SOME ASPECTS OF THE USE OF GEOTEXTILES IN THE FIELD OF COASTAL ENGINEERING

In the field of coastal engineering, the most important function of geotextiles is to serve as a filter where filtering may be defined as a separation of mineral layers of varying grain size distribution in the presence of water. In the engineering practice the use of geotextiles is increasingly noticed. Also new products combining the advantages of geosynthetics and mineral components are coming into the market. Since geotextile is a product being manufactured under controlled conditions, its application seems to be comparatively simple even if a geotextile may be an essential part of a coastal structure. Various aspects must be taken into consideration covering the requirements during the lifetime of coastal structure. Severe conditions of a rough sea must be taken into account. The paper illustrates aspects of applicability of geotextiles, demands and limitations, using recent examples from the German coastal areas.