Low cost rock structures for beach control and coast protection

This project reviewed the performance of simple, low cost rock structures and created a guide to designing them effectively to protect beaches and coasts.

Documents

Low cost rock Structures for beach control and coast protection: practical design guidance - final report (400KB) PDF

Low cost rock Structures for beach control and coast protection: practical design guidance - summary (126KB) PDF

Low cost rock Structures for beach control and coast protection: practical design guidance - technical report (2.2MB) PDF

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Details

Rock structures are widely used in coastal engineering for many reasons. This includes controlling the way a beach’s shape might change, and protecting from coastal erosion and rises in sea levels. Existing guides to designing these structures often result in designs that are too expensive or complex, involving foundations and imported rock. Some coastal authorities have tried using simpler designs with local rock and no foundations, and found no difference in the effects.

This project therefore created a guide to designing these lower cost rock structures for protecting beaches and coastlines, based on reviewing their performance so far.

The project started in 2002 and was completed the same year, at a cost of £70,000.

Published 12 February 2021