Case story

Beach Protection with Innovative Geotube® and Geobag Solution

Malaysia, Langkawi

Project Data

Project	Beach Protection with Innovative Geotube® and Geobag Solution at Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort, Pantai Cenang, Langkawi, Malaysia
Location	Langkawi, Malaysia.
Client	Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort
Products used	TenCate Geotube Composite GT650MC, Geobag Composite GB450MC4, Scour Apron

Overview

The Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort is located at Pantai Cenang, Langkawi. Pantai Cenang is the most developed beach on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. However, the shoreline of the Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort has experienced severe erosion during the Southwest Monsoon since Year 2016.

The conventional type of sand bags was used but not effective against erosions. They were displaced, disintegrating as they were weak against strong wave attack. The beach front had narrowed due to relentless waves attack. The beautiful views and long stretches of sand were destroyed as a result.

Solution

To rectify this problem, the Resort evaluated various erosion protection methods. After extensive studies, the solution provided by Tencate with a combination of composite Geotube® GT650MC and Geobag has been selected due to their overall cost effectiveness and ease of filling and handling.

Installation of Geobags and Scour Apron

Scour aprons were deployed and anchor tubes were filled before placing the Geotube® unit. Prior to installation of the Geobags the section of shoreline to be repaired was trimmed back. The filled Geobags were then laid in an overlapping shingle style beginning at the toe of the embankment, to ensure maximum stability and protection of the riverbank during high water flows. To facilitate efficient filling, we were using a filling frame. Polyester lifting straps were then used to lift and position the bags in place.

Installation of Composite Geotube®

The composite fabric used for the Geotube® unit is made in beach sand colour. It is extremely robust with the ability to entrap sand within the fabric structure. The net result is a Geotube® System that not only is stable against waves and storm surges but also able withstand weathering and sunlight exposures over the long term. After the site was prepared the Geotube® GT650MC unit was laid out. Sand was hydraulically pumped from the sea directly into the Geotube® unit through one of the fill ports until the design height of 1.24 m is reached.