Beach lowering in front of coastal structures

This project explored the processes involved in the erosion process known as toe scour, and provided initial guidance on minimising its effects.

From:
Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Research and Development Programme and Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Published
15 February 2021
Category:
Understanding risks from all sources of flooding
Topics:
Asset monitoring, Coast, Coastal erosion, Deterioration, Understanding physical processes
Project status:
Completed
Project code:
FD1916
Date of completion:
30 June 2003

Documents

Beach lowering in front of coastal structures - final report (146 KB) PDF

Beach lowering in front of coastal structures - technical report (5 MB) PDF

Beach lowering in front of coastal structures - summary (120 KB) PDF

Beach lowering in front of coastal structures - appendices 1-3 (769 KB) PDF

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Details

This project aimed to improve understanding of how toe scour happens in front of coastal defences. Toe scour happens when the toe (bottom) of the defence is worn away by the waves and can cause defences to fail. This project was commissioned to work out the elements and processes involved in toe scour and what research might be needed to understand it better. It also provided some initial guidance on stopping scour from happening.

The report contains reviews of:

  • existing knowledge
  • methods for predicting how the beach will be lowered by scour
  • the ways of preventing or minimising scour

It included conclusions and a list of research needs, which were used to define a larger research program for Phase 2.

The project started in 2003 and was completed the same year.

Published 15 February 2021
Contents