Selection of borrow material for use in beach restoration and periodic nourishment requires analysis of the textural differences between the potential borrow and native beach materials. Three quantitative techniques proposed for such analysis are reviewed and compared, and guidelines are suggested for use in planning and designing projects requiring beach nourishment. The techniques are of two types. One is based on the assumption that sorting processes will selectively remove borrow material from the various size classes until a "stable grain-size distribution" (gsd) is obtained and the placed fill is stabilized. The gsd of the native material is used to predict the character of the stable gsd. Methods of this type lead to calculation of a "fill factor," an estimate of volume of borrow material required to produce a unit volume of stable beach material. Methods of this type have been proposed by Krumbein and James (1965), and by Dean (1974); the former provides the basis for the method described in the Shore Protection Manual (U.S. Army, Corps of Engineers, Coastal Engineering Research Center, 1973). Examination of the conceptual basis for each method suggests that the SPM method may overestimate fill factors whereas Dean’s method may underestimate them. A modification in the assumptions underlying the SPM method results in an approach which appears to represent a satisfactory compromise between these alternatives. Another type of technique was proposed by James (1974). It is based on the assumption that no material is absolutely stable, but that erosion rates depend in part on the gsd of the material exposed to existing coastal processes. Prediction of erosion rates associated with a given borrow material is based on observation of erosion rates and textural properties associated with native materials. This method results in a "renourishment factor" for determining volumetric requirements for periodic nourishment. Practical application of any of the methods is dependent on the engineering design, the historical behavior of the beach in the project area, and the techniques of handling the borrow material before and during its placement.


    Access

    Download


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Techniques in Evaluating Suitability of Borrow Material for Beach Nourishment


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    Publication date :

    1975


    Size :

    3639797


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English



    Classification :


    Beach and Borrow Site Sediment Investigation for a Beach Nourishment at Ocean City, Maryland

    Anders, Fred J. / Hansen, Mark | HENRY – Federal Waterways Engineering and Research Institute (BAW) | 1990

    Free access

    Beach and Borrow Site Sediment Investigation for a Beach Nourishment at Ocean City, Maryland

    Anders, Fred J. / Hanson, Mark | HENRY – Federal Waterways Engineering and Research Institute (BAW) | 1990

    Free access

    Beach Nourishment Techniques: Report 1: Dredging Systems for Beach Nourishment from Offshore Sources

    Richardson, Thomas W. | HENRY – Federal Waterways Engineering and Research Institute (BAW) | 1976

    Free access

    Danish Beach Nourishment

    British Library Online Contents | 1998


    Beach Nourishment Techniques: Report 3: Typical U.S. Beach Nourishment Projects Using Offshore Sand Deposits

    Hobson, Richard D. | HENRY – Federal Waterways Engineering and Research Institute (BAW) | 1981

    Free access