Optimizing the application of geosynthetics to roads in sinkhole-prone areas on the basis of hazard models and cost-benefit analyses Galve Arnedo, Jorge Pedro Gutiérrez, Francisco Guerrero, Jesús Alonso, Juan Diego, Ignacio karst sinkhole hazard loss estimation geosynthetic reinforcement risk assessment This investigation has been supported by the research projects CGL2010-16775 (Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and FEDER) and DO-SMS-SOE1/P2/F157 (Interreg IV B SUDOE, EU-FEDER). J.P. Galve would like to thank the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness for his postdoctoral fellowship. This paper presents a methodology that allows the identification of optimum geosynthetic mitigation designs and the assessment of their cost-effectiveness taking into account the spatial-temporal probability of occurrence of sinkholes of different diameters and the characteristics and mechanical strength of the road. The procedure is illustrated using a specific case study of a road built in a sinkhole-prone area near Zaragoza city, Spain. The most cost-effective geosynthetic distribution is identified integrating in the cost-benefit analyses a sinkhole hazard model that includes an empirical magnitude and frequency relationship. A sensitivity analysis reveals the parameters whose uncertainty has a higher impact on the profitability of the mitigation measure. The impact of the actual temporal and spatial distribution of damaging sinkholes on the cost-effectiveness of the optimum geosynthetic design has been evaluated by means of Monte Carlo simulations. The proposed approach could be applied, with some modifications, to other mitigation measures (e.g. slabs), different structures (e.g. railways), as well as other processes (e.g. landslides, piping). 2025-01-30T13:11:54Z 2025-01-30T13:11:54Z 2012 journal article Published version: Galve Arnedo, Jorge Pedro et al. Geotextiles and Geomembranes Volume 34, October 2012, Pages 80-92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geotexmem.2012.02.010 https://hdl.handle.net/10481/101370 10.1016/j.geotexmem.2012.02.010 eng http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/ open access Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 Internacional Elsevier