Skip to content

Secutex® Soft Rock Geotextile sand containers for Australia and Asia

Naue Secutex® Soft Rock is a geotextile sand container for coastal protection, scour protection and riverbank stabilisation — supplied for the Asia-Pacific region with UV-stabilised nonwoven, double-seam construction and pre-manufactured filling ports.

Request project consultationView technical information
  • Image of a white Naue Secutex® Soft Rock APAC geotextile sand container (sand bag).
  • Image of a Naue Secutex® Soft Rock APAC geotextile sand container (sand bag).
  • Image of a filled Naue Secutex® Soft Rock Grand APAC geotextile sand container (sand bag).
  • Aerial view of a coastal protection project where Secutex® Soft Rock APAC sand containers are installed at a beach.
  • Secutex® Soft Rock is a geotextile sand container (GSC) for coastal protection, scour protection, riverbank stabilisation and land reclamation.
  • The container is filled on site with locally available sand. It provides filter and ballast function in a single element: the nonwoven retains fine particles and absorbs wave energy without hard armour.
  • Double-seam technology along three sides of every container — the APAC standard construction for maximum seam durability under wave and abrasion loading.
  • Pre-manufactured filling ports (1 FP or 2 FP) made from 400 g/m² nonwoven, plus cords and pre-cut holes for closing. No sewing machines or compressors required on site.
  • Grades: R 601 (0.4 m³) · R 801 (1.2 m³) · Grand RS 1201 (2.5 m³, double-layer, rounded edges, scour flap) · Grand RS 1601 (2.5 m³, double-layer, rounded edges, scour flap).
  • All APAC grades use UV-stabilised polypropylene — engineered for exposed applications in high-UV climates.
  • Tested to ASTM and AS (Australian Standards) methods · Abrasion tested on the BAW rotating drum · Design life 100 years (ISO TS 13434) · EN ISO 9001:2015 · EN ISO 14001:2015.

Secutex® Soft Rock is a geotextile sand container system for coastal protection, scour protection and riverbank stabilisation. Filled on site with locally available sand, the needle-punched nonwoven encases the fill material while providing both filter and ballast function. Fine soil particles are retained, while wave and flow energy is absorbed rather than reflected — in many applications without the need for conventional armour stone.

Challenge

Rising sea levels, intensifying monsoon and cyclone seasons and increasing coastal development are placing sustained hydraulic loading on shorelines, waterways and marine infrastructure across the Asia-Pacific region. Where water flow, waves or currents act on unprotected soil, fine particles are mobilised and transported away. Over time this leads to surface erosion, scour formation, instability of banks and structures, and progressive land loss.

Conventional rock armour revetments are the established answer — but across much of the region, suitable armour stone is not locally available. Quarrying, barging and placing rock is costly, carries a high transport-related carbon load, and produces a rigid, hard-edged structure that is unsuitable for tourism beaches and difficult to adapt to soft, variable seabeds.

Solution

Secutex® Soft Rock provides an alternative revetment element based on sand-filled geotextile containers. The containers are filled with locally available sand, help retain soil, stabilise the exposed surface and reduce hydraulic impact.

For the Asia-Pacific region the containers are manufactured with double-seam technology along three sides, giving a substantially more robust closure than a single-seam construction under repeated wave attack and abrasion. Filling ports are factory-fitted and retractable; the container is closed on site with cords through pre-cut holes, so no sewing machine, compressor or specialist crew is required at the waterline.

Both Grand grades are supplied with rounded edges to prevent fluttering under wave attack, and both carry a factory-attached scour flap (Secutex® R 601, 3.05 m × 2.60 m) on the longitudinal side to protect the container toe against developing scour.

Result

Sourcing fill locally reduces the demand for quarried rock, simplifies logistics and shortens installation windows. The soft, rounded containers are safe to walk on — including barefoot — and blend visually into sandy environments, which makes them suitable for public beaches and recreation zones where rock armour would be rejected on amenity grounds.

