This work shows the consequences of the emergence of erosions on concrete structures of urban stormwater channels, based on inspections in over 180 km of channels in the drainage system in Belo Horizonte (Brazil). The article describes the origins of erosion, which can be abrasion, cavitation and chemical attacks, and shows the formation and evolution processes of pathologies, stressing the fact that they can cause the structures to collapse. Safety inspection procedures and the high risks involved are presented. The article also addresses the main characteristics materials should have to be erosion resistant, and establishes relationships between the different pathologies and the operational hydraulic characteristics of the channels, aiming at the future development of a patrimonial management program.
Stormwater channels; concrete pathologies; erosions