Eco-friendly geosynthetics for rehabilitation of coastal beach line in Mozambique
Fibertex specialists play an important role around the world designing environmentally friendly solutions to protect shoreline areas and safeguard buildings and infrastructure from the devastating effects of climate change.
“Well-engineered, durable and eco-friendly coastal protection structures, that are designed to prevent damage on our shorelines, are becoming increasingly critical as we witness a drastic change in conventional weather patterns,” states Ryan Langer, Sales Engineer, Fibertex Nonwovens SA, specialists in the manufacture and supply of nonwovens and performance-based materials. “In addition to coastal rehabilitation, authorities need to look at ways to reinforce rivers and avoid catastrophic flooding of populated areas. It is also critical that engineers do everything possible to preserve the integrity of valuable infrastructure that is affected by salt water, high temperatures and increased CO² levels and consider sustainable solutions that gently prevent soil erosion.
“In a recent project, the Fibertex Nonwovens team – with decades of experience in coastal protection – collaborated with consultants, Santuario, and Elias Nota Construction, in the rehabilitation of the coastal beach line at Vilanculos in Mozambique.
“Following a series of tidal storms that eroded the coastal line, it was critical to design an effective solution in difficult construction conditions, that would provide adequate coastal protection. Challenges of this project meant no heavy plant equipment could be used for the transport of foreign materials to the remote island and finding skilled labour would also have been costly to outsource.
“FiberRock 250VX Geosynthetic Sand Containers (GSCs) which have been developed to withstand the effects of harsh wave action, are the perfect protection solution that allows beaches to retain their natural beauty and were used in this project to overcome the challenging construction environment. The in-situ design application allowed contractors to fill bags with a slurry made up of beach sand and sea water, with the use of a slurry pump. There was no need for heavy duty equipment and foreign building materials. that would normally be required, like concrete, steel and bricks. Due to the unique and dynamic installation required for the FiberRock 250VX, Santuario was able to employ a small site team, consisting of local labour.
“In spite of the challenges of this unique installation, Fibertex offered Santuario a cost effective, eco-friendly and long-term solution that meets all project requirements. The FiberRock coastal protection system embraces all the mechanical properties of traditional hard structures, yet protects and enhances the natural environment.”
FiberRock 250VX is manufactured from robust staple fibre geotextile layers sewn together with a UV stable polyester overlocked yarn. The Anti-Vandal layer is made from heavy, coarse highly UV stabilised polypropylene fibres This structure is designed to trap sand particles and promote growth of natural marine vegetation, which enhances its durability characteristics.
FiberRock 250VX – 2.3 m x 1.8 m x 0.50 m and weighing approximately 4 tons – is designed with a central chute that allows for in-situ filling. The GSC is filled using a slurry pump that is filled through the central chute with a slurry made up of beach sand and seawater.
Fibertex Nonwovens, in conjunction with Santuario, has provided a coastal protection design that meets challenging site conditions. The coastline of the island is now protected by a natural solution that is aesthetically pleasing and which enhances the natural environment. The soft exterior of the geosynthetic sand containers allows for safe public interaction and with time, these sand containers will blend into the background, as natural vegetation grows over the bags.
This important project, which commenced in July 2024, was completed by mid-October 2024.
Fibertex materials are suitable for use in all infrastructure projects, including roads and railways, earth structures and tailings dams and landfills. Fibertex geosynthetics are also used for drainage and filtration systems, hydraulic works and in demanding construction projects.
