Prevention of Coastal Erosion

Jeffrey Havelin, P.E.

Course Outline

This course was specifically designed to introduce the basic design concepts behind various coastal erosion defense schemes. Coastal structures are used in coastal defense schemes with the objective of preventing shoreline erosion and flooding of the adjacent coastal areas. Other objectives include sheltering of harbor basins and harbor entrances against waves, stabilization of navigation channels at inlets, and protection of water intakes and outfalls. An overview of the various types of coastal structures and their application is covered in detail within this course.

Coastal property valued at millions of dollars per acre can be washed away during a single coastal event, and millions of dollars are spent every year trying to prevent coastal damage in areas all over the world. This course will introduce you to many of the coastal structures, which have been developed to prevent erosion, flooding, and loss of beaches.

This course is based entirely on the Chapter 2 TYPES AND FUNCTIONS OF COASTAL STRUCTURES from the Coastal Engineering Manual - EM 1110-2-1100. This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of course materials. You will be quizzed on the attached document in its entirety.

Learning Objective

At the conclusion of this course, the student will have completed a detailed review of the following coastal structure applications, and understand their functions.

• Sea dikes;
• Sea walls;
• Revetments;
• Bulkheads;
• Groins;
• Detached breakwaters;
• Reef breakwaters;
• Submerged sills;
• Beach drains;
• Beach nourishment and dune construction;
• Breakwaters;
• Floating breakwaters;
• Jetties;
• Concrete armor units;
• Storm surge barriers;
• Pile structures; and
• Scour protection.
  

Intended Audience

This course would be very informative for engineers who are involved or wish to understand more about the design, or construction of shoreline protection structures.

Course Introduction

This course is intended to introduce the basic structures and application of these structures in shoreline protection. Coastal property valued at millions of dollars per acre can be washed away during a single coastal event, and millions of dollars are spent every year trying to prevent coastal damage in areas all over the world. This course will introduce you to many of the coastal structures, which have been developed to prevent erosion, flooding, and loss of beaches.

Course Content

This course is based entirely on the USACE Coastal Engineering Manual - EM 1110-2-1100 Chapter 2 TYPES AND FUNCTIONS OF COASTAL STRUCTURES.

The link to the course materials is as follows:

EM 1110-2-1100 Chapter 2 TYPES AND FUNCTIONS OF COASTAL STRUCTURES

Please click on the above underlined hypertext to view, download or print the document for your study. Because of the large file size, we recommend that you first save the file to your computer by right clicking the mouse and choosing "Save Target As ...", and then open the file in Adobe Acrobat Reader.


Course Summary

At the completion of this class the design professional should be familiar with the various types of coastal structures reviewed in this course, and the application of these structures to prevent shoreline erosion.

Quiz

Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.

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DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.

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