Assessing Levee Stability Under Climate Change: A Case Study of Szigetköz, Ásványráró

Publication Name: Chemical Engineering Transactions

Publication Date: 2025-01-01

Volume: 121

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: 127-132

Description:

Levees are critical flood protection structures, safeguarding communities and ecosystems from riverine flooding. However, climate change-induced alterations in precipitation patterns, flood magnitudes, and soil stability pose significant challenges to levee performance. This study evaluates the stability and resilience of the Ásványráró levee in the Szigetköz region, northwest Hungary, under projected climate change impacts. The research employs a combination of geotechnical field data and numerical modelling to assess levee behaviour under various stress conditions. Cone Penetration Testing (CPT) was conducted to determine the geotechnical properties of levee foundation soils, providing insights into stratigraphy, permeability, and shear strength. These data were incorporated into Plaxis 2D finite element modelling to simulate flood scenarios, seepage effects, and potential failure mechanisms under different climate projections. Overall, the results showed that climate change significantly increases levee vulnerability through enhanced seepage, deformation, and hydraulic loading. Results indicate that increased flood intensity and prolonged inundation exacerbate levee instability through overtopping, seepage-induced erosion, and slope failure. The findings highlight the necessity for proactive levee reinforcement strategies and adaptive management of levee systems. This study underscores the importance of integrating climate change projections into levee design and maintenance plans, providing a framework for policymakers and engineers to enhance flood resilience in vulnerable regions. By adopting advanced geotechnical assessments and numerical simulations, the research contributes to the development of more robust and climate-adaptive flood defence systems.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.3303/CET25121022

Authors - 3