A sandy, tropical beach near the Point Fortin liquid natural gas terminal in Trinidad was suffering severe erosion because of complex wave actions.
Atlantic LNG, who own the terminal, commissioned Halcrow to investigate the causes of the erosion at Guapo Beach and to develop designs which would stabilise the shoreline. With over 10 years’ experience in south west Trinidad we have a valuable understanding of the beach and coastal processes in this region.
Our initial numerical modelling showed that the apparently benign local conditions were complicated by a number of factors such as wave swells generated off the Venezuelan coast and hurricane events.
In order to fully assess the impact of the complex wave conditions we worked with the Canadian Hydraulics Centre of the Canadian National Research Council to create a three dimensional moveable bed physical model of the Guapo Beach project.
As a result of our findings we proposed a series of interventions. A nearshore breakwater was erected to protect the shoreline and a crib wall was used to protect the slope of the beach. The severely eroded beach was replenished using high quality sand which is held in place using aesthetically pleasing hardened structures.
Halcrow staff from our Trinidad office managed the work and ensured that a secure, reliable design was delivered that met our clients’ strict maintenance requirements.