Sand engine

The sand engine differs significantly from previous beach nourishment strategies. Traditionally, shoreface nourishments consist of 1-2 million m3 of sand and these projects usually only last for 3-5 years before they need repeating. By depositing large amounts of sand in one go, the process can be carried out only every 10-20 years as opposed to 3-5-year cycles of traditional nourishments. This reduces disturbances to the seabed. Professor Marcel Stive is considered the inventor of the sand engine. == Original Sand Engine ==

The first sand engine of its kind was constructed at Ter Heijde in the Netherlands, costing 70 million euros, and was named DeltaDuin in Dutch. Work began in January 2011 and conditions were favorable so the operation was completed in October 2011. Joop Atsma, State Secretary for Infrastructure and Environment, presented the project in November 2011 and his purpose was to convince that the technique could be useful on more locations along the Dutch coast. A volume of 21.5 million m3 of sand, dredged from 5-10 km offshore, covered an area of 128 ha, spanning 2.4 km along the coastline and extending up to 1 km offshore. The sand was deposited in the form of a hook-shaped peninsula. The project was designed to have a lifespan of up to 20 years, A similar project could provide a solution between Camperduin and Petten, which is called the Hondsbossche seawall. == Bacton Gas Terminal ==

In 2019 a sand engine was constructed to protect the Bacton Gas Terminal and surrounding area in Norfolk, United Kingdom, shifting two million cubic meters of sand. == References ==