On the Problem of Coastal Protection of the Varadero Resort (Cuba) with an Artificial Beach

Abstract—The recent coastal dynamics of Varadero resort located on the Hicacos Peninsula (northern Cuba coast) demonstrate a trend of progressive beach erosion and degradation. This paper proposes an approach to coastal protection based on creating an artificial beach that should withstand extreme storm impact. The parameters for protecting a beach composed of biogenic sand (the most available material in the region of interest) are determined from the model [4, 8]. It is argued that material coarser than 0.4 mm can be used to build the beach in the central part of the Hicacos Peninsula. The maximum elevation of the beach should exceed 3.3 m. For an expected coastal advance 10, 20, or 30 m, sand in a volume of about 100, 180, or 250 m³ m^–1 should be required. In the root part of the Hicacos Peninsula, where coastal slope is rather steep, construction of artificial beach is not economically practical, so another manner of coastal protection should be selected.