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Deutsch (Österreich) Coastal and River Bank Protection
Coastal and river bank protection are essential measures in hydraulic engineering to control flooding, erosion and land loss. Storm surges, heavy rainfall and snowmelt in particular lead to intensive erosion events that jeopardise banks and coastal areas.
Various structural measures are used to minimise these effects. In addition to dykes, dams and other protective structures, modern geotechnical construction materials such as erosion control mats, river mattresses and slope stabilisation systems play a decisive role. These enable targeted stabilisation and contribute to the long-term protection of endangered coastal and shoreline regions.
The Importance of Coastal & River Bank Protection
Challenges from Erosion, Flooding & Storm Surges
Coastal protection measures are essential to safeguard coastal areas from the increasing threats of climate change, rising sea levels, and extreme weather events. Storm surges and flooding not only endanger coastal regions but also threaten the cities, agricultural land, and infrastructure behind them. Without appropriate protective measures, massive land losses as well as ecological and economic damage can occur.
Erosion is another critical issue. The constant removal of sand and sediments by waves and currents causes coastal lines to retreat. Low-lying and soft coasts are particularly affected, but even steep coastal areas can be at risk due to landslides. Protection against erosion therefore requires targeted and site-specific measures.
Why Effective Coastal Protection is Essential
A functioning coastal protection system is crucial to protecting people, nature, and the economy. It safeguards residential areas, protects infrastructure such as roads and port facilities, and helps preserve valuable ecosystems. Additionally, it ensures the usability of beaches and tourist areas, which are an economic lifeline for many regions.
By combining natural and technical protection measures, coasts and banks can be effectively secured. Geosynthetic solutions such as river mattresses, concrete mats, and erosion control systems provide modern solutions for sustainable and efficient coastal and bank protection. These innovative materials stabilize shoreline and coastal sections, reduce erosion, and support long-term protection against natural forces.
Natural and Technical Measures for Coastal & Bank Protection
Natural Protection Measures
- Dunes: Sand formations that act as natural barriers against storm surges and flooding.
- Salt Marshes: Coastal wetlands that contribute to coastal stabilization through sediment accumulation.
- Mangroves & Tidal Flats: Plants and ecosystems that absorb wave energy and slow down erosion.
- Seagrass Beds: Underwater plants that fix sediments and slow down water currents.
Natural protection measures offer an environmentally friendly and sustainable way to secure coasts and banks. They promote biodiversity, provide long-term stability, and require minimal maintenance. However, they often take decades to develop and can be destroyed by extreme weather events. Additionally, they are not equally suitable for all coastal areas, as they depend on specific site conditions.
Technical Protection Measures
- River mattresses: Steinkammersysteme aus Stahldrahtgeflecht, die mit Steinmaterial gefüllt sind und eine widerstandsfähige Schutzschicht für Ufer und Böschungen bieten.
- Rock Armor (Riprap): Protective layers made of coarse rock that absorb wave energy.
- Dikes: Earth or stone embankments that protect the hinterland from flooding.
- Seawalls: Reinforced structures made of concrete or stone to stabilize the coastline.
- Groynes: Structures extending perpendicular to the coast that redirect currents and prevent erosion.
- Breakwaters: Offshore structures that reduce the energy of incoming waves.
Technical coastal protection measures provide immediate protection and can be precisely planned and implemented. They can be used regardless of site conditions and are particularly effective in highly erosion-prone coastal sections.
RENO PLUS River Mattresses: Effective and Sustainable
The RENO PLUS river mattresses from BECO BERMÜLLER offer an effective and sustainable solution for coastal and bank protection. They stabilize shoreline areas, reduce erosion, and can be flexibly adapted to different site conditions.Their full vegetability supports the development of natural habitats for flora and fauna.
Additionally, they require significantly less material compared to rock armor, reducing CO₂ emissions through lower truck transport and tire wear. This makes them an economical and environmentally friendly alternative for the long-term protection of coasts and banks.
Lifespan of up to
years
River Mattresses vs. Rock Armor
Rock Armor (Riprap)
- High material demand: Requires large quantities of rock, leading to high transport costs.
- Additional stabilization required: Rock armor often needs to be bonded with concrete for long-term stability. Otherwise, new material must be added regularly to counteract erosion.
