Geotubing: Geotextile Tubes for Coastal and Riverbank Protection
Why in the news
Geotubing drew attention as a low-cost way to hold back coastal erosion, with a geotube barrier at Poonthura, Kerala, as an example.
About geotubing
- Fabric tubes filled with sand, slurry or dredged matter are laid underwater or along shorelines.
- Submerged breakwater effect: wave energy is dissipated before it hits the coast.
- Sand trapping: promotes natural beach nourishment through sediment build-up.
Materials
- High-performance geotextiles: polypropylene (PP) and polyester (PET).
| Use | Examples |
|---|---|
| Coastal protection | Seawalls, submerged breakwaters, dune reinforcement |
| Rivers and lakes | Stabilising banks, sediment control |
| Wastewater and industry | Sludge dewatering, dredging operations |
| Infrastructure | Foundations for roads, railways, ports, reservoirs |
Advantages
- Cheaper and easier to install than concrete or steel seawalls.
- Non-toxic and used in wetland restoration.
Exam angle
- Fabrics: polypropylene and polyester.
- Kerala example: Poonthura.