Applying Risk-Benefit Analysis to Select an Appropriate Streambank Stabilization Measure
Publication: Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 138, Issue 5
Abstract
Stream stabilization designers are often faced with the challenge of selecting effective bank stabilization measures. The potential benefits of stream stabilization measures can be economic, environmental, or social. Depending on the level of the potential benefit, a designer may be willing to take higher risks in implementing a given measure. A risk-benefit analysis is presented here that involves a qualitative analysis of risk and benefit (using failure modes and effects analysis) and risk and benefit quantification in terms of cost. The initial result of the method is the establishment of risk priority numbers (RPNs) and benefit priority numbers (BPNs), which provide a relative qualitative measure of the potential risk and benefit and can be used to prioritize and rank measures. The results of the qualitative analysis are then used to estimate risk and benefit quantitatively in terms of cost. These quantitative values are then compared for several stabilization alternatives to provide justification and guidance on selecting the most effective alternative. The risk-benefit method is applied to select a stream stabilization measure for a stream rehabilitation project in Indiana.
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Acknowledgments
The authors gratefully acknowledge the City of Bloomington, Indiana, Planning Depart. and in particular Mr. Scott Robinson for all his support, guidance, and technical assistance with the case study portion of this project. We would also like to thank the Civil Engineering Faculty and the Sanzu Environmental Senior Design Team (Keegan Gumbs, Brian Hoesman, Alex McLean, and Stuart Nash) at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, for all their time and effort in completing the Cascades Creek Stream Stabilization Design. Their gratitude is further extended to the editor, associate editor, and the two anonymous reviewers for providing thorough and insightful comments that led to the significant improvement of this paper.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 138 • Issue 5 • May 2012
Pages: 449 - 461
Copyright
© 2012. American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Apr 15, 2011
Accepted: Nov 2, 2011
Published online: Nov 4, 2011
Published in print: May 1, 2012
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