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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

René Müller
   

René Müller

Country Manager Kantone AG BE BL BS FR GE JU NE SO VD VS

Natural Hazards
Hydraulic Engineering
Mining / Tunnels
Geobrugg AG,Industriestrasse 21,5200 Brugg / Switzerland Country Manager Kantone AG BE BL BS FR GE JU NE SO VD VS

E-Mail

Olivia Sartorius
   

Olivia Sartorius

Country Manager Ost- und Zentralschweiz, Liechtenstein

Natural Hazards
Hydraulic Engineering
Mining / Tunnels
Geobrugg AG,Trucks via road 14 or 13 only!, Aachstrasse 11,8590 Romanshorn / Switzerland Country Manager Ost- und Zentralschweiz, Liechtenstein

E-Mail

Alexander Bittendorfer
   

Alexander Bittendorfer

Project Manager Inspection Services

Natural Hazards
Geobrugg AG,Trucks via road 14 or 13 only!, Aachstrasse 11,8590 Romanshorn / Switzerland Project Manager Inspection Services

E-Mail

Isacco Toffoletto
   

Isacco Toffoletto

Ticino Country Manager

Natural Hazards
Hydraulic Engineering
Mining / Tunnels
Geobrugg AG Ticino,Stabile Cometal, via Pizzante 7,6595 Riazzino / Switzerland Ticino Country Manager

E-Mail