Stone mattresses
- Lower material demand: Requires significantly fewer and smaller stones than rock armor, reducing transport and CO₂ emissions. The stones are secured within the stone mattress, eliminating the need for maintenance.
- Ecological benefits: Can be vegetated, promote stabilization, and create new habitats.
- Long lifespan: RENO PLUS river mattresses are designed to last up to 120 years, are resistant to erosion, and provide long-term security with minimal maintenance.
Geotechnical Construction Materials for Coastal & River Bank Protection
RENO PLUS Mattresses
Flexible and sustainable erosion control for slopes and riverbeds, particularly suited for rivers and coastal areas.
CONCRETE CANVAS Concrete Mats
Fast, durable, and surface-sealing solution for coastal structures and slope stabilization. Also suitable for lining ditches and channels in drainage infrastructure.
BEMAT Erosion Control Mats
Long-term erosion control and topsoil stabilization to support vegetation growth on slopes.
COCONUT-FIBRE MATS and JUTE-FIBRE MATS
Natural, biodegradable solutions for temporary erosion control and vegetation promotion.
TERRAMESH steep slope systems
Reinforced earth system solutions for securing steep banks.
TERRABENT slope stabilisation and sealing system
Reinforced earth system with integrated sealing to reduce seepage.
MACMAT R erosion control mats
Animal-resistant, steel-wire-based erosion control mats for protecting slopes from burrowing animals.
Risks of Improper or Missing Bank Protection
Insufficient bank protection can have serious consequences:
- Erosion and land loss: Without proper measures, soil is washed away, leading to the loss of coastal and bank areas.
- Damage to infrastructure: Roads, railway embankments, and buildings along the coast may be damaged or destroyed.
- Ecological damage: Natural habitats for plants and animals disappear, reducing biodiversity.
- Higher maintenance costs: Inadequate or ineffective protective measures result in increased repair and restoration costs over time.
Effective river bank protection is therefore essential for the sustainable safeguarding of the environment, economy, and habitats.
Sustainable Bank & Bed Protection in Hydraulic Engineering
Protection of Shoreline Areas and Waterways
To ensure long-term bank stability, special protective measures are required. These include resilient materials that withstand currents and wave impact. Particularly in rivers, canals, and coastal areas, targeted measures are necessary to prevent shoreline erosion and ensure the continued usability of waterways. Various structural and nature-based techniques are used, depending on site conditions and environmental requirements.
Preventing Scour Formation and Soil Erosion
Scour formation occurs due to strong water currents that remove sediments and create depressions in the ground. This can lead to instability at bridge foundations, groynes, or dikes. Targeted bed protection measures such as rock armor, geotextiles, or river mattresses minimize erosion risk and provide long-term soil stability. Particularly flexible materials like RENO PLUS river mattresses adapt optimally to ground conditions and ensure long-term stabilization.
Case Study: Bank Protection with River Mattresses
In Schwerte-Westhofen, a 1,700-meter-long section along the weir dam was secured using RENO PLUS river mattresses. This measure was necessary to protect the banks of the Ruhr River from further erosion and ensure the long-term stability of the weir dam.
Challenge & Solution
Due to transport processes related to the weir at the hydroelectric plant, the bank had been increasingly eroded. To provide effective and sustainable stabilization, RENO PLUS river mattresses were used. Their robust design and high adaptability to the subsoil offer optimal erosion protection.
Thanks to the innovative river mattresses, an efficient and environmentally friendly solution for shoreline stabilization was implemented in just 10 weeks.
River mattresses
m²
%
Reduction in stone material usage*
*According to Colorado State University study, 2021
Contact Us for Efficient Coastal & River Bank Protection
BECO BERMÜLLER provides customized solutions for coastal protection, bank protection, and bed protection. Our application technology experts offer individual consultations to find the best solution for your project. Contact us for a non-binding consultation.
Anwendungstechnik Geobaustoffe
Sebastian Schiller
MSc. Geow.
+49 (0) 911 64200-29
sebastian.schiller@beco-bermueller.de
Anwendungstechnik Geobaustoffe
Fridolin Sturm
BSc. Geow.
+49 (0) 911 64200-46
fridolin.sturm@beco-bermueller.de