Wissant rockfill protection (France)

Reconstruction of the rockfill protection

Client: Wissant Authorities - Scale: 1/25

Context

Situated in the heart of the Bay of Wissant, between Cap Gris-Nez and Cap Blanc-Nez, the town of Wissant enjoys a high level of tourist attraction and environmental quality.

Over time, the various breakwaters built to protect the town have suffered considerable damage from changes to the beach and various storms. The new breakwater, built in 2002, had to cope with severe erosion of the bay and was partially destroyed during the storms of January and March 2007.

For reasons of safety and to maintain tourist activity, the Commune of Wissant has decided to rebuild this protection and has entrusted the ARTELIA (Maritime, Lille)-KVDS consortium with the management of this work.

Objectives of the project

The Wissant riprap reconstruction project will have to meet the following objectives:

• provide protection against waves attacks and be stable for 100-year storm conditions,
• take into account the long-term beach level changes and the effect of the sea level rise
• provide support for the promenade and prevent further erosion of the beach,
• protect against flooding wherever possible,
• allow the flow of water on land, and access to the beach for pedestrians, vehicles and boats,
• remain consistent with the simplicity and environmental quality of the site,
• integrate tourism and urban planning aspects.

Physical modelling of the hydraulic stability in wave flume (2D)

In the context of work to supervise the reconstruction of the riprap at Wissant, a wave-flume study was performed to check the stability of the facing and test several systems for limiting overtopping.

Project completion