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Autopista Cuernavaca-Acapulco

Debris Flow & Shallow Landslide Protection - Autopista Cuernavaca-Acapulco 2014

Engaged Debris Flow Barrier as seen looking from the highway

Debris Flow & Shallow Landslide Protection - Autopista Cuernavaca-Acapulco 2014

The highway with pinpoints of the 8 barrier system locations

Debris Flow & Shallow Landslide Protection - Autopista Cuernavaca-Acapulco 2014

Map of the two storms' trajectories

Debris Flow & Shallow Landslide Protection - Autopista Cuernavaca-Acapulco 2014

Devastation at one of the installation locations (before)

Debris Flow & Shallow Landslide Protection - Autopista Cuernavaca-Acapulco 2014

Destructive damage seen downstream of one of the overflowing debris channels

Debris Flow & Shallow Landslide Protection - Autopista Cuernavaca-Acapulco 2014

Installation of one of the barriers

Debris Flow & Shallow Landslide Protection - Autopista Cuernavaca-Acapulco 2014

Engaged Debris Flow Barrier as seen looking toward the highway

 

System length

5 m - 25 m

 

Year of installation

2014

Initial situation

At the end of 2013 Hurricane "Ingrid" raced across Mexico from the Gulf. Within 24 hours Tropical Storm "Manuel" likewise raced across Mexico, but from the Pacific Ocean. The devastation resulted in multiple debris flows in known flood channels at three separate stretches of roadway along the Cuernavaca - Acapulco Highway. The flood channels overflowed and caused road closures; therefore, the Federal Department of Roads and
Bridges (CAPUFE) required innovative debris flow systems along 71.1 km of Autopista 95.

Description

This project is the first debris flow barrier system installation in Mexico. During the second half of 2014 and first half of 2015 Geobrugg designed, supplied and oversaw installation of multiple debris flow barriers (as part of 8 systems) ranging from 2.5 m to 10 m high with capacity of 100 to 120 kN/m2. These barriers prevent clogging of storm sewers at the base of the roadway embankments.

CAPUFE required barriers to protect vehicular traffic on this busy major highway after the
2013 devastation caused by the simultaneous occurrence of Hurricane Ingrid and Tropical Storm Manuel. These barriers will:

  • Retain a minor debris flow
  • Retain a large debris flow
  • Create a debris flow breaker
  • Prevent culvert blockages
  • Drain a collection of debris/rubble
  • Divert a channel to correct its course
  • Protect against scour and erosion
  • Protect channel banks from erosion

Customer

Federal Department of Roads and Bridges (CAPUFE)

Engineering

ACRE SA de CV

Contractor

ACRE SA de CV

Protected object

Road

Your local contact

Kevin H. Coyle
 

Kevin H. Coyle

Regional Manager Northeast

Natural Hazards
Hydraulic Engineering
Geobrugg North America, LLC,3 Beaudet Terr,Columbia CT 06237 / United States Regional Manager Northeast

E-Mail

Saleh Feidi
 

Saleh Feidi

Regional Manager California

Natural Hazards
Hydraulic Engineering
Geobrugg North America, LLC,8921 Emperor Ave.,San Gabriel, California 91775 / United States Regional Manager California

E-Mail

John Kalejta
 

John Kalejta

Regional Manager Central US

Natural Hazards
Hydraulic Engineering
Geobrugg North America, LLC,3215 67th Avenue Pl,Greeley CO 80634 / United States Regional Manager Central US

E-Mail

Bob Lyne
 

Bob Lyne

Regional Manager Southeast

Natural Hazards
Hydraulic Engineering
Geobrugg North America, LLC,8004 Windspray Drive,Summerfield NC 27358 / United States Regional Manager Southeast

E-Mail

Pierce Runnels, Civil Engineer
   

Pierce Runnels

General Manager Geobrugg North America

Natural Hazards
Geobrugg North America, LLC,22 Centro Algodones , Civil Engineer General Manager Geobrugg North America

E-Mail

Tim Shevlin
 

Tim Shevlin

Sales Director

Natural Hazards
Geobrugg North America, LLC,Salem OR 97302 / United States Sales Director

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