Coastal Engineering and Shore Protection Structures

About the Course

Coastal Engineering is a branch of civil engineering concerned with the specific demands posed by constructing at or near the coast and the development of the coast itself. Coastal engineering and shore protection are one of the most sophisticated engineering specialities.

Coastal Engineers are often interdisciplinary and involved in integrated coastal zone management. This may include providing input and technology for, e.g. environmental impact assessment, port development, strategies for coastal defence, land reclamation, etc.

This 5-day Coastal Engineering and Shore Protection Structures training course introduces key concepts and basic knowledge in Coastal Engineering and Shore Protection Structures. It will enable the delegates to understand the basics of the design and construction of coastal structures and shore protection structures. This introduces the natural phenomenon affecting coastal zones and explains the motion of wave mechanics and wave transformation. The delegates will understand the phenomenon of Sediment transport and shoreline changes which affect most of the coastlines around the world and have major economic and environmental impacts. This training course will highlight some main aspects of coastal management: the defence against flooding and erosion and techniques that stop erosion from claiming lands. Protection against rising sea levels in the 21st century is crucial, as sea level rise accelerates due to climate change.

Core Objectives

The delegates will achieve the following objectives:

• Understand sea wave processes, including wave generation, propagation, refraction, diffraction, and breaking
• Know the wave properties important to coastal engineering, including wave heights, speeds, induced water velocities, and pressures
• Acquire the basics of sea sediment transport processes and rates
• Appreciate the estimation of hydrodynamic forces on simple structures
• Understand how to design and construct different shoreline protection structures
• Know the effect of global warming and climate changes on coastal zones

Training Approach

This training course will combine presentations with instructor-guided interactive discussions between delegates relating to their interests. Practical exercises, video material and case studies aiming at stimulating these discussions and providing maximum benefit to the participants will support the formal presentation sessions. Above all, extensive use of case examples and case studies of issues has been personally involved.

The Attendees

This training course is vital as coastal zones host more than 40% of the world's population. This will benefit all professionals involved directly or indirectly with projects close to beaches.

This training course will be valuable to professionals, including (but not limited to) the following:

• Civil Engineers
• Project Engineers
• Construction Engineers
• Coastal and Marine Structures Engineers who want to expand their knowledge in coastal engineering
• Structure Engineers involved in the design or construction of coastal structures
• Managers and Executives who are new to the coastal engineering industry

Daily Discussion

DAY ONE: INTRODUCTION TO COASTAL ENGINEERING AND NATURAL PHENOMENON

• Introduction to Coastal Engineering
• Typical Beach Profile
• Wind: Wind Rose
• Water Waves
• Tides, Currents, and Water Levels
• Wave Theories

DAY TWO: MECHANICS OF WAVE MOTION

• Wave Refraction
• Wave Diffraction
• Wave Breaking
• Simplified Methods for Estimating Wave Conditions
• Water Level Fluctuations
• Wave Impact and Wave Forces on Walls

DAY THREE: COASTAL SEDIMENT TRANSPORT AND LITTORAL PROCESSES

• Coastal Sediment Transport
• Littoral Processes
• Littoral Wave Conditions & Nearshore Currents
• Wave Transformation Studies
• 1D Modelling
• Types of Breakwaters

DAY FOUR: SHORE PROTECTION STRUCTURES II AND MAIN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

• Design of Rubble Mound Breakwaters and Combined Breakwaters
• Seawall, Bulkheads, Revetments, and their Environmental Impacts
• Revetments Design
• Physical Modeling of Coastal Structures
• Wave Run-Up and Overtopping on Seawalls
• Detached Breakwaters

DAY FIVE: SHORE PROTECTION STRUCTURES II AND SEA LEVEL RISE

• Groins
• Sand Dunes
• Sand Bypassing
• Effect of Climate Change and Sea Level Rise
• The Use of Geotextile Sand Containers in Shore Protection