Stability Analysis of Flood Protection Embankments and Riverbank Protection Works

Frequent and widespread flooding is a major problem in Assam, which is a north-eastern state of India. The problem is caused mainly by the Brahmaputra river whose erratic riverbank erosion has been leading to general widening of channels and large-scale instability of banks. In the last century, the river has widened by more than 50% in several stretches causing serious threat to nearby urban centres apart from eroding several thousand hectares of fertile agricultural land including tea gardens. As of now, the width between outer banks ranges from as low as 1.2 km at some sections to as high as 18 km at some reaches. Both the flooding and erosion in the river valley can be tackled only through an adaptive response that includes the use of structural protection systems. A practicability study was conducted for raising the height of existing flood embankments in a particular reach of the river. Stability analysis was carried out to determine safety factors under static conditions and earthquake loading. Riverbank protection works are also discussed