Revetting

Revetting, or the installation of a revetment, is the process of protecting an earthen slope, riverbank, or shoreline by adding an armored layer that absorbs and deflects erosive forces. The protective structure is called a revetment. Revetting aims to prevent soil loss, stabilize slopes, and shield infrastructure such as roads, railways, and buildings from erosion, scour, and wave action.

Common materials and forms include rock armor (rubble or quarried stone), concrete armor units, gabions (wire cages filled with rock), and sheet piles or reinforced concrete structures. In some cases, vegetative or hybrid approaches combine living plants with armor to stabilize slopes and reduce environmental impact. The design can yield sloped, upright, or slightly inclined facings depending on site conditions.

Design and construction considerations include energy conditions (waves, currents, or river flow), slope geometry, soil properties, drainage, and potential scour at the toe. The revetment is usually anchored at a toe and may include toe protection, drainage layers, and filters. Materials are selected for durability, maintenance needs, and local availability. Lifespan ranges from a few decades to many decades, contingent on maintenance and exposure.

Environmental and regulatory aspects are important; revetments can affect sediment transport, coastal processes, and habitats, and may require permits. Maintenance involves inspection, repair of damages, sediment management, and sometimes replacement of armor units after severe events. Modern practice increasingly favors hybrid or bioengineering approaches that provide both protection and ecological benefits. See also erosion control and coastal engineering.