21 Key Revetments Advantages and Disadvantages | Types of Revetment Designs | Benefits of Revetment

Revetments Advantages and Disadvantages | Benefits of Revetment|Revetment Wall Design|Wooden Revetment Designs |Concrete Revetment Designs |Rock Revetment Designs

What are Revetments?

The term “revetment” refers to the material placed at the base of a slope to effectively slow the surface runoff. Revetments are structures that are made to prevent soil erosion. They are sloping structures that are put on banks or cliffs to absorb the energy of rushing water.

River or coastal revetments are typically created to protect the slope from erosion while preserving the present uses of the shoreline.

They work by catching sediment, which is then compacted and then seeded with grass to stabilize the soil. Revetments are often used to protect the shorelines of rivers.

 The mainly work by catching sediment that is flowing downstream and then by catching more sediment.

They are composed of wide and sloped walls that make it easier for the sediment to drop out of the flow of the river.

In military engineering, these are slanted buildings designed to protect an area from artillery, bombing, or stored explosives.

The walls of the revetment are made of stones, usually rock and gravel. The stones help to stabilize the land that is next to the revetment and the rocks will either absorb the water or seep into the ground.

Revetments are built in locations where there is a high-hazard area such as an airport, maritime port, oil refinery or nuclear power plant.

In an area of high volume of water flow like the sea or a river they could also be used as a way to protect civilian lives from drowning hazards. Revetments can be used to slow down water flow in order to reduce sedimentation and erosion.

Types of Revetments

A revetment is a stack of stones, concrete, gabions, or sandbags that is used to protect the shore in the wake of a damaging storm. There are many different types of revetments, depending on the shore you’re protecting and the materials you have to work with.

There are different types of revetments that can be used on different terrain and in different activities. Here are some different types of revetments:

1. Rock or Stone Revetment Designs

They are used to protect the shorelines of rivers from erosion and to stop the flow of water. These rock revetments can be further classified into three types depending on their efficiency in preventing erosion.

Stone revetments are a solution for those who are looking for a long-term and more durable option for erosion protection.

Wood revetments have often been replaced with stone revetments because of how much more cost-effective and long-lasting the stone is compared to the wood.

They can prevent erosion, beach clogging, and siltation. They are smooth enough to let tides and waves pass right over them.

They can even trap sediments and create natural reefs. This prevents waves from coming in and preventing erosion, especially when waves would hit a north-facing shoreline.

2. Concrete Revetment Designs

Concrete revetments work in a slightly different way than other revetments. They are widely used around the world as a solution for protecting structures from erosion and to slow the flow of water.

These concrete revetments often consist of wood or stone blocks that are being held down by concrete.

These can be made to look like sandstone blocks that are placed on top of each other. They have been used in some places to protect sensitive environments, such as beaches and nesting grounds for sea birds.

Concrete can be damaged a few different ways, such as through loose aggregates, water penetration, and expansive soils, as well as through general deterioration from age.

3. Wooden Revetment Designs

Wooden revetments are a type of revetment that can be used in situations where protection from erosion is needed, but where there is no danger of chemical or biological warfare.

They are not as strong as many other types of revetments, but they can provide protection.

Wooden revetments do not have to be replaced when they become too weathered. Most wooden revetments will wear away or rot after about 20 years, requiring replacement.

4. Gabion revetment Designs

A Gabion is an earthen or stone wall that is used to stabilize the shoreline of a river and prevent erosion. They are made from joining a series of smaller pebbles into one big pile so they can hold weight, which prevents water from eroding the slope.

The best type of gabion to use for erosion control is one made from granite or limestone. Granite has a lot less permeable properties than limestone, which makes it more stable over time.

Benefits of Revetment

1. Protection from erosion: Revetment prevent soil erosion by acting as a barrier.

2. Structural stability: The rocks in the walls of the revetment help to support the slope of the land.

3. Containment of slip-off: Many revetments are built into walls that contain soil from sliding off, preventing mudslides and landslides. This is especially effective in areas with steep mountain slopes.

4. Revetment is used like a dam which holds water on one side and prevents it from transferring to another area.

5. Wider River flow capacities: Due to the depth of the revetment, water can flow more easily and thus flood the area behind it. The water can also erode the land behind the revetment, allowing the river to continue flowing.

6. Preservation of existing uses: In some cases, river bed dredging has to be stopped before a revetment is built and will have to stop afterwards if it is placed in a way that would prevent further use of that portion of the river.

7. Better habitats for fish and other aquatic life: Revetment acts as a fish retention device. Revetment slows the flow of water so that the river water can pass through the surrounding area to create a better habitat for aquatic animals, such as fish.

8. Some units or structures built on top of a revetment can cause damages due to the elevation of water.

9. Since they create a larger natural area for wildlife and birds, revetments are often used in nature reserves and parks, where they help protect more aggressive animals from being hunted by other animals.

