Sep 11 2007
ShoreGuard vinyl sheet pile, manufactured by Crane Materials International (CMI), was used to protect the bank line along the hurricane protection levee system between the communities of Larose and Golden meadow. By using a combination of rock and ShoreGuard vinyl sheet pile, the wave energy from Little Lake and Barataria bay was reduced while providing a cutoff wall for retaining embankment behind the system.
ShoreGuard proved to be the most cost effective and easy to maintain environmental solution to the problem.
The local agency made two failed attempts at stopping the erosion; the first was to place flotant marsh grass and brush along the bank line to interfere with the wave action. This proved only to be a temporary solution.
The second attempt was to invest in a small rock dike, paralleling the severe areas of scour. This was also ineffective since the waves overtopped the dike and eroded the back side of the protection. Sporadic scour along the levee toe ranged from two to four feet.
"Having utilized the CMI ShoreGuard vinyl sheet pile product on several projects, I had first-hand knowledge and experience with installing the product. I understood the products material specifications and properties, especially its resistance to UV-light. The second major advantage would be the products non-corrosive feature in lieu of steel sheets," said T. Wade Wright, Technical Manager, U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, New Orleans District.
CMI sheet piling products are used extensively in civil applications because of their inherent durability, corrosion and chemical resistance and ease of installation. Additionally, CMI's sheet piling products are extremely cost effective due to numerous patented design innovations
With sheet piling available in vinyl, aluminum, and FRP composite, CMI offers a full range of opportunities to provide countless solutions from small private projects to large industrial initiatives.