Coastal protection plans:
Are strategies and measures that are implemented to reduce the risks and impacts of coastal hazards, such as storms, erosion, and sea level rise. Structural engineers may be involved in the development of coastal protection plans by designing and analyzing the structural components of the protective measures that are being proposed.
Some examples of structural measures that may be included in a coastal protection plan include:
- Seawalls: These are vertical walls that are built along the shoreline to protect against erosion and wave action. Seawalls can be made of concrete, stone, or other materials, and may be designed to withstand the forces of the sea and the weight of the water behind them.
- Breakwaters: These are structures that are built offshore to reduce the energy of incoming waves and protect the shoreline from erosion. Breakwaters can be made of concrete, rock, or other materials and are often shaped to dissipate wave energy.
- Jetties: These are structures that are built perpendicular to the shoreline to protect against erosion and help maintain the navigability of a harbor or other waterway. Jetties can be made of concrete, rock, or other materials and may be designed to withstand the forces of the sea and the weight of the water behind them.
- Groins: These are structures that are built perpendicular to the shoreline to trap sand and help prevent erosion. Groins can be made of wood, concrete, or other materials and may be designed to withstand the forces of the sea and the weight of the water behind them.
Structural engineers may also be involved in the design and analysis of other non-structural measures that may be included in a coastal protection plan, such as beach nourishment (the addition of sand to a beach to restore its natural profile) or managed retreat (the strategic relocation of development away from the coast to reduce flood risk).