Loopholes found in installation of geo-synthetic tubes

A scientific study by experts has found loopholes in the installation process of geo-synthetic tubes in sea-erosion-hit Pentha coast of Odisha's Kendrapara district.
The construction work of Odisha's first geo-tube seawall project was suspended midway in July last year following alleged lopsided installation of synthetic tube, officials said.
The synthetic tubes had got ruptured during installation exercise prompting the authorities to halt the project work.
Samples of geo-tubes had been sent to Bombay Textiles Research Association laboratory and Civil Engineering material testing laboratory of IIT Chennai, they said.
Besides, authorities had sought for technical expertise of IIT, Chennai for hassle-free implementation of the project, coming up to save vulnerable human settlements in Kendrapara district from marauding sea.

The sample testing reports have detected fault in the pumping process of slurry mixtures for the tube-rupture. However, no manufacturing defect of the synthetic tubes has been found by the testing report, said officials.
The experts were of the view that the thrusting of slurry of water and sand into the improvised tube was not done in accordance with prescribed ratio. As a result, one of the tubes installed at the project site had burst. The force applied during the thrusting of slurry was not uniform, leading to the rupture, officials of saline embankment division here said quoting experts' findings.