COASTAL ENGINEERING STRUCTURES 
by 
Jay V. Hall, Jr. 
Chief, Engineering Division 
Beach Erosion Board, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 
SYNOPSIS 
This paper describes the physical characteristics of basic coastal 
engineering structures in general use; the behavior of individual struc- 
tures and their behavior when grouped as a system. Also described is a 
typical example of planning for coastal engineering works. 
INTRODUCTION 
The foregoing paper by Krumbein has covered beach processes and 
deposits in terms of a conceptual process-response model, This paper 
parallels Krumbein’s presentation with emphasis on how these natural 
forces are controlled or modified to suit man’s purposes by means of 
engineering structures. 
During the early years of this nation, shore protection was a 
relatively unimportant problem since the shores were sparsely settled. 
As our economy developed and the value of shore front property in- 
creased a line was established beyond which for economic reasons the 
shoreline could not be permitted to erode. The science of shore pro- 
tection, like others, developed first as an art as the need arose and 
continued on that plane until research and development placed it ona 
scientific basis. Although some work has been done throughout the years, 
the first major concerted effort to increase the knowledge started 
shortly after World War I. The next great advance was made in World 
War II, due to its amphibious nature. 
The science of shore protection covers numerous fields of endeavor 
in which geology has and is playing an important role in developing a 
fuller understanding of beach processes, so essential to the solution 
of shore protection problems. In other words, it is the accumulation 
of this knowledge that has enabled the engineer to design structures, 
which modify or control the natural forces to suit man’s purposes. 
Numerous types of structures have been developed, each having its 
mission in shore protection work. These are the working tools of the 
engineer and he employs them after a complete engineering study to 
provide protection at the least cost. 
