Economical Rock Groynes--Reducing Life Cycle Costs

Rock groynes (or groins) are regularly used in coastal engineering to control the morphological development of beaches to provide protection against coastal erosion. Established design guidance provides a good degree of confidence in predictions of performance of many coastal structures, but it is widely perceived that simple design rules can be overly prescriptive, particularly for nearshore structures in shallow water depths. Strict adherence to design guidance has required many structures to be built using multiple rock sizes, imported rock and carefully prepared formations. Some innovative groyne schemes within the UK have, however, used locally available rock with simplified cross-sections placed on unprepared foundations, apparently without significant reduction to the overall performance of the scheme. This paper presents finding from a short research project, relating to the design and assessment of low cost rock structures for beach patrol and coast protection. Practical experience from structures around the UK was reviewed, with particular emphasis on those that depart from conventional design rules. The paper demonstrates that lower cost rock groynes provide opportunities for reduced life cycle costs and may be particularly appropriate in situations where conventional structures would be uneconomic.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0784407339
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Civil Engineers

  1801 Alexander Bell Drive
  Reston, VA  United States  20191-4400
• Authors:
  • Bradbury, A P
  • Crossman, M P
  • Allsop, N W. H.
  • Segura-Dominguez, S
  • Simm, J D
• Conference:
  • Coastal Structures 2003
  • Location: Portland Oregon, United States
  • Date: 2003-8-26 to 2003-8-30
• Publication Date: 2004

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 975-987
• Monograph Title: Coastal Structures 2003

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Beaches; Coastal engineering; Erosion; Erosion control; Life cycle analysis; Life cycle costing; Rocks; Shore protection; Structural design; Structures
• Candidate Terms: Groynes
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Finance; Geotechnology; Marine Transportation; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01004057
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0784407339
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 23 2005 7:10AM