Stabilization of Soils Using

Geosynthetics,
Along the Nadi River Bank.
PEB701 – DESIGN PROJECT 2 -2020

Prameshwaran Naidu 2018000630

Kritesh Naicker 2018000648
Literature Review

Geosynthetics can provide strength and flexibility, imperviousness and drainage, durability and robustness or controlled degradation. All
these properties can be of use to handle the many occurrences of interaction of water and ground. Surface water has to be guided or to
be kept off; percolating water should be controlled to avoid internal erosion effects should be restrained by appropriate filtration.
(Heibaum, 2013)

Strong river currents, especially during heavy rainfall, effortlessly dislodge soil particles from riverbanks at undesired locations,
weakening the slopes of rivers and destabilizing the involuntarily exposed foundation of riverside structures. This natural displacement
of soil along riverbanks and embankments is referred to as soil erosion. (The Role of Geosynthetics in River Bank Erosion Control, n.d.)

The use of geotextile in civil engineering applications is large and has expanded very rapidly worldwide especially during the last
decade. Supported by the technological boom, geotextiles have invaded a large variety of domains and won trust and esteem around the
world because of the advantages they guarantee in terms of easiness and flexibility of use, softness (as compared to monolithic and rock
constructions), rapidity of installation and long-term efficacy. (Koffler, Choura, Bendriss and Zengerink, 2008)

Geosynthetic materials could also be applied to enhance drainage and filtration in landfill and waste containment. Coastal regions and
waterways are characterized by uneven land contours, changing subgrades, continuous scour and many other harsh conditions. These
characteristics make construction along these areas unfavorable. Advanced geogrids and geotextile materials integrated with available fill
and/or vegetation could be used for construction and protection in coastal regions and waterways to control erosion and scour, form
foundations or cores for breakwaters, groins, underwater utility/pipeline installations, build high-strength fills in submerged conditions
or with weak fill materials, protect channel linings and bridge scour, protect causeways, levees, dikes and bridge approach, provide
under-layers for riprap in submerged and soft soils, in situ capping of contaminated sediments, and protect shore and dewater sediment.
(Bund, 2014)
Nadi is exposed and vulnerable to climate-related hazards including flood, cyclone, storm surge and sea incursion. Being a
coastal town, anticipated mean sea level rise as a result of global climate change is a considerable concern. Studies based on
projected climate change scenarios predict Nadi’s submersion by sea by 2030. Flood is the principle hazard in Nadi and has
been a long-term problem as a result of the town’s topography, ongoing mangrove deforestation and up-river agricultural
and catchment management practices. However, projects seeking to manage floods and reduce flood risk have been
consistently deferred. Cyclonic activity in and around Nadi is increasing and this is thought to be linked to climate change.
While various measures to manage climate change and disaster risk have been identified, further progress is needed. (FIJI:
NADI TOWN URBAN PROFILE, 2012)

The Nadi River basin is located on the west side of Viti Levu, Fiji’s main island. The Nadi River is the largest river in
western Fiji with an estimated length of 62 km, a drainage area of approximately 520 km2, and is made up of 45 sub-
catchments which vary in size. It flows east to west from the Naloto Range, through the Nausori Highlands, down the Nadi
Valley and into the South Pacific Ocean (Figure 2). Its head is located at Vaturu Lake, an artificial basin created by a dam.
Its mouth is situated in the inter-tidal zone of the west coast, dominated by mangroves. The upper part of the basin is steep
with many rocky outcrops, whereas the lower basin is covered by small hills and dominated by a flat alluvial terrace at the
valley bottom. The highlands are covered by natural vegetation and pine plantations while the coastal hinterlands have
commercial sugarcane fields and human settlements. (Paquette and Lowry, 2012)

In recent decades several major flood events have shown the vulnerability of flood protection structures all around the
world. Frequently, the overtopping of flood protection dikes has caused total failure of the dike. Consequently, the polders
were flooded and damaged not only real assets but also claimed human life. Particularly, long lasting flood events and
locally concentrated extreme precipitation and flow events were responsible for this damage. (Heerten, 2010)
Introduction

 Generally, geosynthetic refers to a product that is made from polymeric material and is applied as a key
component in a structure or system to achieve engineering purposes. There are some basic functions of
geosynthetics namely reinforcement, filtration, drainage, containment, barrier, surface erosion control,
and protection; any geosynthetic product is expected to provide one or more of the functions.

