Applications of Geosynthetics Sand Filled Containers for Coastal Protection

Geosynthetic products such as geotextiles and geomemberanes are used in containers and tubes for dam and dike flood emergency protection and also as construction elements for coastal erosion control, groynes, scour fill, reefs, breakwaters and dune revetments. On the other hand due to the increasing storminess associated with climate changes and tsunami’s waves phenomena some of the existing dunes must be protected or reinforced. Traditional construction techniques utilizing rock, concrete and steel are being increasingly challenged by alternatives offered in geosynthetic forms for revetments, scour protection, groynes, berms, and dunal stabilization. Nowadays geotextile sand containers find their application as construction elements for erosion control, scour fill and dune revetments. Wrapping or encapsulating sand into geotextile units provides a variety of flexible, economical and ecological coastal applications. The use of such containers for this type project also appears to have the potential to reduce settlements in poor sub-grade conditions, however it is recognized that this is a relatively new system and the knowledge base required to carry out a design with a high degree of confidence is limited. This paper shows some experiments of technologies where the encapsulation of sediments in geotextile sand containers dominates but other functions, e.g. reinforcement and filtration cannot be neglected. Additionally results from German large scale model tests are presented and some recommendations dealing with geotextile containers are described.