Hard engineering

Question 1

definition

Answer 1

man made structures that prevent erosion only impact is to change where erosion is occurring

Question 2

Cliff fixing

Answer 2

iron bars driven into the cliff face
Cliff is stabilised and some wave power is absorbed
Still affected by some wave erosion, low to moderate cost

Question 3

Barrages

Answer 3

Large structures built to prevent flooding on major estuaries and other inlets

Acts as a dam across estuary and prevents incursion of sea water
Expensive and unattractive

Question 4

Sea wall

Answer 4

Stone or concrete walls, have curved face to reflect waves back off, dissipate energy
Effective prevention of erosion

Reflect energy instead of absorbing. Can be intrusive and unnatural, very expensive to build and maintain

Question 5

Groynes

Answer 5

Timber or rock structures built at 90 degree angles
Trap sediment moved along coast by longshore drift

Work with natural processes to build up beach, increases tourists, not too £££

Starve beaches further along the coast of fresh sediment, interrupting longshore drift-> more erosion elsewhere

Question 6

Rip Rap (rock armour)

Answer 6

Large rocks placed at front of cliff, permeable barrier to sea, breaks up waves

Relatively inexpensive to build

Intrusive and need high levels of maintenance

Question 7

offshore breakwater

Answer 7

partly submerged rock barrier to break up waves
effective permeable barrier

Visually unappealing

Question 8

gabions

Answer 8

small boulders contained within wire mesh cages