PIANC Maritime Navigation Commission Working Group 56: Application of Geotextiles in Waterfront Protection

Since the publication of the report of MarCom Working Group 21, there has been an increased use of geotextile elements in hydraulic and coastal engineering. For port and waterway managers, it can be difficult to decide whether structures utilizing geotextile components are acceptable alternatives to structures made solely from classical or traditional materials such as stone, and which of the many types of geotextiles are the most appropriate. The goal of the working group is to produce a guideline for the application of geotextiles in waterfront protection. The objective is not to give detailed design procedures for such structures as design guidelines exist elsewhere in the literature. The functions of geosynthetic materials are covered in the guideline, as related to their use in waterfront applications. The guideline also includes a variety of geosynthetic types used in waterfront protection such as geotextiles and geogrids, and fabricated or manufactured products based on geosynthetics such as geotextile tubes and stone-filled marine mattresses. The guidance provides an overview of types, ranges of loads in which the structures can be applied (maximum wave heights, surge and tidal range, and current conditions); and considerations related to aging, durability, and vandalism. Also, environmental aspects are taken into account. It is the Working Group's intention that the final report will provide guidance to professionals in the maritime industry on whether and when to use geotextile elements in various types of waterfront protection and structures. The report should be in publication by late 2010.