Scour Protection

Scour – An underwater problem

Asphalt – An underwater solution

Scour or underwater erosion is caused by natural currents or ships’ propellers. Asphalt – readily worked in water – is well suited to the submerged installations frequently required for scour protection.

Mastic is an ideal product to place underwater:

• The dense material flows easily in water.
• In spite of rapid skin formation, the flow’s centre remains hot so the mastic continues to penetrate – much like larva flowing under a volcanic crust.
• Joints form readily – when cold mastic is hit by hot the bitumen-rich material soon warms up and the materials fuse together.
• Especially useful when combined with rock

For Scour Protection to Port Berths please see PORTS & HARBOURS page

Toe scour

Coastal and river revetments are sometimes prone to toe scour. A slab of mastic or stone/mastic placed in front of the structure is an effective solution. The material resists scour, and, with its thermo-plastic properties, follows changes in foreshore level – slabs have been known to bend up to 90° without failing.

Please click on the links below to review recent projects:

• Seawall toe protection – Harwich, Essex
• Revetment toe protection – Dovercourt, Essex
• Bridge Pier protection – Great Yarmouth
• Sluice & Lock protection – the Netherlands