Optimization of Beach Fill Transitions

by Hans Hanson, Univ of Lund, Lund, Sweden,
Nicholas C. Kraus, Univ of Lund, Lund, Sweden,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Beach Nourishment Engineering and Management Considerations

Abstract:

Accentuated erosion or end loss by excessive longshores and transport occurring at abrupt lateral terminations of beach fills can compromise a fill's shore-protection functioning and longevity. To reduce end loss, transition sections that gradually taper the beach from the fill to the existing shoreline are commonly constructed. This paper analyzes the functioning of beach fill transitions by incorporating both longshore transport processes and economic considerations. The most effective transition section length is determined by optimizing the design to minimize the cost of initial placement of the transition section and subsequent maintenance of the fill and transition section by periodic renourishment. Three calculation approaches ranging from a simple analytic method to a full time-dependent numerical simulation with a shoreline response model are made for a realistic example. Considerable cost savings are found by use of the numerical model.

Subject Headings: Numerical models | Littoral drift | Fills | Beaches | Shoreline protection | Mathematical models | Benefit cost ratios

Services: Buy this book/Buy this article

 

Return to search