Pumping In and Pumping Out: Case Histories of Fluidized Sand Bypassing for Channels and Beachface Dewatering for Beaches

Parks, Jim; ,

Pumping In and Pumping Out: Case Histories of Fluidized Sand Bypassing for Channels and Beachface Dewatering for Beaches

by Jim Parks, DYNEQS Ltd, Tampa, United States,

Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Coastal Zone '91

Abstract:

New technologies can change management of sand in coastal areas. Fluidization, pumping in additional water beyond the quicksand point, makes a 50:50 sand-water slurry that will flow down a slight grade and is pumpable for significant distances. Beachface dewatering, pumping water out of a beachface, allows part of wave runup to 'soak in', thus leaving part of its load of suspended sand on the beach. Repetition thousands of times daily causes accretion and beach widening. Fluidization in the prototype at Anna Maria Island maintained the design channel depth for more than a year. Beachface dewatering at the prototype on the East Coast of Florida has worked to limit shoreline recession and seasonal fluctuations in comparison with control zones updrift and downdrift. Both methods depend on buried pipes, and a new 'self-burial' technique that reduces costs for emplacing pipe has been developed and field-tested. For beach-face dewatering, the drain pipe can now be placed seaward of the low-tide line, thus increasing its effectiveness and increasing efficiency by reducing pumping costs.

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