Secutex® Soft Rock Grand RS 1201 delivers tensile strength of 60.0 kN/m md/cmd (ASTM D4595 / AS 3706.2), a factory seam tensile strength of 50.0 kN/m before and after abrasion (EN ISO 10321 / AS 3706.6), abrasion residual strength ≥ 85 % (BAW rotating drum) and characteristic opening size O₉₀ = 60 µm (EN ISO 12956). Design life for oxidation: 100 years (ISO TS 13434).

Secutex® Soft Rock functions:

  • Filtration

    Filtration

    The permeable geotextile of Secutex® Soft Rock geotextile allows water to pass through while retaining soil particles, preventing washout and internal erosion.

  • Separation

    Separation

    The geotextile creates a stable interface between the existing soil and the fill material of the geotextile sand containers, preventing the mixing of fine subgrade materials and fill.

  • Packaging containment

    Containment

    Sand is securely contained within the high-strength geotextile shell, forming stable construction units that maintain their integrity under hydraulic loading.

Secutex® Soft Rock advantages

Secutex® Soft Rock is the smart alternative to conventional revetment systems. Geotextile sand containers combine filter and ballast function in a single element. They adapt to any subgrade, withstand dynamic wave loading and can be filled with locally available sand.

  • Easy installation

    Practical installation

    Containers are filled on site with local sand, so no aggregate haulage is required. Filling ports are fitted at the factory and the container is closed with cords through pre-cut holes — no sewing machines and no compressors at the waterline. Placement from barge or crane allows underwater installation at depth.

  • Filter and ballast in one

    Filter and ballast in one

    Two system components of a revetment replaced by one: the nonwoven provides filter stability, the sand mass delivers positional stability. Apparent opening size ≤ 75 µm across all grades

  • Adapte to subsoil

    Adapts to uneven surfaces

    Soft, flexible construction elements conform precisely to irregular bed surfaces and accommodate differential settlement. The roughened nonwoven surface delivers high interface friction — up to 28° layer-to-layer on the double-layer Grand grades.

  • Function duration

    Long service life

    Double-seam construction along three sides of every container reinforces the element with the lowest tensile strength: up to 50.0 kN/m factory seam strength, verified before and after abrasion. Abrasion residual strength up to ≥ 85 % and UV-stabilised polypropylene across all grades.

  • Certificate

    Tested to ASTM and AS methods

    Mechanical and hydraulic performance is declared to ASTM and AS (Australian Standards) test methods, so values can be compared directly against regional specifications. Abrasion resistance is verified on the BAW rotating drum, chemical resistance is 100 % (ASTM D5322) and design life against oxidation is 100 years (ISO TS 13434).

Application areas

Typical applications:

  • Revetment systems — flexible, natural-looking shoreline protection
  • Dune reinforcement and geotextile walls as a final barrier against storm-surge breakthrough
  • Beach erosion control, shoreline restoration and retention of beach nourishment
  • Groynes for sediment drift control and submerged breakwaters for wave energy reduction
  • Slope toe protection for cliffs and steep embankments

Sand-filled containers are stacked in layers to form a revetment that absorbs wave energy instead of reflecting it. Because the fill is sourced on site, no armour stone has to be quarried, barged or trucked to the coastline — a decisive advantage across the many Asia-Pacific locations where suitable rock is not locally available. The soft, rounded surface is safe to walk on, which makes the system suitable for tourism beaches and recreation zones. Reference environments include the Singapore East Coast, tropical coastlines in Thailand and the Australian east coast.

Aerial view of a coastal protection project where Secutex® Soft Rock APAC sand containers are installed at a beach.

To the application:

Hydraulic engineering

Scour protection in hydraulic engineering

Typical applications:

  • Seabed scour remediation at harbour quay walls and bridge piers
  • Offshore scour protection for wind turbine foundations
  • Underwater installation without dewatering or divers
  • Riverbank and canal bank erosion protection placed from barge

Containers are placed from barges or cranes at depth, so port and waterway operations continue undisturbed. The Grand grades are supplied with rounded edges to prevent fluttering under wave attack and with a factory-attached scour flap (Secutex® R 601, 3.05 m × 2.60 m) on the longitudinal side, which extends filter protection beyond the container footprint where progressive scour at the structure toe is expected.

