Design of Risk Reduction Measures in Coastal Zones

Worldwide, ports require protection works to prevent access channel siltation and to safeguard safe port access. In addition, surrounding low lying areas require adequate protection against flooding and processes of coastal and riverbank erosion.

Apart from the development of sustainable sediment management strategies (e.g. sediment nourishments at beaches) and nature-based solutions on a system level, hard structures like breakwater and dykes continue to play an inevitable and crucial role in the protection of ports and lowland areas.

This course offers training in the design of coastal protection works like breakwaters and dykes for professional by world-famous design engineers with worldwide experience.

Students will learn how to design a breakwater and a dyke starting from boundary conditions like tides and waves. The design includes an analysis of the optimal shape and materials required for the core of the structures and the revetments. The course offers and in-depth analysis of the hydraulic forcings like waves and tides and the requirements to withstand extreme conditions, including possible failure mechanisms.

Students will work both individually and in groups on breakwater and dyke designs where they will apply their newly acquired knowledge on the physical processes in a real-life case study.