On the design of canal revetments

This paper describes the results of a study on canal revetments of the Gold Coast, Queensland. As the one of the fastest growing regions in Australia, Gold Coast has been experiencing tremendous pressure caused by the population growth. In this kind of environment, it has been found that many waterfront properties in this area have experienced serious structural damage to their revetment walls. Improper use of materials, inadequate design and lack of maintenance appear to have caused most of the problems. Various factors affecting the design and performance of canal revetments are herein reviewed. In addition, some important design principles are suggested for similar coastal environments.