72797 - Coastal Engineering

Learning outcomes

Aim of the course is to provide tools for static analysis and basic skills for the evaluation of coastal structures impact and design. The course will introduce and describe processes that characterize the oceanic and littoral environment and provide tools for the analysis and design of coastal defences, harbours and offshore structures. Observations and physical intuition for understanding physical processes are emphasized.

Course contents

Part I. The coastal environment

Wind Wind generation, velocity distribution and effects of winds. Storm surge.

Sea level, astronomical tide.

Wave dynamics. Linear irrotational wave theory. Breaking mechanisms and conditions. Run up and reflection on slopes. Energy spectrum, Rayleigh distribution. Time and frequency domain analysis of wave records.

Wind-waves generation, wind-wave hindcasting. Geographical and effective fetches.

Wave shoaling: refraction approximation. Wave diffraction.

Part II. Harbours

Ships. Approach channels and navigation requirements. Layout of ports and entrances.

Rubble mound breakwaters. Vertical wall breakwaters, blockwork and caisson technique. Construction techniques. Stability of the armour layer, of the toe berm, of crownwall, overtopping and transmission, rear side stability. Filter rules and stability of the core. Geotechnical stability of the foundation. Settlement. Pressure on the vertical wall, Stability of the wall.

Docks and harbour services: quay-walls, piers, dry docks and sea locks, fenders, dolphins.

Part III. Offshore structures

Offshore platforms. Fixed platforms, forces on piles, pressure of breaking waves on deck, resonance and fatigue effects. Construction techniques of jacket type platforms. Offshore wind turbines, gravity and monopile foundations. Buoys and mooring. Floating platforms, TLP and SPAR

Office hours

See the website of Renata Archetti

See the website of Alberto Lamberti