Briefing: Abrasion performance of concrete in coastal structures

Abrasive wear of concrete in coastal structures can be a significant issue in areas where coarse or gravel sediments abound. In such environments, abrasion may be the governing factor for concrete specification in new construction. In the case of hard defences, concrete will constitute a major project cost, thus necessitating optimisation of mix design. This briefing paper explores some of the background to the problem and existing approaches in design codes. A case study of a major coast protection scheme in the UK is discussed, focussing on the approach to concrete specification through abrasion testing.