10. Beachfront access for workers, public use, recreation and tourism: Revetment creates a stable area on the coastline that allows for easy access to beachfront areas, which allows for recreation.

This will also allow the public to gain access to areas around it that would have otherwise been difficult or dangerous to reach.

 Revetment also protects shorelines from increased erosion and flooding from storm surges. It can also be used in port and waterway constructions.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Revetments

Advantages of Revetments

1. The Rock or stone revetments can last longer and are more environmentally friendly than some of the other types of revetments.

2. The concrete revetments are very cost-effective and can be more environmentally friendly with the type of concrete used.

3. The wooden revetments are good for those who are looking to save money on erosion protection. They are also easier to replace if they do wear out.

4. The gabion revetments are one of the most environmentally friendly options because they do not require any maintenance in the long term and they work well as habitat for fish or birds.

5. The revetments can be made to look like natural formations, which people love, making the structure blend-in with the surrounding environment

6. The gabion revetments are also well-known as a “wet design” since they need no maintenance or any physical labor.

7. The gabion revetments can be much sturdier and more durable than most other types of revetments like the wood or stone ones because they use granite stones.

8. Protects the sand-bars and beaches from long-term damage by erosion.

9. Revetments do not restrict the flow of water as much as other methods do, which is good for the environment, as well as for kayaking and boating enthusiasts who enjoy being by water.

10. They can be affordable, especially when using recycled materials like old tires.

Disadvantages of Revetment

1. Maintenance: The revetment will have to be maintained at some point, which can be time-consuming and difficult. If the maintenance is not kept up, then the stability of the structure will become compromised.

2. The cost of upkeep over time can become prohibitively expensive if not planned for correctly.

3. The Environmental Impact: Revetment is used to protect structures from erosion as well as land from flooding and storm surges by preventing that soil from eroding into the water or moving loose sediment downstream or upstream.

This can have negative effects on the environment by hindering the natural flow of water, affecting the habitat of aquatic life, as well as changing levels of water quality due to the removal of sediments from the body of water.

4. The cost and difficulty of construction are major concerns. Most types will need to be built by trained specialists, and must be done so in a way that is both time-sensitive and resource methodical, or else they may not last or perform as needed.

 If the material for the revetment is not taken into account or not properly prepared, then there might be a risk of future costs and complications.

5. The costs of erosion control can escalate rapidly with time and cannot be controlled by brine injection or other methodologies.

6. They trap sediments in the long term which are not good for the environment or human use. When a river or stream is diverted or channelized, it often results in less water and erosion of the re-emerging waterway.

7. Dammed rivers tend to become less efficient when channelized. This can create problems for both the reservoir and those downstream from it.

8. The harbor works of these structures are often hidden from view by vegetation, so it is difficult to see when they fail

9. Can block other water ways needed for recreational use and tourism. They are not usually attractive from a visual perspective

10. They can be a big eyesore to the public, especially if they are in prominent locations like a beach access or over the water where they are seen from afar. They can block the view of the river from a distance

11. They can cause a lot of additional work and management of the river. It becomes more difficult to divert or change the flow of the rivers that have been channelized or rerouted through them.

12. Not all beaches need erosion protection though, and this type of structure may not be needed in places that have no problems with erosion.

13.  Can create more environmental damage by not allowing sediment to pass through them quickly, hence resulting in water that is not as clear, as it could be (which looks bad for the aesthetics of a location)

Revetment Wall Design

The design for a revetment wall varies based on the location and the material that it is made of.

 After determining the stability of the stadium, factors such as building length, different types of materials and methods of construction can then be determined to ensure that they are effective and safe.

Here are some important factors to consider when designing a revetment wall:

1. Length: The longer a revetment built is, the more space it will need for sediment to settle out.

This can be especially important around storm drains, because the water can overflow from the back of a revetment and flood nearby areas.

On the other hand, those with shorter stadiums will face reduced erosion issues and free up limited space for future expansion work.

A good rule of thumb is to build the longest revetments possible within the site’s budget.

2. Construction Material: The main construction material for a revetment is concrete, which is then covered by either stone or topsoil. There are, however, different methods by which to build a concrete revetment wall.

For example, there is a type of construction that uses soil tubes and foundation piles on the upper side of the revetment wall. The main advantage of this method is that it cuts down on construction time, cost, and labor.

Concrete walls are strong enough to act as a natural barrier against storm surges and flooding. However, if they have been damaged or have not been maintained properly over time, they can break down or even collapse.

Revetment materials for a soccer stadium depend on the soil and subsoil in the area. Soils with a greater clay content are easier to build on as they hold more water, but have higher risk of siltation.

For those areas, use materials that are either sandstone or even soil from which the sand has been washed away.