Photo of a sand-filled geotextile Secutex® Soft Rock APAC being installed for scour protection.

To the application:

Hydraulic engineering

Technical properties

PropertyTest method*UnitSoft Rock R 601Soft Rock R 801Soft Rock Grand RS 1201Soft Rock Grand RS 1601
Product and application
Product code——APAC 1FPAPAC 1FPAPAC 2FP SF-lsAPAC 2FP SF-ls
Geotextile——Secutex® R 601Secutex® R 801Secutex® RS 1201Secutex® RS 1601
Layer construction——Single-layer nonwovenSingle-layer nonwovenDouble-layer nonwoven: filter layer and abrasion-resistant protection layerDouble-layer nonwoven: filter layer and abrasion-resistant protection layer
Raw material, filter layer——UV-stabilised polypropylene (PP)UV-stabilised polypropylene (PP)UV-stabilised polypropylene (PP)UV-stabilised polypropylene (PP)
Raw material, protection layer————UV-stabilised polypropylene (PP)UV-stabilised polypropylene (PP)
Colour, filter layer / protection layer——WhiteWhiteWhite / beigeWhite / beige
Filling ports (factory-fitted)——1122
Edge geometry——StandardStandardRoundedRounded
Scour flap (SF)————Longitudinal side, Secutex® R 601, 3.05 × 2.60 mLongitudinal side, Secutex® R 601, 3.05 × 2.60 m
Nonwoven
Mass per unit area, total productASTM D5261 / AS 2001.2.13g/m²6008001,2001,600
Mass per unit area, filter layerASTM D5261 / AS 2001.2.13g/m²——approx. 600approx. 1,000
Mass per unit area, protection layerASTM D5261 / AS 2001.2.13g/m²——approx. 600approx. 600
Thickness**ASTM D5199 / AS 2001.2.15mm5.06.78.09.0
Tensile strength, md / cmd*ASTM D4595 / AS 3706.2kN/m45.0 / 45.055.0 / 65.060.0 / 60.065.0 / 70.0
Elongation at max. strength, md / cmd*ASTM D4595 / AS 3706.2%60 / 6060 / 6060 / 6060 / 60
CBR (static puncture)ASTM D6241 / AS 3706.4N8,00010,60010,50013,500
Displacement at CBREN ISO 12236mm606060—
Cone drop testEN ISO 13433 / AS 3706.5mm6510
Grab strength, md / cmd*ASTM D4632 / AS 3706.2N2,700 / 2,7003,000 / 3,0003,500 / 3,5004,000 / 4,000
Grab elongationASTM D4632 / AS 3706.2%75706565
Tear strength, md / cmd*ASTM D4533 / AS 3706.3N900 / 9001,000 / 1,0001,300 / 1,300—
Hydraulic properties
Characteristic opening size O₉₀EN ISO 12956µm807060—
Apparent opening size AOSASTM D4751 / AS 3706.7µm≤ 75≤ 75≤ 75≤ 75
Water permeability, v(H50) indexEN ISO 11058m/s3.5 × 10⁻²3.0 × 10⁻²2.5 × 10⁻²1.0 × 10⁻²
Coefficient of permeability (@ 50 mm head)EN ISO 11058m/s3.5 × 10⁻³4.0 × 10⁻³4.0 × 10⁻³1.8 × 10⁻³
Flow rate (@ 100 mm head)EN ISO 11058l/(s·m²)53453815
Permittivity (@ 100 mm head)EN ISO 110581/s5.3 × 10⁻¹4.5 × 10⁻¹3.8 × 10⁻¹1.5 × 10⁻¹
Resistance and durability
Abrasion resistance, residual strengthBAW rotating drum%≥ 70≥ 80≥ 85≥ 85
Friction angle @ 20/40/60 kPa, layer vs layerEN ISO 12957-1°20202828
Chemical resistance, residual strengthASTM D5322%100100100100
Weather resistance, nonwoven after 500 h exposureASTM D4355 / AS 3706.11%≥ 70≥ 70≥ 85≥ 85
Design life, oxidationISO TS 13434years100100100100
Container as delivered (empty)
Raw material of the factory-made seams——Polyester (PES)Polyester (PES)Polyester (PES)Polyester (PES)
Seam construction——Double seam, three sidesDouble seam, three sidesDouble seam, three sidesDouble seam, three sides
Tensile strength of the factory-made seamsEN ISO 10321 / AS 3706.6kN/m35.040.050.0 (before and after abrasion)50.0 (before and after abrasion)
Filling port material—g/m²400 (nonwoven)400 (nonwoven)400 (nonwoven / woven composite)400 (nonwoven / woven composite)
Finished inner dimensions—m1.40 × 1.272.18 × 1.702.70 × 2.182.70 × 2.18
Filling volume—m³approx. 0.4approx. 1.2approx. 2.5approx. 2.5
Item number——on request832081832324832326
Container in filled condition
Dimensions, length / width / height—mapprox. 1.20 / 1.10 / 0.33approx. 1.95 / 1.50 / 0.50approx. 2.30 / 1.80 / 0.60approx. 2.30 / 1.80 / 0.60
Closing on site——Cords through pre-cut holesCords through pre-cut holesCords through pre-cut holesCords through pre-cut holes
Split technical cross-section under identical wave action, comparing a conventional armour stone revetment with Naue Secutex® Soft Rock geotextile sand containers installed in staggered layers, with the lower containers enclosed by a nonwoven geotextile.
Split technical cross-section under identical wave action, comparing a conventional armour stone revetment with Naue Secutex® Soft Rock geotextile sand containers installed in staggered layers, with the lower containers enclosed by a nonwoven geotextile.
Exemplary illustration. Naue Secutex® Soft Rock combines filtration and ballast in a flexible coastal protection system. The sand-filled containers adapt to the subsoil, distribute loads evenly and dissipate hydraulic forces while helping to prevent erosion of the underlying sediment.
Exemplary illustration. Naue Secutex® Soft Rock combines filtration and ballast in a flexible coastal protection system. The sand-filled containers adapt to the subsoil, distribute loads evenly and dissipate hydraulic forces while helping to prevent erosion of the underlying sediment.

