What is Geotubing?
Geotubing involves the use of large, cylindrical geotextile tubes (commonly called geotubes) filled with sand, slurry, or dredged material. These are strategically placed underwater or along shorelines to act as submerged barriers, reducing wave energy and preventing erosion.
Key Features of Geotubes
- Submerged Breakwater Effect:
- Geotubes dissipate incoming wave energy before it reaches the coast, reducing shoreline erosion.
- Sand Trapping & Deposition:
- Acts as a mechanism for natural beach nourishment by trapping sand and promoting sediment build-up.
- Modular Design:
- Tubes can be customized in size and shape to match diverse terrains and project requirements.
Materials Used in Geotubing:
- High-Performance Geotextiles such as:
- Polypropylene (PP)
- Polyester (PET)
- Characteristics:
- Permeable for water drainage
- Resistant to UV rays, chemicals, and biological degradation
- High tensile strength for structural durability
Advantages of Geotubing
- Durability: Long lifespan even in harsh marine environments
- Cost-Effective: Cheaper and easier to install than concrete or steel seawalls
- Eco-Friendly: Non-toxic and used in wetland restoration projects
- Multi-functional: Applications go beyond coastal protection to industrial and environmental uses
Applications of Geotubing:
- Coastal Protection
- Seawalls, submerged breakwaters, sand dune reinforcements
- Example: Poonthura, Kerala – three-layer geotube barrier installed perpendicular to coast
- River & Lake Management
- Stabilising eroding riverbanks, sediment control in lakes
- Wastewater & Industrial Use
- Dewatering of sludge in treatment plants, dredging operations
- Infrastructure Projects
- Foundation stabilization for roads, railways, ports, reservoirs
- Environmental Remediation
- Site isolation, leachate containment, and pollution prevention
