Geotextile tube

A geotextile tube is a large, tube-shaped bag made of porous, weather-resistant geotextile and filled with a sand slurry, to form an artificial coastal structure such as a breakwaters, dune or levee. Geotextile tubes are a component of the living shorelines approach to coastal management. They are aligned with the shoreline to weaken wave energy and protect against coastal erosion. The tubes facilitate oyster reef development and create areas to dispose of new dredge material.^[1] Geotextile tubes are also installed for land reclamation and temporarily installed during the dewatering phase of a dredging operation.

Geotextile tubes defend the dunes at Dawlish Warren in Devon, England.

Geotextile tubes at Twin Lakes Beach, Manitoba.

Geotextile tubes being filled with sand.

Amphibious dredge boat collecting sediment by using a cutting head, transporting it to geotubes

If a geotextile tube is exposed to the elements, it can be vulnerable to bursting.^[2]

Notable installations

• Grand Isle, Louisiana ("Burrito Levee")

See also

• Breakwater (structure)
• Cellular confinement
• Groyne

References

1. "NOAA Habitat Conservation - Restoration Center - Restoration Techniques and Monitoring - Living Shorelines Implementation". Habitat.noaa.gov. Archived from the original on 9 October 2014. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
2. Bacon-Blood, Littice (April 27, 2017). "Grand Isle's 'burrito levee' needs emergency repairs, mayor says". The Times-Picayune. New Orleans. Retrieved September 5, 2021.