Geotextile sand containers vs. armour stone revetment

Conventional revetments and geotextile sand containers (GSCs) differ fundamentally -— decisive in soft-bottom coastal and riverbank environments.

Conventional armour stone revetments

Two separate layers: a filter retaining fines while passing water, and rip-rap armour resisting hydraulic loads by self-weight and interlocking. The stone reflects wave energy into the substrate, progressively reducing subsoil shear stress and - with the armour's high density - risking differential settlement. A poorly graded or displaced filter additionally allows piping and progressive failure.

Secutex® Soft Rock GSCs

One element, both functions: a needle-punched nonwoven encapsulating local sand retains fines while staying permeable for pressure equalisation, and the sand fill provides ballast against waves and currents. Lower density and flexible geometry distribute pressure homogeneously, keeping subsoil shear stress stable, and the fill absorbs hydraulic energy instead of reflecting it. The roughened nonwoven surface gives markedly higher interface friction than woven containers.

Key parameters (RS 1201): seam tensile strength (CMD) 50 kN/m before and after abrasion (EN ISO 10321), abrasion residual strength > 85 % (rotating drum, BAW/TLG:2018), O90 = 0.06 mm (EN ISO 12956).

Naue Portal - the free digital platform for geotechnical engineers.

Naue Portal: your all-in-one free geotechnical software solution for planning and cost estimation

  • One platform – multiple solutions: access a wide range of geotechnical design tools in a single portal.
  • User-friendly and accessible: available anytime, anywhere via desktop or mobile.
  • Optimised cost and material usage: reduce construction costs while ensuring long-term project stability.
  • Compliant with industry standards: aligns with AASHTO, and other engineering guidelines.
Overview of all featuresRegister now

Frequently asked questions

Secutex® Soft Rock is a geotextile sand container (GSC) by Naue for coastal protection, scour remediation and riverbank stabilisation. It is filled on site with locally available sand. The needle-punched nonwoven provides simultaneous filter and ballast functions: it retains fine sediment and absorbs wave energy. Containers supplied for Australia and Asia are manufactured with double-seam technology along three sides and with factory-fitted filling ports.

