Coastal defence on the Black Sea

SINTEXTUBE® for coastal defence at the Black Sea

Tubular geofilter SINTEXTUBE® provides coastal defence, while woven geogrids reinforce the foundation below sea level.

Problem

Mamaia beach suffered strong erosion over the last 30 years. Mamaia is a famous touristic area, especially in spring and summer, and bathers have flocked there for many years. However, coastal erosion steadily reduced the available space year by year. All previous, traditional nourishment systems proved ineffective, and the sea kept eroding the sand. As a result, the national authority for the environment and coastal protection searched for a durable, effective solution and eventually invested in a major project to preserve both the coast and local tourism.

Solution

After an accurate study of tides and currents, the parties involved developed a modern approach to coastal erosion control. The EDILFLOOR solution includes two main elements: reinforcement geocomposites (EDILGRID® COMP) as a foundation under the groynes, and groynes made of large stones placed off the coast. The groynes run perpendicular to the existing beach, spaced 150-200 m apart, each 80-90 meters long.

SINTEXTUBE® in action

The groynes use SINTEXTUBE®, a tubular geofilter measuring 2.5 meters in diameter and 1 meter in height, made of PP woven geotextile. EDILFLOOR supplied over 550 linear meters of SINTEXTUBE®, which act as “ribs” defending the new coast from erosion. Consequently, a dredging vessel deposited around 700,000 cubic meters of sand to fully cover the groynes. This hidden structure now protects the coast from fast, dangerous erosion.

Results

The project widened the shoreline by more than 60-70 meters. In the coming years, this coastal defence solution will keep Mamaia beach safe from erosion.