87 



Once a reasonable expertise in shoreline modeling has been reached, 

 the greatest research need is for the engineering community to analyze and 

 quantify the performance and costs of the available alternatives for 

 dealing with sea level rise, and to then determine their 



cost-effectiveness. Studies should be implemented that are specifically 

 devoted to dikes and artificial dunes, offshore breakwaters, and beach fill 

 design. These measures appear to be the most promising for confronting sea 

 level rise. 



Research needs in structural design also require studies of a basic 

 nature to increase performance and decrease costs. Most importantly, the 

 most likely sea level rise scenarios must be refined and agreed upon before 

 engineers will be inclined to include them in their designs. Until then, 

 research on economical methods to retrofit existing structures must be 

 pursued. The modes and methods of failure of coastal and estuarine 

 structures, as well as self- induced subsidence must also be studied. 



