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INSTRUCTORS:
Serim Dogac Sayar, M.Sc.
Melissa C. Cairns, M.Eng
Mahdieh Givehki
Phuong Dong Le, Ph.D.
Mithun Deb, Ph.D.
Course Length: 1 hour
Purpose and Background
These presentations were recorded at the International Conference on Coastal Engineering 2026.
Hydraulic Design Guidelines for Ecologically Engineered Coastalock Armour Units (13 minutes)
This presentation introduces the development of hydraulic design guidelines for Coastalock armour units, an ecologically engineered concrete armour system designed to enhance marine habitat while maintaining hydraulic performance. Participants will learn how extensive physical modeling data from multiple research programs were consolidated into practical design guidance. The session discusses the influence of armour spacing, porosity, and underlayer configurations on hydraulic stability and overtopping behavior. Attendees will examine how ecological objectives can be integrated into traditional breakwater design without compromising structural performance. The presentation also reviews stability coefficients, roughness factors, and underlayer requirements developed from more than 400 hydraulic tests. Engineers will gain practical insight into applying eco-engineering concepts to breakwater and revetment projects. The session highlights future research needs for ecological armour systems and long-term performance assessment.
Finite Element Analysis of Cubilok Concrete Armour Units (14 minutes)
This presentation examines the structural behavior and optimization of Cubilok concrete armour units using finite element analysis techniques. Participants will learn how stress development, flexural behavior, and structural robustness were evaluated using ANSYS simulations. The session compares Cubilok performance against established armour units such as Xbloc under various loading scenarios. Attendees will explore the relationship between armour geometry, slenderness ratio, structural integrity, and hydraulic performance. Physical modeling and finite element results are integrated to evaluate design efficiency and breakwater stability. The presentation highlights how optimized geometries can reduce stress concentrations while maintaining hydraulic effectiveness. Engineers will gain insight into combining structural and hydraulic considerations when developing innovative armour units.
Lifecycle Assessment of Rubble-Mound Breakwaters: Process-Based Versus Empirical Models (12 minutes)
This presentation compares physics-based and empirical approaches for lifecycle assessment of rubble-mound breakwaters. Participants will learn how different modeling methodologies influence long-term damage predictions and maintenance planning. The session discusses the use of StormSim and CSHORE tools for evaluating cumulative damage under probabilistic storm conditions and future sea-level rise scenarios. Attendees will examine how physical profile evolution and damage accumulation differ between process-based and empirical models. The presentation also introduces advanced statistical tools, including principal component analysis and Cox hazard models, for interpreting long-term infrastructure performance. Engineers will gain insight into uncertainty assessment and lifecycle risk management for coastal structures. The session highlights the strengths and limitations of alternative modeling approaches in support of resilient infrastructure planning.
Long Term Settlement Behavior of Bamboo Pile Foundation for Breakwater in Coastal Soft Soil (13 minutes)
This presentation explores the long-term performance of bamboo pile foundations used to support breakwaters constructed on extremely soft marine soils in Indonesia. Participants will learn about the challenges of designing coastal infrastructure in highly compressible, low-permeability soils. The session presents monitoring results collected over more than four years and compares performance at two major port developments. Attendees will examine settlement behavior, consolidation processes, and the influence of foundation preparation methods on project outcomes. The presentation discusses the durability, sustainability, and economic benefits of using bamboo as a locally available foundation material. Real-world monitoring data provide valuable evidence supporting the viability of bamboo pile systems for coastal infrastructure. Engineers will gain practical insight into innovative and sustainable ground improvement solutions for challenging coastal environments.
Performance of Ocean Turbulence Closure Models at Potential Tidal Energy Sites in the US (13 minutes)
This presentation evaluates the performance of turbulence closure models used to characterize hydrodynamic conditions at potential tidal energy development sites. Participants will learn how turbulence intensity, turbulent kinetic energy, and dissipation rates influence tidal turbine performance and site assessment. The session compares Mellor-Yamada and k-epsilon turbulence closure schemes using observations from several energetic tidal channels in the United States. Attendees will examine how different model formulations affect predictions of turbulence characteristics critical to turbine design and deployment. The presentation highlights validation results using field measurements collected at multiple tidal energy sites. Engineers will gain insight into the strengths and limitations of different turbulence modeling approaches for renewable energy applications. The session demonstrates the importance of model selection and calibration when conducting advanced hydrodynamic analyses.
Benefits and Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Explain the key hydraulic design parameters and performance considerations for ecologically engineered Coastalock armour units.
- Describe how finite element modeling can be used to evaluate and optimize the structural performance of concrete armour units.
- Discuss the differences between empirical and process-based approaches for lifecycle assessment of rubble-mound breakwaters.
- Identify the factors influencing long-term settlement performance of bamboo pile foundations supporting coastal structures in soft soil conditions.
- Explain how turbulence closure model selection influences hydrodynamic predictions used in tidal energy site assessment and design.
Assessment of Learning Outcomes
Students' achievement of the learning outcomes will be assessed via a short post-test assessment (true-false, multiple choice, and/or fill in the blank questions).
Who Should Attend?
- Coastal Engineer
- Civil Engineer
- Coastal Scientist
- Coastal Resilience Program Manager
- Government Coastal Zone Manager
- University Student or Researcher
How to Earn your CEUs/PDHs and Receive Your Certificate of Completion
To receive your certificate of completion, you will need to complete a short on-line post-test and receive a passing score of 70% or higher within 365 days of the course purchase.
How do I convert CEUs to PDHs?
1.0 CEU = 10 PDHs [Example: 0.1 CEU = 1 PDH]