Soft Engineering vs Hard Engineering

Shingle beaches are known as soft engineering. The shingle absorbs the energy of waves as they roll over the beach. These beaches maintain access and protect the environment behind the beach. 

Solid structures, such as sea walls, are known as hard engineering. Walls reflect the waves energy back onto the beach and can affect access and create an obstruction for natural features. Solid structures alone work well in more sheltered environments, although in exposed, open coast locations, a beach or rock is key to absorbing the waves as a first line of defence.