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Solutions for marine pollution control, coastal and shoreline protection to effectively address environmental concerns
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Solutions for the protection of critical infrastructure and other high-security areas
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![[CASE STUDY] Coastal protection on Saadiyat Island using geosynthetics](https://www.ecocoast.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/WhatsApp-Image-2020-01-16-at-08.18.27.jpeg)
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Ecocoast shares a case study about how it carried out coastal protection on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, using geosynthetic containers to prevent erosion damage.
During construction works on Saadiyat Island, the project team found that the reclaimed land faced the threat of erosion during high tides and extreme weather conditions, leaving the slope unprotected and exposed to strong waves. Therefore, the client called on Ecocoast to resolve the problem, requesting a temporary, preventive solution that would stop further erosion and protect the villas.
The Challenge
Prior to proposing a solution, the Ecocoast team carried out an extensive survey of the location and found that installation would be a challenge as conditions constantly shifted from wet to dry, based on water levels.
Furthermore, the team needed to incorporate the existing structure into its design of the revetment and therefore collaborated with an external consultant to verify the structural stability of the revetment. However, Ecocoast was ultimately responsible for the design, supply and supervision of the project.
The team decided that the ideal solution for the temporary revetment was to use geosynthetic tubes for its construction, while also keeping in mind that the tubes needed to be robust enough to withstand the constantly shifting conditions, as well as exposure to direct sunlight – particularly in high-temperature months.
![[CASE STUDY] Coastal protection on Saadiyat Island using geosynthetic containers](https://www.ecocoast.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/aa93a170-b060-4d5a-88f7-ade9c5a59fdd.jpg)
Our Approach
The solution proposed by the Ecocoast team involved the use of Ecobag Coastal Protection Tubes to build a revetment to stop the erosion of the slope. The solution consisted of three layers of 8m circumference tubes and scour tubes to protect the revetment.
Geosynthetic containers are three-dimensional systems, manufactured from geotextile materials filled with sand. They require an engineered approach. GSCs are regarded as innovative, economic and environmentally friendly systems. They have the added benefit of enhancing marine habitats.
The containers come in varying sizes. The weight provides stability and projects have been designed and constructed in high wave energy coastal areas with waves over 12 meters.
Moreover, for the Saadiyat Island project, the tubes were installed on a layer of geotextile, so as to provide an extra element of protection against erosion by preventing the free flow of water.
The revetment was designed to withstand a variety of weather conditions, with a return period of 10-years. Some of the key design criteria checked included global stability and wave overtopping. This was to ensure that the revetment performed as designed under all environmental conditions.
During the installation process, the tubes were put in place during wet conditions, with the first layer of tubes and scour protection installed in a trench that was lined with geotextile. Once in place, the trench was then backfilled and compacted, in order to install the second layer. This process was repeated until the revetment was complete.
Our Results
While this has been a temporary solution, the client has found that the Ecobag Coastal Protection Tubes used have managed to last without damage since 2019, despite operating in exposed conditions.
Ecocoast is one of the few companies in the world to specialise in the design and construction of coastal protection systems using geosynthetic containers. In the UAE, Ecocoast was responsible for the first sand-filled mega container installation back in 2007.
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We offer engineered products for the protection of coastlines and waterways. For questions, please reach out to us here!
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Ecocoast deployed its proprietary Ecobag Coastal Protection Tubes - geosynthetic containers designed to build a temporary revetment that effectively halted slope erosion along the exposed shoreline.
Ecobag Coastal Protection Tubes are three‑dimensional systems manufactured from high‑strength geotextile materials and filled with sand. For the Saadiyat Island revetment, three layers of 8 m‑circumference tubes were stacked, with additional scour protection tubes at the base to protect against undercutting.
From the start, the Ecocoast team collaborated with an external structural consultant to ensure that the tube‑based revetment would seamlessly connect with the client’s existing shoreline structures and landscaped slopes. Installation involved placing the first layer of sand‑filled tubes in a geotextile‑lined trench that followed the natural contour, then backfilling and compacting before adding successive layers, resulting in a cohesive integration with the site’s infrastructure.
Geosynthetic containers offer several key benefits:
● Stability under extreme loading: Their sand‑filled weight provides strong resistance against waves exceeding 12 m.
● Environmental compatibility: They are innovative, cost-effective and environmentally friendly solutions.
● Habitat enhancement: Their porous structure supports the growth of marine life, promoting biodiversity.
Ecobag Coastal Protection Tubes are made from durable, high-tensile-strength geotextile fabric. On-site, they are filled with locally sourced sand using pump‑up systems and positioned accurately using specialized frames before being placed in prepared trenches to build each layer of the revetment.
Although designed as a temporary solution, the Ecobag Coastal Protection Tubes installed in 2019 have remained fully intact and damage-free in exposed coastal conditions, delivering over six years of reliable performance.
A high‑strength geotextile liner was placed beneath the Ecobag tubes to provide an additional protective layer. Its primary role is to prevent the free flow of water under the revetment, thereby minimizing scour and undermining of the coastal structure.
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