COST, TIME AND ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF CHANNEL LINNING WITH GEOCELLS

Caressato Junior W.; Fierro G. · Proceedings of the IAHR World Congress (2025) · DOI: 10.64697/978-90-835589-7-4_41wc-p2088-cd

Resumen

Drainage systems are vital for urban infrastructure, ensuring efficient water flow and reducing flood risks. Traditional reinforced concrete solutions, while durable, are costly and environmentally impactful. Concrete filled geocells offer a promising alternative with lower costs and improved sustainability. This study compares both approaches in terms of costs, resource use, and environmental impact. Two drainage systems were designed with varying flow rates, using a trapezoidal section. HDPE geocells were evaluated against cast-in-situ reinforced concrete, focusing on installation efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The analysis considered direct execution costs, time estimates, required resources, fuel consumption, machine operation hours, and human labor hours. The results showed that geocells can reduce direct costs by up to 66% due to the smaller volume of material and easier installation. Machine hours and fuel consumption decreased by up to 35% and 21%, respectively, emphasizing the environmental and social benefits. The use of geocells provides significant economic and environmental advantages, aligning with global sustainability goals. Future research will assess long-term performance and maintenance.