Structural erosion

Structural erosion

Definition of Structural erosion: Structural erosion is long-term erosion of a stretch of coast. Also looking at an individual cross-shore profile, gradual losses of sediments with time might be noticed. This is the common definition for Structural erosion, other definitions can be discussed in the article

Structural, gradual, long-term erosion

Looking at the volume of sediments in the control volume area as a function of time, we will see a diminishing tendency with time.

A gradient in the longshore sediment transport is often the reason of structural erosion. See Fig.3 for the development with time of an eroding cross-shore profile.

Notice the change with time of the control volume. Notice also that the mainland is eroding as well, although the longshore sediment transports, and so the gradients in the longshore sediment transport, do not occur at the mainland level. Events with some dune erosion redistribute sediments from the dunes to the beach and foreshore. In this case the recovery of the dunes is only partly; at the end of the day also the mainland retreats. Rather long structure with a horizontal deck on series of piles extending perpendicular to the coast into the sea. Serving as a landing place for vessels, as a recreation facility, as a measuring facility for coastal processes or as a part of sand by-pass facility.