthesis of highway practice -- 496.
Publisher: Transportation Research Board
Published: 2016
Place of publication: Washington, D.C
Language: eng
Number of pages: 104
ISBN-13: 9781523108763; 9780309389730
Subjects: Roads; Embankments; Protection; Flood damage prevention; Roadside improvement; Routes; Remblais; Dommages causés par les inondations; Prévention; Abords; Aménagement; Roadsides
Description: This state-of-the-practice report highlights how the transportation community is protecting roadways and mitigating damage from inundation and overtopping. In the absence of standard guidance, this report highlights major issues and design components specific to roadway embankment damage from flooding. It documents the mechanics of damage to the embankment and pavement, and the analysis tools available. The probable failure mechanisms are identified and various design approaches and repair countermeasures are highlighted. The information presented in the synthesis is based on a review of the related literature, a survey of current practice, and a series of telephone interviews with state departments of transportation. Examples of failures and repair techniques are illustrated through 14 case examples gathered from six states. The findings suggest that minimizing damage to roadway embankments can be tackled by altering the embankment design and slope protection techniques or altering the stream course, or both. The success of an approach is site-dependent because an approach that serves its intended design purpose at one site does not necessarily work at another site. To arrive at an adequate design, the following factors should be considered: hydrologic and hydraulic factors, geological and geotechnical factors, legal and funding aspects, and risk. Ideally, it is the combination of the probability of failure and the value of the consequence or risk that can most effectively guide the decision.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (pages 81-91).
Table of contents: title: Failure modes; title: Case Examples; title: Hydrologic and hydraulic factors; title: Geotechnical and geological factors; title: Legal, regulatory, and funding aspects; title: Probability and risk; title: Summary of survey results; title: Design considerations; title: Countermeasures, maintenance, and repair; title: State of research and conclusions.