Geotechnical considerations for coastal reservoirs

Geotechnical considerations for coastal reservoirs:

Abstract
Geotechnology and geotechnical schemes have a significant role to play in conserving the water. This chapter highlights the importance of geotechnology in surface and subsurface water storage and in coastal reservoirs. Groundwater hydrology, soil/rock characteristics and permeability are the major factors governing the efficiency of water storage techniques in the ground. The innovative materials for construction of water storage schemes in the ground and for lining are briefly discussed. The chapter further discusses the concept of the subsurface dike or underground dams and its applicability in storing a large amount of water underground and in check seawater intrusion. The role of geotechnology in construction and maintenance of coastal reservoirs is discussed in detail. Different dike construction methods are discussed considering recent developments on techniques and materials. The major geotechnical components in the design and construction of coastal reservoirs are the stability of sea dike and settlement of the soil below the dike. The geotechnical parameters and the concepts of checking the stability factor of safety and settlement calculations are presented in this chapter. The coastal reservoirs must be safe against earthquakes, and deterministic estimation of seismic hazard is introduced briefly at the end.

Earth anchors are commonly used in geotechnical applications to provide stability and resistance to the lateral and uplift forces acting on structures or soil slopes. They consist of a steel tendon or cable that is anchored into the ground using grouting, mechanical or frictional methods. The anchor can be attached to a structure or directly embedded into the soil to provide stability.

The selection of the earth anchor and its installation method depend on various factors, such as soil type, ground conditions, load requirements, and the type of structure to be supported. Depending on the requirements of the application, different types of earth anchors are used, including helical anchors, driven anchors, and grouted anchors.

Helical anchors are commonly used in cases where limited access or restricted space for installation is available. They are screwed into the ground using a hydraulic drive motor, and their holding capacity is determined by the torque required to install them.

Driven anchors, also known as rock anchors, are used in situations where the soil is too dense or rocky for helical anchors. These anchors are installed by drilling a hole into the ground and driving them in using an impact hammer.

Grouted anchors are used in cases where soil conditions are loose or unstable. They involve drilling a hole into the ground and injecting grout into the hole to bond the anchor to the soil, providing the necessary stability and support.

Overall, earth anchors are a critical component of geotechnical engineering, providing an effective and reliable way to stabilize structures, soil slopes, and other applications subjected to lateral and uplift forces.