Coastal protection project for Communauté du Golfe de Saint-Tropez

Overview

The Communauté du Golfe de Saint-Tropez, a governmental organization overseeing the administration of 12 municipalities, including globally renowned cities like Saint-Tropez and Sainte-Maxime, embarked on a critical infrastructure project to protect the coastline from severe erosion. This region, noted for its extensive 103 km coastline, faces significant challenges in transportation, waste management, water, energy, mining, site development, and agriculture due to its geographic and environmental conditions. The primary objective was to mitigate wave energy impacting the coastline, which also serves the dual purpose of protecting the only road access to Saint-Tropez, often threatened by winter floods isolating the peninsula.

Challenge

The project was beset by several challenges, chief among them being the environmental sensitivity of the area, logistical constraints, and the timing of the construction phases to minimize impact on the tourist season. Traditional solutions like transporting large amounts of rock for breakwaters were not viable due to environmental and logistical concerns. Additionally, the project had to be executed within a tight timeframe – from April to June and then from October onwards, avoiding the peak tourist season. Unpredictable weather conditions further complicated the installation process, particularly the deployment of the scour mattresses at a water depth of 5 m and the subsequent installation of GEOTUBE^® Marine tubes under adverse weather, leading to high waves that halted work.

Solution

Solmax played a pivotal role in addressing these challenges by providing innovative and environmentally friendly solutions. The project utilized 2 GEOTUBE scour aprons and 7 GEOTUBE Marine tubes of varying diameters and lengths, incorporating copper yarns for some, to facilitate the formation of Geocorail – an artificial coral created from mineral salts and sediment carbonates in seawater. The GEOTUBE Marine tubes not only offered a soft solution at the beach area, preventing injuries that could be caused by a rock breakwater but also contributed to environmental sustainability by reducing CO₂ emissions using local materials and avoiding the need for rock transportation.

The first phase of the project was a 40 m breakwater, consisting of 7 tubes in a pyramid configuration, with subsequent phases planned to extend the project with a 100 m and 85m breakwater respectively. The Geocorail technology atop the GEOTUBE Marine tubes was a standout innovation, creating a hard, permeable crust that enhances the durability and effectiveness of the breakwater structure. This method exemplifies the combination of modern engineering and environmental conservation, ensuring the protection of the coastline while promoting the accumulation of sand for calmer and more attractive beaches for tourists.

Solmax’s expertise in custom-made products tailored for easy and comfortable installation, coupled with their close communication and coordination with the client and contractors, ensured the project’s success despite the challenges faced. The use of CE–certified products that are harmless to the environment further underscores the commitment to environmental responsibility and innovation.

Conclusion

The successful completion of the coastal protection project by the Communauté du Golfe de Saint-Tropez, with the support of Solmax, represents a significant achievement in terms of infrastructure development, environmental conservation, and community benefit. The project serves as a model for similar coastal regions facing erosion and environmental challenges, highlighting the importance of innovative solutions, close collaboration among stakeholders, and the strategic timing of construction activities to minimize impact on local communities and economies.