Last updated on Feb 3, 2024

How can highway drainage systems withstand landslides?

Landslides are a serious threat to highway safety and functionality, especially in mountainous or hilly regions. They can damage or block roads, bridges, and culverts, and disrupt traffic and emergency services. One of the main causes of landslides is excessive water accumulation in the soil, which reduces its stability and increases its weight. Therefore, highway drainage systems play a crucial role in preventing and mitigating landslides by controlling the runoff and infiltration of stormwater. In this article, we will explore how highway drainage systems can withstand landslides, and what factors need to be considered in their design and maintenance.

1 Types of drainage systems

Highway drainage systems can be classified into two main types: surface drainage and subsurface drainage. Surface drainage systems collect and convey the water that flows on the road surface, such as rain, snowmelt, or spills. They include features such as gutters, ditches, inlets, pipes, and outlets. Subsurface drainage systems collect and remove the water that infiltrates into the soil beneath or adjacent to the road, such as groundwater or seepage. They include features such as drains, trenches, wells, and pumps. Both types of drainage systems need to be designed according to the topography, geology, hydrology, and climate of the site, as well as the expected traffic volume and load.

Add your perspective

Othmar Maduro

Senior Construction Engineer/Manager, Major Projects in Oil and Gas
Report contribution
Land slide are natural disasters and are many time not predictable we would have to consider so many thing in order to prevent this to take the road and drainage system

Like

Unhelpful
Nayana Azevedo Ramos de Sousa

Project Specialist @ Casa dos Ventos | Civil Engineer | Renewable Energy | Wind | Solar
Report contribution
Um sistema de drenagem eficaz tem por objetivo impedir que o excesso das águas superficiais e profundas impactem na integridade do corpo estradal. Exemplos de dispositivos de drenagem superficial: • Valetas de proteção • Sarjetas • Meio-fio • Saídas e descidas d'água (tipo rápido ou em degraus) • Caixa coletora • Dissipadores de energia • Bueiro de greide São integrantes da drenagem profunda os seguintes dispositivos: • Dreno profundo longitudinal; • Dreno espinha de peixe; • Dreno subhorizontal; • Colchão drenante; • Dreno subsuperficial de pavimento; • Dreno de talvegue.

Translated

Like

Unhelpful

2 Effects of landslides on drainage systems

Landslides can have various impacts on highway drainage systems, depending on the type, size, and location of the landslide. For example, landslides can block or damage surface drainage features like pipes, culverts, or ditches, leading to flooding, erosion, or sedimentation on the road or downstream. They can also alter subsurface water flow and pressure, causing seepage, cracking, or settlement of the road or its foundations. Furthermore, landslides can expose or damage subsurface drainage features such as drains, trenches, or wells and reduce their effectiveness or create safety hazards. Moreover, landslides can change the drainage patterns and runoff characteristics of the site and necessitate adjustments or modifications of the drainage system.

Add your perspective

Nayana Azevedo Ramos de Sousa

Project Specialist @ Casa dos Ventos | Civil Engineer | Renewable Energy | Wind | Solar
Report contribution
Ao projetar sistemas de drenagem superficial em rodovias, é crucial considerar cuidadosamente o local de deságue para evitar problemas relacionados que podem contribuir para deslizamentos de terra e outros eventos indesejados.

Translated

Like

Unhelpful

3 Design strategies for landslide prevention

The primary purpose of highway drainage design is to reduce the risk of landslides by controlling stormwater runoff and infiltration. To achieve this, it is important to conduct a thorough site investigation and analysis to identify the potential landslide hazards and their triggers. Additionally, the appropriate type and size of drainage features should be selected based on the site conditions and design standards. Furthermore, the drainage system must have sufficient capacity and redundancy to handle peak runoff and avoid overflow or backwater. Slope protection and stabilization measures, such as retaining walls, gabions, geotextiles, or vegetation should be implemented to resist shear stress and erosion. Lastly, sufficient drainage outlets and energy dissipaters, such as riprap, baffles, or weirs should be provided to reduce the velocity and erosive power of the water flow.

Add your perspective

4 Maintenance practices for landslide mitigation

Regular and timely maintenance of highway drainage systems is essential for ensuring optimal performance and durability. To mitigate the effects of landslides, it is important to inspect and monitor the drainage system and surrounding slopes for any signs of damage, blockage, or malfunction. Cleaning and repairing drainage features as needed, as well as upgrading or replacing them when inadequate or deteriorated, is necessary to restore capacity and functionality. Additionally, coordination and communication with other agencies and stakeholders should be considered in order to share information and resources, and to implement integrated solutions for landslide prevention and management.

Add your perspective

William Wan, PMP, CEng, MICE, EIT

PMP® | CEng | MICE | Civil Engineer | Infrastructure | Project Management |
Report contribution
Regular and timely maintenance is crucial for the optimal performance and durability of highway drainage systems, especially in mitigating the effects of landslides. 🛣️ Inspection and monitoring of both the drainage system and surrounding slopes are essential to detect any signs of damage, blockage, or malfunction. 🔍 Cleaning and repairing drainage features as needed, and upgrading or replacing inadequate or deteriorated components, become necessary steps to restore capacity and functionality. 🧰 A key challenge often faced is the accumulation of leaves and debris in road gullies, leading to drainage system blockages. 🍂 #InfrastructureMaintenance #CivilEngineering

Like

Unhelpful

5 Benefits of resilient drainage systems

Civil engineers can provide multiple benefits to road users and the environment by designing and maintaining highway drainage systems that can withstand landslides. These benefits include enhancing the safety and reliability of the road network, improving its functionality and efficiency, preserving the integrity and longevity of the infrastructure, and protecting natural resources and ecosystems from stormwater runoff. Additionally, these measures can reduce the risk of accidents, injuries, or fatalities caused by landslides or flooding, as well as costs and delays associated with traffic disruption, road closure, or detour.

Add your perspective

Load more contributions

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Add your perspective

Load more contributions

How can highway drainage systems withstand landslides?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Types of drainage systems

2 Effects of landslides on drainage systems

3 Design strategies for landslide prevention

4 Maintenance practices for landslide mitigation

5 Benefits of resilient drainage systems

6 Here’s what else to consider

Civil Engineering Design

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

More articles on Civil Engineering Design

More relevant reading

How can highway drainage systems withstand landslides?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Types of drainage systems

2 Effects of landslides on drainage systems

3 Design strategies for landslide prevention

4 Maintenance practices for landslide mitigation

5 Benefits of resilient drainage systems

6 Here’s what else to consider

Civil Engineering Design

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

Explore Other Skills