The Coastal Geology
of
Rip Kirby

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Buried Structure
Sand Dune Fencing
SE GSA - Ivan Impact

Buried Structure

Buried structure is a term I use to describe a hydrologic-friendly structural component covered with burial or facing sediment (overburden is a similar term for soil and sediment that covers a geologic point of interest like a near-surface mineral deposit). Facing sediment is the sand that would cover buried structure in order to make it look like a natural sand dune (or close to it).

Buried structures on Daytona Beach Florida. Imagery taken on 8/20/05 by Hesco-Bastion.


Concept - Natural Shore Protection

It is relatively easy to build a structure such as a concrete seawall or sheetpile seawall along a coast to prevent erosion of the land behind the structure. One issue with concrete or sheetpile seawalls is hydrology. These materials are not conducive to the flow of water in the ground as they are not very permeable. Building impermeable seawalls, then burying those structures will disrupt the natural groundwater hydrology of the coastal ecosystem.

Using a structure that mimics the natural hydology of the local groundwater flow is good for the coastal ecosystem. Therefore, any structure that is buried must use native sediments, but allow for the retention of those sediments when the structure is exposed to the erosive action of the storm after the facing sediment is removed by storm erosion. Finally, once exposed, the buried structure must protect the shoreline resources it was designed to protect when it was installed.

Wire Baskets Lined with Geotextile Material

The
Hesco-Bastion Company in Hammond, LA has a product consisting of a wire basket lined with geotextile material that allows native sediment to be used as the basket filler sediment. Baskets are connected into straight or curved lines and filled with sediment. Once filled, another line is placed on top of the previously filled line and the new line is filled. In this manner, a tall structural line is built. Native sediment is then used to bury the structural line as shown below. Download a short information paper as a PDF file. A concept for use with paved road surfaces in sandy environment is shown below.


More information on the concept of buried structure as an erosion control method for coastal preservation will be presented at the FSBPA conference in Sarasota in February 2006. This conference will be focused on beach preservation technology.

 

 

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Date Last Modified: 11/14/05
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