Geosynthetic-reinforced soil check dam: Case study and numerical analyses
Journal
Geotextiles and Geomembranes
Journal Volume
54
Journal Issue
5
Start Page
915
End Page
930
ISSN
02661144
Date Issued
2026-10
Author(s)
Wu, Hsin-Ming
Kao, Chen-Cheng
Thongthanawat, Chaicharn
Likitlersuang, Suched
Wang, Jyun-Yen
Huang, Feng-Chi
Huang, Wei-Lung
Kuo, Ching-Shui
Abstract
This study investigates the performance of a geosynthetic-reinforced soil (GRS) system constructed across a creek in Taiwan, based on field observations and coupled hydromechanical finite element analyses. The system, consisting of a GRS revetment and three GRS check dams, functions as a slope stabilization measure in a mountainous area by reinforcing the riverbed and mitigating retrogressive landslides induced by riverbed scouring and toe erosion during typhoons and intense rainfall. Field observations after Typhoon Gaemi indicated that the GRS check dams remained stable, with no observable structural distress or significant deformation. In addition, post-event UAV surveys and inclinometer measurements demonstrate the effectiveness of the GRS system in enhancing slope stability and mitigating toe erosion. Numerical analyses were conducted to investigate the hydraulic response and stability of the GRS check dams under rainfall- and flood-induced seepage conditions associated with Typhoon Gaemi. The influence of internal drainage was evaluated by comparing models with and without a chimney drain. The results indicate that the chimney drain contributes to reducing pore water pressure and lowering the phreatic surface within the reinforced zone, thereby limiting deformation, reducing reinforcement load mobilization, and improving overall stability. These findings demonstrate the feasibility and applicability of GRS check dams with chimney drains for slope stabilization in hazard-prone mountainous terrains subjected to extreme hydrological events.
Subjects
Case study
Coupled hydromechanical analyses
Geosynthetic-reinforced soil (GRS) check dam
Geosynthetics
Marginal soils
Publisher
Elsevier Ltd
Type
journal article