 Applications of geosynthetics are mostly found in civil, geotechnical, environmental, marine, retaining
walls, canals, erosion control, waste landfill, land reclamation, breakwaters, jetties, groins, revetments,
aquaculture, agriculture, and mining.

 In this design project it will be learnt how geosynthetic materials can be used to control soil erosion near
Nadi riverbanks. Severe slope failure and soil erosion occurred during the 2012 flooding after which the
river bank kept widening during rainy season. It is known that Nadi River has a major drainage problem
which regularly causes flooding in Nadi town.

 Moreover, this project will show how geotextile sheets and geotextile sand bags can be used to prevent
coastal erosion.
Area Of Study

Location
The area of study is located along the queen’s highway. The Nadi river is situated in the central
part of Nadi town.
The length of Nadi river is approximately 7.7km from the river mouth to a point closest to Nadi
town. After dredging works the width of Nadi river was extended to approximately 50m.
Problem statement

 Many of the large Fijian coastal rivers suffer from serious sediment build up at the river mouths, due to
erosion of soils in the upper catchments. Tropical rains and cyclones during the wet seasons then pose
significant flood threats to the towns and villages in the coastal deltas. The Nadi River is one of these
Fijian rivers which suffer from floods every year, causing major damage to infrastructure and problems
with public health.

What has been done as the problem solution

 To tackle the problem, the Government of Fiji carries out a dredging program on the rivers to remove
sediment build up. From 2008 to 2010, Hall Contracting (Fiji) Pty Limited was awarded three separate
contracts to remove a total of 1.2 million cubic metres of sediment from a section of the Nadi River,
extending 1.2km out to sea from A channel was dredged approximately 50m wide and 5m deep, with the
material placed in secure bunded areas adjacent to the river banks.
Purpose of project
 The project is designed to provide a permanent solution to the people affected by flooding near Nadi
river. After stabilizing the riven bank, the project will;

1. Prevent frequent flooding.

2. Eliminate soil erosion at river banks.
3. Have a well-designed drainage system during rainy season.
4. Eliminate river level from rising.

River bank right now River bank after project completion

Scope Of Work

1. Clearing off any irregularities near the river bank that would cause destruction during the work period.

2. Using an Excavator to construct a slope of the river bank on which geotextiles would be laid.

3. Once the slope is ready, geotextiles will be placed on its surface. Geotextiles are permeable fabrics
which, when used in association with soil, have the ability to separate, filter, reinforce, protect, or drain.

4. After sheeting the geotextiles, geotextile bags will be filled with sand.

5. Once the bags are filled, it will be placed onto the geotextile sheets and also placed on the edges of the
river bank below the water level.
Design Details

Budget= $2m
Timeframe: 12 months
SUMMARY
 To accomplish this project a thorough survey of the area was conducted alongside getting
feedback from the town council stating the problems being caused because of soil erosion
along the Nadi river banks.ie floods

 Journals and case studies were very helpful in analyzing the deeper effects of erosion of soil
into the river.

 The project defined the damages caused to the river and its environment, therefore after
accomplishing this project, the solution as to how geosynthetics can be used to overcome the
problem was demonstrated.

 This project also elaborated on other applications where Geosynthetic materials can be used to
increase the workability of soil. For example drainage and hard fill.
Reference

 Heibaum, M., 2013. Geosynthetics for waterways and flood protection structures - controlling
the interaction of water and soil.
 ACE Geosynthetics. n.d. The Role Of Geosynthetics In River Bank Erosion Control. [online]
Available at: <https://geoace.com/news/Newsletter/The-Role-of-Geosynthetics-in-River-
Bank-Erosion-Control> [Accessed 19 September 2020].
 Koffler, A., Choura, M., Bendriss, A. and Zengerink, E., 2008. Geosynthetics in protection
against erosion for river and coastal banks and marine and hydraulic construction. Journal of
Coastal Conservation, 12(1), pp.11-17.
 Bund, T., 2014. Understanding and Optimizing the Geosynthetic-Reinforced Steep
Slopes. EJGE, 19.
 2012. FIJI: NADI TOWN URBAN PROFILE.
 Paquette, J. and Lowry, J., 2012. Flood hazard modelling and risk assessment in the Nadi
River Basin, Fiji, using GIS and MCDA. The South Pacific Journal of Natural and Applied
Sciences, (30), pp.33-43.
 Heerten, G., 2010. Mitigation Of Flooding By Improved Dams And Dykes
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