Pricing depends on container grade, quantity, project location and logistics. Contact Naue at info@naue.com or via the contact form below for a project quotation.

Secutex® Soft Rock is preferred where local sand is available, soft substrates are present, underwater installation is required, or the structure has to remain safe and walkable for public access. It is also the practical answer wherever suitable armour stone would have to be quarried and shipped over long distances. Rock armour suits very high-energy wave environments where maximum individual unit mass is needed.

R 601 (approx. 0.4 m³) and R 801 (approx. 1.2 m³) are single-layer containers for sheltered and covered applications: inner riverbanks, canal rehabilitation, dune cores as a last barrier against breakthrough, harbour scour protection. The two Grand grades are for exposed applications — open coastline, wave-exposed revetments, offshore scour protection. Both are double-layer, both fill to approx. 2.5 m³, both have rounded edges and a factory-attached scour flap, and both reach abrasion residual strength ≥ 85 % and 50.0 kN/m factory seam strength before and after abrasion. Grand RS 1201 (1,200 g/m²) is the standard exposed grade; Grand RS 1601 (1,600 g/m²) adds a heavier filter layer of approx. 1,000 g/m², tensile strength of 65.0/70.0 kN/m and CBR of 13,500 N for the most severe wave, rock-contact and handling loads.

The seam is the part of the container with the lowest tensile strength. Where stress concentrates — during lifting, filling and placement — it becomes the predetermined breaking point. This is why containers for Australia and Asia are built with a double seam along three sides. For the Grand grades, factory seam tensile strength is 50.0 kN/m (EN ISO 10321 / AS 3706.6), verified before and after abrasion. Always verify seam strength and abrasion residual values, not fabric tensile alone.

CE marking per EN 13249:2016, BAW basic test report per RPG:2021 and TLG:2018, DIN 18200 internal monitoring, EN ISO 9001:2015 quality management, EN ISO 14001:2015 environmental management.

An EPD is available for Secutex® nonwoven geotextile, which forms the container shell.

Naue Secutex® Soft Rock container dimensions for Australia and Asia are as follows:

  • R 601: 1.40 × 1.27 m inner, approx. 0.4 m³, one filling port
  • R 801: 2.18 × 1.70 m inner, approx. 1.2 m³, one filling port
  • Grand RS 1201: 2.70 × 2.18 m inner, approx. 2.5 m³, two filling ports, rounded edges, scour flap
  • Grand RS 1601: 2.70 × 2.18 m inner, approx. 2.5 m³, two filling ports, rounded edges, scour flap

Custom-designed or non-standard configurations can be developed for specific site conditions on request.

ASTM D5261 / AS 2001.2.13 (mass per unit area), ASTM D5199 / AS 2001.2.15 (thickness), ASTM D4595 / AS 3706.2 (wide-width tensile), ASTM D4632 / AS 3706.2 (grab strength), ASTM D4533 / AS 3706.3 (tear strength), ASTM D6241 / AS 3706.4 (CBR puncture), ASTM D4751 / AS 3706.7 (apparent opening size), ASTM D4355 / AS 3706.11 (weather resistance), ASTM D5322 (chemical resistance), EN ISO 11058 (permeability), EN ISO 12956 (characteristic opening size), EN ISO 13433 / AS 3706.5 (cone drop), EN ISO 12957-1 (friction angle) and EN ISO 10321 / AS 3706.6 (seam strength). Design life: 100 years per ISO TS 13434.

Yes. Naue provides project-specific container selection, dimensioning and installation guidance. The free Naue SoftRock software in the Naue Portal covers geometry optimisation, quantity take-off, tender documentation and CO₂ assessment. Engineers can also contact the technical sales and engineering team by submitting a project request below.

Let’s discuss your project!

Please use the form to tell us about your enquiry
(* = required field)

Where to meet Naue next

All eventsAll webinars