Gravel Nourishment on West Coast on Fongafale Island in Tuvalu

Abstract

A plan of beach nourishment using coral sand and gravel on the lagoon side of Fongafale Island in Tuvalu was investigated. Field observation was carried out on June 5, 2012 and the formation of the composite slope of an offshore gentle slope covered with sand and a steep foreshore slope covered with gravel was confirmed. On the basis of this fundamental information, a method of gravel nourishment together with use of sand was investigated using the BG model. When two groins with 40m length and an interval of 185m were constructed along with beach nourishment, it was possible to recover the stable beach.