Performance based assessment of a small-scale artificially nourished beach

Abstract

In coastal engineering studies, coastal protection procedures can be provided by hard and soft methods. Soft methods applied using the right techniques and methods are not only long-lasting but also adapt to the natural structure of the coast. This study aims to present monitoring the development of a small-scale artificial nourished beach between the groins for 15 months and analyze its performance. For this purpose, field studies were carried out with land and sea observations taken once before nourishment and at 8 different times after nourishment. The seabed and profile variations observed at different sections were analyzed after processing field data. For determining the characteristics of the natural beach and borrow area before nourishment a sieve analysis was done for sediment samples taken from the shoreline, beach face, and 1-m depth on the nourished area. Sediment transportation of nourished material was observed by monitoring the amount of material remaining in 3 subregions (a nearshore region between the groins - A, a region representing the seaward end of the groins - B, and a region offshore of the groins - C) in the nourished region over time. The relationship between this behavior and waves was examined by considering the wave roses and time series of wave parameters produced as a result of wave simulations performed with the third-generation wave hindcast model SWAN. Lastly, as well as the variation of the mean layer thickness, the retreat of coastline, and mean beach width on the nourished area by the time were extracted for 8 different surveys. The results show that artificial beach nourishment materials were eroded in less than five months and the beach width returned to its initial position. The nourished material transported out groin-protected area moved eastward due to north-west dominated waves and the eastward longshore transport.