Laboratory Testing of an Artificial Reef Erosion Control Device

by Michael S. Bruno, Stevens Inst of Technology, Hoboken, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Coastal Zone '93

Abstract:

A physical model study has been conducted to examine the effectiveness of a concrete artificial reef in limiting offshore, storm-induced sand loss from a nourished beach. The experiment was performed in the Davidson laboratory's 97m long wave tank using a steel-supported beach section having a slope of 1 on 20 and sand with median grain diameter of 0.23mm. The reef is designed to be placed parallel to shore within a groin compartment, thereby minimizing any impact on alongshore sediment movement. The unique cross-section and large depth of submerge (2m at low water) are intended to reduce the offshore movement of sand while at the same time avoiding excessive wave-induces forces and scouring. Tests were conducted at 1:6 scale. The beach was divided into two along-shore compartments, each approximately 2m wide, one having the reef protection at the seaward toe while the other remained unprotected. The tests consisted of a series of simulated storm events, with both regular and random incident waves and waveheights up to 46cm. Pre and post-event beach profiles were taken for each wave condition and for both alongshore sections. The results indicate that the reef is effective at limiting the offshore transport of sand. Issues related to full-scale installation are discussed.

Subject Headings: Sand (hydraulic) | Reefs and sills | Erosion | Sediment transport | Sandy soils | Laboratory tests | Beaches

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