Coastal Storm Risk Reduction Using Steel Mesh Revetments: Field Application and Preliminary Physical Experiments

Abstract

We study coastal storm risk reduction using a steel mesh revetment system known as Tecco Cell (TC). This system consists of high-tensile stainless steel mesh filled with rock and securely fastened with tension rods. This coastal defence system is implemented in Beesands (UK), and its performance is studied here through preliminary laboratory physical modelling. The TC revetment in Beesands was installed in 2016 and has effectively protected the coast since then. We conducted 32 physical tests to assess performance criteria of a TC model in comparison to a rock armour (RA) model. Wave runup is used as the performance criterion in this study, as it is one of the key factors in coastal risk reduction research. Results showed that the TC model consistently yielded smaller runup than the RA model, with an average runup reduction of 15%. The mean spectral ratio index was employed as a measure of wave reflection and oscillations. Results indicated a mean index of 20.5 for the RA model and 3.8 for the TC model, demonstrating the potential for higher stability with the TC revetment. We established relationships between dimensionless runup and surf similarity and formulated a runup law.