Berms reinforcement

The sand body sustaining the breakwater weight should not be affected by, not even partial, liquefaction. For all the mentioned reasons wide toe berms are useful they reduce filtration velocity below the breakwater body, they rest on and let sand at rest if bed erosion occurs, material sliding from the berm protects the bed from further erosion. The state of berms is therefore an indicator of structure safety that should be monitored. If scour holes of the order of twice the stone diameter are shown by bathymetric surveys, or the berm width is reduced below 2-4 stones diameter, toe berm stability may be compromised and toe protection should be reinforced and widened. 

Geotextiles used in reinforcing walls, berms, and slopes... 

Types of geotextiles used in wall, berms, and slope reinforcement... 

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