Coastal Engineering

Our coastal engineers work to assess coastal erosion and submersion risks. Using available data, land and marine surveys, state-of- the-art modelling tools, aerial pictures, historical site information, environmental habitats, and social use characterization, we can harness a thorough understanding of the coastal processes at play and the associated coastal risks. Our shore protection work includes rock revetment, beach and dune nourishment, detached breakwaters, groins, cliff stabilization and bulkheads, as well as adaptation and retreat strategy development.

We employ the “Living Shoreline” approach when developing our projects. Consequently, we promote open channels of communication with oversight agencies, local environmental groups and social specialists when developing concepts, in order to maximize community support and ecosystem integration. Our projects are designed to work in harmony with their surroundings and to minimize the potential impact on environmental resources.

At WSP, we have the expertise to design durable breakwaters and to optimize their configuration to minimize wave agitation in harbors. We use advanced numerical tools to develop applications that help us simulate the features of each site and structure. We also study local weather events in detail to design breakwaters according to environmental conditions. Our concepts are adapted to include regionally available materials to minimize construction costs. We also have the required expertise for on-site monitoring and the inspection of aging structures.

Factors that affect the overall design of a breakwater include the choice of materials, site conditions, construction techniques and the future maintenance regime for the structure. WSP has experience in the design of all sizes of breakwaters, from shore-based groins or fishtails of several yards in length to shore-based or offshore breakwaters stretching over several miles. We have developed a robust portfolio of design techniques, including basic design, physical model testing, detailed design and preparation of technical specifications – all tailored to the specific requirements of each new breakwater.

We also understand that vessel downtime is a serious issue for a busy modern commercial port, so we employ state-of- the-art optimization techniques to ensure that breakwaters create calm and quiet water for marine traffic. In construction, methodology and materials should be considered to devise a truly optimal solution.

We believe a crucial component in the successful design and operation of port and coastal environments is the characterization of the marine environment’s effect on structures and operations. We produce simulations of coastal environments in order to understand the coastal processes specific to a project, or to test the effect of any change in the physical environment on its natural features or on any built assets.

Our modeling capabilities allow us to generate offshore wave climates that simulate the real environment to propagate and transform them to the nearshore study site. Once near the site, we can study wave penetration and agitation, wave loading on structures, and all other hydrodynamic parameters involved in the design of robust maritime structures. We can also identify the rates of overtopping on structures of all types due to waves, inform the design of wave defense structures such as breakwaters, and allow for the assessment of overland flooding from coastal sources. This detailed understanding allows us to advise clients in relation to beach morphology, dredging assessments, impacts of new development, climate change mitigation, management and planning.

Our worldwide experts are creating the world of tomorrow. Here at WSP we do not only envision the future. We build it.