3. Type of Project: The type of project determines what type of revetment is needed and how it should be constructed.

4. Replacement: Replacement of an existing revetment wall is probably most common in older stadiums or sporting venues as they are often found in older areas that are experiencing more severe erosion problems. These walls are often large enough to require heavy machinery for removal and installation. 

5. Design Delineations: In most cases, the design for a revetment wall will be based on the design delineations that were made during the stadium’s design phase. This includes the necessary height of the walls and their compositions and materials.

6. Design Considerations: The construction of a revetment wall requires constant maintenance in order to ensure its stability over time, especially when dealing with erodible materials such as sandstone or limestone.

Other considerations should take into account the size and height of the revetment wall. If a larger area will be protected by a shorter wall, that will give it an edge over areas protected by longer walls.

Factors for Choosing Between Revetments

When choosing between different types of revetment walls, consider factors such as:

1. Cost: The main cost factor involved with different types of revetment walls are materials, labor, and construction. The more expensive materials used, the higher the price tag will be.

2. Weight: The weight of the revetment wall is another important factor to consider when deciding on a type of wall to use for a given stadium. This is because it can affect the amount of erosive forces that the wall can handle and protect its structure from damage.

3. Construction: There are many different construction methods for revetments. The most common are the use of soil tubes or foundation piles.

4. Maintenance: All types of revetment walls need to be maintained over time in order to be effective, and this can lead to additional costs.

Revetment FAQs

1. What exactly is revetment in the construction industry?

A revetment is a wall of stones, brick, or concrete built on the beach or lakeshore. The barrier absorbs wave energy and reduces corrosion on the beach or lakeshore.

The revetment’s uneven surface is very useful in absorbing wave energy and lessening the impacts of wave rebound.

A revetment is also in place to help stabilize the soil under the foundation, prevent erosion, and slow down rapid currents of water.

2. How is revetment constructed?

The construction of a revetment starts by first removing the topsoil and then using a ditch-digger or a tractor to dig a trench. The soil from the trench is then used to build a slope to feed the soil back to the trench.

The soil is then excavated and a grade is built to give the slope a gradual drop-off. Finally, the construction can continue.

3. What are the different types of revetments?

There are numerous types of revetment walls, each one designed for a specific purpose. The most common ones include:

1. Concrete revetment: These walls are the most common types and are very effective in stopping erosion. The concrete is usually covered by sand, a geocomposite, or topsoil and is built with an irregular surface that allows it to absorb wave energy. Concrete walls can be more expensive to build than other types of revetments.

2. Rock revetment: These walls are constructed entirely of stone, either quarried from the site or used if it was taken from an existing structure in places like nearby fences or roadways.

3. Sandstone revetment: Sandstone revetments are made mainly with sandstone from the site, or stone tubes that are filled with earth. The sandstone is placed together in a layer and then covered by clay covering the sand. This type of revetment is commonly found at beaches and lakesides and is effective in preventing erosion.

4. Wooden revetment: Wooden revetment is made from the remains of existing structures like bridges, wooden fences, and other wood structures.

5. Gabion’s revetment: Gabions are hydraulic structures that hold sand, gravel, or soil.

They are placed in the channel and act as a deflector and are an effective revetment against erosion.

4.  How does a revetment work?

A revetment works just like a dam to stop erosion.

When the waves come crashing up against the beach, the windshields them so that they can bounce back away from the beach without creating much of a problem.

They are walls to absorb and dissipate the energy of waves in order to reduce coastal erosion.

5. How are revetments used?

Revetments are used to protect beaches, lakeshores, and other natural areas from erosion and erosion caused by storms.

They’re also used as a safeguard against flooding and hurricanes.

6. How much does a revetment cost?

Although construction costs are high, these structures often require little maintenance.

The cost of building a seawall varies depending on its shape: the volume of the barrier is determined by the needed crest level, the foundation level, the wave loading, and the allowable overtopping rates.

A seawall in the Netherlands is expected to cost between 300 and 500 euros per m2 of concrete.

7. How long does a revetment take to build?

A revetment is often a large wall that takes a long time to build. The construction can take anywhere from three weeks to several months.

8. Can you walk on top of a revetment?

Yes, although it’s not something that’s recommended. Generally, these walls have a high enough slope that it is safe if you were to fall off of it onto the beach below, but if any waves were close by then it could cause serious injury.

9. How long will a revetment last?

Revetments tend to last longer than other structures because they are built from stronger materials like concrete or stone, allowing them to last for many years.

10. How do I find out more information about revetments?

If you have any further questions or concerns, you can speak to an expert in the field of coastal erosion control or a representative from your local building inspector.

11. Do I need to use a revetment if I live near the beach?

Yes, they are highly effective in wet areas like the coast where there is a high amount of wave energy and erosion could be an issue.