InTeGrate Modules and Courses >Coastal Processes, Hazards and Society > Student Materials > Coastal Protection Using Soft Structures > Examples > Geotubes / Geotextiles
InTeGrate's Earth-focused Modules and Courses for the Undergraduate Classroom
showLearn More
hideHide
These materials are part of a collection of classroom-tested modules and courses developed by InTeGrate. The materials engage students in understanding the earth system as it intertwines with key societal issues. The collection is freely available and ready to be adapted by undergraduate educators across a range of courses including: general education or majors courses in Earth-focused disciplines such as geoscience or environmental science, social science, engineering, and other sciences, as well as courses for interdisciplinary programs.
Explore the Collection »
show Download
hideHide
The student materials are available for offline viewing below. Downloadable versions of the instructor materials are available from this location on the instructor materials pages. Learn more about using the different versions of InTeGrate materials »

Download a PDF of all web pages for the student materials

Download a zip file that includes all the web pages and downloadable files from the student materials

For the Instructor

These student materials complement the Coastal Processes, Hazards and Society Instructor Materials. If you would like your students to have access to the student materials, we suggest you either point them at the Student Version which omits the framing pages with information designed for faculty (and this box). Or you can download these pages in several formats that you can include in your course website or local Learning Managment System. Learn more about using, modifying, and sharing InTeGrate teaching materials.
Initial Publication Date: December 7, 2016

Geotubes / Geotextiles

Geosynthetics – Geotubes/Geotextiles: Case study 2 - Hurricane Protection in Grand Isle, Louisiana USA.

Geotextiles or geosynthetics have become very popular methods for several streambank stabilization projects, dune stabilization and generally when earthen stability is required. A Geotextile material that can be chose varies in thickness and porosity, and will depend largely on soil properties or whether it is necessary to improve a soil property – for instance to increase surface soil strength, increase erosion resistance, or stabilize weak soils on steep slopes. For the case study in Grand Isle, LA, the objective was to protect the island from storm waves and storm surge, a function that is typical of a dune system. However, the island is highly exposed to Gulf of Mexico storm waves that frequently overwash and erode the dune system, with increasing dune rebuilding costs after each storm. To protect against this erosion, coastal engineers employed geotubes, which were filled with native material excavated from the existing storm-damaged dune system. Once put in place, the tubes were covered with a top layer of sand, and were vegetated for added soil stability. Over time, wind-blown sand from the beach system accumulates at the seaward side of the dune system, and organizes into smaller dunes, where additional vegetation growth takes place and provides additional protection for waves and storm surges approaching the island.

These materials are part of a collection of classroom-tested modules and courses developed by InTeGrate. The materials engage students in understanding the earth system as it intertwines with key societal issues. The collection is freely available and ready to be adapted by undergraduate educators across a range of courses including: general education or majors courses in Earth-focused disciplines such as geoscience or environmental science, social science, engineering, and other sciences, as well as courses for interdisciplinary programs.
Explore the Collection »