Hard Engineering

Question 1

There are lots of different hard engineering strategies, to decide which is most appropriate in a particular area a cost benefit analysis must be carried out

Question 2

Groynes how do they work

Answer 2

Structures built perpendicular (at right angles) to the shore. Sediment is trapped as it is transported by longshore drift. The beach builds up which absorbs wave energy

Question 3

groynes advantages

Answer 3

Not as expensive as other hard engineering structures

Builds up the beach which improves tourist potential

Question 4

groynes disadvantages

Answer 4

Causes sediment starvation further along the coast

Can be unattractive

Need lots of maintenance to ensure sediment isn’t getting through any holes or cracks

Question 5

sea walls are

Answer 5

Walls with a curved or stepped surface that absorb and reflect wave energy

Question 6

sea walls advantages

Answer 6

Highly effective

Can have tourism benefits as walkways are created

Question 7

sea wall disadvantages

Answer 7

Very expensive to build and maintain - £6000 per metre

Are ugly and intrusive to the landscape

Question 8

Rip Rap/ Rock armour

Answer 8

Large concrete or granite boulders at the foot of a cliff. The spaces in between the boulders cause waves to bounce between many surfaces, reducing the energy of the wave

Question 9

rip rap advantages

Answer 9

Cheaper than sea walls

Used for recreation such as fishing

Question 10

rip rap disadvantages

Answer 10

Dangerous when people are on them

Rocks from elsewhere are intrusive to local geology

Question 11

Revetments

Answer 11

A sloped or ramp like structure that breaks up wave energy

Question 12

Revetments advantages

Answer 12

Cost effective compared to other hard engineering strategies

Question 13

revetments disadvantages

Answer 13

Need lots of maintenance

Unnatural looking

Slopes are dangerous