Evaluating the performance of geobag revetments in rivers

This paper details the qualitative results of an extensive laboratory program undertaken to help improve our understanding of geobag (sand-filled geotextile bags) revetment performance in rivers and provide the data required to develop a numerical tool capable of simulating complete revetment failure. A 1:10 scale model was tested in a laboratory flume, comparing a range of different construction methods and revetment side slopes, subjected to different hydraulic loadings. The results indicate that whilst failure mechanisms are highly dependent on water depth and revetment slope, the construction method had no noticeable impact, and it was concluded that the dominating factor is the friction between individual geobags, which itself is dependent on bag overlap rather than specific construction method.